Faith Hakesley
This post is going to be a bit different from my usual ones. This time, I’m looking for your feedback. In lieu of the Synod on Synodality taking place within the Catholic Church, I have been asked to take part in some discussions at the diocesan level in Boston and I want to speak out for as many survivors as possible. I am looking for some honest feedback from Catholics (practicing and non-practicing), particularly those of you who have been directly affected by the sexual abuse scandal.
What exactly is the Synod on Synodality? You can learn everything you need to know about it here but, in brief, it is a 3-phase process lasting from 2021-2023 and according to the Vatican website, “the aim of this synodal process is not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more synodal Church in the long-term.” Syndodality “denotes the particular style that qualifies the life and mission of the Church, expressing her nature as the People of God journeying together and gathering in assembly, summoned by the Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel.”
In a recent article by the National Catholic Register, USCCB president Archbishop Jose Gomez was quoted as saying, “This synod is an opportunity to meet the immense and important request of the Holy Father to engage in dialogue to better understand our call to holiness and feel the responsibility to participate in the life of the Church.”
Regardless of whether you are a practicing or non-practicing Catholic, this Synod will likely bring about mixed emotions for many of you (myself included and I speak as a survivor of clerical abuse). Many people (survivors and non-survivors alike) have left the Catholic Church because of the scandal and, at this point in time, few people even want to talk about the scandal anymore. As far as some Catholics are concerned, it’s over and done with. Many people have moved on. The reality, however, is that the scandal has never ended. Abusers are still being covered for and defended even at the highest levels of leadership. One just has to talk to the survivors and their families who live with the pain every single day to recognize that!
The sex abuse scandal strikes to the very core of the credibility of the Catholic Church. Its foundation and teachings are legitimate, but its authority has been severely undercut because of the absolute nonsense that has been allowed to prevail. When someone lies enough and doesn’t speak up enough, people stop paying heed to them. The scandal calls into question the Church’s leaders — its bishops, priests and even the pope. While much good has been done in regard to addressing, preventing, and speaking about abuses, the Church still has not been fully transparent even in more recent years, and certain members of the hierarchy can’t even respond appropriately because they are so blind to the reality of this crisis. They need to stop adding to the problem and become a part of the solution.
Several years back, in response to certain claims made by Archbishop Vigano in regard to the sex abuse scandal and cover-up, Cardinal Blaise Cupich commented that, “We are not going down a rabbit hole.” He went on to say that the pope has, “…got to get on with other things, of talking about the environment and protecting migrants and carrying on the work of the Church.” Despite the varying opinions on Archbishop Vigano’s claims, Cardinal Cupich’s comments were such a slap in the face to survivors! Unfortunately, this does seem to be the prevailing attitude of many individuals.
The cries of thousands of innocent ones are on the hands of Church members who have excused, protected and defended predators. Many of these same individuals have further added to the crisis by promoting those who promote lax Church teaching. As a result, there is much confusion and division among Catholics. The wolves in sheep’s clothing seem to have the run of the town. For example, just look at what’s going on with the German Catholic leaders. They are openly defying Church teaching and have a goal of rewriting the Catechism, particularly in regard to women priests and deacons, homosexuality, and priestly celibacy. Yet, priests, religious, and other faithful Catholics who dare to turn against whatever agenda liberal leaders have on their plates at any given moment, are generally silenced. The same goes for many of the individuals who dare to speak up against corruption, including the corruption seen in the sex abuse scandal. Basically, dissenters are put in their place and forced to retreat while the conformists fall into line behind people like Fr. James Martin and boldly march across a so-called “bridge” towards “greater inclusivity.” However, this inclusivity that promises greater respect, compassion, and sensitivity seems to discriminate against anyone who tries to defend the innocent and uphold the 10 Commandments. As if survivors of clerical abuse haven’t suffered enough, they (along with all other Catholics) are subjected to this poor spiritual leadership which greatly hinders healing.
The Vatican states that the purpose of this Synod on Synodality is, “…not to produce documents, but to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.”
In order to do that, we need good, strong leaders. We need truth. We need solutions. We need justice. It is up to us, my friends! No matter where you are at in your own faith life and on your own journey, your voice deserves to be heard. Whatever your thoughts are on the Synod or on the Catholic Church in general, we are the Church and our voices should be heard. The voices of survivors in particular should be allowed to ring loud and clear. This is why I am seeking your help! This Synod could be an opportunity for us survivors to make ourselves heard. Standing alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ, we have the power to encourage, inspire, and maybe even to help get things back on track. Many Catholics are feeling dubious about this Synod but, regardless, we will never know what kind of difference we can make until we try. Once again, it is time to unite and to fight the good fight.
With that being said, here are some questions I ask you to consider:
-In your opinion, where has the Catholic Church gone wrong?
-Why have otherwise faithful Catholics (individuals who believe what the Church teaches) left the Church? Why do many survivors of clerical abuse feel that they can no longer participate in the sacraments and sometimes the Faith in general?
-How can the Church as a whole better support survivors?
-How can parishes at a local level offer better support to survivors (those who still actively participate in a parish and those who are no longer affiliated with the Church at all)?
Please email me your comments/thoughts/suggestions at AskASurvivor@ruthinstitute.org. Also, any comments concerning the pros and cons of the church’s response to the abuse crisis and its treatment of survivors are welcome!
The Synod on Synodality will undoubtedly be a failure unless all Catholic leaders show humility and clarity and work hard to clean up the mess that has been created. I can only hope and pray that hearts will be opened to hearing the voices of the people and that there will be a special place for survivors to be included in the conversation.
Being united may seem like a far-off goal, but we can all work to unite for the well-being of the greater Church. We all need to make a contribution and fight the war that is waging before us. We need to give all survivors a voice and stand up for what is right. The good, strong leaders should be encouraged to not be afraid to make changes, to right wrongs, and to not be weak in the face of tyranny.
I leave you with the profound words of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen who once said, “Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops act like bishops, and your religious act like religious.“
Do you have a question about victimization and/or healing? Email me at AskASurvivor@ruthinstitute.org. Your name and personal information will never be used in my public responses.
