I found myself in a dilemma this past week. I noticed the word “diocese” on the front page of the Star-Ledger last Sunday. As I began to read the article, I felt a sensation of dread come over me. The article claimed that the Archbishop of Newark shielded at least four priests accused of sexual abuse. As I continued to read, I felt anger, sadness and dread. “Here we go again,” I thought.
What was astounding to me, in retrospect, is that I was believing what I was reading. I have learned through my own experiences with the media that the media cannot be given absolute trust.
Concurrently, the Church has shown that in some cases and situations that it has not proven itself trustworthy as well. I am speaking here of the sexual abuse crisis. You and I are a part of the Church. I am embarrassed and angry that the concern and love for children took a back seat to protecting some members of the clergy. Every time I facilitate a Protecting God’s Children workshop and I hear the stories of the young people who were abused by all types of people, including the clergy, I cringe that they have to suffer in this way.
I have an expectation that people and institutions, the media and the Church, are going to be honest. But as I have learned over the years, trust is earned and not freely given. That’s the lesson our children need to embrace; that we need to teach.
As we continue our season of Advent: the season of hope and dreams, let us pray for the gift of trustworthiness as we live each day, in our own lives and in the lives of others.
Father Andy Prachar
Sunday Bulletin
