The Ruth Institute honors Bishop Glen John Provost of Lake Charles, Louisiana, for his spiritual leadership regarding the clergy sex abuse and cover-up
scandal. Bishop Provost issued a letter outlining a systematic spiritual response to the worldwide crisis. He stated:
We in the Church either transform society by witnessing to it or risk being absorbed by society through acquiescence. We either act as a pro-active
force for good or retreat into irrelevance.
He decreed that the St. Michael prayer be said after every Mass, and that every parish have a weekly hour of Eucharistic Adoration and an annual Eucharistic
procession.
Bishop Provost explained:
We cannot continue to live as passive bystanders. A change is necessary, and it begins with the way we worship and pray…The Devil and the forces
of evil… are not resisted with a ‘business-as-usual’ attitude, nor has what some would call a ‘Catholic-lite’ approach ever proved effective
in facing challenges to the Church and the Gospel. When the disciples of our Lord complained that their attempt at combatting a demon was ineffective…
Our Lord answered, ‘But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.’ (cf. Matthew 17:21, Mark 9:29)
Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse stated:
With so many bishops failing their flocks, we felt it appropriate to express our heartfelt thanks to our bishop and pledge our support for his decrees.
As a sign of support, the Ruth Institute, along with more than 300 residents of Lake Charles, offers white roses and our prayers for Bishop Provost
and for everyone in our diocese.
Bishop Provost issued his decrees, which took effect January
1, 2019, on the First Sunday of Advent, 2018.
The Ruth Institute is a global non-profit organization that equips Christians to defend the family and traditional Christian sexual morality. The Ruth
Institute has taken a leading role in responding to the clergy sex abuse crisis since it broke in the news in August. Ruth Institute President,
Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, has written extensively on this issue. Senior Research Associate, Fr. Paul Sullins, has produced the definitive Report on Clergy Sex Abuse.
The “Roses From Ruth” initiative honors clergy who take a public stand in defense of the traditional teachings of the Church regarding marriage, family
and human sexuality.
To schedule an interview with Dr. Morse media@ruthinstitute.org
