My Story of Abuse
I was abused
by a monastic priest around the context of the sacrament of confession. Although there was an indecent assault and battery
that took place, my experience of how the abuse devastated me was when I brought the allegation forward to ecclesiastical
authorities.
Here are some of my reflections which might better illustrate the impact the abuse has had
on my faith and vocation.
What I went through was a "spiritual gang rape" (I characterize it as
institutional abuse) by those who promised to be spiritual guardians to me. The betrayal shook the very foundations of my
faith and all that I knew of God and Church would be called into question. Although my faith in the institution has diminished,
over time it has become more solid in God Himself.
I thought that my having served the Church (for over
a decade) and expressing to churchauthorities that I did not wish to bring my allegation into a legal forum while reiterating
I was not interested in a monetary settlement that they would "do the right thing". Soon I became aware they were
not operating on a spiritually wholesome level, but plainly a demonic one.
The trauma experienced in all
cases of abuse (in this case adult sexual abuse) is compounded not merely from the abuse experience itself, but from
the length of time the abuse is concealed and covered up.
My story is like so many others in that the Church
authorities have sought to ignore their responsibility towards victims while protecting the offenders. Many were complicit
in this orchestrated cover-up involving both religious and state officials of the highest rank within Massachusetts and even
national figureheads as well.
For those who wish to hear my story, please visit our donations and services
page. All donations support victims of clergy abuse.
For more details about my case, please click
on Links and Burnor/Abbey Case Complaints tabs above:
Rev.
Joseph Chu-Cong- a monk from the Spencer Abbey faced trial for the sexual assault of a hermit nun on the Abbey grounds. Rev.
Chu-Cong was found not guilty in a jury trial in 2003. Not revealed publicly or during the trial was that another woman had
come forward to the State Police and reported she was also sexually assaulted by Rev. Chu-Cong in the same manner. A formal complaint has been filed alleging Worcester District Attorney John Conte failed to
act in good faith during the trial and his failure was the primary reason for the failed conviction.
