PENNSYLVANIA
Catholic Philly
BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (CNS) — Reminding people that God’s everlasting mercy “will always be greater than any sin,” Bishop Mark L. Bartchak of Altoona-Johnstown called upon parishioners to find peace in God as the diocese deals with the fallout of a grand jury report detailing hundreds of incidents of clergy sexual abuse.
“God has not abandoned us, nor will God forget any of us at this time or at any time,” he said in a letter to the diocese that was read at Masses the weekend of March 5-6.
The letter recalled the story of the prodigal son, the Gospel reading for weekend, in urging parishioners to remain faithful and not to abandon the church.
“No matter how much God experiences the heartache of a father, God our heavenly father keeps watching out for his children, even those who are separated from him and his church,” the letter said.
Bishop Bartchak said he had heard from people who felt betrayed and were considering leaving the Catholic Church in the days after the grand jury report was released March 1 by Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane. He stressed, however, that embracing mercy is the call of God as Pope Francis teaches.
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