Awakening. Transforming. Healing.

Awake is a community of abuse survivors, concerned Catholics, and allies responding to the wounds of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

Our Mission

Now is the time to awake from sleeP.

~ Romans 13:11

Letter to

Survivors

If you have experienced sexual abuse by a Catholic leader, we are glad you have found your way to this website. We would be honored to connect with you.

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We invite all Catholics to add their names to this letter as a gesture of solidarity and support.

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Centering the
Voices of Survivors

“Being among survivors who are facing their own trauma is a great gift. Often we don’t have to say a single word, but we understand each other and can feel safe.”

—Deborah

“I have learned that being a female survivor of adult abuse is not as unusual as it seemed to me for many years… Survivors are not limited to the ones you see on the TV news. Sometimes we are sitting in a pew next to you.”

—Patty

“I told the bishop and my superiors about the abuse, not for any personal gain, but so that it would stop. It haunted me that I never got any guarantees that this man was disciplined or dealt with… No one in the Church should ever have to beg for justice.”

—Carl

Read Survivor Stories

  • “Healing is seeping through my life because of Awake.”

    —Amy, Survivor

  • “Awake has given me a way to focus my frustration and anger about the crisis in our Church by turning it into action.”

    —Patty, Board Member

  • “As a clergy abuse survivor who has felt alone and isolated, it is really powerful to see so many good people involved on behalf of healing wounds caused by abuse.”

    —Mike, Survivor

  • “Awake has been a lighthouse in the storm. During a time of extreme distress, Awake offered our family a place of refuge, compassion, and genuine concern.”

    —Jolene, Sister of a Survivor

  • “I have seen Awake make survivor voices a priority in everything they do. Awake is doing this ministry like no other Catholic organization.”

    —Natalie, Survivor

  • “Awake is a very real, palpable source of hope for the Church today.”

    —Fr. Tom, Board Member

  • “I make a monthly donation to Awake because I am inspired and in awe of the work you do. We must keep the sexual abuse crisis in the church in focus as we work toward healing.”

    —Sue, Donor

  • “Awake began as a tiny mustard seed and is now a blessing to so many. This is certainly the working of the Holy Spirit.”

    —Deacon Larry, Survivor

We invite you to join us.

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Upcoming Events

(All events are virtual and in U.S. Central Time unless otherwise noted)

Featured
Rooted and Rising: Practical Tools for the Healing Journey
February Courageous Conversation (Part 1)
February Courageous Conversation (Part 2)
Way of the Cross with Survivors
Rooted and Rising: Practical Tools for the Healing Journey
 

Latest Blog Posts

Featured
Abuse Researcher David Pooler Under Investigation for Alleged Misconduct
In the News
Abuse Researcher David Pooler Under Investigation for Alleged Misconduct
In the News

Awake has learned that David Pooler, Ph.D., a researcher we have occasionally interviewed about adult sexual abuse by faith leaders, has stated that he is under investigation for alleged misconduct and abuse of adults.

In the News
Awake’s Advent Prayer Service Honors Our Lady of Guadalupe
Awake’s Advent Prayer Service Honors Our Lady of Guadalupe

Members of the Awake community gathered last week for a prayer service that celebrated Mary through the title Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Considering the Role of Race and Power in Clergy Abuse
Healing a Diverse Church
Considering the Role of Race and Power in Clergy Abuse
Healing a Diverse Church

Christopher Spencer Gurley, a PhD student studying African American religious history at Stanford, offers his take on how attitudes about the priesthood, race, and clerical authority have contributed to abuse in the Church.

Healing a Diverse Church