Since the Pennsylvania Attorney General released a Grand Jury Report on child sexual abuse in six Catholic dioceses, people have felt dismay, disgust, anger, sorrow, and other disturbing emotions. As Bishop Bambera said, "No one deserves to be confronted with the behavior described in the report." Front page articles, television and radio newscasts, and social media comments have confronted us with unsettling reports day after day. If you feel hurt and betrayed, you are not alone. Below are several resources that some in the parish have found helpful for managing our own reactions, talking with children with questions about the news, and responding to other people.

Many lay people are outraged that our trust was broken. Priests also feel betrayed. One priest wrote about his own rage and his shame at having been duped. To help himself heal, Fr Thomas Berg began to write what became a book, Hurting in the Church. A Catholic Digest interview with Fr Berg, " Bringing Healing to a Wounded Church," about his experiences and steps toward healing might help others of us move forward. 

Another priest, Fr Mike Schmitz, created a video response to the Pennsylvania scandal. He tells us he's an average priest and that he had no idea of the awful things that have been done to children. He encourages priests who now experience shame and shunning to suffer willingly. He urges all of us, "Don't leave the Church, lead the Church."

Children could also have been exposed to information about the scandal. They might have heard news reports or noticed adult conversation about the scandal. How can parents respond to a child's question, "Why did priests hurt kids?" For some advice on talking with children, read a good article by Gregory Popcak here. An editor's note just above the article contains a link to another article for adults trying to keep the faith during the crisis.

What do you say if a relative or friend tells you "I'm done with the Church!" because of the abuse scandal? If you know someone who is thinking about leaving or has rejected the Church, there's a helpful video called "Frustration Over Scandals." It advises how to listen as well as what to say and do, and you'll find it at CatholicsComeHome.org.

If you did not get to see Bishop Bambera's video message shown in church the weekend of August 19, you can see it here. The diocesan website also has our bishop's statements on the Grand Jury Report, his decision about Bishop Emeritus Timlin's status, and information about reforms that have been in place on the Child Protection/Safe Environment page. In the right column of that page are links to the Safe Environment Children's Program, the Victim Assistance Coordinator, and other related information.

Last but certainly not least, consider printing this Prayer for Healing and praying with it daily. When we don't know what else to do, and even when we do know how to proceed, we ask our God of endless love, who is always present, to hear the cries of those who are hurt.