Diocese of Lafayette                                                                                                                                                                            P. O. Box 3387                                                                                                                                                                  Lafayette, Louisiana  70502-3387
Telephone: 337-261-5614   Fax: 337 261-5603

 

March 10, 2019

To:   People of the Diocese of Lafayette

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

Four days ago, we began our Lenten journey of 40 days. During this time, our Lord calls us to look carefully at ourselves and identify our weakness and sin; in doing so, we can undergo a change of heart and draw closer to the Lord Jesus. The Church suggests that this is accomplished through prayer, fasting and sacrifices. I pray that your Lenten journey may be a time of blessing and new life.

As we begin Lent, we look at our society and identify ways that we are tempted to stray from the way of the Lord. I wish to identify one: pornography. The scourge of pornography has become common in our society today and increasingly darkens the lives of many. Men, women, and children can become challenged and even addicted as pornography becomes more easily accessible with each passing day. Additionally, the types of pornography being accessed by individuals today are becoming increasingly more violent and the indignity suffered by those who are used for this purpose strips them of their dignity as children of a loving Father.

This Lent, throughout the Diocese of Lafayette, we are inviting parents, parishes, schools, and all organizations to learn more about this common struggle and to protect ourselves, others, and especially our children from this attack to our Christian dignity as well as on the human person.

Your parish has resources that will be given to each family today to address this issue. I would ask that each family review the resources provided and attempt to avail yourselves of its assistance in order that we may use them to protect, not only our children, but to protect the sanctity of marriage and family life.

May your Lenten journey be blessed! As I remember you in prayer, please remember me. With every good wish, I am

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel, D.D.

Bishop of Lafayette

JDD:mhb