We are our brother’s and sister’s keeper

As the deafening cries of our vulnerable brother’s and sister’s reach our ears, after years of silent abuse suffered at the hands of clerics and consecrated persons, we, the Archdiocese of Port of Spain beseech all to join hands as we make a concerted communal effort to root out the cause of this grave injustice in our Church.

Let us commit to PRAYER AND FASTING every first Friday. God hears the cry of His people. Let us deny ourselves the things that gratify us and offer this sacrifice for the conversion of all those who have abused vulnerable children and adults as we stand in solidarity with those who were abused.

To deny ourselves means to say ‘No’ to ourselves and ‘YES’ to God. It is to humbly submit our will to God. It is to trust God to convert wayward hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.

Let us fast in whatever way we can -:

• Eat less and receive the Eucharist more
• Control our tongues—Don’t gossip
• Don’t press the snooze button— Get out of bed and pray
• Be punctual
• Be thankful rather than complain
• Smile, even if you don’t necessarily want to
• Pray, even when you do not feel like it

May our Holy Mother intercede for us that we may persevere in denying ourselves and say ‘YES’ to God and experience conversion of heart, body, mind and spirit as we offer up all for an end to abuse in our Church in all forms.