Couple urges all Catholics during Lent to repent for abuse in church

Published: 2008-02-08

PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) -- This Lent, some Portland Catholics are repenting for horrific sins they never committed: clergy sex abuse. As abuse lawsuits emerged over the past decade, news reports said the problem was something to be addressed by "the church." The media and their audience, including many Catholics, thought the term referred only to diocesan officials. But Catholics like Ann and Quenton Czuba know better. They believe in the Second Vatican Council's teaching that the church is the whole body of believers -- laity, religious, clergy and hierarchy. For the Czubas, it implies that they, too, bear responsibility for the sin of abuse. They have decided to step forward, say they are sorry and work toward healing. To show their personal remorse, the retirees have pinned 2-by-2-inch patches of burlap on their clothes. "Whatever happened to sackcloth and ashes?" Ann asked parishioners during Masses Feb. 3 at St. Mary Magdalene Church, known as the Madeleine. "Are we being asked to atone for the sins of our church? Could we help in any way to bring about healing?"

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