CathoIicNews SUNDAYS MARCH 28 AND APRIL 4, 2004
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H O W TO MAKE AGOOD CONFESSION PAGE 10
M.I.T.A.(P) No. 130/01/2004 PPS 201/4/2004 Vol 54 No. 7
IN PRAISE OF OUR PRIESTS
Pastors,teachers andfriends T h e M arch 14 and 21 issue o f C atholic N ew s carried a tw o -p ag e report on the sexu al a b u se o f m in ors by p riests in the U .S. T hat report cau sed som e un easin ess ab ou t h ow priests w ill be perceived. H ere’s an a rticle by S tep hen M . K en t w h ich reflects w h a t w e at C N think o f priests. MORE than 17 years as a Catholic journalist has given me more frequent contact with priests than perhaps the typical Catholic. During these years, I have prayed with priests and played cards with priests; confessed to and played sports with priests; argued with priests and agreed with priests; known some priests with the ego of a Donald Trump and others who make Francis of Assisi look pride-filled. In short, they are like any other man. But they are in a position like no other. The priesthood has a characteristic and
charism unlike anything else available to a human. It is the position, not the person. To point out a positive in light of recent reports that 4 per cent of priests in the U.S. were accused of child abuse, is neither a defense nor an excuse nor does it dishonour their primary victims. The 10,667 victims of the sinful acts deserve the sympathy and compassion of all. As the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reported sheer numbers, however, it was hard not to think of those broadcast reports being heard by a priest as he left a hospital after spending all night at the
bedside of a seriously ill person. Or a priest who spent many hours throughout several days with a family, attempting to assist them to comprehend why their son died in a car accident or helping them mend a troubled marriage. These priests are among the secondary victims - honest, hardworking, holy men - who do not deserve to wear the stain of the sins of a few. The 50-year sordid history is disillusioning and disappointing. It is neither depressing nor discouraging because if the church had depended on human effort unaided for 2,000 years,
there would have been little confidence in its existence. “The action of the Holy Spirit, a gift of Christ who has died and was resurrected, is no less strong today” than before, Pope John Paul II said to priests recently. Later, the pope told priests in his diocese of Rome not to be afraid to spend their time and energy and using their Godgiven spiritual gifts for families. “Beyond being a pastor and teacher, be a caring and trustworthy friend,” said the pope. We continue to be blessed that most have been juSt that. □ The Catholic Northwest Progress.
Mel Gibson’s “The Passion Of The Christ” has been given an M l8 rating by the Singapore Censorship Review Board. This means only those aged 18 and above may view the film. Passion will be shown in full, as edited by the film producer. There will be no censorship cuts. Tickets for the Catholic Churchorganised premier of the film in aid of the Family Life Society have been sold out. The film’s regular screening begins April 1. □
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