A step toward healing

Submitted on November 21, 2002

Send to friend When the Bishops of the United States crafted their Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in June, they made it clear then that the very nature and structure of the Church required Vatican approval of the proposed legislation. Those in and outside of the Church who have committed themselves to deepening their understanding of Church governance understood that June was the beginning, not the ending, of a process that required ongoing conversation and dialogue. The dialogue that has taken place between the Vatican and our bishops, among the bishops themselves, and that has transpired between priests and their people reveal a desire for truth as well as a search for the best way to protect our children and to safeguard the rights of everyone involved. The revised charter recently approved by the bishops at their fall meeting is the result of these conversations. As the Church in the United States awaits final approval from Rome of the revised charter, the work of restoring trust and rebuilding confidence can continue knowing that a process is in place that does protect our children while safeguarding the rights of both guilty and innocent priests. The developments that led to the revised charter are the best examples of the Church working always for God's greater glory. Unfortunately, this is neither understood nor appreciated by certain segments of society. Urged on by the media's thinly veiled disdain of the Catholic Church, advocacy groups seeking serious redress are joined by other groups seeking to restructure the Church in decrying the current charter. It is claimed that the revised charter is a step backward, a reversal of position and a return to the secret, mysterious ways of the Church that led to the crisis in the first place. This is not the truth. In their statement of episcopal commitment, the bishops state: "We acknowledge our mistakes in the past when some bishops have transferred, from one assignment to another, priests who had abused minors. We recognize our role in the suffering this has caused. We apologize for it." This is not a reversal of position, but a manifestation of true shepherds finally tending to their flocks following the model of the Good Shepherd. Moreover, the bishops "take responsibility for dealing with this problem strongly, consistently and effectively in the future." This is not a return to secrets or mystery; rather, it is the first of many steps to be taken along the path of healing the body of Christ. Bishops are not chairmen of boards or corporate moguls. The Church is not a mere sociological construct. Bishops are the successors to the apostles who received from Jesus Christ the fullness of His truth to be offered through them to the whole world. This revised charter and the process of its completion reflect the bishops true understanding of themselves. We praise them for their efforts and commend this good work to God that He will bring it to completion.