Hope & Healing Mass Provides Survivors With A ‘Community of Faith’

Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated the annual Mass of Hope and Healing for survivors of clergy sexual abuse at Mary’s Nativity Church in Flushing on Oct. 29. Hundreds of people attended the liturgy, which the diocese has held every year since 2015, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Survivor Gene Doyle of Howard Beach and retired priest-in-residence Father Jeffrey Dillon attended the Mass. Father Dillon, who is also a survivor, said the annual liturgy allows people to recognize a community of faith that supports them.

Bishop Brennan said he is encouraged by the number of clergy and lay faithful who attend. He stated that the diocese works to provide safe environments and act as instruments of healing. The bishop noted that Church leaders, clergy, and the people are all flawed and limited.