Protecting God's Children

In an ongoing effort to protect children, to provide safe environments for them, the Catholic Church mandates training as well background checks and provides further education and resources for all adults working with children.
 

Click here to register for Protecting God's Children training.

“So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us…” – Ephesians 5:1-2a
 

Dear Friends,

With April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we have the opportunity to embrace the vital truth that our children and young people are a most precious and valued gift in the Church. They are integral members of the Church now, and as they grow and mature, they will shape the future of the Diocese of Columbus and the world. With deep sadness, though, I also acknowledge the fact that millions of children have and are suffering abuse and neglect.

Abuse and neglect are serious problems affecting every segment of our community. Child abuse can have long‐term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that have lasting consequences for its victims. Finding solutions requires input and action from everyone. Prevention remains the best defense for our children and families, and we can prevent abuse and neglect. We can do this by promoting behaviors that increase protective factors in the lives of our children. Protective factors are conditions that reduce or eliminate risk and promote the healthy social, emotional, and developmental well‐being of children.

We have learned that we cannot solve this problem by ourselves. Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created among child welfare professionals, education, health, community, and faith‐based organizations, as well as businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families. As a community, we must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families.

We acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and to promote the social and emotional well‐being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. I ask all of you to join me in recognizing this month and to dedicate ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families.

As we enter this new Easter Season, let us also continue to undertake our efforts to protect our children and young people with that same joy and hope!
 

Most Reverend Robert Brennan
Bishop of Columbus

Laura J. Lewis, M.A., L.P.C.C.-S
866-448-0217
[email protected]
[email protected]