What are you passionate about? What cause do you find extremely important in the life of the Roman Catholic Church? Is it the defense of life, especially vulnerable life in a woman’s womb? Is it healthcare and the right we all have to it? Is it immigration and the unfair treatment of our brothers and sisters looking for a better life? Is it peace in the world and an end to all violence?
What about the protection of God’s children? Are you passionate about ensuring the safety of the children in our parishes and schools? April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a month set aside to reflect on the vulnerability of the children entrusted into our care and to think about what we can do to protect them. What can you do to promote the protection of our children?
Accounts of abuse of minors by clergy have been reported in the media in recent weeks. A sick priest sexually molested nearly 200 deaf children in Wisconsin 20 years ago. The Church is dealing with multiple reports of abuse in Ireland, Germany, Norway, Belgium and Canada.
The Most Reverend Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, in a recent address to national Safe Environment Directors, called for a paradigm shift. He suggests that dioceses move from “safe environments” to “faith environments.” He said, “Our efforts to right the wrong of sexual abuse and to protect the life and dignity of our children are not just about safety, but about our faith.” As a Church, Archbishop Aymond continues, we respond to those suffering the pain of abuse; we protect children and youth; we promote right relationships within the Gospel message of Jesus. Can you make that your passion?
While sexual abuse affects every sector of society, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) confirms that the comprehensive protection efforts of the United States Catholic dioceses are working. These measures have led to a sharp decline in abuse claims, with a nationwide total of six abuse claims last year involving children who were under the age of 18 when the abuse was reported. These are welcome trends at the same time that we acknowledge that even one instance of abuse is too many.
What are we doing in the Diocese of Camden? Every adult in contact with children is required to be background checked and cleared by the diocese. Every adult is required to attend a safe environment program—CAP 1, an introduction to child abuse awareness or CAP 2, a session on bullying awareness and prevention. All priests in active ministry attended CAP and recently were retrained with a program on adult ministerial boundaries. Every parish annually implements Child Lures Prevention: Think First & Stay Safe, a faith-based program teaching children to protect themselves against predators. All elementary schools have a session from CAP to keep our children safe and aware.
Given the Gospel mandate that we protect our children, together we faithful of the Diocese of Camden will continue to work passionately as one to ensure that those who have been harmed in any way receive the care and healing they deserve and that our children are protected and safe.
Rod J. Herrera is director, Office of Safe Environment for Children, Youth and Adults, Diocese of Camden.
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