Jesus challenged religious leaders, so must Catholics call for resignations and reforms in sex abuse crisis

Pope Offers Apology, Not Penalty, for Sex Abuse Scandal
By RACHEL DONADIO
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/world/europe/21pope.html?hp
Jesus Challenged Religious Leaders, So Must Catholics Call For Resignations and Reforms in Global Sex Abuse Crisis in Catholic Church
by Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP
In Isaiah tonight, we read: “See I am doing something new.” Abraham Heschel prominent Jewish Rabbi, said that Second Isaiah offers comfort when a sick world cries. We live in a world and a church that is beautiful and sick, and it cries out in pain.

This week there were many stories about the cover up of sexual abuse by the Pope and Cardinal Brady, primate of Ireland. Pope Benedict apologized (see link to article above), but does not make structural changes to change the way the church handles abuse cases, nor does he deal with root causes such as mandatory celibacy and the failure of the church to incorporate women as leaders in decision-making in the Vatican. According to Canon Law, this function is linked to Holy Orders.

On Tuesday, a producer from CNN called to ask if I could do an interview, and address the question, what difference would women priests have made if we had been at the table at the Vatican during this crisis. The Roman Catholic Womenpriests Movement offers a renewed model of priestly ministry that is non- hierarchical, and focuses on partnership and mutual accountability. In our structures, our bishops are pastors and spiritual leaders. A leadership circle is responsible for administration. Our goal is to build inclusive communities united with the people we serve. Therefore, I firmly believe the protection of victims would trump protection of the institution.

In the Gospel of Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery, Jesus didn’t let the Law get between him and the unnamed woman. Jesus knew that the religious leaders were conspiring to ambush him. They put him in a no-win situation. If he sides with Moses, they would stone her, and would have violated Rome’s law, if Jesus forgives her, he will be accused of being a lawbreaker. So Jesus’ answer “the one who is without sin, cast the first stone,” challenges the religious leaders to confront their own sinfulness . So, that is always our challenge, to reflect on our sinfulness and brokenness and ask ourselves, who are we to condemn. Our call is to be compassionate, but at the same time to confront injustice towards others, and unjust laws always.

A couple committed adultery. Where was the man? How come it was the woman alone who was brought to Jesus. Here we see patriarchy ‘s ugly façade. Yet today, patriarchy is still an ugly reality. Religion is used to justify violence and discrimination against women. In too many places in our world, women are paid less than men for the same jobs and it is women and children who bear the burden of poverty. Violence against women is rooted in patriarchy’s beliefs and practices that women are less than equal images of our God, and therefore , it is God’s will to treat women as inferior to men. Jesus revolutionized the world with his radical inclusion of women as beloved sisters and disciples.

As Jesus set the woman caught in adultery free, so Jesus liberates us from patriarchy today. Just as Jesus challenged the religious leaders to confront their own sinfulness, so Jesus calls us to confront our church leaders to be truth tellers and justice doers in order to bring reform, healing and renewal to our church and world. In some cases, this may mean calling for resignations of top leaders in order to issue in a new beginning for the Catholic community. How can Catholics tolerate an investigation of nuns when it is the Vatican, including the Pope and some of the bishops who ,according to allegations, were involved in the cover up of sex abuse by keeping it under pontifical secrecy. How could keeping pedophiles in ministry and shuffling them around from parish to parish, from state to state and from country to country be a pastoral response that protected children? We need to fnd out what the Pope knew, when did he know it and how did he respond to these cases? Were the victims present at these secret trials, were the accused present at these Vatican secret trials? If not, how could justice be done? There are so many questions that need answers.
We, the people of God, are called to be prophetic, to open ourselves to God acting within us, and working through us. As we gather in inclusive Catholic communities to live and love as Jesus did, we need to stand up in solidarity for victims of abuse. All Catholics have a responsibility to be the face of Christ's compassion in our church and world. God is indeed doing something new in our people-empowered communities as we face such painful issues with courage and faith.
Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP