Religious abuse /Narcissistic personality disorder.

Mental health
1

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

 

2

Well, this sounds interesting, but as I missed your original post I am in the dark.

Please can you explain a little more?

3

I have not read your original post but I too have been subjected to religious abuse at my previous church. I am to start therapy sessions in a few weeks to help stabilise my moods then follow on from there I think. Speak with your doctor to get you referred to a councillor or therapist.

4

Hi Icecool, you should go to the police if they dismiss you again, that should do the trick. 

5

Thanks for your replies.

​Macc I was told by a priest since removed from th parish by the bishop that I was a time waster because I had rung for spiritual support  facing a possible diagnosis of cancer. The fear was a rational one. When I said God as I was taken aback by his callous remarks he called me a blasphemer.. I reported the matter to the Bishop as I was concerned that should this priest say the same to someone more vulnerable than myself at that time that the person may commit suicide.

​The cancer was  ruled out following an MRI scan a few days later  .

 

6

Hi Thanks for your reply. I replied but gone for moderation I do not know why!!

7

Thanks for your reply. I did reply but for some reason it has gone for moderation!!!

 

8

Icecool

Yes some Churches, Priests and Practitioners can be a problem, however I understand your original Priest will return soon and you may be able to gain Spirit Support more to your liking then.

Generally it may be a good idea to change your Church and go to a different church in your area. Some Priests if Christian can have problems relating to their Flock so your GP may be a better option and your Practice will advise you if the need to report the Priest comes about

Let us know how you get on

BOB

9

Zip Zap Zop

Rogue priests, Nuns who bury 500 babies and children in a mass unmarked grave.......

No wonder churches are empty.

I think you should report the priest to his Bishop.

10

Hi Mac

​I saw the article on the nuns burying all those children. I felt ill.

​Still do - thanks to that Priest who I did write to the Bishop about. Guess what nil done. Another gagging job. Priest removed from Parish to another but no apology nothing just pressured into silence and told to forgive him as that is what God would want me to do.

Also told today that others are worse off than me.

​Told  to think of my soul instead of dwelling on physical ailments!!

and I should not seek counselling as it is not mentioned in the gospel but it is a lot of psychobabble from US to make money. I questioned the priest saying that if that is the case why do hospitals such as xxx xxxxx xxxxxxx  employ counsellors , send nurses and drs on counselling skills courses t in order to help the gravely ill and dying etc.

​I am sorry to burden people on here with all this but I did not know which way to turn. I feel as though my world has been turned upside down and had to ring a crisis line. Thank you to all who have supported me thru this time.

11

Hi Aspinan

Thanks.

I reportedhim to the Police they said that it is serious as religious abuse, spiritual abuse can lead to trauma and suicide.

 

12

I agree.

The Police take these things seriously.  xx

13

It is not a burden. It is our pleasure to try to help, because we also receive help.

Jesus said, 'Love one another as I have loved you.'

I can't think of any time He said, 'Ignore the sick and deny them aid.'

Can you?

14

Oh, and possibly there ARE people worse off than you, but that is hardly the point, is it?

How does that help someone in distress, from whatever cause? It's akin to being told to pull yourself together.

If we could pull ourselves together, we would not be reaching out for help.

15

I agree. When I heard what the priest said I took it in without question but knew that his words did not give me peace of mind.

I read afterwards that priests misquote the Gospel and that is also termed as spiritual abuse.

I reckon he tried to deter me from counselling because he did not wish me to expose the abuse I have suffered.

I feel very let down by the Church.

 

16

Thanks mac. Very well put.

I will remeber the words u have quoted and feed them back to that rogue priest.

​Many thanks

17

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

18

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.

 

19

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

20

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.