Awake Blog
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Denise Buchanan
“Silence destroys the body of Christ. Protecting survivors and demanding accountability does not attack faith; it is an act of fidelity to it.”
Awake Welcomes Four New Members to Our Survivor Advisory Panel
This week on the blog we welcome four new members to the Awake Survivor Advisory Panel, who introduce themselves to the Awake community.
Nancy Pieffer
“I am so grateful to say that my life is more than my trauma, and in many ways I triumphed in spite of my pain.”
5 Things for Survivors to Consider When Sharing Their Stories
People who have experienced abuse in the Catholic Church report that sharing the story of their trauma helps their healing. At the same time, it’s necessary to share these sacred stories well, to ensure that the telling is helpful and not a source of unintended harm, says theologian Rebecca Pawloski.
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.”
Pope Leo Responds to Letters from Survivors
It’s been a meaningful week for Awake: the mail brought a letter from Pope Leo XIV, written in response to the moving messages from survivors that Executive Director Sara Larson carried to the Vatican in June.
Awake Delivers Heartfelt Survivor Letters to the Vatican This Week
This week, Awake Executive Director Sara Larson delivered a set of 37 letters—written by abuse survivors to Pope Leo—to the Vatican in Rome.
Alexandra Buchlmayer
“Owning my story, despite the lack of legal action, was a huge part of my healing journey. It broke the bonds of secrecy and shame.”
Awake Leaders Reflect on the “Good Fruit” of Centering Survivors—and Plan for the Year Ahead
Last weekend, a group of Awake leaders and committed volunteers continued the biannual tradition of gathering online and in person to connect and build community, and consider big picture questions for the year ahead.
We Concluded a Powerful Season of Courageous Conversations. Which Topics Meant the Most to You?
Earlier this month we reached the end of the fifth season of Courageous Conversations, our much-loved virtual speaker series. Here’s a review of the five conversations we hosted this year, along with a link to the recording of each event. Check out any that you may have missed.
Survivors Share Their Hopes for the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV
“I hope Pope Leo will truly listen to survivors, not through carefully managed encounters, but by sitting with them in their raw pain without any defensiveness, aides, or lawyers present.”
Mary O’Day
“Healing my image of God has been incredibly impactful in both healing my trauma and helping me learn to accept love.”
Responding to the Death of Pope Francis—While Remaining Focused on Survivors
Because Awake is a survivor-centered organization, we’re focusing first on how this development impacts the survivors in our community.
Frank Meuers
“The most difficult part of my journey was not the abuse itself but the lack of response from the church to that abuse.”
Why Have Many Survivors of Church Abuse Suffered Previous Trauma?
This week we revisit helpful information from expert Pete Singer of GRACE, who explains why victim-survivors of harm in the Catholic Church often have previous trauma histories.
Vince Pérez
“I aim to promote understanding by educating church leaders and congregations about the compounded effects of racism, sexism, and clergy abuse on BIPOC survivors.”
Amy Pearce
“I want other survivors to be reassured that what happened was not their fault, that they are not alone, and that they are both lovable and loved.”
Could Historic Meeting of Abuse Survivors and Vatican Officials Be a Source of Hope?
Last month, a group of abuse survivors and advocates met with Vatican officials in Rome for a discussion of issues related to sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
Fr. Frank Reitter
“God, through prayer, helped me understand I can never be the person I could have been had I not been abused, but I can be the person I can be.”