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Franciscan at Home

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Lead Kindly Light: Pathways beyond Protection

One evening on the commute home, the encircling gloom[i] seemed heavier as the radio news covered more reports of offences against women and children by celebrities and other public figures in the UK and, in other parts of the world, stories of parents selling their own children into sexual slavery. These high profile cases doubtless serve as markers for a host of everyday situations. How might catechists respond to these, once their initial instinct to pray has been fulfilled?

The Church has spoken against the evils of sexual abuse and Pope Francis has prompted international dialogue on human trafficking.[ii] The reporting channels for suspected endangerment of children and other vulnerable individuals are clearly established within parishes and, it must be clearly affirmed, catechists are teachers rather than trained counsellors. The parish priest and catechist may believe it to be beyond their expertise to be present to and support those who have suffered such crimes. Yet, priests and catechists are there to co-operate with God in the healing work of the Church. After all, is secular psychotherapeutic counselling alone enough, even where available?

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Sam Robson has recently completed the Ecclesiastical Bachelor of Divinity (Ecclesial Service) at the Maryvale Institute and is a parish catechist in the North West of England. 

This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

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