DDF to Define Canonical Crime of ‘Spiritual Abuse’

Nov 29, 2024 | 0 comments

Cardinal Victor Fernandez, Prefect of the DDF

In the aftermath of reported use of a distorted Christian mysticism by some prominent Catholic teachers – in their alleged abuse of some who came to them for spiritual guidance – the highest Vatican oversight body, the DDF, is to set up a working group to define a ‘delict’ or canonical crime of ‘spiritual abuse’.

This was announced by Cardinal Victor Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, (DDF) in a letter published Nov 25th, 2024.

The working group will set out to specify activities that involve “the use of purported supernatural experiences or recognized mystical elements as a means of or a pretext for exerting control over people or carrying out abuses“.

This move is thought to result from special concern over abuses allegedly committed by prominent individuals such as Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche movement (and now deceased) and the artist and former Jesuit priest, Marko Rupnik.

Rupnik’s religious artwork is the subject of ongoing controversy.

For a more complete report of this DDF decision in La Croix International, click here.

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ACI’s Campaign for Lumen Gentium 37

The Promise of Synodality

What we have experienced of synodality so far gives ACI real hope that a longstanding structural injustice in the church may at last be acknowledged and overcome.

As all Irish bishops well know, the 'co-responsibility' they urge lay people to share - as numbers and energies of clergy decline - has been sabotaged time and again by canonical rules that deny representational authority and continuity to parish pastoral councils.  ACI's 2019 call for the immediate honouring of Lumen Gentium Article 37 becomes more urgent by the day and is supported by the following documents - also presented to the ICBC in October 2019.

The Common Priesthood of the People of God and the Renewal of the Church
It was Catholic parents and victims of clerical abuse who taught Catholic Bishops to prioritise the safeguarding of children in the church

Jesus as Model for the Common Priesthood of the People of God
It was for challenging religious hypocrisy and injustice that Jesus was accused and crucified. He is therefore a model for the common priesthood of the laity and for the challenging of injustice - in society and within the church.

A Suggested Strategy for the Recovery of the Irish and Western Catholic Church
Recovery of the church depends upon acknowledgment of the indispensable role of the common priesthood of the lay people of God and the explicit abandonment by bishops and clergy of paternalism and clericalism - the expectation of deference from lay people rather than honesty and integrity.

For the full story of ACI's campaign for the honouring of Article 37 of Lumen Gentium, click here.

Prayer

"Come Holy Spirit, Renew Your wonders in this our day, as by a new Pentecost. Grant to Your Church that, being of one mind and steadfast in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and following the lead of blessed Peter, it may advance the reign of our Divine Saviour, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of love and peace. Amen."

Saint Pope John XXIII, 1962 - In preparation for Vatican Council II, 1962-65.

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