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Allison DeGeorge
“It has taken me more than a decade to find the words that have become my abuse story and I feel very … afraid to share. The only reason I share it now is that I do not want anyone to have to endure the shame and isolation I felt as I searched … for an explanation of what happened to me.”
Teaching New Priests How to Minister to Abuse Survivors
A group of seminary educators has proposed a set of benchmarks to prepare Catholic priests to minister to people who have experienced abuse in the Church.
Victim? Survivor? Coper? Thriver? Which Name is Best After Abuse?
We surveyed 73 people who have endured abuse and asked them which terms feel right to them, which feel wrong, and why.
Awake Team Gathers for Annual Meeting to Reflect and Plan
Last weekend, thirty members of the Awake community from across the United States assembled for a hybrid, day-long meeting to socialize, reflect on previous work, brainstorm future projects, and pray together.
How Can We Make Churches More Trauma-Informed? Start with These 6 Principles
To make churches safe for all, faith communities need a deep understanding of the concept of trauma.
Gina Barthel
"Some people ask, “Are you going to be a victim forever?” The answer is complicated. I’m a victim, survivor, and thriver. The wounds are deep and will never go away, just like Jesus’ wounds didn’t go away after he was resurrected."
What is Vos Estis Lux Mundi? How Does It Affect Church Abuse Cases?
On the fifth anniversary of Vos Estis Lux Mundi, we offer a basic primer on this papal decree, which covers the investigation of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
Courageous Conversation Explores Accountability for Bishops Under Vos Estis
Last week, Awake welcomed two respected observers of the Catholic Church to consider the first five years of Vos Estis Lux Mundi, a papal decree that created new church laws and procedures for reporting and investigating sexual abuse.
Eduardo Lopez de Casas
“I find it extremely necessary to share my stories with as many practicing Catholics as I can.”
Making the Eucharist Accessible to Survivors of Abuse
Recently Paula Kaempffer of the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis began to consider a powerful idea: why couldn’t she take the Eucharist to victim-survivors who want to receive it, in the same way that lay ministers take communion to parishioners who can’t leave their homes due to illness or mobility issues?
Awake Celebrates Easter with Way of Light Prayer Service
Last week, Awake celebrated Easter by praying the Via Lucis, or Way of Light. This devotion, similar to the Stations of the Cross, meditates on Jesus’ Resurrection appearances to his disciples through Pentecost.
LOUDfence at Wheeling Cathedral Offers Support for Victim-Survivors
When worshippers arrived at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling, West Virginia for Mass this past Sunday, they found colorful ribbons tied to railings outside the building.
Awake’s Board Welcomes New Directors, Thanks Outgoing Members
It’s an exciting week for Awake as we welcome three newly elected members to our Board of Directors, as well as a new treasurer.
Aimee Torres
“One person can make a huge difference in someone’s life just by speaking up.”
Survivor Advocates for New California Law Criminalizing Sexual Abuse of Adults
When she discovered that her state lacked a criminal statute outlawing sexual contact between clergy members and adult parishioners, Lucy Huh was suddenly driven by what she calls “a personal quest.”
What is Institutional Betrayal? And How Does It Relate to Church Abuse?
Institutional betrayal occurs when leaders of an institution fail to protect members from harm or do not respond with support if someone reveals that they’ve been hurt.
6 Tips for Priests: How to Address Abuse in a Homily
Please assume that every time you preach, there are people in the congregation who have experienced trauma, including harm caused by Catholic leaders.
Kathy Ann Coll
“It was painful to discover that my Catholic Church does not recognize adult survivors as ‘victims.’ ”
Awake Observes Lent with the Way of the Cross with Survivors
This service allows us to walk alongside Jesus on the road to the crucifixion and to see his journey through the eyes of abuse survivors.
How Parish Leaders Can Better Serve People with Traumatic Wounds
Trauma experts say every parish needs clergy and church staff who are trained to recognize trauma in the people they serve. Here are six things church leaders need to know about trauma.