“We believe you and we listen to you”

adminonJanuary 14, 2022January 5, 2022Leave a Comment

The U.S. bishops got to hear quite a bit: Several victims of clergy sexual abuse delivered strong criticism of the Catholic Church's handling of the major scandal to date at the fall conference of U.S. bishops.

Sharp criticism they also directed against the Vatican. The latter had forbidden the U.S. bishops' conference from publishing a planned charter for dealing with sexual abuse and a code of conduct for bishops until further notice.

The head of the bishops' conference's child abuse review body, Francesco Cesareo, accused its members of lacking transparency and resolve. The faithful are angry and frustrated, she said.

"They are calling for action that points to a cultural change within the leadership of the church. Their distrust will remain until they truly live the principles of openness and transparency that are in the charter," Cesareo said Tuesday in a speech to bishops. They will continue to meet in Baltimore until Wednesday. So far, he said, bishops who covered up abuse too often escaped punishment.

"Protection of assets more important than people"

Already on Monday (local time), representatives of abuse victims had harshly criticized the bishops in Baltimore. The church was more concerned with protecting its assets than with the people entrusted to its care, summarized Luis A. Torres of the Brooklyn diocese's lay council summed up the anger of those affected. He had come to know a church that was "actively hostile to children," the lawyer said in the presence of several bishops. His statements were broadcast live by the media.

Pitt Green, who together with Torres strives for reconciliation in her victims' organization "Spirit Fire Live," spoke about the consequences of abuse for the mostly young victims: suicides, addictions, chronic mental illnesses, broken relationships. "When you hear someone speak like that, it hits you very hard," U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops President Cardinal Daniel DiNardo said at a press conference afterward. The victims' statements had been "very moving". "We believe you and we listen to you," promised the bishop of Burlington, Vermont, Christopher J. Coyne.

Church crisis over "abuse of power"

Representatives of Catholic women called on bishops to work with laity to address abuse scandal.

The situation is difficult for bishops, admitted former Leadership Conference of Women Religious president Sister Teresa Maya in Baltimore. The executive director of the National Catholic Youth League, Christiana Lamas, said the cause of the church crisis was "abuse of power". The laymen could help with the reconstruction.

"Courageous shepherds" instead of "fearful sheep"

Meanwhile, Marie Collins, prominent victim of abuse in Ireland's church, criticized the Vatican's directive that U.S. bishops not decide on further action in the abuse scandal before the world bishops' conference in February. "Can anyone still believe now that in the Vatican they see the accountability of church leadership as a priority??", Collins said on her website.

Meanwhile, former nuncio to the U.S., Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, released a message to U.S. bishops calling on them to approach the abuse scandal not as "fearful sheep" but as "courageous shepherds".

In 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected pope. This has not changed his self-image as a priest. He still speaks directly to the individual – as he once did in the slums of Buenos Aires.

It began on 21. September 1953. For Jorge Mario Bergoglio, no day like any other. He should decide his future. Jorge wanted to celebrate the "Day of the Student" with his friends in Buenos Aires. But first he began the day with a visit to the church of San Jose. There he met a priest he had never seen before – an encounter that changed his life and which he still remembers years later.

Father Duarte impressed the nearly 17-year-old with the deep spirituality he radiated. So Jorge decided to go to confession with him. This confessional was different from all the others. It made him realize his spiritual vocation, Bergoglio later reported.

Confession changed lives

"Something strange happened to me in that confession. I don't know what it was, but it changed my life," he recalled more than half a century later. "It was the surprise, the intemperate astonishment of a real encounter. I realized that I was expected," he recounts in the interview volume "Pope Francis – My Life, My Path."

The planned meeting with friends, the Student Day celebration, all that no longer counted for Bergoglio. Instead, he returned home with the goal of becoming a priest. Bergoglio finishes school and training as a chemical technician and enters the Jesuit order in 1958.

Priestly ordination in Buenos Aires

On 13. December 1969, shortly before his 33. On his 70th birthday and 16 years after his vocation experience, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was consecrated in Buenos Aires. Being a priest means for him from the beginning to be close to God and close to the people. Even much later, as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he goes regularly to the poor neighborhoods like a simple street priest.

It is again a 13. the month that changed his life for a long time: On 13. March 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio became the 265th pope at the age of 76. Successor of St. Peter elected. This did not change his view of the priesthood. He also lives it as Pope Francis: going to the margins, he advises Christians – and does it himself. 2019, the year of his 50th birthday. For example, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary as a priest, he was the first Catholic head of the church to visit the Arabian Peninsula.

"We clergy are in danger of succumbing to the temptation to be administrators rather than shepherds," he said even as a cardinal. A homily by Pope Francis on a 2019 priestly ordination sounds very similar: "Always have before your eyes the example of the Good Shepherd, who came not to be served but to serve, and to seek and save that which was lost," he gives the new priests along the way. Likewise, he emphasizes the importance of confession and is available as a confessor from time to time, even as pope.

