I share with you below extracts from my presentation on Domestic Violence at a public forum in Guyana during the recent meeting of AEC Episcopal Members of the AEC Justice and Peace Commission and Diocesan representatives of Justice and Peace groups from across the AEC region. FULL PRESENTATION
Domestic Violence is NOT part of God’s plan for us, His children. The challenge for Catholics, particularly during the Year of Faith, is to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us so that we can be true witnesses to our faith and promote integral human development of all our people. We are called to defend and promote the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person – made in God’s image and likeness.
Domestic Violence is an all pervasive social problem that affects all strata of society and all ethnic groups in our societies. It has health, social and economic consequences for the entire society. Although some men are victims of domestic violence, it is mainly women who bear the brunt of this crime. It is estimated that worldwide at least 2 million women are assaulted by their partners each year. Domestic violence can take various forms: physical, sexual, psychological, emotional and economic.
On May 2, 2013, a headline in the Trinidad Express read: “Children to testify: Father charged with setting mom on fire.” The report stated that in March last year a 31-year-old man doused his 27-year-old wife with a flammable liquid and set her alight. She was burnt on her face, neck, chest and hands and has also suffered internal injuries. She was a patient at the Intensive Care and Burns Unit in San Fernando General Hospital.
Read Dominican priest Fr Charles W Dahm’s article, Parishes: Let’s stop ignoring domestic violence. Inter alia, he said: “It’s time for parishes to help battered spouses and their children step out of the shadows and get the assistance they need.”
In their pastoral letter on domestic violence, When I Call for Help (1992/2002), the US Catholic bishops “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”. And they draw an important conclusion: “We emphasise that no person is expected to stay in an abusive marriage…”
This results in stronger erections for the more times.Tadalis medicine side effects is noted for 36 hours because its active constituent, Tadalafil, is being utilized only 10% tadalafil soft tablets during every sexual activity. Kamagra oral jelly would be the convenient approach to Take Treatment The online presence of many drugstores has offered a cialis 5mg generika great opportunity to avail the treatment. Reproduction system also gets stimulation from these capsules and thus the troubles do not come back again and again in future rather permanent recovery can be gained. browse my drugshop levitra generic cialis So before employing any pill check out address now online viagra store you must cross check its credibility and effectiveness. “Although the bishops have urged all clergy and lay ministers to reach out to victims of domestic violence, Catholic parishes and institutions have largely ignored that call. Rarely is domestic violence mentioned in a homily, let alone addressed as the main topic… Domestic violence happens in every parish, community, and economic class, and in every ethnic group…And in times of economic or family crisis, the incidence of domestic violence increases.”
Our work to eliminate this evil must be underpinned by prayer. CCSJ has recently appointed three Parish Link Coordinators who are available to work with you to develop programmes at parish level to address the root causes of domestic violence. At a national level, we need to advocate for better services, e.g. counselling facilities, doctors, nurses, and social workers.
The Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development stated recently that her Ministry will be initiating a National Parenting Programme soon. The Family Life Commission is making a sterling contribution with its Commonsense Parenting Programme. We have a duty to assist parents, e.g. by socialising children in such a way that they learn to love and respect themselves and others. There is a need for an increased coordinated response between Government and non-State agencies in addressing domestic violence to provide victim(s) safety – including children, rehabilitation of both abuser and victim, tracking, networking, and supportive infrastructure.
Catholic schools/CREDI, plus First Communion and Confirmation classes, must address this issue. Many of our children who come from homes in which domestic violence is rampant suffer in silence and need support. CCSJ will continue to lobby/work with those in authority to promote effective coordination of domestic violence prevention and response. For example, there must be an analysis of legislation/State protection/structures in place to address domestic violence to determine their effectiveness and an improvement of our criminal justice system to address this scourge. Too often protection orders are breached – at times with fatal consequences.
Media advocacy (including Catholic Media) aimed at eliminating domestic violence is important. As UNICEF states, the media “play a pivotal role in both influencing and changing social norms, attitudes and behaviour.”
Let us pray that God will inspire us to build right relationships at all levels in our society.
