April 10, 2022 - "Child Abuse Prevention Month continued"

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Pope Francis calls to walk together in synodality.  He invites as we walk together on this path to reach out to people on the margins, especially to people whose voices have not been so readily heard in the past.  It would be important to reach out actively to those who have been impacted by child abuse.
 
The Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection has prepared a very useful resource booklet as we mark April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.  I want to make use of some of the points the Secretariat has made in this resource.  Let’s start with a couple of things that you may or may not have known…
 
Did you know that the Catholic Church is deeply committed to protecting children from abuse and holding people accountable for inflicting such pain?  In December 2021, the revised Book VI of the Code of Canon Law went into effect.  This is the most recent of several documents that specifically address the issue of the abuse of children.  Other documents include Vos estis lux mundi and Vademecum. These documents expand the acts which are considered abusive, clarify the manner in which the cases are processed, and hold people accountable for their action or inaction with regard to the processing of a case.  Of significant importance is attention given to the care of victim survivors and all who have been harmed.  Bishops in the United States led the way for these changes with the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People twenty years ago. Today every diocese and eparchy must have in place systems for tending to those who have been harmed, protecting those in our care and seeking restorative justice.
 
Did you know what is happening in the diocese to protect children?
 
· Training is provided for all adults and youth to identify warning signs and develop strategies for maintaining a safe environment for all.
· A designated Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to receive reports and accompany victims through their journey.
· A volunteer independent Review Board assists the bishop in the review of cases and makes recommendations for moving forward.
· A Safe Environment Coordinator assists parish and school personnel with training and background screenings for anyone who may have access to children.
· An audit is conducted by an independent firm to evaluate implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.  Findings are incorporated with those of other dioceses and made available in an annual report.
 
In a society that emphasizes productivity, pleasure, and independence, it is all the more important to accompany those in need of care and compassion.  When a person is in pain and in need, we are called to remind them that they are not alone.

When a person has been beaten down and feeling insignificant, we are called to remind them of their worth and the unconditional love that is bestowed upon them.
 
It is important that we reaffirm the gift of childhood.  We should acknowledge the joy of innocence.  As the Lord watches over all of us, so too must we watch over each other.  We need to impress on one another the moral obligation to care for one another and to respect one another.  As a parent nurtures and protects a child, we are called to protect each other, and intervene if we see wrong doing.
 
Let me close by wishing everyone a prayerful Holy Week.
 
Until next week,
 
Fr. John Dillon