The “Ministry of Encouragement”

Tokujin Yoshioka

On the Sunday after the report came out about the egregious sexual abuse perpetrated by the clergy on youth in Pennsylvania, our priest began Mass by lighting ten circles of ten candles for the victims, praying for them, and apologizing on behalf of the Church.

In the days preceding that Sunday, he had sent a letter to the local bishop urging him to come to the community to listen – to any victims present – and to us, who are the true voice of the Church.

On Solidarity Sunday, he had – and continues to have – the altar cloths changed to rainbow colors and a huge rainbow flag hung from the choir loft for the month.

Last year he had a large, boldly lettered “Black Lives Matter” banner installed on the church’s front entrance gate and has a gospel choir sing on Sundays.

…And…

He actually and passionately proclaimed from the pulpit that women should be ordained.

Another priest there talked about the importance of the “ministry of encouragement”. I celebrate this ministry as it happens both inside at least some of the ranks of the clergy and outside, addressing those ranks, in the grace-filled witness by the women in Rome demanding there only be an inside.