Chapel Hill, NC | September 2018
In response to the revelations about Archbishop McCarrick and the Grand Jury Report in Pennsylvania, St. Thomas More held three facilitated discussions in English and one will be held in Spanish in mid-October. The sessions held in September gathered about 70 people total. Each session began and ended with prayer. Our pastor, Fr. Scott McCue, gave an opening statement (see end of this document for that statement) and then participants were able to ask questions or make comments or simply share feelings about the current crisis. Questions were answered to the best of the ability of the clergy present, and those questions that could not be answered were referred to the diocese. This document is a summary of those sessions and captures the major questions and comments. Once all the sessions have taken place, this document will be forwarded to Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, Bishop of Raleigh. In addition, Fr. Scott will be gathering a small group of parishioners to discuss any possible next steps as we continue the process of coming to terms with the crisis and how to heal.
The parish also scheduled a time of Eucharistic Adoration for Reparation and Healing on October 4, 2018 from 7:30-9:30PM.
In all of this, we do not want anyone – ourselves included – to lose sight of those who have suffered from those who have acted or failed to act as the Gospel demanded. For survivors of sexual abuse, these days may re-open deep wounds. Support is available from the Church and within the community. Victims Assistance Coordinators are available in every diocese to help you find resources. We are grateful to hundreds of dedicated people who, since the adoption of the 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, have been working with the Church to support survivors and prevent future abuse.
To anyone who has been abused, never hesitate to also contact local law enforcement. If you don't feel comfortable for any reason with the Church providing help, your diocese can connect you with appropriate community services. With compassion and without judgement, the bishops of the United States pledge to heal and protect with every bit of the strength God provides us.
Acting in communion with the Holy Father, with whom we once again renew our love, obedience, and loyalty, we make our own the prayer of Pope Francis in his August 20 letter to the people of God, "May the Holy Spirit grant us the grace of conversion and the interior anointing needed to express before these crimes of abuse our compunction and our resolve courageously to combat them."
I recently had a conversation with a parishioner about the current crisis in the Church. That person said to me: “I don’t know how to not be Catholic.” I think this is the sentiment of many. We all love the Church and we do not know how to live outside of Her. Yet, we are saddened, angered and horrified by revelations that have come in recent months concerning Archbishop McCarrick and the Grand Jury Report in PA. We know, too, that there is more news to come as other states also look at cases of how reports of clergy sexual abuse were handled in the past.
As I spoke with our deacons, Fr. Chris and our lay staff, we wanted to have a forum where parishioners could come and ask questions, express feelings or just be supported during this time in the life and history of the Church when She is in the news a lot and Her members are suffering. We all are trying to figure out how we continue to be Catholic in the midst of all of this.
For many of us, we have found in the Church a home, a refuge, a place where God dwells. You, Her Faithful, have brought your children to be baptized, receive communion and confirmation. You have come before the altar to be married. You have called upon the priests of the Church for anointing for yourself or a loved one. You have walked behind the casket of a parent, spouse, child, brother or sister who has died. Within the Church, you have found hope and healing.
Know that we, your priests and deacons, suffer along with you. Know that we, too, long for answers, hope and healing. I am sorry for any hurt you have suffered.
Tonight, you will be given the chance to ask questions. If I or someone else has an answer, we will give it. If not, we will try to find an answer. This is a forum, too, where ideas can be shared from the grass roots level that can be sent to the Church leadership about how we might bring about any needed change.
Fr. Scott also noted that, Guided by the Dallas Charter, the Diocese of Raleigh Office of Child and Youth Protection enhanced the child safety guidelines that had been in place in the diocese since 1993.