We ask you, urgently: don’t scroll past this
Dear readers, Catholic Online was de-platformed by Shopify for our pro-life beliefs. They shut down our Catholic Online, Catholic Online School, Prayer Candles, and Catholic Online Learning Resources—essential faith tools serving over 1.4 million students and millions of families worldwide. Our founders, now in their 70's, just gave their entire life savings to protect this mission. But fewer than 2% of readers donate. If everyone gave just $5, the cost of a coffee, we could rebuild stronger and keep Catholic education free for all. Stand with us in faith. Thank you.Help Now >
'I condemn you': Women blamed for 'encouraging' abuse
FREE Catholic Classes
The reported gang rape of a 16-year-old girl by more than 30 men in Rio de Janeiro has sparked protests in the country - and condemnation by an official of the local archdiocese who met with the victim, and who called it "a brutal, inhuman act."
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
6/2/2016 (8 years ago)
Published in Americas
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (CNA/EWTN News) - On May 21, the girl went to her boyfriend's house and says she woke up the next day, drugged and naked, in another house, surrounded by some 30 men with weapons.
A brief video of the gang rape was shared on social media, and was met with some misogynistic comments blaming the victim.
Maria Christina de Sá is an official of the youth ministry office of the Archdiocese of Săo Sebastiăo do Rio de Janeiro, who met with the girl and her family in a private encounter.
"I saw a youth with a calm face, though in anguish through so many interviews and questions, and very upset by what has happened - by the attack and by the accusations she has suffered," Maria Christina told CNA May 31.
She said the attack "affects not only women, but deserves repudiation by all of us."
In her meeting with the girl, Maria Christina says she had "a wonderful impression of her, as a young woman of surpassing sweetness, but who also expressed great suffering for the attacks she suffered."
The girl's family "is also very upset," she added. "Her father cries non-stop over everything that happened to his daughter, as does her mother."
The accusations against the victim - that she dressed scandalously, "deserved it," consented, or was using drugs - were roundly condemned by the archdiocese's youth ministry official.
"It seems that no one looks at the situation as something dramatic that could happen to anyone, and are rather judging her," Maria Christina said.
She pointed out that what is at issue is the atrocious act of sexual violence committed against a 16-year-old girl.
"In a situation like this, we should ask ourselves: how would Jesus Christ behave? Look at the woman caught in adultery: he did not say, 'I condemn you.' On the contrary, he said: 'Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.'"
After having provided the support and solidarity of the youth ministry office, Maria Christina said that the victim is being cared for by Brazil's federal office for protection of children and adolescents, and that with her family, she is being moved from state of Rio de Janeiro because she fears for her life.
Michel Temer, the acting president of Brazil, has committed to forming a federal police force to deal with violence against women.
Warrents have been issued for the arrest of more than 30 suspects, including the girl's boyfriend.
Brazilian cities have been hit by protests demanding an end to sexual violence and the country's rape culture. Online protests have also taken place, using the hashtag #EstuproNuncaMais (RapeNeverAgain).
One Brazilian Facebook user posted an image of the Virgin Mary embracing a young girl, with the caption "Child, I cried for you this morning." The photo has since gone viral.
CNA contacted the office of Cardinal Orani Tempesta of Săo Sebastiăo do Rio de Janeiro, which said the archbishop would not comment on the case at that time, but reitirated the Church's absolute repudiation of all acts of violence committed against women.
The Brazilian bishops' conference also declined to comment.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Monday, December 23, 2024
- St. John of Kanty: Saint of the Day for Monday, December 23, 2024
- Christmas Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Monday, December 23, 2024
- Daily Readings for Sunday, December 22, 2024
- St. Chaeromon: Saint of the Day for Sunday, December 22, 2024
- Advent Prayer #2: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, December 22, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.