VI. The Church as a “Field Hospital”: Mercy, Healing, and Hope Through Christ

“Cleanse me … that I may be pure; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Ps 51:9)

Pope Francis reminded the Church of her calling to become a “field hospital” for the wounded of the world.108 All of us are wounded, starting with Original Sin and its consequences as well as our own sins. In the wake of the so-called sexual revolution, many have been hurt by their own sins, the sins of others, confusion, and broken relationships and families. In particular, the effects of pornography on the soul can be deep, and the use of pornography itself can be a sign of other emotional wounds. No wound is so deep, however, as to be out of the reach of Christ’s redeeming grace.

The Church as a field hospital is called to proclaim the truth of the human person in love, to protect people—especially children—from pornography, and to provide the Lord’s mercy and healing for those wounded by pornography. Many means of support are available for those who have been harmed by pornography and who desire to be free from it and its effects.

Christ is our hope! Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the mission of his Church, Jesus continues to give us himself, so that we can follow and abide in him. We encounter him in multiple ways: through Sacred Scripture, the sacraments, and the whole teaching and life of the Church. Jesus is the way of freedom. The Church says, “Be not afraid!” Come to the Lord Jesus, whose mercy endures forever! The Lord never tires of forgiving.109

With the mercy of God in mind, we now wish to turn here and apply this measure of hope to the concrete circumstances faced by members of the Body of Christ and all people. As bishops responsible for the pastoral care of those who have been or could be affected by pornography, we

wish to specifically address Catholics in a range of circumstances and present opportunities for guidance, healing, and grace. In doing this, we are mindful of the particular importance of Catholic leaders and parents who can implement the Church’s vision and outreach and be conduits of the Lord’s mercy and truth in direct and powerful ways by their witness and service.

To those exploited by the pornography industry

You are beloved and cherished by God! The Church reaches out to you, especially those victimized by sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation and all children who have been involved in the making of child pornography and thereby victimized and abused. The way you have been treated is deplorable and gravely unjust, and we will continue to work for justice and freedom for all enslaved men, women, and children. No matter what you have experienced in your past, remember that you remain beloved by God, have inviolable dignity, and are worthy of respect and love. Come to the Lord through his Church to receive his care for you. Allow him to bind your wounds and give you his strength. Know that there are support groups and resources available to help you (see Appendix). To anyone who has been criminally exploited, we urge immediate reporting to the proper civil authorities and appropriate action to ensure your safety and protection.

To those guilty of exploiting others through the production of pornography

The Lord, in his great mercy and justice, is calling you to turn away from your sins and follow him. Christ is passing by: do not wait to change your life. Come down, like Zacchaeus, and make amends for the damage you have done (see Lk 19:1-10). No sin is too great to forgive, but we exhort you to repent, convert and put an end to your involvement in spreading the destructiveness of pornography. If you are also (or have been) engaged in criminal exploitation, we urge you to report your action and to hand yourself over to civil authorities. God can use your previous mistakes to help others. Jesus called St. Paul, the “foremost of sinners,” to be an Apostle; may he also free and heal you (see 1 Tim 1:15).

(To be continued in the next post.  This is an excerpt from the publication of the same title of The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)