Mission

To provide pastoral care, support and resources to victims-survivors of clerical sexual abuse and their loved ones in their efforts to achieve psychological, emotional and spiritual healing.

History

The Office of Assistance Ministry was first established by the Archdiocese in 1992 to respond to the sexual abuse of minors by Archdiocesan clergy. Joseph Cardinal Bernardin was instrumental in establishing Assistance Ministry following the recommendations of the first-ever Cardinal’s Commission on Clerical Misconduct. Francis Cardinal George has carried on with his commitment and support to this important ministry. Over the years, we have accompanied many victims-survivors of clerical sexual abuse on their healing journeys.

As we have learned more about the extent of childhood sexual abuse in our society, we have widened the scope of some Assistance Ministry services to include support and healing such as support groups, counseling, family support, prayer and reflection for all victims-survivors of childhood sexual abuse, regardless of who the perpetrators may have been.

Outreach and Response

The Office of Assistance Ministry and its professional staff recognize that for many victims-survivors it is difficult to imagine finding the courage to let officials of the Catholic Church know that they were sexually abused by a priest or church personnel. Therefore after a formal allegation is made, the office offers a variety of services to assist victims-survivors of sexual abuse and their loved ones in their effort to achieve psychological, emotional, and spiritual healing. Some of these services include counseling, spiritual direction, support groups and other social services agreed upon by the victim and the Office of Assistance Ministry. Since its creation as one of the first victim assistance ministries in the United States, it has provided services and support to over 400 victims-survivors and their family members.

Contact

Thomas P. Tharayil, LCSW, BCD, Director
312-534-8267
ttharayil@archchicago.org

Ruth Robinson, BSW, Assistant Director
312-534-8256
rurobinson@archchicago.org

The Office of Assistance Ministry offers the following programs to honor its mission to victims-survivors of sexual abuse and their loved ones. We have coordinated with other professionals to provide psychological, emotional, and spiritual healing. Due to space limitations, first priority will be given to those who have not participated in past programs offered through Assistance Ministry in the past. For more detailed information, contact Thomas Tharayil at 312-534-8267.

Workshops

A half day Healing Garden workshop for loved ones of victims-survivors will take place on June 30, 2012.
More Information

Support Groups

Fall dates to be announced.

Women’s Group

Fall dates to be announced.
More Information

Men’s Group

Fall dates to be announced.
More Information

News Items

The story of a victim of clerical sexual abuse in the November 20th issue of the Catholic New World