Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 49 views

    Bishop 2ndaprilinsert

    Uploaded by

    api-468842529

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Bishop 2ndaprilinsert

    Uploaded by

    api-468842529
    49 views2 pages

    Original Title

    bishop 2ndaprilinsert

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    49 views2 pages

    Bishop 2ndaprilinsert

    Uploaded by

    api-468842529

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 2

    T H E D I O C E S E O F P R O V I D E N C E

    FROM YOUR
    DIOCESE
    APRIL 2024

    FROM BISHOP RICHARD G. HENNING victim survivors that the children of today also extend beyond the victim survivors
    are safer, but it does not heal the very real to their family and loved ones.
    THE RESPONSE and serious wounds of those who have
    already suffered. I am sorry to say that it is often very
    TO CHILD SEXUAL difficult for clergy victims and their
    ABUSE Child sexual abuse is a betrayal of
    trust and innocence. In most cases,
    families to trust the Church. For
    those who are willing, the Diocese of
    Child sexual abuse poisons all segments perpetrators “groom” their victims, Providence has and does provide, and will
    of society - families, schools, churches, establishing and then breaking trust. continue to provide, financial assistance
    community organizations, and health In a very sinister way, abusers often for psychological support services. For
    and welfare institutions. The Centers manipulate the child into feeling those who wish it, the diocese also offers
    for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 7 complicit in their abuse. When such appropriate pastoral care.
    children in the United States experiences betrayal of trust is combined with the
    some form of childhood sexual abuse or failure of other adults to protect a child, Victim survivors deserve compassionate
    neglect. That number is heartbreaking the wounds inflicted are lifelong. accompaniment. Over my years of
    and cries out for a response. ministry, I have had the opportunity to
    As a Church, we have an obligation to know and share faith with survivors.
    The Catholic Church in the United States respond lovingly to those who suffer so They have been a true blessing to me as
    has experienced terrible revelations of unjustly these sins against their human a priest and as a disciple of the Lord. As I
    sexual abuse by clergy and religious. The dignity and well-being. This begins near the first anniversary of my ministry
    great majority of the allegations have by stating unequivocally that they are here in Providence, those faces and voices
    been characterized as “historical” in that victim survivors and that they bear no are before my heart. Some years ago, the
    they concern sins committed decades responsibility for what was done to Diocese of Providence held a Mass for
    ago. The pain of these sins was magnified them. That sense of guilt and shame is Hope and Healing, a prayerful support
    when some Church leaders failed to an ongoing effect of the evil deeds of the offered by many dioceses. I would like
    respond properly to victim survivors and perpetrator. to make such a Mass an annual event to
    their families. pray with and for survivors, their families,
    In those instances when the perpetrator and their parish communities. During
    In my last column, I addressed the of sexual abuse was a priest or religious, National Child Abuse Prevention Month,
    importance of the prevention of child the survivor’s relationship with God is I have also asked our pastors to include
    sexual abuse, and I outlined some of deeply affected. The sense of betrayal and petitions for healing in the Prayers of the
    the prevention efforts by the Diocese of lost trust might apply to the Church or Faithful.
    Providence. Commitment to prevention even God. Consider how painful a church
    is a critical element of the response to setting or Catholic practices might be In all humility, I ask that we all
    victim survivors, but it is not the whole for a person who has suffered such evil incorporate the spiritual accompaniment
    of the story. Prevention might reassure deeds. The effects of clergy sexual abuse of victim survivors into our own prayer

    READ MORE ONLINE: Scan the QR code or go to provd.io/bulletin

    Diocese of Providence | One Cathedral Square | Providence, Rhode Island | dioceseofprovidence.org


    T H E D I O C E S E O F P R O V I D E N C E

    CONTINUED FROM FRONT SIDE

    practices. I hope that we can express to victim survivors WATCH THE VIDEO
    of sexual abuse in the Church, or in any other setting, our
    reverence for their sacred dignity and our compassionate
    love for them. They are our brothers and sisters. We long for
    them to join us in the communion of the Church. We need
    their witness of resilient faith and healing.

    Would you join me now as you read


    this column by praying this prayer:

    “God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong,


    always present, always just: You gave your only Son to
    save us by the blood of his cross. During April, as we observe Child Abuse Prevention Month,
    Bishop Richard Henning uses his first year as Bishop to explore
    Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own all the ways in which he and the Diocese of Providence uphold
    suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, this sacred duty of ensuring the safety and well-being of children
    and young people across parishes, schools, and ministries
    and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
    throughout Rhode Island, in this new video.
    Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been Watch at provd.io/bulletin or scan the QR code below
    gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them.
    Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken
    spirits with faith.
    Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by
    REPORTING & ASSISTANCE
    your truth.
    The Diocese of Providence urges anyone who has been the
    Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s victim of sexual abuse, or with credible knowledge of such
    wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. abuse, by any member of the Catholic Church, to report
    Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, allegations to the R.I. State Police, local law enforcement,
    to act with justice. the R.I. Attorney General’s Office, and Kevin O’Brien,
    Director, Diocesan Office of Compliance, 401.941.0760,
    Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors.
    kobrien@dpvd.org.
    We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.”
    To seek assistance for victims or family members affected
    by such abuse, please contact Michael Hansen, Director,
    Diocesan Office of Outreach & Prevention, 401.946.0728,
    mhansen@dpvd.org.
    MOST REVEREND RICHARD
    G. HENNING, S.T.D. For more information on the abuse policy of the Diocese
    Bishop of Providence of Providence, please visit: www.dioceseofprovidence.org/
    compliance.

    READ MORE ONLINE: Scan the QR code or go to provd.io/bulletin

    Diocese of Providence | One Cathedral Square | Providence, Rhode Island | dioceseofprovidence.org

    You might also like