WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

I doubt not then but innocence shall make false accusation blush, and tyranny tremble at patience.

The Church Family

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The Catholic Church is the family of God.

With all the goings on regarding abuse, why is it that those who would sit in judgement of the Church—damning the righteous along with the unrighteous—ignore that, within any family, there can be the good or godly who love—but do not condone—those members of the family who, having behaved very badly, nevertheless merit our forgiveness? Let us be clear, forgiveness is not tolerance of wicked behaviour. Accountability for evil actions is required.

What family, tested by addiction, hasn't had a moment or two or more when a well intentioned parent or sibling enables another son or daughter, addicted to drugs, by loaning him or her money for food or clothing or shelter, only to see that money used instead for the very thing contributing to a loved one's downfall?

None are more appalled, shocked and angered by the horrendous behaviour of McCarrick and others, than the members of their family—the Church. Our abused brothers and sisters, abused by our most trusted spiritual fathers, merit justice, not excuses. Our offending brethren, like members of any family who commit criminal and immoral acts, must be held accountable and brought to justice. Those who stand or stood silent, like any member of a family who, having witnessed or knew with certainty what was going on, stood silent as another family member was abused, share in the guilt of the abuser.

We must love all members of our family, the Church. If rebuke, incarceration and/or excommunication is required to help someone assume responsibility and to repent, then so be it. It is not the Church who abandons the sinner. Only the sinner himself can choose to abandon hope and reject the possibility of redemption.

We cannot prevent someone from walking away from the Church. We do not abandon those who, pained by the abuse they have suffered or have witnessed their brothers and sisters suffer, feel they must take a "time out" from attending Mass, overcome by the thought that a parish and priest are for them symbols of everything bad they have suffered.

We are in this together.

And if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it; or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it.—1 Corinthians 12:26

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