Bishop's Statement: Child Abuse Prevention Month 2008
Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska
1316 Peger Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Bishop's Office
3 April 2008
1316 Peger Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Bishop's Office
3 April 2008
My Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I send you my prayers and best wishes this Easter Season.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Madeline C. Nance, who directs the diocese's Children and Family Life Center, has sent informative literature and handouts to your parishes in conjunction with the event. Please take time to read them.
This month also gives me an opportunity to once again express my deepest regret over anyone who has suffered abuse at the hands of a church worker or volunteer; indeed, my heart goes out to anyone who has suffered abuse of any kind. The promotion of Child Abuse Prevention Month is just one of many ways we strive to make our parishes, rectories and schools safer, holier places.
Let me speak for a moment about the issue of healing. While our diocese moves through reorganization as a means of satisfying claims made against it, we recognize it is not a pastoral resolution to those harmed in the past. Nor are those who have stepped forward the only ones to suffer. Family, friends, whole communities feel the emotional weight of these past abuses. It is to this circle of the damaged, the whole Church in truth, I pledge my commitment to healing.
I believe true healing will only come about when we can reach out to the suffering, to one another, with Christ's love and we as Church can demonstrate an unswerving desire to prevent future harm. I ask you to include special prayers of intercession at your Masses. Pray not just for those who have been harmed but for children today, that they may never suffer abuse of any kind, verbally, physically, sexually.
Easter celebrates new life. Our children, as they have always been, are our future. Join me this month and always in nurturing them in love as God's people. In so doing, we help bring about Christ's kingdom on earth.
Thank you and God bless us all.
Bishop Don Kettler
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