Catholic church prays for abuse victims and abusers
May 27, 2010
from Thelma Etim's article on BBC News:
While the victims of abuse at the hands of Roman Catholic clergy continue their fight for justice and reparation, bishops in the Church have invited parishioners in England and Wales to make the four Fridays in the month special days of prayer for children abused by priests.
....Anne Lawrence, chairwoman of the Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS) support group, welcomed the St Edmund's prayers but said a "practical response to the victims" was vital for the "intolerable situation to be resolved".
She told BBC News: "Many victims cannot go into a church because they feel betrayed, many were actually abused inside a church and some are on 'suicide watch'.
"Many are still bitter and very traumatised by the response from the Church when they first brought the allegations - the horrendous attempt to silence people.
"But fair play to St Edmund's in having such an open and public display of reconciliation."
Ms Lawrence added: "Rather than just saying we acknowledge all the past mistakes, the Church can draw a line under this by accepting liability, meeting the survivors and settling their claims.
"It is not about becoming rich, it is about restorative justice."
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