IOWA
Catholic Globe
By Colleen Sulsberger
Protecting the Innocent
In the years since the first Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, there has been much debate about the education of children in abuse prevention and personal safety. The debate looks at whether or not education by the church contributes significantly to the safety, well-being, and spiritual growth of our children. Can education by the church uniquely contribute to the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of our children?
Sexual abuse can have a devastating effect on the spiritual development of children. When abuse occurs in a setting or at the hands of an individual not associated with the church, it often raises questions about God’s love or even God’s existence. If an individual who abuses represents the church, the impact becomes more devastating to children’s spiritual development.
Given the nature of children’s thoughts, it is often difficult for youngsters and even adults to separate the actions of a fallible human being from the message and the institution that they represent. Children need to hear consistent messages that they are deserving of dignity and respect; that God and the church want them to be safe and involved in right relationships; that we want to help them if a relationship isn’t right. Such messages can help children retain their faith in the face of disappointing or even devastating behavior of an adult.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.