Transparency and Accountability: The Release of Names of Clergy Credibly Accused of Abuse
Seek First the Kingdom
by rothem
3y ago
We have been called upon once again in these past months to address the issue of clergy sex abuse of minors, the suffering it causes, and the resulting loss of trust in the Church.  We have also discussed over the past several months ways in which greater transparency and accountability can be manifested. To that end, many priests, the faithful and the public have requested information about priests of this archdiocese who have faced credible allegations of abuse of children.  For this reason I have directed the release of the names of all clergy in this local Church who have been c ..read more
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Letter to the Faithful
Seek First the Kingdom
by rothem
3y ago
Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Archdiocese of Washington, Pope Francis has accepted my resignation as Archbishop of Washington. I had the privilege of meeting with him to let him know of your pain, sadness and confusion from what has been revealed these past months.  With a heavy heart I said that I could no longer serve you in the way that you deserve.  What is needed now is new leadership so that all of you, the faithful of this Church, can begin to focus on healing and the future. I am sorry and ask for healing for all of those who were so deeply wounded at the hands of the Chu ..read more
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To Begin the Healing
Seek First the Kingdom
by rothem
3y ago
In each Catholic church, school and many homes, we find a crucifix – the symbol of our Catholic faith.  It speaks to us of the profound truth that our Lord Jesus offered up his death on the Cross to redeem and heal us and open for us a new beginning. Thus the Church sings in the liturgy, “O Crux, ave spes unica! O Cross, our only hope!” To a people experiencing again the deep pain of clergy sexual abuse, as well as failures in responding to these scandals, the Cross of Christ is a reminder that from pain and sorrow eventually come hope, redemption and new life.  Yet, this renewal wi ..read more
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Throwback Thursday: The Bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Seek First the Kingdom
by rothem
3y ago
Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Fra Angelico One of the most beautiful and popular themes of sacred art is that of the Madonna and Child, depicting Mary holding the Infant Jesus in her arms.  A less known image but equally beautiful and touching is the scene, often included in the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin, which shows the Risen Jesus holding the infant Mary in his loving arms.  This portrays the ancient belief of the Church that, at the end of her earthly life, Mary was assumed into heaven in the entirety of her being – it was not merely her spirit that went to heav ..read more
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Laity’s Role in Rebuilding Trust is Well Documented
Seek First the Kingdom
by rothem
3y ago
Today, the Catholic Standard published my thoughts on the role of the laity in addressing the current crisis we are all working to address.  You may read this article here. The post Laity’s Role in Rebuilding Trust is Well Documented appeared first on Seek First the Kingdom ..read more
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Standing for a Good and Just Society
Seek First the Kingdom
by rothem
3y ago
The nation’s capital is host to many events, rallies and marches which voice concerns and opinions on any number of issues. These groups, of course, all have a right under the First Amendment to peaceably assemble and speak their mind, however distasteful others might find their ideas. Some of these gatherings the Church of Washington wholeheartedly endorses and participates in, such as the annual March for Life.  Others express inflammatory views that are quite foreign to the Gospel message, not to mention fundamental justice, human dignity and the common good. In the face of groups who ..read more
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Throwback Thursday: The Passionate Love of Pope Paul VI for Christ and His Church
Seek First the Kingdom
by rothem
3y ago
This coming October 14, Pope Paul VI will be canonized in a Mass where Archbishop Oscar Romero will also be formally recognized as a saint.  Looking forward to that day, now on the 40th anniversary of the end of his earthly sojourn, we remember with joy the life and ministry of soon-to-be Saint Paul VI. Pope Francis revealed in his July 2014 interview with the Roman daily newspaper, Il Messaggero, that Blessed Pope Paul VI, whose beatification the Church celebrated in October 2014, has been a great light for him.  Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI likewise attested to the pro ..read more
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The Splendor of Truth – Pointing the Way to How We Should Live
Seek First the Kingdom
by rothem
3y ago
The encyclical Veritatis Splendor (The Splendor of Truth), by Pope Saint John Paul II, brings us face-to-face with one of the transcendent joys of Christ’s Church – its capacity to proclaim the truth clearly, unequivocally and pastorally.  Published 25 years ago today, on August 6, 1993, this magisterial document addresses one of the great issues of our time – human morality – and offers us the Church’s perennial response to the all-important question:  How should I live? Today, we often hear that there are no correct answers, that there is no absolute truth or definitive good and e ..read more
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A Pastoral Reflection on How Our Church Can Move Forward
Seek First the Kingdom
by Daphne.Stubbolo
3y ago
Today, I shared a Pastoral Reflection on how our Church can move forward in light of the recent news regarding Archbishop McCarrick. You may read it here. The post A Pastoral Reflection on How Our Church Can Move Forward appeared first on Seek First the Kingdom ..read more
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Throwback Thursday: Saints in the Making
Seek First the Kingdom
by rothem
3y ago
We are all called to be saints – to be holy. As Saint Paul said to the Church in Thessalonica, “This is the will of God – your holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).  Jesus himself issued the call in his Sermon on the Mount.  He was addressing the crowd when he said, “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).  Jesus was not laying an impossible burden on the crowd, but was instead calling them to share God’s life, which is purity, holiness and love. Jesus’ words were an echo of God’s great calling to Israel given through Moses:  “Make and keep yours ..read more
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