We are hearing so much about this these days for the immediate response and condemnation from each and every one of us.
Pope Francis says “. . . we must always say ‘no’ to violence in the home.”
Recently the Bishops of Victoria, through Catholic Social Services www.css.org.au/domestic-violence have put out a Resource Kit with informative material in prayers and statistics and online counselling details.
It was also encouraging to note the list of Religious Orders and Communities who were also involved in the publication.
The Bishops of the four dioceses of Victoria have voiced and each signed the statement condemning violence in the home. The first two paragraphs I have printed here:
We, the Catholic Bishops of Victoria, condemn domestic violence in the strongest possible terms, and call on parishes, church organisations and people of faith to play a part in its elimination.
Domestic violence is a crisis in Australia – each week a woman dies at the hands of her partner or ex-partner. It is estimated that one in four children experience the fear and distress of witnessing their mother being abused.
They say that the statement is addressed to:
- Victims of violence who may need the Church’s help to break out of their situation
- Priests, pastoral associates, and parishioners, and teachers, who may be the first point of contact for adults and children who are victims of domestic violence, and
- Men who abuse and may not know how to break out of the cycle of violence.
I am sure you are shocked to know that a woman dies each week at the hands of her partner or ex partner.
We are so conscious of the carnage on our roads or even wars yet this has been going on without any response from us, from society.
The more I think about this the more I realise that there are women and children who are suffering in some form – bullying, neglect, taken for granted, financial control, physical threats, life threats, bashings, manipulation and intimidation in all varying degrees.
The Bishops are calling on parishes, the whole Catholic community, and the broader community to do what we can to bring about very positive changes within the Victorian community.
We need to be part of this change in our society.
Fr Michael Morley
