{"id":220045,"date":"2022-07-18T12:50:13","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T12:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/spiritual-abuse-what-is-it-how-to-respond-to-it\/"},"modified":"2023-02-19T20:03:20","modified_gmt":"2023-02-19T20:03:20","slug":"spiritual-abuse-what-is-it-how-to-respond-to-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/spiritual-abuse-what-is-it-how-to-respond-to-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Spiritual Abuse: What is it &#038; how to respond to it"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Spiritual Abuse: What is it &amp; how to respond to it\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iTClpt0JATA?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>This week, Paul shares some of the research he has been doing about spiritual abuse and the abuse of conscience in the Catholic Church. He and Dominic discuss what spiritual abuse looks like, how we can prevent it, and how we can respond to those who have been wounded in a way that promotes healing without causing more harm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAbuse exists in various forms: the abuse of power, the abuse of conscience, sexual and financial abuse. Clearly, the ways of exercising authority that make all this possible have to be eradicated, and the irresponsibility and lack of transparency with which so many cases have been handled have to be challenged. The desire to dominate, lack of dialogue and transparency, forms of double life, spiritual emptiness, as well as psychological weaknesses, are the terrain on which corruption thrives\u201d (Pope Francis, Christus Vivit 98).<\/p>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE or JOIN THE COMMUNITY:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.popefrancisgeneration.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.popefrancisgeneration.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>JOIN THE SMARTCATHOLICS GROUP<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/members.smartcatholics.com\/groups\/7281625\/feed\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/members.smartcatholics.com\/groups\/7281625\/feed<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>GET THE PODCAST<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/popefrancisgeneration\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/anchor.fm\/popefrancisgeneration<\/a><\/p>\n<p>ABOUT POPE FRANCIS GENERATION  &#8211; Season 1: Episode 9<br \/>\nPope Francis Generation is the show for Catholics struggling with the Church\u2019s teaching, who feel like they might not belong in the Church anymore, and who still hunger for a God of love and goodness. Hosted by Paul Fahey, a professional catechist, and Dominic de Souza, someone who needs catechesis. Together, we\u2019re taking our own look at the Catholic Church\u2013 her teachings and practices- from 3 views that changed our world: the Kerygma, the forgotten doctrine of theosis, and the teachings of Pope Francis. Together, with you, we\u2019re the Pope Francis Generation. <\/p>\n<p>SUPPORT THIS SHOW: PFG MEMBERS<br \/>\nGot a question you\u2019d like us to respond to in the next episode? Have some feedback? Visit us at popefrancisgeneration.com to send a message. Paid subscribers get to watch each episode before everyone else, join private Q&#038;As, and pitch ideas for the topic of our final show this season!<\/p>\n<p>ABOUT PAUL FAHEY<br \/>\nPaul lives in Michigan with my wife, Kristina, and four kids. A catechist, retreat leader, counseling student, as well as a contributor and co-founder of Where Peter Is. Paul writes and speaks about what I love: the Kerygma, the Sacraments, Catholic Social Teaching, and Pope Francis. <a href=\"https:\/\/pfahey.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/pfahey.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>ABOUT DOMINIC DE SOUZA<br \/>\nSmartCatholics founder, Dominic de Souza, is a convert from radical traditionalism \u2013 inspired by WherePeterIs, Bishop Robert Barron, and Pope Francis. He is passionate about helping ordinary Catholics break the \u2018bystander effect\u2019, and be firstresponders. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to be geniuses. We just have to show up with witness and kindness. Christ does the rest.\u201d Today he hosts the SmartCatholics community. <a href=\"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/smartcatholics.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SPONSOR: SELECT INTERNATIONAL TOURS<br \/>\nMore Catholic Leaders choose Select International Tours than any other pilgrimage company. With 35  years of award-winning travel planning, they have a track record of excellence and faithfulness. And they are a small company with a big heart, because every one of their pilgrimage trips helps to support and fund their 501 (c)(3) charity work, helping Christian families thrive in the Holy Land. If you&#8217;re ready to travel, or if you&#8217;re looking to lead a group of your own, take the next step on your pilgrimage by visiting: <a href=\"https:\/\/selectinternationaltours.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/selectinternationaltours.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SUPPORTERS: WherePeterIs<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/wherepeteris.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/wherepeteris.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>00:00 Introduction<br \/>\n2:50 What is spiritual abuse?