Create in Me a Clean Heart

A Pastoral Response to Pornography

At their November 2015 General Assembly, the U.S. bishops approved the formal statement "Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography" with an almost unanimous vote. 

Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, then-chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, which directed the statement's development, said: "My brother bishops' approval of this statement shows our collective concern for the widespread problem of pornography in our culture today. As the statement says, virtually everyone is affected by pornography in some way. So many people –including within the Church– are in need of Christ's abundant mercy and healing. My hope is that the statement can serve as a foundation and catalyst for increased pastoral attention to this challenge at the national and local level."

Formats

The full text of the statement is available as a PDF in English: Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography

The full text is also available online in Spanish as a flipbook: Crea en mí un corazón puro: Una respuesta pastoral a la pornografía

"Create in Me a Clean Heart" is available in print in both English and Spanish at the USCCB Store.

The Clean Heart pamphlet series includes five pamphlet-length resources related to the main statement, in both English and Spanish. The English pamphlets can be purchased from the USCCB Store. Each pamphlet's full text is available online:

• "Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography - Abridged Version"
  
• "Pornography's Effects on Marriage and Hope for Married Couples" by Sam and Beth Meier
• "Raising Chaste Children in a Pornographic World" by Ryan Foley
• "The Role of Priests in Ministry to Those who Struggle with Pornography" by Fr. David Songy
• "'Wash Me Thoroughly': Healing from Pornography Use and Addiction" by Daniel Spadaro
  
  
• "Crea en mí un corazón puro: una respuesta pastoral a la pornografía - Versión abreviada" (PDF available)
  
• "Efectos de la pornografía sobre el matrimonio y esperanza para las parejas casadas" por Sam y Beth Meier (PDF available)
  
• "Criando hijos castos en un mundo pornográfico" por Ryan Foley (PDF available)
  
• "El papel de los sacerdotes en el ministerio a los que luchan con la pornografía" por el padre David Songy (PDF available)
  
• "'Lávame bien' curándome del uso y adicción a la pornografía" por Daniel Spadaro (PDF available)
  

News Releases

• Bishops Approve Formal Statement, 'Create In Me A Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography' (Nov. 17, 2015)

• Bishops to Vote on Formal Statement on Pornography at November General Assembly (Oct. 30, 2015)

• Bishops Call for Pastoral Statement on Pornography (Nov. 12, 2013)

Other Resources Related to the Pastoral Response

Help for Men and Women Struggling with Pornography Use or Addiction at For Your Marriage. This list provides information about ministries, support groups, and resources for men and women who are looking for support to overcome pornography use and addiction, parents who want to help their children avoid pornography, filtering services to block pornography on Internet-enabled devices, a list of recommended books, and more.

USCCB pastoral letter "Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan" (2009): pornography is discussed on p. 49

Bishop Paul Loverde (Arlington), pastoral letter "Bought with a Price" (2014): includes resources for men, women and parents

Life Matters: Pornography and Our Call to Love: a Respect Life Program pamphlet by Dan Spadaro, licensed professional counselor. Also available in Spanish. Available for purchase through the USCCB store (purchasing information at the link).

Church Teaching on Pornography and audio presentations by Patrick Trueman (National Center on Sexual Exploitation), Bruce and Jeannie Hanneman (Reclaim Sexual Health) and Dr. Peter Kleponis (Integrity Restored)

Pornography as a challenge for marriage article by Gerald Korson at For Your Marriage

How to Strengthen Your Marriage after Porn Addiction: article by Dr. Arthur and Laraine Bennett (Alpha Omega Clinics) at For Your Marriage

The Internet and Pornography: an address by Ms. Jan Slattery and Br. Brendan Geary, FMS at a symposium for bishops and religious superiors on sexual abuse in Rome (2012)

Women and Online Pornography article at For Your Marriage

The Pornography Epidemic: A Catholic Approach by Dr. Peter Kleponis (Integrity Restored); book review at For Your Marriage

Overcoming Pornography Addiction: A Spiritual Solution by Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield (USCCB); book review at For Your Marriage

A Joint Statement on Pornography from the Synagogue Council of America and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (1993)

Light in a Dark World: article by Bethany Meola (USCCB) about Chapter 7 of the World Meeting of Families Catechesis (which discusses pornography)