GODTALK



	A Prayer Service for Healing in Response to the Clergy Sex Abuse Crisis "Can a mother forget her infant, Be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you. ... you are precious in my eyes and glorious and I love you." Isaiah 49:15, 43:4 I will not forget you my people... I will not forget you, my children.... Your bodies have been violated.... Your spirits have been broken.... Your trust has been shattered... I will walk with you through your pain in your darkest hours. I will comfort you... I will heal you... I will give you strength... For you are precious... You are my beloved... I will hold you in my heart forever... I will empower you to heal my church... Let us pray: Compassionate God, touch the wounds of all those who have been hurt by clergy sex abuse. Embrace each victim with your infinite, tender love. May your boundless comfort strengthen each one on their journey to healing. We trust that your love will move mountains. No horror is so damaging that your love cannot heal it. May your Spirit continue to work through the people of God . Empower us to act for justice and help us heal the church. We make this prayer with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our response to each intercession is: Come, Holy Spirit, heal and transform our church. * For healing for victims of clergy sexual abuse, their families and communities, we pray ... * That the Holy Spirit may guide church leaders in their response to clergy sex abuse, we pray... * That we may take courageous steps to repair the damage done by clergy sex abuse, we pray... * That the community of faith, in the spirit of Jesus, who washed the disciples feet, may reach out with compassionate care to victims and to their family members we pray.... * For forgiveness and healing for priests and bishops who have sexually abused children and young people, we pray... * That Jesus may embrace all people who have been scandalized by clergy sex abuse, we pray... * That the Spirit of God may continue to work through the people of God to bring healing and transformation to our church, we pray... * That the church will adopt new structures of accountability in all its policies and procedures, we pray.... * For the outpouring of the Holy Spirit's gifts on our families, churches, and world, we pray... * Let us pause now and pray for specific needs for the Spirit's healing and transformation in our lives we pray... Closing Prayer: There are three things that last: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. May we go forth empowered by the Spirit to love one another. May we reflect God's compassion in our solidarity with our sisters and brothers who have suffered from clergy sex abuse. May we be energized in our work for justice, healing and transformation in our church. Come Holy Spirit, come! Music: I Will Never Forget You or Peace Is Flowing Like A River ( Play Instrumental music from Gentle Sounds by Carey Landry throughout service) Service by Sr. Bridget Mary Meehan, SFCC email: sofiabmm@aol.com Video available: Clergy Sex Abuse: Prevention, Healing and Transformation Features a conversation with expert panel including Dr. Fred Berlin, a psychiatrist from John Hopkins hospital who treats sex dysfunctions. www.godtalktv.org