In the face of domestic violence we must act

CatholicAnchor.org
Safe Environment

Many of us have a favorite season of the year or season of the church’s liturgical year. It may be due to a certain event that happened during that season or its meaning for a particular reason.

Since I was a child, it was the season of fall. It may have started because my birthday comes in the fall or that I enjoyed playing in the leaves. As an adult I continue to find peace in the fall and it is not because it is a reminder of my increasing age, but more for the fall colors and the gratitude I feel for the life cycle that fall so vividly demonstrates.

As Catholic Christians we are a people of hope. Advent’s message of anticipation and hope are held dear to me as well. It is not that I don’t recall the hope of God’s coming and salvation other times of the year, but Advent is a designated time where I reflect deeper on how my life reflects the meaning and anticipation of the Incarnation.

The church designates certain days and seasons to recall and celebrate the events of the life of Jesus Christ. Emphasis is put on the Birth of Christ, his Baptism, Passion and Resurrection.

A parallel to the special events of the liturgical season is the designation of days and/or months where we are encouraged to emphasize a particular issue that impacts society. For instance, October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During this time, as a church and as a society, we were reminded of the terrible problem of violence within our families and our relationships.

This awareness is especially important in Alaska where domestic violence is considered an epidemic.

Last month, the Archdiocese of Anchorage recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month by hosting prayer services with other faith communities in an event called “Shed The Light” sponsored by Abused Women’s Aid In Crisis. This is also a time to bring attention to the documents of the church which emphasize our belief in the dignity and respect of every person. Violence in the name of love is not love, it is not respect and it goes against the dignity that God gives everyone. This document (“When I Call for Help”) is from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Some may criticize what one monthly designation, or one prayer service, or one “march” will do to solve such a grave problem. But we must begin with a step in a positive direction and recognizing the problem is one way to begin. The next step is to recognize our connection with each other and that a problem such as domestic violence does in fact affect all of us, either directly or indirectly.

The Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis outreach has a program explaining how bystanders can help in a domestic violence situation. The program is called “Green Dot.” To learn more, go online to www.awaic.org

The next time you hear of a designation for a problem faced in our world, ask yourself, “What can I learn about this problem? What is my role to make a positive step to solving this problem?” The first step may be simply to challenge an attitude in yourself or someone else.

As we enter the season of Advent, please remember we are a people of hope and also a people of prayer and action.

The writer is director of the Office of Safe Environment for the Archdiocese of Anchorage. To contact her, call 297-7736.