Jesus Descends Into Hell

Last week's release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report regarding the sexual abuse of at least 1,000 children (it is so painful to even write that number) by 300 Roman Catholic priests and its subsequent cover-up by bishops and other Church officials in Pennsylvania has been nothing short of devastating, particularly for the survivors of sexual abuse.

These victims were innocent children who were preyed upon in terrible ways. And then, their horrific ordeal was silenced by bishops and other officials. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and struggle endured by these survivors. They are brave and they have waited a very long time for justice. I pray that they might begin to experience healing and hope.

It was also devastating for many Catholics - laity and priests alike. Those of us who depend upon our faith, no matter how weak it may be at times, have been shaken by the findings of the Grand Jury: How could a priest commit such a grievous crime against a child? Why did our bishops move those priests accused of sexual abuse from parish to parish? Why did they continue to put children in harm's way? Our hearts are broken for those who endured such suffering. And we want justice and accountability from our leaders... now!

In the midst of this swirl of emotions - anger, frustration, deep sadness, and devastation - I celebrated the Sunday Eucharist with my parish community, just as I have been doing every Sunday since my arrival at the parish two months ago. And just as we have done every Sunday, we professed the Apostles' Creed. However, unlike all other previous Masses, one line in particular from the Creed grabbed my attention in a new way: "He descended into hell."

As Catholic-Christians, we believe that Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. But the story of Jesus' suffering does not stop there. As if this suffering of Jesus was not enough, he then enters into the very realm of the dead. Jesus goes to the place of no hope. Jesus enters the places of emptiness, of pain, of betrayal, of lies and darkness. Jesus journeys to that pit of devastation. 

There, in hell, Jesus finds all those who suffer, those who have been harmed, those who have been neglected, forgotten, and silenced. Jesus descends into their personal hells, not of their own creation, but imposed on them. Jesus descends into hell in order to seek out all who suffer. Jesus finds each and every hell where there is pain, suffering, and death. Jesus descends into hell so that he can rise again. Jesus does not rise, however, until he has entered each personal hell and lifts up all those who have died a thousand deaths inflicted on them by their abusers and those who covered up these crimes. 

No word, no promise, no program, no amount of support, counseling, and assistance will ever be able to blot away the devastation of child sexual abuse and its subsequent cover-up by Catholic clergymen. There is no quick fix for them. It is a lifetime of suffering. Many of the victims continue to experience hellish pain and ongoing trauma.

Abusive priests and bishops who abused their authority imposed this hell on thousands of victims.
And so, Jesus descends into hell.