“The sexual abuse of young people and other crimes of abuse make us keenly aware of how such sinful activity undermines the common good, and sows fear and insecurity in people’s hearts throughout society,” the bishop said.
“And the offenses make it very difficult for anyone involved to continue to have faith in God,” he said. “Yes, difficult but not impossible, for nothing is impossible with God. And in our pain, Our Lady of Sorrows is always near.”
Our Lady of Sorrows understands the pain of those who have been abused, the bishop said. She knows about “sleepless nights” and the “temptations to abandon our hope.”
“We want you who are survivors of abuse to feel embraced by the prayers and compassion of our entire Catholic community,” Bishop Olmsted concluded. “Together with Our Lady of Sorrows, we wish to journey with you in the presence of Christ our Redeemer.”
Printed with permission from the Catholic Sun.