Just as the faithful benefit from the good done by past generations of Catholics, they also must bear the effect of the sins of past generations, said the archbishop of Los Angeles.In an article in this week's issue of the Tidings, the archdiocesan newspaper, Cardinal Roger Mahony reflected on his visits to parish councils and parish finance councils regarding the settlement of civil lawsuits from clergy sexual misconduct.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has made the largest settlement to date, agreeing last July to pay more than 500 alleged victims some $660 million.
An earlier settlement was for another $60 million.
The cardinal said he visited the archdiocese's 20 deaneries to give an update on the settlements, an account of the debts and how they will be repaid, and to discuss how to emerge from "this tragic chapter in the life of our Church."
The lawsuits faced by the archdiocese spanned from the years 1931 to 2006.
"Many questioned why the parishes across the archdiocese in 2008 should have to bear responsibility for what happened many decades ago. After all, many of today's parishioners were not alive during those years or, those who were alive, have no responsibility for the actions of the clergy in bygone years," the cardinal acknowledged.
"It was suggested by some that the Church and our archdiocese needed to confront this problem and our current situation by turning to methods by which large businesses and corporations might deal with such issues," he continued.
"However, in the fullest sense we are not just a civil or business corporation. We are members of the one Body of Christ, the Church. As such, we live by different values than a corporation."
Inheritance
Cardinal Mahony explained: "Through our baptism we are all members of the Church, the Body of Christ. Our prayers and good works contribute to build up the Body of Christ; and our sins and failures diminish the Body of Christ.
"Recall that the vast number of our churches, schools, and parish facilities were paid for and built by past generations of Catholics. […] You and I in the fullest sense 'inherit' their gifts and sacrifices by having use of these facilities without the need to build most of them. […] That's what it means to belong to the one Body of Christ -- the blessings of those who have gone before us are now ours.
"But then there is the other side of the coin: the faults, sins, and mistakes of past years are also part of our inheritance -- even though we were not the cause of those troubles."
The 72-year-old prelate noted that he has been "overwhelmed" by the response from the faithful.
"Many parishes were able to make special grants to help retire the debt, while others were able to extend long-term loans with little or no interest," he explained. "The members of some parishes even undertook small grassroots fundraising efforts open to all those in the parish who felt called to participate. Many of the priests of the archdiocese donated a month's salary to help. Unanticipated checks continue to arrive in the mail from individuals, not only in our archdiocese but elsewhere in California and beyond.
"All of these actions are more than mere gestures. They demonstrate a deep understanding that we truly are members together of the one Body of Christ. The Gospel accounts of the resurrected Christ make it clear that his glorified body still bears wounds. So, too, does his Body the Church.
Bearing these wounds -- even as we cry out to Christ the healer for the Spirit's healing balm -- is our gift and task as we move forward to life in abundance wherein Christ will be all in all, and every tear shall be wiped away."
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