Abuse of nuns relagated to synod
sideline
Though charges of sexual abuse of religious women by priests,
reported in NCRs March 16 issue, made global headlines, so
far there have been only two references to the issue in the Synod of
Bishops.
Both came Oct. 6 in speeches by members of womens religious
communities who are serving as auditors to the synod.
Sr. Mary Sujita Kallupurakkathu, superior general of the Sisters
of Notre Dame in India, dedicated her talk to empowerment of women in the
church. Women religious need to be seen and accepted as more than just
the work force in the church, she told the bishops.
In the context of these remarks, Kallupurakkathu called for a
mechanism to deal with the problem of abuse.
Under the guidance of the bishops, can there be a redressal
forum to deal firmly and fairly with the increasing experiences of exploitation
and abuses of women in general and women religious in particular? she
asked.
The other reference, even more indirect, came in the intervention
of Sacred Heart Sr. Rita Burley, president of the International Union of
Superiors General, the largest umbrella group for women religious.
Burley spoke about diocesan religious institutes, which are common
in many parts of the world. In the documentation reported in NCR, the
problem of sexual abuse appeared to be especially acute for diocesan
communities. In contrast to international religious communities, which
generally come under Vatican jurisdiction, diocesan communities are governed by
a local bishop.
Burley never mentioned the sexual abuse issue, but called for
greater protection for these diocesan communities.
Many of these institutes experience serious
difficulties, she said. They often lack appropriate opportunities
for an all-round human, spiritual, religious and pastoral formation. Frequently
the sisters do not have the necessary professional training to become
autonomous in the management of their works and sources of income. They may not
have contracts which respect their religious duties nor even receive an
adequate remuneration for their pastoral ministry.
She recommended the creation of a new structure to monitor
diocesan communities.
Perhaps thought could be given to the development of a
supra-diocesan structure, which, while respecting the rights of the local
bishop, could give practical advice on these initiatives, she said.
Both Burley and Kallupurakkathu declined NCR requests for
further comment, explaining that their statements were intended for the
synod.
At an Oct. 12 news conference, NCR asked for responses to
Kallupurakkathus intervention from a panel of bishops assembled to
comment on the synod at its halfway point.
As far as I know, this problem [of sexual abuse of religious
women] hasnt come out in India, though the reports listed it as one of
the countries where it happened, said Cardinal Ivan Dias of Bombay,
India. It is a problem perhaps in certain countries, though I dont
have facts and figures.
Dias said, however, that where sexual abuse occurs it should be
addressed.
Its a question of the human rights of the women,
he said. There should be preventive measures and also remedial
action.
Cardinal Bernard Agré of the Ivory Coast complained about
an overemphasis on sexuality in modern culture, saying that the churchs
problems with sexual behavior are not necessarily widespread or uniform.
In the United States and Canada there are some priests who
cannot catechize children because people think they are homosexual or
pedophiles, he said. This is not fair. Religious men and women
should have a positive image, not a negative one.
-- John L. Allen Jr
This article was originally posted October 12. It has been
updated with new information and retitled.
National Catholic Reporter, October 26,
2001
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