CANADA
Cape Breton post
Dolores Campbell
Published on June 06, 2014
Will the repentance service on Sunday in Port Hawkesbury signify case closed to the abuse scandal as it applies to the Diocese of Antigonish?
It was to be a reconciliation service when it all began quite a few months ago, but those attending any of the seven meetings held to prepare for such a service heard quite a bit of anger expressed by parishioners as to how the scandal had impacted on their lives.
Some thought any such service would merely keep open the wound the abuse scandal had inflicted on the world, and especially on our diocese. For them, it was time to move on. And, in fact, many were trying to do just that in their home parishes.
At the time, many were upset at new security requirements for anyone working with children in their parishes, despite some having been involved in those ministries for years. In fact, anyone wishing to donate their time and energy to assisting in any way in their various parishes faced security checks.
Church closures were blamed on the fact that money was confiscated and used for abuse compensation; leaving a shortfall for churches needing maintain their buildings and programs. The fact that church closures have been on the books for more than 30 years cut no ice with those faced with the loss of their worship space.
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