When Spiritual Power Destroys Life. Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
The stories of victims of sexual assault in the Church shows how priests misuse their spiritual power for abuse. Instead of giving justice to victims, clerical power has maintained a culture of secrecy around abuse thus fueling its incidence. The consequences of abuse are psychologically and spiritu...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
SCM Press
2023
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| In: |
Concilium
Year: 2023, Issue: 4, Pages: 109-118 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Catholic church
/ Sexual abuse
/ Priest
/ Misuse of power
/ Patriarchalism
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| IxTheo Classification: | KDB Roman Catholic Church NCF Sexual ethics RB Church office; congregation ZD Psychology |
| Further subjects: | B
Sex crimes
B Catholic Church |
| Summary: | The stories of victims of sexual assault in the Church shows how priests misuse their spiritual power for abuse. Instead of giving justice to victims, clerical power has maintained a culture of secrecy around abuse thus fueling its incidence. The consequences of abuse are psychologically and spiritually destructive. Theological underpinnings around priesthood and the male/female relationship create victims and their vulnerability to abuse. The credibility of the Church as an institution of moral and spiritual integrity is severely eroded by spiritualized abuse. By protecting abusers it has destroyed lives instead of giving life. Change in structures and partnering with advocates is basic to make change. |
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| ISSN: | 0010-5236 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Concilium
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