21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

     Last Sunday I gave a sermon on the sexual abuse scandal that has shocked and disheartened our church over the last 40 years.  I have read some of the statements made by bishops around the country.  The bishops who have been appointed over the last 15 years are going to have to be the ones to help lead us forward.  

     As I said in my remarks, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked the Vatican for an Apostolic Visitation to investigate the American Church.  They have also asked for qualified laity to work independently to investigate. 

     I think Cardinal Cupich of Chicago the leader of Province of Illinois made one of the most comprehensive and thoughtful statements. I share his last paragraph and invite you to read his whole text.  It can easily be found on line.

     “Anger, shock, grief, shame.  There is one other word that we bishops must summon: resolve. We must resolve to face our failures and hold each other accountable.  We must resolve to be clear-eyed about what we have done, what we have failed to do, and what remains to be done.  We must resolve to live in the light of humility, of repentance, of honesty-the light of Christ.  As a bishop, I pledge to continue holding firm to that resolve.  And I ask for you to pray for all victims of abuse.  I also invite you to review what I have written and make suggestions for improving our safe-environment standards, ever heeding the Second Vatican Council’s “Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,” which called on the laity, “by reason of the knowledge, competence or outstanding ability which they may enjoy… to express their opinion on those things which concern the good of the church.”

     I hope all our bishops would consult competent laity and listen to them.  This will take a great deal of effort and the virtue of humility.  If a bishop cannot operate this way we have to wonder if they have the charisms it takes to lead the church.  We pray that this will become one of the main qualities that potential bishops possess.  We pray for all church leaders in every denomination as they deal with sexual abuse questions.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark

P.S. Fr. Matthew is a wonderful minister in our parish.  His sincerity and good humor has touched all of us.  He is, of course, a missionary.  He belongs to the Society of African Missions or as they are commonly known, the SMA Fathers.  Because he is here full time, I am having him make our annual mission appeal this Sunday.  I would encourage everyone to be generous.  The Society of African Missions does tremendous work helping the poorest of the poor in Africa.  I endorse this appeal strongly.  We will accept donations throughout the next few weeks.  Please use the envelopes provided in the pews or simply mark a white envelope SMA and drop it in the collection. Thank you.