Noticias

Chicago, (April 7, 2021) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will be a featured speaker at the upcoming virtual international symposium “Faith and Flourishing: Strategies for Preventing and Healing Child Sexual Abuse” hosted by Harvard University and The Catholic University of America. The event  begins on April 8, marking the first World Day for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Healing, and Justice, established by a group of child sexual abuse survivors and survivor networks.  

Cardinal Cupich is one of four representatives of faith denominations who will discuss the role of faith and faith leaders in preventing and healing child sexual abuse. His presentation “Putting the Child at the Center: The Chicago Approach to Preventing and Healing Child Sexual Abuse” will focus on his role as a bishop and archbishop in personally assisting survivors of clergy sexual abuse and providing an overview of the policies and resources of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of the Protection of Children and Youth (OPCY), its Office of Victim Assistance, its Office of Child Abuse Investigations and Review, its Independent Review Board, Safe Environment Office and its Priest Monitoring Program.

“My approach to preventing and healing child sexual abuse has been shaped by my meetings with survivors and their families. To serve them we must confront the truth and act to bring healing and justice to those who have been robbed of both,” said Cardinal Cupich. “There is no place in the Church for leaders who misuse power or expect privilege or protection because of their status. As bishops, we must keep this promise to rebuild trust and a culture of accountability.”

Thomas Tharayil, LCSW, BCD, director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Assistance Ministry, will present “30 Years of Pastoral Care to Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Clergy” sharing the history of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Assistance Ministry, the Church’s response to a survivor’s disclosure of childhood sexual abuse by clergy, and how the Church can support survivors who come forward to disclose their abuse, at the event. 

Michael Hoffman, chairman of the Hope and Healing Committee for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s OPCY and clergy sexual abuse survivor, served as a key advisor for the event. He will be featured in a preview of a documentary “Walk With Me,” about the creation of the April 8 World Day for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Healing, and Justice, which he co-founded with Jennifer Wortham, DrPH, executive director, Initiative on Health, Religion, and Spirituality at Harvard University. Hoffman and Tharayil will join in a one-hour online roundtable discussion with event participants to network, share, listen and learn about the barriers and issues impacting child sexual abuse prevention and healing at the local level. 

This landmark program will convene public health professionals, policy makers, theologians, religious and lay leaders of different faith traditions, and abuse survivors from across the world to explore best practices for preventing and healing child sexual abuse, discuss the prevalence of child sexual abuse, its effect on the mind and body, and its impact on one's relationship with their faith and with others. Abuse survivors will have an opportunity to engage with diverse religious leaders to offer testimony of their experiences and discuss how to care and advocate for survivors.

Participants will have the opportunity to view a series of on-demand presentations by global leaders and experts in the field of child sexual abuse, and access evidence-informed tools, training materials, and multi-media resources for healing and prevention. The event is free and open to the public. Faith leaders, public health practitioners, policy makers, child welfare advocates, and those working in education settings, the criminal justice system, health care organizations and the public health sector with an interest in child sexual abuse prevention and healing are encouraged to attend. 

Wortham organized the symposium in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Assistance Ministry, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard Divinity School, the Chan School of Public Health and the Catholic Project at the Catholic University of America. Wortham is a sister of two clergy abuse survivors. She and Hoffman co-founded the April 8 World Day to bring hope and healing to all survivors of child sexual abuse, and to help prevent future abuse. 

“This event will bring together faith leaders and public health professionals from around the world to share best practices for prevention and Healing of child sexual abuse,” said Wortham. “The Chicago Archdiocese is a leader in child protection, and in providing support and healing for survivors of abuse. We are featuring Cardinal Cupich in our program because it is important for all faith leaders to benefit one another’s experiences if we are to make a meaningful impact in this global public health problem.” 

The keynote address will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Denis Mukwege, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  Cardinal Seán O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, will offer a blessing at the start of the symposium. "Spiritual and physical healing go hand in hand," said Cardinal O'Malley, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. "That is why all religious leaders, child welfare advocates and health professionals must not only seek the best training, but be accountable for building interdisciplinary bridges to address the global crisis of child sexual abuse together."

A full list of speakers can be found on the symposium website. 
The Symposium is free and open to the public.  Event registration can be found at https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/Symposium-On-Child-Abuse.