Jesuit Says, "The Cock Has Crowed"

"I write from within the church and the society of Jesus. I am not outside looking on. 

These are my brothers, abusing priests, bishops and religious superiors who were unaware or unresponsive. 

I am not above but alongside. I know what it means to be a sinner redeemed by the grace of Christ."

He continued with a biblical reflection.

The image of Peter has been a source of consolation for me. He couldn't understand why Christ should suffer. He fell asleep in the Garden while Christ agonized, turned to violence when Christ was accused, denied his Lord three times during the Passion, and finally woke up when the cock crowed. 

Exactly when the cock crowed, Christ looked at Peter, and Peter went out and wept. Jesus' look was an accusation and a healing. Later Christ asked Peter three times if he loved him. 

Three times Peter affirmed that he did. Three times Christ confirmed Peter's role as shepherd. The cock has crowed for the church. Christ is looking at us, accusing and healing. No press report, no angry victim or parent can look more accusingly than Jesus. But his look heals, and his Spirit is at work in victims and in the church, healing. And he calls us to repentance and to healing.

Link (here) Fr. Patrick Howell SJ full op/ed Piece in the Seattle Times