A Service of Lament at Christ Church Cathedral opened the Diocese of Newcastle’s Synod last night. The Holy Spirit ministered powerfully as the tragedy of child sexual abuse touched deep within each of us. The sorrow and tears were visible signs of the deeper lament.

I thank Diocesan Bishop Greg, Bishop Peter and their leadership, for compassionately embracing both publically and profoundly, the trauma and grieving of victims, their loved ones, the Anglican family and wider community.

I was honoured to preach the sermon which concluded with the following blessing. I adapted it from an Irish Franciscan Blessing to the particular context of the Diocese of Newcastle.

A Blessing in Brokenness 

May God bless us with discomfort,
At easy answers, half-truths,
And superficial responses
So that we may seek truth boldly
And love deep within our hearts.

May God bless us with holy anger
At injustice, oppression,
And exploitation and abuse of children and adults,
So that we may tirelessly work for
Justice, integrity and peace.

May God bless us with tears,
To shed for those who suffer or suffered such abuse,
Betrayal, rejection, pain,
The loss of faith, trust, innocence, of all that they hold dear,
So that we may reach out our hands
To believe and comfort them and
To share in their pain.

And may God bless us
With enough foolishness
To believe that we can
Make a difference in the world,
So that we can do, with God’s grace,
What others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness: health,
To all our children, survivors of abuse,
Those who are grieving and ourselves.

In the name of Him whom we seek to serve:
Our Holy, Just and Loving Saviour,
The Broken Resurrected One, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Christ Church Cathedral’s Facebook with some photos from the Service of Lament.