Melbourne Archdiocese held its annual Prayer Service of Lament for survivors of abuse on Tuesday, the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
Following Mary’s example of not turning away from pain, the service was an opportunity for the Church to stand alongside those who have suffered and to lament sincerely and humbly the failures that caused such harm.
Acknowledging the lasting effects carried by survivors, their families and communities, Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli apologised for the manner in which the Church and its leadership added to the burden by failing to believe victims of abuse and putting institutional reputation ahead of their safety.
“With shame, I say sorry to those who have been abused, to your families, and those who have carried this suffering with you, and to the wider community harmed by the Church’s failure to live according to the way of Jesus Christ,” he said.
In her introduction to the service, Teresa Rhynehart, director of Proclaim: The Office for Mission Renewal, said that those gathered from across the archdiocese may be carrying a range of experiences and emotions including anger, confusion, disillusionment and sadness.
For some, she said, the gathering was also an expression of hope: a desire to walk with Christ on the path of pain and brokenness, and with Mary, his mother, who remained at the foot of the Cross in solidarity with her Son.
The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows provided the liturgy’s central image. Standing with Mary at the foot of the Cross, the Church is invited not to turn away from suffering, but to remain present with compassion, humility and prayer.
Ms Rhynehart said the Church accepted the pain and harm caused to victims and survivors and paid tribute to those who have shared their stories of abuse so that the Church can better protect children, young people and vulnerable adults.
“We also acknowledge with deep respect, those who felt unable to bring their voices forward due to the enormity of the trauma they suffered as children, and also those whose voices are no longer here,” Ms Rhynehart said.
“We dedicate our ongoing protection and care for young people to all victims and survivors of abuse and neglect.”
A ritual of lament concluded the service, where participants were invited to tie a ribbon to a flowering bush, or to keep the ribbon for themselves or give one to another person.
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‘To remain, to listen, to believe’: 2026 Prayer Service of Lament (Melbourne Catholic)
