2025-1-10
I’m a lifelong Catholic. I’ve moved around quite a lot, and because of that I am aware that the abuse crisis in our church is worldwide. I know that when I share that I have had quite traumatic experiences in the Roman Catholic church, someone always approaches me privately to say that they have too. And I know that this does not happen in every Christian church out there. Some churches are safer than others.
When I get emails from the Franciscans and from the diocese I have dealt with, I still get nervous. I still feel exposed, vulnerable, and afraid. The Professional Standards Office in Sydney told me there would be “consequences” for me if I didn’t stay quiet. What could those consequences be? Ironically, this is exactly why I do maintain this blog. “Sunlight” seems to be the single most effective earthly protection I have from these men. (They have their lawyers send me a letter? That letter will be made public. They blatantly and provably lied to me? That will be made public too. )
Spiritually, though, I rely on Jesus.
I wake up in the morning and feel at risk. I feel vulnerable, exposed. I used to revere the Franciscans. As priests and pastors they were invited into my life at the most vulnerable and difficult moments. They took these moments and my faith and weaponized them against me.
But then I remind myself I don’t need these Roman Catholic clergymen to get to my Savior. My family and my children don’t need them. We can have access to God just by being us, by being his children. He is our creator, and He will not surrender us to power hungry men who think they have the right to use people. This is one of the primary messages Jesus gave us.