Awake Blog
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Timothy Ehlinger
“It’s taken years for me to find language to tell this story. My recollection of the event hasn’t changed, but with each retelling, I discover new truths about me, my abuser, and the systems that promote and perpetuate abuse.”
Tim Lennon
“When I first stepped forward, I did so alone, as an individual. Now I step forward as part of a worldwide movement of survivors.”
Abuse Survivor Brings His Story to the Stage, Finding Healing and Joy
Jay Sefton has turned his experience of clergy abuse and his attempts to navigate the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s victim’s compensation fund into a one-man play, “Unreconciled.” He will perform the play later this month at the SNAP National Conference.
Eduardo Lopez de Casas
“I find it extremely necessary to share my stories with as many practicing Catholics as I can.”
Zac Zepeda
“Years of therapy and support groups have shown me that to heal I must talk about the abuse.”
Courageous Conversation: Abuse Survivors Share What They Want Catholics to Understand
Last week, Awake Milwaukee launched the third season of its popular Courageous Conversations series with “What I Want Catholics to Understand,” a panel discussion that featured five victim-survivors of abuse in the Catholic Church. A recording of the conversation is now available on Awake’s YouTube channel. Here we offer a summary of the main insights shared during the conversation, which was moderated by Sara Larson, executive director of Awake Milwaukee.
7 Tips for Survivors on Sharing Your Story with Journalists and Others
In the 2016 movie Spotlight, there’s a powerful scene in which Boston Globe reporter Michael Rezendes interviews a young man named Patrick McSorley, who was sexually abused at age 12 by a priest.
Courageous Conversation: Lay Leaders Reflect on Their Role in Facing the Abuse Crisis
Last week Awake Milwaukee hosted its latest Courageous Conversation, which considered the role of lay leaders in addressing the twin crises of sexual abuse and cover-up in the Catholic Church.
Attorney General Starts Statewide Investigation of Clergy Sexual Abuse in Wisconsin
This morning Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced the start of a statewide investigation of sexual abuse by religious leaders in the Catholic Church and other faith communities. The announcement came after Kaul met Monday with representatives of…
Courageous Conversations: Awake Welcomes Three Women Who Spoke Out About David Haas
The speakers at Awake Milwaukee’s latest Courageous Conversation shared how reports of sexual abuse by Catholic composer David Haas were brought to light last year—and then made a powerful case for ending the use of Haas’s music.