Dear Friend
Welcome to our May Ezine.
Glimpses of “Reality”
In his editorial in the May issue of Reality, Fr Gerard Moloney considers “A flawed church and the scandal of abuse”:
“Sometimes it’s hard not to despair. It can seem as if the ongoing scandal of sexual abuse and its cover up in the Catholic Church will never end.
Last February an investigation into the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the United States left Catholics reeling. The grand jury report alleged that the archdiocese had allowed 37 priests to remain in ministry despite allegations against them of “substantial evidence of abuse.” Already four church figures — including a monsignor accused of covering up abuse — and a lay man have appeared in court to answer charges. More charges are likely to follow.
Meanwhile, here in Ireland we await the publication of the report into clerical sexual abuse in the Diocese of Cloyne. Rumours are it will name as many as 19 priests. Given the size of the diocese, this will make its findings even more scandalous than the report into the Dublin archdiocese.
What is disturbing, too, is that the Philadelphia and Cloyne investigations reveal problems with the reporting systems implemented by the bishops’ conferences to safeguard victims. At the very least, they suggest that the reporting systems haven’t been adhered to as they should.
Just as the Philadelphia enquiry has caused more pain for U.S. Catholics, the Cloyne Report will herald another dark period for Irish Catholics. Again, we will feel anger, shame, bewilderment, disgust. And again, we will find ourselves asking the same questions we asked in the past. Why is sexual abuse such a problem in the church?
What is it about the church that has allowed this abuse to take place and to be covered up? Does it tell us something specifically about Catholicism, about church structures and practices of power; how the church organises itself?
The first thing that has to be said – again – is that sexual abuse is not a uniquely Roman Catholic problem, even if some commentary would lead one to conclude that it is. Studies in the U.S. show that other Christian denominations and faith traditions have as high a percentage of sexual abuse, if not even higher, than that of Catholic priests. The same is true of other professions such as coaches, teachers, scout leaders, counsellors, and physicians.
Nor has the Catholic Church been alone in failing to deal properly with alleged abusers. In a recent investigation, The New York Times found hundreds of cases of sexual and other abuse of the developmentally disabled in care homes in New York State. It also discovered that offenders were rarely fired, even after repeated offenses, and in many cases, were simply transferred to other group homes run by the state. Something similar is alleged to have happened in relation to abusive teachers in New York public schools.
The Roman Catholic Church is not unique in having a sex abuse problem or in failing to deal with it properly. There is not some fatal flaw or particular deviance in the Roman Catholic Church that distinguishes it from every other. The scandal of sexual abuse is a very human problem that affects all of society.
This is not in any way to excuse the behaviour of church authorities or to downplay the awful, unforgivable things that have been done to innocent children by men in collars. It is, rather, to come down even harder on the church. For the Roman Catholic Church is not just any organisation or body. The Roman Catholic Church has a responsibility, an obligation, to be not the same as the rest of society. It claims to represent Christ, and so must operate to an altogether higher standard. Always and everywhere. In fact, it must set the example for others to follow.
That is why the church must examine every aspect of its life and authority to discover just what has gone wrong and to change what must be changed, so that there will be no more Philadelphias or Cloynes, and so that it will become the church that Christ and all of us want it to be. It is the very least the victims and their families deserve.”
Also in the May issue of Reality:
AGES OF FAITH
What does it mean to be a person of faith in the Ireland of today? How easy or difficult is it to be a member of the church? We spoke to some committed Catholics whose stories span the generations
Interviews: Anne Dempsey
MY VOCATION DILEMMA
In the pre-Vatican II church, if you really loved God, you became a nun, a priest or a brother. But what if you didn’t feel called to the religious life?
By Anne Kerrigan
...AND NOW A WORD FROM YOUR SPONSOR
In a letter to his 11 godchildren, a godfather explains why he remains a Catholic – despite both his and the church’s shortfalls
By Dennis Mauro-Haus
RADIO ROCK N SOUL!
The sound of a new radio station is filling the Irish airwaves. And with its emphasis on upbeat, inspirational content, it’s attracting a loyal band of faithful followers
By Sue Leonard
THE DAY THE POPE WAS SHOT
This month sees the beatification of Pope John Paul II, which takes place exactly 30 years after the attempt on his life
By Thomas J. Craughwell
RETHINKING OUR DRINKING
Binge drinking amongst the young is on the increase despite repeated warnings of the dangers. But if we adults continue to glamorise and abuse alcohol, are we not to blame for the impending crisis?
By Paddy O’Meara
IT’S A GOOD TIME TO BE A CATHOLIC...
There’s a wake-up call reverberating throughout the church and it’s getting louder
By Gaby Roughneen
WHY DON’T CATHOLICS SING?
We Irish are famous for our love of a good sing along, so why do we become so shy the moment we step inside a church?
By Sue Leonard
Click here to order your copy of Reality or to subscribe for the year.
What’s up in “Face Up”?
THE POWER OF LOVE
Actions speak louder than words. That’s why, says Mike Daley, gestures of true love – the selfless, compassionate kind – are worth more than a thousand “I Love You’s.”
“I didn’t want to write about love as one of the virtues. I avoided it as long as possible. Why? Because so often when I hear the word used – “I love you” or “That’s lovely” – it sounds so clichéd, so superficial. I feel like saying, “Come on, couldn’t you have used another word?”
We’ve been hurt by the word ‘love’ far too often. And, sadly, it hasn’t always been by accident. And yet if you take a look at the world today, it’s clear that the virtue of love – selfless care and concern for others – is needed now more than ever.
I’d still rather see love expressed in actions rather than mere words, though.