<br \/>\n11:22 Spiritual abusers<br \/>\n16:35 Clericalism<br \/>\n20:07 Hierarchy or co-responsibility<br \/>\n23:55 Healthy leadership vs. toxic leadership<br \/>\n26:50 Power struggles<br \/>\n31:00 The abuse of conscience<br \/>\n38:55 How to prevent spiritual abuse<br \/>\n58:22 How to respond to people who have been harmed<\/p>\n<p>ABOUT SMARTCATHOLICS<br \/>\nIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your one friend you think would really like to see it. Come and regroup with us in the free, Catholic community on smartcatholics.com<br \/>\nWe&#8217;re free of trolls and ads and toxicity, faithful to the Holy Father Pope Francis and the Church, and committed to a culture of kindness and learning.  <\/p>\n<p>Join the free community: <a href=\"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/smartcatholics.com<\/a><br \/>\nSend us a gift: <a href=\"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/donate\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/donate<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Facebook: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartcatholics\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartcatholics\/<\/a><br \/>\nInstagram: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/smartcatholics\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/smartcatholics\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week, Paul shares some of the research he has been doing about spiritual abuse and the abuse of conscience in the Catholic Church. He and Dominic discuss what spiritual abuse looks like, how we can prevent it, and how we can respond to those who have been wounded in a way that promotes healing without causing more harm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAbuse exists in various forms: the abuse of power, the abuse of conscience, sexual and financial abuse. Clearly, the ways of exercising authority that make all this possible have to be eradicated, and the irresponsibility and lack of transparency with which so many cases have been handled have to be challenged. The desire to dominate, lack of dialogue and transparency, forms of double life, spiritual emptiness, as well as psychological weaknesses, are the terrain on which corruption thrives\u201d (Pope Francis, Christus Vivit 98).<\/p>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE or JOIN THE COMMUNITY:<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/www.popefrancisgeneration.com\/<\/p>\n<p>JOIN THE SMARTCATHOLICS GROUP<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/members.smartcatholics.com\/groups\/7281625\/feed <\/p>\n<p>GET THE PODCAST<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/anchor.fm\/popefrancisgeneration<\/p>\n<p>ABOUT POPE FRANCIS GENERATION  &#8211; Season 1: Episode 9<br \/>\nPope Francis Generation is the show for Catholics struggling with the Church\u2019s teaching, who feel like they might not belong in the Church anymore, and who still hunger for a God of love and goodness. Hosted by Paul Fahey, a professional catechist, and Dominic de Souza, someone who needs catechesis. Together, we\u2019re taking our own look at the Catholic Church\u2013 her teachings and practices- from 3 views that changed our world: the Kerygma, the forgotten doctrine of theosis, and the teachings of Pope Francis. Together, with you, we\u2019re the Pope Francis Generation. <\/p>\n<p>SUPPORT THIS SHOW: PFG MEMBERS<br \/>\nGot a question you\u2019d like us to respond to in the next episode? Have some feedback? Visit us at popefrancisgeneration.com to send a message. Paid subscribers get to watch each episode before everyone else, join private Q&#038;As, and pitch ideas for the topic of our final show this season!<\/p>\n<p>ABOUT PAUL FAHEY<br \/>\nPaul lives in Michigan with my wife, Kristina, and four kids. A catechist, retreat leader, counseling student, as well as a contributor and co-founder of Where Peter Is. Paul writes and speaks about what I love: the Kerygma, the Sacraments, Catholic Social Teaching, and Pope Francis. https:\/\/pfahey.com\/<\/p>\n<p>ABOUT DOMINIC DE SOUZA<br \/>\nSmartCatholics founder, Dominic de Souza, is a convert from radical traditionalism \u2013 inspired by WherePeterIs, Bishop Robert Barron, and Pope Francis. He is passionate about helping ordinary Catholics break the \u2018bystander effect\u2019, and be firstresponders. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to be geniuses. We just have to show up with witness and kindness. Christ does the rest.\u201d Today he hosts the SmartCatholics community. https:\/\/smartcatholics.com<\/p>\n<p>SPONSOR: SELECT INTERNATIONAL TOURS<br \/>\nMore Catholic Leaders choose Select International Tours than any other pilgrimage company. With 35  years of award-winning travel planning, they have a track record of excellence and faithfulness. And they are a small company with a big heart, because every one of their pilgrimage trips helps to support and fund their 501 (c)(3) charity work, helping Christian families thrive in the Holy Land. If you&#8217;re ready to travel, or if you&#8217;re looking to lead a group of your own, take the next step on your pilgrimage by visiting: https:\/\/selectinternationaltours.com<\/p>\n<p>SUPPORTERS: WherePeterIs<br \/>\nhttps:\/\/wherepeteris.com\/<\/p>\n<p>00:00 Introduction<br \/>\n2:50 What is spiritual abuse?