Pain of confronting abuse can lead to healing, say priest, minister

Published: 2003-12-03

ATLANTA (CNS) -- The theme of the service was weaving the threads of the past into the future. The gold cross with a red rose attached to the center given to each of eight women was a sign of both their pain and suffering and of their resurrection. Eighteen months spent listening had laid the foundation for this service of hope and healing led by a Marist provincial and a woman minister who 40 years ago was molested by a priest. Seven other women who had been victimized as schoolgirls and some of their family members also took part in the service. "What we wanted was a celebration of hope and healing, celebrating the gift of forgiveness, being able to move on and have some closure," said Marist Father Dennis Steik. Father Steik, Marist provincial in Atlanta, and the Rev. Ellie Harold, a minister in the Unity Church, hope the service can be a model during the church's sexual abuse crisis that moves away from litigation and toward contrition, sorrow, forgiveness, healing and closure.

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