Violence Assaults One Family In Four
Episcopal News Service. November 6, 1986 [86241]
BUFFALO, N.Y. (DPS, Nov.6) -- One family in every four lives in an arena of ongoing abuse or violence. "Once we learn this fact, we must decide if and how we will respond. That is what this conference was about," said Joan Jennings Scalfani, a member of the National Commission of Social and Specialized Ministries of the Episcopal Church, explaining a National Council of Churches Conference on domestic violence. "We explored the biblical, pastoral and prophetic responses possible in our ministry with those dispirited by violence in the home, including victims, abusers and their families."
Family violence occurs among families of all races, economic and ethnic groups." It interferes with people's relationships with God. It causes broken bones, broken lives, broken relationships and community brokenness. Religious faith is absolutely no protection from this problem. However, it can be a resource for those who want to change toward more life-affirming ways of relating," Jennings-Scalfani asserted.
"Often clergy and church groups believe that the problem is out there, so we send money annually to local shelters and crisis programs. This is essential support if we are to live into our self-proclamation of Church as sanctuary," she said. "Next, we must make ourselves available to those suffering in our congregations. If parish affiliation is no protector, then those families are among us and hurting."
"We will be most effective in our ministry of presence, if we get trained, acknowledge the problem and let people know that we are ready and able to help," added Ann Franklin who also attended the conference as a representative of Women in Mission and Ministries of the Episcopal Church. "Experiencing abuse in that place where the church and society tells us we are most safe, the home, is a major crisis in people's lives. If we are to help people use their faith as a resource instead of a roadblock, we must understand the scope and dynamics of the problem."
Both are available as resources or for workshops on domestic violence, but, Jennings-Scalfani said, the Episcopal Church lags in addressing the problem.
As a Church, we believe that people should not suffer any crisis alone. There are enough myths and misunderstanding about domestic violence that as would-be helpers we need specialized training. Then, we need to know our community resources, such as treatment facilities, support groups and shelters. "These expand our ability to respond compassionately," said Franklin. "All of this must be done before the person in crisis walks through our door."
The three day training and strategy conference, organized by the National Council of Churches, was held at Marydale Retreat Center in Erlanger, Ky. in October. It was attended by 30 people from ten denominations. The Rev. Marie Marshall Fortune and Ms. Frances Wood of The Center for Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence were conference leaders.
The Center is an interfaith educational ministry to the religious communities providing informational and educational materials as well as training programs for clergy and lay leaders, especially on the convocation, diocesan or regional levels. They may be reached at 1914 North 34th Street, Suite 105, Seattle, WA. 98103, tele: (206) 634-1903. Jennings-Scalfani can be reached through the diocese of Western New York (716) 881-0660 and Franklin through the Episcopal Divinity School or (617) 497-5611.
"Jesus has offered us a model of how we may respond to those among us suffering from violence. With concern and understanding we can express our faith in the tradition of the good Samaritan," concluded Jennings-Scalfani and Franklin.