One of the bloggers I follow faithfully is Fr. Dwight Longenecker, parish priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Greenville, South Carolina. Yesterday I read his blog called “The Sex Abuse Crisis: Get Real.” It’s worth reading. I want to make reference to his final point that applies to my blogging as the crisis in the Church deepens and sides are taken.
“I’m not saying, ‘Well now that we’ve all had a big family shouting match, let’s just go home and get on with life as it has always been now and forever Amen.’ I’m not advocating passivity. If your vocation and calling is to keep pushing for reform in the church and holding bishops, cardinals and the pope accountable please go for it, and may God bless you in battle.
However, if that is not your calling, roll up your sleeves, get on your knees and do what you can with what you have where you are.”
Reality is always local. Get real.
There are many people who already have a “dog in the fight” and can and will do a much better job at bringing attention to the present state of things. Before I go any further, let me share with you some of those whom I follow that help keep me informed and aware of how I should pray.
So for the time being I am going to take Fr. Dwight’s advice. Why? Because I don’t think reform is possible? Not at all! What I do know is that for now I will leave the public fight to those who are better equipped to handle it. For now, I will roll up my sleeves, get on my knees, and do what I can with what I have where I am.
I will continue to blog, but I will try to focus, as much as I can on what you and I are called to do where we are. No doubt one of the most important things we can do is pray.
I leave you today with a beautiful and powerful prayer from John-Paul and Annie Deddens of Pray More Novenas:
Prayer for Honesty, Purity and Forthrightness in the Lives of the Clergy
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Holy Spirit, comfort us, give us clarity, and bring light to this darkness and evil.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
- St. Charles Lwanga and St. Monica, pray for the abused, the survivors and for justice.
- St. Peter, pray for the Church, that it may be rebuilt, healed, and made holy.
- St. Catherine of Siena, pray for reform and restoration of the clergy.
- St. John Vianney, pray for the holiness of priests and bishops.
- St. Benedict, pray that this evil be cast out of the Church.
- St. Anthony, pray for us to find the way forward.
- St. Paul, pray for the bishops that they may be fearless in confronting other bishops.
- St. Augustine, pray for true repentance and transparency.
- St. Dymphna, pray for consolation for the heartache, depression and anxiety this evil has caused.
- Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let’s pray for our Church and for each other! Amen.
Caritas in Veritate 