A Clergy Abuse Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Abstract

This chapter proposes a Clergy Abuse Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that could serve as a global, ecclesial response to the harms of clergy sexual abuse. This Clergy Abuse TRC could offer a path for healing rooted in the hope of reconciliation and understood according to theological commitments to truth, justice, and forgiveness where survivors’ needs and stories are central and where accountability could be ensured through a visible process. The Clergy Abuse TRC would be distinct from political TRCs used in conflict regions because it would be used in an ecclesial context and with theological grounding. In sum, the Commission could provide: 1) much-needed accountability through a visible process of truth-telling, 2) an avenue for healing for survivors, 3) and a report that identifies patterns of sexual abuse and makes suggestions for structural changes to prevent future abuses.