It was a solemn evening as priests, sisters and lay people met April 10 at Holy Family Church in a liturgy of Sorrow and Repentance for the Sexual Abuse of Children by Priests and Religious.

“This is a painful part of our history which calls us to acknowledge a sad reality and offer our prayerful support for healing for those whose lives have been so badly scarred by sexual abuse,” said Holy Family Pastoral Assistant Rick Turchenek in his opening greeting. “We ask forgiveness of God and of all survivors.”

“When we sin, we harm others,” said Archbishop Daniel Bohan in his homily, “we inflict hurt and pain on those who have the right to expect only love from us.”

“The sin of sexually abusing children violates the command of Jesus to use our positions of power to welcome little ones of the earth in His name.” Expressing regret and requesting forgiveness requires that help be given to the abused as they struggle to find healing in their lives, said the Archbishop. Archbishop Bohan and the priests knelt in front of the altar and recited Psalm 51 as an act of penitence.

The special liturgy was written by the Very Reverend Ron Andree, Chair of the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission and Marian Grady, Commission member.