“Unhealed Trauma Gets Passed Forward” by John Marshall LeeContinued

My childhood training in the Church focused on Jesus Christ as leader of a band of disciples, as a teacher to all who would listen, as a story teller of simple truths in forms easy for crowds to understand, as well as a healer of miraculous power. In this sense I ask myself today where the ‘men of the cloth’ and collar see themselves today as healers (of human power, at least.)
Most of their responses have been geared to the future, creating supposedly “safe environments” for children in Church activities, yet samples of recent clergy abuses continue to appear regularly. As Bishops practice self-applause for their activities as members of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops with their Charter and Norms, indicating that the Church has done more to protect children than any other institution, their legal advisors continue to play serious hard ball when it comes to claimants seeking acknowledgement of their abuse, justice through revelation of their true story and practical assistance on the road to healing.

Where is the healing today? What and where are the numbers of specific victims of abuse acknowledged by the Church in each Diocese? How many have approached the Church for healing, and been embraced in this regard? Where have those who follow in Christ’s footsteps had success in healing? What are the lessons learned about the trauma suffered, about the lives changed beyond the immediate victim, and about consequences that stem from failing to heal or attend to those needing and wanting healing but failing in their quest?

The five steps for healing from traumatic events and subsequent grief proceed from denial, to anger, to bargaining, to depression and finally to acceptance if pursued long enough and accompanied by discernment and grace. But where is the institutional Church today on this grief-filled way? Is denial the first and final stop for many leaders today? Anger and bargaining behavior has been apparent for years with episcopal leaders refusing duty to their followers as well as accountability for actions or failure to act. And that leads into depression where many from the pews have arrived and said “Goodbye” because of hypocrisy and failures in truthfulness of leaders.
Perhaps leaders can transport themselves into the shoes of an abused youth, who as either child or adolescent was groomed and set upon by a powerful and respected individual, trusted for the collar he wore, but betrayed nevertheless? Where is your outline of healing practice, Bishops of the Church, and where are the metrics of your results? Until you complete all five steps of the grieving process and come to acceptance of your full responsibility, then share it with all of the People of God prayerfully and completely, genuine healing by, in and of the Church shall not happen. Time will tell.