|
We, the Cardinals of the United States
and the Presidency of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops,
gathered with our brother Cardinals of the Roman Curia around the
Successor of Peter, wish to speak a special word to you, our brother
priests who give yourselves so generously from day to day in service
of God's people.
At our meeting, you have been very much
in our minds and hearts, for we know the heavy burden of sorrow and
shame that you are bearing because some have betrayed the grace of
Ordination by abusing those entrusted to their care.
We regret that episcopal oversight has
not been able to preserve the Church from this scandal. The entire
Church, the Bride of Christ, is afflicted by this wound — the
victims and their families first of all, but also you who have
dedicated your lives to "the priestly service of the Gospel of
God" (Rom 15:16).
Gratitude and support
To all of you we express our deep
gratitude for all that you do to build up the Body of Christ in
holiness and love. We pledge to support you in every possible way
through these troubled times, and we ask that you stay close to us in
the bond of the priesthood as we make every effort to bring the
healing grace of Christ to the people whom we serve.
We are in complete harmony with the
Holy Father when he said in his Address yesterday: "Neither
should we forget the immense spiritual, human and social good that the
vast majority of priests and religious in the United States have done
and are still doing.... To the Catholic communities in the United
States, to their Pastors and members, to the men and women religious,
to teachers in Catholic universities
and schools, to American missionaries in all parts of the world, go
the wholehearted thanks of the entire Catholic Church and the personal
thanks of the Bishop of Rome".
Confirm you in your
faithful service
As we look to the future, let us
together beg the eternal High Priest for the grace to live this time
of trial with courage and confidence in the Crucified Lord. This
echoes the summons of our Ordination: "Imitate the mystery you
celebrate; model your life on the mystery of the Lord's Cross"
(Rite of Ordination); and it is a vital part of what we now offer the
Church as she passes through this time of painful purification. From
the house of the Successor of Peter, who has confirmed us in our
faith, we wish in turn to confirm you in the humble and exalted
service of the Catholic priesthood to which we have been called. Peace
be with you!
------- © L'Osservatore
Romano, Editorial and Management Offices, Via del Pellegrino,
00120, Vatican City, Europe, Telephone 39/6/698.99.390.
|
