Thursday of the
Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48)
A pastor is accused of an indiscretion that is supposed
to have been done forty years ago. He is
removed from service despite protests of his parishioners who honor and respect
him. Another priest asks, “…is there no
forgiveness for one mistake made many, many years ago?” The question is hard but fair in view of today’s
first reading.
Peter is speaking to the people of Jerusalem. He accuses them of handing over for execution
Jesus, the “author of life.” But his
tone is conciliatory. He acknowledges
that they acted out of ignorance and affirms their status as “children of the
prophets and of the covenant.” He offers
them forgiveness and added blessings. These
benefits come with the outpouring of grace from Jesus’ resurrection.
A dozen years ago the bishops of the United States set
the rule “one strike and you’re out” to deal with the sexual abuse
scandal. They needed to act boldly to reestablish
confidence in the Catholic Church. In the process worthy priests as well as
scoundrels have been stripped of their ministry. As we pray for the victims of abuse and that it
never takes place again, we pray also for these priests. We might add that perhaps now with the crisis
over, the Church might relax the rule. In
single cases where rehabilitation has obviously occurred, a priest should be
forgiven so that he might continue his good service.
