As we’ve noted on this blog many times, the problem of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church is not limited to the abuse of children. Adults can…… Read more “Is the Catholic Church Beginning to Address Abuse of Adults?”
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Holiday How-To: 10 Tips for Talking with Your Family About Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
It’s the holiday season, a common time for family gatherings—and a chance to engage loved ones in important conversations. Earlier this fall, a group of us at…… Read more “Holiday How-To: 10 Tips for Talking with Your Family About Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church”
Called to the Foot of the Cross: Why the Catholic Church Needs a “Catechesis of Survivor Stories”
Gerard McGlone, SJ, a Jesuit priest and researcher, believes all Catholics should regularly hear the stories of people who have experienced sexual abuse in the Church. He…… Read more “Called to the Foot of the Cross: Why the Catholic Church Needs a “Catechesis of Survivor Stories””
6 Ways Clergy and Church Leaders Can Build Trauma-Sensitive Parishes
Psychologists and others who work with victim-survivors of sexual abuse say that sexual abuse is so pervasive that many people sitting in church on any given Sunday have experienced abuse—perpetrated by family members or friends, clergy or coaches, scout Read more
The Sacred Work of Listening to Female Abuse Survivors
Some pockets of the Catholic community have overlooked the experience of female victim-survivors of sexual abuse, perhaps because media coverage has often focused on male victims. On…… Read more “The Sacred Work of Listening to Female Abuse Survivors “
Enablers and Bystanders: Are They Key to Addressing the Sex Abuse Crisis?
This week we revisit a thought-provoking post we first published in fall 2020. It shares ideas from law professor Amos Guiora, who studies the pivotal role of…… Read more “Enablers and Bystanders: Are They Key to Addressing the Sex Abuse Crisis?”
The Complicated Question of Forgiveness After Sexual Abuse
Forgiveness is central to Christianity. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells Peter to forgive, “not seven times, but 77 times.” And in the letter to the…… Read more “The Complicated Question of Forgiveness After Sexual Abuse”
5 Ways the Catholic Church Can Build More “Institutional Courage”
This blog post, first published in September 2020, really resonated for some on Awake’s Leadership Team. Given last week’s post about whistleblowers, it felt like a good…… Read more “5 Ways the Catholic Church Can Build More “Institutional Courage””
8 Tips for Talking with Your Kids About Sexual Abuse
As summer vacation draws to a close and many kids return to school, sports, and religious education classes, it’s a good time to remind children about the…… Read more “8 Tips for Talking with Your Kids About Sexual Abuse”
Dr. Kathleen McChesney: Transparency Around Clergy Abuse is “Absolutely Essential.”
Dr. Kathleen McChesney is a central figure in the Catholic Church’s efforts to address sexual abuse by clergy and religious leaders. She began her career as a…… Read more “Dr. Kathleen McChesney: Transparency Around Clergy Abuse is “Absolutely Essential.””
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