88 The Art of Accompaniment
the sick and homebound must be well formed in listening and pastoral care
in order to be a healing presence to those that they accompany. Because
the mentor is a representative of the entire Christian community, their ac-
companiment is strengthened by helping those they accompany access the
sacraments, such as through being an extraordinary minister of Holy Com-
munion for those unable to attend Mass.
Those who are disabled or have special needs may also benefit from
accompaniment. The mentor of those with intellectual or developmental
differences can walk with those they accompany in ways that are most help-
ful and formative according to their personal needs and circumstances. Ex-
amples of accompaniment of those with special needs include mentors who
offer catechesis tailored to the particular needs of those they accompany, fa-
cilitate faith sharing and reflection among those with similar circumstanc-
es, provide help to the families of those they accompany when needed, and
serve as a bridge between the particular needs of those accompanied and
their parish or institution.
Those Harmed by the Church
Many former and current Catholics have suffered mental and emotion-
al suffering at the hands of the Church. Some have also been victims of
sexual abuse and harassment. Other Catholics find it difficult to contin-
ue practicing their faith because of pain caused by corruption within the
Church or difficult experiences with other Catholics or Church leadership.
The Church has a grave responsibility to heal the harm that has been done
to these people. Accompaniment can serve as a way by which those who
have been harmed by the Church can find space to name their experiences,
give voice to their emotions, and seek non-judgmental healing and respect.
Mentors can form relationships of healing and patient listening in order to
help protect those accompanied’s relationship with God.
In order to accompany those who have been harmed by the Church in
a healthy way, mentors must overall seek the reparation of the one accom-
panied’s relationship with God. The mentor must take care to be gentle in
their journeying with the one accompanied. To this end, the mentor offers
a space of non-judgment, allowing the one accompanied to feel comfort-
able expressing themselves honestly and authentically. Additionally, it is
helpful if the one accompanied is not only formed and healed through a