Healing from Moral Injury Caused by Catholic Clergy Abuse: Base Ecclesial Communities as a Model for Moral Repair
Start Date
7-8-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
7-8-2026 11:15 AM
Location
ALT 203
Abstract
Abuse by Catholic clergy and the subsequent institutional betrayal result in moral injury, necessitating moral repair. Moral injury can be defined as a “sacred wound” that reaches the core of a person’s humanity, describing the turmoil of disconnection from aspects of one’s identity after a violation of moral beliefs. In the case of clergy abuse, moral injury encompasses the wounds of survivors and witnesses alike, addressing the inherent relationality of the harm. A wound that is inherently communal must likewise be healed in community. Moral repair is a relational form of healing that recognizes the distinct needs of each morally injured person. Further, moral repair is a collaborative effort which seeks to restore damaged relationships and address the grief of those harmed through shared acknowledgement of the abuse, alongside recognition and affirmation of each individual’s dignity.
I propose a model of moral repair inspired by the structure of Base Ecclesial Communities (BECs). BECs are small communities with ties to the Catholic Church, but which are autonomous and laity-led, with notably flexible structures that make them applicable to the needs of various communities. The structure of a BEC addresses essential aspects of healing through moral repair from moral injury caused by Catholic clergy abuse, including but not limited to: synodality, operation outside of the Church’s institutional structure, intentional space for communal sharing, and potential for collective action.
Healing from Moral Injury Caused by Catholic Clergy Abuse: Base Ecclesial Communities as a Model for Moral Repair
ALT 203
Abuse by Catholic clergy and the subsequent institutional betrayal result in moral injury, necessitating moral repair. Moral injury can be defined as a “sacred wound” that reaches the core of a person’s humanity, describing the turmoil of disconnection from aspects of one’s identity after a violation of moral beliefs. In the case of clergy abuse, moral injury encompasses the wounds of survivors and witnesses alike, addressing the inherent relationality of the harm. A wound that is inherently communal must likewise be healed in community. Moral repair is a relational form of healing that recognizes the distinct needs of each morally injured person. Further, moral repair is a collaborative effort which seeks to restore damaged relationships and address the grief of those harmed through shared acknowledgement of the abuse, alongside recognition and affirmation of each individual’s dignity.
I propose a model of moral repair inspired by the structure of Base Ecclesial Communities (BECs). BECs are small communities with ties to the Catholic Church, but which are autonomous and laity-led, with notably flexible structures that make them applicable to the needs of various communities. The structure of a BEC addresses essential aspects of healing through moral repair from moral injury caused by Catholic clergy abuse, including but not limited to: synodality, operation outside of the Church’s institutional structure, intentional space for communal sharing, and potential for collective action.
