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.

Service Providers

San Diego Police patch with the department name in yellow text on a dark blue background, featuring two anchors and a cityscape emblem.

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.
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The logo reads "The City of San Diego" in black lettering, with a yellow and blue curved shape on the right.

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.

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Your Safe Place: A Family Justice Center

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.

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Logo featuring a blue triangle with a purple tree inside, accompanied by the text "One Safe Place" in blue and purple, and "The North County Family Justice Center" below it.

One Safe Place

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.

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Logo for the Center for Community Solutions, featuring two abstract smiling faces in a circular design next to the text "Center for Community Solutions" and the tagline "Hope, Healing and Prevention" beneath.

Center for Community Solutions

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.

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YWCA San Diego County logo, featuring the text "eliminating racism empowering women" in orange, with "ywca" in large bold letters beneath, followed by "San Diego County" at the bottom.

YWCA’s Battered Women’s Services

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.

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National Domestic Violence Hotline logo with bold black text and a thin purple and pink border on two sides.

National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233

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.

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Ministry Resources

A person holds up their hand facing the camera, obscuring their face. The background shows an unfocused, outdoor urban setting with muted colors.
Domestic Violence Outreach from the Archdiocese of Chicago
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Catholics For Family Peace Education and Research on Domestic Abuse
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Two people holding hands, with one person in a blue shirt reaching out to another in a grey sleeve. The scene is softly lit, focusing on the connection between their hands.
When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women (from the USCCB)
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People stand in a richly decorated church, facing the ornate altar. The ceiling and walls feature colorful religious artwork and patterns, with chandeliers hanging above. Banners flank the altar, and wooden pews fill the foreground.
St. Luke’s Parish’s Safe Place Faith Community is a great example of a parish domestic violence ministry.
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How can we help to end violence in Catholic families?: A Guide for Clergy, Religious, and Laity
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A white dove is flying with outstretched wings against the backdrop of tall, gray buildings. Other pigeons are visible perched along the rooftop.
Pax in Familia is an international Catholic ministry dedicated to peace-building and to ending abuse and violence in Catholic families.
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A group of four people stand on a sandy beach, facing the ocean, with arms around each other. The sky is overcast and the ocean waves appear gentle.
Catholics for Family Peace has created a free toolkit to enhance your efforts to address domestic abuse and violence and to promote family peace.
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National Network to End Domestic Violence
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A laptop displaying a video conference with multiple participants is in focus, with a healthy green potted plant in the foreground. A blurred clock is visible in the background.
Pax in Familia invites you to take their online self-paced introductory course on learning how to respond to violence and abuse in Catholic families.
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For Clergy: Addressing Domestic Violence in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
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Contact Information

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  • 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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