Clergy Abuse

The Policy for Response to Allegations of Abuse or Misconduct by Bishops

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Salina Diocese releases list of substantiated allegations of clergy sexual abuse of a minor

Salina – October 2019 – It recently has come to our attention that a priest, Fr. Ed Prather (deceased – date of death: November 26, 1996), from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, had several credible allegations of sexual misconduct with minors. Fr. Prather did not have ministerial faculties to participate in ministry in the Diocese of Salina. However, he did reside in the parish rectory at St. Edward Parish in Belleville, Kansas for approximately one (1) year and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Hays, Kansas for one (1) summer. Although Fr. Prather is currently on the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City’s “list of priests with credible accusations” there have been no allegations received while he resided in the Diocese of Salina. 

If anyone has any information concerning inappropriate sexual behavior concerning Fr. Prather while he resided in the Diocese of Salina, please contact the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330 and/or the KBI Crime Hotline at 1-800-572-7463 and/or the Office of Safety and Security for the Diocese of Salina on the Diocese of Salina’s website by either submitting an abuse report online or call the diocesan report abuse hotline (785) 825-0865 or email your abuse report to – reportabuse@salinadiocese.org. All reports received by the Office of Safety and Security for the Diocese of Salina concerning abuse of minors are immediately reported to law enforcement and the Department of Children and Families.

Media Contact:
communications.office@salinadiocese.org
785-827-8746

Salina — On Aug. 14, 2018, the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report was released. The report exposed a great scandal within the Church and incited Catholics, lay and clergy alike, to demand greater transparency and accountability from the leaders of the Catholic faith. On Sept. 18, 2018, the Diocese of Salina informed the Attorney General’s office that newly appointed Bishop Gerald Vincke would be retaining the independent outside counsel of Cottonwood Law LLC. of Hillsboro to conduct a thorough review of clergy personnel files and identify any potential cases of clergy misconduct with minors. Bishop Vincke had been serving in his new role as the Bishop of Salina for less than a month when he opened the investigation of the clergy files.

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From September 2018 to January 2019, Courtney Boehm from Cottonwood Law conducted an audit of the diocesan clergy files. Boehm was selected for her expertise in criminal law and her independence from the Salina Diocese. At the time of the audit, Boehm was the Marion County Attorney and has since been appointed a district court judge in the 8th Judicial District which consists of Dickinson, Geary, Marion and Morris counties. Boehm reviewed 109 clergy files, ranging from clergy serving in the late 1800s to present day. The files reviewed consisted of any member of the clergy with allegations of misconduct against them. Upon the completion of the review, Cottonwood Law submitted a comprehensive report to Bishop Vincke. The report summarized the contents of each clergy misconduct file and the allegations that were made against each priest. The entirety of this comprehensive report was immediately turned over to the Attorney General’s office, who then forwarded it to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

Within the report, the auditor recommended which cases needed to be reviewed by the Lay Review Board. The Lay Review Board, formed in February 2000, is a group that reviews any allegation made against a member of the clergy and includes mental and medical health professionals, social service providers, civil and canon law professionals, law enforcement officials and two priests. In order to be as thorough and transparent as possible, Bishop Vincke asked that files recommended by Boehm be reviewed, including those that were previously reviewed. During the month of February 2019, the Lay Review Board met and discussed the cases recommended by Cottonwood Law. Upon the completion of the Lay Review Board’s review of the Cottonwood Law report, 14 cases of diocesan clergy abuse of a minor were found to be substantiated.

The Diocese of Concordia was founded in 1887. The Diocese of Concordia then became the Diocese of Salina in 1944. During a span of 132 years, with approximately 300 diocesan priests having served in the Diocese of Salina, 14 diocesan priests were identified to have substantiated allegations of abuse of a minor. A substantiated allegation is one that has been corroborated with witness statements, documents, emails, photos, texts, or by another source, such as law enforcement. None of the 14 priests are in active ministry today. Of the 14 priests, 12 are deceased and the remaining two are laicized. At this time, the Diocese of Salina is only releasing the names of clerics with substantiated allegations of abuse of a minor. Any cleric with an allegation of abuse of a minor that is unsubstantiated has been excluded from the list. If new information is provided that leads to the substantiation of a case, the Diocese of Salina will update the list of clergy abuse of minors accordingly.

