St. Dominic Catholic Church

Pastor's Corner

August 12, 2018

Put no trust in princes, in children of Adam powerless to save.                            Psalm 146:3

I alluded to the allegations of sexual abuse made against now former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick in my homily last week, and I wanted to address it a bit more fully. I was ordained 26 years ago, long before the sexual abuse of minors by priests was publically known. As a former student master, I know this scandal was something the fine young men in our formation program considered in their discernment, and I admired their desire to serve God and the Church in spite of it.

With these new fresh accusations, which apparently are quite credible, we’re hearing a familiar story. People knew; people talked, including the victims, but somehow those stories were not brought to light.  That has to change, and it will take courage, honesty and  humility, particularly among our leaders. So pray for that conversion of heart.  

More than anything, I mourn for the victims, and pray for them and for their healing and for their faith.  Lifting them up in prayer is the least we can do for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and it is absolutely essential.

I have read comments online connected with this story, and many people are saying things like, “the whole Catholic Church is corrupt.”  But I know that’s not the case.  I am privileged to know wonderful, saintly Catholics: religious, lay andclerics.  But painful times like this should remind us that we do not follow priests, bishops, cardinals, or even Popes.  They are instruments of Jesus through whom He chooses to bring us his grace. We, however, follow Jesus. Heis our Savior, no one else.  We are part of His Body, which He founded, nourishes with His Body and Blood, and promised, “the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) Jesus is the trustworthy Good Shepherd who has raised up many saints in “the holy Church of sinners.”  This scandal reminds us that we must pray for the conversion of everyone –including, even especially- our religious leaders.