RECENTLY the news throughout the world had its focus on the sexual abuses case in the Church and the allegations placed against the Holy Father.
As part of the Body of Christ, the Church, I am affected.
Some claimed that the allegations against the Pope are not true; the allegations are lies.
If these cases of sexual abuse by priests, religious and Catholic lay leaders are taking place in the world, it tells that something wrong had happened.
Something sinful had happened and continues to happen within the Church.
Instead of pointing my finger towards the others, I am turning my finger to us as a Church.
What is happening now?
What had happened in the past to lead us to these sexual abuses we are hearing about today?
Some Church leaders blamed the issue on celibacy, some claim that it was due to the priestly formation received by priests/religious, recently a prominent figure of the Vatican placed the blame of homosexuality, and the lists goes on.
A few years ago, when problems with the sexual abuse cases began the Holy Father mentioned of the need to go on our knees and beg God for forgiveness.
Have I done that?
Have priests, religious and lay leaders gone on their knees each day, until this sinfulness is gotten rid of?
Have we participated whole heartedly in this spiritual warfare?
Until today, all I see is the Church and the world going on in endless battle; battles that lead us nowhere.
The passage of Acts 6:1-7 tells of the early Church leaders having a sincere and personal commitment to the Gospel, a commitment founded in the person of Christ.
Today, our Church leaders need to renew themselves and grow towards Christ.
We need to stop all the unfruitful talks and letters given to the media and the victims of sexual abuses; more can still be done to bring greater healing to the Body of Christ.
We need to start going on our knees, we need to start fasting and praying for this sinfulness now overshadowing the Holy Church.
We need to pray for graces on the fragmented Roman Catholic Church.
BR KENNETH GAN
Banyo, Qld
