RAYMOND — Two days of on-going formation for priests in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois focused on the explosion of pornography, including child pornography, which has happened within the last decade as Internet technology and social media technology has proliferated.
Over 77 priests, deacons and parish life coordinators from throughout the diocese joined Bishop Thomas John Paprocki for the study days, March 27 and 28 at the Magnuson Hotel and Conference Center in Raymond.
Msgr. Edward Arsenault, president and CEO of Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Md., and Nancy Kluge, who has a doctorate in psychology and does individual and group therapy at Saint Luke, led the Tuesday afternoon session.
"Saint Luke is an internationally renowned treatment and education center dedicated to bringing the healing ministry of Christ to Catholic clergy and men and women religious in need," Bishop Paprocki said, in his introduction of Msgr. Arsenault, who oversaw the development of Protecting God's Children, the safe environment program used by the Springfield diocese and other Catholic dioceses throughout the nation.
Father Paul N. Check, executive director of Courage International, a Roman Catholic apostolate which provides pastoral support to individuals with a same-sex attraction, also spoke at the study days. Bishop Paprocki had written about the program shortly after he came to the diocese.
Pat Kornfield, head of diocesan training and human resources, led a 45-minute session discussion on Protecting God's Children and why it was necessary for everyone, even volunteers helping out in the parish, to go through training sessions and have background checks.
"Pornography is an international issue; it is not a local issue," said Father Richard Chiola of the Springfield diocese, a licensed professional counselor who provides treatment for sexual addiction. "Last summer I was asked by a bishop in the South Pacific to give a retreat and workshop on the ongoing formation for the priests there in Tonga and Fugi. I was specially asked to address the issue of pornography on the Internet.
"Pornography is such a worldwide problem. With the social media being used today to make billions of dollars through pornography, including child pornography, it is a very serious issue," he said.
"A large percentage of users are women," says Father Chiola. "They use porn on the Internet because they think it is safe to do it at home or at work. There is no need to drive somewhere, only to have someone see a car in a parking lot.
"The average age for children who view pornography is 11 years. Some are as young as 6 and 7. Studies have shown kids who are in junior high and high school can already be showing signs of addiction to pornography on the Internet," he said.