1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Anxiety Disorders

Religious abuse /Narcissistic personality disorder.

Posted , 9 users are following.

icecool
icecool

I wrote about this a few weeks ago but I am still not receiving any support whatsoever from the Church and wondered if anyone else had suffered this type of abuse and if so how did they cope with it?

Only this afternoon another priest told me to out it all behind me and not to discuss it!!!

Thanks

 

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

Prev
  • Laroxe
    Laroxe icecool

    Posted

    Hi I think you have to remember the term "Religious Abuse" is currently associated with some very serious and ongoing criminal investigations and in using this term you are inviting some defensive and irrational responses from people. I think when people seek spiritual support from a priest it sorts of suggests this is about issues related to God and your beliefs whereas you were seeking emotional support. The response was certainly surprising, insensitive, rude etc but there must have been more to the conversation for him to call you a blasphemer. It sounds like  you had and angry and emotional exchange and my concern is that in reporting this as emotional abuse to both the Bishop and the police you may have put the whole issue into the public domain. The priest will also have the opportunity to describe his recollection of the full conversation and people will already be keeping detailed records of your communication, indeed if this ever came to a court you could expect everything about your history to be used against you. You need to be very careful about all of this.

    Sadly some of your concerns about the effects of this sort of response are perfectly reasonable and could cause considerable harm, but there would be the issue that this sort of thing falls outside what most religious leaders are trained to deal with, despite what they say. Your concern was very natural, but I suspect there are far better people around to help with that.

    You've been treated badly by an idiot, who appears as emotionally sensitive as a brick, but I'm concerned about this becoming a much bigger issue which gets outside of your control. You have at least made people aware of the situation, something people in the future may have to thank you for.  Best wishes

    • icecool
      icecool Laroxe

      Posted

      I was seeking spiritual support which a Priest is expected to provide.

      ​The conversation was unwelcomed by him due to what I have been told was his lack of empathy. The Bishop removed him to a private house without a parish.

      ​My objective in writing to this particular forum was to see if anyone had suffered spiritual abuse and if so how did they cope or overcome it. The responses I received were extremely supportive and helped me through a crisis in my life that I have never had to endure before.

      I have stated it as it happened.

       

    • icecool
      icecool Laroxe

      Posted

      If you google spiritual abuse and enablers you will find out much more than it is possible or appropriate to post on this forum.

      bw

    • Laroxe
      Laroxe icecool

      Posted

      My concern was in how this could end up effecting you, you have no need to defend your post or your actions.
    • icecool
      icecool Laroxe

      Posted

      The Police were very supportive and explained how spiritual abuse can lead to ptsd, suicide, mental torture etc, etc.

      Being listened to is very important .

    • icecool
      icecool Laroxe

      Posted

      I understand. Thank you for your concern.

      ​I had to give a background on here.

  • marleen85993
    marleen85993 icecool

    Posted

    Hi l replied to you the first time you posted.l feel you are definitely not going to receive any support from the Bishop etc on this matter.lt is clearly had an ongoing effect on you so go and see a counselor to help you about how you are feeling.Do not let it shake your faith or they have won.My opinion is this is something you can not win so help yourself now and look after your own needs.
    • icecool
      icecool marleen85993

      Posted

      Hi You are right.The church has let me down. Individual priests have said that it was wrong but as a Body that is Safeguarding/Church has closed ranks. This is a further disillusionment. I am now at the stage of taking a few steps back and reflecting on what other priests have told me that is that this priest has upset others and therefore I am not feeling guilty at him being removed from the parish and not being given another one.

      Perhaps in time he will recover sufficiently just to realise what he has done and how he made me feel and perhaps apologise!! I am not seeking money, revenge just closure . I am not leaving the Church because of one individual.

      ​Thank you very much for your reply. I really appreciate your words. Thanks.

       

    • mac58
      mac58 icecool

      Posted

      I agree with Marleen, Icecool.

      Time to close this issue because the church are closing ranks on you.

      Concentrate on getting well. I do understand that you seek closure. That is vitally important and I hope you get it.

    • icecool
      icecool mac58

      Posted

      Thanks for your response Mac. I just wanted to explain that I am merely taking a few steps back.

      Things are left that the Church is expected to respond positively and supportively because fobbing people off is unhelpful and damaging  to the victims. I understand where you are coming from though. Thanks.

  • borderriever
    borderriever icecool

    Posted

    I went through a bad time with the RCC over 40 years ago, It was going to be a mixed marriage and Her family were up in arms. Eventually the relationship broke down after visiting RCC Marriage Guidance. It just made matters worse and they had inferred they were going to disown the Girl and the family were going to do the same thing.

    In a way I was lucky I found my sole mate and eventually married. Mind it left a bitter taste in my mouth for quite a long time caused by many problems caused by family members on Her side

     

  • borderriever
    borderriever icecool

    Posted

    Thanks for that, sometimes things seem to happen for the best in life, we bite the bullet and learn life mysteries etc

    BOB

     

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.