From darkness into light : canonical considerations for church leaders on spiritual abuse

Abstract

Addressing the issue of spiritual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church requires great sensitivity, because the affresses are very different persons. First, there are those who experienced spiritual abuse and sometimes also sexual abuse in the Church. They, who have had the courage to speak out and who overcame their fears that they would not be heard, deserve respect and esteem. Their voice is crucial, because without it the Church, and not only those who hold leadership and thus responsibility, but also the community as such, would most likely not have faced the topic of spiritual abuse or would not address it to the extent needed. By speaking out, what was hidden in darkness was brought into the light. Hence, the light could begin to unfold its healing effect. The church must realize that without genuinely listening to those affected, it will not be able to journey into the light. It is of crucial relevance to listen personally to the survivors and those affected in order to understand the phenomenon and to be able to react adequately.