Dear Bishop: Speak a strong word to us

Many people are looking for a way to respond to the recent revelations of abuse within the Church. Many have asked me to coordinate a response. As we pray and beg for light, I offer here a copy of the letter I recently sent via email to the diocesan offices:Dear Bishop,I want to thank you for your statement regarding the recent revelations of clerical abuse, your support of survivors, and your assurance that our diocese places a high priority on protecting all minors. I know this diocese does all it can to protect our young people, and that our seminarians are supported. I want to thank you also for the upcoming Holy Hour for healing, reparation, and the restoration of hope. Many people have heeded your call to prayer, and many have added fasting as well.It is understandable that neither the diocese nor the bishop can respond to every allegation or new bit of evidence in these matters. But given the gravity of the allegations presented in the testimony of Archbishop Vigano, the subsequent corroboration of some details, and the affirmation of the integrity of his character by several high-ranking clerics, many of the faithful are understandably and justifiably concerned that there is a culture of duplicity and even a deliberate and concerted effort to protect and promote clerics with an agenda opposed to the Deposit of Faith.We are outraged, and yet we know that the Lord Himself is most offended of all. Still, the pain, sense of helplessness, and frustration run deep; they have shaken the firm foundation of our sense of Church for many, and should not be underestimated. Without a strong statement from you, our bishop and shepherd, we are left to decide for ourselves (as Pope Francis suggested to reporters) or to turn to other bishops’ statements for help in directing our minds and hearts through a thicket of brambles, conspiracy theories, and hearsay.The people are aching for their Shepherd to lead strongly in these times of confusion in the Church.We long to hear our bishop stand with other bishops and acknowledge the significance and credibility of the serious allegations publicly presented from Archbishop Vigano. We long to hear you declare your desire for Truth above all other concerns, knowing the Truth will set us free. We long to know that you too want a thorough and proper canonical investigation of the allegations, and we long to be assured of your determination to do whatever you can in support of that investigation.I appeal to you, as one small sheep among many, to speak a strong word to feed us and direct us.Respectfully yours in Christ,km