This seventh video touches on a topic very close to me: spiritual abuse.
Spiritual abuse is a grave violation of a person’s infinite dignity. Yet while it’s often rarely talked about, it’s historically—and presently—a huge problem in the Church, an area where serious reform is needed.
The Church recognizes that respecting the dignity of others is an even greater priority than spreading the Gospel. And those in positions of spiritual authority must have the most absolute respect for the conscience and freedom of the people they are ministering to.
“In spreading religious faith and in introducing religious practices everyone ought at all times to refrain from any manner of action which might seem to carry a hint of coercion or of a kind of persuasion that would be dishonorable or unworthy, especially when dealing with poor or uneducated people. Such a manner of action would have to be considered an abuse of one’s right and a violation of the right of others” (Dignitatis Humanae 4).
