Apostleship of Prayer

Prayer for the Church in Crisis

March 30, 2010. The handling of sexual offenders within the Church is a major ongoing news story. Recently there are allegations involving Ireland, Germany, and Wisconsin. There are so many cases and so many claims that it's difficult for the average Catholic to understand or to judge. No matter - our position is clear.

We have compassion for all victims. We seek justice. We are unafraid of the truth because without it there can be no justice. And we ask Jesus Christ to be present with the Church in these dark hours, true to his promises that he will be with us always and that the gates of hell cannot prevail against his Church.

The following is a prayer of Pope Benedict XVI. It comes at the end of his Letter to Ireland, 2010. We have removed the specific references to
Ireland and present it as a prayer that covers the entire crisis.

God of our fathers, renew us in the faith which is our life and salvation, the hope which promises forgiveness and interior renewal, the charity which purifies and opens our hearts to love you, and in you, each of our brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus Christ, may the Church renew her age-old commitment to the education of our young people in the way of truth and goodness, holiness and generous service to society.

Holy Spirit, comforter, advocate and guide, inspire a new springtime of holiness and apostolic zeal for the Church.

May our sorrow and our tears, our sincere effort to redress past wrongs, and our firm purpose of amendment bear an abundant harvest of grace for the deepening of the faith in our families, parishes, schools and communities, for the spiritual progress of our society, and the growth of charity, justice, joy and peace within the whole human family.

To you, Triune God, confident in the loving protection of Mary, our Mother, and of all the saints, do we entrust ourselves, our children, and the needs of the Church.

Amen.

- adapted from "Prayer for the Church in Ireland," Pope Benedict XVI, 2010