Catholic Church Lacks Genuine Help For Rape Victims From Catholic Prospective

[centurionguard]

Over the years of research from a number of resource sites in the Catholic Church I have failed to find any real hard tangible evidence from a Catholic prospective concerning the genuine assistance of ALL Catholic Rape Victims. And I’m not speaking exclusively in reference to any catholic woman who have been regrettably raped and conceiving pregnancy in their womb. No doubt this is an important concern in the Church.
I am trying to direct the area of real concern as to the spiritual assistance of a Catholic Rape Victim be they female or male. There has been much controversy and embarrassment in the Catholic Church over the years with what happened in the diocese of Boston which I think has filtered suspicions in many other dioceses not only in the United States but Canada and perhaps the U.K. as well. My intention here is not to concentrate this post on priest scandals other than literary reference to it trying to fathom why there seems to be little or no direct involvement on behalf of the Catholic Church offering direct assistance to all Catholic rape victims from a national level in every Catholic diocese that involves itself in real concerns with Social Justice. Perhaps it is because that I am a rape victim that I don’t see enough strong efforts that warrant genuine concerns about issues surrounding rape affliction in the area of Catholic Social Justice.
Rape affliction is indeed a huge problem in the world today. Perhaps it is a much bigger problem than the Catholic Church is capable of lending resources to help those in the Church who are afflicted by rape. Rape victims in the Catholic Church need to know their is a genuine refuge of help in their most vulnerable moments of need from a catholic prospective. If no one wants to listen to such cries of pain their will never be a true and trusted refuge if the Catholic Church fails to offer help for such individuals.

 

[lottied]

here here!!! whilst i am very lucky as a survivor to have a wonderfull priest, i have never beeen able to find a Catholic center for support in this area and so if the Lord wills i hope to found one, in the mean time if anyone knows any wabsites, books, etc please could you post them here???

Pax vobiscum

xxxx

 

[catharina]

My best suggestion is from experience since, over the years, I worked serving young women and girls who were victims of rape. Services were easily found at local Catholic Charities agencies. In the most desperate situations where there was serious emotional damage done, the agency referred the victim to Catholic hospitals for ongoing services at a Catholic hospital and medical center; psychiatrists/psychologists gave treatment there.

 

[centurionguard]

My best suggestion is from experience since, over the years, I worked serving young women and girls who were victims of rape. Services were easily found at local Catholic Charities agencies. In the most desperate situations where there was serious emotional damage done, the agency referred the victim to Catholic hospitals for ongoing services at a Catholic hospital and medical center; psychiatrists/psychologists gave treatment there.

I can sincerely appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut. Evidently; such common Catholic Charities or Agencies are not always common knowledge to every vulnerable Catholic rape victim who are in a state of great distress hoping to (“easily”) find such help. The most notable Catholic organization that is likely to help female rape victims is the Catholic Women’s League (“C.W.L.”). For Catholic male rape victims you would think the Knights of Columbus would offer their compassionate expertise. But given the great stigma and biased preconceived thoughts about men who are rape victims; how many male rape victims are brave enough to come knocking on the proverbial ears of the K of C for such help ? Societal indifference can even infiltrate some Catholic organizations as I have personally witnessed as a (“heterosexual”) male rape victim gang-raped at gunpoint making a plea for help at the highest levels of the Knights of Columbus whilst being a knight myself. Demographically speaking; in large populated cities Catholic hospitals are disappearing every year due to a great lack of funding and fiscal constraints. Once State or Provincial government officials step in to help fiscally strained Catholic hospitals they eventually cease to become exclusively Catholic.

 

[Orogeny]

Over the years of research from a number of resource sites in the Catholic Church I have failed to find any real hard tangible evidence from a Catholic prospective concerning the genuine assistance of ALL Catholic Rape Victims. And I’m not speaking exclusively in reference to any catholic woman who have been regrettably raped and conceiving pregnancy in their womb. No doubt this is an important concern in the Church.
I am trying to direct the area of real concern as to the spiritual assistance of a Catholic Rape Victim be they female or male. There has been much controversy and embarrassment in the Catholic Church over the years with what happened in the diocese of Boston which I think has filtered suspicions in many other dioceses not only in the United States but Canada and perhaps the U.K. as well. My intention here is not to concentrate this post on priest scandals other than literary reference to it trying to fathom why there seems to be little or no direct involvement on behalf of the Catholic Church offering direct assistance to all Catholic rape victims from a national level in every Catholic diocese that involves itself in real concerns with Social Justice. Perhaps it is because that I am a rape victim that I don’t see enough strong efforts that warrant genuine concerns about issues surrounding rape affliction in the area of Catholic Social Justice.
Rape affliction is indeed a huge problem in the world today. Perhaps it is a much bigger problem than the Catholic Church is capable of lending resources to help those in the Church who are afflicted by rape. Rape victims in the Catholic Church need to know their is a genuine refuge of help in their most vulnerable moments of need from a catholic prospective. If no one wants to listen to such cries of pain their will never be a true and trusted refuge if the Catholic Church fails to offer help for such individuals.

