“I was abused by a family member and two Jesuit priests at the school I attended. Most of us internalise the shame, guilt and pain that accompanies child abuse. This is a crime like no other where the victim is left feeling they did something wrong. Such is the deception and cunning of abusers. Our Lord Jesus made it clear that he condemned those who abused children: "It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble" (Luke 17:2).
“As you know, children are mostly at risk from people who are close to them. Child abusers gravitate to places where they have easy access to children. The Church that we are a part of attracts child abusers because it has a history of protecting offenders and denigrating victims. We know that God hates his house being used as a den for robbers, so we need to stop allowing child abusers to steal the lives and innocence of our children.
“Together the Catholic Church and National Association for People Abused in Childhood could really change the world by shining a light on a place which for many is murky and grim. God created a beautiful place for his children and yet for thousands of years we have stood aside, made excuses and covered up the appalling things done to our children.
“Christ is returning. Let us do what we can to lead the world out of darkness”
Peter Saunsers, writing in The Tablet of 2nd.Sept. 2010.
www.thetablet.co.uk/article/15190
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