Why It Is Never Too Late to Speak Out About Clergy Abuse

For years, many survivors of clergy abuse have suffered in silence. Some felt too scared to speak out. Others were made to believe they were the ones to blame. No matter the situation, abuse is never the fault of the victim, and it’s never too late to speak up. Whether the abuse happened recently or decades ago, your voice still matters, and it deserves to be heard.

In 2018, a Pennsylvania grand jury report shook the world by exposing the sexual abuse of more than 1,000 children by Roman Catholic priests over 70 years. But what was just as disturbing was how church leaders covered it up by moving abusive priests from one parish to another instead of holding them accountable.

If you’re someone who has suffered abuse in a religious setting, even if it was a long time ago, your experience still counts. And it’s never too late to discuss your case with a clergy sex abuse attorney who understands exactly what you’re going through and can help you take that first step toward justice.

The law sides with you, and so did the late Pope Francis when he made a rare and emotional public statement admitting that the church had failed. He said, “We showed no care for the little ones; we abandoned them.” His letter acknowledged how deep the damage ran and how much had been ignored. This was one of the strongest statements ever made by a pope on this issue.  

Why Victims Stay Silent for So Long

You might wonder why these victims don’t say anything sooner. Well, the answer is simple: fear, shame, and guilt. Victims of clergy abuse, whether children or adults, often feel trapped. In the case of nuns, some believed they had seduced a priest into sin, not because they did anything wrong, but because that’s what they were taught to believe. That kind of brainwashing can silence a person for years.

Lucetta Scaraffia, a feminist and editor of a Vatican newspaper supplement, reported that many nuns told her they felt too ashamed to speak up. Some were even forced to have abortions when they became pregnant, paid for by the very priests who had abused them. 

Others were kicked out of their religious orders and left to raise children alone. This is the power of silence. It isolates, it crushes, and it hides the truth.

It’s also why Pope Francis’s later acknowledgment of abuse against nuns was so significant. For the first time, a sitting pope openly admitted that this kind of abuse existed and had for a long time. 

He called on the church to say a clear NO to the culture of clericalism: that belief that priests are more important or powerful than the people they serve. It’s that mindset that allowed so much abuse to go unchecked.

Your Voice Can Be the Start of Change

You may feel like your voice won’t matter, especially if it’s been years or even decades. But it really does matter. When survivors speak up, they help expose the truth. They hold abusers accountable. And they give strength to others who are still too afraid to speak.

Even if you were told to stay silent, even if your abuser was someone holy, even if no one believed you at the time, you have the right to come forward now, not later. Speaking out is not about revenge. It’s one of the surefire ways to complete your healing and make sure others are protected from going through what you went through.

Pope Francis himself said that abuse survivors must be met with solidarity and that the church must commit to a culture of care that says never again! And, of course, that starts with your voice.

It’s Never Too Late to Take the First Step

Survivors around the world are beginning to speak out. Some are doing it publicly, some privately. You can do it in any manner you would prefer. 

Whether you were a child, a nun, or an adult member of a parish, if you were abused by someone in the church, you are not alone. And it’s not your fault.

There are people who will listen. People who understand how hard this is. You don’t need to carry the pain alone anymore. And you don’t need to suffer in silence. Because no matter how long it’s been, it is never too late to speak out.