Pope and priest

Francis is pope, but above all he is priest. This summer, he addressed a lengthy letter to all his "confreres in the priesthood" in which he also addresses the abuse crisis in the church under the heading of "pain. "Recently, we have been able to hear more clearly the often silent or silenced cry of our brothers and sisters who have been victims of abuse of power, conscience or sex by ordained ministers," it says.

He also repeatedly warns against abuse of power and clericalism elsewhere. At the same time, Francis gives advice on how to overcome crises of vocation. Thus, in his letter to priests, he advises them to remember and be grateful for their vocation, especially in difficult moments.

His own experience still seems very present to today's pope, as his vivid descriptions show. There are no details from the Vatican on how the 82-year-old will celebrate his golden jubilee as a priest. Perhaps, however, he remembers that 21. September, where his journey began. And very likely Francis will ask to pray for him – as he always did even as a priest.

Polishing a car is a skill that needs to be learned

A time-consuming job, but worth it: polishing the car. We explain when the best time for polishing is and how to go about it.

For those who love their car, this will be a task that will be accomplished with enthusiasm. But even for those who do not want to make the effort, it could be worth it. Because polishing the car has some advantages.

This is why car polishing is worthwhile

Of course, a polished paint looks chic and makes the car appear as good as new. And this is exactly the point: because the increases the material value of the vehicle and also prevents the formation of rust. Polishing removes the top layer of weathered paint and exposes a new layer. It removes small scratches where rust tends to form.

In addition, a freshly polished paint is less susceptible to bird droppings, which tend to etch into it. To ensure that the polishing of the vehicle works properly, you should observe the following tips.

Car polishing: is there a right time??

Just like in the household, spring is also a good time to polish your car. Because this is where the temperatures move the most between 18 and 25 degrees – so neither too cold, which damages the varnish, nor too warm, which makes the polish quickly become hard. In addition, after the winter, it is important to get rid of all the road salt, which strongly affects the paint.

When washing your car in winter, you should also remember that road salt attacks the paint even more due to the moisture. Therefore, you should be extremely careful when washing your car during the cold season – and follow these tips.

To prepare your car for polishing

Before you start using polish, make sure your car is clean to the pores. You can use a special paint cleaner – although these are not necessary for normal weathered paint – or you can go to the car wash. The professional washing is gentle on the paint and quite thorough.

If you prefer to wash the car yourself, do this not in the blazing sun – the sponge should also be regularly cleaned of dirt, so that grains of dirt cannot further scratch the paint of the car. Afterwards, shampoo the car and rinse it quickly with clean water so that no residue dries on the surface.

In case of stubborn polish a pretreatment with a high-pressure cleaner recommended. However, keep a distance of 30 centimeters so as not to damage the paint and do not aim at just one spot. Do not treat the tires with the cleaner either, as this could cause damage.

These are the tools you need for a car polish

Once you have thoroughly washed the car, it is finally time to polish it. For this you need

A suitable polish,
A polishing sponge and
Soft microfiber cloths.

Finding the right polish is not that easy. Because the selection in hardware stores is large and the promises on the label even larger. The most expensive product is not always the best one. Therefore, it is best to inform yourself on the internet about current test results of car polishes.

Often you will also find combined products, that clean, polish and seal the paint. These are usually sufficient, unless it is an older vehicle. In this case, there are special polishes that can be used on weathered paint.

In addition, there are car polishes that contain nano particles that penetrate into the pores of the paint and thus guarantee a smooth surface. Or they contain hard wax, which seals the paint, makes water roll off and ensures that dirt can not adhere.

How to polish your car properly

When polishing a car, use a systematic approach: divide the car into two parts individual sections on – like roof, hood, doors – and treat them little by little. mask windows and plastic parts.

First apply the polish to the paint and "massage" it use the polishing sponge or pad and apply light pressure to the surface. You can stop as soon as the polish turns to dust or becomes milky.

Then you should immediately move in with a microfiber cloth and polish the paint against the previous polishing direction – before the polish is completely dry. Use the palm of your hand to check that the surface is smooth to the touch – then move on to the next stage.

How to handle a polishing machine

Working by hand is tiring and takes longer – so a polishing machine is often the solution. However, this requires a bit of practice to ensure a smooth surface. But it works better on a weathered paint.

This is how it worksThe polish is applied to the polishing head and then moistened with a little water so that it spreads evenly over the paint. In order to keep it cool, the polishing sponge must always be damp and covered with polish. Then run the machine at a medium speed in a circular motion over the surface of the paint, applying only light pressure. Also, do not spend too much time in one place and be careful around the edges.

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