For the Church, that seminarians be taught about how to recognize Domestic Violence and respond. That clergy and pastoral staff read and integrate the USCCB’s pastoral statement, When I Call for Help, into their work from the pulpit and in our Catholic schools.
For the leaders, that they address a government-wide, comprehensive strategy to expand helplines and access to services for survivors; fund shelters and other safe accommodations; modify the family law and justice systems to ensure protection of survivors in challenging situations.
For our faith community, that we: RECOGNIZE abusive behavior; both physical and psychological; RESPOND appropriately by being supportive, sympathetic and non-judgmental, but not acting as a counselor or rescuer; and REFER victims to someone qualified to help them act safely by giving them the telephone number for the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.SAFE (7233) or a local domestic violence agency.
For those gathered today at the Mass, that we understand that we may be God’s answer to someone’s search for help.
For Domestic Violence survivors in our midst, we pray that they may seek God’s wisdom and strength to take the next step to experiencing peace.
In an emergency, dial 911 or call the National Domestic Violence 24-Hour Hotline at 800-799-7233.