Tuesday 9 May 2023 marks the Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse. This is observed on the Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter in England and Wales.
The Bishops of England and Wales have chosen Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter as the Day of Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Abuse — 9 May 2023 — it is a day of prayer for those who have been abused in a season of hope and new life.
The Isaiah Journey has prepared a range of resources for prayer, action and reflection for use throughout the year which are launched on the day of prayer.
This guide is written for clergy, religious, and lay people within our communities, with experience of living faith, resourceful, gifted, and in relationship with one another on the ground. It seeks to support an active listening to the truth of the wound of abuse, the devastating effects on individuals, families, communities, and humbly to be part of the journey towards healing. This guide offers support in the space of pastoral care, theologically rooted in the Gospel imperative that we, as baptized persons, are called to live together as members of Christ’s Body.
A focus for this year is an ongoing project which seeks to support parishes, communities and individuals which have been affected by the abuse of victims in particular where there is an allegation against a member of the clergy. This project is beginning on the margins with those who might have known or worked with the perpetrator and offering resources for their reflection and support. However, as with all work by the Isaiah Journey the experience of the survivor is central. Resources include:
What is important is for the local Church to acknowledge and respond in prayer when it is able rather than restrict its activities to just one day in the year. Much of the material in this resource has been written by and with survivors. Though it is hoped that survivors will be included in any local initiative that may not always be possible.
The Jesuit Institute is offering a week of guided prayer for those who have been affected by the scandal of clergy abuse in the Catholic Church