Just as the Salina Diocese conducted an internal audit, so did the Order of Franciscan Minors Capuchin Province of St. Conrad, headquartered in Denver. The Capuchins are a religious order who have had a strong presence within the Salina Diocese, particularly in the Hays and Victoria area. Father Christopher Popravak, Provincial of the Denver Province of Capuchins, shared the results of the Capuchin internal audit with the Salina Diocese. Of the approximate 300 Capuchins who have served in the Salina Diocese, 13 priests/brothers were found to have credible allegations of abuse of a minor. The names of these priests/brothers have been included within this edition of The Register, along with additional information provided to the Diocese of Salina by the Capuchins for release.

“This is a difficult time for the Church,” said Bishop Vincke in a letter entitled Why I Said Yes, released to the public in September 2018, “This purification of the Church by God is painful, but much needed. We need the eyes of faith as we suffer through this. ‘Faith is not a light which scatters all our darkness, but a lamp which guides our steps in the night and suffices for the journey (Lumen Fidei #57).’ Jesus is with us as light in the midst of darkness.”

Bishop addresses release of list of substantiated allegations

In September of 2018, shortly after I arrived in Salina, I asked that an independent review be completed on our priest files. In this edition of The Register, you will find the results of that investigation. There are 14 diocesan priests who have substantiated allegations of abuse of a minor. Additionally, you will also find the results of the independent investigation conducted by the Order of Franciscan Minors Capuchin Province of St. Conrad, headquartered in Denver. They have listed 13 Capuchins who have served in our diocese at some point within their ministry and who have credible allegations of abuse of a minor.

I begin by offering my apologies to all people who are victims of clergy abuse and to the families of any person who was abused. My heart aches for you. I am sorry for any time in the past when the diocese did not appropriately respond to the plea of an individual who was a victim of abuse. There have been times in the past when the Church failed to address the needs of the people who are victims in favor of protecting the reputation of the priest. I am sorry for any time in the past when the Church attempted to solve the issues on their own instead of informing the proper law enforcement of an allegation. By our omission, we committed a terrible injustice to all people who are victims of abuse. We realize that the majority of the clergy abuse occurred decades ago; however, the wounds of that abuse are very deep. I have made mistakes, too. I haven’t always given the people who are victims of clergy abuse my best attention and prompt response.

I am also very sorry to the faithful, who like me, wonder, “How could this happen?” I know for many of you, the clergy abuse scandal has caused great pain and angst. I also apologize to any of you who were hurt by my decision to allow Theodore McCarrick to live at the St. Fidelis Friary in Victoria.

For the sake of transparency, I would like to identify some of the most prominent mistakes the Diocese of Salina has made in the past with regard to clergy abuse of minors.

First of all, the independent investigation showed that our clergy files were not well organized. Myself and members of my staff have already taken steps to remedy this situation. This is one mistake. But, I would like to share with you the mistakes the Diocese of Salina made with regard to four separate priest cases.

There were times when allegations against Msgr. William Merchant were not properly investigated. In looking at Msgr. Merchant’s file, I was disheartened to discover that these allegations were mishandled. In 1968, the Salina Diocese received two allegations of abuse of a minor against Msgr. Merchant. A more thorough investigation of these allegations should have been done. In 1999, another allegation of abuse of a minor was made against Msgr. Merchant. It does not appear that a thorough investigation into this allegation was conducted until 2002, when the alleged victim reached out again. In 2002, the Salina Diocese properly investigated the allegation. Since then, several individuals have made allegations of abuse of a minor against Msgr. Merchant. I believe that the Salina Diocese has taken the proper course of action with the allegations that occurred following 2002.

In 2002, an allegation of abuse of a minor was made against Father Roger Hough. The Lay Review Board and local law enforcement investigated the allegation. The Lay Review Board recommended that Father Hough be removed from active ministry and placed under restrictions. This recommendation was not acted on until 2005. In 2005, restrictions were placed on Father Hough. Additionally, the Lay Review Board submitted a report to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome to ensure the permanency of the disciplinary and restrictive measures placed on Father Hough.

In 2001, there was an allegation made against Father John Walsh. At that time, prior to concluding a thorough investigation, Father Walsh was allowed to retire, apparently without restrictions.

