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Florida Catholic May 1-7, 2020
YOUR VENICE COMMUNITY
PRAYERS FOR HEALING IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH
BOB REDDY
of the Florida Catholic staff
VENICE For the first 12 years of his Episcopacy, Bishop Frank J. De- wane had celebrated public Masses in April to allow people to come together for the prayer intentions of all victims of child abuse and for the victims of child abuse and par- ticularly for the victims of abuse by clergy. We were unable to publicly do that this year, so we do it virtually through a livestream," said Bishop Dewane at the beginning of a Mass April 21, 2020, which was streamed live on the Diocese of Venice Face- book page and can be viewed there at any time. Bishop Dewane stressed that the focus in the Church must be on the victims who have suffered a violation of trust. "Victims who come forward - they address you; they address me; they address Holy Mother Church - and they don't feel their testimony is believed or that it is accepted. Healing for the victims of sexual abuse can only take place when they know that they have been heard and action taken." Progress has been made in the United States, and around the world, in how the Catholic Church responds to allegations of abuse through Safe Environment pro- grams and how abuse cases are handled at the Diocesan level, Bishop Dewane said. In the Dio- cese of Venice there are established protocols that come into effect if/ when a victim comes forward. This process ensures that the victim is treated with compassion, that the case is heard, and appropriate ac- tion is taken. Bishop Dewane also explained the role of the Review Board, an advisory committee, whose sole focus is to address abuse allega- tions, comprised primarily of la- ity who are a body of experts that can be called upon immediately to respond. A key part of this effort is the Victims Assistance Coordina- tor, someone that anyone within the Diocese can call and report an incident of abuse and the Coordina- tor will set about then to investigate and to advise the Diocese. This per- son can talk to the victim and works with the Review Board so that vic- tim feels that he/she has been heard in regard to the abuse that occurred to them. In the wake of the past few years of national scandal, the Vic- tims Assistance Coordinator has been given more authority to pur- sue investigations. The Diocesan response to allega- tion of abuse functions within the legal jurisdictions of the local com- munities, Bishop Dewane added. For example, the Department of Children and Families is immedi- ately notified if a case involves a mi- nor in the state of Florida. Bishop Dewane concluded by calling upon everyone to work to- gether to stamp out sexual abuse, help to protect children, as well as pledge to listen to and help heal those who come forward. We have to listen, to believe and to set about to investigate. We must be vigilant. If we see something, tell someone." The Mass was held during April, which is Child Abuse Awareness Prevention Month, which in 1983 was established by the U.S. Con- gress. In keeping with continued efforts to nationally promote the awareness of child abuse and ne- glect, the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection of the U.S. Confer- ence of Catholic Bishops joined in promoting this effort. The Diocese of Venice is com- mitted to providing a comprehen- sive program in an effort to protect the most vulnerable from all types of abuse. In addition to the Masses, each year the Diocese of Venice conducts Safe Environment Pro- gram training sessions for thou- sands, including clergy, religious and laity who work or volunteer in the Diocese. The mission of the Safe Environ- ment Program is to provide educa- tion for all employees (clergy, reli- gious and laity), those volunteers and others regularly involved with minors, and parents, about the is- sue of abuse of children, including the detection, prevention and re- porting of child abuse. In addition, the Safe Environment Program has
PRAYER FOR HEALING VICTIMS OF ABUSE
During April, the Secretariat of the USCCB encourages the faithful to recite the "Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse." God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just: You gave your only Son to save us by his blood on the cross. Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suf- fering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth. Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people's wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Courtesy of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
UNA ORACIN DE SANACIN VCTIMAS DE ABUSO
Dios del amor infinito, Siempre presente, siempre justo; T nos cuidas y nos proteges Y nos diste a tu nico Hijo Para salvarnos con su sangre en la cruz. Jess manso, pastor de la paz, Dgnate unir a tu propio sufrimiento El dolor de todos los que han sido heridos De cuerpo, mente y espritu Por parte de aquellos que traicionaron la confianza puesta en ellos. Escucha el clamor de nuestros hermanos y hermanas Que han sido lastimados gravemente, As como el clamor de aquellos que los aman. Dales la esperanza que mitigue el desosiego de sus corazones, Dales la fe que calme sus espritus perturbados. Concdeles justicia para su causa, Ilumnalos con tu verdad. Espritu Santo, consolador de corazones, Cura las heridas de tus hijos e hijas Y devuelve la integridad a lo que ha sido quebrantado. Concdenos el valor y la sabidura, La humildad y la gracia, para actuar con justicia. Sopla tu sabidura en nuestras ora- ciones y empeos. Que todos los que han sido heridos por el abuso encuentren paz y justicia. Te lo pedimos por Cristo, nuestro Seor. Amn.
Mass remembers victims of child abuse
STAFF REPORT
VENICE When Bishop Frank J. Dewane had announced the Dio- cese of Venice would celebrate a Year of St. Joseph" from March 19, 2020 to March 19, 2021, resources were promised to help properly honor and celebrate this saint. On the Diocesan website - www. dioceseofvenice.org - is a "A Year of St. Joseph" link that offers informa- tion on the Patron Saint of the Uni- versal Catholic Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travel- ers and immigrants, among others. There visitors will find a "Litany of St. Joseph," "Prayer to St. Joseph fol- lowing the Rosary," and "Who is St. Joseph." One link, "Plan and Future Visit," leads to a page with infor- mation about the many Diocesan locations named after St. Joseph and encourages the faithful to visit these sites when it is safe to do so following the lifting of the pandem- ic restrictions. As the "Year of St. Joseph" con- tinues, additional resources will be placed on this page, so everyone is encouraged to come back and visit often. This "Year of St. Joseph" coin- cides to commemorate the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being solemnly declared Patron of the Catholic Church by Pope Pius IX in his decree Quemadmodum Deus .
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Year of St. Joseph resources offered online
Bishop Frank J. Dewane speaks during an April 21, 2020, Mass celebrated to remember the victims of sexual abuse of minors, from the Catholic Center in Venice. (COURTESY) St. Joseph
The Diocese of Venice in Florida encourages the faithful to join the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bish- ops for a live stream of the Re-Con- secration of our nation to the Pro- tection of the Blessed Mother un- der the title of Mary, Mother of the Church. This will give the Church the occasion to pray for Our Lady's continued protection of the vul- nerable, healing of the unwell, and wisdom for those who work to cure this terrible virus. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops will also consecrate the Nation of Cana- da the same day. The live stream will take place at 3 p.m., May 1, 2020, on Facebook @USCCB, and will also be shared on the Diocese of Venice Facebook Page. Prayer resources are avail- able at www.dioceseofvenice.org. a component which includes train- ing sessions for children and young people in Catholic schools. The Diocese annually under- goes a comprehensive audit by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat of Child and Youth Pro- tection to ensure that the Diocese of Venice is in compliance with cur- rent directives.
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For more detailed information about what the Diocese of Venice does to prevent abuse or where the nearest Safe Environment classes are being held, visit www. dioceseofvenice.org/safeenviron ment
USCCB to lead country in prayer for reconsecration to Mary
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