The Diocese of Savannah held a Lenten Service of Consolation earlier this week at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. All victims and survivors of abuse, their families, friends and the community were invited to gather for a time of prayer and reflection.
Bishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv, publicly admitted before the 200 or so gathered that “recently we have had to admit that far too many innocent ones have lived with the pain of abuse at the hands of those who should have protected them, nurtured them, and sanctified them. The suffering of the innocent is the reason we are gathered this evening in prayer, in our cathedral, the mother Church of our diocese.”
He further stated in his heartfelt homily that “I must do more than speak a word of apology. I must continue to assure people that the church is doing everything within its power to provide a safe environment for the vulnerable, comfort for the injured, and a compassionate heart for those who seek to share their sorrow with us.”
He apologized profoundly because “the Church herself has too often added to the burdens and weighed down the yokes of too many people through the deeds of some of her ministers and colleagues, through the negligence and regrettable decisions of some of her shepherds.”
The service not only recognized the abuse suffered by minors by members of the clergy, but also shed light on the tragedy of all abuse including physical and psychological abuse. Despite of the various reasons the faithful attended the service, Bishop Hartmayer noted that “the Church in South Georgia gathers this evening in prayer and in solidarity with some of the people who bring yokes and burdens with them in hopes of finding some peace, some understanding, and in God’s grace, perhaps, discovering a bit of closure.”
“I want to apologize for people that I may never have met, or events that occurred before I became your bishop, or in places far removed from Savannah or Georgia. I do that from the heart and I do that in justice and in love because these people deserve to hear no less than those words spoken sincerely from the heart of the church. I am truly sorry for any pain that a church minister might have inflicted on any person here or upon any relative or friend of anyone gathered here in prayer this evening.”
The evening included readings from the Scriptures, beautiful music, a candle lighting service, and a litany of healing. As six candles were lit on the altar, a lector read profound statements that pierced the air of the darkened cathedral.
“We remember the entire church community, so deeply affected by the sin of smugness, insensitivity, unkind words, scandalous example and selfishness, the result of which is hurt and sometimes despair. We commit ourselves to respect others and we seek to be respected. We affirm our dignity as sisters and brothers in Christ.”
“We remember and apologize to children, youth and adults victimized by trusted clergy and other representatives of the Church, family members, coworkers, neighbors or public officials. We acknowledge their deep wounds. We acknowledge the betrayal of a most sacred trust. We acknowledge their courage in speaking the truth. We affirm their dignity as people who are seeking truth, accountability, compassion, and redress for the wrong that has been done to them. We support their healing. We offer our prayer for their journey toward wholeness.”
“We remember and apologize to the families and loved ones of those hurt or victimized. We acknowledge their pain, the betrayal, shock, confusion and loss of faith because of the violation of trust. We acknowledge their struggles as relationships and families have sometimes been divided. We acknowledge their anguish in seeing one they love deeply suffer. We acknowledge their loyal courage as they stand with their loved one in very hard times.”
Those gathered for the evening departed the cathedral uplifted.
I am convinced Christ did bring healing to many souls that evening as tears streamed down the faces of some.
The grace of God pierces through the darkness of sin, bringing unending light that heals and comforts.
Watch a Savannah television news story here
Watch the service here 22:30 for the homily; 43:00 for the candle lighting service
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