May 30, 2002
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord:
As I prepare to leave for the Bishops' Meeting in Dallas in less than
two weeks, I ask for the support of your prayers. Specifically, let us
all pray:
1.
That we bishops will be courageous in responding to the present scandal
in the church with language that is as searing as it is simple,
2. That we bishops acknowledge and ask for forgiveness for any attempt to conceal or minimize these crimes in the past.
3. That the victims of such traumatic experiences may come to know peace and healing in their lives.
4. That the perpetrators of these horrendous actions may repent and find forgiveness.
5. That together, we may work to restore the Church to her former status - fully purified - as the beautiful Bride of Christ.
In closing, may I suggest that we devote this Friday, the feast of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, as a day of prayer and penance for these
scandalous crimes that have brought so much shame and humiliation on
the Church.
With the assurance of my gratitude and prayers, I am
Your brother in the Lord,
Victor Galeone
Bishop of St. Augustine