Sounds like a call to ministry for you. Seriously.

Peace

Tim

 

[catharina]

I can sincerely appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut. Evidently; such common Catholic Charities or Agencies are not always common knowledge to every vulnerable Catholic rape victim who are in a state of great distress hoping to (“easily”) find such help. The most notable Catholic organization that is likely to help female rape victims is the Catholic Women’s League (“C.W.L.”). For Catholic male rape victims you would think the Knights of Columbus would offer their compassionate expertise. But given the great stigma and biased preconceived thoughts about men who are rape victims; how many male rape victims are brave enough to come knocking on the proverbial ears of the K of C for such help ? Societal indifference can even infiltrate some Catholic organizations as I have personally witnessed as a (“heterosexual”) male rape victim gang-raped at gunpoint making a plea for help at the highest levels of the Knights of Columbus whilst being a knight myself. Demographically speaking; in large populated cities Catholic hospitals are disappearing every year due to a great lack of funding and fiscal constraints. Once State or Provincial government officials step in to help fiscally strained Catholic hospitals they eventually cease to become exclusively Catholic.

I offer my deepest sympathy and I’ll keep you in my prayers.

At the least, I would hope that the KoC can find helpful services for you.
As to CWL for females, frankly, I’ve never heard of it. Maybe it’s Canadian?

 

[centurionguard]

Sounds like a call to ministry for you. Seriously.

Peace

Tim

Insightful sentiment but it would take much more than the collective endeavors of one man to institute such a ministry when much that I have done to date to find help in my beloved Catholic Church presently falls on many deaf ears. Such a ministry entails a much wider scope than you or I realize. Now I have an idea what you might be thinking to yourself…humanly it’s impossible, with God all things are possible. It will take a lot of rosaries and the supplication of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s greater help to accomplish such a grandiose task, being that my Faith is often much, much smaller than a mustard seed. It is indeed a serious challenge on my part though.

 

[Orogeny]

Insightful sentiment but it would take much more than the collective endeavors of one man to institute such a ministry when much that I have done to date to find help in my beloved Catholic Church presently falls on many deaf ears. Such a ministry entails a much wider scope than you or I realize. Now I have an idea what you might be thinking to yourself…humanly it’s impossible, with God all things are possible. It will take a lot of rosaries and the supplication of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s greater help to accomplish such a grandiose task, being that my Faith is often much, much smaller than a mustard seed. It is indeed a serious challenge on my part though.

I honestly think that perhaps this is an endeavor that can lead to a new ministry within the Church AND be the means of growing your faith beyond the size of a mustard seed.

I’m not being facetious. I think that many very worthwhile ministries began with one man or one woman determined to address something that was lacking in their lives, their Church, their society, etc… The mountain may be high and you may never get there, but your efforts may be exactly what is needed to start a movement to correct the deficit that you have identified.

Peace

Tim

 

[centurionguard]

I offer my deepest sympathy and I’ll keep you in my prayers.

At the least, I would hope that the KoC can find helpful services for you.
As to CWL for females, frankly, I’ve never heard of it. Maybe it’s Canadian?

Catharina; thank you for your sincerity. I wasn’t aware that the Catholic Womans League was strictly a Canadian organization unless I’m mistaken. What is the largest Catholic Womens Organization in United States ?

 

[centurionguard]

I honestly think that perhaps this is an endeavor that can lead to a new ministry within the Church AND be the means of growing your faith beyond the size of a mustard seed.

I’m not being facetious. I think that many very worthwhile ministries began with one man or one woman determined to address something that was lacking in their lives, their Church, their society, etc… The mountain may be high and you may never get there, but your efforts may be exactly what is needed to start a movement to correct the deficit that you have identified.

