Faithful stand together to support victims and survivors of abuse (Child Abuse Prevention Month)
Churchgoers from near and far gathered to pray for victims and survivors of abuse at the Hope and Healing Prayer Service at St. Joseph’s Church in Oradell on April 27. Hosted by parish administrator Father Christian Scalo, in conjunction with the Legion of Mary and the Department for the Protection of the Faithful, the service furthered the Archdiocese of Newark’s pledge to support and protect vulnerable children and adults.
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Following an opening hymn and a Scripture reading by Deacon George Montalvo, Director of Religious Education at St. Joseph’s, Father Scalo reflected on how his experience with childhood bullying is only one type of abuse, and with the support of God and the community we are never alone.
“Healing is possible,” Father Scalo said.
The faithful then recited the Prayer of St. Francis and participated in a decade of the rosary. In between each prayer to Mary, members of the Legion of Mary cited Scripture, meditating on verses such as “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
Karen Clark, Director of the Department for the Protection of the Faithful, led the Litany for Healing. Kassie Pierinelli, Principal of St. Joseph’s School, then recited the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse. The event concluded with remarks from Gina Criscuolo, LCSW, the Coordinator Officer for the Office of Accompaniment, about the Archdiocese’s consistent efforts to prevent abuse and provide resources for victims and survivors.
“I accompany survivors in any way that’s most helpful,” Criscuolo said, describing her role as a licensed clinical social worker and an employee of the archdiocese, “whether it’s to connect them with therapy or with a priest for spiritual advice.”
The Hope and Healing Prayer Service comes at the end of Child Abuse Prevention Month, a nationally recognized effort to stop abuse and increase the support of survivors. But Clark and Criscuolo both agree that services like these are not just for April. The archdiocese will continue to support pinwheel gardens across Catholic school campuses and offer online resources like the virtual rosary for healing, according to Clark and Criscuolo.
Supporting the archdiocese’s commitment to transparency and healing, Auxiliary Bishop Michael A. Saporito, DD, prayed with attendants during the service and said that attending events like these is a strong starting point for healing. “Hearing the stories of people is absolutely paramount,” Bishop Saporito said. “We can’t undo what has been done, and we have to stand with those who have suffered.”
At the reception following the service, participants expressed their support for those who have suffered abuse and were eager to stay involved in the community. “There are a lot of unknown wounds that can be healed in a service like this,” said Cindy Hyland, a member of the Legion of Mary.
“I was happy to hear they were doing this at our church,” said a parishioner of St. Joseph’s who wished to remain anonymous. “We shouldn’t ignore abuse. It’s present in every shape and form, and we must support each other and receive the healing touch of our Lord.”
Not everyone is ready for healing, Criscuolo recognizes, but she wants these services to be available when those hurt people are ready. “My role is to not have the person retraumatized. I give them the space and time that is good for them. I ask, ‘How can I be most helpful to you?’” Criscuolo said.
“Remember, the Lord is working; He is our Savior. He takes the ashes and lets us grow from a beautiful place,” Father Scalo said.
Parishioner Fred Fakharzadeh was encouraging of those who feel all is lost after suffering abuse. “Remember that there is always hope when despair seems insurmountable. God is always there to pick us up,” he said.
Healing services like these are hopefully the beginning of many throughout the archdiocese, said Criscuolo. She and her team at the Department for the Protection of the Faithful are striving to host a service in each of the archdiocese’s four counties — Union, Bergen, Hudson and Essex — by the end of 2025.
The Department for the Protection of the Faithful is looking for more parishes to host healing services. Interested parishes can contact Karen Clark or Gina Criscuolo here.
To report abuse, please visit the website of the Archdiocese of Newark.
