ABSTRACT
The chapter is structured around two distinct situations of abuse experienced by women religious. Firstly, it explores the abuse they endure at the hands of the clergy, highlighting women as victims of clerical abuse. Secondly, it delves into the abuse committed by the sisters themselves in two contexts: abuse perpetrated against minors and abuse that occurs within female religious communities. These complex dynamics position religious women as both victims and perpetrators. The primary sources of data for this chapter are twofold. Firstly, a survey conducted by the Latin American Conference of Religious in 2022. Secondly, the narratives shared by Latin-American victims themselves – they offer firsthand accounts that shed light on the various types of abuse, including abuses of power, as well as spiritual and sexual abuse. Through an in-depth analysis of these narratives, the chapter unveils the intricate dynamics that underlie both individual abusive behaviors, and institutional abusive cultures, emphasizing the profound consequences suffered by the victims. It is argued that focusing on the conceptual framework of abuse in female consecrated life reveals and amplifies dimensions of ecclesial abuse, allowing for a better understanding of their current crisis.
