The hard work of forgiveness

Sister Camille D’Arienzo examines how victims of sexual abuse and the priests who abused them can search for healing and some type of reconciliation in this piece in America magazine. She acknowledges the raw wounds of betrayal and soulshock many survivors still feel. But D’Arienzo also says that God’s grace extends to everyone, even the […]

Sister Camille D’Arienzo examines how victims of sexual abuse and the priests who abused them can search for healing and some type of reconciliation in this piece in America magazine.

She acknowledges the raw wounds of betrayal and soulshock many survivors still feel. But D’Arienzo also says that God’s grace extends to everyone, even the worst of sinners.

“Has the church, from top to bottom, determined that those who have sexually abused minors are outside of the circle of those whom God can forgive? Is there no grace left for them?” D’Arienzo writes.


The sister suggests that Catholics look to Maya Angelou, the eminent poet who was sexually abused at age 7.

“She has embraced this formula for self-healing: One who has suffered a great evil must name it, learn from it, forgive it and move forward with courage and focus on the future. Forgiveness had no power to change her past, but it had enormous power to mold her future.”

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