On Friday April 11, 2014 Pope Francis asked for forgiveness from people who were sexually abused by priests. In his holy words he said, “I feel it my duty to assume responsibility for all the evil some priests have committed against children.” These words uttered through a man who has devoted his entire life to God have fallen like tiny rain drops on dry soil. So why is it so significant that Pope Francis ask for forgiveness from those who have been hurt and damaged by such acts? Because forgiveness heals and forgiveness has the power to set us free.
When sexual abuse happens within a family by trusted members, in this case a priest, we all suffer as a community. A priest is a symbol of the penance representing Christ and the church. There can be no greater pain than to loose trust in the sanctity of a priest. Yet, should we not trust that God would have the power to make words become flesh and make his dwelling among us? As we ask, “Why God, Why must we suffer this injustice through the hands of one of your disciples?” Should we not trust that God would answer us through Pope Francis to speak words of forgiveness and healing? Forgiveness is a song that vibrates and heals every cell in our bodies. Forgiveness has the power to transform hate to love, fear to peace. With his words Pope Francis freed the chains that bound both the victim and the assailant.
As a survivor of sexual abuse these words arrived at a time when I prayed for the Lord to allow my heart to forgive. Because resentment, hate and blame can become ropes that tie you to a stake and threaten to burn you alive. And while Pope Francis spoke on behalf of the church and in regards to priests, I felt these words were meant for all acts of sexual abuse. Because all acts of sexual abuse damage us as a family, as a community and as holy beings. Therefore, let us plant the seed of love and allow the words of forgiveness to land like tiny raindrops on dry soil. May healing begin to grow and may our pains be set free. Thank you Lord for the word forgiveness and thank you for inspiring Pope Francis to speak what so many have not.
"When you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you cut a malignant tumor out of your inner life. You set a prisoner free, but you discover that the real prisoner was yourself." -Lewis B. Smedes in his book, Forgive and Forget
I hope these words allow a space for forgiveness in your heart. xoxo Sandra
When sexual abuse happens within a family by trusted members, in this case a priest, we all suffer as a community. A priest is a symbol of the penance representing Christ and the church. There can be no greater pain than to loose trust in the sanctity of a priest. Yet, should we not trust that God would have the power to make words become flesh and make his dwelling among us? As we ask, “Why God, Why must we suffer this injustice through the hands of one of your disciples?” Should we not trust that God would answer us through Pope Francis to speak words of forgiveness and healing? Forgiveness is a song that vibrates and heals every cell in our bodies. Forgiveness has the power to transform hate to love, fear to peace. With his words Pope Francis freed the chains that bound both the victim and the assailant.
As a survivor of sexual abuse these words arrived at a time when I prayed for the Lord to allow my heart to forgive. Because resentment, hate and blame can become ropes that tie you to a stake and threaten to burn you alive. And while Pope Francis spoke on behalf of the church and in regards to priests, I felt these words were meant for all acts of sexual abuse. Because all acts of sexual abuse damage us as a family, as a community and as holy beings. Therefore, let us plant the seed of love and allow the words of forgiveness to land like tiny raindrops on dry soil. May healing begin to grow and may our pains be set free. Thank you Lord for the word forgiveness and thank you for inspiring Pope Francis to speak what so many have not.
"When you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you cut a malignant tumor out of your inner life. You set a prisoner free, but you discover that the real prisoner was yourself." -Lewis B. Smedes in his book, Forgive and Forget
I hope these words allow a space for forgiveness in your heart. xoxo Sandra
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