Each and every time I run a workshop entitled “Protecting God’s Children”, I am conscious that the videos shown and the content discussed may be affecting someone in the group so differently than the others.  I am aware that there is a very good chance that at least one of the participants may him/herself be a victim of child sexual abuse.  They will most assuredly not be wearing a tag or sign that says ‘I am the victim of someone abusing me sexually.’  The climate has changed and although there is less shame in being a “victim”, there can be tremendous shame and guilt for the victim.  The pain can be so overwhelming that the victim can isolate oneself from others, shut down emotionally or become addicted to a substance or behavior to numb the pain.  The worst part can be that the victim can mistrust people and this affects their relationships on many levels.    

I have to pray more. I need to immerse myself in God to be clear about all the new information coming out.  I am feeling so ambivalently when it comes to child sexual abuse and the Church.  Part of me feels like I want to hide my head in the sand.  But I also feel angry.  I also feel that once and for all, the truth must come out.  One truth that continues to be clear to me is that our children must be protected.      

A while back someone commented that they were very disappointed that the Little Church is not open during the day for visits to the Blessed Sacrament.  I explained that we lock the Little Church after the last Mass on the weekdays because we must protect our children.  All places must be secure so that it can never be used to hurt a child.

Complicated?  Unpleasant?  Frightening?  Horrifying?  All too real!    

Let’s continue to talk to God that we can always do what is right for our children; to not lose hope; for victims; for adults who may still be secretly living with the trauma of having been victimized; for the perpetrators; that all of us who make up the Church will do the right things.        

Fr. Andy Prachar