The Diocese of La Crosse is observing National Child Abuse Prevention Month by offering up a special prayer for all those affected.

“Almighty and Most Loving God, through your Son your compassion brought healing to many,” the prayer posted by the diocese on Facebook begins. “We ask for your healing once more for all who have been profoundly wounded by abuse, especially those who have been hurt by your ministers.” (Read the rest on the prayer here.)

The Children’s Bureau says April is set aside as National Child Abuse Prevention Month as part of an effort to raise awareness of the problem and provide an opportunity to highlight the importance of community collaboration in identifying and preventing abuse. 

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Protection of Children & Young People Committee conducts audits of dioceses, offers resources for parishes, and supports the National Review Board and Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People. 

Pope Francis spoke about child abuse at the “Promoting child safeguarding in the time of COVID-19 and beyond” conference in Rome in November, according to Vatican reports. 

The pope expressed regret for the times Catholic adults have failed to protect children in their care, the Vatican said, and described the "pain and shame of not having always been good guardians, protecting the minors entrusted to us." 

He renewed his call for Catholics to prioritize eradicating abuse in all forms. Pope Francis expressed hope that Catholic adults who are entrusted with the care of children will better fulfill that duty: "May they be promoters and custodians of a renewed educational alliance between the generations and between the different contexts in which minors grow up, capable of stimulating between them a generative and protective connection, especially in this complex time of the pandemic,” the pope said.