The role of a leader among the people of God is to shine a light into all the dark corners of the world, to own up, and stand in the face of anger and reproach for past mistakes, and work to ensure darkness and death is never the victor. Yes it takes courage, but I for one will not follow a leader who shirks that responsibility. For when the leaders of our church to speak publicly, they speak in the name of MY church and are seen to be speaking for me. To Archbishop John…thank you for having the courage to say what you did, it is a great start. But to Cardinal Angelo Sodano  I have one thing to say to you SHAME!!!!

Sexual abuse of a child causes the death of the life of that child as they know it. From that moment forward everything that happens to that child either re abuses them or begins a path to healing or new life. When I saw this cartoon I immediately thought of the McCarten Family who in June 2003 wrote an open letter to the driver of a car that killed their four year old daughter. I think their words apply here. They said “You have taken Georgia’s life and there is nothing you can do that will bring her back or ease our suffering. The only thing you can do is stop running away. You must face up to this and accept your punishment with all the grace dignity and fortitude you can muster. You must do this if you are to ever find the kind of peace you speak of in your letter.” They continue “There is nothing to forgive. There is nothing to beg for. Georgia is dead by your hand. That is all. Only you can redeem yourself. Only you can redeem your family and people’s honor”

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