SEPTEMBER 11 shattered our peace reverberating fear around the world. The USA is striving to recover, regroup and plan the future.
Revelations of Catholic clergy sexual child abuse have rocked the Catholic Church and beyond to all people worldwide. How could this betrayal of trust happen?
Why was it not discerned, arrested, and appropriate action taken earlier?
With deep feelings of confusion, betrayal and hurt, all Catholic members are being challenged to walk with Jesus – no easy task.
Christ invites us to empathise, forgive, reconcile and compensate both the offended and offenders.
Sexual child abuse has left victims disturbed, feeling dirty, mixed up, insecure, depressed, guilty, unable to form healthy relationships, or express and enjoy their sexuality in a mature manner.
These offended persons require loving support, securing friendships, reconciling apology and ongoing counsel.
They need to meet the consoling face of Jesus in a Church member. Are you or I ready to be that face?
Perpetrators too have their needs. Reaching a friendly hand to them is not going soft on sin which is abominable.
Who knows what causes such perversions? Jesus came to call sinners. Those I know are truly repentant and worthy of our forgiveness.
It is important to probe causes of human error tragedies, to explore contributing factors, and evaluate how best to overcome and eliminate them.
Justice requires, where appropriate, punitive action be taken, and due compensation provided.
With the enlightened understanding of today, we realise the damage done by hesitancy or inappropriate action by former Church authorities in response to complaints by offended victims.
We regret and apologise for such neglect which belonged to the culture of past eras.
Hopefully, with better understanding, we can move forward together in the healing process.
There are five elements in need of healing – the victims, perpetrators, former Church leaders, the Catholic community and the wider world – the people of God.
Jesus Christ is our centre. His gospel of love, compassion, forgiveness, justice, honesty and integrity is our guide.
No room is allowed for resentment, fault-finding, or blame-pointing. Rather, we are challenged to be reconciled within, then seek reconciliation with others.
FR COLEY McKENZIE
Nundah, Qld
