In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will celebrate a Healing Mass for Survivors of Abuse at 12:10 p.m. Thursday at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Scranton.

The Diocese of Scranton wrote a post on Facebook inviting the faithful to participate, either in person or via live-stream.

“During the annual Mass, the faithful pray for all who work with children and young people to be vigilant in protecting them from harm and also for the Holy Spirit to guide Church leaders as they promote justice and healing for survivors of abuse,” the post reads. 

The Mass will be open to the public and will be aired live on CTV (Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton). The Mass will also be live-streamed, the diocese said.

April is designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, according to the Children's Bureau. It provides an opportunity to spread awareness about child abuse and 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 diocesan audits, offers resources for parishes, and provides support to the National Review Board and Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People. 

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

The pope lamented the times at which Catholic adults have failed to protect the children in their care, the Vatican said, describing 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 his hope for Catholic adults entrusted with the care of children: "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.”