ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ URGES PRAYERS FOR ABUSE VICTIMS AND NEW EFFORTS TO PURIFY THE CHURCH
August 15, 2018  |  By:   |  Archbishop Gomez, Press Releases, The Latest  |  

In his homily today for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Archbishop José H. Gomez addressed the recent scandals in the Church concerning the abuse of children by Catholic clergy.

Archbishop Gomez urged prayers for abuse victims and new efforts to purify the Church: “As we gather to pray today, we are aware that this is a sad and confusing time for the Church in this country. In recent days and weeks, we have heard new revelations about sin and abuse in the Church. This is a time now for prayer and repentance and a time for examining our conscience, especially for those of us who are bishops and priests. And all of us need to pray for every person who has been hurt by the Church, and we need to work to help them heal. Let us ask the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, the Mother of the Church. May she help us to have the courage we need to purify the Church and renew our love for holiness and our devotion to Jesus Christ and his Gospel.”   

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles continues our longstanding commitment to the support and healing of victim-survivors of abuse and reaffirms our commitment to protect our children and young people from harm. Since 2004, the Office of Safeguard the Children of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has trained more than 329,000 adults in the VIRTUS® child abuse prevention adult awareness programs and more than 1.4 million children and young people in the children’s program.  More than 168,000 adults have been fingerprinted as part of a program of background checks for Church and school personnel and volunteers.  

The Office of Victims Assistance Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has also worked to create a safe and compassionate environment for victims to come forward while ensuring that civil authorities are notified, and victims are provided with counseling and other assistance in the healing process. The Victims Assistance Ministry serves to help victim-survivors who have been victims of sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, or individual representing the Catholic Church.

For more information on the Archdiocese’s policies and protocols concerning abuse prevention and the protection of children and young people, visit www.la-archdiocese.org/org/protecting/Pages/default.aspx.

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