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By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence places the highest priority on protecting children and minors. For more than 20 years, members of the Diocesan Advisory Board for the Protection of Children and Young People have served in an advisory capacity, aiding the bishop in this crucial work. (Photos: RI Catholic/Diocese of Providence)

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. It began when a report about abused and neglected children caught the attention of President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Sadly, since that first Child Abuse Prevention Month, the number of abused victims has grown from half a million children to over six million new reports of abuse along with 1600 child abuse related deaths annually. One is too many. Each year, Blue Sunday Abuse Prevention offers a day of prayer on the last Sunday of April. Learn more... (Image courtesy of bluesunday.org)

Child sexual abuse poisons all segments of society - families, schools, churches, community organizations, and health and welfare institutions. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 7 children in the United States experiences some form of childhood sexual abuse or neglect. That number is heartbreaking and cries out for a response.

"God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, ..." (Photo: George Martell)

Amid turmoil and trials, pain and suffering, war and violence, poverty and disease, our world needs a reminder of the hope of the Resurrection, which we just celebrated with exultant joy this Easter. This is especially true during April, which is child abuse prevention month. There’s no avoiding the painful reality that reports about child sex abuse within schools, families, and churches are reminders of past failures to protect young people. They are occasions of great pain and suffering that call for justice and healing.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. As we raise awareness around the protection of young people, I would like to share with you my own experiences both here in the Diocese of Providence and in the wider Church. You may already be familiar with some or all of what I will say, but the importance of this topic bears repeating, and I invite your response and active participation as the People of God.

Pray a rosary to Our Lady with special intentions for victims/survivors of abuse and the defense of the vulnerable... (Photo: Diocese of Providence)

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - PROVIDENCE — Children are a gift to be treasured and cared for, treated with dignity and raised morally. Unfortunately, the reality is that far too many children around the world suffer abuse every year. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Catholic Church recognizes this terrible threat to the children of God.

Spend time with the Lord during 9 days in April to pray for the protection and healing of God's little ones... (Photo: eCatholic)

Every April, child and youth serving organizations, including Catholic Dioceses, participate in Child Abuse Prevention Month to highlight the importance of protecting minors. Learn more. (Photo: RI Catholic)

“The Diocese has had and will continue to have strong policies and procedures in place to make sure that our kids are as safe as possible when participating in parish, school or diocesan activities,” said Kevin O’Brien, the director of the Office of Compliance for the Diocese of Providence.

Statement from the Diocese of Providence on Arrest of John Petrocelli

In May 2019, Pope Francis released his apostolic letter, Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”) to address the issue of sexual abuse and bishop accountability in the global Catholic Church.

Statement of Bishop Tobin on the Current Discussion Concerning Sexual Abuse of Minors and Abortion

The Diocese of Providence has been found compliant with all audited articles within the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for the 2018/2019 audit period.

In continuing its commitment to provide safe environments for children and young people and strengthen its long-standing cooperation with civil authorities, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has voluntarily agreed to a review of clergy files by the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General and the Rhode Island State Police.

On Monday, July 1, the Diocese of Providence publicly released the names of clergy credibly accused...

The recently-concluded 2019 legislative session in Rhode Island was a mixed bag for religiously-informed voters, notably in the passage...