The Holy Father recently invited Bishops Conferences around the world to establish a Day of Prayer and Penance for victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

This was in response to a proposal put forward by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

The Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand decided to take up this invitation and establish a day of prayer for all those who have experienced or witnessed violence, physical, psychological or sexual abuse.

The Aotearoa New Zealand Bishops are encouraging every community to acknowledge and pray on that day for the healing and protection of people who have experienced violence or abuse of any kind.

In planning to do so you may wish to make use of some of the suggested prayers and resources offered below.

Sample Intentions for the Prayer of the Faithful

That the cries of those who have been abused in body, mind and spirit, suffered in violent relationships and betrayed by the trust they placed in others, may call forth from us a passion for justice and reparation.

Let us pray to the Lord: Lord hear our prayer OR
E te Ariki: whakarongo mai ra ki a matou

That families and community members who stand in solidarity with our abused and violated brothers, sisters and children, may be strengthened to bear witness to God's mercy, forgiveness and healing.

Let us pray to the Lord: Lord hear our prayer OR
E te Ariki: whakarongo mai ra ki a matou

That we may be committed to ensuring our Church is a safe place for all who belong; in particular our children, teenagers and vulnerable adults.

Let us pray to the Lord: Lord hear our prayer OR
E te Ariki: whakarongo mai ra ki a matou

Further resources for Prayer

• From the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

http://www.protectionofminors.va/content/tuteladeiminori/en/resources_section/day-of-prayer_page.html

• Liturgies of Lament. Frank Henderson, Liturgy Training Publications, 1994.

Pope Francis announced the Day of Prayer on Monday, following a week-long meeting of the Commission.

The Commission, has a mandate to develop and educate the church about best practice and believes prayer is one part of the healing process for clerical sexual abuse survivors and the community of believers, and that public prayer is an important way of consciousness raising in the Church.

Established in 2014, the Commission suffered a setback earlier this year when one of its members, British abuse survivor Peter Saunders was sidelined after complaining that it was doing nothing to break down a culture of complacency and cover-ups within the Church.

Its emphasis on prayer and education is unlikely to appease critics who say the Church remains reluctant to hand paedophile priests over to the judicial authorities.

The Day of Prayer will complement similar initiatives already announced in various Church regions.

The Commission said it was pushing ahead with educational initiatives — including setting up its own website — designed to raise awareness about the issue of paedophilia in church communities across the globe and to train Church leaders how to handle the issue effectively.

It welcomed Francis's announcement in June that members of the Church hierarchy can now be dismissed from office if they fail to display the diligence required of them in ensuring the protection of children.

Francis has also put in place a legal framework for paedophile clerics to be tried in the Vatican and he has been praised for holding meetings with victims of abuse in Rome and in the United States.

Some critics say his overall record on the issue is patchy and he has come under fire for standing by his finance chief George Pell.

Established in 2014, the Commission suffered a setback earlier this year when one of its members, British abuse survivor Peter Saunders was sidelined after complaining that it was doing nothing to break down a culture of complacency and cover-ups within the Church.
Source

• RawStory
• Image: Catholic Herald UK