These Catholic sisters want to start a new order with a difficult mission: helping clergy abuse survivors
Two Catholic sisters are seeking to establish a new religious order dedicated to supporting survivors of clergy abuse. They aim to provide spiritual and emotional care for those harmed by the institution they serve.
Why it matters
This represents a unique internal effort within the Catholic Church to address the long-term trauma caused by systemic abuse scandals.
Sister Theresa Alethia and Sister Danielle Lussier stand out at daily Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington, Ky. Their heads are covered in waist-length teal veils, and black canvas work aprons cover their gray habits. The aprons feature an embroidered image of Jesus on the cross, alive and gasping for air.
"It is an important moment for us, when Jesus calls out to the Father, 'My God, my God, Why have you forsaken me?'" Sister Theresa Alethia says. "That's the moment that we enter into with the people that we serve."
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