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Family Violence
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To each, respond: LORD, BE OUR STRENGTH AND COMPASSION!
Sarah and Abraham in their old age were blessed with a child they deeply cherished, help us cherish children: Lord .....
Saul of Tarsus persecuted and abused the followers of
Jesus, help abusers and the abused be transformed: Lord .....
Peter denied Jesus and fled in fear, give us the courage to protect victims and challenge abusers: Lord .....
Jesus spoke with conviction and challenged authorities. Help
us be prophets bringing justice to the abused: Lord .....
Jesus loved the oppressed and outcast persons. Help us
foster laws that safeguard and respect the abused: Lord .....
The first Christians were abused emotionally and physically,
being cast out of synagogues and shunned by neighbors and
Friends. Give counselors wisdom and understanding hearts to
heal abusers and abused: Lord .....
Mother Theresa saw Christ in the suffering and dying,
and welcomed them with loving care. May the hearts of all
of us be filled with such love: Lord .....
The Bible that Christians hold dear encourages believers to embrace the value and lifestyle of marriage and family. In fact, Christian households are called to embody the ideals that Jesus taught his disciples, so much so that the family is called the "domestic Church". Though they have different roles, the husband and wife are equal partners in the covenant of marriage, and have the primary responsibility in the formation of their children in the ways of faith and life.
The Bible opposes all household violence. When relationships begin to breakdown, and when intolerable situations arise in a marriage and/or family, these same Scriptures encourage a local intervention model that would call upon one's church, pastor and friends. Some might consider when they have familial difficulties that there is an admission of shame or weakness.
The Bible encourages forgiveness and reconciliation at the most local level. However, when the relationship is deteriorating and personal violence is involved, it is not shameful to ask for help that includes confidential counseling that respects privacy. One must take steps to quell the violence, and find a way that leads toward healing and strength.
Domestic violence is a moral wrong. Violence against a partner in marriage, whether physical, sexual, psychological or verbal, in the home or outside the home, can never be justified, abuse can never be tolerated. If and when efforts at reconciliation fall, and the situation in the home grows more dangerous, lethal, criminal or life-threatening, it is imperative that the abused partner seek safe haven in a shelter that has a trained staff who will help the person to discern the next steps toward resolving this difficult dilemma.
By Terry Morneau
Loving God, we gather here today to remember those who are affected by violence and abuse and for whom we are concerned. We come with our requests to you and ask that you hear our prayer. Alone we can do nothing. With your guidance and blessing we can move mountains. Open us to the problems both in our neighborhoods and in the neighborhoods of others.
Ever-living and loving God, you provoke us to the challenge of our time. Keep us constantly aware to the concerns of violence. Inspire each of us to know the urgency of your call to address the many needs that surround us. Give us the fortitude to respond to the tasks before us according to Your will. Be with us today, loving God, comfort us but not protect us from the work that needs to be done.
Let us leave this gathering more concerned about issues of violence and abuse that surround us. We ask You for the strength to share our convictions, the compassion for the abused, the wisdom to plant seeds that encourage people to think and ponder these serious issues. Watch over with care, those who are violated and those who strive to do your work in your name.
Amen.
Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence: rich, poor, young, old, married, single, Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, professional, unemployed, celebrities. Though both women and men can be victims, the vast majority of reported cases are women.
- For women aged 15 to 44, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury.
- There is a domestic homicide every eight days in Michigan.
Today we can break the CODE OF SILENCE when we suffering around us. Pray for the compassion Christ taught us, "love one another as I have loved you." The challenge is to speak out LOUD against any form of violence. We can commit to this action everyday of our lives. There are many forms of violence, which include: domestic violence, gun violence, and abortion. Wherever we see injustice and oppression remember it violates the respect and dignity of every human person and we can do something about it.
No nation on earth, except in the midst of war, has as much violence as the United States. It is in our homes, in our streets and on our televisions.
- The most violent place in America is in our homes. Their partner or ex-partner kills more than 50 percent of the women murdered in the U.S. Millions of children are victims of family violence.
- Between 1979 and 1991, nearly 50,000 American children and teenagers were killed by guns. This figure matches the number of Americans who died in Vietnam.
- The entertainment media often exaggerate and celebrate violence. Children see 8,000 murders and 100,000 other acts of violence on television before they leave elementary school.
- Let us never forget that the violence of abortion has destroyed more than 30 million unborn children since 1972.
Violence in our culture is due to many influences: the disintegration of the family, media, substance abuse, the availability of so many weapons, the rise in gangs and youth violence. (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Confronting a Culture of Violence, 1995)
Violence is a learned behavior and it can be unlearned. Become proactive and make a difference by offering "A FAST FROM VIOLENCE" initiative to your parish community. The violence fast is a 24-hour fast from any form of violence ? verbal, emotional or physical. GOAL: To help people become personally involved in recognizing and reducing violence in their families, communities and world.
REFLECTION: The fast helps us reflect on Jesus' call for all people to be peacemakers.
- Each parish is encouraged to choose a day when they invite all people in the parish to fast from violence.
- It is an ancient tradition of our faith to fast from food to discipline our souls and to give alms to help detach us from material things.
