Sussex Catholics launch domestic abuse awareness initiative

Bishop Kieran

Catholics in Sussex including clergy gathered together yesterday (19 October) at Cardinal Newman Catholic School to discuss the issue of Domestic Abuse. The evening was led by Katherine Bergin, Marriage and Family Life Adviser and Philip Wright, Safeguarding Officer for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton which covers Sussex and Surrey. They were joined by speakers from the Police, the Women's Refuge organisation RISE, and Citizens Advice Bureau.

The Catholic Church in England and Wales has recently taken some very positive steps to raise awareness of the reality of Domestic Abuse. The Church recognises that this is an issue that Catholics might rather ignore, but actually need to grapple with. Late last year a web-based resource, CEDAR (Catholics Experiencing Domestic Abuse Resources) was launched. Now in Arundel & Brighton Diocese, the Marriage and Family Life and Safeguarding teams are working together to promote good practice and awareness. This was the second 'launch' event to take place in the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton and the first in Sussex.

Katherine Bergin, the Marriage and Family Life Adviser for the diocese said: "Tonight was the beginning of a process of opening the eyes and ears of Catholics to the issue of domestic abuse which is happening in our own congregations. The role of the Church, however, is not to solve the problem, but to be a listening and supportive body that can direct those affected to the help that is already available in the local community."

In the experience of Philip Wright, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer from his time as a Police Officer, those affected by domestic abuse are not only the victim and abuser, but also any children living with that domestic abuse. It is therefore a key concern of the Diocesan Safeguarding team.

This launch will be followed by a series of more locally based training days to deepen the effectiveness on this issue of the Catholic community in Sussex.

Bishop Kieran Conry of Arundel & Brighton said: "I am very grateful to the Safeguarding and Marriage and Family Life teams for creating this launch event, and for arranging training for the people and clergy of the Catholic community. As Catholics we have to care for those suffering unseen in our very own congregations who need to hear that there will be someone in the Church who will listen to and believe them. The Gospel of Jesus Christ asks us to walk alongside such people and help them to find healing and safety."

For more information see: https://safeinfaith.org.uk/