Melbourne: The Melbourne Archdiocese conducted its inaugural Prayer Service of Lament, bringing together survivors of abuse, their families, and the wider Catholic community, alongside archdiocesan clergy and lay leaders, to acknowledge the profound suffering endured within the Church. The service was held on National Survivors Day, Wednesday, November 12.
As attendees gathered in the gardens of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Teresa Rhynehart, director of Proclaim: The Office for Mission Renewal, recognized the courage required to participate whether in person or online. “For some of you, being here today represents enormous strength and bravery,” she said.
Ms Rhynehart emphasized that the service had been carefully planned in consultation with survivor networks and a small group of survivors, ensuring that every element was sensitive and supportive. She described the gathering as “starting small and gently,” acknowledging that it was the first of its kind in the archdiocese.
To support attendees, counsellors from Catholic Care Victoria were on hand, and the liturgy was livestreamed for those unable to attend physically. Ms Rhynehart explained that the service was designed not as a one-time event, but as the foundation of an evolving initiative, guided by the experiences and feedback of survivors.
Opening the liturgy, archdiocesan chancellor Annie Carrett reflected on the Year of Jubilee, calling it “a time of mercy, renewal, and reconciliation a chance to mend the brokenness in our relationships with God and one another.” She added, “Through lament and repentance, we open ourselves to the transforming grace of God, trusting that even from the deepest wounds, new life and hope can emerge.”
During the litany of lament, Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli acknowledged “with great pain and deep shame … the utter betrayal of trust inflicted upon children, young people, and vulnerable adults.” He emphasized the Church’s commitment to listening to survivors: “We seek to give voice today to those whose lives have been wounded so profoundly, and to proclaim that we believe their stories.”
The service concluded with a symbolic act of healing: participants tied ribbons to the branches of trees in the cathedral gardens, representing both repentance and solidarity with survivors.
Through this pioneering service, the Melbourne Archdiocese has begun a journey of acknowledgment, reflection, and ongoing commitment to survivors, marking a new chapter in the Church’s path toward healing and reconciliation.