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Post by Vyckie D. Garrison on Mar 20, 2010 1:21:03 GMT -5
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Post by sandra on Mar 20, 2010 13:20:39 GMT -5
www.cnn.com/2010/images/03/20/irlanda.lettera.pdf From the Pope's Letter to Ireland. "To the victims of abuse and their families You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated. Many of you found that, when you were courageous enough to speak of what happened to you, no one would listen. Those of you who were abused in residential institutions must have felt that there was no escape from your sufferings. It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the Church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel. At the same time, I ask you not to lose hope. It is in the communion of the Church that we encounter the person of Jesus Christ, who was himself a victim of injustice and sin. Like you, he still bears the wounds of his own unjust suffering. He understands the depths of your pain and its enduring effect upon your lives and your relationships, including your relationship with the Church. I know some of you find it difficult even to enter the doors of a church after all that has occurred. Yet Christ’s own wounds, transformed by his redemptive sufferings, are the very means by which the power of evil is broken and we are reborn to life and hope. I believe deeply in the healing power of his self-sacrificing love – even in the darkest and most hopeless situations – to bring liberation and the promise of a new beginning." I pray that the perpetrators of the institutionalized absurdity and suffering that drive Extreme Christianity can find within themselves the wherewithal to acknowledge their responsibility in promoting abuse toward the most defenseless of their communities in like manner as the pope. Yes, it's too little, too late, for most of the survivors, but it goes a long way toward healing Christianity as a whole and preventing the proliferation of institutionalized abuse. May the Divine Love seep into the hearts and minds of the likes of the Perls, LaHayes, Gothards, and Phillips of American fundamentalism until they, too, are able to make amends for the hideousness they have preached. And sooner than the notoriously late-to-the-table Catholic Pontificate. Thank you, Vyckie, for making a place where hurting people can be heard. And thanks to all the storytellers who found the courage to raise their voices here, to say out loud your grievous hurts, your righteous anger, your bone-deep rage. May we all find healing and holiness. And to Ruth, I am delighted to see that you have found your anger in these recent posts. Anger fully experienced and well directed is a cleansing flood that can break down many strongholds and wipe out dammed places.
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Post by asteli on Mar 20, 2010 16:33:35 GMT -5
I just don't have the words for how disturbed I am at the thought of a 9 year old having to plan, organize & run a reception for her grandparents funeral. Did no one say anything?
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Post by duplessis3 on Mar 21, 2010 1:04:26 GMT -5
while it was wrong and reprehensible for you to have to plan the wakes and funerals, I hope you take a moment to pat yourself on that back. You are obviously a wonderful and intelligent woman with skills! My heart breaks for what you went through. Thank you for sharing your pain with us to help others. Very generous. You raised yourself well.
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Hillary
Full Member
"Quivering Daughters ~ Hope and Healing for the Daughters of Patriarchy" Now Available!
Posts: 129
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Post by Hillary on Mar 22, 2010 7:44:00 GMT -5
Oh my goodness. Such familiar language. Thank you for writing these articles, Ruth. I hope you are getting rest now.
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Post by hopewell on Mar 22, 2010 9:21:59 GMT -5
My own grandpa died when I was 9. All I had to do was cry over the birthday party I had to give up. I cannot imagine having to host the wake!! By the way, I coughed up Dr Pepper laughing at the QF/ATI "one upmanship"--all the more so since I could hear the Duggar and Bates voices saying it all!!!
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Post by krwordgazer on Mar 23, 2010 0:49:08 GMT -5
Wow, that last part sure sounded familiar. All the showing off in the name of the Lord. So awful to have been made to grow up so fast, you didn't even get to go to your grandfather's grave service. And your dad giving your inheritance to your brother. Shame on him.
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Post by mommybunny1 on Mar 24, 2010 6:01:54 GMT -5
I find it appalling that a child so young would be saddled with so much responsibility. And it is even sadder that female children are deprived of having much fun. I am beginning to understand that much of the exclusion girls have from fun is because of the belief that females are born seductresses and defrauders and must have this inner sinfulness trained out of them. Of course, the idea of a prepubescent child running and playing and climbing as a seductress is sick and absurd.
I am going to give the one upsmanship thing a pass, however. Parents generally think their children are just the greatest thing on earth. And, of course they are...to their parents. The behavior that Ruth describes is pretty normal. The values of QF/ATI are a bit warped, but the natural sense of pride is quite universal. I understand that from an Abrahamic perspective (which we all have to one degree or another), pridefulness and this sort of bragging are frowned upon. I remember the moms in my neighborhood doing this sort of thing. We all tolerated one another's turn to boast as long as each one got an opportunity to do so as well. Of course, we also played the one upsmanship game in the negative as well. Which child was the most stubborn, worst sleeper, made the biggest mess in his room, etc. We also got to share concerns and worries.
I also want to tell Ruth that she is wonderful. We are all so privileged to have the opportunity to watch her grow up and see life from a brand new perspective. Ruth, you are a lovely human being. You got the best possible inheritance from your maternal grandparents. You are their legacy. I am certain that they are very proud of you.
Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep doing the next right thing.
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