August 2, 2009
"...But you know, it (the sex abuse scandal) allowed people to see that priests are human beings , and I think that's a good thing..." Msgr. Michael J. Henchal*
Sadly, there is not one Catholic priest in Maine who has become a beacon of hope, understanding, love and compassion for those who were abused.
Sadly, there is not one Catholic priest in Maine who has become a beacon of hope, understanding, love and compassion for those who were abused.
There is not one Catholic priest in Maine who has stood side by side with abuse victims.
Unlike the ministry of Jesus, it's all about them, and not about the people they are ordained to serve.
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Here are Msgr. Henchal's own words (transcript from diocese DVD, Fishers of Men):
Q - With all that has happened in the Church recently, why do you choose to remain a priest?**
A - "Where else would I go? Um, and I don't mean that just in the sense of I'd be so insecure, otherwise, I mean it in the sense of, this is still very important and in some ways I think that the terrible tragedy of the abuse scandal, it's a terrible thing, but you know, it allowed people to see that priests are human beings, and I think that's a good thing, and so, we don't have to pretend to be perfect, we can know that even real sinfulness exists in the church, hopefully less frequently and not more frequently, but that we can be flawed persons. we're not perfect, so we don't have to."
_____________________________________________________
Here are Msgr. Henchal's own words (transcript from diocese DVD, Fishers of Men):
Q - With all that has happened in the Church recently, why do you choose to remain a priest?**
A - "Where else would I go? Um, and I don't mean that just in the sense of I'd be so insecure, otherwise, I mean it in the sense of, this is still very important and in some ways I think that the terrible tragedy of the abuse scandal, it's a terrible thing, but you know, it allowed people to see that priests are human beings, and I think that's a good thing, and so, we don't have to pretend to be perfect, we can know that even real sinfulness exists in the church, hopefully less frequently and not more frequently, but that we can be flawed persons. we're not perfect, so we don't have to."
Notes:
*Msgr. Michael J. Henchal is pastor, St. Bartholomew's Church, Cape Elizabeth, Maine and was appointed Vicar General, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland (Maine) by Bishop Richard Malone.
**Transcript from interview with Msgr. Michael Henchal recorded on Fishers of Men (Diocese of Portland Priests share their vocation stories on 2 DVDs).
