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To: Priests
From: Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta
My Dear Brothers:
It comes as no surprise that pornography is one of the leading causes of addictions, abuse, adultery, divorce and even human trafficking. Pornography creates unsafe environments for children and confuses others about attitudes towards sex and marriage. It is a moral issue that some have described as a public health crisis and that the bishops of the United States have rightly called a “structure of sin,” being so pervasive in our society.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ statement, Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography, states, “We must see our role in protecting children from pornography as our sacred duty, as well as an aspect of our work to create safe environments in accord with our ongoing implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” Together, we can address this issue by teaching those who have been entrusted to our care about pornography’s effects and to share resources with them.
On April 7, 2019, the first Sunday of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we will celebrate Safe Haven Sunday as an archdiocese. Several other dioceses are also participating this spring. This awareness day will give us an opportunity to address the harmfulness of pornography in marriages, families, and our culture as a whole, while providing helpful resources in English and Spanish to both individuals and families. It is an occasion for us to take a proactive approach in equipping parents so they may better protect and safeguard their homes.
This informational video further explains the purpose of Safe Haven Sunday: www.covenanteyes.com/safe-haven-introduction.
Enclosed you will find a Safe Haven Sunday Parish Implementation Guide. This will assist you in the simple rollout process that is involved and answer questions you may have.
The Office of Formation and Discipleship, in collaboration with the Office of Child and Youth Protection, will be assisting in the rollout of this initiative. Please direct any questions you have to Patrick Metts at pmetts@archatl.com or 404-920-7643.
No parish should feel hindered from participating because of cost, as the essential elements of the initiative are available at no cost—namely, the seven-day text-to-join campaign and the brief letter from me that can be read during the homily. For parishes that can do so, it is recommended that they purchase and provide a copy of the book Equipped: Smart Catholic Parenting in a Sexualized Culture and a prayer card to each family or individual in the parish on Safe Haven Sunday. A sample of Equipped will be mailed to you, and parish-ordering information (due by February 1, 2019) is enclosed. Equipped is available in English and Spanish.
Pornography and the violent and degrading culture it furthers are grave threats to our marriages and families in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and they hinder or obstruct our safe-environment efforts and our work to proclaim the Gospel. Together we can work to equip parents and families with formation and resources to assist their ongoing and vital work to make their homes safe havens.
Thank you for your ministry and wishing you God’s blessings in this season of Advent, I am,
Fraternally in Christ,
Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory
Enclosures:
• Safe Haven Parish Implementation Guide PDF
• Covenant Eyes Sample Book (Equipped: Smart Catholic Parenting in a Sexualized Culture) – Link to view online. Hard copy will be mailed.
• Book/Prayer Card Parish Order Webpage (due by February 1, 2019)