In March of 2008, Bishop Mengeling appointedacommittee to address thepastoral challenges of pornography inoursociety. This committee willdevelope a variety of pastoralresourcesfor adults, parents, youngadults, middle-school andhigh-school teensand children.
Download:
1) A letter from Bishop Mengeling, announcing the appointment of this committee
2) adult resources
3) Hopeful not Helpless – A Faithfilled Response to pornography brochure
January 7, 2008
Dear Friends in Christ,
Withyou, I share deep anxiety and concern about all threats to the humanperson, especially our children, teens and young adults.
Theprevalenceandspread of pornography is alarming. Its worldwidetentacles ofcorruptionand addiction reach everywhere. Most ominous isthe easyaccess toInternet porn for vulnerable children, teens andyoung adults.
Wearenot helpless. We are helpless only when weare hopeless. I firmlybelievewe can counteract and isolatepornography for the sake of ourchildren,teens, young adults andeveryone. With conviction, hope andzeal, Iinvite you to join with allin our diocese and me in dealingwith theever spreading poison ofpornography.
I have established adiocesancommittee to studythis widespread and urgent problem andprovide helpfulinformation andways to answer:
• what do I need to know?
• what can I do?
• how can I guide and protect my family?
• how can I teach and protect children & teens?
This positive program for adults, parents, teens and children, plus clergy, teachers, counselors, coaches and others will:
• create awareness, knowledge and know-how
• describe skills for becoming a healthy and happy person
• explain God’s good news about sexuality and marriage
• offer ways to live a wholesome Christian life in a society inundated with pornography
• These resources will also be on our website www.dioceseoflansing.org. Look for periodic updates in FAITH Magazine.
Inthenameof Jesus who said: “Let the children come to me”, Iferventlybeseechpastors, pastoral coordinators, deacons, directorsofreligiouseducation, youth ministers, teachers, catechists,counselors,coachesand all diocesan leaders to commit yourselfenthusiasticallyandactively to this saving mission. Please becomeacquainted withthisprogram and determine with others how to utilize itin your parishandschool.
The prayers of all of us in this lovingmissionespeciallyfor our children and youth, will help us persevereindiscerning the wayof Christ to live a chaste life in our society.Hopein our Lord spursus on. Remember: ‘When we are hopeless, wearehelpless.’
Hoping with you in our Lord,
Bishop Carl F. Mengeling
The following include web sites, DVDs, and books.
* www.covenanteyes.comCovenantEyes Accountability software is the Standard for InternetIntegrity withAccountability through Monitoring. The program isdesigned to helpCovenant Eyes Members (the people who use thesoftware) learn how toexplore the Internet free from the dangers,risks, and liabilities ofInternet pornography. In the process amember develops internetintegrity.
* Http://saa-recovery.orgSexAddicts Anonymous, SAA, is a fellowship of men and women who sharetheirexperience, strength and hope with each other so they mayovercome theirsexual addiction and help others recover from sexualaddiction ordependency. An individual is able to locate meetings intheir area.
* www.cosa-recovery.orgCOSAis a recovery program for men and women whose lives have beenaffectedby someone else’s compulsive sexual behavior. In COSA,individuals findhope whether or not there is a sexually addictedperson currently intheir lives. With the humble act of reaching out,an individual beginsthe process of recovery.
www.recoverynation.comAddiction recoveryfor the sex, love and porn addicts and thoseaffected by someone else’scompulsive sexual behavior. Provides arecovery workshop, partner’sworkshop, and couples workshop for free.
* www.iitap.comTheCertified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT) designation is offered bytheInternational Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals(IITAP). The CSAT certification is designed to provide formal trainingandknowledge in the task-centered approach for the treatment ofsexualaddiction and sexual compulsivity. An individual can find atherapistin their area.
www.tobforteens.com for resources regarding Theology of the Body for teens. Also useful for adults
www.AscensionPress.com for workshop and presentor information http://www.edyoung.com
http://xxxchurch.com
www.pureonline.com
www.pureloveclub.com
www.facebook.com
* Achieving Chastity in a Pornographic World, by Fr. Thomas Morrow, New Hope Publications, 2006
* Asfor Me and My House, a print, media, and workshop resource ondevelopinga pastoral response to pornography from the Archdiocese ofKansas Cityin Kansas, 913-721-1570, socialjustice@archkck.org
BlessedAre thePure In Heart: The Dignity of the Human Person and the DangersofPornography, pastoral letter, by Bishop Robert Finn, Bishop oftheDiocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri, 2007
Bought WithaPrice: Pornography and the Attack on the Living Temple of God,pastoralletter, by Bishop Paul Loverde, Bishop of the Diocese ofArlington,Virginia
Breaking Free: 12 Steps to Sexual Purity for Men, by Stephen Wood Family Life Center Publications, 2003
Contrary to Love: Helping the Sexual Addict, by Patrick Carnes, Hazelden, 1989
Courage to be Chaste, by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Paulist Press
* God’s Plan for You: Life, Love, Marriage and Sex, by David Hajduk, Pauline Books and Media, 2006
Love,Marriage.. . & Pornography? How the Forbidden Fruit of theModern-Day Tree ofKnowledge is Destroying Our Relationships, by RobertBorys, book andDVD, 2006
Men and Women Are From Eden: A Study Guideto John PaulII’s Theology of the Body, by Mary Healy, St. AnthonyMessengerPress/Servant Books, 2005
The Pornography Plague and the Path to Christian Purity, CD by Jeff Cavins, Saint Joseph Communications, 2007
* Pure of Heart: Breaking Free From Porn, 5 CDs, by Jeff Cavins, Catholic Answers
* Pure Manhood, by Jason Evert, Catholic Answers, 2007
* Pure Womanhood, by Crystalina Evert, Catholics Answers, 2007
Theologyofthe Body Explained: A Commentary on John Paul II’s Man and WomanHeCreated Them, revised edition, by Christopher West, Pauline BooksandMedia, 2007
* Theology of the Body for Beginners, by Christopher West, Ascension Press, 2004
Theologyofthe Body for Teens, by Jason Evert, Crystalina Evert, and BrianButler,student workbook, leader’s guide, Ascension Press, 2006
The Twelve Steps and Catholic Spirituality, by Fr. Leo Dolan, The Leaflet Missal Company, 1991
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