Tuesday 9th May 2023 marks the Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse. This is observed on the Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter in England and Wales.
This annual Day of Prayer was initiated by Pope Francis. In this country it now takes place in this season of hope and new life.
In March 2023, the Pope's Prayer Intention is for victims of abuse. Pope Francis prays for victims of abuse, and says the Church must serve as a model of safeguarding and must offer safe spaces for victims.
The Isaiah Journey, a working group of the Bishops’ Conference that has grown out of the need for a pastoral-spiritual response to the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse in the Church, has prepared a range of resources for prayer, action and reflection for use throughout the year which are launched on the day of prayer, including:
- A Guide for Survivors of Abuse, a leaflet which explains how the Church will support and respond to survivors of abuse
- A Listening Guide that seeks to support an active listening to the truth of the wound of abuse, the devastating effects on individuals, families, communities, and humbly to be part of the journey towards healing. This guide offers support in the space of pastoral care, theologically rooted in the Gospel imperative that we, as baptized persons, are called to live together as members of Christ’s Body.
- Serenity Prayer: Personal Reflection
- Exploring Landscapes
- Intercessions
- A Way in the Wilderness: Praying with a Labyrinth
- Let's Journey Together: A week of of online Guided Prayer for all who have been affected by clerical abuse in the Catholic Church
- The Truth Will Make You Free: A safeguarding guide for participants in weeks of accompanied prayer
Additional information and resources for the Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse are also available on the Bishops' Conference website.
Image: Mazur/CBCEW.org.uk
