The first research study into the sexual abuse of women religious in German-speaking countries has shown a common pattern of spiritual abuse with global cases and highlighted that the majority of abuse is perpetrated by men, although some sisters were abused also by women superiors.
Moved by the cruel treatment faced by many widows in Ghana, Mary Immaculate Sr. Gabriel Nonaah started St. Monica Widows Association to provide these vulnerable women with empowerment, education and self-reliance.
"We are still missing something essential if we cannot name and confront the systemic nature of abuse within our Catholic Church," writes Sr. Yolanda Olivera for the Global Sisters Report series "Out of the Shadows."
Spain's Conference of Religious seeks to reconcile with survivors of the Patronato de Proteccion a la Mujer. But the women refuse, prompting a reflection on the nature of forgiveness.
At the Holy Trinity Home for Children in Quezon City, the Trinitarian Handmaids of the Divine Word shelter children who have been victims of sexual abuse, and provide them mental health care and education.
Catholic sisters in Kenya offer support to elder men and women who have been driven from their homes — if not killed — following accusations of witchcraft from those eager to take their land.
With a decade of reporting on Catholic sisters, international correspondent Chris Herlinger reflects on how sisters have long been radical models in supporting women's causes.
