I’ve thought a lot about what to say with the scandals of
abuse and hierarchal cover-ups that have shaken the Church again in the past
few weeks. There is so much to say, and at the same time, it all feels
worthless. There are many pieces, and I’m still processing it all.
When I sit in my regular pew, there’s a phrase I can see on
the inside of the baldacchino: Pastor
Bonus, the Good Shepherd. The news is that there have been a lot of bad
shepherds, those who harmed their flock or looked away as wolves came in and
then protected the wolves. The flock was failed; sheep were lost forever. People
will go to hell for the evil afflicted here.
Right now, and the news keeps getting worse, and the
fighting keeps getting angrier, and people keep losing their faith, the shining
lights are the good shepherds: the priests addressing the issue, doing
corporate penance, continuing to attend to the everyday needs of their parish. The
ones full of righteous anger yet offering comfort in the storm. Good people just to have keep doing good. Somehow, it means more now.
A lot people hate the Church and will rejoice at scandals to
fuel their hate. A lot of people love the Church but are so broken by the
betrayal and evil that they will leave. But a lot will stay and not let the
gates of hell prevail. And others will join, even while seeing the rot and
scars, because beneath that, they see the Truth. The light of the faithful
shines brighter in dark times.
