LOWELL (MA)
The Boston Pilot
February 9, 2018
By Mark Labbe
During a Mass of Prayer and Penance at St. Michael Church in Lowell, Feb. 4, Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley reiterated the Church’s commitment to work for healing and reconciliation for all those affected by clergy sexual abuse.
“I am here today aware that many parishioners in this community were seriously affected. I wish once again to ask pardon and assure you of our commitment to work for healing and reconciliation,” said the cardinal in his homily.
In the Church, the “work of healing and child protection is an ongoing task, a sacred one,” he said.
The Mass was held in response to a call last year from Pope Francis for all episcopal conferences across the world to have a Day of Prayer and Penance in recognition of harm done by clergy sexual abuse within the Church. At the request of Cardinal O’Malley, all Masses held in the Archdiocese of Boston for Sunday, Feb. 4 were offered for Prayer and Penance.
In his homily, the cardinal requested prayers “for forgiveness of the Church, and healing for those who were harmed, “as well as for “those who have died from suicide and substance abuse because of what happened to them.”
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