Sexual Abuse is a Universal Problem

Sexual abuse is the work of the devil, Pope Francis said at the conclusion of the meeting of bishops from all over the world held at the Vatican last month. And Church personnel who engage in sexual abuse, or cover it up, “become tools of Satan.”



The Holy Father went on to say that there can be no explanation, or excuse, for the abuse of minors and others who are vulnerable. That’s why it’s important to “recognize with humility” that the Church stands “face to face with the mystery of evil.” Even one case—one unspeakable instance of atrocity—must be “faced with the utmost seriousness,” the pope says.



“Acts of violence take place not only in the home, but also in neighborhoods, schools, athletic facilities and, sadly, also in church settings,” the Holy Father said. This is a “universal problem,” and the evil is no “less monstrous when it takes place within the Church.” It’s actually more scandalous, the pope said, because it’s incompatible with the Church’s moral and ethical credibility.

Pope Francis’s remarks were given at the conclusion of an unprecedented meeting of the presidents of bishops’ conferences from all regions of the world. As was predicted, the pope’s observations were not applauded by everyone. Some thought he said too much about “pressure from the media” and “journalistic practices that exploit tragedy.” Others argued that the pope didn’t go far enough in condemning the Church’s role in the “universal problem” of sexual abuse. 


Although the Vatican has warned observers that no definitive actions would be announced at the end of the week-long meeting, Pope Francis did list eight “best practices” in the effort to “confront the causes and effects of these grave crimes.” In keeping with the pope’s designation of sexual abuse as a universal problem, the best practices he listed draw on guidelines published by the World Health Organization as well as work done by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and reflections provided by the 190 participants in the meeting of bishops’ conference presidents.

What are these best practices?


As summarized by Courtney Grogan writing for the Catholic News Agency, these are:

1. A “change of mentality” to focus on protecting children rather than “protecting the institution.”
2. A recognition of the “impeccable seriousness” of these “sins and crimes of consecrated persons.”
3. A genuine purification beginning with “self-accusation.”
4. Positive formation of candidates for the priesthood in the virtue of chastity.
5. Strengthening and reviewing of guidelines by episcopal conferences, reaffirming the need for “rules.”
6. The accompaniment of those who have been abused with an emphasis on listening.
7. Ensure that seminarians and clergy are not enslaved to an addiction to pornography.
8. Combat sexual tourism around the world.

The primary goal of every measure, Pope Francis said, has to be the protection of minors from any form of psychological and physical abuse. To achieve this, “a change of mentality is needed to combat a defensive and reactive approach to protecting the institution and to pursue, wholeheartedly and decisively, the good of the community by giving priority to the victims of abuse in every sense.”

The Holy Father also said that the Catholic Church will “spare no effort” to do what’s necessary to bring justice to those who’ve been hurt, never staying silent or failing to treat each case with the seriousness it deserves.


Finally, beyond preventing abuse, Pope Francis said that the Church needs a “constantly renewed commitment to the holiness of pastors,” constantly questioning how best to protect children, avoid these crimes and bring healing to survivors and victims.

Sexual abuse is a “monstrous” universal problem that is “incompatible with the Church’s moral and ethical credibility,” but precisely because it is a work of the devil more than “natural” means are required to combat it. Holiness, spiritual renewal and the power of prayer are indispensable when confronting pure evil.


Practical measures are important—absolutely necessary—to combat the universal problem of sexual abuse, especially in the Church. But openness to the power of God’s grace is even more important. That’s why a key element in the Church’s response to this unspeakable evil must be the ongoing formation of holy priests and bishops who are totally dedicated to leading chaste lives and serving God’s people with humility and moral integrity.


Let’s pray for Pope Francis and all bishops throughout the world. May the power of God’s grace fill them with holy zeal and the commitment to do whatever is necessary to protect our children and heal the wounds caused by the grave sin of clergy sexual abuse and its coverup.

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Why I remain a Catholic: Father Wayne Jenkins

I was not in a good mood when I went to Mass this weekend. Feeling sorry for myself (for no good reason), I entered Holy Trinity Church focused on myself, not on God or anyone else.

Once inside, I saw Father Wayne Jenkins, a retired diocesan priest who lives at our parish and “helps out” with daily and weekend liturgies and other ministries as needed. When our former pastor, Mark Spalding, was appointed Bishop of Nashville, Father Wayne stepped out of retirement to serve as our Acting Pastor.  Not one to simply coast, Father Wayne gave his all to this assignment, becoming fully engaged in meeting the pastoral needs of our very active parish. Then, when the new pastor, Father Bill Bowling, was installed many months later, Father Wayne quietly stepped down and returned to his former role as a humble priest in residence.

When I saw Father Wayne in church right before Mass, my mood shifted. I let go of whatever negativity was hanging over me and my spirits were lifted. Why?

Good Priests are a real blessing. Way too much attention has been paid to the few rotten apples who have spoiled the barrell when we ought to be rejoicing in the pastoral presence of good priests like Father Wayne. The way he celebrates Mass is prayerful but not excessively devout. His homilies are outstanding, not because they are brilliant theological reflections but because he speaks from the heart in plain language always with a message you can remember and take home with you.

This weekend Father Wayne shared his reflections on the Gospel story of the Lord’s Transfiguration (Lk 9:28b-36).  He offered us a simple illustration from his own life of what it’s like to experience the extraordinary presence of God in the midst of our ordinary lives. He shared with us his deep faith in the transformative power of God’s love and mercy—even in the face of the great sorrow that all disciples of Jesus are called to witness in the Lord’s passion and death on a cross.

When his homily was finished, Father Wayne welcomed an adult man, a husband and father, into full communion with the Catholic Church. With just a simple profession of faith, followed by the Sacrament of Confirmation, a new member joined his family, and our parish community, in full Eucharistic communion.  What a powerful witness in these troubled times! When too many of us are racked with doubt and uncertainty, this newcomer confidently pledges his fidelity to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church!

It was fitting that Father Wayne was the one who received our new parishioner in the name of the whole Church. I’ve described Father Wayne as “a humble priest in residence.” By humble, I mean “down to earth.” He is clearly one of us, a man with faults like all of us, who seeks God in the everyday circumstances of life and who strives to become better, more faithful, in fulfilling the promises he made at baptism and in his priestly ordination. As he shares with us his struggles—and his joys—we have the opportunity to be transfigured, to reflect the glory to which we are called as women and men who follow Jesus and who learn much from the words and example of good priests like Wayne Jenkins.

In the Archdiocese of Louisville, and especially at Holy Trinity Parish, we are blessed with good, holy priests. We should thank God for them, pray for them, rejoice in them! Priests like Father Wayne  have given their whole lives to help us remain faithful to our baptismal promises. Their priestly ministry is a gift of inestimable value, a treasure we should cherish out of gratitude and respect.

Father Wayne Jenkins is one of many reasons that I choose to remain a member of the Catholic Church. May God continue to bless him in his humble, but very powerful, priestly ministry.