The Final Word:

By Lenora Grimaud

What is the Lord doing in the Church today? What word has he been speaking through the Bishops for the past seven years? God is purifying his Church and calling us to be holy. He has been saying that he will not tolerate the evil that is going on among us. During this great time of “Mercy,” the Lord’s tolerance is “zero” when it comes to the greatest evil—the harm we do to our children, including the unborn. He is saying that we must recognize and acknowledge that sexual molestation of children is a grievous sin—a great evil—regardless of culpability. It must be rooted out and stopped—no “buts.” He is saying that his priests must be beyond reproach. He wants a holy priesthood who are able to know good from evil and hold fast to his word. He is saying that we must remember this so that if the rest of the world accepts and condones sexual molestation of children tomorrow, we are not to follow them. He is saying more—this is only the beginning. He is saying that sexual molestation by a priest, of anyone—man, woman, youth, child—regardless of whether they consent or not—is evil, sin, and must be rooted out.

The Catholic Church, and especially her priests, are being singled out in regards to sexual molestation because more is expected from them. “Those to whom more is given, more is expected.

Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized. It prompted our Lord to utter this curse: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Mt. 18:6). Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account: he likens them to wolves in sheep’s clothing (Mt. 7:15). (CCC—2285)

The Lord is saying that all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sin and evil—sexual molestation—with or without consent, for priests and laity. All sex outside of the sanctity of marriage is sexual abuse and must be stopped. He is saying—“get busy—decide what you can do to stop it. Get rid of your false teachers and prophets—rely on the word of God, not the experts.” If we fail to listen to him we will be consumed by the purifying fire that is rising up, instead of purified. Fire either destroys or purifies and a fire is blazing across the earth. This is only the beginning. This is only the first of many sins that we need to be purged from. We must not only heal our children of the affects of sexual molestation but we must heal their minds, hearts, and souls from sexual abuse in all its forms. We must teach them the purpose and value of chastity. They will not recognize sexual abuse unless they come to accept that all sexual contact outside of marriage is sexual abuse—not only of their bodies and souls, but also of sex, itself.

What is the Lord saying to the secular world? He is saying—there is “filth” in the Church, as Pope Benedict XVI has remarked, and it must be purged. However, there are many in the world who attack the Church for malicious reasons—not because of a concern for those who have been abused by the Church. They are hypocrites who have a plank in their own eye, while they attempt to remove a splinter in the eyes of their enemy (Mat. 7:5). They attack Popes and priests, while they shield and condone their own behavior and that of the rich, powerful, and prominent, in the secular world. The majority of sexual abuse of children is within the secular world—in organizations, clubs, schools, and families; especially from boyfriends of divorced mothers. The Catholic Church—led by faithful priests and a holy Pope—has done more to protect, defend, and heal children than any other Church or organization in the world. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” (John 8:7).

What is the Lord saying to the Bishops? He is saying—“Repent and reform your lives so that you will have the integrity to call the people to repent. Trust in God, not in man. Get rid of your false prophets and teachers among you—turn back to the Gospel you are called to proclaim—turn back to the authentic teaching of the Church that you are called to defend. Be united as brothers—‘be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind.’ (Phil.2:2). Be true fathers of your priests and good models for them to follow. Do not support those who would destroy the Church and corrupt the message of the Gospels in the name of reform. Be on your guard.”