March 23, 2007

Most Reverend Archbishop Vlazny

Archbishop, Diocese of Portland in Oregon 2838 E. Burnside Street

Portland, Oregon 97214

Dear Archbishop Vlazny:

I am writing to you today about a matter that has come to me in prayer.  Whenever I read about the people who were abused by our priests, I get the feeling that they think that we don’t care.  I think that we need to somehow give them a sign that we are sorry for what they have lost, and that we are asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness. 

In reading the story of Jonah at Nineva, it struck me that the king ordered his whole kingdom to wear sack cloth and ashes as a sign to God that they were sorry for their sins. Just so we, as a church, need to atone for the sins of these priests and to let the victims know that we care about their pain.

I was thinking that perhaps next Lent we could be given a small pin of burlap (or some other sign you thought appropriate).  It would be worn for a certain length of time, (through Lent, or a year).  This would be a healing gesture that would be a visible sign from the church that we are united to them as a conduit of God’s Mercy.

I know there are prayers said on Ember Days for this reason, but I don’t see many people at the services.  We have swept it under the rug so to speak, and have let the lawyers “worry” about it.”  We don’t want to even think about it.  After all, we didn’t hurt anybody.  And heaven forbid any of our money should go towards “paying them off”.

I know some of these people are in agony, and need to know that we do care, that we are so sorry they were abused, and that we are praying for them.  Maybe there is another way we could accomplish this end, but I really feel that we, as a church, Bishops, priests and laity, need to atone for this sin is a visible way before any healing will take place.  I have talked to our pastor, Fr. Painter, about this and he felt that I should write to you. Thank you so much for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Ann Czuba