The English-language event drew representatives from 19 English-sector parishes and three cultural communities, about 24 priests participated. Held at St. John Br\u00e9beuf Parish, Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, Episcopal Vicar for the English-speaking faithful, introduced the session; Cathie Macaulay of Pastoral Home Care Services\/SASMAD guided participants through four listening segments.
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\nThe morning session focused generally on ways to be attentive to those around us, both in the pews and in the neighbourhood. The afternoon session was dedicated to one issue: listening to the participants\u2019 reactions and concerns regarding sexual abuse. The format consisted of small-group parish discussions, with general reporting after each session. While many parishes did not feel personally implicated by the issue of sexual abuse, almost all reported feelings of shame, shock, anger, fear and sadness, identified by parishioners and priests alike.
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\nSome reported that a climate of suspicion now exists that wasn\u2019t evident before, especially regarding sacramental preparation. \u201cParents need to be reassured,\u201d Prem Neeff of St. John Br\u00e9beuf Parish said. Many priests are at a loss in knowing how to acknowledge natural signs of affection, she added. In addition to providing parishes with tools to deal with the issue, priests also need support, \u201ca safe place to discuss the issue and difficulties,\u201d said Elsa Rivera, an intervention that generated spontaneous applause.
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\nThe necessity \u201cto be alert; and if suspicious, to discuss and investigate\u201d was underlined by Martina McLean, reporting for St. Malachy Parish. Almost all expressed appreciation for the Responsible Pastoral Ministry Policy, which is currently being implemented throughout the diocese, \u201cbut more needs to be done,\u201d McLean emphasized.
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\nArchbishop Christian L\u00e9pine said that \u201cwe all want to move ahead; one way is prevention.\u201d Although some hope that prevention will be enough, \u201cit is not enough,\u201d he insisted, \u201cwe need to face the issue head on. We want to do it, not in a harsh way, but in a merciful, humble, gracious, trusting way.\u201d Listening to what everyone has to say is a priority for the archbishop. \u201cSometimes, listening is simply bringing up the topic,\u201d he said. \u201cThe fact that we initiate a conversation sets a tone, gives hope.\u201d
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\nBishop Alain Faubert concluded the session with a promise to send the results of the diocesan-wide consultation back to the parishes around Christmas time with specific calls-to-action.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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