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The Office of Media Relations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers the following Questions and Answers on Canon Law as it relates to sexual abuse of minors. Click here for this resource.

The Vatican has published a guide to understanding the procedures of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on sexual abuse allegations towards minors. Click here to read this guide.

Child sexual abuse is a terrible crime that causes indescribable harm to a child. Child sexual abuse is an affront to a person's dignity and it violates every principle of profound respect for human life that the Gospel teaches.

As a diocese, we are strongly committed to work tirelessly to educate, train, and guide our communities in the ways of justice and respect for others and their innate, God-given dignity. We strive unceasingly to heal the brokenness of victims of past wrongs brought about by the Church’s ministers and to bring justice, rehabilitation, and forgiveness to the perpetrators of acts that were so detrimental to others. 

CLICK HERE for Protecting God's Children Training Schedule

Rosary Guide for Healing and Protection

This mini booklet can be printed and assembled into a small rosary prayer book. It includes instructions for saying the rosary with special intentions for victims of sexual abuse.

Related Links:
Download Rosary Guide (pdf)

Family Discussion Cards

Use these discussion cards to jump start conversations with your kids! These questions are suitable for all ages and will lead to interesting family conversations.

Download and print a set of the family discussion cards (pdf)
 

View some of our other resources for parents:
Article: "What is sexting and what can I do about it?”
Article: “Cyber Bullying”
Parent Guide: Talking with Your Children About Abuse
Cell Phones and Parental Controls booklet

 Prayer for Victims of Abuse

Please pray for victims of clergy sex abuse and for all victims of abuse.

Related Links:
Prayer Card - English (pdf)
Prayer Card - Spanish (pdf)
How to obtain outreach for victims of abuse.
How to respond to a disclosure of abuse.
How to report abuse. 
Human Trafficking is a serious problem that affects children. Read about it and find out what you can do to help stop it. (pdf)
  

Watch a video about the Church’s efforts to protect children.

CLICK HERE to watch an interview with Bishop Blase Cupich, Chair of the USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children Young People.

Each parish, school, and camp in the Diocese of Manchester has a Safe Environment Coordinator who coordinates the local child safety programs. Please pray for our Safe Environment Coordinators.

Coloring Book

 
The Diocese of Manchester is committed to preventing the abuse of children. Please click on the link to download and print Being Friends, Being Safe, Being Catholic, a coloring book for children ages 10 and under. The coloring book is a teaching tool which contains safety tips and may be used at home or in school or religious education classes.

Download a copy of the coloring book, Being Friends, Being, Safe, Being Catholic (pdf) 9MB