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Spiritual and ecclesiastical abuse can take on many forms, and most members have no idea to what lengths church leaders will go. Karena’s story is both insightful and frightening and inspires us to ask some hard questions. Just how common is this type of spiritual abuse? How can we combat ecclesiastical abuse within an institutional system that offers no oversight? Is it ethical for a representative of the Lord to tell a person to leave the church and never come back?
This is the first episode in a two-part series.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Unrighting Dominion
MormonLeaks™ Releases Legal Depositions Detailing Legal Processes of the Mormon Church
Leah Marie
Leah Marie earned a BA in Political Science, and a Masters in Public Administration. She is currently working towards her PhD in Public Policy. She is wife to an English professor, and mother to 3 beautiful boys.
All posts by Leah Marie
Where do you guys live?? Where is this happening?
Sorry I’m coming late to this. The interview could be more clear regarding Karena’s membership status and the chain of events. Was her temple recommend revoked, or was she disfellowshipped or excommunicated? If not, the bishop is essentially stating she is still a member in good standing. So its unclear to me how a PNG is supportable as a formal action. Since the church limits participation in some ordinances to church services (e.g. the sacrament), how can any bishop in good conscience simultaneously say she is worthy then deny that member access to those ostensibly salvific ordinances? If shes worthy she should have access to church grounds; if not, change her membershio status thru disfellowshiping or excommunication. As it stands it seems a PNG would condemn the bishop more than the member.
If on the other hand Karena was excommunicated for advocating for her special needs children without the chance to defend herself via a ‘court of love’, that would also be a blatant violation of the churchs own scriptures.
Either way the man is in gross contradiction to the loving, gently inviting Lord he pretends to worship
It bears mentioning the bishop wasnt adult enough to talk with Karena directly. Grow up, take responsibility and own the decisions you make.