Q: I was gang raped. I choose to let them rape me and survive rather than resist and die, Does that make me sinful?

I am a person who is overcoming a porn addiction and I am also a two-time rape survivor. I have a question to ask you. I am a practicing Roman Catholic. St. Maria Goretti was made a saint and is held in high esteem because she would rather die than allow a man to rape her. Well I was in the same situation where I was gang raped. I was threatened with death and I choose to have them rape me and survive rather than resist and die, Does that make me sinful?  This is not a joke question. It is serious question that I have about my faith that I need to have answered.

A:  Dear Beloved in Christ,

Believe me when I say that we understand well that your suffering is no joking matter.

It is most important that you realize that giving in to your attacker in order to preserve your life does not make you sinful. You were struggling simply to survive.

I strongly recommend that you seek counseling with a good, holy priest so that you can receive the spiritual guidance and healing that you need so very much.

You did nothing wrong nor should you feel guilty in any way.

It is important to keep in mind that God chooses a small handful of souls, Maria Goretti being one of them, to serve as an example to others by their outstanding holiness. The Catholic Church canonizes these saints because of their meritorious virtue. That is, like receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, (only infinitely more rewarding), the Church is recognizing that these saints have lived their lives in a manner considered to be "above and beyond the call of duty." Thus, they serve as examples to us whom God created to be average. St. Maria Goretti did not display heroic virtue on her own merit or strength, but solely by the grace and strength of God to effect her sainthood as a singular example to future generations.

Do not feel guilty because God did not give you the same extraordinary grace and heroic virtue that He chose to give St. Maria Goretti. I urge that you pray to her daily to intercede for you and for God to give you the understanding and grace to work through your suffering.

God loves you and He knows, above all, that you did your best in the face of a horrible situation.

Put the feelings of guilt aside forever. It is the devl who keeps bringing these to the surface in order to torment you and he uses them to build a wall between you and God so that you can't find peace. Recognize the enemy and ask God to remove him from your midst.

Now is the time for you to concentrate instead on opening your heart and soul to the healing that God wants so very much to give you.

We will pray that He blesses you most abundantly and gives you healing and peace in Jesus' name. All of us Serenellians will certainly keep you in our daily thoughts and prayers.

Fraternally in Christ,

Paul Rasavage
for the Serenellians
and www.PornNoMore.com