Peace

Tim

Tim; I shall give what you say some serious thought. Say a prayer for me.

Thank You
Peace

Chris

 

[Orogeny]

Tim; I shall give what you say some serious thought. Say a prayer for me.

Thank You
Peace

Chris

Already have.

Peace

Tim

 

[marthagreys]

I can vouch for the fact that no one (inc the priest) on a local level in my parish cares whether a victim lives or dies, much less how they feel or how they could be helped - even when the perpetrator is a repeat, registered offender and member of the parish, and the victim is the young teen daughter of a single mom. My daughter was accosted (on her way to Mass) by just such a monster last fall. He is an older, wealthy man (huge inheritance) who gives great amounts of money to the church. While he sits in jail, having plead guilty, he receives a visit from the priest or deacon and communion every Sunday. My daughter and I have all but begged for at least a prayer/vent session with the priest. His response is that he doesn’t get involved with civil matters between members of the parish. I bet he would if I were the one with a ton of money and the perpetrator was the poor one. sometimes it takes every bit of will power I have to remain Catholic.

 

[catharina]

Catharina; thank you for your sincerity. I wasn’t aware that the Catholic Womans League was strictly a Canadian organization unless I’m mistaken. What is the largest Catholic Womens Organization in United States ?

cg, you’re quite welcome.
As to your question (largest group/org of Catholic women in USA?), I’ve no idea.

 

[catharina]

I can vouch for the fact that no one (inc the priest) on a local level in my parish cares whether a victim lives or dies, much less how they feel or how they could be helped - even when the perpetrator is a repeat, registered offender and member of the parish, and the victim is the young teen daughter of a single mom. My daughter was accosted (on her way to Mass) by just such a monster last fall. He is an older, wealthy man (huge inheritance) who gives great amounts of money to the church. While he sits in jail, having plead guilty, he receives a visit from the priest or deacon and communion every Sunday. My daughter and I have all but begged for at least a prayer/vent session with the priest. His response is that he doesn’t get involved with civil matters between members of the parish. I bet he would if I were the one with a ton of money and the perpetrator was the poor one. sometimes it takes every bit of will power I have to remain Catholic.

martha, your report is heartbreaking, esp since the injury was done to your child, not to yourself. My sympathy to you.

Your pastor OWES you respect and counseling, even if he must refer you to another priest/parish. Make sure he knows it!

If you still get no help from your pastor, go straight to your diocese.
Really, this is a case of ongoing child abuse.
It’s horrific and appalling.

Prayers for you and your family.

 

[centurionguard]

I can vouch for the fact that no one (inc the priest) on a local level in my parish cares whether a victim lives or dies, much less how they feel or how they could be helped - even when the perpetrator is a repeat, registered offender and member of the parish, and the victim is the young teen daughter of a single mom. My daughter was accosted (on her way to Mass) by just such a monster last fall. He is an older, wealthy man (huge inheritance) who gives great amounts of money to the church. While he sits in jail, having plead guilty, he receives a visit from the priest or deacon and communion every Sunday. My daughter and I have all but begged for at least a prayer/vent session with the priest. His response is that he doesn’t get involved with civil matters between members of the parish. I bet he would if I were the one with a ton of money and the perpetrator was the poor one. sometimes it takes every bit of will power I have to remain Catholic.

My heart and prayers too goes out to you and especially your victimized daughter.

The priest’s indifference is appalling and a shameful embarrassment… But I am not surprised by such demeanor in the least. Find another priest who will compassionately listen…they’re not all the same.

 

[Jermosh]

I quess I am not sure what you are asking really. The Worscester diocese put in special sex crime training for all people who worked with anyone under 18, and they also outsourced to a professional counciling group for any abuse victims including legal help. Was this not the case in other Dioceses? Or do you want a special group within the Church?

 

[centurionguard]

I guess I am not sure what you are asking really. The Worscester diocese put in special sex crime training for all people who worked with anyone under 18, and they also outsourced to a professional counciling group for any abuse victims including legal help. Was this not the case in other Dioceses? Or do you want a special group within the Church?

I guess I am not sure what you are asking really.

Why would you not be sure what this mother and her rape victimized daughter is asking ?
The mother of her victimized child asked her parish priest

My daughter and I have all but begged for at least a prayer/vent session with the priest.

