Chapter 11

Isolation_Mode

Domestic Violence

The US bishops have made it clear that “no person is expected to stay in an abusive marriage.” “Violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified.” In fact, any form of violence – physical, psychological or verbal – is sinful and often a crime. The person being assaulted needs to know that acting to end the abuse does not violate the marriage promises. Rather, it is the violence itself that violates that “contradicts the very nature of the conjugal union.” If you are a victim or perpetrator of domestic violence, you can find help.

 

This page offers resources to respond immediately to the potential threat in a relationship and to begin a path to spiritual healing.

Help & Healing

  • Recommendations from San Diego Police Department – You are a victim of domestic violence, and police officers are summoned to your home. You are possibly injured, in fear, and do not know what questions to ask for further HELP! Click here for guidelines from the SD Police Department which will assist in answering those often difficult questions that you may have in your time of need
  • San Diego County Domestic Violence 24 hour hotline at 1-888-DVLINKS – This 24-hour hotline is staffed with persons who can evaluate situations and make referrals for counseling, legal assistance, shelters, support groups, etc.
  • Your Safe Place – A Family Justice Center provides confidential, comprehensive services to anyone who has experienced domestic violence, family violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, or sex trafficking. Provides supportive services in a judgment-free manner that empowers clients to become survivors and move forward with their lives.
  • One Safe Place – the North County Family Justice Center – provides free support services all under one roof to anyone who has experienced child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, hate crime, elder abuse, human trafficking, violent loss, family violence, or other abuse or victimization. They provide comprehensive help in a safe and judgment-free environment which empowers people to move forward with their lives. Walk-in services are available during hours of operation.
  • The mission of the Center for Community Solutions is to end relationship and sexual violence by being a catalyst for caring communities and social justice. CCS operates the only rape crisis center in the city of San Diego along with a countywide 24-hour bilingual crisis helpline (888-385-4657). The nonprofit agency also provides emergency domestic violence shelters, hospital and court accompaniment, as well as legal and counseling services for those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
  • YWCA of San Diego County empowers individuals and families to break the cycle of domestic violence and homelessness, and achieve self-sufficiency. Their 24-hour hotline can be reached
    at 619-239-2341.
  • 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse. Contacts to The Hotline can expect free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages. Hotline (800) 799-7233.

Ministry Resources

Contact Information

Staff

  • Director: John Prust
  • Associate Director: Janelle Peregoy
  • Associate Director: Wendy Baez

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About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pulido’s coat of arms is divided into four quarters with wavy horizontal lines from top to bottom. The blue and white lines represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also suggest water, which alludes to Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and to the waters of baptism. The red and gold lines represent the Holy Spirit and fire. The colors also can be seen as referring to the Blood that (along with water) poured from Jesus’ side at His crucifixion, as well as to the bread (gold) and wine (red) transformed into the Eucharist. At the center is a roundel featuring a symbolic representation of the “mandatum” (washing of the feet), which he believes exemplifies service to all humanity. The roundel’s outer edge is a line composed of small humps; it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima, where Bishop Pulido served as a priest before being named a bishop.

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pham’s coat of arms depicts a red boat on a blue ocean, which is crisscrossed by diagonal lines suggesting a fisherman’s net. This symbolizes his ministry as a “fisher of men,” as well as how his own father had been a fisherman. The boat is also a symbol of the Church, which is often referred to as the “barque of Peter.” At the center of the sail is a red beehive (a symbol of the bishop’s baptismal patron saint, St. John Chrysostom, who was known as a “honey-tongued” preacher). The beehive is surrounded by two green palm branches (an ancient symbol of martyrdom; the bishop’s ancestors were among Vietnam’s first martyrs). The eight red tongues of fire around the boat are a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a representation of the diversity of ethnic and cultural communities. The red of the boat, the beehive and the tongues of fire allude to the blood of the martyrs.

About the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms combines symbols that reflect Bishop Bejarano’s spiritual life and priestly ministry. The main part of the shield shows four wavy vertical lines on a gold background. These represent flowing waters. This alludes to his chosen motto and also symbolizes the graces that come from the Divine life to quench our thirst for God. The upper third of the shield is red because it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, of which the Bishop’s patron saint, Raymond Nonnatus, was a member. The central symbol resembles a monstrance because St. Raymond is often depicted holding one. The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation. It was through the Eucharist that he received his call to the priesthood at age seven and which keeps his faith and his ministry going. It represents the call to offer oneself as a living sacrifice. The monstrance is flanked on either side by an image of the Sacred Heart, alluding to the mercy of God and echoing the idea of a sacrificial offering of oneself united to the sacrifice of Christ, and of a rose for Our Lady. It is an allusion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and highlights the bishop’s Hispanic heritage.

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