truth brings hatred; revictimization

I always wondered why  disclosures of cleric abuse are met with hatred. 

Friends, colleagues and even family immediately backed away emotionally, even physically, repulsed by this information. Never did anyone acknowledge my private pain and come forwards to embrace me or offer comfort. Universally, I was abhorred. 

Yet, it was never my fault. I did all I could to avoid it, on one occasion I tried to physically resist my abuser but at 12 years of age, I was easily overpowered. So why the hatred?

This has bothered me deeply over twenty plus years and caused great hurt when I needed comfort the most. I can admit that it cauaed me to distrust people, to avoid people lest I upset them or they hurt me again.  But today I understand thanks to a statement by Saint Anthony of Padua hundreds of years ago. Although St. Anthony encouraged Christians to love and care and to live in peace, he did find that: "TRUTH BRINGS HATRED" in response to his messages to live a simple, holy and caring life. 

Clearly, if you speak truthfully you will be despised because you challenge people's worldview. Disclosing Clergy Abuse challenges people's comfort in believing that priests, brothers and nuns are honest, trustworthy and caring. Of course after court cases and imprisoning of clergy the world over we now know a lot more about institutionalized abuse, but still, people remain uncomfortably challenged. Now, do they they hold us responsible for the destruction and impoverishment of the church? .

To disclose child abuse requires courage enough. You would think that this would elicit a caring response. But sadly it creates just the opposite as disclosure 
 leads to being shunned, mistrusted, verbally or physically abused. Any victim stands as a  direct challenge to an idealised notions of the church.  





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