“What needs to happen is a genuine change in the church’s culture, specifically among the bishops themselves,” the board said. “This evil has resulted from a loss of moral leadership and an abuse of power that led to a culture of silence that enabled these incidents to occur…”

The NRB’s recommendation is necessary. Archbishop DiNardo’s recommendation is solid. The Vatican and the USCCB must work together to bring to the Light the inner workings of the clerical culture to which I belong. However, this will not change clerical culture.

It doesn’t go far enough. It doesn’t implicate you and me, whose silence in the face of so many other abuses – among those, sexual in nature – is deafening. Yet, many of us will still go to Mass on Sunday and receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Who changes? Really?

 

What is it about our compulsions that appear to persist quite untouched by Grace?

What is about shame, guilt, and remorse that seem to fend off Christ’s love?

What is it about fear, anxiety, and worry that makes little or no room for Christ?

What is it about the enticement of rage, grudges, and old hurts that resists Christ’s mercy for self and others?

Indeed, the first stage of grief is anger and blame.

Hopefully, weeping and clarity follow.