There is a quote by Venerable Fulton Sheen that is both helpful and equally unhelpful for me to recall in these moments. He said, "There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be." In my home diocese, there is an enthusiasm for the Church and the sacraments that is both inspiring & at the same time prevents people from speaking about their negative experiences. People just assume those with bad experiences have a credibility issue or hate the church. Let's focus on the good roots that Jesus left us, helping them grow deeper and stronger. And pruning everything within us that causes us to silence one another.
I recognize the kind of culture you describe, and it really can be toxic. The wounded can end up drowning invisibly in a sea of positivity as things that ought to change go uncorrected. (These things that need to change may be malice but are more often the unnoticed consequences of good intentions, and would therefore stand a good chance to be really made better if the consequences were discussed; think a zealous confessor who, through ignorance, might drive an OCD sufferer to scrupulosity). That within us that causes us to silence one another is not of God.
"Sexual assault". I'm growing more than tired of seeing this sort of language in "the news" lately. I asked Perplexity to provide others:
In recent years, several phrases related to sexual misconduct allegations have become increasingly prevalent in news reports. Some of the frequently used terms and phrases include:
1. "Accused of sexual misconduct"
2. "Charged with sexual harassment"
3. "Allegations of sexual abuse"
4. "Facing sexual assault charges"
5. "Under investigation for sexual misconduct"
6. "Alleged sexual impropriety"
7. "Claims of sexual coercion"
8. "Accused of sexual exploitation"
9. "Allegations of sexual grooming"
10. "Charged with sexual battery"
11. "Accused of sexual violence"
12. "Allegations of sexual intimidation"
These phrases reflect the increased public awareness and reporting of sexual misconduct cases, particularly in the wake of movements like #MeToo. They are often used in news reports covering allegations against public figures, celebrities, politicians, and individuals in positions of power or authority.
It's important to note that the use of these phrases in news reports does not imply guilt, as they often refer to accusations or allegations that have yet to be proven in court. However, their frequent appearance in media coverage highlights the ongoing societal focus on addressing and preventing sexual misconduct in various contexts.
No matter which way the investigation goes, I pray the organization Emmaus is able to continue its work.
There is a quote by Venerable Fulton Sheen that is both helpful and equally unhelpful for me to recall in these moments. He said, "There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be." In my home diocese, there is an enthusiasm for the Church and the sacraments that is both inspiring & at the same time prevents people from speaking about their negative experiences. People just assume those with bad experiences have a credibility issue or hate the church. Let's focus on the good roots that Jesus left us, helping them grow deeper and stronger. And pruning everything within us that causes us to silence one another.
I recognize the kind of culture you describe, and it really can be toxic. The wounded can end up drowning invisibly in a sea of positivity as things that ought to change go uncorrected. (These things that need to change may be malice but are more often the unnoticed consequences of good intentions, and would therefore stand a good chance to be really made better if the consequences were discussed; think a zealous confessor who, through ignorance, might drive an OCD sufferer to scrupulosity). That within us that causes us to silence one another is not of God.
"Sexual assault". I'm growing more than tired of seeing this sort of language in "the news" lately. I asked Perplexity to provide others:
In recent years, several phrases related to sexual misconduct allegations have become increasingly prevalent in news reports. Some of the frequently used terms and phrases include:
1. "Accused of sexual misconduct"
2. "Charged with sexual harassment"
3. "Allegations of sexual abuse"
4. "Facing sexual assault charges"
5. "Under investigation for sexual misconduct"
6. "Alleged sexual impropriety"
7. "Claims of sexual coercion"
8. "Accused of sexual exploitation"
9. "Allegations of sexual grooming"
10. "Charged with sexual battery"
11. "Accused of sexual violence"
12. "Allegations of sexual intimidation"
These phrases reflect the increased public awareness and reporting of sexual misconduct cases, particularly in the wake of movements like #MeToo. They are often used in news reports covering allegations against public figures, celebrities, politicians, and individuals in positions of power or authority.
It's important to note that the use of these phrases in news reports does not imply guilt, as they often refer to accusations or allegations that have yet to be proven in court. However, their frequent appearance in media coverage highlights the ongoing societal focus on addressing and preventing sexual misconduct in various contexts.
Citations:
[1] https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/slideshow/2526477/celebrities-accused-of-sexual-assault/
[2] https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/french-priest-abbe-pierre-accused
[3] https://www.news4sanantonio.com/news/local/four-suspects-arrested-after-alleged-repeated-sexual-assault-of-14-year-old-girl
[4] https://www.wqow.com/news/crime/eau-claire-man-charged-with-repeated-sexual-assault-of-a-child/article_40eb6c1a-e563-11ee-9d6f-1f2b5b260251.html
[5] https://www.sltrib.com/news/2023/12/06/new-court-filing-accuses-tim/
[6] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/28/world/middleeast/oct-7-attacks-hamas-israel-sexual-violence.html
[7] https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/education/schoolwatch/2024/07/15/thacher-school-lawsuit-sexual-misconduct-allegations/74388165007/
> alleged sexual assault by the charismatic priest, who died in 2007, at the age of 94.
That second comma makes it read like "alleged sexual assault...at the age of 94" -- is the allegation really that he assaulted someone when he was 94?