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Letter to Pope Benedict - Waves of Sadness

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Message Debby Bodkin
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Via Email - Benedictxvi@vatican.va

Re: Please Rescind Excommunication Support!

Dear Holy Father:

The world received a sad message last week--the word that the Vatican supported the excommunication of members in the Nebraska "Call to Action" organization.

Yesterday's news sent waves of SADNESS to many Catholics waiting for leadership and openness. The power of love and prayer during this season of Advent needs unconditional support from the Vatican. Please rescind the support of excommunication -- and bring peace to Catholics and non-Catholics watching from afar. What happened to openness and dialog?

Despite what the Vatican's legal advisors tell you, we all look to the Pope, for guidance and signs that will rebuild the destruction of communities of faith throughout the world since the clergy sex abuse crisis erupted in 2002. The excommunication of Call to Action in Nebraska is not the answer -- and sends a chilling message to the world. Today is the Second Sunday of Advent and Catholics and non-Catholics throughout the world are confused and continue to ask why, why and why?

With respect, I ask you to imagine the waves of hope, faith and love that would travel throughout the world if the Vatican's excommunication support was reconsidered? Why reject Call to Action from the Church?

Why allow more families to question the social justice teachings of the largest Church in the world?

Your job is tough... and raising children and providing faith teachings are complicated each time the message of intimidation or fear is used to control efforts of the faithful to bring peace to a wounded Church.

As the Pope, you have the presence to change the world. You have the presence to encourage reform and correct the wrongs that have destroyed the lives of children and families. You have the presence to grant protections to all who speak out with responsibility in exercising free speech, press and opinion.

Our children, the leaders of tomorrow's churches and societies, are watching every move we make to fix the horrific mess that the clergy sex abuse crisis has revealed to the world.

Without justice, there will never be peace. Without peace, our faith is empty. God Bless you.

cc: Call to Action -- Nebraska
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As an amateur writer, mother, wife and legal secretary for the past 25 years, my passion for the courage of clergy sex abuse victims, their families and mandated reporters, who made a choice to protect children, before their own career security and (more...)
 
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