S3E8: When Authority Wounds: Obedience in Religious Life

Content Warning: *This content is not appropriate for minors, so please use a headset or listen in their absence. This episode discusses experiences of spiritual abuse within the church. While we approach this conversation with respect for the Church and for religious vocations, some of the themes may be difficult for listeners who have experienced spiritual trauma. Please listen at your own pace and care for your heart as needed.*

Friends,

What happens when the vow of obedience that is meant to free the heart for Christ becomes a mechanism of control?

In this episode of Forgiveness Is for YOU, I speak with Lisa Leopold about her experience as a postulant in a Catholic religious order and the spiritual abuse she encountered during formation. Together we explore how authority in religious life can become distorted, how the misuse of obedience can cause emotional and spiritual trauma, and what healing looks like on the other side.

Spiritual abuse in the Church is often difficult to name, especially when it is cloaked in piety or justified as “God’s will.”

Now a wife, mother, and licensed therapist, Lisa accompanies former religious and others who are healing from spiritual abuse. Her work sheds light on both the wounds and the hope for reform and transparency within religious communities.

Lisa's Link(s)

Website: http://www.bethaniacounseling.com/

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Note: Opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their personal opinions and do not necessarily represent those of the host. The host understands that guests have the right to freedom of expression.

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Podcast Editor: Dr. Carron Silva

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Thank you, and remember Friend, Forgiveness is for YOU!