Bernardino Diocese: Prayers for Sexual Abuse Victims

The Press-Enterprise
April 21, 2013

http://blog.pe.com/multicultural-beat/2013/04/21/san-bernardino-diocese-prayers-for-sexual-abuse-victims/

Bishop Gerald Barnes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino next month will begin including an intention for victims of sexual abuse in a monthly Mass at the diocesan pastoral center in San Bernardino.

An intention refers to when participants in a Mass are asked to say special prayers for someone and keep that person in their thoughts throughout a service. Usually, it is for someone who has passed away, diocesan spokesman John Andrews told me.

On the first Tuesday of every month, the intention of the Mass at the pastoral center will be for all victims of sexual abuse, including those abused by priests, he said.

“It’s not the end-all,” Andrews said. “It’s one more thing we can do to try to walk with them on their journey.”

Andrews said the diocese has strengthened efforts to protect children from sexual abuse. But, he said, “Part of the responsibility of the diocese on the issue of sexual abuse is to minister to victims and be with them and show them the love of the church….This is the pastoral side of the church for those who still are part of the church but have been hurt so badly by the church.”

The daily pastoral center Mass is attended mostly by pastoral-center employees, Andrews said. But victims of sexual abuse and their families are welcome to attend the first-Tuesday-of-the-month Masses there, or any other Masses, he said.