The Roman Catholic clergy sex abuse phenomenon that has unfolded like a deadly cloud over Church and society is, without a doubt, the worst example of the Church gone awry since the Inquisition. Unlike the Inquisition, however, the victims of this nightmare will not be consigned to anonymous oblivion. Many of the thousands who have had their bodies and their souls violated by members of the clerical elite have emerged from the depressive and defeating pit of victim hood to become Survivors. Though used and often cast aside by the uncaring and callous official ministers of the Church, these men and women have refused to stay beaten down and have risen to challenge the ecclesiastical institution and the society that has stood too often silent and complicit. The Survivors of Catholic clergy sexual abuse are unlike any other sexual abuse victims. In an interview with the National Catholic Reporter in August, 2003, Dr. Leslie Lothstein, of the Institute for the Living, characterized the impact of sexual abuse by a priest as “soul murder” and so it is. . .(read more)
Survivors' Stories Introduction Father Thomas Doyle, O. P., J. C. D.