Have You Gone to the Church for Help?

As we are almost within a month of the deadline for survivors to come forward under the Child Victims Act, I can’t help but wonder about the number of people that have gone to the church for help. Each of the Dioceses in Minnesota have made offers to people to come to them and be provided help dealing with the abuse. I truly hope that there are some people out there who have taken advantage of this opportunity and have been helped.

But the reality is, in many cases, this is a further attempt by the church leaders to hide the truth. Through the disclosure of Church records, we have seen instances of the Church telling people that because they came forward after a certain time period, they cannot be helped, totally denying the person the opportunity to pursue their abuser.

In any case that involves this deep a faith connection, it is a brutally difficult situation. In most cases, the survivors started out with a devoted love for the church. People struggle with thoughts of leaving the church, some day returning to the church, and/or toughing it out and staying in the church. Every survivor we meet has a different story about their relationship with the church before their abuse and their relationship today.

My concern lies with those that have turned to those same church leaders that have for so long hidden the truth. The time is running out for help and you have rights that will soon be lost. Don’t be strung along by the exact same purveyors of silence, shadow and self-preservation.

I pray over the next 30 days that you who need help, please come forward and don’t be left behind because you again put your faith in leaders that have let so many down.

Abuse of children and the continued silence by the offenders needs to be prevented. If you suffered, saw, or suspected such events, it is important to know that there is help out there.