Father Robert Schleiter, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita who was serving in the Salina Diocese, had substantiated allegations against him in the 1950s. He was immediately asked to leave the diocese, and he did. However, in the 1990s, an alleged victim contacted the diocese to report abuse, and the diocese did not respond appropriately. The same alleged victim contacted the diocese again in 2003. At this point, the diocese responded to his allegation.

It is difficult to share these failings with you. But, I think it is necessary. The Church needs to be open, honest, and transparent. The Church has made mistakes. The Diocese of Salina has made mistakes. I am very sorry for the mistakes that we have made. It is my sincere desire that we can learn from our errors and never let them happen again.

As a diocese, we have already made progress ensuring that we respond appropriately and effectively to any allegations of misconduct that are made against any clergy. Every year, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops contracts an independent group to audit every single diocese in the country to ensure that any allegations against a member of the clergy have been handled correctly. We have consistently passed these audits since 2004. Additionally, we ensure that every Salina diocesan seminarian goes through a thorough background check and psychological evaluation before entering into the seminary. While in the seminary, annual human formation reports are submitted to my office for review. Our diocese requires any person who works with minors to undergo formal training (please see FAQ’s for more details). And lastly, in order to serve outside of their own diocese, all members of the clergy must have a letter of suitability from their bishop stating that they are “a priest in good-standing.”

I ask for your continued support and prayers for our diocese. Personally, I am praying for healing. I have offered numerous Masses in my chapel for the people who are victims of clergy abuse, and I have visited 29 parishes in our Diocese and offered a Mass of Healing. I will be visiting the remaining 57 parishes throughout the rest of 2019.

I am sincerely grateful that the individuals who are victims of abuse and their families have spoken out. Thank you for keeping the Church accountable. Your courage will bring about the purification that we need. If you are a victim of abuse and have not reported it, please do so (please see FAQ’s for more details).

I also want to thank the priests who have served so faithfully. Sometimes, our fear and anger towards the priests who have done great evil makes us forget that many of the Catholic priests have lived lives of prayerful sacrifice. I would also like to thank Cottonwood Law, the Lay Review Board and the diocesan staff who all assisted in creating this special report. The time and sacrifice of these individuals has been tremendous. Lastly, thank you to the parishioners of the Salina Diocese for your faith and understanding. I pray that, by our example, the Church is brought to greater healing and purification.

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In Christ’s service,

Bishop Gerald L. Vincke

Substantiated allegations for diocesan clergy of sexual abuse of a minor­

Because transparency is essential to the healing process following the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Church, the Salina Diocese is publishing this list of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor (or vulnerable adult). This list is complete as of the publication of this issue of The Register. Any new allegations of misconduct will be investigated. A current and updated list of substantiated allegations will be maintained on the diocesan website, https://salinadiocese.org.

