ELCA Draft Social Message on Child Protection and Maltreatment
The prevalence of child maltreatment in the United States is staggering. At least 1 in 7 children has experienced abuse or neglect in the last year, according to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), though the CDC cautions that abuse and neglect are often unreported.
Recognizing the church’s important role in addressing this, the ELCA Church Council authorized the develop a social message on child protection and maltreatment, as requested by the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Social messages are ELCA teaching documents that draw from existing social teaching but focus direct attention on a particular social issue.
On March 21, the ELCA released a draft social message on child protection and maltreatment. This draft social message is in response to a request from the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly and addresses the church’s calling to protect and nurture children and youth, both within the church and within society more broadly. We are writing in hope that you will participate in the public comment period on this draft.
You can read the draft social message and complete an online survey by visiting tinyurl.com/3fpcjeec. You can also email comments, affirmations, questions or concerns about the draft social message to the Theological Ethics team of the ELCA churchwide organization at draftsocialmessage@elca.org. The survey and public comment period will be open until June 30.
ELCA social teachings are developed through a process of communal deliberation across the church, and your feedback will be prayerfully considered as this draft is revised. Your perspective is important to this process, so we hope you will find time to review the draft and share your comments.
A revised, proposed social message will be sent to the ELCA Church Council this fall for possible adoption as the newest social teaching of our church. If adopted, this social message will serve as a guide for people of faith to think theologically and ethically about children and the church. It will also serve as an official policy document to guide the church’s public witness and to support policies at the congregational, synodical and churchwide level.
Thank you for your partnership in this important work.
In Christ,
Ryan P. Cumming
ELCA Program Director of Theological Ethics, Education and Community Engagement
