When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence...

Excerpts from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 1992, 2002
 
“As pastors of the Catholic Church in the United States, we state as clearly and strongly as we can that violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified.  Violence in any form ‘---physical, sexual, psychological or verbal’ ---is sinful; often, it is a crime as well.  We have called for a moral revolution to replace a culture of violence.  We acknowledge that violence has many forms, many causes, and many victims---men as well as women. (1)
 
The Catholic Church teaches that violence against another person in any form fails to treat that person as someone worthy of love.  Instead, it treats the person as an object to be used.  When violence occurs within a sacramental marriage, the abused spouse may question, “How do these violent acts relate to my promise to take my spouse for better or for worse?”  The person being assaulted needs to know that acting to end the abuse does not violate the marriage promises. (2)
 
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops condemns the use of the Bible to support abusive behavior in any form.  A correct reading of Scripture leads people to an understanding of the equal dignity of men and women to relationships based on mutuality and love. They clearly emphasize that no person is expected to stay in an abusive marriage.  Violence and abuse, not divorce, can break up a marriage.” (3)
 
For the Complete Statement, Visit: USCCB.org
 
FOOTNOTES:
(1) Confronting a Culture of Violence: A Catholic Framework for Action. A Pastoral Message of the U.S. Catholic Bishops (Washington, DC: USCCB, 1994; Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (LEV-USCCB, 2004), nos. 81, 488 and 494-496; and Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States with Introductory Note (Washington, CD: USCCB 2015), nos. 84 and 92
(2) See Pope John Paul II, Encyclical letter ‘The Gospel of Life’ (Washington, CD, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1995), nos. 2, 23, and 99
(3)(3) Pope John Paul II, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women (Mulieris Dignitatem), no. 15.
 
If you or someone you know is being abused, seek help today. In an emergency, please dial 911. For all other help, please call:  Illinois Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline 877-TO END DV or 877-863-6338 ; 877-863-6339 (TTY) WINGS Program, Inc. 24-hour hotline 847-221-5680.
 
Brought to you by the St. Hubert Domestic Violence Outreach Ministry