This week our Catholic communities deal with two challenging but important subjects, “Child Safety Week” and “R U OK Day”.
It is a time we are reminded of our obligations as Catholic communities to be aware and vigilant in our attention to those who are vulnerable and who are at risk.
We recognise and give thanks to the people in our communities who do such terrific work to support others and provide hope when sometimes hope feels beyond reach.
In this year of Jubilee of St Francis, we might reflect on the Peace Prayer of St Francis and harness the sentiment within its words so that we too can be advocates of people in need.
National Child Safety Week culminates in the Catholic Church with Safeguarding Sunday
The following reflection was written by Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ and published in Australian Catholics publication- August 2026.
“Safeguarding Sunday (formerly Child Protection Sunday) is dedicated to making the world safe for children and to identifying and responding to any abuse that occurs. It emphasises preventing, noticing, remembering, and acting in response to abuse.
In the Catholic Church, of course, we have much painful experience to remember. Moving accounts of the lasting harm done by people representing the Church to survivors of abuse and to their families constantly keep it before our attention. Most recently the conviction of Bishop Saunders has reminded us again of how our mission as Church has been violated by many of those called to guide and embody it.
We are called to be a community that follows Jesus and by our generous following of his way attracts people to recognise God’s love. It is to be a place of love, generosity, respect, forgiveness, prayer and hospitality, one that reflects all the qualities found in Jesus’ life. And we once took it for granted that the lives of all those called to teach, preach and represent the Church would reflect those values.
We now know, however, that this expectation was unjustified. Many priests and Religious had over many years used their position to abuse children sexually and to deny accusations made against them. The children were often disbelieved by parents and other Catholics. Bishops had often moved priests and teachers to other positions where their abuse continued. Catholic authorities gave priority to preserve the good name of the Church by keeping silence about abuse over care for the children in their care. As the extent of abuse and its cover-up throughout the Catholic Church was gradually revealed, the alienation of Catholics from the Church grew and affected relationships within the Church.
If trust is to be rebuilt, it has become clear that children must be kept safe in all Church settings and that any suspicions of abuse must be dealt with transparently and effectively. Children must be safeguarded and protected. As Catholics, we need to work at all the relationships that make up our church so that they reflect the values enshrined in our mission. The love and respect that Jesus shows in the Gospel stories must be shown in all Church decisions, meetings, protocols, guidelines and relationships. It must translate into welcome at the Church door, geniality in answering phones, promptness in responding to requests, care to listen to complaints, and transparency in dealing with them. In particular, we must keep children safe and hold adults responsible.
For many years public attention focused on sexual abuse of children perpetrated in the Catholic Church and in some other religious bodies. The horror and condemnation directed against the Catholic Church were deserved. They were a gift that has led slowly to change. Now, however, we have come to realise how extensive the sexual abuse of children has been throughout society in families, now in child minding centres, state institutions and other places to which we have entrusted children. Child Protection Week is for all Australians.
That does not diminish the scandal and the need for vigilance in our Church. It increases it. It also invites us to thank God and the people who have worked so hard and effectively to ensure that children are safe in Church settings.
In most of our Catholic parishes and schools we can say fairly confidently that children are safe and that abuse will be detected and reported. That keeps children safe. But we need to continue to put into practice the motto of the day: ‘Every conversation matters: Shifting Conversation to Action.’”
Prayers of Intercession
This “Child Safety Week” we present our prayers to a loving and compassionate God, as we work together to create safe and protective environments where children and young people flourish.
That leaders of our Church work to foster justice for all.
May they lead our Church on a path of truth, justice and action by reaching out to survivors of abuse with the love and compassion.
God of Life hear us.
Response: God of Life hear our prayer.
That we acknowledge our community, on occasions, has not been a safe place. May we work to ensure that policies and procedures are implemented to protect children, young people, co-workers and the vulnerable in our society.
God of Justice hear us.
Response: God of Justice, hear our prayer.
That we continue to reflect upon and act upon our obligations as Catholic communities to be alert, attentive and responsive when we see young people at risk. May we always do everything possible to help protect the young people in our care so that all within our communities are able to flourish and live their lives to the fullest.
God of Love, hear us:
Response: God of Love, hear our prayer
A Prayer for R U OK Day
Let us pray,
Loving God, for those who live among us but are struggling.
Maybe we don't always see people's pain or fear.
We can't just take away that pain and fear.
Surround them with warm people who will walk with them,
so that they will one day experience your loving safety in their lives.
For some people, life is hard, cold and uncertain.
Help us to make them believe, step by step, in your love,
which permeates the whole world.
God of Kindness,
Sometimes there are periods in our lives when we feel scared and insecure we lack the confidence to be ourselves and to love others.
Help us not to be afraid.
Give us the strength to continue to believe
in the growing presence of your love in our world.
Amen
Kolet Janssen