Bachand, Louis Year of birth: 1931 Year of ordination: 1957 Last known status: Deceased 1991 Estimated time frame of abuse: late 1950s-early 1960s Abuse reported: 2011 Diocesan action: Priest was deceased at time of reported allegation. Diocese conducted an investigation. Pastoral assignments: • Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Concordia • St. Francis Xavier, Junction City • St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Osborne • St. Thomas Hospital, Colby • St. Ann’s Home, Concordia • Mount St. Joseph Home, Concordia More than one allegation: No	Dion, Maurice Year of birth: 1917 Year of ordination: 1944 Last known status: Deceased 2004 Estimated time frame of abuse: 1960s-1970s Abuse reported: 2002 Diocesan action: Diocesan investigation was ongoing at the time of the priest’s death. Allegations were not substantiated until after the priest had passed away. Pastoral assignments: • St. Francis of Assisi, Norton • St. Peter, Aurora • St. Anthony, Miltonvale • St. Peter, Meredith • St. John the Baptist, Clyde • Immaculate Conception, Leoville • St. Edward, Belleville • St. George, Munden • St. John the Baptist, Hanover • SS. Peter and Paul, Clay Center More than one allegation: Yes
Dreiling, Christian Year of birth: 1887 Year of ordination: 1915 Last known status: Deceased 1960 Estimated time frame of abuse: 1930s Abuse reported: 1939 Diocesan action: Diocese conducted an investigation. In 1940, he was placed on diocesan and court-ordered leave, which lasted eight years, due to criminal activity. During his leave, Father Dreiling received five years of treatment. Treatment was found successful, and Father Dreiling was re-instated to ministry from 1948 to his death. Pastoral assignments: • Henrietta, Texas • St. Martin of Tours, Seguin • Sacred Heart, Oberlin • SS. Philip and James, Phillipsburg • Sacred Heart, Selden • St. Michael, Collyer • St. John Hospital, Salina • Sacred Heart, Park • Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina • Little Flower Home, Concordia More than one allegation: Yes	Hough, Roger Year of birth: 1936 Year of ordination: 1964 Last known status: Deceased 2018 Estimated time frame of abuse: 2001-2002 Abuse reported: 2002 Diocesan action: Diocese conducted an investigation and removed priest from ministry in 2005. He was ordered by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome to live a life of prayer and penance. Pastoral assignments: • Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Concordia • St. John the Baptist, Hanover • St. Mary, Queen of the Universe, Salina • St. Paul, Delphos • St. Mary, Glasco • St. Peter, Meredith • St. Theresa, Mankato • St. Mary, Jamestown • St. Thomas, Stockton • St. Isidore, Manhattan • St. Ignatius of Loyola, Kanopolis • St. Joseph, Brookville • St. Mary, Holyrood • SS. Peter and Paul, Clay Center • St. Mary, Clifton • St. Michael, Kimeo • St. John the Baptist, Clyde • St. Joseph, St. Joseph • St. Agnes, Grainfield • Sacred Heart, Selden • Immaculate Conception, Leoville • St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Osborne • St. Mary, Downs More than one allegation: No
Mattas, Louis Year of birth: 1928 Year of ordination: 1960 Last known status: Deceased 2011 Estimated time frame of abuse: mid 1960s and early 1980s Abuse reported: 2005 and 2007 Diocesan action: Diocese conducted an investigation. The 2005 allegation was unable to be proven. The 2007 allegation was substantiated. Father Mattas was ordered by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome to live a life of prayer and penance. Pastoral assignments: • St. Michael, Chapman • St. Columba, Elmo • St. Patrick, Gypsum • St. Joseph, St. Joseph • St. Isidore, Cuba • St. John the Evangelist, Logan • St. Mary, Densmore • St. Mary, Russell • St. Ignatius Loyola, Kanopolis • St. Mary, Holyrood • St. Joseph, Brookville • St. Mary, Queen of the Universe, Salina • St. John the Baptist, Beloit • St. Francis Xavier, Junction City • St. Augustine, Washington • SS. Peter and Paul, Morrowville • St. Andrew, Abilene More than one allegation: Yes	Merchant, William Year of birth: 1911 Year of ordination: 1938 Last known status: Deceased 1975 Estimated time frame of abuse: 1960s-1970s Abuse reported: 1968, 1999, 2000-2004 Diocesan action: The 1968 and 1999 allegations were not investigated at that time. The 2000-2004 allegations were investigated. Pastoral assignments: • Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina • St. John Hospital, Salina • St. Mary of the Assumption, Clifton • St. Bernard, Clara • SS. Peter and Paul, Morrowville • St. Francis Xavier, Junction City • Immaculate Conception, Leoville • Sacred Heart, Selden • SS. Peter and Paul, Clay Center • Seven Dolors, Manhattan • Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina • St. Joseph, Brookville More than one allegation: Yes