She wasn’t exactly asking the priest for secular psychological counselling or legal help.
She was seeking the compassionate ear of a supposedly catholic priest who deliberated avoided and impolitely shrugged her off.

His response is that he doesn’t get involved with civil matters between members of the parish.

Why would the priest make a senseless statement like that ? Obviously there’s some conflict of interest with the large sum of money the priest is receiving for his parish from the perpetrator sitting in a jail cell where he belongs. I have no qualms with the priest bringing the perpetrator Holy Communion on Sunday. Seems only fair to me that the priest could at least have the common courtesy and dignity of listening to this grieving mother and her daughter who was raped by this perpetrator. Who’s side is this priest favoring ? The Perp ?

 

[Jermosh]

Why would you not be sure what this mother and her rape victimized daughter is asking ?
The mother of her victimized child asked her parish priest
She wasn’t exactly asking the priest for secular psychological counselling or legal help.
She was seeking the compassionate ear of a supposedly catholic priest who deliberated avoided and impolitely shrugged her off. Why would the priest make a senseless statement like that ? Obviously there’s some conflict of interest with the large sum of money the priest is receiving for his parish from the perpetrator sitting in a jail cell where he belongs. I have no qualms with the priest bringing the perpetrator Holy Communion on Sunday. Seems only fair to me that the priest could at least have the common courtesy and dignity of listening to this grieving mother and her daughter who was raped by this perpetrator. Who’s side is this priest favoring ? The Perp ?

You did not have this information in your original post that I saw. I think the priest could have been in the wrong, but I also think its not his job to arrest and trial the perp. This is what the civil authorities are for.

 

[centurionguard]

You did not have this information in your original post that I saw. I think the priest could have been in the wrong, but I also think its not his job to arrest and trial the perp. This is what the civil authorities are for.

Jermosh

I quess I am not sure what you are asking really. The Worscester diocese put in special sex crime training for all people who worked with anyone under 18, and they also outsourced to a professional counciling group for any abuse victims including legal help. Was this not the case in other Dioceses? Or do you want a special group within the Church?

The way I see it unless you yourself are extremely well informed about demoralized rape abuse victims struggling to find spiritual and supportive help from a shattered rape victims viewpoint through the Catholic Church then perhaps maybe you ought to recheck for yourself by Googling genuine help for ALL rape victims from a Catholic prospective. Most of what you find on Satan’s playground on the Internet related to woman who are raped and brought to Catholic hospitals is talk about abortion issues and morning after pills. Is there anything (“wrong”) with Church officials trying to uphold a moral mainstay with regards to (“some”) female rape victims wanting to abort their illegitimate child ?
Of course there is nothing wrong undertaking the morality and sanctity of supporting life.
I support the undertakings of the Church in every which way towards the sanctity of life no matter what the circumstances. Even in the shocking event when a victimized female rape victim is impregnated by an animalistic perpetrator . Extremely few here at C.A.F. including the clergy would know what is to live the psychological horror and curse as a rape victim much less take the genuine initiative to really care and go out of there way to help such a person… ALL rape victims female and male…those who are Catholic at the very least should have a special safe haven set aside somewhere in the Church so compassionate Catholics in such a ministry can reach out to vulnerable broken souls. A place where victims can cry if need be. Someone they can trust. Someone who can help them build up what they have lost in their spiritually and their shattered identity. Secular sciences in psychotherapy has it’s gross theoretical limitations bound up in humanism and pluralism. On a grand scale the Catholic Church utterly fails to embrace spiritual programs in such a ministry that all Catholic rape victims truly deserve. So far I’ve only lightly touched on victimized women who are in need real compassionate help in the Church. And what about incest victims and male rape victims ? Are they not human beings too. The biased world has cast an indelible stigma and shadow on men who are raped. They are the Silent Forgotten Victims who hide in shadows of indescribable pain. Regrettably; statistics reveal that male rape victims are the ones most likely to end their lives in suicide. What is the Catholic Church doing to alleviate this pain inflicted by a society enthralled with a culture of death and sin. The stop of abortion is every Catholic’s business. So is Rape.

 

[Jermosh]

My apologies again, I really am at a lost at what you are not finding. If you are looking for a Catholic ministry dealing with rape victims, there are plenty. The Holy See has ethicists who deal with ethical treatment of rape victims as well.

I am a victim myself, I understand some of the issues, but I am not differant then any other victim. The Church has programs for this through various programs and charities.

Again what are you looking for?