Once Upon a Time…

In 2018 and 2019 the Church has been shaken by a tremendous wave of sexual abuse and scandal within the United States, Chilli, Australia, Germany, France, and many other countries. Nowhere in the world has been excluded. Cardinals, bishops and priests have been denounced for covering up the facts and minimizing the gravity of the situation. An example is Chilli where all of the bishops presented their demission to the Holy Father. Many others have been judged for having committed atrocities such as the Australian cardinal George Pell, and the American cardinal Theodore McCarrick and unfortunately the list goes on.

In the face of these shocking events, Pope Francis has evoked his shame and suffering and commanded that the clergy accused of paedophilia turn themselves over to human justice and prepare themselves for Divine justice. In 2019 he invited the bishops worldwide to participate in a 4 day summit at the Vatican on sexual abuse where the victims were invited to testify. For Pope Francis the Church cannot change if  hearts don't change.

A Saying…

“There is only one way to make space for God, (…) stop talking, pray and be humble.”

“In moments of darkness and despair, when the tangles and knots can't be undone, and that nothing seems clear, we should keep quiet: the softness of silence will show us our weaknesses, and it will be the devil himself, who is inspired to show us his true intentions, no longer disguised as an angel of light but shameless and brazen (…). There is only one-way to make space for God, and it is He Himself that taught us: humiliation and self-emptying. To be quiet, pray and be humble.”

A Prayer…

Today let us pray for the victims who have been sexually abused by people within the Church, as well as their families. Lord relieve their pain, heal their wounds, and may this traumatizing experience within the Church not be an obstacle for them to know your infinite love and mercy for them.

Today let us also pray for the priests and bishops who are guilty of these atrocities. May they be sincerely repentful and give them the courage to do everything that can be possibly done to help the victims obtain justice and give them the power to repair their wrong doing by a greater good.

Lastly, let us pray for the Church and its pastors. Lord enlighten them with Your Holy Spirit and help them make concrete decisions so that justice and reparation can be done. May means be put into place to avoid these atrocities ever happening again or ever being covered up.

Three ways to pray for this intention:
1. I click immediately on the tab “I pray” just below, and I carefully read the “prayer to the Holy Spirit for Pope Francis”
2. I say 10 Hail Marys and I click on the tab “I pray”
3. I offer 3 minutes of silence, heart to heart, with God, then I click on the tab “I pray”