Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated Mass April 10, 2026, the Friday within the Octave of Easter, at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, with the specific intention of praying for victims of child abuse.
This was the 19th year the Diocese has held a Mass to pray for the victims of abuse, which takes place in April to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“We have to talk about clerical abuse of children and reflect upon it because it is crippling to the individuals who have experienced it,” Bishop Dewane said. “We pray earnestly for God’s grace to bring about healing and reconciliation to those harmed by this tragedy of sexual abuse.”
Bishop Dewane said that he or any other Church leaders cannot say they are sorry enough for the whole tragedy. He noted that when U.S. Bishops gather they, as a body, sincerely and humbly ask for forgiveness from those who have been harmed, scandalized or dispirited by the events that have taken place, even if they happened years ago.
Pope Francis said he saw the suffering face of Jesus Christ in the victims of clergy sexual abuse and therefore established the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors which reminded the whole Church that abuse prevention is not just limited to a designated day or month, but is a fundamental duty of the Universal Church. Building upon that legacy, Pope Leo XIV has stressed the importance of preventing abuse within the Church and insisted that such responsibility must be completely confronted and not delegated.
Pope Leo emphasizes the need for safeguarding minors, explaining that the protection of minors and persons in vulnerable situations is not an area of ecclesial life but a dimension that permeates pastoral care, formation, governance and discipline.
The Diocese of Venice has a comprehensive Safe Environment Program which was established to protect the most vulnerable among us from abuse while raising awareness to prevent abuse from happening. The program educates thousands each year, working to provide education for all employees (clergy, religious and laity), and those volunteers and others regularly working with minors and vulnerable adults. The program provides information on the issue of abuse of children, including the detection, prevention, and reporting of child abuse. The Safe Environment Program has a component which includes training sessions for children and young people in Catholic schools. A key component of the Safe Environment initiative is that it includes a background check for all employees and volunteers.
Annually, the Diocese of Venice undergoes a comprehensive audit by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection to ensure that the Diocese is in compliance with current directives.
In addition, the Diocese has an independent Review Board which reviews Diocesan Safe Environment policies and procedures as well as investigates all cases of abuse which may be brought forward. A Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to aid in the immediate pastoral care of persons who claim to have been sexually abused by Diocesan personnel when they were minors or vulnerable adults. The Victim Assistance Coordinator shall, on behalf of the Diocese of Venice and as appropriate, develop an outreach program to each victim of sexual abuse as well as his/her family.
“Prevention can not only be about protocols and procedures, which are easy to write down. It is about creating a culture of care, prevention, openness and reaction to when someone comes forward. It is not merely a set of obligations but becomes a natural expression of faith and pastoral care,” Bishop Dewane said.
“While the stories of victims are painful and difficult, being told powerfully brings truth to light,” Bishop Dewane said. “The Bishop has a responsibility and that cannot be delegated. But the faithful also have a role. The first role of the faithful is to pray for the victims of abuse and all who suffer from its impacts directly or indirectly. The faithful must also respond with their eyes and ears, protecting the innocents that are in our midst from what can occur. Yes, things have improved, but that doesn’t make it any easier for the victims and we must acknowledge that.”
Several who attended the Mass at Epiphany Cathedral noted that the words of Bishop Dewane reminded them that this issue is still something that must remain at the forefront, most important is the continuation of prayers for the victims of all abuse.
Report any abuse against minors to the Florida Department of Children and Families at 800-962-2873. Further, if Diocesan personnel or volunteers are involved, also notify the Diocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator, Susan Benton, at 941-416-6114.
For more detailed information about what the Diocese of Venice does to prevent abuse and the Safe Environment program, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/programs/safeenvironment/.
PRAYER FOR HEALING VICTIMS OF ABUSE
The Secretariat of the USCCB encourages the faithful to recite the following Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse.
God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just:
You gave your only Son to save us by his blood on the cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith. Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by your truth.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Courtesy of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
UNA ORACIÓN DE SANACIÓN VÍCTIMAS DE ABUSO
Dios del amor infinito, Siempre presente, siempre justo;
Tú nos cuidas y nos proteges Y nos diste a tu único Hijo Para salvarnos con su sangre en la cruz.
Jesús manso, pastor de la paz, Dígnate unir a tu propio sufrimiento
El dolor de todos los que han sido heridos De cuerpo, mente y espíritu
Por parte de aquellos que traicionaron la confianza puesta en ellos.
Escucha el clamor de nuestros hermanos y hermanas Que han sido lastimados gravemente, Así como el clamor de aquellos que los aman. Dales la esperanza que mitigue el desosiego de sus corazones, Dales la fe que calme sus espíritus perturbados. Concédeles justicia para su causa, Ilumínalos con tu verdad.
Espíritu Santo, consolador de corazones, Cura las heridas de tus hijos e hijas
Y devuelve la integridad a lo que ha sido quebrantado. Concédenos el valor y la sabiduría, La humildad y la gracia, para actuar con justicia. Sopla tu sabiduría en nuestras oraciones y empeños. Que todos los que han sido heridos por el abuso encuentren paz y justicia.
Te lo pedimos por Cristo, nuestro Señor. Amén.
