September 2018
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE CATHOLIC MIRROR Vol. 52, No. 9 September 21, 2018 Bishop invites parishes, schools Students head back to school to pray, fast in September Bishop Richard Pates invited parishes and schools in the Diocese of Des Moines to set aside the four Fridays of September as special days for the faithful to enter into prayer and fasting in reparation for the sexual abuse of children. The bishop suggests parishes may bolster their prayer and fasting with Eucharistic adoration through a holy hour and penitential prayer service. He led a holy hour and penitential prayer service on Sept. 7 and Sept. 14 at St. Ambrose Cathedral. The call for these special days comes in response to Pope Francis’s Aug. 20 letter addressing the atrocities of abuse detailed in a Pennsylvania grand jury report. “The extent and the gravity of all that has happened requires coming to grips with this reality in a comprehensive and communal way,” wrote Pope Francis. “Today, we are challenged as the People of God to take on the pain of our brothers and sisters wounded in their flesh and in their spirit.” Students across the diocese headed back to school in August. Left: Read more about the local Students are all smiles on the first day back at St. Patrick Catholic response to the abuse crisis in School in Perry. Top right: St. Joseph Catholic School students Noah Bishop’s column on page 2. The Jay, fourth grade, and Faith Jay, second grade, get to work on their national response is on page 13. first day. Bottom right: A grandfather leads his grandkids back to school on their horses at St. Patrick Catholic School in Perry. Report and delete suspicious Christ Our Life conference needs volunteers Behind it all—the Mass, sors and concelebrate either of hear the speakers. Sign up at: and Justin Doyle welcome busi- emails reconciliation, adoration and ben- two Masses: 9 a.m. Saturday or ChristOurLifeIowa.com/volun- nesses, foundations and individ- ediction, speakers, inspirational 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Registration teers and receive a $15 discounted ual financial contributions. Lane By Kelly Mescher Collins music and faith-filled fellow- is free for priests. ticket and a free t-shirt. Questions can be reached at: joelanesr@ Staff Writer ship—the Christ Our Life Catho- Priests can choose any can be directed to our volunteer icloud.com or 515-975-4020. Do- lic Regional Conference relies on timeframe from the reconcilia- co-chairs Bruce and Debbie Me- nate directly at: ChristOurLifeIo If you’ve received an up to 225 volunteers, dozens of tion schedule of 7 a.m.-8:15 a.m., hlhop at [email protected]. wa.com/donate/ email from your parish priest re- priests for confessions and many and noon-5:30 p.m., Saturday or It’s considered one of questing gift cards or money, re- donors or in-kind services to keep 7 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Sunday. The Choir Members the most affordable of its kind. port it and delete it. ticket prices low. schedule allows them to hear Los Free music, online re- Tickets are only $25 for the en- Father Mark Neal, pas- With an estimated 8,000 Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert cordings and five rehearsals are tire weekend. Students/youth and tor of Holy Trinity Parish in Des attendees anticipated at Wells Barron speak at 11 a.m. Satur- provided for choir members. volunteers pay $15 while clergy, Moines, and Father Dominic Mc- Fargo Arena in Des Moines, on- day. Marianne Wadle will work Choral leaders Scott seminarians, deacons and reli- Manus, pastor of Christ the King site assistance is sought Sept. 29 with priests to meet home parish Rieker and Stefanie Harper will gious may attend for free. People Parish in Des Moines, were both and 30 with some pre-event help responsibilities. Contact her at: work with those who cannot make may attend all or any part of the targeted. needed Sept. 28. [email protected]. all rehearsals. To sign up, contact event. Someone sent out emails “We have been blessed Stefanie at [email protected]. to parishioners and parish staff with the time, talents and trea- Pre-Event/Onsite Volunteers pretending to be the priests using sures of supporters since 2008, Volunteers assist with Sponsors Christ Our Life their names and email address (or when we began our preparations setup, tear down, program books Addi- Catholic Regional Conference an alias email) requesting iTunes for the first-ever Christ Our Life. and signage, and serve as greet- tional donors and gift cards. The laborers for the Lord have ers, ushers, Eucharistic escorts, pro bono services When: Sept. 29-30 The priests quickly got been plentiful,” says co-chair or guides for reconciliation, the are needed to de- Where: Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines the word out, letting people know Marilyn Lane of Sacred Heart adoration chapel, speakers