#MeToo In Churches? ‘Sisters’ Will Now Take On ‘Fathers’ Who ‘Sin In Secret’, As Institutional Support Slowly Emerges

The International Union of Superiors General has urged Catholic nuns who have been abused to report crimes to the police and superiors. The group has vowed to help the sisters who have been assaulted but refrain from reporting their trauma, gather the courage to take on their tormentors.

“We condemn those who support the culture of silence and secrecy, often under the guise of ‘protection’ of an institution’s reputation or naming it ‘part of one’s culture,” the group said as reported by The Independent.

The statement was issued prior to the UN-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which falls on 25 November. Fresh controversies earlier this year erupted over the sexual abuse of adult nuns by clergymen across the globe.

Earlier this year, it was revealed in reports that the Vatican knew about the problem and that of preying bishops since decades, but did nothing to solve it. In an investigation, it was announced that cases of priests abusing nuns have emerged in Europe, Africa, South America and Asia.

The nuns have found their voice through the #MeToo movement, but many remain reluctant to come forward and complain.