Where Is God in the Clergy Abuse Crisis?
A s the crisis of sexual abuse by members of the clergy grinds on and on, victims and perpetrators alike must surely be asking, “Where is God in all this?” The answer may come more easily to the victims. Consider envisioning God the way Jesus does in Lk. 15:8: “What woman having 10 coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it?” I see God rolling up her sleeves, getting out the broom and dustpan, opening the windows and lighting all the lights. Nothing is going to remain hidden while she searches for what has been lost. Those of us who have been hidden behind shame, disbelief and coverup are heaving a sigh of relief. We are not invisible. We do count enough, to someone, to be found, seen and heard. We—the people of this housecleaning God—react in different ways to the mess and its cleansing: “It’s about time!” “I didn’t make this mess; why do I have to help clean it up?” “I’m too little to help.” “I have more important things to
