Source: catholicregister.org 8/10/25
EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the names in this article have been changed to protect the identity of the individuals.
Few crimes elicit society’s rancor and scorn like sex abuse. Whether it’s the vulnerability of the victims or the intimacy of the assault, sex crimes have a unique stigma that follows offenders into prison. This presents a challenge not just for society, but especially for Christians, who believe in God’s radical love and forgiveness, even for sex offenders.
Circles of Support and Accountability volunteers are helping sex offenders to find a place in society, and one CoSA volunteer named Emily says the humanity of the convict becomes apparent, no matter how difficult the crime.
“It can’t define the person for the rest of their lives,” said Emily.
The principle is especially important because the offenders — known as core members — are seeking out CoSA’s help.
Nonetheless, the process can be difficult for…
“A rehabilitated person is a safe person” Incarceration, residency/presence restrictions, and the registry doesn’t make safe people. All these restrictions give PFR a sense of hopelessness in a non compassionate, unforgiving, hateful society however we endure in the best and worst of times. Our government can stick their tongues in an outlet and maybe their brainwaves will try something other than harshness when it comes to sex offenses.