Brother Knights, with the media coverage of current events, even a hermit would realize that our church faces some serious challenges. Regardless of timing or actions to keep them quiet, these actions are now out in the light of day. It is not our place to judge or comment, however, we should pray for healing and justice for all of those affected. The actions of the men involved and their repercussions for the victims and the Church highlight some very important items for us as Knights to remember.
First and foremost, these actions are the actions of fallible men. While they were ordained priests and given the mission and capacity to act in the person of Christ the head (in persona Christi capitus), those who have committed or covered up these acts have succumbed to the temptations of Satan and committed a vile sacrilege and betrayed their sacramental vows. It is for this reason that we must pray for our Priests, pray that they be more like the examples of Father McGivney, St John Vianney and other saintly examples, and pray that God grants them the grace and the strength to resist the temptations of the evil one. We must embrace our common priesthood and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Priests, give them our support, and through that support, encouragement and most importantly friendship, support them in their vocation.
Second, we must always remember that the need for Knights is greatest, not during times of peace and tranquility, but during times of difficulty and strife. Right now, our Church needs its Knights, it need us to be the vocal Catholics who stand up and defend our church and support whatever is good, true and beautiful (cf. Philippians 4:8) including just punishment for criminals. We must realize and admit that we are all sinners who know and admit that no matter how weak we are, we are all called to be another Christ among men! It is our duty to evangelize our faith by the example of our lives, and in doing so demonstrate that we embrace our Baptismal calling to be Priest, Prophet and King.