To foster the relational dimension of Church life and to contribute to restore trust between Church leadership and people affected by the ripple harms of abuse, fostering a culture shift in the Church.
This research project on “Towards a Trustworthy Church” included 49 qualitative interviews conducted in all continents, including 15 countries indicate that trust in the Church or its leaders remained, or was established, when victims and those around them had the opportunity to get to know ecclesial leaders such as priests, religious or bishops personally. In other words, a personal relationship on an equal basis can be considered as a means for building or restoring trust. The creation of pilot projects bringing together leaders and lay people on an equal basis to have conversations about trust issues and Church will explore the extent to which these conversations contribute to the rebuilding of trust.
- Dr Karlijn Demasure, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada
- Dr Sheila McMahon, University of San Diego, US
- Dr Ivo Aertsen, KULeuven, Belgium
- Dr James Keenan, Boston College, US
- Dr Valère Nkouaya Mbandji, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada