The Shame That Lingers ─ A Survivor-centered Critique of Catholic Sin-talk

Starkey (theology and religious studies, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN) considers the effects of child abuse on the victim within the context of Christian, especially Catholic, concepts of shame and sin. It is well established that victims often feel that they somehow deserve the abuse and bring it on themselves. The shame they feel, different from guilt, is transferred to a belief that they have sinned. Starkey suggests that a new dimension be opened onto the religious reaction to abuse in which victims are encouraged to speak in a safe environment. She feels that the clergy are often unable to cope with the enormity of the suffering and prefer victims to keep silent. She outlines a plan for a different approach that will establish the victims' self worth along with their faith in a god who seemed to be punishing them or, worse, to have abandoned them as worthless. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)