Awake Blog
Welcome to the Awake Blog! If you’re new to Awake, we recommend you check out these top blog posts from our archive.
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Emily Hess
“I sometimes feel imposter syndrome when talking to fellow survivors; my story is very mild compared to most of the stories I've heard from others.”
Confronting the Catholic Church’s Role in Native American Boarding Schools
We revisit our 2023 interview with Maka Black Elk, who is committed to hearing the stories of Native people hurt in boarding schools run by Catholic religious orders. As a Catholic and member of the Oglala-Sioux tribe, he shares how he has grappled with the Church’s role in this harm.
Join Us in Welcoming Meghan Fiebelkorn to the Awake Staff!
This week we are honored to introduce Meghan Fiebelkorn, Awake’s new full-time associate director. Here she tells us a little about her career background, what she and her family do for fun, and the projects that she is the most excited to undertake with Awake.
Courageous Conversation: Abuse Survivors Discuss the Act of Sharing Their Stories
At last week's Courageous Conversation, speakers Gina Barthel, Wendy Mitch, and Vincent Perez recounted some of the most helpful and compassionate responses to their abuse stories, as well as a few of the most painful.
Awake Warmly Welcomes New Associate Director, Whitney True Francis
On September 4, Awake joyfully welcomed Whitney True Francis, our second full-time staff member. As she begins her work with Awake, we asked Whitney a few questions about her background, personal life, and hopes for this role.
What Does Grooming Look Like in the Abuse of Adults?
This week we revisit a 2023 post on the topic of grooming, the manipulative techniques used by abusive people to set the stage for the abuse of adults as well as children.
Maria Silvers
“Hearing stories like mine from other survivors has helped me to recognize and heal from the wound of shame.”
What is DARVO? Why Learning More Could Lead to a Safer Church
When faith leaders or others are accused of sexual assault, they may respond with tactics known as DARVO to make victims seem less believable and create confusion.
“Without Saying a Word, You are Safe and Understood”: Reflections from Awake’s Second Annual Survivor Retreat
There are many things I love about my work as Awake’s executive director, but our annual retreat for abuse survivors has quickly become the highlight of my year. It is a profound privilege to share this transformative experience.
Allison DeGeorge
“It has taken me more than a decade to find the words that have become my abuse story and I feel very … afraid to share. The only reason I share it now is that I do not want anyone to have to endure the shame and isolation I felt as I searched … for an explanation of what happened to me.”
Teaching New Priests How to Minister to Abuse Survivors
A group of seminary educators has proposed a set of benchmarks to prepare Catholic priests to minister to people who have experienced abuse in the Church.
Victim? Survivor? Coper? Thriver? Which Name is Best After Abuse?
We surveyed 73 people who have endured abuse and asked them which terms feel right to them, which feel wrong, and why.
How Can We Make Churches More Trauma-Informed? Start with These 6 Principles
To make churches safe for all, faith communities need a deep understanding of the concept of trauma.
What is Vos Estis Lux Mundi? How Does It Affect Church Abuse Cases?
On the fifth anniversary of Vos Estis Lux Mundi, we offer a basic primer on this papal decree, which covers the investigation of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
Courageous Conversation Explores Accountability for Bishops Under Vos Estis
Last week, Awake welcomed two respected observers of the Catholic Church to consider the first five years of Vos Estis Lux Mundi, a papal decree that created new church laws and procedures for reporting and investigating sexual abuse.
Making the Eucharist Accessible to Survivors of Abuse
Recently Paula Kaempffer of the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis began to consider a powerful idea: why couldn’t she take the Eucharist to victim-survivors who want to receive it, in the same way that lay ministers take communion to parishioners who can’t leave their homes due to illness or mobility issues?
LOUDfence at Wheeling Cathedral Offers Support for Victim-Survivors
When worshippers arrived at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling, West Virginia for Mass this past Sunday, they found colorful ribbons tied to railings outside the building.
Awake’s Board Welcomes New Directors, Thanks Outgoing Members
It’s an exciting week for Awake as we welcome three newly elected members to our Board of Directors, as well as a new treasurer.
Survivor Advocates for New California Law Criminalizing Sexual Abuse of Adults
When she discovered that her state lacked a criminal statute outlawing sexual contact between clergy members and adult parishioners, Lucy Huh was suddenly driven by what she calls “a personal quest.”
What is Institutional Betrayal? And How Does It Relate to Church Abuse?
Institutional betrayal occurs when leaders of an institution fail to protect members from harm or do not respond with support if someone reveals that they’ve been hurt.