Safeguarding Sunday 2021

The Australian Catholic Church observes Safeguarding Sunday on the second Sunday in September each year.  Safeguarding Sunday coincides with National Child Protection Week 5 – 12 September.  The theme for 2021 is “Every child, in every community, needs a fair go“.

Safeguarding Sunday seeks to acknowledge the immense damage caused by the sexual abuse of children by priests, religious and lay people within the Catholic Church and its ministries.  The Church makes a commitment to its practices and protocols, creates and maintains safe environments for all people, especially children and adults at risk.  We are invited to pray for the victims of abuse, their families and all those impacted.

The Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands are committed to fostering a culture of safeguarding that recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all children.  We invite you to read our Commitment Statement and visit the website www.opeast.dev.nucleoserver.com

Gracious God,
You love and care for all of your children,
especially the smallest and most vulnerable.
We entrust to you the lives of children and adults at risk
who have been sexually abused,
and whose trust and innocence have been destroyed.
Help us to hear their cries of pain
and to take responsibility for those
whose lives have been broken.
Help us to recognise the hurt felt by those wounded by abuse,
and the failure to be heard.
We pray that with the help of your grace
communities and families will find understanding and support,
so that now and in the future
their wounds may be healed
and they may find lasting peace.
Let your grace and love fall gently now
upon our children and adults at risk,
giving them the inner strength, peace and resilience
to seek out assistance when required.
We ask this prayer through your Son, Jesus.    Amen