Church and community leaders were given some advice on dealing with abuse and domestic violence.

American counsellors Dr. Myrna Moore and Dr. Lynn Boza, of Michigan Rehabilitation Services, provided some tips during the Physical Abuse Centre's two-day Family Relationship Education Seminar.

Church leaders were encouraged to hold abusers accountable for their actions and to clarify to Christians that forgiveness does not mean tolerating an abusive relationship.

The clergy were also advised not to use the situations of victims as a sermon illustration -- especially if the person in question was present in their Church.

Those in the pulpit were told to accept the fact that abuse occurred in Christian families and that they should help those families gain access to professional services.

And Churches should not foster the myth that prayers and Bible study could solve the problems of victims, a stance hailed by seminar participants.

"Faith without works is dead,'' one man said.

"Church leaders must be comfortable to seek outside help,'' a woman added.

"One person can't be all things to all people.'' A recently ordained member of the clergy, who took part in the seminar, told the audience that changes in Bermuda had forced the Church to modify.

"Because of changes in society Churches have been forced to reeducate ourselves to meet the needs of society,'' he explained.

And the reverend recommended that each Church prepare a referral list for those in crisis and develop a rapport with counsellors and other professionals.

Meanwhile, community leaders were urged to listen to the victim's feelings without judgment, report abusive and violent incidents to authorities and attempt to raise community awareness of the abuse cycle.

HEALTH HTH