or or- fray expenses and it was a scam. Parish in West Des Moines. chestra. keep ticket prices Cost: $25/ticket, sold in parishes, “I made an announce- The greatest need is for affordable. online and at the door Priests Saturday morning ushers. Volun- Joe Lane Details: ChristOurLifeIowa.com Continued on page 15 Priests serve as confes- teers can help and still see and 2 The Catholic Mirror September 21, 2018 www.dmdiocese.org In the Heartland with Bishop Pates Sexual abuse crisis in the Church The report of the priest. This body advises the nationwide by the National DiNardo’s action will lead to Grand Jury investigation of Bishop on all reports of sexual Review Board. the truth eventuating in steps six dioceses in Pennsylvania misconduct and diocesan to prevent recurrence of such on sexual abuse by priests By sexual behavior policies. Since my coming to behavior. and other Church personnel Bishop By way of prevention, Des Moines ten years ago, one Realizing that the Church sent a shock wave through the Richard the following practices have been priest has been credibly accused is not a corporation, a NGO, a Catholic Church in the United Pates initiated: of sexual abuse of a minor (for private or public institution, or States in the last few weeks. 1. A criminal a situation several years before). a fraternal organization but a The number of background check is conducted He has been laicized and removed communion of believers deeply perpetrators and victims was Bishop Emeritus Joseph of every individual who from any ministry. Moreover, committed to solidarity with one very disconcerting. In sum, over Charron before me and I have undertakes a volunteer, paid or credible allegations of sexual another in the Spirit of the Lord a period of 70 years it represented implemented the Charter in the clerical ministry in the diocese. abuse throughout the country Jesus, I asked that prayer and a tragic moral failure on the part Diocese of Des Moines as a Since 2002, the diocese has have declined dramatically fasting be instituted communally of perpetrating clerics and church matter of highest priority. The completed 18,525 background since the implementation of the and individually on the Fridays leadership in “cover-ups.” result is the following provisions: checks. charter. This was acknowledged in September. Jesus taught Obviously, this type of 1. Any report of sexual 2. Ministers (volunteer by the Pennsylvania Report. us: “Some demons can only behavior and the culture in which misconduct of a Catholic and compensated) need to sign Actual statistics are available on be excised through prayer and it existed cannot be condoned. Church worker is immediately a “Code of Conduct” which the website of the United States penance.” I am very grateful At the same time, words which reported to law enforcement they agree to abide by. Conference of Catholic Bishops to all who have joined in this categorize the behavior as followed by an appropriate 3. Visiting clergy are at www.usccb.org movement. unacceptable are empty unless civil/ecclesial investigation. required, through their diocese, In approximately While I strongly support there is an accompanying The person to whom the to submit a “personal statement the same timeframe, serious effective action to pursue the commitment to reform. allegation is directed is of suitability.” concerns surfaced with regard to truth through the charter and Our first attention needs suspended pending the outcome 4. Since 2002, 18,525 Archbishop Theodore McCarrick Archbishop DiNardo’s initiative, to be directed to the victims who of the investigation. people have completed safe and sexual abuse allegations I am also convinced that our suffered this abuse. Heartfelt 2. Any Church environment training. All brought against him. In this prayer and fasting will be apologies are extended to them. worker credibly accused of ministers in the diocese are regard, I stand with Cardinal extremely efficacious. No effort should be spared to sexual abuse of a minor is required to complete monthly Daniel DiNardo who in a I am fully conscious of help with the healing process for removed from office until the “Virtus” readings which statement on Aug. 27 stated: the upset, embarrassment and each one of them. They need to investigation is completed. highlight dimensions of abuse/ pain of so many in our Catholic be listened to so that they can boundary issues. community. Especially is this 3. Victims are “On August 1st, I promised convey the pain and suffering they encouraged to contact the 5. All youth participating that USCCB would exercise true of the vast majority of our have experienced. Professional Diocese’s Victim Assistance in Church programs are the full extent of its authority, faithful clergy, ministers, lay counseling and therapy should be Advocate, Sam Porter, at 515- required to participate in and would advocate before staff and generous volunteers.