On Friday, September 15, the Church observed the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Following the Church's liturgical celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross " the triumph of Christ on the Cross " the Church next focuses our attention on Mary, the Mother of the Redeemer, who courageously stood at the foot of the Cross, not only watching, but deeply participating in the suffering of her Divine Son. In that moment of profound sadness, pain and horrific suffering, Jesus gave to His Mother a further mission. "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold your son.' Then he said to his disciple, 'Behold your mother'" (Jn 19: 26-27). From that moment, the Mother of God is also confirmed as the Mother of the Church. In the midst of her pain, Mary draws to her Immaculate Heart " that heart pierced with a sword of sorrow and anguish " the entire human family. With love she embraces all, for she knows the price that was paid for our redemption.
This liturgical feast, marked with sorrow and with hope, provided a spiritual setting for a gathering of the priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with me at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. The purpose of our gathering was to listen to the testimony of several people who were victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy.
The first-hand accounts of these acts of abuse were at once heart-wrenching and emotionally draining. The pain which these individuals have borne weighs heavily upon them. Because of the courage of the victims in giving their testimony, the priests and I gained further insight into the sorrow and hurt which these victims have endured by those priests who betrayed their vocation and who abused the trust of the innocent. We further understood the traumatic effects of sexual abuse. The atmosphere was heavy with tremendous sorrow for the sufferings of those who were abused, as well as with great sadness for the evil actions of the perpetrators.
After the listening session, we proceeded to Saint Martin's Chapel, where we prayed before our Eucharistic Lord. In the presence of the Most Holy Eucharist, we prayerfully meditated upon the sufferings of Christ Crucified, the sorrows in which the Blessed Virgin Mary so intimately shared, and the victory of Jesus over sin and death. It is in the mystery of the Passion and Death of Jesus that all of us find forgiveness, divine mercy and healing. Into that transforming mystery we commend those who have suffered and those who have caused suffering as we pray for healing, for mercy and for renewal.
Education, Formation and Vigilance
Throughout the United States, the Church has suffered from the impact of the Clergy Sexual Abuse Scandal. Our local Church in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia also has been deeply wounded by the abusive actions of some priests. This has been compounded by an inadequate understanding of the serial nature of certain abusers, which resulted in reassignment during past decades. As the medical and psychological sciences have developed in their understanding in recent years, so the Church, and society have become more proactive in identifying and handling cases of sexual abuse.
The Safe Environment Training Program has been implemented for almost four years, during which time all priests, deacons, seminarians, religious, and hundreds of lay teachers, employees, coaches and volunteers have been educated in maintaining a safe environment for children and youths. Furthermore, the Archdiocesan schools provide to children education in "good touch-bad touch," and are developing programs for parents in order to help them identify warning signs of sexual abuse.
The seminary program of priestly formation, which encompasses areas of spiritual, academic, apostolic and human formation, also remains vigilant in addressing issues of sexuality in forming young men to live a celibate life. A careful screening of applicants and the continued attentive formation of our seminarians are significant in ensuring that well-formed, healthy, holy priests are ordained for ministry in the Church.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia also remains committed to providing assistance, counseling and healing to those who have been sexually abused. The Victims' Assistance Hotline, the Office for Child and Youth Protection, and the Victims' Advocate underline the commitment of the Archdiocese to vigilance in protecting young people from all forms of sexual abuse.
A Call to Greater Holiness
In returning to the image of Mary at the foot of the Cross, we witness the overwhelming grief and sorrow of the Mother who mourned the violence done to the Innocent One.
Yet, the darkness and pain of Good Friday gave way to the glory of the Resurrection. Christ Jesus conquered sin and death. Out of tragedy arose the Light which cannot be overcome by the darkness (cf. Jn 1:5).
The painful and intolerable effects of the sexual abuse of minors have indeed caused a great scandal in our time throughout the world.
I deeply regret the suffering which has been caused by these acts of abuse and reiterate my sorrow for all those who have suffered. Every bishop and every priest has also felt the sadness and distress which resulted from the betrayal of some of our brothers. As we lament their sins, we also pray for them in their lives of prayer and penance. We recommit ourselves, as well, to prayers for the healing, peace and renewal for those who are victims of sexual abuse.
On April 23, 2002, at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II met with the Cardinals of the United States as well as some representative Bishops from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. At that meeting, Pope John Paul II condemned every act of sexual abuse as "an appalling sin in the eyes of God."
As a youth, as a priest and as a bishop, Pope John Paul II observed human suffering at its worst. Yet, he remained ever hopeful and, as author George Weigel rightly identified him, Pope John Paul II was a "Witness to Hope." While lamenting the tremendous harm and sorrow caused by the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy, our late beloved Holy Father still maintained a steadfast hope that this time of trial would lead to an era of renewal, a time of greater holiness. To the Cardinals and Bishops who participated in the April 23 meeting, Pope John Paul II stated: "We must be confident that this time of trial will bring a purification that is urgently needed if the Church is to preach more effectively the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all its liberating force. Now you must ensure that where sin has increased, grace will all the more abound (cf. Rom 5:20). So much pain, so much sorrow must lead to a holier priesthood, a holier episcopate and a holier Church."
United with my brother priests as we listened and took to heart the accounts of the victims on September 15, those words of Pope John Paul II echoed in my heart. Evident is that commitment to greater holiness in those who are called to minister in the Church. Out of the depths of great sorrow will arise the Light " Jesus Christ " whose sufferings led to victory, whose Cross is our hope, and in whose Heart we find renewal, refuge and peace. With us, too, is Mary, the Mother of the Redeemer and the Mother of Priests, who, through her Immaculate Heart rallies us to greater holiness and a future full of hope.
