The Way of the Cross
Another story from when I was a young lad growing up. After Sunday mass all during lent, and quite frequently during the year, my father made the Stations of the Cross. As I remember it now – hindsight added – if only he could have had a smoke while saying them it would have been the real business. Being a heavy smoker, and after the long Sunday mass, I’m sure he was dying for a smoke. For all his adult life he had very bad health and much suffering so I’m sure the way of the Cross for him was a very effective devotion.
Recently I picked up a little piece from Bishop Kieran’s time talking with Pope Benedict, during the recent visit by the English Bishops to the Holy See. He was asked by Pope Benedict if there was much Muslim extremism in his diocese. I was very taken by his reply, he indicated that most Muslims were like everyone else, concerned about employment, keeping a roof over their heads, provision for their families and above all having peace on their streets. I think most people’s lives experience the Cross very significantly in one way or another. Our human experience, our common sharing of suffering in life, could do much more to bring about reconciliation and understanding.
I think at the heart of the great divide between the church, hierarchy and the victims of abuse by the priests and other members of the church is the gulf that is perceived by the victims. When the Irish bishops went to Rome the setting could not have highlighted it more. Their perception that those in authority are so removed from the abused person’s way of life and that they have exalted themselves above the normal experience of ordinary life and indeed millions of miles from those who have suffered the gross humiliation of abuse.
The great irony is that some of the bishops, and most of the priests, feel that they too were victims because they had a position but no authority or power to do anything about the abuse, sickening and sad that this was. So that is why at the foot of the Cross the words of Jesus “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” and taking on board the old adage, “People living in glass houses should not throw stones.”, applies even to the hierarchy.
With my love and prayers for you all,
