Following a 50-country conference on safeguarding against clerical sexual abuse, Southdown Institute’s Fr. Stephen Kappler is launching a pilot project this month to train clergy on boundaries, abuse of spiritual power and healthy integrated sexuality.

News broke recently that the Jesuits have dismissed the famed artist, Fr. Marko Ivan Rupnik, from amongst their ranks. The dismissal resulted from his failure to obey orders to limit his travel as a result of allegations of sexual and psychological abuse levelled against him by several religious women.

What happens to children sexually abused by priests as they grow older? Some, tragically, commit suicide. Some fall into alcoholism and drug addiction in an attempt to cope with the enduring pain caused by such profound betrayals of trust. Serial failed relationships, career catastrophes, depression and hopelessness often follow.

After many years of clergy sexual abuse survivors only finding support for their healing outside of the Church community, Good Samaritans within the Church are approaching victims to help them bandage their wounds.