On Sunday, 25th October, our community of women will join in the Catholic Religious Australia National Day of Sorrow and Promise. This Day emerged to acknowledge survivors of abuse within the Catholic Church and all those who have been hurt by that abuse. Underpinning this, is a clear promise for a better, safer future.
Matthew’s account of Jesus walking on the water [14:22-33] evokes the theme ‘Out of the Depths’. Like Jesus, we are called to go out into the storm and reach out to the individual and save that one person, as Jesus saved Peter. Jesus is our Salvation.
All are welcome to light a candle, to burn some incense, and to pray and read the words of the Promise Statement at some point in the day. There is also a Liturgy booklet that you might like to download in order to be guided through this time of prayer and reflection.
PROMISE STATEMENT
As Catholic Religious of Australia [as people in the One body of Christ], we are stirred by sorrow for the failings of the past. We encounter the depth of pain endured within our midst.
- WE promise to listen to and support those who have been harmed by abuse
- WE promise to act to prevent abuse, respond with compassion and justice and put the protection of children and the vulnerable at the heart of all our ministries
- WE promise to support all those walking courageously with the abused and those working fearlessly for the prevention of abuse
- WE promise to work tirelessly and humbly to build a culture in our Church which is loving and answerable to the wider community
- WE promise to partner with those who have been abused, with governments, civil agencies and society at large to continue to learn and work towards a safer, more respectful and accountable Church
- WE promise to be people of action, to embed prevention and safeguarding practices and governance reforms throughout our Church
- WE promise to remember and to be forever changed.