Vancouver’s archbishop launched an inaugural prayer service for victim/survivors of clerical abuse Nov. 3 by offering them his “deepest regret” and “heartfelt apology” for their suffering.
“Nothing, no words, can in fact repair clerical sexual abuse, and nothing can repair the harm done to its victims,” said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, before the archdiocese’s first prayer service for All Survivors Day, an international day of recognition held each year for those who have suffered sexual abuse.
“This morning I feel compelled to repeat and once again to offer at this service, to offer publicly, to each survivor my deepest regret and indeed heartfelt apology for the trauma, the violence of body and soul, and for the Church’s failure to protect you,” the archbishop said.
Victim/survivors and members of the archdiocese’s Case Review Committee who investigated local abuse cases were among the 40 participating at Holy Rosary Cathedral and viewing online. The 30-minute livestream service included Scripture readings, time for reflection, and a litany prayer for mercy and healing.
Holding “Liturgies of Healing and Reconciliation” was one of the recommendations in the archdiocese’s 2019 Report on Clergy Sexual Abuse, and Archbishop Miller said the aim of the prayer service was to seek forgiveness from God and pray for healing for victim/survivors.
“The Apostle Paul tells us that we are all members of the body of Christ and that when one member suffers, we all suffer together. Victim/survivors of clerical sexual abuse … have suffered violation in body and soul at the hands of those whose task was to protect them, and sadly, regrettably, their cries of pain have too often met with denial or indifference.”
The service was led by two lay people, Sharon Goh and Makani Marquis, who are among the members of the Implementation Working Group assigned to work out the practical details of carrying out the recommendations.
Archbishop Miller first issued a public apology and asked for forgiveness for cases of clerical sexual abuse in the archdiocese in a 2019 pastoral letter, published at the same time as the Case Review Committee’s report and recommendations.
Archdiocesan officials say the inaugural All Survivors Day liturgy was restricted due to COVID-19 but will grow in future years.
To report abuse by a priest in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, call 604-363-7338, where an independent reporting office will listen to you, explore counselling options with you, help you report your abuse to the appropriate authorities, and ensure you are kept updated.
To report abuse by a lay person, or for information about current policies, visit www.rcav.org/reporting.
