Why the Catholic Church ignored victims abused by nuns
Why have the victims of childhood sexual abuse by nuns been ignored? And how do gender imbalance and church hierarchy work together to minimize their stories?
Listen 12:30
Patricia Cahill poses with sister Eileen at her parents' house in Ridgewood. The family were pleased and proud that the nun visited their house and that she took a special interest in Patricia. (Courtesy of Patricia Cahill)
People have been looking into the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal in Pennsylvania for well over a decade. A huge grand jury report on the issue was conducted by the Pennsylvania attorney general last year. But what wasn’t included was childhood sexual abuse committed by nuns. Why have the victims of nun abuse been ignored? And how do gender imbalance and church hierarchy work together to minimize their stories? WHYY’s Laura Benshoff explains on this episode of The Why.
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