People who are struggling from porn addiction can find solace and redemption by seeking help from their church, U.S. bishops say.
According to the Catholic News Agency, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) recently issued a pastoral letter that addresses the global crisis of pornography and gives hope to recovering pornography users.
"We offer this statement to give a word of hope and healing to those who have been harmed by pornography and to raise awareness of its pervasiveness and harm," they said in the letter, adding that the church is opening its doors to those who want healing after pornography destroyed and exploited their lives.
The USCCB officially approved the pastoral letter that was created by the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth called "Create in Me a Clean Heart" last Nov. 17.
Instead of shunning those who have been entrapped by pornography, the Catholic Church is extending a hand of mercy to them in hopes of obliterating the thriving billion-dollar industry. According to the bishops people who turn to porn simply want one thing love.
"Every man and woman, whether called to marriage or not, has a fundamental vocation of self-giving, fruitful love in imitation of the Lord," the USCCB statement said.
Unfortunately, pornography is the very opposite of love because it creates "a disordered view of the person, because it is ordered toward use, as of a thing, rather than love, which pertains to persons," the bishops said in their statement.
It also "rejects the equal dignity and complementarity between man and woman and strikes at the heart of God's plan for communion between persons," they added.
Even though pornography seems harmless enough to some individuals, the Catholic Church would beg to differ.since, several individuals portrayed in pornography are victims of human trafficking. These individuals, sometimes even children, are forced into prostitution in order to avoid poverty and starvation.
The good news is that the church is always welcoming to those who need love, protection, and redemption. "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," the statement said. "You are beloved sons and daughters of the Father. Be not afraid to approach the altar of mercy and ask for forgiveness. Many good people struggle with this sin. You are not alone.
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