From the Office of the Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish
Reverend Father Robert T. Cooper

Responding to the Clergy Sexual Abuse Crisis and the Disturbing Misconduct in the Life of the Priesthood

To the Parishioners and Friends of Divine Mercy Parish:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Like Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, so have I wept for the Church, for the laity, and for the innocent victims who have endured so much suffering and pain. The recent reports of clergy sexual abuse coupled with the reports of disturbing sexual misconduct in the very “House of the Lord” has brought great sadness to my priestly heart. As ministers of Christ and His Church, priests promise to lead morally upright lives. Betrayal of those promises deeply wounds the Body of Christ, especially anyone who was violated and all those affected by such immoral actions. Emotions of disbelief, anger, and numbness are understandable in the face of these revelations, sentiments which I personally share with you. Such behavior on the part of the clergy is despicable, reprehensible, and absolutely unbecoming of a man of God.

I know for many people trust in the Church has been eroded because of similar historical scandals, and that trust has now been further diminished. It is unfathomable that, given all that victims have suffered and the Church has endured; given all of the work that has been done and continues to be done to protect children, to demand accountability, to provide a safe environment, and to ensure the integrity of the priesthood, still evil has its way. Nevertheless, be assured that the Church cannot and will not tolerate any sexual abuse or misconduct on the part of any cleric.

This is a time for penance in reparation for sins against faith and morals; it is a time of sackcloth and ashes for the horrendous sins that have been rampant in our Church for so many years; it is a time where we beg for the Lord's grace, once again entrusting ourselves to His mercy, choosing Christ who is our light amidst the darkness, so that together we may move forward with truth, justice, and renewed faith as committed disciples of Jesus. Amidst the darkness of the sexual revolution and all that it has brought about, the Church must decisively return to the truth, dignity, and beauty of human sexuality.    
In closing, I ask all of us to remember to pray and stay close to the heart of Jesus, to ask for the humility of Jesus and the gift of loving others as Jesus loves. We must pray for all victims of sexual abuse in our culture today, for their healing and their encounter with Jesus Christ, who can bring healing to them. We must pray for the clergy of the Church, that the Holy Spirit will stir into flame the gifts He has bestowed on them, help them to be faithful to Christ and the Gospel, and to be true servants of the faithful with the heart of Christ. We must pray for the Church, our Mother, that is holy, though having sinners in her midst, and suffers for the offenses of all her members. 

In lifting up all affected by these situations, we also lift up one another in prayer, trusting in the healing and reconciliation that only the Lord can give. Be assured of my prayers for you and your families, even as I depend on your good prayers for the renewal of my own priestly life and ministry. In this time of darkness, may we put our faith, trust, and love in Jesus who is our Savior and Redeemer, the one who will free us, and may we live in His truth and light!
 

To Read Fr. Cooper’s Follow-up Letter entitled
“Uniting to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Reparation for Sins”
Click Here