The Anchor that We Cling To

By Paul J. Ashton, Psy.D., D.Min.
Consultant to the VIRTUS® Programs
Photo of a red anchorI want to pay homage publicly to all those who in silence, not with words but with deeds, strive to practice this evangelical law of love that propels the world forward. There are so many of them even here in Rome and they rarely hit the headlines. They are men and women of all ages, who have realized that it is not worth condemning, complaining, or accusing; that it is better to respond to evil by doing good. This changes things; or rather it changes people, and hence improves society.
 
—Pope Benedict XVI  Homage to the Immaculate Conception at the Spanish Steps
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 8, 2009
 
It is often hard to keep our focus on the protection of children and vulnerable persons, when all around us the painful stories of child sexual abuse stop us in our tracks and dishearten our spirit. We know what we have to do, but we wonder if our efforts really matter. Please know that they really do.
 
The quote above from Pope Benedict reminds us of the many people in our Church who, in silent yet profound ways, “propel the world forward.” The good deeds of so many thousands of individuals who have taken part in our programs and who have given countless hours facilitating awareness sessions, teaching in our religious education programs, writing curricula, baking cookies, making copies or coffee, and any other number of things, have changed the culture of our Church and have saved untold countless persons from victimization. While we keep hearing the pain of so many people who have suffered, we must be ever faithful to the call each of us has heard: to bring the good news of the importance of God’s love for all of His children and the absolute necessity for safety and protection of these children at all costs.
 
We must never forget the pain, but we must do everything we can to help transform the hurt and weave the stories into a new narrative whose theme encompasses hope and love in the truest form. The recent words of Pope Benedict speak clearly to own deep feelings of concern for all victims:
 
“You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated. Many of you found that, when you were courageous enough to speak of what happened to you, no one would listen. Those of you who were abused in residential institutions must have felt that there was no escape from your sufferings. It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the Church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel. At the same time, I ask you not to lose hope. It is in the communion of the Church that we encounter the person of Jesus Christ, who was himself a victim of injustice and sin. Like you, he still bears the wounds of his own unjust suffering. He understands the depths of your pain and its enduring effect upon your lives and your relationships, including your relationship with the Church. I know some of you find it difficult even to enter the doors of a church after all that has occurred. Yet Christ’s own wounds, transformed by his redemptive sufferings, are the very means by which the power of evil is broken and we are reborn to life and hope. I believe deeply in the healing power of his self-sacrificing love—even in the darkest and most hopeless situations—to bring liberation and the promise of a new beginning. Speaking to you as a pastor concerned for the good of all God’s children, I humbly ask you to consider what I have said. I pray that, by drawing nearer to Christ and by participating in the life of his Church—a Church purified by penance and renewed in pastoral charity—you will come to rediscover Christ’s infinite love for each one of you. I am confident that in this way you will be able to find reconciliation, deep inner healing, and peace.”[1]
 
      This remains our most fervent prayer for each victim—deep inner healing and peace. When you read the cumulative efforts of what we, as Church in the United States, have accomplished, you immediately sense a renewed hope and are encouraged to continue the work that you do for this important cause.
 
      From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, we rejoice in the good news they report in response to the question: “What has the Catholic Church done to effectively respond to sexual abuse by church personnel?”
      The Catholic Church has done more to protect children than almost any other organization in the United States. Consider the following:
  • Safe Environment training is taking place in 193 dioceses/eparchies of the country. Over two million adults have been trained to recognize the behavior of offenders and what to do about it.
  • Over five million children have been equipped with the skills to help them protect themselves from abuse.
  • Background checks are conducted on Church personnel who have contact with children. Over two million volunteers and employees; 52,000 clerics; 6,205 candidates for ordination have had their backgrounds evaluated.
  • All dioceses/eparchies have Codes of Conduct spelling out what is acceptable behavior. This serves to let people know what can and cannot be done, as well as letting others know what behavior can be expected. It encourages the reporting of suspicious behavior.
  • All dioceses/eparchies have Victim Assistance Coordinators, assuring victims that they will be heard. In 2009, $6,536,109 was spent on therapy for the victims of clergy sexual abuse.
  • All dioceses/eparchies have Safe Environment Coordinators who assure the ongoing compliance to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
  • Bishops are meeting with victims.
  • Dioceses/eparchies have Healing Masses, retreats for victim/survivors, and other reconciliation events.
 
      The Catholic Church has worked hard to protect children. Much has been done but more needs to be done. Until child sexual abuse is no longer a part of society, the Church will continue its efforts to stop it.[2]
      In addition, you can read on the USCCB website the many, many wonderful things Arch/Dioceses and Eparchies around the country are doing to assist victims and to protect children at http://www.usccb.org/ocyp/2009-additional-actions.pdf 
 
We have much to be proud of, much to be shamed for, but so, so much more hope than all of it combined. This is the anchor we cling to: “… We who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm….” [Hebrews 6:18-19]

[1] United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection http://www.usccb.org/catholic-church-sxl-ab.pdf 
 
[2] From the Vatican, 19 March 2010, on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. Letter to the Church of Ireland
BENEDICTUS PP. XVI

 

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