<br \/>\n11:22 Spiritual abusers<br \/>\n16:35 Clericalism<br \/>\n20:07 Hierarchy or co-responsibility<br \/>\n23:55 Healthy leadership vs. toxic leadership<br \/>\n26:50 Power struggles<br \/>\n31:00 The abuse of conscience<br \/>\n38:55 How to prevent spiritual abuse<br \/>\n58:22 How to respond to people who have been harmed<\/p>\n<p>ABOUT SMARTCATHOLICS<br \/>\nIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your one friend you think would really like to see it. Come and regroup with us in the free, Catholic community on smartcatholics.com<br \/>\nWe&#8217;re free of trolls and ads and toxicity, faithful to the Holy Father Pope Francis and the Church, and committed to a culture of kindness and learning.  <\/p>\n<p>Join the free community: https:\/\/smartcatholics.com<br \/>\nSend us a gift: https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/donate<\/p>\n<p>Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartcatholics\/<br \/>\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/smartcatholics\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":219623,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1,127,121],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Spiritual Abuse: What is it &amp; how to respond to it - SmartCatholics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/spiritual-abuse-what-is-it-how-to-respond-to-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Spiritual Abuse: What is it &amp; how to respond to it - SmartCatholics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This week, Paul shares some of the research he has been doing about spiritual abuse and the abuse of conscience in the Catholic Church. He and Dominic discuss what spiritual abuse looks like, how we can prevent it, and how we can respond to those who have been wounded in a way that promotes healing without causing more harm. \u201cAbuse exists in various forms: the abuse of power, the abuse of conscience, sexual and financial abuse. Clearly, the ways of exercising authority that make all this possible have to be eradicated, and the irresponsibility and lack of transparency with which so many cases have been handled have to be challenged. The desire to dominate, lack of dialogue and transparency, forms of double life, spiritual emptiness, as well as psychological weaknesses, are the terrain on which corruption thrives\u201d (Pope Francis, Christus Vivit 98). SUBSCRIBE or JOIN THE COMMUNITY: https:\/\/www.popefrancisgeneration.com\/ JOIN THE SMARTCATHOLICS GROUP https:\/\/members.smartcatholics.com\/groups\/7281625\/feed  GET THE PODCAST https:\/\/anchor.fm\/popefrancisgeneration  ABOUT POPE FRANCIS GENERATION - Season 1: Episode 9 Pope Francis Generation is the show for Catholics struggling with the Church\u2019s teaching, who feel like they might not belong in the Church anymore, and who still hunger for a God of love and goodness. Hosted by Paul Fahey, a professional catechist, and Dominic de Souza, someone who needs catechesis. Together, we\u2019re taking our own look at the Catholic Church\u2013 her teachings and practices- from 3 views that changed our world: the Kerygma, the forgotten doctrine of theosis, and the teachings of Pope Francis. Together, with you, we\u2019re the Pope Francis Generation.  SUPPORT THIS SHOW: PFG MEMBERS Got a question you\u2019d like us to respond to in the next episode? Have some feedback? Visit us at popefrancisgeneration.com to send a message. Paid subscribers get to watch each episode before everyone else, join private Q&amp;As, and pitch ideas for the topic of our final show this season! ABOUT PAUL FAHEY Paul lives in Michigan with my wife, Kristina, and four kids. A catechist, retreat leader, counseling student, as well as a contributor and co-founder of Where Peter Is. Paul writes and speaks about what I love: the Kerygma, the Sacraments, Catholic Social Teaching, and Pope Francis. https:\/\/pfahey.com\/ ABOUT DOMINIC DE SOUZA SmartCatholics founder, Dominic de Souza, is a convert from radical traditionalism \u2013 inspired by WherePeterIs, Bishop Robert Barron, and Pope Francis. He is passionate about helping ordinary Catholics break the \u2018bystander effect\u2019, and be firstresponders. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to be geniuses. We just have to show up with witness and kindness. Christ does the rest.\u201d Today he hosts the SmartCatholics community. https:\/\/smartcatholics.com SPONSOR: SELECT INTERNATIONAL TOURS More Catholic Leaders choose Select International Tours than any other pilgrimage company. With 35 years of award-winning travel planning, they have a track record of excellence and faithfulness. And they are a small company with a big heart, because every one of their pilgrimage trips helps to support and fund their 501 (c)(3) charity work, helping Christian families thrive in the Holy Land. If you&#039;re ready to travel, or if you&#039;re looking to lead a group of your own, take the next step on your pilgrimage by visiting: https:\/\/selectinternationaltours.com  SUPPORTERS: WherePeterIs https:\/\/wherepeteris.com\/  00:00 Introduction 2:50 What is spiritual abuse? 11:22 Spiritual abusers 16:35 Clericalism 20:07 Hierarchy or co-responsibility 23:55 Healthy leadership vs. toxic leadership 26:50 Power struggles 31:00 The abuse of conscience 38:55 How to prevent spiritual abuse 58:22 How to respond to people who have been harmed ABOUT SMARTCATHOLICS If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your one friend you think would really like to see it. Come and regroup with us in the free, Catholic community on smartcatholics.com We&#039;re free of trolls and ads and toxicity, faithful to the Holy Father Pope Francis and the Church, and committed to a culture of kindness and learning.  