Hurting in the Church: A Way Forward for Wounded Catholics

"Hurting in the Church provides a psychologically wise and spiritually profound path forward for Catholics who have been abused, traumatized, or wounded by other Catholics -- especially those in leadership. Chapter 10 on how to recover one's belief in and love for the Church is worth the price of the book alone!" -- Sherry Weddell, Best-selling author of Forming Intentional Disciples

"An honest and much-needed book that addresses ... the many Catholics who feel marginalized, ignored, hurt, insulted and even abused by the Church."--Fr. James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage

"It took courage for Father Berg to write with such honesty and transparency, and his courage will give you courage--not only to confront sin and weakness within the Church, but also to give God another chance to help you rediscover him within the embrace of the Church despite the failings of her members."--Fr. Jonathan Morris, author of New York Times Bestseller, The Way of Serenity

"Here is an unflinching examination of the Church's brokenness ... along with practical advice and the promise of hope for the challenging path forward. Fearless in his assessment, Father Berg is equally confident that in Jesus and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can move toward healing and wholeness."--Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Audiobook Available

on christianaudio.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Father Berg is professor of moral theology and vice-rector at St Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, NY. He earned his doctorate in philosophy at Rome's Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. In addition to scholarly work in bioethics, he has also been published or quoted in Homiletic & Pastoral Review, Crisis Magazine, First Things, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. An avid runner, hiker, and cigar aficionado, he escapes as often as he can to Cape May, New Jersey.

Far too many Catholics have had painful experiences in the Church, and many have simply opted to walk away.

Fr. Berg opens his book with the story of the painful and life-changing crisis he experienced in the Church that ultimately, against the odds, led him to love the Church more intensely notwithstanding the sinfulness of its members.

Along with his own story, Fr. Berg intertwines the stories of other Catholics who have themselves experienced life-changing hurts, but who, in Jesus, found healing.

Riding the momentum of the Year of Mercy, Fr. Berg offers these reflections as a necessary examination of conscience, and a clarion call to Catholics to become healers of an ailing inner culture of our Church, to heed Pope Francis's call to incite a -revolution of tenderness- in our faith communities.

Ultimately, this book is about hope for wounded believers: If you have been hurt in the Church, Jesus can take you on a journey through your wounds, a journey of healing that will make you an even better human being, a better Christian, and a better disciple.