Moeder, John Year of birth: 1931 Year of ordination: 1957 Last known status: Deceased 2012 Estimated time frame of abuse: late 1970s Abuse reported: 2018 Diocesan action: Priest was deceased at time of reported allegation. Diocese conducted an investigation. Pastoral assignments: • Sacred Heart, Plainville • St. Andrew, Abilene • St. Phillip, Hope • Seven Dolors, Manhattan • Sacred Heart, Esbon • St. Mary, Smith Center • St. Mary, Jamestown • Nazareth Motherhouse, Concordia • St. Anthony, Miltonvale • St. Peter, Meredith • St. Joseph, McDowell Creek • St. Edward, Belleville • St. George, Munden • St. Isidore, Cuba More than one allegation: No	O’Donohoe, Thomas Year of birth: 1887 Year of ordination: 1910 Last known status: Deceased 1951 Estimated time frame of abuse: 1943-1945 Abuse reported: 2004 Diocesan action: Priest was deceased at time of reported allegation. Diocese conducted an investigation. Pastoral assignments: • St. John the Baptist, Beloit • Diocese of Wichita • Nazareth Motherhouse, Concordia • St. Paul, Angelus • Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Concordia • Archdiocese of Detroit • Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina • St. Thomas Hospital, Colby More than one allegation: No
Reif, Robert Year of birth: 1939 Year of ordination: 1967 Last known status: Laicized 2006 Estimated time frame of abuse: 1970s-1980s Abuse reported: 1986, 2002, 2005 Diocesan action: Diocese conducted an investigation. Suspended from ministry and sent away for treatment from 1986-1987. Was granted a leave of absence in 1988 and did not return to the Diocese of Salina. Pastoral assignments: • St. Andrew, Abilene • Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina • SS. Philip and James, Phillipsburg • St. Francis, Claudell • Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Goodland • St. Isidore, Manhattan • Sacred Heart, Park • St. Anthony, St. Peter More than one allegation: Yes	Scheer, Allen* Year of birth: 1962 Year of ordination: 1995 Last known status: Convicted and Laicized 2012 Estimated time frame of abuse: 2012 Abuse reported: 2012 (*abuse occurred with a vulnerable adult/person with disabilities, as defined by Substantive Norms for More Grave Delicts, Art. 6, § 1, 1°) Diocesan action: Diocese conducted an investigation. Removed from ministry in 2012 and began laicization process. Pastoral assignments: • St. Mary, Queen of the Universe, Salina • St. Theresa, Mankato • St. Mary, Smith Center • Sacred Heart, Esbon • SS. Philip and James, Phillipsburg • St. John, Logan • Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina More than one allegation: No
Schleiter, Robert (Diocese of Wichita) Year of birth: 1926 Year of ordination: 1954 Last known status: Laicized 1969; Deceased 1995 Estimated time frame of abuse: 1950s Abuse reported: 1957, 1980, 2003 Diocesan action: Diocese conducted an investigation. Priest was asked to leave the Salina Diocese in 1957, and he did. In 1980, no response to the allegation. In 2003, the same individual who reported in 1980 reported again, and the diocese responded appropriately. Pastoral assignments: • SS. Peter and Paul, Cawker City • St. Mary, Downs • St. Francis, Claudell • Diocese of Wichita More than one allegation: Yes	Senecal, Eugene Year of birth: 1912 Year of ordination: 1940 Last known status: Deceased 1975 Estimated time frame of abuse: 1960s-1970s Abuse reported: 1994, 2002 Diocesan action: Priest was deceased at time of reported allegation. Diocese conducted an investigation. Pastoral assignments: • Immaculate Conception, Grinnell • Sacred Heart, Park • St. John the Baptist, Hanover • St. Peter, Aurora and missions • Sacred Heart, Oberlin and missions • Immaculate Conception, Minneapolis • St. Michael, Kimeo and missions • St. John the Evangelist, Herington • St. Paul, Angelus More than one allegation: Yes
Van Speybroeck, Arthur Year of birth: 1875 Year of ordination: 1902 Last known status: Left Diocese of Salina sometime after 1908 Estimated time frame of abuse: 1907 Abuse reported: 1907 Diocesan action: Diocese conducted an investigation. Priest left Diocese of Salina after the allegation. Pastoral assignments: • St. John the Baptist, Herington • Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Concordia • St. Joseph, St. Joseph • Immaculate Conception, Grinnell and missions More than one allegation: Yes	Walsh, John Year of birth: 1929 Year of ordination: 1955 Last known status: Deceased 2009 Estimated time frame of abuse: 1972-1978 Abuse reported: 2002 Diocesan action: Diocese conducted an investigation. Priest retired immediately following the allegation. Pastoral assignments: • St. Francis Xavier, Junction City • St. John Hospital, Salina • St. Martin of Tours, Seguin • St. Francis Cabrini, Hoxie • St. Joseph, Damar • Holy Ghost, Sharon Springs • St. Peter, Wallace • St. Thomas, Stockton • St. Francis, Claudell • St. John the Baptist, Clyde • St. Mary of the Assumption, Clifton • St. Joseph, St. Joseph • Sacred Heart, Park • St. Agnes, Grainfield • St. Francis of Assisi, Norton • St. Joseph, New Almelo • St. Michael, Chapman More than one allegation: No