Join the free community: https:\/\/smartcatholics.com Send us a gift: https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/donate Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartcatholics\/ Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/smartcatholics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/spiritual-abuse-what-is-it-how-to-respond-to-it\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SmartCatholics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smartcatholics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-07-18T12:50:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-02-19T20:03:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/hqdefault-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"480\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"360\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Paul Fahey\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Paul Fahey\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/spiritual-abuse-what-is-it-how-to-respond-to-it\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/spiritual-abuse-what-is-it-how-to-respond-to-it\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Paul Fahey\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/smartcatholics.com\/#\/schema\/person\/7067aeb3449d4ea64a81cd95c3cc2726\"},\"headline\":\"Spiritual Abuse: What is it &#038; 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He and Dominic discuss what spiritual abuse looks like, how we can prevent it, and how we can respond to those who have been wounded in a way that promotes healing without causing more harm. \u201cAbuse exists in various forms: the abuse of power, the abuse of conscience, sexual and financial abuse. Clearly, the ways of exercising authority that make all this possible have to be eradicated, and the irresponsibility and lack of transparency with which so many cases have been handled have to be challenged. The desire to dominate, lack of dialogue and transparency, forms of double life, spiritual emptiness, as well as psychological weaknesses, are the terrain on which corruption thrives\u201d (Pope Francis, Christus Vivit 98). SUBSCRIBE or JOIN THE COMMUNITY: https:\/\/www.popefrancisgeneration.com\/ JOIN THE SMARTCATHOLICS GROUP https:\/\/members.smartcatholics.com\/groups\/7281625\/feed  GET THE PODCAST https:\/\/anchor.fm\/popefrancisgeneration  ABOUT POPE FRANCIS GENERATION - Season 1: Episode 9 Pope Francis Generation is the show for Catholics struggling with the Church\u2019s teaching, who feel like they might not belong in the Church anymore, and who still hunger for a God of love and goodness. Hosted by Paul Fahey, a professional catechist, and Dominic de Souza, someone who needs catechesis. Together, we\u2019re taking our own look at the Catholic Church\u2013 her teachings and practices- from 3 views that changed our world: the Kerygma, the forgotten doctrine of theosis, and the teachings of Pope Francis. Together, with you, we\u2019re the Pope Francis Generation.  SUPPORT THIS SHOW: PFG MEMBERS Got a question you\u2019d like us to respond to in the next episode? Have some feedback? Visit us at popefrancisgeneration.com to send a message. Paid subscribers get to watch each episode before everyone else, join private Q&As, and pitch ideas for the topic of our final show this season! ABOUT PAUL FAHEY Paul lives in Michigan with my wife, Kristina, and four kids. A catechist, retreat leader, counseling student, as well as a contributor and co-founder of Where Peter Is. Paul writes and speaks about what I love: the Kerygma, the Sacraments, Catholic Social Teaching, and Pope Francis. https:\/\/pfahey.com\/ ABOUT DOMINIC DE SOUZA SmartCatholics founder, Dominic de Souza, is a convert from radical traditionalism \u2013 inspired by WherePeterIs, Bishop Robert Barron, and Pope Francis. He is passionate about helping ordinary Catholics break the \u2018bystander effect\u2019, and be firstresponders. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to be geniuses. We just have to show up with witness and kindness. Christ does the rest.\u201d Today he hosts the SmartCatholics community. https:\/\/smartcatholics.com SPONSOR: SELECT INTERNATIONAL TOURS More Catholic Leaders choose Select International Tours than any other pilgrimage company. With 35 years of award-winning travel planning, they have a track record of excellence and faithfulness. And they are a small company with a big heart, because every one of their pilgrimage trips helps to support and fund their 501 (c)(3) charity work, helping Christian families thrive in the Holy Land. If you're ready to travel, or if you're looking to lead a group of your own, take the next step on your pilgrimage by visiting: https:\/\/selectinternationaltours.com  SUPPORTERS: WherePeterIs https:\/\/wherepeteris.com\/  00:00 Introduction 2:50 What is spiritual abuse? 11:22 Spiritual abusers 16:35 Clericalism 20:07 Hierarchy or co-responsibility 23:55 Healthy leadership vs. toxic leadership 26:50 Power struggles 31:00 The abuse of conscience 38:55 How to prevent spiritual abuse 58:22 How to respond to people who have been harmed ABOUT SMARTCATHOLICS If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your one friend you think would really like to see it. Come and regroup with us in the free, Catholic community on smartcatholics.com We're free of trolls and ads and toxicity, faithful to the Holy Father Pope Francis and the Church, and committed to a culture of kindness and learning.  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