A Word from Your Pastor August 26

In this week’s bulletin, we are including two letters, one from our Bishop Frederick Campbell and one from Pope Francis concerning the recent publication of the findings of the Grand Jury of the State of Pennsylvania about the abuse of children by members of the clergy and religious orders.  I invite you to read these letters and to pray for the victims and all who have been involved in the horrendous crimes described in the report.

As Pastor, I want to add my own word of sorrow and upset at what has occurred.  Words are inadequate to express the emotions that arise when I hear of what has been done to innocent ones by those who are called to live as trustworthy shepherds.  The damage done to them and to the Church by such actions is evident.  We must side with the victims and do everything in our power not to allow such things to happen ever again.

As I have said in several homilies at Mass when these things were first coming to light, my heart goes out to all who have experienced abuse of any kind and to all whose Faith in the Church is affected by these scandals.  I am convinced that Jesus, the Good Shepherd Who loves us and Who wants to lead His flock to green pastures, will be with us as we seek to move forward.  God is using this painful reality to bring us all to Truth and to purify His Church so that we can be a faithful witness to the Gospel.

The Diocese of Columbus has now for many years instituted practices to ensure the safety of our children.  All who work and volunteer in the name of the Church in our parishes and our schools experience background checks and undergo Virtus training called “Protecting God’s Children.”  The Diocese has a clear protocol for reporting abuse and acts promptly to answer any situations that are brought to our attention.

Contact information for reporting abuse is on the Diocesan website, including both the Diocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator and the public officials for each county in the State of Ohio.  Any who have knowledge of abuse are asked to contact the appropriate authorities.  Help is available.  We are listening.

Diocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator

The Reverend Monsignor Stephan J. Moloney
614-224-2251
866-448-0217
helpisavailable@columbuscatholic.org

Statement from Bishop Campbell

https://columbuscatholic.org/statements

Letter of Pope Francis

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-08/pope-francis-letter-people-of-god-sexual-abuse.html