Homily delivered by Bishop Noel Treanor on Good Friday in St Peter’s Cathedral
On the Cross God revealed Himself in Jesus Christ as a God who suffered and who died in order to offer mankind new and eternal life.
As he died he was supported only by his mother, by Mary of Magdala, and by one disciple. Peter had denied knowing him and wept bitterly. Today we too are witnesses with our own life’s stories to this Calvary event.
This Good Friday we invoke God’s mercy on ourselves and on our Church. We confess our sinfulness.
We express our sorrow to you, Crucified and Risen Jesus, for our betrayals of your message, especially for the crimes and sins of the abuse of children, minors and vulnerable persons by your ordained ministers and religious. We ask pardon for the scandal of its cover-up.
Before your Cross I apologise to them and beg forgiveness from You and from them.
We pray to you, Our Crucified Saviour, that you may empower them to forgive and to experience your healing grace.
Sustain us, Lord, in ministering healing to those whose lives have been desecrated by this crime and sin against the innocent.
Amen
ENDS
Further information:
Fr Edward McGee, Down and Connor Diocese, tel 078111 44268, www.downandconnor.org