9 Days For Life Novena: Day 3: For All Who Have Experienced Sexual Abuse

 

DAY THREE: January 16, 2019 ‌ ‌ If you or someone you know has been abused by a member of the clergy, please report the abuse to law enforcement. You may also contact your local Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator (www.bit.ly/va-coordinators).   Intercession May all who have experienced sexual abuse receive justice, healing, and God’s peace.  Prayers Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be Reflection Recent reports have once again exposed the terrible abuses that many have suffered at the hands of a member of the Catholic clergy. Our hearts ache for the grave harm that has been inflicted on our brothers and sisters. Words alone cannot express our sorrow, shame and disappointment that such affronts to human dignity have been carried out within our Church.  It is our prayer and hope that all who have experienced abuse will find the healing and justice they so rightly deserve, knowing that they are never alone. For, “only by confronting our own failure in the face of crimes against those we are charged to protect can the Church resurrect a culture of life where the culture of death has prevailed” (President of U.S. Bishops’ Conference Response to Pope Francis’s Letter to the People of God, 2018). Acts of Reparation (Choose one.)  Fast from one meal today. Seek the intercession of Our Lady by praying a Rosary for Healing and Protection (www.bit.ly/rosary-for-healing-and-protection). Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention. One Step Further In 2002, the crime and sin of child sexual abuse in the Church was brought out in the open for all to see. While there is still much more to be done, over the past 16 years, the Church has worked to provide healing for victims and survivors and to prevent future abuse through the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. To learn more about preventing abuse, read this article: “Protecting Children” (www.bit.ly/10-tips-child-protection).  Subscribe ‌ ‌ Visit our website Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Our Lady of Guadalupe mosaic: Decorates a side altar in the Church of Santa Maria della Famiglia at the Vatican. Dec. 15. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)