CNA Staff, Feb 18, 2021 / 07:00 am
Poland's Catholic Church on Friday will observe a day of prayer for abuse survivors.
The Feb. 19 observance -- known as the "Day of prayer and penance for the sin of sexual abuse of minors" -- will include a Mass for the intention of abuse victims at the shrine of Jasna Góra, which houses the venerated icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa.
Archbishop Wojciech Polak, the Polish bishops' conference delegate for the protection of children and youth, said: "People hurt in this way have the right to count on the fact that they will not lack the spiritual support of the entire ecclesial community on the long and difficult road to recovery."
Pope Francis approved the establishment of a day of prayer for survivors of abuse in 2016, leaving bishops' conferences free to choose the date for its observance.