A GROUP of Catholic priests in Co Offaly are planning a 24-hour fast
to acknowledge the pain and anger caused by the sexual abuse of children
at the hands of the church.
The priests of Tullamore parish had
been due to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the rebuilding of St
Mary’s Church of the Assumption in Tullamore later this month.
However,
they believe the celebration cannot take place without “acknowledging
the pain, disappointment, hurt and anger of so many of our people over
the sexual abuse of children in the church and the way in which it was
dealt with”.
While Tullamore hasn’t faced any scandals, Fr Shane
Crombie said “as priests we have to put the hand out and say look, we
want to acknowledge that things were wrong”.
Fr Crombie feels the
gesture is necessary because for most parishioners, “the only church
that they know are the priests in their community”.
“So before we
thank God for the gifts he has given our parish, we, the priests of
Tullamore, propose to lead a 24-hour fast, to do penance and ask God and
the people’s forgiveness. This will be held at the same time as an
all-night prayer vigil in the church.”
He said that “we have to do something” to acknowledge what has happened.
“There
is no way we can mend the lives of people who have suffered so much;
all we can do is ask God’s mercy and forgiveness and the forgiveness of
the good people who make up the church – and do our best, with the help
of God, to make sure such never happens again.”
The fast and vigil is expected to take place on August 25th.