A deacon and a member of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said, “Just because there’s an investigation doesn’t mean these allegations are true or are proven. It takes a lot of courage to come forth with those allegations and then also not to prejudge, wait ‘til all the facts are out." He urges parishioners to show grace and comfort to all those involved.

It is good for us to listen to what the prophet Ezekiel says to the shepherds: “You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the crippled you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them” (34:3-4). It speaks of “fat” and “wool”, that which nourishes and warms; the risk that the Word places before us is therefore that of nourishing ourselves and our own interests, providing ourselves with a comfortable life.