The Western Wall — or Wailing Wall — in the old city of
Jerusalem is a sacred place of prayer and pilgrimage, especially among
the Jewish people. There is a popular practice of wedging prayer
petitions, written on small slips of paper, into the cracks between the
stones.
Parishioners at St. Cronan Parish in St. Louis recently
established their own version of a Wailing Wall in an effort to process
the grief associated with the clergy abuse scandal. The wall, made of
paper and measuring nearly 12 feet wide by 4.25 feet long and located in
the chapel at the back of the church, is filled with Scripture
passages, inspirational quotes and hand-written prayer intentions. Other
private intentions can be tucked behind each paper square.
The
idea came from St. Cronan’s pastor, Msgr. Jack Schuler, and members of
the liturgy committee set out to make it a reality. Handwritten messages
have included personal stories of being abused, with others offering
specific prayer intentions. “I am sorry for the pain and anguish my
brother priests have caused,” one message said. “Father forgive them,
they know not what they do,” read another. “Abuse scars all of God’s
children,” was another message.
Scripture passages on the wall
have included several from Psalms, such as this one: “God, be my rock of
refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. You are my rock and fortress;
watch over me in my distress” (Psalm 31:3, 8).
Parishioners have
been addressing the topic of clergy abuse since the release of the
Pennsylvania grand jury report. Other efforts have included a banner
placed outside of the church, with the message, “We stand in solidarity
with those abused”; a discussion facilitated by counselors who work with
abuse survivors and perpetrators; and a recent prayer service to share
specific intentions related to abuses by members of the Church.
Pat
Fleming and Sue Lauber-Fleming are licensed clinical social workers who
facilitated the discussion last fall at St. Cronan, with a focus on
moving toward healing. For decades, they have worked with abuse
survivors, as well as clergy of different denominations, teachers,
coaches and parents and other adults who have abused minors.
The
two shared a formula that the couple often tells others: “Abuse happens
at the intersection of power, vulnerability, sickness and secrecy,” Pat
Fleming said. “We have to learn how to use power in a Gospel way, with
servitude and balance, and to protect the vulnerable. We have to get
better at keeping no secrets. Survivors and other Church members are an
important voice in making sure there is no more secrecy.”
Msgr.
Schuler also has addressed with parishioners the topic of clericalism,
which he said is a contributor to clergy abuse. Pope Francis, too, has denounced clericalism,
which he said “whether fostered by priests themselves or by lay
persons, leads to an excision in the ecclesial body that supports and
helps to perpetuate many of the evils that we are condemning today. To
say ‘no’ to abuse is to say an emphatic ‘no’ to all forms of
clericalism.”
“We wanted to give people an opportunity to not just
receive information (about clergy abuse), but also process it,” Msgr.
Schuler said. “If you’re a priest in the archdiocese, you’re influenced
and formed by a clerical culture,” he said. “I tell people I have to
deal with this (as a priest). The message is, if you see (abusive
situations), say it.”
“We all suffer through this some way or
another,” said pastoral associate Diane Gozdzialski. “Of course the
physical pain and the physical abuse is way more traumatic. But the
whole Church suffers.”
Parishioner Carolyn Coyne said there has
been positive response to the Wailing Wall and the discussions about
clergy abuse and other abuses by members of the Church. “We wanted
something tangible, and our meeting with (Pat Fleming and Sue
Lauber-Fleming) opened the door to all of this,” Coyne said. “A great
number of people shared, but we thought was there going to be follow
through? Is there a way to be able to get some closure on some of these
issues?”