Penance is good for the soul... of someon else, apparently

Is the Catholic world rediscovering penance?

In a statement to be read at all parishes April 24-25, the bishops [of England and Wales] ... said, it is "time for deep prayer and reparation for atonement" of the sins of priests and other Catholics who have abused children.

"We invite Catholics in England and Wales to make the four Fridays in May 2010 special days of prayer," the bishops said in their statement, released April 22.

They recommended visiting the Blessed Sacrament to pray for victims, their abusers and for church leaders who mishandled cases.

Really?
Well, some might recommend that each one of their excellencies kneel in his cathedral in sack-cloth and ashes for the entire day each Friday in May.

What a different tone would have been struck, had they instead asked for the prayers and support of their flock while THEY engaged in "deep prayer and reparation for atonement and visiting the Blessed Sacrament to pray for victims, their abusers and for church leaders who mishandled cases."