Theology in the Wake of Survivor Testimony: Epistemic Injustice and Clergy Sex Abuse
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Authors
Kidd, Erin
Issue Date
2020
Volume
21
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Journal Article
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Abstract
This paper develops a theological understanding of the harm done when survivor testimony regarding clergy sex abuse is not believed. Using recent philosophical research in epistemic injustice, I trace the epistemic challenges to survivor testimony being both given and received, and argue that they constitute an injustice in their own right. I develop the concept of “theological harm” to speak precisely about both the epistemic and spiritual harm that is done when a person’s testimony is not received by her community; and to name the harm to theology itself when it fails to listen to the God-talk offered by survivors. A theology of testimony may play a part in helping us cultivate the very virtue we need in order to listen to it well and, therefore, to prevent abuse and support survivors.|Keywords: clergy sex abuse, epistemic injustice, spiritual violence, testimony
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Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Kripke Center, Creighton University
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1941-8450