Inicjatywa "Zranieni w Kościele" holds 400th support hotline shift

Psychotherapists are conducting the 400th scheduled shift for the Wounded in the Church support hotline today, September 29, 2026. The free and anonymous phone line, run by lay Catholics, provides assistance to people who have experienced violence, particularly sexual abuse, involving individuals connected to the Church.

Since the hotline began operating in March 2019, specialists have answered more than 760 calls. Katarzyna Sroczyńska, spokesperson for the Wounded in the Church initiative, said the organization originally expected the service to be needed for only two to three years. Sroczyńska noted that the nature of the calls is changing, as callers increasingly report issues involving psychological violence and abuses of power, or seek help after already notifying state and Church authorities.

The initiative provides information on psychological, legal, and spiritual help. It also offers individual advice for people facing difficulties during court cases or canonical proceedings.