Erin O'Donnell 11/12/24 Erin O'Donnell 11/12/24

A Survivor Visits Rome

Last month, I was equally thrilled and apprehensive to travel to Rome to meet with delegates of the Synod on Synodality, Vatican leaders, and other ministry partners. As a survivor of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, I was not sure what this journey would feel like.

Mike Larson 8/22/23 Mike Larson 8/22/23

5 Things Every Priest Should Know About Sexual Abuse

Today we revisit a powerful post from Mike Larson of the Awake Leadership Team, which we first published in November 2022. By Mike LarsonAwake Leadership Team One weekend at a friend’s house, I ran into a…

Patty Ingrilli 5/30/23 Patty Ingrilli 5/30/23

Checking the List of Abusive Priests Gave Me a Shock—and a Wake Up Call

Today we revisit a personal reflection from Awake community member Patty Ingrilli, which we first published in January 2021.

Jerri von den Bosch 3/14/23 Jerri von den Bosch 3/14/23

6 Things Never to Say About Survivors of Clergy Abuse

Back in 2021 I wrote a blog post for Awake that covered some of the hurtful things that people sometimes say to clergy abuse survivors, along with more supportive things they might say instead. Many people read it and several survivors—including my mom—responded with additional things that they’ve heard from Catholics and would add to the list.

Mike Larson 11/29/22 Mike Larson 11/29/22

5 Things Every Priest Should Know About Sexual Abuse

Below I’ve compiled five things that I have learned since my wife and I began this journey several years ago, five things I wish every priest, seminarian, and tradition-loving Catholic like myself knew as well.

Jerri von den Bosch 7/12/22 Jerri von den Bosch 7/12/22

6 Things Never to Say About Survivors of Clergy Abuse

Back in 2021 I wrote a blog post for Awake that covered some of the hurtful things that people sometimes say to clergy abuse survivors, along with more supportive things they might say instead. Many people read it and several survivors—including my mom—responded with additional things that they’ve heard from Catholics and would add to the list.

Jerri von den Bosch 2/15/22 Jerri von den Bosch 2/15/22

10 Things Never to Say to Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse

As the daughter of a clergy abuse victim-survivor and a lay person who works for the Church, I speak often with fellow Catholics about my family’s experience with the abuse crisis.

Jerri von den Bosch 6/29/21 Jerri von den Bosch 6/29/21

Yes, the Pennsylvania Attorney General Investigation of Clergy Abuse was Hard. But It Helped My Mom and Fellow Abuse Survivors.

When I look back on 2016, I realize what a strange and intense year it was for me and my family. I was finishing my bachelor’s degree in Pennsylvania at Alvernia University, and had reached the point when I had to decide on a career path.

Jerri von den Bosch 6/8/21 Jerri von den Bosch 6/8/21

10 Things Never to Say to Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse

As the daughter of a clergy abuse victim-survivor and a lay person who works for the Church, I speak often with fellow Catholics about my family’s experience with the abuse crisis.