Beautiful steps toward healing by and for the church

The church brings light to the darkness.

This past week the U.S. Counsel of Catholic Bishops approved a proposed formal statement, Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography. This is the first formal statement issued by the body of bishops focused exclusively on a pastoral response to pornography production and use.

Section VI is beautiful, explaining the church "as a field hospital: mercy , healing, and hope through Christ".

And later, "We invite the many good men and women who suffer from addiction to pornography to trust in the Lord’s mercy and seek appropriate help, support, and resources."

In my view, this rich document beautifully addresses the breadth of individuals impacted by the wounds of pornography (individuals exploited in content, those who exploit others in the industry, users and addicts, partners, young adults, parents, families, and pastors)- and invites them to mercy, and to resources for help.

In this document the church brings light to the darkness.