SEATTLE – A healing ministry to assist survivors of abuse is among new pastoral care ministries and structure announced by the Archdiocese of Seattle July 10.
“We remain committed to supporting those who have been harmed by people who serve on behalf of the Catholic Church, which is why I am so grateful we are adding a new healing ministry to our current victim assistance program,” Archbishop Paul D. Etienne said in a news release.
Archbishop Etienne has been proactively addressing the prevention and impact of abuse in the Catholic Church for more than two decades, the archdiocese said in the release.
“While we have apologized, developed new protocols, launched Safe Environment programs, and provided support to victims, we did not have a ministry dedicated to helping victim survivors heal,” the archbishop said. “This is vital not only for them and their families, but for the healing of the whole Catholic family.”
The new Healing Ministry will provide “meaningful liturgical, pastoral and educational pathways to healing” for all those harmed — individuals, families and communities — especially by people working for and serving the church, the archdiocese said.
Sue Moreland is manager of Healing Ministry. She is a licensed social worker and experienced psychotherapist who has specialized in treating trauma. Moreland recently volunteered to organize and coordinate a healing ministry at her parish, St. Luke in Shoreline, the archdiocese said.
Moreland said the Healing Ministry will be a resource to parishes, Catholic schools, clergy and seminarians, providing “education and training on recognizing the signs of abuse, abuse prevention and trauma sensitive pastoral competencies.”
Offering more pastoral care
Besides creating the new healing ministry, the archdiocese has restructured its Office of the Vicar General to organize new and existing ministries into three departments: Lifelong Formation, Intercultural Integration and Pastoral Care and Outreach.
“This new structure ensures we are offering parishes a wide breadth of meaningful education and outreach resources and opportunities,” Archbishop Etienne said. “Doing so will keep us grounded in our mission of helping people encounter and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ today.”
In 2023, Archbishop Etienne appointed Father Gary Lazzeroni as the archdiocese’s Vicar General. Under Father Lazzeroni’s leadership, the office (managed by Joe Cotton) has added ministries such as Integral Human Development, which includes care for creation and life, peace and justice efforts. Here is a look at the office’s new department structure:
Carlos Carrillo is leading this department, which includes youth ministry, faith formation (both English and Spanish), young adult ministry and marriage and family life.
“By equipping and supporting parishes and the people of God through resources, ministerial trainings and events using an intercultural approach, this team helps form, nurture and accompany people of all ages to bring them into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ,” the archdiocese said.
Bishop Eusebio Elizondo is director of this department, which is dedicated to the “elevation, celebration and integration of all Catholic cultural communities in Western Washington.”
The team serves clergy, parish and school staff and ministry leaders, promoting and developing cultural awareness and intercultural competencies, the archdiocese said.
“The team empowers the people of God to better understand and respond to the pastoral needs of the [archdiocese’s] ever-growing number of diverse parishioners and communities” it added.
Terri Nelson is leading this department, which includes a variety of ministries that live out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, promoting missionary discipleship while developing relationships with people on the margins.
These areas include Agape Service Project, care for creation, deaf ministry and ministries focused on criminal justice, disability inclusion, foster care, grief, hospital/health care, immigrant/refugees, mental health, missions and seafarers.