This week’s episode takes on clericalism and the part it has played in the abuse crisis. What is clericalism and how can we recognize it when we see it?

John Carr, director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University, talks to us about how he saw clericalism manifest in his conversations with the U.S. bishops. He talks about how the bishops are isolated, in part because of clericalism—and how that can contribute to abuses of power.

How is clericalism related to gender? Julie Rubio, a professor at the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University, joins the episode to offer her take, and speaks about how clericalism should be addressed in seminarians.

Theologian Richard Gaillardetz talks about who enables clericalism: It’s not just clergy.

Links:

#ChurchToo by Julie Rubio

“Eight lessons to help us move forward from the sex abuse crisis” by John Carr

To Serve the People of God by Rick Gaillardetz

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