Liturgy in the Shadow of Trauma

Much of the work surrounding the crisis of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has focused on how the abuse remained simultaneously widespread while being kept private, but not how the effects of the abuse impact the liturgy itself. Paying particular attention to PTSD, moral injury, and moral distre...

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Main Authors: David Farina Turnbloom, Megan Breen, Noah Lamberger, Kate Seddon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-06-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/7/583
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author David Farina Turnbloom
Megan Breen
Noah Lamberger
Kate Seddon
author_facet David Farina Turnbloom
Megan Breen
Noah Lamberger
Kate Seddon
author_sort David Farina Turnbloom
collection DOAJ
description Much of the work surrounding the crisis of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has focused on how the abuse remained simultaneously widespread while being kept private, but not how the effects of the abuse impact the liturgy itself. Paying particular attention to PTSD, moral injury, and moral distress, this article examines how systemic clergy perpetuated sexual abuse (CPSA) has damaged liturgical efficacy for both abuse survivors and Roman Catholic laity. Focusing on PSTD, moral injury, and moral distress frames the issue in a way that illuminates the church’s ongoing role in preventing the healing of survivors and limiting the potential for grace in the sacraments. In light of the exploration, we suggest that in order for widespread healing we must move towards a relational ontology that realigns with the survivors and reject language and practices that blame survivors for their discomfort in the church, instead affirming the dignity in the options to seek grace and relationship with God outside of the Roman Catholic tradition.
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spelling doaj.art-3624b706cb814970bfd1ea1f7dfb28922023-12-01T22:37:59ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442022-06-0113758310.3390/rel13070583Liturgy in the Shadow of TraumaDavid Farina Turnbloom0Megan Breen1Noah Lamberger2Kate Seddon3Department of Theology, University of Portland, Portland, OR 97203, USADepartment of Theology, University of Portland, Portland, OR 97203, USADepartment of Theology, University of Portland, Portland, OR 97203, USADepartment of Theology, University of Portland, Portland, OR 97203, USAMuch of the work surrounding the crisis of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has focused on how the abuse remained simultaneously widespread while being kept private, but not how the effects of the abuse impact the liturgy itself. Paying particular attention to PTSD, moral injury, and moral distress, this article examines how systemic clergy perpetuated sexual abuse (CPSA) has damaged liturgical efficacy for both abuse survivors and Roman Catholic laity. Focusing on PSTD, moral injury, and moral distress frames the issue in a way that illuminates the church’s ongoing role in preventing the healing of survivors and limiting the potential for grace in the sacraments. In light of the exploration, we suggest that in order for widespread healing we must move towards a relational ontology that realigns with the survivors and reject language and practices that blame survivors for their discomfort in the church, instead affirming the dignity in the options to seek grace and relationship with God outside of the Roman Catholic tradition.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/7/583liturgysacramentgracetraumaPTSDmoral injury
spellingShingle David Farina Turnbloom
Megan Breen
Noah Lamberger
Kate Seddon
Liturgy in the Shadow of Trauma
Religions
liturgy
sacrament
grace
trauma
PTSD
moral injury
title Liturgy in the Shadow of Trauma
title_full Liturgy in the Shadow of Trauma
title_fullStr Liturgy in the Shadow of Trauma
title_full_unstemmed Liturgy in the Shadow of Trauma
title_short Liturgy in the Shadow of Trauma
title_sort liturgy in the shadow of trauma
topic liturgy
sacrament
grace
trauma
PTSD
moral injury
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/7/583
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