Bishops to say Mass of Prayer and Penance for survivors of sexual abuse within the Church

As they begin their customary spring meetings, US bishops will gather in Indianapolis for a Mass of Prayer and Penance for survivors of sexual abuse within the Church.

The Mass is in response to Pope Francis’ call “that National Bishops Conferences choose an appropriate day on which to pray for the survivors and victims of sexual abuse as part of a Universal Day of Prayer initiative,” as the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors reported last year.

The Mass will be at Sts. Peter and Paul on June 14, at 5:00 p.m.

“The bishops will gather together in solidarity to pray for victims and to acknowledge the pain caused by the failures of the Church in the past,” a statement from the bishops’ conference said.

The Mass will mark the opening of the June Plenary Assembly taking place June 14-15 in Indianapolis.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will be the principal celebrant. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta, former president of the conference, will be the homilist.

“In an act of penance and humility, the bishops will also kneel and recite a commemorative prayer that has been written for survivors of abuse in their healing,” the bishops’ statement added.

Prayers of the Faithful for these intentions have been provided to all dioceses and eparchies, many of which are scheduling or have scheduled their own Masses and events.

The bishops’ Mass is scheduled to be livestreamed. The livestream link will be available on the USCCB website.