Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl to lead penitential pilgrimage

Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl will lead a walking pilgrimage to the Hájek Marian shrine on Oct. 5 to seek forgiveness and reparation for sins committed within the Church. The archbishop announced the event in his first pastoral letter since his installation in April, stating the pilgrimage aims to implore healing for past wounds and a new beginning.

The pilgrimage follows recent scandals in the Prague archdiocese involving allegations of moral and financial offenses, as well as violence. In a letter dated Sept. 6, Přibyl noted that trust in the Church has been damaged by these reports and a case of abuse by a priest. He specifically addressed suspicions of reprehensible conduct and financial crimes, noting that he has acted firmly and that competent authorities must now investigate and determine consequences.

The archbishop also acknowledged the pain, frustration, and shame caused by these scandals. The pilgrimage will conclude at the Hájek shrine with a Mass and an act of penance.