Thankfully, I have an amazing father/son story which does exactly that.
Big display
In 1962 Rick Hoyt was born a quadriplegic [paralysed in the arms and legs]. He was also unable to walk or speak. But his parents, Dick and Judy, did everything they could to make Rick feel like one of the family and part of the communities they were involved in. With the help of technology he was able to ‘talk’ with his parents. He went to school and eventually graduated from college.
One day he heard about an athlete who’d been paralysed in an accident. Rick asked his dad if they could take part in a five-mile benefit run. With Dick pushing his son in a stroller, Team Hoyt was born. Later that night, Rick told his dad, “When I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.”
Since 1972, Rick and his dad have completed over 1,000 races. Their favourite is the Boston Marathon. Whether they’re running on land or swimming in the water, the two of them are inseparable. In a testament to the power of love, when Rick was asked to name one thing he’d like to do for his father, he said, “I’d like it if my dad could sit in the chair so that I could push him for once.”
If that’s not a big display of love, I don’t know what is.
Patient and kind
St Thomas Aquinas voiced something similar when he said, “To love is to will the good of another.” The Hoyts have been doing that for each other since the word go. How can we follow their example? After all, demonstrating that kind of love can be ‘scary.’ And you don’t even get any medals for it.
St Paul described the virtue of love really well when he said this:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Christians say that God is love (1 John 4:8). But they’re not describing an abstract, up in the sky, kind of love. No, this love was manifested in Jesus, and it continues to be made present by you and me. “Feed the poor. Cloth the naked.” That’s love. “Break bread with those no one else will sit with. Heal the sick.” That’s love. “Offer someone a hand in friendship. Respond to violence with peace.” That’s love.
Cost of love
Let’s be honest, though. There is a cost to this kind of love. People will resist it. Pain and suffering will occur. And yet, is there any other way?
When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
On these two commandments hand all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).
Practice the virtue of love – it may surprise you to hear it, but there are few higher compliments to be paid than to be told you’re a ‘Good Lover’!”
Also in Face Up this month:
COVER STORY: JUST DESERTS
Yes, life can be unfair, but that doesn’t mean we should accept the fact. Sarah Cawthron chats to three young people who refuse to sit back and ignore the injustice that’s rife in our world.
COPYCAT CRIMES
The pressure at school might be mounting, but cheating isn’t the answer.
IS THIS THE SECRET TO EXAM SUCCESS?
Discover the study technique that suits your learning style. Result!
WHAT PRICE FAME?
When Rebecca Black’s mum paid for her to record a pop video, they weren’t prepared for the vicious backlash that followed.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Thinking of taking a gap year? Here’s why it could be the best decision you ever made.
A NEW CHANCE AT LIFE
This month’s Trócaire campaign helps young people living with HIV.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
It’s Flip-Flop Friday this month. Step out with SERVE for a fun fund-raising day.
SHAPE UP YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
Why gestures of love communicate far more than any words can say.
ROCK AND SOUL SUPERSTARS!
Meet the pitch perfect posse who are shaking up church services across the land.
Face Up is a fantastic resource for teenagers, schools, parishes and youth groups. Click here for more information or to order your copy.
A Bible in Every Home
As part of the call to renewal in the Church in Ireland at this time, the Irish Bishops have made a special appeal to Parishes to support and encourage families to acquire a Bible and to display it in a worthy place in their home. They also encouraged families to use the Bible as a source of renewal of family prayer and of bringing the presence of the Living Word into the daily life of their home.
Redemptorist Communications supports this initiative by offering a fantastic Bible package:
“How to Read the Bible” Book + Large Hard-Back Community Bible
How to Read the Bible plus a copy of the large, hard-back Christian Community Bible makes an ideal set for personal scripture study and developing an understanding of scripture and its importance in a life of prayer and spirituality.
Only €20/£16 (plus postage & packaging). Click here for more information.
Redemptorist Missions This Month
Please pray for the Redemptorist teams who will preach the Word and for God’s People who will hear the Word proclaimed this month in:
COORACLARE, CO. CLARE
(8th – 14th May 2011)
Parish Mission preached by Dan Baragry CSsRand Brendan O’Rourke CSsR
DUBLIN 6 – MARIANELLA, 75 ORWELL ROAD
(13th – 21st May 2011)
Solemn Novena preached by Séamus Enright CSsR
DUBLIN 17 – PRIORSWOOD PARISH
(14th – 22nd May 2011)
Solemn Novena preached by Brian Nolan CSsR and Gerard Moloney CSsR
BELFAST – SAINT GERARD’S PARISH
(16th – 24th May 2011)
Solemn Novena preached by Seán Duggan CSsR and Richard Reid CSsR
BIRMINGHAM – HANDSWORTH
(17th – 25th May 2011)
Solemn Novena preached by Derek Meskell CSsR and John Hanna CSsR
CARRICKMACROSS, CO. MONAGHAN
(21st – 28th May 2011)
Parish Mission preached by Tony Flannery CSsR, Michael Dempsey CSsR, Ciarán O’Callaghan CSsR and Dr. Fáinche Ryan
KANTURK, CO. CORK
(23rd – 31st May 2011)
Solemn Novena preached by Kevin Browne CSsR
FOXROCK, CO. DUBLIN
(30th May – 7th June 2011)
Solemn Novena preached by Séamus Enright CSsR and Tony Rice CSsR
If you are interested in a mission or novena in your parish, please contact the following for further information. And please keep all Redemptorist preachers in your prayers!
Ciarán O’Callaghan CSsR, Provincial Delegate for the Proclamation of the Word
Email: delegate@proclaim.ie
Tel: +353-1-4067253