On Tuesday, a Pennsylvania state-wide Grand Jury issued a damning report which detailed, graphically so in 1,356 pages, a horror story involving the sexual abuse of 1,000 children and youngsters by over 300 Priests who were shielded over the course of some seven decades by Bishops more concerned with maintaining secrecy than prosecuting (canonically and civilly) the criminals in their midst.
The very next day, as Pope Francis blessed the crowds gathered for the annual celebration of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, he reminisced about the Saints and Heaven as well as offered prayers for the victims of the bridge collapse in Genoa the day before.
Yet not a word ushered forth from his lips regarding the devastating news which outlined decades upon decades of violent sexual abuse against Catholic children in this country.
The Pope offered not a word, not even a prayer for so many souls scarred personally or vicariously by the willful failings of predatory Clerical rapists and the Bishops who provided a veil of complicity which precluded their prosecution and the protection other children and families rightly deserved.
Not a prayer, not a word of comfort or understanding. Not even the offering of an apology.
Silence.
Deafening silence.
By now, the People of God have become used to this sadly familiar strategy of the Church refusing to acknowledge the reality of such crimes and cover ups.
By now, the People of God are likewise familiar with the pattern of Vatican spokespersons contacted by the media who glibly respond that the Holy See “has no comment” to make.
And by now, the People of God are fed up with filth and corruption that has infested the Catholic Clergy and Episcopacy.
Some (now to be joined by scores of others) have simply abandoned the Church for its unbridled hypocrisy.
Some will remain but no longer engage personally or financially in Church initiatives, choosing rather to sustain themselves quietly by reception of the Sacraments.
Some will raise their voices and demand accountability.
Theirs is the noblest response, but only effective to the extent that the Holy Spirit fulfills His Divine Promise to defend and protect the Church from evil.
Waiting for that cleansing moment will require faith, prayer and patience.
The question is: can the faithful, Priests and lay people, remain that steadfast in the face of the staunch resistance the Vatican and the Bishops who refuse to admit the realities of the past, condemn them, and bind themselves to a standard of accountability which the boast will protect (when applied to Priests, Deacons, Religious and volunteers) future young people from abuses and the coordinated cover ups which have abetted these crimes.
When the Vicar of Christ can turn a cold shoulder to such terrible crimes against the most innocent members of the Church and say nothing, nothing mind you, one wonders if any decent person could strive to remain faithful to and patient with an institution which has become so compromised with evil.
What has become of our Church and her leaders?
Where are You, Holy Spirit?
How long, O Lord?
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