IL--Priest exploits woman; SNAP responds

By Barbara Blaine
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
May 3, 2015

http://www.snapnetwork.org/il_priest_exploits_woman_snap_responds

A Chicago priest has been suspended for allegedly sexually exploiting an adult woman. We call on Catholic officials to provide more details about these accusations and to prod others who may have seen, suspected or suffered his misdeeds to come forward.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-father-brendan-curran-met-20150503-story.html

It is inherently problematic when clergy have any sexual contact with congregants. There can be no true "consent" given the power difference between the individuals.

Our society has long understood that it's virtually always hurtful when a doctor has any sex with a patient or a psychologist has any sex with a client. Gradually, more people are finally understanding that the same holds true of a cleric and his or her congregant.

We hope this case will help others who were hurt by what may have initially seemed like “affairs” but were in fact crimes to see that they are not at fault.

We hope those victimized by clergy at any age will find the courage to step forward, get help, call police, expose wrongdoers, protect others and start healing

Finally, let’s be clear on what this is and what this isn’t. This is exploitation. It’s not “a relationship.” It’s manipulation. It’s not “consent.”

An educated, allegedly holy religious authority figure who holds the exalted title of “reverend” cannot ever have truly consensual or healthy sexual contact with a parishioner. It is always morally wrong and emotionally harmful.

Clergy always hold an exalted position, and when they have any sexual involvement with parishioners, it is always hurtful, especially when they profess, like Fr. Brerndan Curran does, to be celibate.

It's always the duty of powerful official – doctor, therapist or priest - to maintain boundaries and refrain from any sexual contact with the radically less powerful person – patient, client or parishioner.

It's the duty of church officials to help congregants understand this. And it’s the duty of church officials and members to reach out to and help those hurt by this egregious and hurtful misconduct and to help expose those predators who engage in it. We call on former members of Fr. Curran’s church and former colleagues of Fr. Curran’s to aggressively seek out and offer comfort to anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his hurtful misconduct. We call on Archbishop Blasé Cupich to do the same.