The Sexual Abuse Scandal and a New Ethical Horizon: A Perspective from India

Despite recent signs of change, the Indian church was rather reluctant to acknowledge the clerical sexual abuse scandal as its own problem. In the Indian context, the scandal entails not only the abuse of minors, but also the abuse of women and other vulnerable adults by church personnel. The hierar...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kochuthara, Shaji George 1967- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Sage Publ. [2019]
In: Theological studies
Year: 2019, Volume: 80, Issue: 4, Pages: 931-949
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B India / Catholic church / Priest / Sexual abuse
IxTheo Classification:KBM Asia
KDB Roman Catholic Church
NCF Sexual ethics
RB Church office; congregation
Further subjects:B Celibacy
B participatory church
B Sexuality
B Catholic Church in India
B Clericalism
B Gender
B protection of minors
B Synodality
B Sex Education
B seminary formation
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Description
Summary:Despite recent signs of change, the Indian church was rather reluctant to acknowledge the clerical sexual abuse scandal as its own problem. In the Indian context, the scandal entails not only the abuse of minors, but also the abuse of women and other vulnerable adults by church personnel. The hierarchical structure of Indian society, gender relations based on patriarchy, and postcolonial attitudes provide a fertile ground for abuse. Clericalism, centralization of power in the church, and continuing negative attitudes to sexuality are further contributing factors. The clerical sexual abuse scandal calls for developing new ethical horizons based on a theology of a participatory church, and a reconsideration of the church's attitude to sexuality and gender relations.
ISSN:2169-1304
Contains:Enthalten in: Theological studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/0040563919874517