A special priest's impact
By Brunelle Lewis
Leading up to the close of the Year for Priests, the Vatican faced intense criticism regarding the allegations of abuse within the Church. At the closing ceremonies on June 11, Pope Benedict XVI apologized for the abuse on behalf of the Church. He asserted that the Church would do everything possible to prevent such crimes from happening again.
There are still many people, including many young people, who are weary of the Church, due to the past offences of some priests. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the number of abusive priests is miniscule compared to the number of priests and clergy who serve the community.
While it has been hard for me to stay committed to the Church in such a tragic time, I continue to remind myself of all the men and women in the Church who have positively impacted my life.
There are still many people, including many young people, who are weary of the Church, due to the past offences of some priests. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the number of abusive priests is miniscule compared to the number of priests and clergy who serve the community.
While it has been hard for me to stay committed to the Church in such a tragic time, I continue to remind myself of all the men and women in the Church who have positively impacted my life.
For me, there is one man in particular who has always shown me the love of Christ through all that he does.
Fr. Cyril Pereira, my grand uncle, has been an ordained priest for more than 56 years.
He celebrated his first Mass the day after his ordination in a hospital corridor for his sick mother and all others present. For 56 years now, he has devoted his life to serving the Church and its congregation.
In 1968, my uncle left his home and family in India and moved to New York, where he continued his service to those in need.
While living in Troy, New York, my uncle served the community of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and all others who needed his aid.
He lived in a residence directly connected to the cathedral so that he would always be there whenever anyone needed his guidance. He resided there until his health recently forced him to move into a seniors’ home.
My uncle has always made himself available to those in need, and for that he has become a respected man in his community and his family. I have always looked to him, and will continue to look to him as a symbol of strength and love in the Church. He is a constant reminder to me of why I cannot lose faith in Church.
To my uncle, and all other members of the clergy, I say thank you for continuing to make the effort to live in Christ’s footsteps. I cannot imagine carrying such a heavy cross. It’s not an easy burden, yet my uncle and many others have spent their lives bearing this burden. By doing so, they have devoted their entire lives not only to God, but also to helping God’s children — to helping us.
While the abuse of children is devastating, we should continue to show our support for the Church. It is my belief that in all groups, whether religious or not, you will find those who err, but at the same time you will also find those who are committed to righting those faults.
The Church is strong when we are strong with it. Now more than ever, the Church needs us to persevere with it in its time of need, to uphold its values and give it stability.
(Lewis, 18, is a journalism student at Carleton University.)
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