Hope

A sweet parishioner said to me recently, "I just want to move on from this crisis, but I know that we can't". Not completely true. It is possible for us, in one way, to "move on", but it must be the right way (more below). I also hear a number of Bishops (mostly those accused of abuse or covering up abuse) saying that we really need to "move on", but that is not the type of "moving on" that we need to be doing right now (even Pope Francis appears to be saying this with a blatant clericalism that staggers the mind). In other words, there is a holy manner to "move on" and a wicked manner to "move on", and we need to know the difference.

Essentially there are two ways to move on in a crisis (though I admit that there are various nuances to these).

1) You can refuse to dwell on the problems by acknowledging that Jesus is on His throne and trust He will work it out.
2) You can pretend the problem does not exist and try to distract yourself (and others) from it.

It does not take a genius to recognize that the first method is a godly one, and the second is the work of the devil himself. For someone who is guilty, to seek to distract from the problem is itself a grave sin (it is a denial of one's culpability). For someone who is not guilty of the sin in question, to seek to distract is to cut oneself off from the Church (for it prevents that person from even praying about the problem at hand). We need to be honest about what has happened, but we need to do it in an honest manner: acknowledging that Christ is working in this (even if we cannot see how).

Some (including Pope Francis) seem to want us all to forget that grave sin has occurred. As the link above shows, he wants to portray those who have brought sin to light as working for Satan (!). A claim like this should make our hearts ache. It would seem (note: I am trying really hard not to pretend that I know his heart) that Pope Francis wants us to believe that it is sinful to point out a sin to others. Furthermore, it appears that he wants to say that since Bishops are "chosen by God" as Bishops (his words, not mine!) that they are not to be accused of anything.

Do you see that? (Go, read the article yourself if you have not yet done so.) Let me give a few Scriptural examples that speak to how serious a problem this is.

Let a good man strike or rebuke me in kindness, but let the oil of the wicked never anoint my head; for my prayer is continually against their wicked deeds (Psalm 141:5).

This tells us that it a good thing for someone to rebuke our sin (for it helps us find the path of repentance). If the Pope is innocent, then he should let us know and give evidence of it. If he merely attacks his accusers then he has responded like someone who is guilty.

He who corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you (Proverbs 9:7-8).

This shows that if someone demonizes his accusers that he is a "scoffer" and not behaving like a "wise man" who loves those who seek to help him by calling him to account.

He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck will suddenly be broken beyond healing (Proverbs 29:1). 

This verse helps us to see the path of those who refuse correction. They eventually end up destroying themselves because rather than repent, they deepen themselves in their sins.

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them (Ephesians 5:11, emphasis mine). 

The Apostle here speaks to the importance of making sin clear. If we do not know what sin is, we cannot avoid it. Likewise it must be "exposed" so that we can be aware of the character of someone who is impenitent. "Exposing" sins must be gentle, but unambiguous.

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear (1 Timothy 5:20). 

This verse is really the clincher on this entire issue because St. Paul is speaking about clergy who fall into sin (go read the full context). There is not much that I can say to make it any more clear than it is. If grave sins of the clergy are covered up, it will encourage others to fall into the same sin; it must be pointed out. What Pope Francis appears to be saying is flat out wrong and contrary to Holy Scripture.

Cardinal Cupich (one of those accused by Vigano's statement) said recently that the Church has "better things to worry about". Better things than the possibility of massive abuse and cover up at the highest levels of the Church? Better things than giving hope and encouragement to people in a time of confusion and fear? This is "covering up" the "cover up". Sticking your head in the sand is not good for those who are guilty (at least in appearance), nor is it good for the rest of us (especially the laity who feel so weak in these times). We need hope.

Hope says that we have no fear of the scandal itself, any more than we have fear of sin itself. Yes, we should seek to overcome the scandal and be able to heal and do things right in the future. That does not, however, mean that we should ignore it, or that it should destroy our very soul (for the devil would be happy with either of those responses). No, hope encourages us to stand firm and know (confidently, undeniably) that King Jesus is still on His throne, and that He will help us through this. We need to focus on Jesus. If we focus on the circumstances then we will be overwhelmed, but "not focusing" does not mean ignoring! Like St. Peter, when he saw Jesus walking on water, we cannot deny the storm, nor should we let our fear of it overcome our trust in God.

What does "hope" do for us right now? Hope would enable us to say what the Blessed Virgin must have said on the day Jesus was crucified: "I may not understand how this can lead to something good, but I know that God can understand it". We often allow ourselves to focus on the theological virtues of faith and charity, but we forget how crucial hope is until we find ourselves without it. Hope is that which supports our spirit in its faith and charity. Hope is what gets our feet out of bed in the morning. Hope is found in Christ and His Lordship.