Grappling with Spiritual Abuse and Trauma in the “DNA” of the Catholic Church
Episode 161What if the reason spiritual abuse is so rampant yet unrecognised in the Church is because these kind of dynamics have always been part of the way the Church existed in the world?In this deeply personal episode, I talk about my journey awakening to and grappling with the legacy of spiritual abuse and trauma within the Catholic Church. I share the story of how I was led in my interior journey into deconstructing my old Self, the way I related to my family of origin and eventually my understanding of and relationship with my Catholic faith. I share how learning to recognise trauma, harm and abuse led me to wrestle with the integrity of what I believed and how that faith is embodied in the world.This reflection offers an honest, bold and nuanced discussion on the complex interplay between faith and coercion in the 2,000 years of the history of the Church and how that impacts the way we live our faith out today. How can we as Church continue to undergo conversion from the legacy of coercion and spiritual abuse that has made up such a huge part of our intergenerational, collective and systemic trauma within the Catholic Church? Join me in this thought-provoking sharing!Watch this recording on YouTube.CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey01:14 Deconstructing Faith and Identity03:52 Family of Origin and Trauma09:10 Anger and Frustration with the Church14:43 Historical Context of Church Coercion19:21 Reconciling Faith and Church Authority22:58 The Role of Conscience in Faith24:15 Spiritual Abuse and Church Culture46:03 Hope and Transformation in the Church51:29 ConclusionSupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.
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Reconsidering Holiness: Saints, Trauma, and Spiritual Abuse
Episode 160We know we’re called to holiness, that we’re called to be saints. But have we really grappled with what holiness means? With what becoming saints really mean? In my latest podcast episode I share how I have come to ask these questions in much more earnest after learning about how even canonised saints commit great harm to people, and how some of these harmful actions are even considered by many as part of holiness.I dive into the concepts of sainthood and holiness, especially in light of personal experiences with trauma and spiritual abuse. Reflecting on the stories of saints like Padre Pio and Mother Teresa, I explore how their actions and the narratives surrounding them can impact our understanding of holiness. I encourage viewers to question and reconsider what it means to be holy, particularly from the perspective of embodied spiritual and emotional health. Watch this recording on YouTube.Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.RESOURCESThe Turning: The Sisters Who Left “The Turning”: The dark side of Mother Teresa’s order, according to nuns who leftCHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Introduction00:30 Spiritual Abuse and Its Prevalence02:07 Saints and Holiness: Personal Experiences02:53 Padre Pio: Reverence and Controversy11:41 Questioning Holiness and Spiritual Abuse23:02 Mother Teresa: A Complex Legacy33:56 Holiness, Love, and Abuse44:24 Final Thoughts and EncouragementSupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.
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When Enmeshment Trauma Becomes Spiritually Abusive
Episode 159In today's episode, we explore the intersection of enmeshment trauma and spiritual abuse. If you're new to the concept, enmeshment trauma occurs in families that are too close to the point where individual boundaries and self-identity are compromised. This episode delves into the signs and impacts of enmeshment trauma, such as poor boundaries, lack of self-identity, feeling overly responsible for others and constant seeking of approval. I also discuss how these dynamics can lead to spiritual abuse within both families and faith communities, particularly through the misuse of authority and abuse of conscience. Offering insights and personal experiences, this episode aims to help you recognise and heal from these harmful patterns especially when they are cloaked in beautiful and ‘holy’ language such as ‘accountability’ and ‘fraternal correction’.Watch this recording on YouTube.Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.RESOURCESHoly Hurt: Understanding Spiritual Trauma and the Process of Healing (Book)Holy Hurt (Podcast) Understanding Enmeshment Trauma Enmeshment in Family: Breaking Free from Unhealthy Closeness CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Introduction00:11 Understanding Enmeshment Trauma02:33 Healthy Intimacy vs. Enmeshment05:27 Spiritual and Religious Trauma09:56 What is Enmeshment Trauma?13:01 Personal Experiences and Cultural Context13:47 Signs of Enmeshment Trauma19:09 Impact of Enmeshment Trauma25:54 Enmeshment in Faith Communities32:19 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.
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Healing and Repenting from Abuse of Conscience
Episode 158In this episode, I continue the discussion on spiritual abuse by focusing on Abuse of Conscience. I share my personal journey of discovering this subtle yet pervasive form of abuse, how it affected my life, and my path to recognising my own role in it. I discuss how my own spiritual trauma and distorted image of God fuelled my participation in this form of spiritual abuse and share how experiencing God's unconditional love has been crucial in my healing process both as a survivor and perpetrator of abuse of conscience. Watch this recording on YouTube.Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.RESOURCESWhat is Abuse of Conscience? (Podcast by Paul Fahey)Abuse of Conscience (Presentation by Paul Fahey, Q&A with Fr Boniface Hicks)Respecting Conscience in Catholicism (Paul Fahey with Amy Grey)Conscience Invaders The Place Where You Stand Is Holy Ground: Recognizing and Preventing Spiritual Abuse in the Catholic Church CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Introduction01:23 Resources on Abuse of Conscience05:50 The Challenge of Accepting Abuse08:47 Conscience in Catholic Teaching14:01 Freedom and Consent in Moral Actions17:41 About Mortal Sin24:35 Personal Stories of Conscience Abuse32:08 The Impact of Fear on Faith42:13 Healing and Repenting from Abuse of Conscience49:05 Final Thoughts and Invitation to ReflectSupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.
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Using Power and Influence in Non-Spiritually Abusive Ways
Episode 157In this episode, I build on my last episode’s discussion of how culture, disembodied faith, and trauma contribute to an environment conducive to spiritual abuse. I delve into the responsible use of power and influence, sharing personal insights and experiences. I discuss how, even with good intentions, we can unintentionally harm others by imposing ourselves and violating the sacred freedom of another person’s conscience that even God respects. I offer tips for exercising influence in a non-coercive and respectful manner, emphasising the importance of honouring each person's freedom and dignity. Watch this recording on YouTube.Follow me on my Instagram account @animann for more material on the integration journey and subscribe to my monthly reflections on Begin Again.CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Introduction05:36 Personal Influence and Power Dynamics09:54 Why So Hard to Recognise Spiritual Abuse20:20 Tips for Respecting Others' Freedom35:14 Conclusion and ReflectionSupport the showSUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | SUPPORTSocial Media:Follow Ann Yeong on Instagram or Facebook.Newsletter:Subscribe to Begin Again for Ann's updates and reflections.Support the Show:Monthly Support (starting at USD$3)One-time DonationLeave a Review:If this podcast has blessed you, please leave a review by clicking here.
Becoming Me is your podcast companion and coach in your journey to a more integrated and authentic self. I explore the joys and challenges of the interior journey and share practical wisdom about growing in wholeness, healing from complex trauma, and navigating the existential crises of spiritual midlife deconstruction and renewal as an integrated Roman Catholic. Visit www.integroformation.com for more!
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