COMMENTARY: A bad priest deeply wounded me, but through the faithfulness and holiness of other priests, I was gradually led back toward hope, healing, truth and renewal.
As Father’s Day approaches, I find myself thinking about my own wonderful dad, as well as my husband, the father of our six children.
The love of good fathers leaves lasting marks on the lives entrusted to them, and their sacrifices matter more than we realize. Thank you, fathers and father figures!
I also find myself thinking about our priests. That may sound strange coming from a survivor of clerical abuse. I was sexually abused by a priest (now laicized) when I was 15. That sort of memory doesn’t just leave you overnight but, by the grace of God, there is life after abuse. His grace shines into even the darkest of places.
Catholic priests have become the subject of countless jokes, memes and bitter commentary, from both within the Catholic Church and without. Trust me when I say that I understand where the anger comes from. The scandals exposed horrific evil. We cannot deny that there have been priests who deeply violated their vocation and that leaders have failed in many
