We priests need laity now

While there is a natural tendency to protect one's friends and peers, we priests do not condone or excuse immoral or illegal behavior by our fellow priests. We take seriously Jesus' admonition (Luke 17: 1-3) about those who harm children.

Celibacy is not the culprit; infidelity to celibacy is. If a priest is unfaithful to his promise of celibacy, who would suppose he would be faithful to his marriage vows? Marriage does not cure dysfunction. Some priests struggle with celibacy, but nearly all are faithful to their priestly life and its call to celibacy.

Priests have zero tolerance for misbehavior that puts us all under a cloud of suspicion and would not hesitate to report abuse by our peers to our Bishop and to follow the laws of society in this regard.

The media seem to be on a feeding frenzy, as they always are inclined to be in matters sexual, but we are not into a "kill the messenger" mentality. If this type of reporting forces us to get our proverbial act together and nurtures honesty in the Church, so be it. People of faith have nothing to fear from the truth. Assuming responsibility for one's wrong-doings is the first step in the healing process.

While the laity are justifiably angry at priests who abuse their children, this is not a time for them to withdraw from the priest friends whom they know and trust. We need the laity now more than ever to be our friends.

We are here to listen to and pray with anyone who has ever been abused in any way by someone in Church ministry. We are here to steer them to counseling and to do whatever needs to be done so that they will know in their head and feel in their heart the love of the Good Shepherd.

(Editor's note: Father Kane is pastor of St. Helen's Church in Niskayuna.)

(04-18-02) [[In-content Ad]]