Sex Abuse Scandals in the Catholic Church: The Silent Suffering of Nuns
Pope to confront long-standing issue: exploitation of nuns
The dark reality of nuns being sexually abused by priests remains hidden in the shadows of the Catholic Church, though it's a subject that the future pope can't overlook as reports of such incidents continue to surge.
"In the past, the nuns were silenced, their abusers convinced them to stay quiet, it was like a secret that only the tortured souls held," shares Sister Cristina Schorck, a 41-year-old Brazilian nun living in Rome.
According to the Brazilian, Pope Francis broke the silence, unlocking a door for nuns to speak out about their suffering. After his historic summit on clerical sexual abuse in 2019, a series of measures were enacted, including lifting the secrecy surrounding abuse reports and the mandatory reporting of such incidents to superiors.
Sister Veronique Margron, president of the Conference of Religious of France, points out that although it's still a taboo subject, the dialogue around nuns' victimization has escalated significantly. The slow evolution of attitudes in the Church is clear when examining the case of Slovenian priest and mosaic artist, Marko Rupnik. Accused of sexually and psychologically abusing nuns in the early 1990s, Rupnik was only brought to justice under immense pressure, with Pope Francis lifting the statute of limitations in 2023 to launch investigations against him.
Italian lawyer, Laura Sgro, who represents five of Rupnik's accusers, urges governments and the Church to safeguard nuns by extending the statute of limitations and swiftly acting against perpetrators. The Vatican has received criticism for failing adequately to address the issue, particularly for clinging onto confessional secrecy.
Despite the slow progress, ecclesiastical officials acknowledge that strides have been made, with Pope Francis openly condemning all forms of abuse. Nuns in Rome, who wear black, grey, white, beige, or brown habits, continue to serve, work, and tend to pilgrims, largely unnoticed amidst the papal power struggles. One nun, Sister Marthe, a Cameroonian in her 40s, aspires for the Church to foster an environment where they can respond effectively to sexual or power abuse.
Under Francis, the Church has undertaken significant steps towards greater gender equality, naming a woman as head of a Vatican ministry in January 2021, a historic first in the Church's 2,000-year history. However, many advocate for further advancements, as women far outnumber men in the Church. With 559,228 nuns compared to 128,559 Catholic priests worldwide, their voices have become increasingly significant.
Augustinian Servants of Jesus and Mary secretary-general, Marta Gadaleta, believes that the Church's traditional "pyramidal" and "macho" approach has led to the mistreatment of nuns. In Rome, Sister Eugenia, 67, shares her belief that fighting against clericalism—the notion of the clergy as an elite—will help eradicate all forms of abuse. In January 2021, Pope Francis himself advocated for the Church to shed its "macho mentality," insisting that nuns should not be treated as subordinates.
The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) has emerged as a powerful force in bringing light to the issue. In 2016, they invited their members to report abuses, while organizing training sessions to increase awareness amongst nuns regarding power and sexual abuse. The UISG and Union of Superiors General set up a joint commission in 2020 to promote a supportive culture within congregations. The information gleaned from these sessions must be disseminated to local communities to drive lasting change.
Summing it up, Sister Margron advises that the change cannot solely rely on the Vatican. Instead, she calls for empowering local communities to lead the transformation and promoting greater inclusivity of women in the Church.
- As the dialogue around nuns' victimization escalates, it's crucial for the Church to focus on addressing not only sexual health but also women's health, to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all.
- In striving for greater gender equality, the Church should also prioritize health-and-wellness initiatives, including sexual-health education and resources, to protect and support the mental and physical well-being of nuns and all women within the Church community.
