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  With Sorrow and Hope

By Justin Rigali
The Catholic Standard & Times [Philadelphia PA]
September 29, 2005

Over the past week, we Catholics have come face to face with evil. We saw that, in our own Church, troubled priests, to whom we looked as ministers of sacramental grace, as collaborators in ministry and indeed as friends, had committed despicable acts of evil upon our most innocent and precious members, our children.

This knowledge, and the depravity of the acts detailed in the Philadelphia Grand Jury Report, affects me deeply. I grieve for the pain and humiliation victims of clergy sexual abuse have suffered.

To them I say, once again, with a heavy heart: I apologize to you personally. Your suffering is borne by all Catholics. All believers stand with you for support and are united with you in prayer. These words are meant to be first steps of healing, which I pray you will receive through the grace of God.

The Archdiocese stands ready to assist you in humble service. I am willing to meet with you as I have met with others. Our Victims Assistance Coordinators offer both spiritual and mental health services. Any victim or those who wish to report an allegation of abuse — which will be communicated immediately to civil authorities — may contact an assistance coordinator at 215-587-3880 or PhilaVAC@adphila.org.

Many years ago I dedicated my life as a priest of Jesus, the High Priest, to serve Him and His Church, the people of God. Today I acknowledge the betrayal of abusive priests, as do so many dedicated priests here in the Archdiocese. These good and faithful servants of our Lord feel especially hurt. I know they have endured uncharitable comments or perhaps silent stares of condemnation from some members of the community. I extend my fraternal admiration for all the selfless service they render. They strive for personal holiness as they lead the people entrusted to their care to a deeper relationship of love with our Lord Jesus. To them I say with a full heart: thank you for all you do and are.

I express these words with deepest gratitude. But my words are not enough. I invite all the faithful to consider times in your life when a priest celebrated a significant moment in your life with you, or consoled your family at a time of grief, or in some small way accompanied you on your journey toward holiness of life in Jesus.

As you have considered the evil perpetrated by a minority of priests over several decades, I ask you to take the time to thank personally one of the overwhelming majority of priests who have performed generous service to you and the Church over a much longer span of time. If a priest has ever led you closer to the Father's love, now may be the time to thank him personally with words of your own.

In my visits with parishioners during this past week, I have witnessed a realization among many that their faith in Jesus Christ, and His Body the Church, is strong. I thank each of you for your steadfast faith, despite the trials of this time.

Those whose faith has been badly shaken are seeking assurance that the grave evil of sexual abuse of minors will not afflict their families or the Church, our family of faith. To them I say with confidence: the Archdiocese renews its commitment to protect all children and young people and keep them as safe as is humanly possible. We pledge to do this by reporting all future allegations of abuse to civil authorities, to continue offering assistance to any victims, to continue to train all those who work with young people in any way to be models of appropriate behavior and to help children to be aware of proper personal boundaries.

Many faithful Catholics in this Archdiocese sincerely desire healing and renewal in the Church and in society. This is their hope, and mine.

The psalmist sings, "Our hope is in the Lord, who made heaven and earth."Our hope for healing the wounds in our Church and especially the young people defiled by this grave sin lies in the power of almighty God. We know Jesus Christ our Redeemer lives; He has the power to heal, and through the Holy Spirit will renew the face of the earth. This is my prayer.

I hope you, dear reader, will join me in praying for healing and renewal for the victims of sexual abuse; for the Church that so much needs the ever-present grace of her Lord Jesus; for our good and faithful priests who minister so selflessly; and for me the Pastor of this Archdiocese. McKenzie Kutufaris lives in Springfield, Delaware County.

 
 

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