devastation

There is a devout and traditional priest in our diocese that has been in about every part of the diocese that you can imagine.

He has a huge following and is very well loved by many, many, people.

He is a child molester.

The chaos this is causing is just tremendous.  Our bishop is a very good man and the accusations that are being hurled against him and the accuser are shocking.  Just because you can't believe it, doesn't mean it isn't true.

Now, I know this man as well and I will admit that when I found out, I too, refused to believe it.  But when the diocese review board comes forward and says this is credible and removes him from ministry, do you not stop and pause?  Ask yourself the question, "what if it is true"?

It is impossible to wrap your mind around such diametrically opposed images.  Holy men aren't supposed to be child molesters.  So it can't be true!

If it were some smarmy, sleazy, carousing, not pious, priest, then it would be totally believable.  But saintly, pious, and devout? No. way.

As this story unfolds, the devastation for the followers of this man will be awful.  They will feel foolish for defending this man and for having been deceived by him for so many years.  And every other devote priest will be questioned, discounted, and held with suspicion.

I went from denial, to disbelief, to now being totally pissed off.  How could this have happened???? How can a priest who looks so good on the outside be so capable of such a heinous thing????

But I remember that one of Jesus' own betrayed Him.  A man who walked, ate, and slept, with God and still betrayed Him.  So we can't think a priest can betray us?  Not so much!

I know that God will turn this to His greater glory, and I hope it doesn't take too soon.

Our recourse is prayer...and that is what I'm doing.

a good mother would.....