captainvatican:

I don’t have a lot to say on the Grand Jury report from PA. I tried to read through the 884 page report, but I had to stop myself multiple times before almost throwing up. I couldn’t bear to keep reading.

I’m upset. I’m angry. I’m disgusted. I’m heartbroken.

For the next 40 days, I’ll be uniting myself to other heartbroken Catholics in St. Michael’s Lent. It’ll be a time of fasting from today, the Feast of the Assumption (August 15), to Michaelmas (September 29). I’m going to offer up this intense period of prayer, fasting, repentance, lamentation, intercession, and conversion for the healing of the victims of these atrocious crimes.

HOWEVER, our faith is one that is alive. It’s active. The saints didn’t *just* pray. Many of them got angry at injustices and went on to spearhead reforms. We need to take action as well, Church.

Real. Concrete. Action.

One way you can take action is to write your bishops. I’m writing to my Archbishop this week. I’m attaching a link to all the mailing addresses for all the US bishops. Tell them to distribute clear and concise instructions to all parishes about what to do in case of sexual abuse, including to first call the police, and then who the victim’s advocate and third-party ombudsman is. Demand that all those who knew about the abuses step down and be forced to live the rest of their lives in repentance for their humiliating silence. Demand that they stop being part of the problem and begin working towards solutions.

We cannot remain silent. If we do, then we’re part of the problem as well.

We’re called to be and do better, Church.

My Jesus, restore us.