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Bishop Johnston Leading the Way in Church's Commitment to Preventing Abuse, Helping Victims Heal

By Dia Wall
KSHB
November 12, 2015

http://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/bishop-johnston-leading-the-way-in-churchs-commitment-to-preventing-abuse-and-helping-victims-heal

One week after his installation, Bishop James Johnston presided over a healing service for those impacted by sexual abuse.

It's one of six services supported by the Office of Child and Youth Protection.

"He took away my formidable years of creativity, he took away any chance I had of a normal life, what it does to you, you can't explain it but you feel guilt and shame," Kopp said.

The Catholic Church, though, is reaffirming its commitment to preventing abuse and coming to the aid of victims. In 2011, the Office of Child and Youth Protection was created after the Shawn Ratigan scandal.

Last month, the office released its annual report.

View the annual report from the Office of Child and Youth Protection.

Training is now required for all employees and volunteers within the diocese. It's called VIRTUS, or "Protecting God's Children."

Facilitator Dan Grelinger tells us reaction is, "Almost 100 percent where people say I learned so much, I'm glad I came and there's stuff I can take back with me." This is a personal mission for him. "I have a family member who had been sexually abused and I understand what that can do to an individual and how long that can affect them and how bad that can be."

For more information on the Protecting God's Children Workshop, click here.

Johnston said the healing services have a dual purpose.

"I think people to hear the sorrow and they need to hear repentance," said Johnston.

Next, the purpose is to gain direction on how to take back what was lost. "How to find healing, the healing that God can bring and it's great, it's a gift and it's there for the taking."

Details on future healing services for those impacted by sexual abuse are listed here.

Kopp says he's impressed and by the recent steps the church has taken.

"The church is finally taking a hold of this by the reins and is really reacting and being proactive about this," he said. "They want to prove to the victims and to the parishioners and to everybody else that this can be under control."

 

 

 

 

 




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