Ealing Abbey to unveil plaque for abuse survivors

Abbot Dominic Taylor and Safeguarding lead, Fr Timothy Gorham with the plaque.

Ealing Abbey in west London has set in stone its commitment to supporting survivors of child sexual abuse with a plaque in the abbey church.

Abbot Dominic Taylor will bless the plaque at a Mass of Hope and Healing for survivors on Saturday 2 May at 11.15a.m.. It has been installed in the Mary Mother of All chapel which has a relief that depicts Our Lady drawing children to her.

The plaque reads: "Mindful of all victims of child sexual abuse by clergy and people in authority, we acknowledge the terrible wrong done and grieve the deep suffering caused. Ever vigilant let us work and pray for healing, justice and peace. The Abbot and Community."

The text was written by the group, HOPE, which had the idea for a Mass not just for survivors of abuse but for all parishioners and those distressed and concerned about it.

The Heart of London Threshold Choir will sing at the Mass.

HOPE meets online monthly and has built on the work of the late Fr James Leachman, a member of the Benedictine community who led outreach to survivors.

Two monks and two lay teachers were convicted of multiple offences involving the sexual abuse of over 20 children at St Benedict's School between the 1970s and 2008. Until its formal separation in 2012, the school was governed by the monks.

LINK

Ealing Abbey: https://ealingabbeyparish.uk/