What the Church can Learn from #MeToo

I am a recent graduate from Loyola Marymount University, where I received a bachelor’s degree in Theology. I write as a theologian, a convert, a current Catholic volunteer and a concerned member of the Church.

#MeToo founder Tarana Burke and others at a #MeToo Women’s March in November 2017. (Photo Credit: Rex Shutterstock)

This past year I have watched the power of the #MeToo movement, started by Tarana Burke in 2006, create a space for survivors to come forward about their sexual assaults. The justice that is demanded by this movement has, in many circles, purged those who abuse their power for sexual gain, thereby providing palpable examples of accountability. #MeToo highlights the reality of abuse and emphasizes what can happen when a community encourages survivors to speak truth. The beauty that can emerge from reconciling trauma in the public sphere is not to be underestimated. #MeToo has empowered survivors to come forward, and forced abusers to face consequences. Therefore, we should use the strengths of #MeToo to shed light on how to respond to the despair in our Church.

Most notably, we can use the methodology of #MeToo to examine the Catholic hierarchy as well as the lack of gender and race diversity within the Church. With the number of victims identified in Pennsylvania at least 1,000, there is clearly a need to rethink how the Church is structured; in fact, to not do so would be a sin. As members of this (human) institution, we have a right to be angry and demand accountability. Further, survivors have the right to feel that the #MeToo movement can find a place in the Church. It is important to remember that #MeToo keeps the focus on the most vulnerable: the survivors, not the abusers. As the abusers and those who kept their actions private are held accountable we must not let that muffle the survivors whose voices have been forgotten for far too long.

Thoughts and prayers from bishops will not suffice. Neither will bishops who downplay this crisis or aim to defer the conversation to homosexuality. Statements from bishops are simply displays faith without good works. If the Church wants to sustain itself, it needs to look at the “signs of the times”: Young people are leaving the Church! And honestly, can anyone blame them? Many Catholics have to search outside of their faith community for healing.

I urge the Church to rethink the all-male hierarchy. Consider the ways in which toxic masculinity is hurting our Church. One has to wonder if  this abuse would have been kept quiet had there were women weaved into this hierarchy. Imagine a Church where a true representation of what the Church looks like is present in its leadership. Scripture refers to Wisdom as “She;” envision a Sunday where we hear the female voice of Wisdom. It is imperative to revisit the idea of women deacons, too. The Church has reached a pivotal moment where it will either become more proactive or limit itself to reacting as each new crisis unfolds. Throughout history, people have viewed the Church as a moral compass. How the Church proceeds will determine its future moral authority.

As an advocate and ally for survivors of sexual assault, I have reached a crossroads. In this moment, I find it difficult to be part of an institution that is perpetuating systemic injustices. As the news of the scandal broke I was surrounded by twenty Sisters of Loretto, some of whom had committed more than 50 years of their life to serving the Church. Although these women were heartbroken, they were not shocked. I am still letting that sink in. They were not surprised that their Church could commit such heinous acts.

Many advise that their relationship with Jesus is what keeps them going, but a relationship with Jesus is not what separates Catholics from other Christian traditions. It is the Sacraments and Tradition, which means the solution to this injustice must be holistic, rethinking the entire structure. I will always have my relationship with God and with the Eucharist, but will I always be able to stand proudly and profess myself Catholic?