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	An International Disaster By Dr. Jaime Romo Healing and Spirituality June 1, 2010 http://www.jaimeromo.com/blog/ First there was the damage to the ocean with the oil spill. Then the wildlife, and industries around. Then to the economy and people who breathed in the toxic fumes cleaning up. Then the betrayal represented by the CEO proclaiming that it was a leak, that the techniques were being implemented perfectly (despite failure), that things would be fine, and recently that there aren’t oil plumes spewing from the ocean floor. And it isn’t fine and won’t be for a long long time. See photos here. The BP oil spill is a visible, obvious concrete expression of abuse of power and resources. It represents a parallel dynamic that has gone on for years with Religious Authority Sexual Abuse, albeit less visibly and obviously damaging to the environment or people. First there was the betrayal by religious authorities and the crimes of sexually abusing minors. Then there was the collusion of moving perpetrators around and not informing others, continuing the abuse now on behalf of church leaders. Then there was the blaming of victims and misinformation (lies) when information was brought forward. Then there was the avoidance of public trial, which would have shown the criminal behavior in its most vulgar and complete description (e.g. Archdiocese of Los Angeles). Then there was the stonewalling, which now continues. This is a sign of and another level of betrayal—an ongoing inability to be allowed to continue as authority figures responsible for minors. Bishop Tom Gumbleton calles it “a scandal because of what happened to children in our church, but a scandal because the leadership of our church has covered it up, has facilitated it even by allowing priests who are perpetrators of this terrible evil to move from one place to another to continue their acts of abuse against innocent children. This is the sin within our church.” It is difficult to admit wrongdoing, imperfection, or incompetency at such a fantastic level. Instead, the reaction of church leaders has consistently been to blame the Church’s troubles on secularism, homosexuality, permissive culture, anti-church culture, etc. So, the pope’s words that the responsibility of sexual abuse is from the sin within the church seem significant. However, if the oil industry serves as an example of change, as well as the church battles to derail efforts to end statutes of limitations and the release of church documents, those words may be practically empty. When the captain of EXXON Valdese drove it aground, he was ineligible to drive a car because his license had been revoked for the second time for a DUI. And others knew that and let it happen. They did nothing. Good, decent people did not pick up the phone and report or question or demand safety. When people in an organization take action to demand justice, change is possible (e.g., the Reformation, Civil Rights movement in the U.S.). While there is public pressure for accountability for criminal behavior by religious authorities, it has not been met by the internal pressure from members within religious organizations. When there has been action from within religious groups, it has overemphasized screening other people’s behaviors or setting policies without breaking the silence or secrecy that has perpetuated abuse. Rather than wait for legal proceedings to move forward to force some behavior modification in religious organizations, what is keeping those who continue to practice their faith in religious institutions from demanding release of captive documents and end to cover up and protection of child abusers in religious roles? What is keeping those who continue to support religious leaders from believing victims of religious authority sexual abuse and holding those religious leaders accountable for criminal behavior? As we may collectively recognize our addiction or over dependence on oil, and a willingness to let oil companies to carry on and make dangerous decisions without accountability, I believe it is time to recognize our enmeshment with religious authority figures and institutions and address the disaster, the human loss and future loss of potential through the unaddressed trauma of survivors and those who wish to help and who are impacted by the toxicity of the human wreckage. Bishop Gumbleton writes, “So we have to bring about reform at that level of the church — the pope and his curia — there has to be reform there; there has to be reform within our own bishop’s conference. Within every diocese in our country we have to have this passion for truth, a willingness to hold people accountable, a willingness to bring about change. This is what the spirit of Jesus dwelling within us is demanding of us today.” Members of every church, mosque, and temple, bring your voice to break the silence and secrecy, release captive documents and reconcile with survivors! Dr. Jaime Romo is the author of “Healing the Sexually Abused Heart: A Workbook for Survivors, Thrivers, and Supporters”.
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