There is a great need for healing in the lives of our faithful, particularly in the aftermath of the sexual abuse revelations. This worldwide crisis has impacted the Church everywhere, as we now recognize the devastating effects on victims; as we try to make sense of the failure of Church leaders in the management of this phenomenon, and as we try to figure out what kind of reform is necessary for our Church to credibly carry out the mission entrusted to her.
The journey towards healing and atonement is one which calls for courage, honesty and dialogue. Healing will be the fruit of regained trust from acknowledging the truth, confessing our sins and developing a new spirit among all our faithful.
In our diocese, I am concerned for all those who have been hurt by the evil of sexual abuse. This most certainly refers to the victims/survivors of clerical sexual abuse. It also refers to everyone else who have been scandalized; who have felt shame and anger and who have turned away from the Church.
Out of this concern comes the desire to, at least, take a few steps towards healing for all who wish to experience the grace of atonement. I am, therefore, inviting you to a day of conversation, reflection and dialogue, which has been called – Towards Healing and Atonement. It will take place March 23, 2019 in the chapel at the Atlantic School of Theology.
The primary purpose of this day is to promote healing in our Church. This event will provide a safe, Christ centered environment where the faithful can listen to each other, understand the harm of sexual abuse and explore the pain that is being endured by individual victims, families of victims and offenders; parishioners and the entire diocese.
During this gathering some authoritative information will be presented about the Church’s most recent steps taken to protect minors. Furthermore, it is my hope that we can begin to develop some ideas or an action plan for the healing of our Archdiocesan family through the participation of our communities of faith, and thus initiate a process of atonement and healing in our local Church.
Please set this date aside and promote it, if it is of interest to you. More information on the content and structure of the day will be available in the coming days. Please pray for the success of this day and may God bless this initiative.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
†Anthony Mancini
Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth
