As I write this pastor's column, it is one day from the start of the gathering and meeting of the heads of all the bishops' conferences from all over the world to meet with Pope Francis and deal with the issues of sex abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by clergy and others in the church, along with accountability from our bishops and other church leaders and what should be done in those instances where accountability is shown to be lacking. Certainly our prayers for our Church's leaders and people should be ongoing, and our efforts to protect the vulnerable from abuse by any clergy, other church personnel and ANYONE must be as strong as possible.
I feel blessed that while all this is going on, I continue to reflect on the life and ministry of Father Y.C., a missionary priest from India who has served the Lord in his home country as well as in Oklahoma and Arkansas. I continue to reflect on his (and others like him) who are willing to leave their country of origin to serve in parishes in the United States that might otherwise not have a priest, part-time or at all. The sacrifice(s) that are made by priests like Father Y.C. are real and need to be appreciated by all of us. Secondly, I knew Father Y.C. as someone who was easy as a brother-priest to talk with, and he seemed to have a perpetual smile as he went about doing his ministry to people he was appointed to serve. There are many missionary AND native-born priests whose lives give credible and joyful witness to Jesus Christ, who need our prayers and support during this difficult time in the Church. While ALL instances of sexual abuse are deeply disturbing, and as much or more so, any cover-up of such actions, I am comforted by the efforts of the Church of today to protect our children and vulnerable adults from harm. I also give thanks for the priesthood Jesus Christ has given me and others, and pray that the priests of today and in the future, will be ever committed to Jesus and the people they serve, and live compassionate, caring lives as did Father Y.C. and so many priests of happy memory!
I feel blessed that while all this is going on, I continue to reflect on the life and ministry of Father Y.C., a missionary priest from India who has served the Lord in his home country as well as in Oklahoma and Arkansas. I continue to reflect on his (and others like him) who are willing to leave their country of origin to serve in parishes in the United States that might otherwise not have a priest, part-time or at all. The sacrifice(s) that are made by priests like Father Y.C. are real and need to be appreciated by all of us. Secondly, I knew Father Y.C. as someone who was easy as a brother-priest to talk with, and he seemed to have a perpetual smile as he went about doing his ministry to people he was appointed to serve. There are many missionary AND native-born priests whose lives give credible and joyful witness to Jesus Christ, who need our prayers and support during this difficult time in the Church. While ALL instances of sexual abuse are deeply disturbing, and as much or more so, any cover-up of such actions, I am comforted by the efforts of the Church of today to protect our children and vulnerable adults from harm. I also give thanks for the priesthood Jesus Christ has given me and others, and pray that the priests of today and in the future, will be ever committed to Jesus and the people they serve, and live compassionate, caring lives as did Father Y.C. and so many priests of happy memory!