Penance needs to be relearned, according to Pope Benedict XVI. He proposed getting back to penance as leaders take more responsibility for misues of trust and abuse of children by priests.
Not only that, but silence and an alleged cover-up is as alarming.
Karl Menninger, the psychiatrist, years ago asked, Whatever became of sin?
Perhaps the pontiff's plea is what is needed for sure. Starting with leaders, of course. Isn't that where leadership starts in the first place?
A Mass of reconciliation, recitation of the Stations of the Cross, and more, will morph and mend that sense of sin we seem to have lost as Menninger asks.
To do any less will keep this unhealed wound festering on many fronts.
I hope the right thing will be done . . . this time. To begin to heal and restore respect, it is required penance.
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