I would be remiss if I didn’t admit that I secretly pray the Holy Spirit will lead the Cardinals to install a new Pope that will make handling the abuse scandal that has plagued the Church for far too long a top priority.  In my fantasy world he would ‘clean house’ of those alleged ‘cover ups’ and ‘accused’, give due diligence to the survivors and most importantly, acknowledge the wonderful HEALING program we have already implemented within the church – The Maria Goretti Network.  We have many brilliant, God-fearing, faith-abiding, shepherds within the Catholic church that have nothing to do with this scandal and I’ve met dozens whose hearts bleed for the travesty of what has been done within the sacredness of their call and they support a healing program such as MGN.

It is no surprise to read articles such as this one in the National Catholic Reporter  posted by Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (S.N.A.P.) who are desperate to see the Church moved to action in response to the pain and grief they continue to wrestle with daily.  I read another article today that it is possible Pope Benedict XVI  felt ‘warn down’ by the magnitude of this and a few other breaches within the Church and feels moved to allow room for a ‘younger’ candidate who might be better with the direction of healing.

Of course we might not ever fully know the ‘truth’ behind Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation and the speculation will continue until February 28th.  But you can bet your life that I’ll be spending my Lenten season in fasting and prayer for the opportunity this could bring to open doors for the Maria Goretti Network to be recognized as a Social Justice program that is instrumental to EVERY PARISH. For the Church to offer the gift of giving a survivor VOICE to their suffering amongst others who understand and empathize with the daily battle that living as a survivor of abuse (any abuse) can cause and provide prayer, support and encouragement in the freedom of forgiveness.

Right now the Church ( as a whole) as been too afraid to stand behind The Maria Goretti Network out of fear because of the rage and retaliation other programs have caused in the past.  It is an uphill climb I’ve been dealing with ever since I joined ranks with MGN as their spokesperson five years ago.  We have a Bishop and many priests behind us but we need collective support from all over the world to be HEARD.

How does this ‘soap box’ moment fit into my day?  Being that I am on the cusps of a full-blown personal revelation in healing from being the victim of a hideous abuse as a very young child I cherish the fact I know I have a MGN meeting soon where I can go and unload the confusion, the pain, the sorrow and in its oddity the joy of having all my pieces come together with a room full of other survivors who will not question, doubt, or force me through the process any faster than I need to go. 

I think about the gift God gave me in introducing me to The Maria Goretti Network over five years ago and the many months we’ve come together and have walked away feeling loved, peace and freedom.  I wish this for ALL survivors, especially those that are a part of S.N.A.P and maybe, just maybe, this new Pope will be so inclined to see the vision that leads to healing for the Church.

From my favorite movie “Dead Poets Society” when Mr. Keeting introduced the idea of ‘Carpe Diem’ (seize the day) and read from the poetry of  Robert Herrick (1591-1674) :

English Poetry I: From Chaucer to Gray.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

TO THE VIRGINS

YALP! 

😀

Blessings

Shannon