A Prayer For Victims of Abuse
Perhaps we’ve gotten a little adrift of our mission, that is, to support the victims of clergy sexual abuse. Perhaps we’ve spent too much time focusing on the abuser, and not the abused. It’s an easy thing to do. The accused abuser here has a face and a name – his alleged victims are anonymous. THey could be anyone. Your brother. Your father. Your husband. Your boyfriend. Your son. Many, many women have been and are victims of clergy sexual abuse as well. Please pray for them – please pray for all victims of sexual abuse, regardless of the perpetrator.
A Healing Prayer for Victims of Abuse
God of endless love,
ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
You gave your only Son
to save us by the blood of his cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
join to your onw way suffering
the pain of all who have been hurt
in body, mind, and spirit
by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear our cries as we agonize
over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers,
soothe restless hearts with hope,
steady shaken spirits with faith:
Show us the way to justice and wholeness,
enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people’s wounds
and transform our brokenness.
Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,
so that we may act with justice
and find peace in you.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
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