With April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Diocese of Winona-Rochester is stressing its commitment to child safety, in part by providing the contact information for their Safe Environment Program Manager.

“The Diocese of Winona-Rochester promises to protect our children,” the diocese posted online. “To learn more about our efforts against child abuse and how you can help, contact our Safe Environment Program Manager, Mary Hamann, at mhamann@dowr.org or 507-858-1244.” 

The Children’s Bureau says April is designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Dedicating a month to the problem not only raises awareness, but it provides an opportunity to 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 audits of dioceses, offers resources for parishes and supports the National Review Board and Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People. 

Pope Francis spoke about 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 expressed regret for the times Catholic adults have failed to protect children in their care, the Vatican said, and described 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 hope that Catholic adults who are entrusted with the care of children will better fulfill that duty: "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,” the pope said.