“The Church experienced great sorrow and great failures when it came to abuse by clergy of young people,” Bishop Barry C. Knestout said during the Mass for the Protection of Children and Families on April 4 at the Pastoral Center in Richmond.
“Each year we revisit that tragedy and those circumstances with a renewed commitment, a desire to overcome that – and make sure that all the work of the Church and its missions are carried out with fidelity, with strength, with authenticity, and with care for all those who are vulnerable, and those who are in need,” the bishop said during his homily.
The Mass, which was livestreamed by the diocese, was in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month, part of a nationwide effort each April to advance a deeper awareness of the impact of child abuse, and to work for prevention.
Bishop Knestout is also the chairman-elect of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People.
“He is so committed to protecting children,” said Karen Loper, Victim Assistance Coordinator and Safe Environment Coordinator for the diocesan Office of Safe Environment. “His heart is right there with victims.”
“We join our parishes and schools throughout the diocese to pray for the eradication of child abuse in all its heinous forms, and to pray for and support survivors of abuse,” Loper said.
As Victim Assistance Coordinator, Loper serves as a liaison to advocate for survivors of clergy abuse, and provides counseling and other support services. “The diocese is committed to supporting survivors of clergy abuse on their journeys to healing and wholeness,” she said.
The Office of Safe Environment focuses on both victim assistance and prevention across the diocese. The Safe Environment program provides child-protection training for adults and children, and conducts background screenings for all adult volunteers, employees, and clergy, in compliance with the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
The office has trained thousands of people in child protection, said Loper, putting practices in place to safeguard children.
Loper says the Office of Safe Environment partners each year with organizations that support young families. This year, the office is partnering with Commonwealth Catholic Charities, focusing in particular on its counseling, adoption and foster care programs.
Efforts continue throughout the year, with Bishop Knestout planning to celebrate another Mass for Hope and Healing in October. Masses for Hope and Healing were celebrated in each of the three vicariates last year across the diocese.
Bishop Knestout said during his homily that while it was difficult at the time, the Church is grateful for all the victims who were persistent in speaking up, as well as the culture that helped bring the scourge of abuse by clergy to light.
“The commitment the Church has made in response to that” was needed, said the bishop, “in order that we might overcome the sins and the tragedies of the past and be able to move forward in a way that is committed to life and love – an authentic life in love for all God’s people.”
Links:
Livestream of Mass for the Protection of Children and Families