Father Allen Hoffa – pastor of Holy Guardian Angels Parish in Reading – traveled in early July to the Washington, D.C. studio of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for an interview on their first video podcast discussing the fight against pornography.
Father Hoffa was interviewed by Andrew Buonopane, USCCB Assistant Director of Marriage and Family, on the "Love Means More" podcast, episode "How Should We Protect Against Porn?"
Appearing alongside Father Hoffa was panelist Clare Morrell, author and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a faith-based think tank and advocacy group in D.C.
The USCCB became aware of Father Hoffa through his nearly decade-long work with Integrity Restored, a ministry providing education and encouragement to those affected by pornography and pornography addiction.
Father Hoffa has also worked with Bishop Alfred Schlert of the Diocese of Allentown to develop a diocesan plan addressing pornography, which resulted in the creation of the Lumen Christi Commission, dedicated to bringing the faithful of our Diocese out of the darkness of pornography and back to the bright light found in Jesus Christ.
The July 2 video podcast is the first in a four-part series by the USCCB celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the USCCB’s publication of the pastoral statement “Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography.”
The main topic during the July 2 episode was the Supreme Court’s June 27 decision to uphold a Texas law requiring age verification for online pornography websites in the Free Speech Coalition (adult entertainers’ lobby) v. Paxton case.
At least 24 states have laws requiring age verification for websites that offer sexually explicit content, including pornography. These laws aim to restrict access to such content for minors.
Father Hoffa expressed hope that age verification for these websites becomes a federal law, saying “people are really starting to see the damage that [pornography] causes.”
The episode’s discussion also covers how the pornography industry is leveraging technology to spread pornography exposure, how pornography impacts children, seniors and marriages, and the powerful lobby of the pornography industry, which generates over $100 billion annually.
Reflecting on his seminary days, Father Hoffa said he hadn’t imagined then that speaking out against the harms of pornography was going to play such a key role in his priestly ministry.
“God guides us into the places He needs us to go,” he said. “This is where He’s taken me, and I feel blessed to be able to do it.”
To watch the "Love Means More" podcast, episode with Father Hoffa, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X8Un6vyeMM.
To learn more about the USCCB’s “Love Means More” initiative, go to www.lovemeansmore.org.
To learn more about the USCCB’s publication of the pastoral statement “Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography,” go to www.usccb.org/pureheart.
If any person in the Diocese of Allentown is struggling with pornography addiction, Father Hoffa said that they can contact the Lumen Christi Commission at 610-921-2729 ext. 2205, 610-207-3441, or [email protected]. All calls and emails are strictly confidential. The Lumen Christi website is www.adlumenchristi.org.
By Gia Myers
