Litany of Lament and Repentance for the sexual abuse of children by priests and religious

We gather today, before the God of all tenderness and compassion, to ask God’s forgiveness for sins and crimes of sexual, physical, emotional and spiritual abuse perpetrated in the Catholic Church against the young. Conscious of ourselves as members of the Body of Christ we collectively repent of these great evils.


Litany of Lament and Repentance

We turn to God in sorrow and humility, confessing our sins against God and God’s children, asking for mercy and forgiveness.

For the crimes and sins of sexual and physical abuse perpetrated by clergy and servants of the Church against children and young people; for the failure to love, respect, nurture and cherish young people – especially the most vulnerable. We ask your forgiveness.

For the immense psychological harm and lasting spiritual devastation caused to survivors abused by Church representatives. We pray for the healing and peace of those whose suffering continues at home and abroad.

For the sins of bishops and religious superiors, when they failed to respond as good shepherds to survivors of abuse by priests and religious. For indifference in the face of human suffering, for putting the institutional Church before the safety of children, for covering up crimes of abuse, and by so doing actually causing the sexual abuse of more children. For their lack of compassion and pastoral love, for the scandal given to God’s people by their negligence and for the harm caused to the Church’s mission by those in authority and responsibility.

We ask God’s forgiveness for the deaf ear, the blind eye and the hard heart.

For the sins of those priests and religious who not only abused God’s children but also scandalised them in the way our Lord deplored. We pray also that they may find forgiveness and ultimate healing, be delivered from denial
and sincerely repent.

For any indifference and lack of compassion experienced by survivors of clerical and religious abuse by their fellow Church members, who could have supported them.

For any hostility towards them, refusal to believe them, lack of care and acceptance towards our brothers and sisters who were unjustly subjected to such pain.

For the anguish and distress caused to the families and friends of those abused by priests and religious. We lament the burdens of sorrow they carry on account of the injuries inflicted on their loved ones.

For those who died prematurely as a result of the spiritual, psychological, and emotional damage they suffered through abuse. We grieve for the wounds that did not heal in this world. We remember those who died as a result of suicide. May God be close to those who mourn their loss.
We remember them now, in a moment of silence…

Liturgy of lament and repentence for
the sexual abuse of children by priests and religious
St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin. 3pm. 20th February 2011.

bron