Last week’s news included three stories about covering up clergy sexual abuse of women and children. They involved the People of Praise sect, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), and the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
These churches don’t ordain women and have historically employed centralized, opaque processes for handling sexual abuse accusations.
In contrast, some mainstream Protestant denominations first ordained women in the 19th century, and all have done so routinely for over 50 years. Today, 35% to 50% of their ordained clergy and seminarians are women.
In addition these denominations are governed by lay leaders, which means decision-making is largely delegated to laypersons both in church-wide committees and in individual congregations.
While not perfect, religious organizations with women clergy and lay leadership have had many fewer incidents of sexual abuse and almost no system-wide top management cover-ups.
Listen to this week’s podcast for a more detailed analysis of how the organizational structure of different religious denominations, particularly the role of women and the balance of power between clergy and lay people has affected their ability to successfully address sexual abuse by clergy.
There will be no e-brief next week due to the Fourth of July holiday. Enjoy your holiday weekend, and we will see you in two weeks!
[…] Male-Dominated Churches Struggle to Address Sexual Abuse […]
In one of his books, Jimmy Carter tells how he severed connection with the Southern Baptist Convention because of their refusal to ordain women.
This very reasonable analysis also applies directly to the situation with many cults that
justify their actions on “religious” grounds.
Patriarchal, hierarchical structures have historically been a domineering force. Power is the currency. Those seen as weaker are used for whatever purpose. I can speak only to the Catholic church’s structures and practices. While there may be many people of goodwill, generally speaking those in positions of power will do whatever they can within their means to protect that power.
Generally, the Catholic hierarchy take what they want because they feel entitled. When a priest is ordained, they are told that they undergo an ontological change, or a change to their very being, to stand in persona Christi, or in the person of Christ. That’s a pretty heady thing to be told—when you are told you stand in the person of God, it’s pretty easy to justify doing what you want.
Amen, Katie. Well said!
Thank you!