The Church has faced lot of schisms
and lot cases of sexual abuses by her clergies down the ages. In recent times
cases of sexually abusive clergies had rise according to statistic. Both children,
the youth and the elderly have been reported severally on accounts of sexual
abuses by their clergies, who are
suppose to be a light to them in distress and confusions.
This is so
unfortunate and sad. In the midst of this moral bankruptcy, the Church feels
sorrowful and heartrending for the victims. More so, Pope Francis also deeply apologizes
for such ungodly and inhuman attitudes of some of her clergies.
Nonetheless, even has the Church
face this moral bankruptcy, we must never forget the axiom: “To err is human
but to forgive is heavenly”. However, this axiom should never be a
justification of immoralities against the sanctity of Divine Law. Aristotle affirms that: “Moral excellence
comes has a result of goodness. We
become just by doing just deeds, we become temperate by doing temperate actions
and we become godly by doing godly works”.
All of us ought to endeavor to abide
to what is objectively and morally good, and never what is established without
Divine Law. “For anything done against conscience is evil and sinful” says St
Thomas Aquinas
This notwithstanding, “he who
honors a priest, honors Christ; he who insults a priest insults Christ” says St
John Chrysostom. Thus, leaving the Church because of the sins of clergies is
like jumping off the ark if Noah had sinned; obviously you’re just going to
drown.
Therefore, do not just be a Catholic because of priests, bishops,
lay-faithful nor because of the Pope. Rather be a Catholic because of; God’s
love, because of Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross of Calvary, because of the Holy
Eucharist, because of the healing powers in the sacrament of confessions and
because of God’s mercy and compassion.
Hence, St Pope John Paul II tells us: “I plead
with (towards the Church), never ever give up on hope, never doubt, never be
tired, do not be afraid, don’t be discouraged” with the very scandal face by
the Church; for at the last day each
will only answer to God not to any clergy. Furthermore, St Theresa of
Avila exhorts us: “If there s a demon hunting a lay faithful, there are legion
of demons hunting for clergies’ fall. If we have the language to criticize them
we then must have the language to pray for them twice more”. Every one deserves a second chance, and another, and another(.....) in order to change better than what the world has made them. Is in this light
that I now and forever entreat with you to always pray for your clergies:
PRAYER:
Oh Jesus our Blessed Lord and high priest. We implore thy Holy Spirit
upon your priests and religious. We beseech Thee to deepen their faith, hope,
spirituality, charity, holiness and vows. Please Lord may your grace heal all
the hearts and the souls who have been affected as a result of sexual abuses
worldwide. We ask this through the intercession of our Lady Help of Christians.
Amen!
By: Ibrahim Ujulu Medugu
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