Research on Sexual Abuse in Catholic Church: Findings and Responses
Dr. Marie Keenan from University College Dublin conducts research on sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, focusing on systemic issues, individual and institutional dimensions, and the response mechanisms. The research delves into factors contributing to abuse, including celibacy, clericalism, and moral theology, and suggests the need for restorative justice approaches to address the complex nature of the problem.
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Presentation Transcript
Research on Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church and Restorative Justice Dr Marie Keenan Assoc Prof University College Dublin Marie.Keenan@ucd.ie
My Research: CSA and Institutional Abuse Clergy Perpetrators Non offending clergy Review of international academic literature Review of International Reports Meetings with Bishops and Church Leaders Further informed by: Clinical engagement Ireland and Internationally Court work offending clergy and victims Chaired sessions of Bishops Conference Advisory panels for Religious Orders male and female
Findings re CSA Systemic Problem: Ireland and Internationally Individual and institutional dimensions when studies together reflect beliefs ant values that formed part of the problem [blind eye if not deliberate implicated] A map of small compromises [and rationalisations] that ordinary men made on the way to abusing Not about paedophile priests but ordinary men in the main Did not enter to gain access to children to abuse them something happened inside Seminary formation part of the context abuse on day of ordination Perfection: [gave rise to cover up and denial of psychosexual lives] Clerical Masculinity: [devoid of acknowledgement of male sexuality]
Celibacy: Difference between Rhetoric and Reality Forced rather than optional is a problem Theology of Power: a problem power over Theology of Authority and Obedience: upwards being under authority Clericalism: in clergy and deference in the community of believers Moral Theology: body bad Theology of Sacrifice: Is the aim of spiritual salvation worth the sexual sacrifice
Response to CSA: Procedural in Nature Some victims of CSA feel better treated [Not institutional Abuse] New cast of victims clergy falsely accused Little change in Authority structure, Power structure, theology of sexuality, moral theology , theology of sacrifice Need to engage with social science, medical science, biology etc Need new responses: restorative
Historical Institutional Abuse - Magdalen Laundries - Mother and Baby Homes - False Adoptions Ongoing Research And Revelations - Institutional and Reformatory Schools reports, redress scheme etc done - Symphysiotomy - Elite Boys Boarding Schools - Boys Day Schools What s Different - Implicates Church and State - Implicates Wider Society / Community
Healing Circles members of Religious Orders / Dioceses Victims and Leaders of Religious Orders / Dioceses VOM Victims Groups /Religious Orders working out a Restorative Justice Plan [not a lawyer free zone] Restorative Responses State Response: Redress [adversarial], RJ mentioned restorative response but not clearly understood Parish Councils, members of Clergy, Bishops facilitated meetings Long way to go for Restorative Responses Former Offenders cast out Nothing restorative happening there
