Carmel and safeguarding

Back yesterday from our OCDS National Council meeting in the delightful Retreat Centre run by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate near Crewe.  A persistent theme of recent National Council meetings has been safeguarding – and what a thorny and difficult issue it is! We think to ourselves, ‘Surely that won’t be an issue in Carmelite communities?’ but the devil is always at work trying to create havoc when people gather together with the purpose of drawing closer to God, and of course there is a sad history of faith communities being damaged by internal abuses.  We were reminded that safeguarding isn’t just about sexual abuse; there is for example a possibility of improper spiritual domination of others by those who are psychologically stronger (particularly when they are in positions of leadership).  Humility is a key requirement for leadership.  A Carmelite friar once remarked 'It is a serious thing to mess with people's minds!', and the leader has to bear that in mind when asked for counsel or guidance. That counsel or guidance must be given 'in fear and trembling' and prayerfully, and there may indeed be a need to refer a person to another who is better qualified to assist.   

Intercessions:

Brian Davis – cancer

Marie, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him) - cancer

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David - housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill