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Holy Hour for Victims of Child Abuse, Child Abuse Prevention Month

St Columba Cathedral in Youngstown

PRESS RELEASE

April 12, 2022

MORE INFO:Dominic Colucy, Safe Environment Coordinator, (330) 744-8451, ext. 293; Justin Huyck, Coordinator of Media Relations, (330) 744-8451, jhuyck@youngstowndiocese.org

The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, will preside over a Holy Hour with Benediction for victims of child abuse on April 24, 2022, from 1:00-2:00pm, at St. Columba Cathedral. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Sunday, April 24 is also the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday.

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to address child sexual abuse in the Church in the United States. The Diocese of Youngstown’s Safe Environment Policy continues to implement the Charter through education and screening, including required background checks and safe environment training, compliance with regular audits, and the obligation to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect to the proper civil authorities.

Dominic Colucy, Safe Environment and Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Youngstown, says, “This Holy Hour is a special opportunity for us as a diocese during Child Abuse Prevention Month to pray for the victims of child abuse, the families and communities that are traumatized by the rippling effects of abuse, and for healing in our Church and in our world.”

Diocesan safe environment policies and procedures can be found at doy.org/safe-environment/ or by contacting the Safe Environment Office at (330) 744-8451, ext. 293. The diocese also maintains a confidential response line for victim’s assistance or to report abuse: (330) 718-1388.

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