Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Loss of a sense of sin
Whom else? The bishops, of course.
Some bishops wring hands when the pope talks about apologies. How can we ask forgiveness? We're Holy.
Bishops and others who suggest sex abuse victims are overplaying their hand and that they should just "get over the abuse" have badly missed the point. Forgiveness is a difficult decision to make. It involves a degree of humility and acceptance that just works at odds with those who have been abused. We all agree victims get healthy when they can face their abuse, recover self-respect, forgive the abuser and move on with life. When bishops attempt to retain both roles: spiritual leader to the victims and administrator of material resources, they are bound to fail in one or both tasks.
Maybe the answer is simple:
1. Bishops should be leaders in giving example as contrite shepherds: apologizing for past mistakes and listening directly to those who have been victimized.
2. In dioceses with severe scandals, bishops should willingly turn over some of their authority to a co-adjutor so as to avoid the inherent conflict of interest between protecting the material resources of the diocese and honoring the needs of victims.
They don't need to wait for the Vatican to appoint an inquisitor. They don't need to get permission from above. But they need to move without delay.
