Prayer Day for Abuse Victims Set

By Rowena Orejana
NZ Catholic
December 16, 2016

https://www.nzcatholic.org.nz/2016/12/16/prayer-day-abuse-victims-set/

New Zealand’s Catholic bishops have designated the first Friday of Lent next year as a day of prayer and penance for victims of abuse and violence in New Zealand.

In 2017, this day will fall on March 3, the Friday after Ash Wednesday.

The president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, Bishop Patrick Dunn, said New Zealand has an alarmingly high incidence of domestic violence. This day would acknowledge the impact of such abuse and violence, both by members of the Church family, but also everywhere it occurs throughout New Zealand.

NZ Catholic understands it is likely the first Friday of Lent will become a permanent day of prayer on this topic.

Bishop Dunn said Catholics often undertake devotions like the Stations of the Cross during Fridays in Lent, so the bishops’ conference thought that a Friday in Lent would be suitable.