Pray for those who have been sexually abused, bishop asks at special Mass

Want to hear the bishop’s homily?

Bishop Carl A. Kemme’s homily of Sunday, April 23, is available on Church of the Blessed Sacrament’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/BlessedSacrament.

Bishop Carl A. Kemme pledged to do all he can to restore justice to those who have been harmed by a member of the clergy or a person representing the church in his homily Sunday, April 23, at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Wichita.

“It is vitally important that we as a church and especially her leaders – bishops and priests – offer prayers of repentance because these sins and crimes, even if committed by a few, have left children and others who are vulnerable, wounded for a lifetime,” he said in the Mass offered in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Bishop has met with survivors

Bishop Kemme said he has met with survivors of sexual abuse and understands how it has devastated their lives. “Many carry in their souls this cross of pain, remorse, shame, and anger for years and years. Some never find the healing and justice they deserve.”

The bishop said protection of the vulnerable will always be part of his ministry, that he will restore justice to those who have been harmed, and that he will ensure there is proper safe environment training – including background checks for all who work and minister in the diocese – so that all children, and anyone vulnerable, are safe in parishes, schools, and other ministries.

“As the current bishop of this diocese, I renew my sincere apology to all who have been harmed in this way and I stand before God and invite you to join with me to repent of these sins and to beg God to bring the healing only he can give to those who are left wounded, demoralized, and victimized by these sinful and criminal actions,” he said.

Work together for a safe environment

“Let us work together to build truly safe environments in every area and corner of our diocesan life where everyone, especially children and the most vulnerable, is received with dignity, care, and complete respect.”

Bishop Kemme elaborated on the day’s Gospel, the walk to Emmaus, a walk away from Jerusalem. “Their physical direction, in a way, represents their emotional and spiritual direction. They are in distress, dismayed, confused, and demoralized; that is until they encounter a fellow pilgrim who walks with them on their journey.”

The disciples recognize Jesus after the breaking of the bread, he said, and immediately return to Jerusalem where they describe their experience with the risen Lord.

“Brother and sisters, this story is the pilgrimage we make each Sunday to the Eucharist. Here we encounter the one who can open the Scriptures for us, who can make sense of the chaos and dismay of our lives. Here we break bread with him and our eyes are opened and we have our hearts burning, within us, or hopefully so.

The Eucharist is essential

“Then, we leave, not walking away from God and his divine grace, but ever toward him, for we have come to know him in the breaking of the bread. This is why living a Eucharistic life is so essential for us as disciples. It helps us to redirect ourselves, not away from God and his divine grace, but always toward him, for he is our life, our hope, and our salvation.”

The bishop ended his homily by urging the faithful to pray for those who have left the church, especially those who have been sexually abused.

“In our prayer of repentance, let us also entreat the Lord of all compassion to bring upon the hearts and souls of those who have suffered abuse in any way, a healing of peace and love, so that they will once again walk with us toward God and rejoin us their family who long for them to take their rightful place with us as the banquet of the Most Holy Eucharist.”