You can download it here
Author: Joelle Casteix
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The wait is over!
The Well-Armored Child is here and available for purchase!
It’s been a long wait, but the day has come. Click here to purchase what reviewers are calling “smart and well-written” and “the most important parenting book you will ever own.”
The Well-Armored Child gives parents the tools and strategies to understand how predators “groom” children, why many of our trusted institutions cover up abuse, the importance of statutes of limitations and reporting, and how to empower children without shame, fear, or inappropriate discussions of sex.
More advance praise:
In these pages you will the wisdom, intelligence, and perspective you need to both understand the challenge of making the world safer and the tools to do the job.
– Michael D’Antonio, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success, Hershey, Mortal Sins, and The State Boys Rebellion
An essential manual for any parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, “The Well-Armored Child” teaches adults how to keep their kiddies away from sexual abuse in a manner both informative, down-to-earth, serious yet humorous.
– Gustavo Arellano, editor of OC Weekly and author of ¡Ask a Mexican! and Taco USA
With frank language and compassion. Joelle Casteix demystifies sexual abuse. She offers tools and strategies that every parent can be comfortable using to help keep their child safe. resilient, and loved.
– Jeff Dion, National Center for Victims of Crime
It’s amazing to think about how many children’s lives will be changed (or better yet, will remain innocent) because of The Well Armored Child. Parents can better protect and empower their kids, especially in this digital age, by reading this smart and well-written book.
– William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America and Found Unexpected Peace
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At least we aren’t poisoning each other’s chalices anymore
Pope Francis is a contentious figure … among his own bishops.
Today’s news boasts two must-read articles on the business and the politics that are the hierarchical Catholic Church. No matter your views on the Vatican, both give tremendous insight and a fascinating peek inside.
But worry not, because as Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, Francis ally and high-ranked Vatican priest told the Washington Post:
“At least we aren’t poisoning each other’s chalices anymore.”
Washington Post: Conservative dissent is brewing inside the Vatican
Crux: Pope’s annulment reform will recalibrate the Synod of Bishops, and more
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When the media gets it wrong about Francis
Tell me what is wrong with these two excerpts from this week’s news:
From Newsday:
Francis, 78, a Jesuit from Argentina, is moving in a similar direction, McCartin said. He has overhauled the Vatican bureaucracy, encouraged open debate within the church, instituted a mechanism for removing bishops who covered up the priest sex-abuse scandal and adopted a simple lifestyle as pope, trying to emulate his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi. (emphasis mine)
From the NY Times:
Francis is not the first pope to have addressed the issue of sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy, but he has drafted new rules giving prosecutors more leeway in the cases, allowing criminal charges to be applied to Vatican employees anywhere. He is also the first pope to take action against superiors accused of covering up for priests. (emphasis mine)
Have you guessed? Are you stumped? Okay, okay. I’ll tell you.
Francis hasn’t taken action against superiors who covered up for abusing priests nor has he instituted a mechanism for removing bishops.
Allowing KC/St. Joseph Robert Finn to resign three years after a conviction for child endangerment or allowing Archbishop John Nienstedt to resign in the wake of a huge sex scandal is NOT a mechanism. Unless “allowing complicit bishops to freely resign with full rights, power, and honors—and no punishment, accountability, or shame” is a mechanism, of course.
These men have not been publicly sanctioned. Francis has said NOTHING publicly about how these men allowed criminals to wreak havoc on the children in their dioceses. They were not forced out of their jobs. There was never a public reason given by the Vatican for accepting the resignations.
These men are still bishops with full rights and honors. They still preside over important functions. They still command the respect of lower-ranking priests.
And what about Cardinals Mahony and Law? They are living very posh and cushy lives and exert a huge amount of power.
So there you have it: There has been no action and there is no mechanism.
And it’s time for the media to stop saying that there is—or at least ask the tough questions.
(In the case of the Vatican commission: that is a wait and see. My prediction? They will be stonewalled, just like every diocesan lay review board in the United States. But I respect the commission members deeply and will do everything I can to help)
So, now what?
You can write the NYTimes to ask for a retraction.
You can write Newsday, but since the excerpt was a summary of a quote, a retraction isn’t really an option. But it’s okay to ask for clarification.
And if you do write, be nice. Being a journalist is tough work these days.
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My two September pieces for OC Family
I wrote two pieces in September’s issue of OC Family.
CASA’s volunteers make a difference in the lives of Orange County’s foster children and
TWO LOCAL NON-PROFITS HELP KIDS IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM
It’s nice to write about good news for a change.