NEW MEXICO
Farmington Daily Times
FARMINGTON — About three years after the Diocese of Gallup declared bankruptcy to address a growing number of clergy sexual-abuse lawsuits, Bishop James Wall has announced plans to officiate healing services at many affected New Mexico and Arizona churches.
Starting next month, Wall will lead healing services at parishes that employed a priest or lay person who has been “credibly accused” of sexual assault during any point of his career. A total of 36 hour-long services are scheduled through early 2018. The first local service is expected to take place in January in Farmington.
“A healing service is a prayer service with the intention of offering healing and comfort to survivors of sexual abuse,” Wall said in an email to The Daily Times. “It’s a time of prayer, reflection and an opportunity to open oneself up to the healing power of God.”
Wall said the services allow him “to personally apologize to survivors of sexual abuse and to unite in prayer with them to our loving God.”
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