I have been thinking about the victims of sexual abuse by priests, and the current crisis.

Perhaps it would be a good idea for the hierarchy of our church to announce a universal day of prayer in all of our catholic churches, world wide, for the victims.

It would be nice to see the Bishops and Cardinals bless each and every victim of abuse personally. I would like to see the hierarcy lay hands on these victims, ask for their forgivness, annoint them with holy oil, pray for them for healing.

It would show the world that our spiritual leaders really do care about the victims, realize they made some serious mistakes, show the world that we truly are a faithful people of forgivness, humility, and healing.

I think this would be very healing for the victims, their families, and everyone in our church. MaryLu

I am going to pray for this.

-- MaryLu (mlc327@aol.com), April 28, 2002

Answers

Hello, MaryLu.

A few days ago, the cardinals ended their meetings at the Vatican. At the beginning of a closing press conference, they distributed a "final communique," a three-page document concerning the meetings and plans for the future. The following was included in the text:

"As part of the preparation for the June meeting of the American Bishops, the United States participants in the Rome meeting presented to the Prefects of the Roman Congregations the following proposals: ... [skipping #1 through #5]
"6) We propose that the Bishops of the United States set aside a day for prayer and penance throughout the Church in the United States, in order to implore reconciliation and the renewal of ecclesial life."

(Not fully what you had in mind, MaryLu, but in that direction.)
God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), April 28, 2002.

Thank you John for that information. I do hope that they go a step further and gather all the victims and their families (even if they wish to do it privately) and pray together in the presence of the Holy Spirit. I think it would be so healing. Three words, said from the heart can change the world - "I am sorry." The other three words, "I forgive you" are so healing.

-- MaryLu (mlc327@aol.com), April 28, 2002.

Hi MaryLu:

The victims are on all our hearts. Everyday, let's remember to pray for them!

May the Lord in His gracious lovingkindness SHOWER the victims and their families with divine healing grace.

May they know that God the Father is not to blame for any of this. He did not cause this. May they know that He does care for them. That He has seen and that He will judge the guilty.

May the Lord also keep the innocent from being slandered. May He extinguish the plans of the enemy who has sown such evil in our midst.

May the Balm of Gilead flow down from His throne, to heal the brokenhearted, to heal the wounded soul! Lord, YOU know who these victims are, heal them, Oh God!

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! Amen.

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), April 28, 2002.

Gail,

Your post was so beautiful and so touching! Thank you for sharing such beautiful words. Prayer changes things and we must pray without ceasing.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@aol.com), April 28, 2002.