A Clerical Abuse Survivor’s Response to Cardinal Fernández’s Book, “The Mystical Passion”

Faith Hakesley

Pope Francis elevated Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández to prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) last year. Fernández drafted the controversial Fiducia Supplicans, a doctrinal declaration released with the pope’s approval on December 18, 2023. 

A resurfaced scandalous book, The Mystical Passion, written by Fernández in 1998, has recently brought him more attention. 

I read some of The Mystical Passion and found it nauseating. It’s sexually graphic, blasphemous, and completely inappropriate on so many levels. It would likely be especially triggering for any survivor of sexual abuse. It certainly was for me. I only got through a few portions before I felt physically ill and had to stop.  

Even more concerning than this book’s graphic descriptions is that it was inspired by a 16-year-old girl’s “spiritual” but sensual encounter with Jesus, as relayed to Fernández. This encounter is included in the book.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting Fernández abused anyone; however, that a Catholic priest would speak/write so graphically is despicable. Also, what I read suggests both grooming and spiritual abuse. 

Some of the lines stood out to me because my rapist said almost identical things while he was grooming and abusing me. As has happened in many cases of clerical abuse, my rapist often combined abuse with spirituality. He would try to make the awful things he was doing seem beautiful and godly. 

I sincerely hope that the teenage girl got the help she needed.

Fernández’s Response

The Mystical Passion is no longer in print and difficult to find. However, Fernández’s response to its resurfacing is not at all befitting the head of a Vatican department that promotes and defends Catholic doctrine, not to mention it oversees sexual abuse cases. Fernández has not apologized or shown remorse. He suppressed the book not long after publication due to his fear that it could be “misinterpreted.”

The gas lighting is obvious. There is nothing to be “misinterpreted.” We are simply seeing it for what it is. This filth was published just a few years before news of the clerical abuse scandal broke in Boston, MA in 2002. It’s no wonder he got worried. Even he recognized that his book’s content would be of concern. Fernández also stated that he wouldn’t write such a book today. Quite frankly, he never should have written it in the first place. Someone like him who is in charge of deciding matters of faith better be darn well able to make good, holy decisions. The fact that he wrote Mystical Passion gives one reason to doubt his ability to make good decisions.

This is a huge red flag, and it should not be allowed to simply slide. Even 20+ years later, he should not be given a free pass. 

Fernández has stated that Pope Francis already knew about Mystical Passion when he appointed him Prefect. If this is true and Fernández is allowed to slide by, then the Vatican sends a clear message to survivors: “You don’t matter.” It also sends the message that sexual abuse isn’t high on the priority list and some priests, cardinals, and bishops are receiving preferential treatment over others. This is further betrayal for clerical abuse survivors and for all faithful Catholics.

What Have We Learned?

Have we learned nothing from the sexual abuse scandal? Have we learned nothing about the grooming process – about betrayal, manipulation, and the pushing of both spiritual and physical boundaries? 

Apparently not. Regardless of whether this particular cardinal ever physically abused anyone or not, the book he wrote is, in and of itself, spiritually abusive and manipulative.

Despite the ongoing effects of the abuse scandal, I want to remind the faithful reading this to never give up hope. As my very wise father often reminds me, people have been trying to destroy the Catholic Church for the last 2000 years. They are not going to succeed now! As betrayed as I feel over and over again by people within the Church, I recognize that we need to hold onto hope always. However, we also need to continue demanding justice, accountability, and transparency.

About the Ruth Institute

The Ruth Institute is a global non-profit organization, leading an international interfaith coalition to defend the family and build a civilization of love.

Jennifer Roback Morse has a Ph.D. in economics and has taught at Yale and George Mason University. She is the author of The Sexual State and Love and Economics – It Takes a Family to Raise a Village.

To schedule an interview with Dr. Morse, contact media@ruthinstitute.org.

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