My thoughts on

"The abuse scandal as a dark night of the soul" By Rev. Ron Rolheiser, OMI

published by The Tidings, "Southern California’s Catholic Weekly".

To read Reverend Rolheiser’s "Viewpoint", go to:  http://www.the-tidings.com/2003/0822/rolheiser.htm

1. "The real issue is not inflated, anti-clerical press-coverage, but our infidelity and God's pruning hand. "
So the author DOES believe that this "crisis" is being overly played in the press.  Does he want the church to have the right to censure the press?

2. "Contending with a dark night is not a distraction to our ministry, it is our real ministry."
In other words: Save the church's reputation, not care for the souls.

3. "The fact that priests and the church are (in a way) being scapegoated..." 
You STILL deny that these events took place!  PLEASE, spend some time in the REAL world before you preach to us about how to live it better!

4. "Put simply: Right now priests represent less than one per-cent of the overall problem of sexual abuse, yet they are on the front pages of the newspapers and the issue is very much focused on the church. While this is painful, it can also be fruitful. The fact that priests and the church are (in a way) being scapegoated is not necessarily a bad thing. If our being scapegoated helps society to bring the issue of sexual abuse and its devastation of the human soul more into the open, then we are precisely offering ourselves as "food for the life of the world."
Let me put it MORE simply:  If those entrusted with our spiritual care, those trained and designated to be representatives of our God, those given authority over our children cannot overcome desires of the flesh, how can us poor laity in the pews be expected to?  Clean your own house before you work on "society's ills".  Wake up!  Priests are in the news because THEY are they ones who are supposed to be teaching US how to live.

5. "Can we have compassion for both the victim and the perpetrator?"
I agree!  It's time for the church to show compassion FOR THE VICTIM.  It has spent years and untold sums of money on the perpetrators, why NOT do the same for victims?

6. "A dark night asks us to "sing a new song." Sing to the Lord a new song! But what's the old song? "
I am always amazed that these types of "discussions" can quote relevant text to PROVE a point, but not the relevant text to support a contrasting view.  Isn't it also in "The Book" that repentance is the beginning of healing.  Confession is "good for the soul".  I have yet to hear the church accept responsibility and "confess" it's sins; knowingly transfer perpetrators so more children can become victims, hide the truth about the abuse and actions taken, and when a victim asks for justice they just get the might of the church crashing down on them in denials and counter suits.  Tell me learned "Father", is THIS the "Christian Way"?  Or am I seeing the Pharisees of old clinging to their "old song" of protect the institution above all!

7. "Theirs was an ethic of strict justice: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, give back in kind."
Victims are not asking for the opportunity to abuse their perpetrators, just that the perpetrators make restitution for their wrong doings. Isn't this the basis for "penance".  Once confessed, restitution is required?  If not, why must we say prayers after we confess our sins. Again, are the representatives of the church above even their OWN laws, as well as society's?

But these are only my humble thoughts on your article. Am I allowed to challenge them, or am I to take them on faith? Believe them on their face value, as I was taught, because YOU, a priest, one who "speaks for God" writes them. Believe in them and you, just as I blindly believed that priest 40 years ago. I think NOT! I’m not the naïve, ten year old boy who looked with respect and awe at anyone wearing a collar or a habit.

Because of that priest forty years ago, and because of the current "practices" of the church in it’s dealings with victims, I can no longer look at ANYONE wearing a collar or a habit with respect. I am immediately on guard. Wondering what the real motives are behind the smiles. THAT is the true abuse done to me in the past and reinforced by the current, ongoing abuse. The total destruction of the bond of trust between me and my church. Between me and my God!

Yes "Father", it is a dark night, and "the soul" of which you speak belongs to those who run Catholic church!

Scott J. Brady, Survivor