Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Liturgy of Lament
9 September 2021
Watch Bishop Anthony's Homily video here
We have come here from many places… from pain and disillusionment, from anger and confusion, from sadness looking for hope. These feelings, these emotions are part of every person’s life. We need to see them, acknowledge and accept them.
However, our Christian vocation does not end there. By being present to others, we are able to accompany them in life and faith. Only then might we have a glimpse at the life circumstances that are the cause of pain, disillusionment, anger, confusion, and sadness.
Writing to the community of the Church of Corinth, Saint Paul speaks of a deep affliction that has been laid upon him by a member of the Church (2Cor 2:1-5). His pain has caused him great grief to the point of tears. Notwithstanding the strained relationship between Paul and the Church of Corinth, he still reported the incident. His courage, integrity, and honesty to speak out about this abuse resulted in the community’s expressing deep regret about Paul’s distress.
The Church community then dealt with the person who caused the pain and renewed their affection for Paul (2Cor 2:5-11; 7:5-16).
Every person in the community of the Church has a role to play in this scenario of pain and abuse, courage and honesty, justice and peace, forgiveness and mercy.
Saint Paul reminds us that it is the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Father of Mercies and the God of all consolation (2Cor 1:3).
He urges us as sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ to listen and not judge, to accept and not reject, to ask humbly for forgiveness and to console charitably the people we have harmed, especially our brothers and sisters who have survived abuse.
In God’s presence we cry out in lament for the pain caused, for the dignity robbed, for the truth rejected, for the freedom denied.
Dignity, truth, and freedom are God’s gifts to give.
No one has the right to take them away.
We ask God to forgive us and to animate our hearts and minds to ask forgiveness of the women and men who are survivors.