Growing grass-roots ministry brings healing to survivors of sex abuse

Published: 2007-04-02

DENVER (CNS) -- Shedding light on darkness to help men and women heal from the evil of sexual abuse and reclaim their souls -- that is the goal of the grass-roots ministry Spiritual Survivors. In April -- Sexual Assault Awareness Month -- the ministry will celebrate its third year. Founded by three laywomen and a priest at Spirit of Christ Church in Arvada, Spiritual Survivors recently expanded to a second location, Holy Family Church in Denver. The growth was a fitting way to observe the ministry's anniversary. "We feel a commitment to this ministry and see a need out there," said co-founder and group facilitator Marie Powell, 48. Since its inception, about 60 people have attended the ministry's support group in Arvada, with some traveling up to 45 minutes to participate. Organizers hope the Holy Family site, which is more centrally located, will make the ministry more accessible. Spiritual Survivors is neither therapy nor counseling, emphasized Powell. Rather, it is a support group to aid the spiritual healing of adult survivors of sexual abuse.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .