One reason we understood this journalist’s concern is because of Dorothy Day. Core to her thought and spirituality was the importance of not only addressing symptoms of poverty but in also exploring the systemic reality as to why poverty exists in certain contexts. In other words, Day recognized that not all sin is individual—it also can be systemic or structural.
I think part (though not all) of the reason that people (well...conservative leaning people, which I primarily identify as) are so resistant to talk of reformation and change in structures in the Church is that there's also currently a push to change Church teaching itself, especially as regards sexuality.
That's not the type of change that's needed, of course. But I have found the people most willing to talk about changing the systems in the church to stop abuse are those who are also more open/sympathetic to (if not outright pushing for) changes in Church teaching. More conservative people seem to be more likely to take the "bad apple" philosophy and believe it's more a question of just getting the "right" people into place.
It's a scary and frustrating thing to be in-between those two realities. I do believe systematic change needs to happen, but I also understand the fear of those changes being taken advantage of and confusing the truth (which I think is a separate issue from figuring out how to effectively and compassionately preach the gospel to those who feel alienated by those truths, but I digress).
I've honestly just spent an awful lot of time feeling deeply confused and lost about the whole thing, and trying to just focus on the people in front of me (and hoping I don't mess that up, one way or the other).
(And then there's those who don't want to change things because it's inconvenient or they're benefitting from the current system in some way...don't really have much sympathy for that, though I recognize facing that can take some courage).
Emily, thank you so much for this comment. I can totally relate to your sense of confusion at being suspended between two realities. We’ve found allies in our mission in the most unexpected places, on the left and the right. I think we all have choices in the face of the changes needed in the Church that abuse revelations have laid bare. Some will cling to what feels safe and others, like you, will choose to walk into a place of suspension. No matter our ideological side, we have to be willing to topple our idols to put victims, and really all the vulnerable, at the center of our ecclesial paradigm. Like you, I’m trusting if I do that, if I focus on the little I can do wherever God places me, then God will take care of the rest.
This is an institutional problem, regardless of where it happens: religious, military, educational. What about an invitation for recovery that begins in FORMATION... bringing all our brokenness out of isolation into the Light of God. If it's not talked about from the outset, it's already too late. So many need recovery but are afraid to let others know... I love my recovery and have seen so many, even former abusers, find it.
Human formation is so key. And facing it and improving formation is also a systemic issue as it happens in institutions within the Church, including parishes, seminaries, religious communities, etc.
I have been writing here recently about synodality as one path to structural change in the Church. It is an intentional antidote to clericalism, which is at the heart of many forms of abuse. Synodality has received very little attention in the US Church so far. I think the laity and religious orders here will be leaders in its adoption. Its focus on inclusion, accountability and transparency will be helpful.
May God bless your studies and your apostolate Sisters! You have heroic courage. We are praying for you!
Sin can be systemic and or structural but you also say it is individual? Nice cover for really an activist with Marxist ideologies. The cross had to lean into her …..
Lots to think about and wrestle with here.
I think part (though not all) of the reason that people (well...conservative leaning people, which I primarily identify as) are so resistant to talk of reformation and change in structures in the Church is that there's also currently a push to change Church teaching itself, especially as regards sexuality.
That's not the type of change that's needed, of course. But I have found the people most willing to talk about changing the systems in the church to stop abuse are those who are also more open/sympathetic to (if not outright pushing for) changes in Church teaching. More conservative people seem to be more likely to take the "bad apple" philosophy and believe it's more a question of just getting the "right" people into place.
It's a scary and frustrating thing to be in-between those two realities. I do believe systematic change needs to happen, but I also understand the fear of those changes being taken advantage of and confusing the truth (which I think is a separate issue from figuring out how to effectively and compassionately preach the gospel to those who feel alienated by those truths, but I digress).
I've honestly just spent an awful lot of time feeling deeply confused and lost about the whole thing, and trying to just focus on the people in front of me (and hoping I don't mess that up, one way or the other).
(And then there's those who don't want to change things because it's inconvenient or they're benefitting from the current system in some way...don't really have much sympathy for that, though I recognize facing that can take some courage).
Emily, thank you so much for this comment. I can totally relate to your sense of confusion at being suspended between two realities. We’ve found allies in our mission in the most unexpected places, on the left and the right. I think we all have choices in the face of the changes needed in the Church that abuse revelations have laid bare. Some will cling to what feels safe and others, like you, will choose to walk into a place of suspension. No matter our ideological side, we have to be willing to topple our idols to put victims, and really all the vulnerable, at the center of our ecclesial paradigm. Like you, I’m trusting if I do that, if I focus on the little I can do wherever God places me, then God will take care of the rest.
This is an institutional problem, regardless of where it happens: religious, military, educational. What about an invitation for recovery that begins in FORMATION... bringing all our brokenness out of isolation into the Light of God. If it's not talked about from the outset, it's already too late. So many need recovery but are afraid to let others know... I love my recovery and have seen so many, even former abusers, find it.
Human formation is so key. And facing it and improving formation is also a systemic issue as it happens in institutions within the Church, including parishes, seminaries, religious communities, etc.
I have been writing here recently about synodality as one path to structural change in the Church. It is an intentional antidote to clericalism, which is at the heart of many forms of abuse. Synodality has received very little attention in the US Church so far. I think the laity and religious orders here will be leaders in its adoption. Its focus on inclusion, accountability and transparency will be helpful.
May God bless your studies and your apostolate Sisters! You have heroic courage. We are praying for you!
Thank you Thomas, we will read your posts!
Sin can be systemic and or structural but you also say it is individual? Nice cover for really an activist with Marxist ideologies. The cross had to lean into her …..