Crisis of Faith, To the Point, February 18, 2008

Crisis of Faith

To the Point
February 18, 2008

http://sheila-conolly.blogspot.com/2008/02/crisis-of-faith.html

While it seems as though the sex abuse scandal plaguing the Catholic Church makes headlines on a daily basis, I've always thought of it as one of those things that happens somewhere else, at someone else's church.

Until now. Recently I learned that the priest from my hometown parish, the man who for years came to our neighborhood picnics, celebrated birthdays with our families, and went to our basketball games and our band concerts is accused of molesting boys who went to my church.

The victims who have come forward haven't identified themselves, so I don't know for certain who they are. But collectively I know them. They're fellow parishioners, guys I went to school with, neighbors and even close friends. So far 11 men have named Father Gary as the priest who sexually abused them, some over the course of many years. And the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests believe there could be dozens - dozens - more victims out there.

My commitment to Catholicism hasn't been particularly strong in my adult life. But as a Christian I know I should pray for Father Gary, that I should ask God to forgive him. I suppose someday down the road I will try. For now I'll save my prayers for my friends whose lives he ruined and for the community he's torn apart.