LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD
On 13th September, the Church in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese celebrates Perpetual Day of Remembrance Sunday. This feast has been inscribed in our liturgical calendar as a way for us to ‘live in remembrance’ of the pain and suffering caused by child sexual abuse within our community. This is not an easy thing to do.
The sad truth is that our diocese has a tragic history of failing to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. This is our story.
Often, we can struggle with not knowing how best to respond to the reality of our broken history. We all react differently to the news and the revelations surrounding people and situations very close to home. Do we talk about it? Do we just try to move on? Do we take the time to stop and listen even though it’s hard and uncomfortable?
Do we bring it into our expression of faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ?
That is what today is about.
We are trying to make sense of our story within the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We bring our mixed responses into the community space, and together, find a way to move forward. We remember the past and hope for tomorrow. In this way, we seek to shine the Light of Christ into our dark spaces: a light of solidarity, a light of prayer, a light of courage and commitment to change, a light of healing and hope.