A Year of Penance
I floated the idea of lay people going to a public place (in Cincinnati it would be Fountain Square, in DC it might be on the mall or in front of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, etc.) We would have signs announcing our purpose and we would kneel in prayer and penance at noon every Friday (or every first Friday, or whatever). Several people countered that WE were not the ones who should do penance but rather the bishops and didn’t want to get involved. I decided not to push it further.
Now Paul Wilkes reopens the idea and has added 7 points that the bishops could do to publically show their penance:
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Bishops would wear penitential clothing, the modern counterpart to sackcloth and ashes.
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They would refrain from wearing their miters and, when in public, only be marked by the simplest of crosses.
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They would spend at least one day a week working alongside the people of their diocese, doing real labor, working in restaurants, on construction sites, in offices. Or, as a pastoral associate – not clergy – doing real parish work.
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They would spend another day in solitary prayer, part of it in their home cathedral, where we Catholics might join them, in silent affirmation of their bravery.
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They would have monthly dinners with the victims of abuse and their parents, so that they might know even more deeply of their pain. Without lawyers or the filter of staff, alone with those violated by our arrogance.
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They would refrain from public appearances, other than those proper to their office, confirmation and such, and avoid banquets and events at which they are esteemed guests. No public approbation, no honorary degrees.
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At such religious events, they would wear the usual garb of a priest and some somber marking to signify they are doing penance.
Again, it would be wonderful if bishops would decide to do this voluntarily and collectively. I, however, am tired of waiting and put the call out to VOTF members: Would we be willing to take this on as an organization? Most of Wilkes’ 7 points would not apply to most lay people but we could do public prayer vigils in front of cathedrals or on public squares. I see this impacting at least 3 of our platforms:
It is an action that local affiliates could do to both express their personal sorrow and to raise awareness. (Perhaps the bishops might even be shamed into action as a result.) Do you think instituting a VOTF Year of Penance has any traction? It aligns us more closely with survivors, is non-confrontational, draws upon communal prayer, and could activate the local affiliates. Besides, it doesn’t cost any money.
If you are interested, please contact SusanVogt@fuse.net
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