Thursday, August 11, 2011

Offaly priests plan 24-hour fast to mark clerical child abuse

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.