"Spiritual Violence": Church works on Guidelines to bring the post-Conciliar new spiritual movements under control

Cathcon: This blog has often focused on the scandal magnets that the post-Conciliar new spiritual movements became.  More countries, especially France need to look at this issue in the way that Austria is but it is all too little, too late.  How did it get to this?  A report is expected next year....when will action be taken.

Bishops' Conference and Conference of Religious Orders focus more on spiritual violence - Moral theologian Schaupp, member of the "Spiritual Violence" working group, in a church newspaper interview on terminology, as well as its processing and prevention

Since 2021, a Working Group established by the Austrian Bishops' Conference and the Conference of Religious Orders has been working on addressing spiritual violence in the Church. The goal of the "Spiritual Violence" working group is to integrate corresponding forms of abuse into the Church's prevention policy "The Truth Will Set You Free." Initial results have already been approved "ad experimentum" by the bishops and the leadership of the Conference of Religious Orders and are already being applied in practice. The working group is now evaluating how this is being handled. A report is expected in spring 2026.

Spiritual violence is often difficult to recognize, even for those affected, explains Graz-based moral theologian Walter Schaupp, a member of the working group, in an interview with the cooperative editorial team of the church newspapers. Those affected only realize in retrospect that they have been exploited. They are promised a deep relationship with God or a clear calling, which later turns out to be empty. This makes guidelines, training, and clear awareness-raising at all levels of church responsibility all the more important, the theologian said.

A uniform definition of spiritual violence does not currently exist, according to Schaupp, but there are clear approaches: "Spiritual violence occurs when someone uses their religious authority to control, manipulate, and emotionally exploit others—not to serve. In other words, when a spiritual guide does not help them find God, but instead uses themselves as the standard." He continued: "It's about the exploitation of spiritual authority to influence and control – under the guise of pastoral care," Schaupp said.

Every person has the right to choose and shape their religious path, the expert emphasized. However, spiritual violence restricts this space, manipulates, and controls, often with the argument that one knows "in the name of God" what is right for someone. Those affected are often cut off from family or friends. Their own group is portrayed as chosen or alone "on the right path." "Outsiders are seen as lost or dangerous."

New spiritual movements at risk

Spiritual abuse occurs more frequently in new spiritual movements and religious communities than, for example, in parish pastoral care, according to the moral theologian: "These groups often operate with strong personal ties and emphasize obedience to spiritual authorities." But spiritual violence can also occur in traditional confession and accompaniment situations, "for example, when priests demand certain decisions in the name of God." It is striking that spiritual violence often precedes or accompanies sexual violence. Perpetrators disguise assaults as expressions of divine love.

"It's often unclear where it begins"

According to Schaupp, spiritual violence is subtle: "It's often unclear where it begins." Therefore, guidelines and training are needed, both for pastoral caregivers and those in higher leadership positions. Those affected must be taken seriously. Abusive situations are often difficult for those affected to recognize, "only in retrospect do they realize they were exploited. They have committed to promises, such as a deep relationship with God or a clear calling – but the promises were not fulfilled."

Regarding the question of what "healthy" spiritual guidance looks like, the theologian said: "Christian faith defends life and must be measured by it." One cannot "spiritually starve or destroy" people in the name of life. During guidance, the participants examine together: "What is truly God's voice? What does my conscience say? The guide should help discover the inner voice – not replace it." Schaupp held the Chair of Moral Theology at the Faculty of Catholic Theology in Graz until 2019. Since 2018, he has been a member of the Theological Commission of the Austrian Bishops' Conference.

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