Reflection Paper - Ifeanyi Eke PDF

Preview

Summary

talk: “Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church: How we got here and where are we going?” and writes a 150 word reflection on the topic.
Rev. David Couturier, theologian, psychologist, and expert on this topic will make a presentation on Wednesday 9/18 at the Madonna Lounge at 1230pm. Father Coutur...

Description

Name: Ifeanyi Eke

0087507

Reflection Paper on: Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church: How we got here and where are we going? Speaker: Fr David B. Couturier Date: 9/18/2019 Sex Abuse of minors in the Catholic Church has been a source of both national and international shame and mimicry. I must admit that despite not presently identifying as a catholic, I was personally invested in this talk as someone who had a catholic upbringing, and as a parent. From the title: “Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church: How we got here and where are we going?” , one can presume a chance for reformation efforts(making sure no child ever becomes a victim again) propelled by an understanding of the factors that brought about the problem. Fr David’s talk informed me on the root of the crime of sexual abuse as not just being of sexual motivation but a crime of abuse of power. Even more disturbing, was the alarming rate of sexual abuse of children in other institutions, bringing to light the ‘national epidemic’ that is sexual abuse of minors. A very important take away was a call for the focus on victims and their families. They deserve appropriate attention and care and need to be listened to. In retrospect, I was a bit disappointed at the direction of this talk. There was a lack of focus on the catholic church and practices that might have facilitated this debacle. How does an organization whose core is built on service fall victim so frequently to the abuse of power? I also found the talk very deflective, ignoring responsibility and focusing on national statistics of sex abuse. I acknowledge the efforts of awareness and education made by the catholic church, but I hope they begin to look inwardly into psychological patterns and into practices that make abuse of minors so prevalent in the catholic church and applying these into vetting and training of priests....