EPIPHANY VIGIL
from Dick Taylor, VOTF Philadelphia, Penn.

January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany in which we remember the vulnerable baby Jesus, who was not only adored by wise men and shepherds, but nearly killed in Herod's massacre of infants, his parents turned refugees and having to flee with him to Egypt.

Forty members and friends of Voice of the Faithful of Greater Philadelphia gathered on a cold and blustery day to commemorate Epiphany and to remember the vulnerable baby Jesus and all vulnerable children, especially those sexually abused by mentally and morally ill clergy, whose leaders covered up their crimes. The prayer vigil took place at noon in front of Cardinal Justin Rigali's downtown office. Those who gathered carried many signs and two very large banners, "50 Years of Abuse and Cover-Up" and "Protect Our Children."

Leaflets were distributed for passersby and archdiocesan employees to explain the reason for the vigil: to note that VOTF/GP had sent the Cardinal a letter 70 days ago and had not yet received a reply. The letter proposed four ways that the Cardinal can address the sexual abuse crisis in more depth: (1) support new laws to hold accountable both perpetrators and enablers of abuse; (2) reach out to survivors with a sincere apology and a willingness to work out a settlement; (3) endorse parish Child Safety Committees, elected by parishioners rather than imposed from above; and (4) admit publicly that the Philadelphia hierarchy conducted an unconscionable and immoral cover-up of abuse that further damaged our children.

The vigil program began with a reflection on Epiphany by the mother of an abuse survivor. Next, two VOTF officers led everyone in a litany expressing our grief, praying for accountability in the Church, and for God to empower us to be silent and passive no longer. An "open mike" closed the speaking part of the program. Nearly a dozen people came forward to pray or offer thoughts. They included another mother of an abused child, the brother of a victim, two Catholic Sisters, and a university professor. A survivor who chose not to speak cried throughout; everyone was deeply moved by these prayers and reflections.

The one-hour vigil ended with the announcement that the vigils will continue on the first Friday of each month "for as long as necessary." Participants were encouraged to write Cardinal Rigali, asking that he be willing to meet with VOTF. They also were encouraged to go to a website, www.pa-cares.org, which has excellent information on how to support state legislation to provide greater justice and to protect children more adequately against abuse.

As things were winding up, five VOTF members entered the office to request a meeting with the Cardinal. The Cardinal's office, apparently forgetting that VOTF had sent a letter 70 days ago, told them that they would need to write a letter to ask for an appointment.


 



In the Vineyard
January 12, 2006
Volume 1, Issue 1
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