But we're not going to force a person to endure a lifetime of abuse just because we believe they shouldn't get divorced. That seems contrary to the heart of God. God is not interested in a person being beat up. God would want us to protect them and remove them from the threat of violence. The Roman Catholic Church, which regards marriage as a sacred, lifelong contract, also recognizes the need for an escape hatch for victims of abuse by allowing separations if counseling does not work or there is imminent danger, said the Rev. C. Sylvester McDermott of the Sacramento Diocese.
Someone is killed or there is a case in which it's all over the newspapers involving a congregant.
I wish that's not the case, but unfortunately it is. Some are taking steps to handle the problem before it erupts in such violence. Many churches now have separate counseling centers available, and congregations in Yolo County are organizing an Oct. 12 seminar on how to respond to domestic violence problems. But it takes more than just educating the clergy, experts say. 1997's true examples explode many stereotypes of domestic violence.