Chicago (April 6, 2006) – The Archdiocese of Chicago and the Office of Catholic Schools throughout the month of April are engaging in activities to keep the protection of children at the forefront in its schools, parishes and agencies. In so doing, they join other church groups, child protection agencies and civil agencies in observing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Catholic schools throughout Cook and Lake counties are participating in numerous programs and activities that support the campaign to prevent child abuse. In addition to prayers, family masses, candle lighting ceremonies to signify solidarity with victim-survivors of child abuse, and recitation of special Prayers of the Faithful during Masses, Archdiocesan elementary and high school students, teachers and parents are wearing Blue Ribbons. The Blue Ribbon Campaign, begun in 1989, serves as a reminder to the seriousness of child abuse and the need for its prevention.

As part of the April Child Abuse Prevention campaign, the entire Catholic Schools Today radio hour on Relevant Radio/820 AM on Monday, April 10 from 9 to 10 a.m. will be devoted to this important topic. Program guests include Jimmy M. Lago, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago; Jan Slattery, Director of the Archdiocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Youth; and Dan Fitzgerald, Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Catholic Schools. This live program, hosted by Tom Sheridan , editor of the Catholic New World and Father Greg Sakowitz, pastor of St. Mary-of-the-Woods Parish, welcomes listeners’ questions and comments at 312-751-1979.

More information about the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, as well as new policies and procedures recently put in place to reinforce Archdiocesan programs to protect children and young people, is available on the Archdiocese of Chicago web site, www.archchicago.org

The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by providing academic excellence and faith formation for students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are 218 elementary and 40 secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.