This is encouraging to me but every time something about the understanding of the issue of sexual abuse by the clergy gives me encouragement I end up disappointed.  Here is an excerpt of what Bishop Blase J. Cupich, head of the bishops’ committee on the protection of children and young people, said;  “Catholics have been hurt by the moral failings of some priests, but they have been hurt and angered even more by bishops who failed to put children first.”  In the same article; “bishops have learned they must resist the defensiveness that institutions often fall back on in crises moments.”  And this, which should be the ah ha moment in the Church’s history with this particular scandal, “Bishops in the United States have learned that the injury to victims of priestly sexual abuse is deeper than non-victims can imagine.”

I pray that this is not lip service.  I desperately want to believe that the deep pain that non-victims can’t imagine is finally being addressed.  (I wanted to say understood but only victims can truly understand.)  I’ll settle for addressing the issue without being attacked by the Church and the people of the Church who wrongly think our desire for acknowledgement and healing is attacking the Church.  I love the Church.  Dealing with all of this ugliness can only help the Church.