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No Protests, Low Mass Attendance For Cardinal Wuerl’s ‘Healing Mass’

Jessica Kramer/TheDCNF

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Jessica Kramer Contributor
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WASHINGTON — Archbishop of Washington, D.C., Cardinal Donald Wuerl presided over a “healing mass” at St. Matthew’s Cathedral on Friday to usher in a “season of healing” for survivors of abuse and the Catholic Church.

There were no protests of lay people, including the group Catholics for Action who have previously protested outside of St. Matthew’s, according to National Catholic Reporter. There was also low mass attendance, The Daily Caller News Foundation noted.

In his homily, Wuerl called for “more transparency from Church leadership” and said that this time of trial will bring purification, but that “before we face the consequences, we must focus on those who bear the scars of abuse.”

“Healing begins on our knees. The Church must ask for forgiveness and turn to the cross. We must join the victims in their outrage,” Wuerl said.

The archbishop spoke of taking meaningful action but did not mention specifics. (RELATED: DC Deacon Publicly Demands Cardinal Wuerl’s Resignation, ‘Justice Demands Nothing Less’)

A male survivor of child sexual abuse and a child protection representative lit a candle at the altar with Wuerl during the mass, signaling unified action in an effort to make certain these abuses don’t happen again.

The survivor spoke of formulating practical steps to ensure the safety of minors, but he did not go into detail of the necessary steps or course of action.

Wuerl is set to meet with Pope Francis soon about his resignation, according to CBS Pittsburgh.

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