Archdiocese of Chicago to Celebrate its Third Annual Mass for Victims of Domestic Violence
Chicago, IL (September 24, 2018) – The Archdiocese of Chicago will celebrate its third annual Mass for victims of domestic violence on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 5:15 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State Street, Chicago. Rev. Charles W. Dahm, O.P., director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Domestic Violence Outreach (ACDVO) office, will preside and preach at the Mass. All are welcome to attend, especially victims of domestic violence, their children and families.
“In order to address the violence epidemic, we need to first look at what is happening in our homes,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “Fear and violence are an unending cycle that must be broken. All people deserve love, support and respect.”
Domestic violence is an epidemic in the United States, affecting more than one in three women and one in eight men within their lifetimes. It affects all communities, races, ages, genders and financial strata. Among the 198 Catholic dioceses in the United States, the Archdiocese of Chicago has the most developed domestic violence outreach program.
The ACDVO office has preached on domestic violence at all weekend Masses in 130 parishes throughout the Chicago area from 2008 to the present. ACDVO has developed local ministries serving victims of domestic violence in more than 90 parishes; hundreds of representatives from these ministries will attend and participate in the Mass on September 29.
“Other dioceses are looking at Chicago as a model for their own local churches,” said Rev. Dahm. “We encourage everyone interested in this issue to attend this Mass, to help build awareness of the problem and to support individuals and families who have or are currently experiencing domestic violence.”
The Catholic Church’s position is clearly stated in the United States Catholic Bishops pastoral letter, “When I Call for Help.” The Bishops write: “We must state as strongly and clearly as we can that violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified…and it is a sin and often a crime.” They conclude the letter declaring: “We emphasize that no one is expected to stay in an abusive marriage.”
More information about domestic violence and the work of ACDVO is available on the Archdiocese of Chicago’s website, www.DomesticViolenceOutreach.org. There are videos, testimonies, homilies, prayers, and a manual on setting up a parish domestic violence ministry.
