
On October 25th, I celebrated my 23rd birthday while working at my desk in the America newsroom. That day, Pope Francis made an intervention at the synod, condemning clericalism as a harmful force that defiles the church. My colleague Colleen Dulle pointed out on Twitter that this form of clericalism particularly hurts women who endure mistreatment and marginalization.
Just twenty minutes later, we received news that Rev. Marko Rupnik, a former Jesuit and credibly accused sexual abuser, had been accepted into his home diocese in Slovenia. The diocese released a statement saying that Rupnik would enjoy all the rights and duties of diocesan priests. This news made me question why I, as a young woman and feminist, remain in a church plagued by scandal.
Two days later, on October 27th, the Vatican acknowledged the mishandling of the Rupnik case and lifted the statute of limitations on his alleged abuses. While this is a step towards justice, it does not change the fact that Father Rupnik’s case is a clear example of clericalism at its worst.
Clerical sexual abuse and the church’s failure to address it pose a threat to the church’s legitimacy for future generations and its mission today. As a young Catholic, the sexual abuse crisis has always been close to me. Earlier this year, a report on clerical sexual abuse in my home state revealed that several priests with credible abuse allegations had worked at my Jesuit high school. This shattered me, but it was not surprising. A church tainted by scandal is all I have ever known.
Despite this brokenness, both my high school and the Catholic Church hold sacred meaning for me. Because of my love for them, I feel compelled to fight for their improvement.
To address the problem of clerical sexual abuse deeply rooted in the church’s structure, the laity, including women religious, must be part of the solution. It is our responsibility to listen to survivors and let their testimonies guide us, even when it makes us uncomfortable. The voices of victims should be heard, and their stories should transform us.
The sexual abuse crisis can only be addressed if the church experiences metanoia, a change of heart and mind. It is a form of clericalism that protects abusers over the people they are meant to serve. Lay and ordained leaders must share the responsibility of overseeing the crisis. Lay participation in accountability processes is crucial for trust and transparency in the church.
The final report from the Synod on Synodality proposes allowing women to judge canonical disputes, which is a positive step. However, true collaboration requires holding clerics accountable for their abuses of authority.
The church needs to be transformed by the testimonies of victims and the spirit of truth within us. Structural changes alone will not be enough if our hearts remain unchanged. We must weep for the victims and take action to address the sexual abuse crisis.
In my darkest moments, I question whether my place as a young feminist in the church is a form of Stockholm Syndrome. Learning about the reality of sexual abuse has shaken my faith, as it has for many others. But despite the flaws of human beings within the church, I am reminded of the spirit of truth that exists within it. I believe in this holy and broken church and its potential for justice in the world. We must work towards justice within our own walls to make that dream a reality.