We Abandoned Them

From today’s reading in Matthew (23:1-12) we hear: “Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.  Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.  For they preach but they do not practice…”

An astoundingly many priests have not practiced what they preached.   In fact, they violated their sacred vows.  They have tainted all the many good priests who mirror Jesus, yet reflect Judas in the eyes of some parishioners and many non-Catholics colored by the betrayal of unholy men.  Even well-stated and sincere statements are viewed with suspicion.  For example, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ president Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and Bishop Timothy L. Doherty, chairman of the conference’s Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, recently stated:

“The Pennsylvania grand jury report covers a span of more than 70 years (my emphasis).  In 2002 the U.S. Catholic Bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which commits us to respond promptly and compassionately to victims, report the abuse of minors, remove offenders and take ongoing action to prevent abuse. This Charter was revised and updated in 2011 and again in 2018.

We pledge to maintain transparency and to provide for the permanent removal of offenders from ministry and to maintain safe environments for everyone.  All policies and procedures regarding training and background check requirements are made publicaly available by dioceses and eparchies.

We pray that all survivors of sexual abuse find healing, comfort and strength in God’s loving presence as the Church pledges…to restore trust through accompaniment, communion, accountability, and justice.”

Was this enough?   Catholics and survivors don’t want prayers; they want the preachers to practice properly by showing demonstrable care for the little ones.  Pope Francis has said, “We showed no care for the little ones.  We abandoned them.”   He correctly called the abuse “atrocities.”  A 70-year history of abuse with more examples likely to be uncovered as the search continues and past victims speak out, is a slate that can never be wiped clean.

And, it shouldn’t be.   These abominations should be a constant reminder for the Church and all parishioners that evil lurks in all of us, and it must be confronted.   The Pope, cardinals, and bishops continue to try.   We can only wish them “Godspeed!” for God and we are watching.

Deacon David Pierce