To use attention to the cases of abuse

adminonDecember 8, 2021January 5, 2022Leave a Comment

Cardinal O'Malley (l.), chairman of the papal commission for the protection of children, in conversation with Pope Francis © Paul Haring (CBA)

The current debate over sexual abuse in the Catholic Church was the topic of discussion by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Children at its recent plenary session. What has emerged in concrete terms?

Attention to the abuse cases must be used as an opportunity to mobilize the public more strongly for prevention, a press release concluded.

The church must develop its response to the abuse crisis from listening to victims, according to Pope Francis' request. The meeting of the international commission of experts, led by U.S. Cardinal Sean O'Connor, was held in Rome from Friday to Sunday.

According to the release, the 17-member panel also heard testimony from a victim of sexual misconduct by a cleric and a mother of two abused children. The deliberations also focused on a pilot project in Brazil to ensure safe spaces and transparent procedures for people affected by abuse.

Further meetings and congresses planned

Meetings for church superiors in Central-Eastern Europe and for bishops and formators in Brazil are planned for April 2019, according to the commission. Furthermore, members of the Vatican expert group are scheduled to address the Council of Latin American Bishops' Conferences in Mexico in November 2019 and to co-chair a 2020 child protection congress in Colombia.

The papal commission on child protection was established in March 2014. Its German member is the Jesuit Hans Zollner, a theologian and psychologist who also directs a child protection center at the pontifical university.

In 2017, a woman was killed on average every two to three days in Germany by her current or former partner. 147 died in total. The Catholic German Women's Federation calls on politicians to take action.

The Catholic German Women's Federation (KDFB) is calling for greater commitment from the federal and state governments to combat violence against women. "It is frightening that numerous women in our country experience physical, sexual and psychological violence on a daily basis, especially from (ex-)partners in their personal or professional lives," said KDFB President Maria Flachsbarth, referring to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25. November) on Thursday in Cologne.

It is the duty of the federal and state governments to become more involved in the Istanbul Convention to combat all forms of violence against women.

Better victim protection

The KDFB also supports the "Action Program against Violence against Women" initiated by Federal Minister for Women Franziska Giffey (SPD). It offers better protection for victims and secures funding for assistance for women, it said.

Ending gender-based violence also requires a concerted effort by society as a whole, the organization added. Women of all ages, from all walks of life and with and without a migration background are called upon to seek help from the free telephone service "Violence against Women" in the event of domestic or sexual violence.

Light events in Bonn and Cologne

Women's and human rights organizations in NRW will be drawing attention to the ie of "Violence against women and girls" with public campaigns starting next weekend. For example, light illuminations are planned in Cologne and Bonn.

This is how the United Nations women's organization, UN Women, is launching its "Orange the World" campaign in Bonn, as announced by the National Committee Germany of UN Women on Thursday. As a prelude, the buildings of the United Nations, the Deutsche Welle and the Post Tower will be illuminated in orange on Sunday night. Until Human Rights Day on 10. December, further actions are planned under this year's motto #HearMeToo to make the voices of women and girls who have experienced violence heard.

With a day of action in Cologne, Medica Mondiale draws attention to the human rights violations. On Sunday, starting at 4 p.m., a projection on the facade of the Museum Ludwig will show portraits as well as facts and figures on the situation of women and girls worldwide. The day heralds the "16 Days Against Violence Against Women," which will run until 10. December, events will take place to highlight discrimination against women and girls and call for gender justice.

On the occasion of his 75th birthday. On the occasion of his 75th birthday, Joachim Cardinal Meisner asks for donations for the "Casa Angela" in Bad Munstereifel. Casa Angela" is a place of refuge for girls who do not know where to go. Watch a video portrait here.

Casa Angela" has become a permanent contact point for many young women who are burdened in various ways as they start their adult lives: terrible experiences of domestic violence, abuse or emotional exploitation prevent them from tackling the tasks ahead with confidence and self-arance. Many childhood and adolescent injuries permanently destabilize them. They need help to break out of this cycle and take control of their own lives. Marlene Buchel has been running "Casa Angela" in Bad Munstereifel, an open house for girls and young women aged 12 to 25, since 1994. The basic idea of the voluntary work is the formation of the personality of the young people and the development of a stable self-esteem. The help is varied: it ranges from very practical things such as joint sports activities to creative design, housework to train independence, offers for spiritual development and religious education to support in starting a career such as writing job applications or preparing resumes. Overnight accommodations are also available at "Casa Angela" for emergency situations.Marlene Buchel wants to make young women aware of their dignity and supports them in crucial life situations: This may be continuing their school education or reconciling with their parents and family. In a specific case, it may also be a matter of deciding against an abortion. The initiative cooperates with public social service providers such as Caritas, the Women's Shelter, the Workers' Welfare Association or the social workers of parishes and schools.A support association, also founded in 1994, covers about 45 percent of the running costs with its membership fees: it maintains the event rooms of the "Casa Angela" and pays their ancillary costs; it organizes consumables, food, cleaning, travel costs and postage. The remaining 55 percent has been covered by donations and, when necessary, by Marlene Buchel's private initiative. All costs incurred refer to material resources; the work of the helpers is voluntary..In the future, "Casa Angela" would also like to work more preventively. Therefore, young women should be taught independence at an early age. For this purpose, they are instructed in housekeeping, among other things. This requires appropriate work equipment such as a sewing machine and hand tools. In addition, "Casa Angela" needs new equipment: a washing machine, dishwasher, dryer, and a refrigerator with a freezer compartment would make everyday life easier.The association also wants to support the start or re-entry into professional life: To this end, training in the use of PCs, e-mail and the Internet, scanning and digital photography is essential. Technical skills round out job application training. For this the association needs the necessary equipment. In addition to factual and professional preparation, the association also seeks to help address personal life ies holistically.. Friendship, love and sexuality are considered in their importance for the life plan. This is to develop responsibility for one's own life and the life entrusted to one's care. The association supports this through a "Teen Star Course", which will be offered at "Casa Angela" starting in January 2009. Among other things, specialist literature and presentation equipment are needed for this purpose.Archbishop's donation account to mark his 75th birthday. Birthday: PAX Bank eG, bank code 370 601 93, account number 5 50 50, keyword "Casa Angela" – address and contact: Casa Angela, Marlene Buchel, Mahlberger Str. 28, 53902 Bad Munstereifel-Schonau, Tel. 0 22 53/81 75 – Sponsoring association: Association for the promotion of the work "leisure time life in the house of the meeting in bath Munstereifel-Schonau" e.V., c/o Christoph Konopka, Langemarckstr. 56a, 53227 Bonn, Tel. 02 28/4 29 96 45; bank details: Volksbank Euskirchen, bank code 382 600 82, account number 300 584 90 11, keyword "Casa Angela"

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