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Capuchin Province of St. Conrad publishes names of friars accused of abusing minors and vulnerable adults

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Many are shedding tears these days, including myself, because of the great harm caused to minors and vulnerable adults by priests, deacons and religious brothers. On behalf of the Capuchin Franciscans I must beg your forgiveness for the trust betrayed by our abusive friars.

The knowledge has caused me personal grief. I am good friends with one of the victims, a student of mine who I taught at TMP-Marian. It took the individual many years to come forward and let me know what had happened. Sometimes victims are filled with shame and guilt. These feelings, though, should not be theirs. The shame and guilt rightly belongs with the friars, especially those who caused the harm.

From an early age I became aware of the disastrous effects of sexual abuse. When I was in the minor seminary back east, a classmate came to me and shared the horrible truth that he was being abused. The offender was not a priest or friar. The offender was the groundskeeper. I encouraged the young seminarian to report the abuse. He did.

The groundskeeper was fired. I don’t know whether the abuse was ever reported to authorities. The young man was asked to leave the seminary. I never saw him again. It grieved me then, it grieves me now.

Years later, when the Boston Globe made their revelations, I read that abuse victims can become victimizers themselves. Hurriedly I searched the internet and learned to my horror, that the former seminarian had become a priest and had, in fact, committed abuse himself. He was imprisoned for that.

So many people have been harmed. There is so much grief: the grief of victims, the grief of families of victims and families of abusers, the grief of scandalized parishioners, and even the grief of priests and friars who are faithful, dedicated servants but who are reeling with the constant disclosures about so many perpetrators. We cannot allow this to ever happen again.

I don’t believe that we friars will ever fully comprehend the great harm done to the victims of sexual abuse. I understand that there are people very disappointed with the Church for not taking concrete steps to address these terrible crimes. Apologies are not enough. In fact, after a point, apologies sound meaningless, unless accompanied by protective measures. Worse still, apologies may have the effect of opening deep wounds of the survivors.
I hope that people refer to our webpage (www.capuchins.org) to see what positive actions we have taken to prevent this kind of sexual abuse from ever happening again. Many of the steps we are taking are mirrored across this country.

As believing Christians and as ministers of the Gospel of Christ, more is expected of us. We must not only be above reproach, we must be instruments of healing in our Church and in our world. Franciscans especially are called to be channels of God’s mercy, compassion and forgiveness.

We want to reach out to any who may have experienced abusive treatment at the hands of our brother Capuchins. Please come forward and report the abuse if you haven’t already. We want to work towards reparation of the harm done. We want to help restore faith in the Catholic Church and in the witness of those who follow the Gospel in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi.

I myself have tried to accompany victims in their healing process, as have other provincial ministers. We have not always done this well. Some victims were disappointed, even angered by our ineptitude. We need to do better.

We Capuchins also have a history of working to promote the conversion of abusers. Not everyone knows that the attacker of 11-year-old Maria Goretti, Alessandro Serenelli, lived out his final days in a Capuchin friary. In his crazed passion, the young Alessandro repeatedly stabbed Maria. Maria died the following day, her last words, “I forgive Alessandro Serenelli.” Serenelli was imprisoned for that heinous crime. Capuchins helped him live a life of penance and conversion after his release. He lived to see Maria become a saint. In a public act of reconciliation, Maria Goretti’s mother forgave Alessandro and together they were present for her canonization.

St. Maria Goretti is often seen as the patron not only of those who were abused, but also of those guilty of abuse.

Let us pray through her intercession for the healing of those who have been deeply wounded and for the conversion of all those involved.

Dear God, we ask you to help all those who suffer from abuse. Help them find healing and peace in their lives. May Maria Goretti, who was strengthened by Your Grace, join with us in prayer for the healing of all victims of abuse, particularly those abused as children or young adults.

Grant us your love that we might reach out to them in your name with hope in times of trial. As Maria prayed for her attacker, grant us the grace to pray for the true conversion of all involved with the abuse: that they might seek your mercy through prayer and penance.

Loving God, pour into our hearts and lives your healing spirit, that the sacredness of every human person might be respected and protected as the precious image of God. Help us to live in the peace which Maria Goretti had found in Christ and in the love of his mother Mary.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer taken from Aleteia.org/2018)

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Christopher Popravak O.F.M.Cap.
Provincial Minster

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