- In the fast from violence, people are invited to turn off violent television, movies, video games, computers and music and plan non-violent alternatives.
- Make plans to take a hike, read to children, play family games or hold a family reunion. Many possibilities can re-energize your creative abilities!
Stand Against ViolenceThe National Catholic Anti-Violence Working Group is pleased to offer you the 8th annual Stand Against Violence materials. More urgently than ever, we see the human cost of a world losing respect for human life. With this set of materials we urge you, once again, to lift up the Church's role in reducing violence in our nation and communities especially between January 15, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and January 22, the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
Recent acts of terrorism, like the attacks on September 11 and the spate of anthrax-laced letters, demonstrate all too clearly the violence of our world. As our nation's leaders search for answers and for those who are responsible, we must rely on the principles of our Christian faith and turn to those whose lives are an example of love, forgiveness and understanding. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s powerful witness of a nonviolent life and a violent death is an appropriate reminder of what is still needed to reconcile the dream of a fully welcoming society. And the dream of a culture of life remains unrealized when each year more than 1.4 million children never see the day of their birth.
This resource packet focuses on important issues confronting the Catholic community:
- The Death Penalty -- in light of the first federal execution in nearly three decades and understandable anger toward those who use terrorism to further their political ideology, our Catholic voices are needed so that we as a society will seek justice, not vengeance.
- Development Aid Reform is an essential component in the international effort to combat extreme poverty and to promote sustainable development. The Catholic Church has played a significant part in convincing our leaders to commit more money and attention to the international debt relief effort.
- Crime and the Catholic Community -- the U.S. Bishops have called on Americans to pray and to deeply examine crime and punishment in our society. We are called to examine the implications of the Church's teaching for crime and punishment, suggest policy directions that are in accordance with Catholic Social Teaching and encourage action to shape new alternatives.
- The Safe Havens Act -- this legislation encourages parents to act responsibly by providing a safe alternative to baby abandonment, in effect saving the life of the newborn. Support of this legislation by the Catholic community is yet another way to uphold our respect for all human life and help reduce the violence of child abuse.
It also includes suggestions for diocesan and parish leaders, excerpts from the Catechism of The Catholic Church, clip art and other helpful resources.
On behalf of the organizations that worked together to offer this packet, I thank you for your efforts to "confront a culture of violence" in our nation and world.
His Eminence
Cardinal Theodore McCarrick
Archbishop of Washington, DC
Chairman: Domestic Policy Committee
Each year this packet of materials provides an opportunity for Catholic parishes and dioceses to Stand Against Violence. When the Bishops first addressed this concern in their 1994 statement, Confronting a Culture of Violence, some thought this language was too harsh. Now having experienced the events of September 11 and their aftermath, no words can adequately express the senseless violence, destruction, and loss of life that will forever be associated with "9/11." Some people for the first time understand what horrific consequences can result from a fundamental lack of respect for human life.
In uncertain times such as these, when we are confronted with threats to our security from those we cannot see or find, we must resist the temptation to simply turn away and hope that it all goes away. If there is to be a less violent world, each one of us will have to do our part to get there. "Peace be with you" must become more than just a traditional prayer. The modest resources in this packet do not provide a recipe for putting an end to the culture of violence but they are useful tools for parents, teachers, parish and diocesan leaders who are looking for ways to involve their families and faith communities in a stand against violence and for a more just and peaceful world.
Lord God,
Your own Son was delivered into the hands of the wicked,
yet he prayed for his persecutors
and overcame hatred with the blood of the cross.
Grant those who stand against violence peace of mind
and a renewed faith in your protection and care.
Protect us all from the violence of others,
keep us safe from the weapons of hate,
and restore to us tranquility and peace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
- Prayer adapted from the
Book of Blessings
Our Catholic faith calls us to reduce violence in our own lives and in the communities in which we live. By examining our own hearts, devoting ourselves to prayer, and actively living our faith we can be peacemakers in a violent world. There is no better place to build peace than through our local parishes, schools and communities. Local churches have played a key role in raising awareness about violence, in healing those who mourn, and in promoting religious tolerance and cultural understanding.
Here are some suggestions for parish or school activities to Stand Against Violence:
- Continue the prayers, outreach, dialogue and advocacy that have begun since September 11, 2001.
- Include bulletin inserts on: a) Catholic Teaching on War and Peace, b) the Death Penalty, c) Criminal Justice Reform, d) Racism, e) Conflict Management, f) Domestic Violence.
- Organize a bus trip to Washington, D.C. for the March for Life on Tuesday, January 22, or participate in local March for Life activities.
- Develop a list of local resources for pregnancy counseling, women and children's shelters as well as groups working for reconciliation or mediation and advocacy. Raise awareness about what is available through Catholic Charities for people in need.
- Plan classes and seminars for youth and adults that teach nonviolent behavior and conflict resolution. If possible, involve the whole family.
- Train parents of the parish to be effective mentors or start an adult/youth or young adult mentoring program to provide young people with good role models.
- If the parish doesn't already have a social justice committee, create one. Make sure young adults and youth feel welcome.
- Participate in churched-based community organizing projects that address root causes of poverty and violence. Many of these organizations are funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
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