The word “vulnerable” gets thrown around a lot in discussions about abuse in the Church, so I thought I would ask our Survivors’ Voices Panel to share their own responses to the word and idea of vulnerability. Their responses remind me why I deeply value sharing the words of victim-survivors in this simple, unvarnished way - I think we can all learn something from their honesty, self-reflection, and wisdom.
"As I look back, I realize that he never had actual tears, it was a performance of emotion that he enjoyed utilizing to emotionally manipulate. He was grooming the community. In addition to his many homilies and talks encouraging vulnerability, he also preyed on the vulnerability of individuals within the sacrament of reconciliation. He started a healing ministry in which he sat in a little corner with 1 chair next to his as (mostly) women lined up to tell him their deepest wounds."
Thank you to whoever wrote and shared those words. I see you and I am with you. And thank you, Sara, for sharing them here.
"As I look back, I realize that he never had actual tears, it was a performance of emotion that he enjoyed utilizing to emotionally manipulate. He was grooming the community. In addition to his many homilies and talks encouraging vulnerability, he also preyed on the vulnerability of individuals within the sacrament of reconciliation. He started a healing ministry in which he sat in a little corner with 1 chair next to his as (mostly) women lined up to tell him their deepest wounds."
Thank you to whoever wrote and shared those words. I see you and I am with you. And thank you, Sara, for sharing them here.