By CatholicVote | Created at 2025-04-02 21:34:51 | Updated at 2025-04-04 17:17:20
1 day ago
CV NEWS FEED // Parishes across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles have established healing gardens intended to serve as places of prayer and reflection, particularly for those affected by clergy abuse.
The archdiocese created one garden in each of its pastoral regions.
St. Bernadette Church in Baldwin Hills installed its healing garden near the church entrance, after initially considering a location near the convent at the back of the property, Angelus News reported. Parish Life Director Deacon Jim Carper said the decision aimed to make the garden more visible to the public, a move that “created conversation without confrontation.”
The others are at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura, St. Francis de Sales Church in Sherman Oaks, Our Lady of Refuge Church in Long Beach, and the St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care in East Los Angeles.
At St. Francis de Sales, a plaque that dedicates the space to survivors has a written message from Archbishop José H. Gomez.
Part of the plaque reads:
“Here in this sacred space, may you hear again the voice of God, who has loved you from before all ages — may you turn again to God in your sorrow, opening your heart in hope, trusting that with God, all things are possible — healing is possible.”
The pastor of St. Francis, Father Michael Wakefield, told Angelus News that some visitors have expressed appreciation for the space, describing it as beautiful and saying they are glad it exists.
“It’s a reminder that even in Christ’s holy Church, there were people that would do terrible things,” he said. “This is a small way for us to say to those people that were traumatized and victimized how terribly sorry we are, and no, it wasn’t your fault. No, it should not have happened to you, and that we hope that you will find in this place of quiet and serenity some semblance of peace.”
>> California abuse survivors find support and healing in a changed archdiocese <<
