The Archdiocese of Atlanta has raised awareness on domestic abuse in observation of the Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Oct. 6, the Archdiocese of Atlanta addressed concerns on domestic violence as October was proclaimed as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The archdiocese said that many people do not know some of the church's teaching on domestic violence.

The Atlanta archdiocese has also expressed concerns as some mistakenly believed that they must stay in an abusive situation.

'When Love Means Leaving'

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Atlanta also shared a podcast about domestic abuse and the Catholic response.

It stated on its website that the podcast titled "Made for Love Episode 4: When Love Means Leaving " tackled the domestic violence that is a "tragic reality" in some families.

It also stated that bishops have issued a statement on domestic violence over 20 years ago, "When I call for Help." However, many people do not know what the church says about it, it added.

In Episode 4 of the podcast, church members Denise, Kathy Bonner, Fr. Chuck Dahm, OP, and the founder of Catholics for Family Peace, Sharon O'Brien, will discuss.

Those interested in listening to the podcast and viewing useful sources on domestic abuse may visit the Archdiocese of Atlanta's Facebook post.

Call for Help

In a statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States underscored that violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified.

The Catholic bishops underscored that violence in any form of physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal is considered a sinful act. They added that, often, it is a crime as well.

The pastors have encouraged the public for a moral revolution to replace a culture of violence.

They also acknowledged that violence has many forms, causes, and victims—men and women.

According to the statement, the Catholic Church teaches that any violence towards another person deprives that person of being treated worthy of love.

The Catholic bishops said that instead, the individual is treated as a tool to be used.

When a sacramental marriage is violated, the pastors asked the abused spouse the question on "how do these violent acts relate to the vows to take the spouse for better or worse?"

The statement read that the individual being assaulted must understand that intervening to stop the violence does not breach the marriage vows.

While violence can be directed at men, it disproportionately affects women and children, it added.

In 1992, the bishops issued a statement condemning domestic abuse.

They urged the Christian community to fight back vehemently, according to the statement.

Since then, the pastors emphasized that domestic abuse has become a priority concern for many dioceses, parishes, and organizations. These initiatives are commended and encouraged by the pastors.

The bishops also recounted their recommendation to make the church's resources available to battered women and abusive males. Both groups require Jesus' healing and power.

They also concentrate on violence against women since women account for 85 percent of reported occurrences of non-lethal domestic violence.

The US Catholic bishops added that women's most significant risk of violence comes from their current or former husbands or boyfriend.

 

 

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