WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 12, 2002 (Zenit.org).- U.S. bishops are asking for prayers as they gather in Texas to decide on an effective response to the crisis of clergy sexual abuse.
The Web page of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.nccbuscc.org) states that prayer is an indispensable help «to assure the safety of children, address the problem of clergy sexual abuse, and formulate concrete initiatives for the future.»
During the 46 hours the conference will be in session in Dallas, the bishops request prayers «for victims of clergy sexual abuse, and for the bishops, that God might send his Holy Spirit to grant them the wisdom and courage to do his holy will at this critical moment in the life of the Church.»
«Parish communities, individuals and groups of the faithful may gather together to pray in the course of these days in many different ways,» they suggest.
Likewise, the Web page states that during the meeting, «bishops, victims of sexual abuse, and others will spend 48 hours in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, asking the Lord Jesus to bring healing and peace to victims and to be present to our bishops.»
«Parishes, religious communities and other groups might well conduct continuous adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during this same time, beginning with a Mass designed to coincide with the opening Mass for the bishops´ meeting at 7 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, and concluding 48 hours later with a Mass on Saturday morning at 7 a.m.,» the Web page adds.
The booklet of Scriptures, prayers and meditations which will be used during this eucharistic adoration is available for free download on this Web site and may be reproduced free of charge. See (www.usccb.org/comm/vigilpr2.pdf). It is in PDF format.
The texts for the Masses on Thursday morning, Friday evening and Saturday morning are also available on the site www.usccb.org/comm/weblit.htm. The texts of morning prayer and midafternoon prayer for these days, as they will be prayed by the bishops, are also available.
«Many ask the question, «What can I do to help?» the conference reported. Its response: «The only way any of us can discern an answer to that question is by seeking the presence of Christ, ´the way, the truth and the life.´ Many things seem impossible for us. But with God, all things are possible.»
