Each year the Catholic Church in Scotland sets aside a day to pray for those who have suffered any form of abuse.

It takes place in the Church's calendar on the first  Friday following Ash Wednesday (4 March).

Archbishop Cushley said: “The Church is keenly aware of the pain and suffering caused by those who have experienced abuse. I’m encouraging parishes in the Archdiocese to host a service on 4 March using the liturgical resource provided by the Bishops' Conference where we can acknowledge the hurt caused and pray for healing in the lives of those affected.”

Pray

• Please pray for children, young people and vulnerable adults whose lives have been scarred by the abuse they have experienced at the hands of those whom they trusted.
• Pray also for all are engaged in the pursuit of peace, healing and reconciliation for the abused, the needy, the weak and the vulnerable.
• Pray that the work of the new Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency will be guided by the Holy Spirit to help us all to meet our responsibility to respect and safeguard the dignity of all.