The Fringes

In the final episode of this season of our new podcast, The Fringes, we share “Christina’s Story”—a courageous personal account from a survivor of adult clerical, emotional, spiritual, and sexual abuse. Christina opens up about the painful reality of reporting abuse within Church channels, the ongoing injustice of being ignored by leadership, and the urgent need for systemic reform.

Following her testimony, Sr. Theresa Aletheia and Sr. Danielle Victoria reflect on the profound questions raised by her story, unpacking the mechanics of grooming, power differentials, the dangers of clericalism, and what it truly means to foster a culture of safeguarding and accountability within faith communities.

Thank you for joining us for this series. We know it can be difficult, even a form of suffering, to listen to difficult stories like these.

But we also have faith that listening with openness to the pain that people have experienced in our faith communities can help us to form a safer Church.

Thank you for joining us in this hard work of renewal and reform.

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In our seventh episode of our new podcast, The Fringes, we share “A Monk’s Story.” Sharing his story anonymously and with his permission, he details his experience navigating leadership shifts, communication breakdowns, and the marginalization that can occur within a religious community when authority and vulnerable moments are weaponized.

Following his narrative, Sr. Theresa Aletheia and Sr. Danielle Victoria reflect on the broader lessons for faith communities. They discuss the critical responsibility of leadership to accompany individuals with clarity and charity, the harm of silent victim-blaming, the dangers of prioritizing efficiency over personalism, and the path toward genuine institutional healing.

Get full access to Sisters of the Little Way at www.sistersofthelittleway.com/subscribe

In our sixth episode of our new podcast, The Fringes, we listen to the story of “Edith,” a survivor who courageously shares an account of spiritual abuse, isolation, and boundary violations within a spiritual direction relationship in a traditional parish community.

Through her personal narrative, we explore the subtle warning signs of coercive control masked as guidance, the misuse of religious tradition, and the emotional toll of not being believed.

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In this week’s fifth episode of The Fringes, we listen to the lived experience of “Beth,” we share a courageous personal testimony entrusted to us by “Beth,” who shares her lived experience of growing up in an intentional Catholic community where families and religious brothers and sisters lived side by side.

Beth opens up about the erosion of boundaries, the traumatic impact of coercive spiritual guidance during a 30-day retreat, and the complex challenge of disentangling family roles from spiritual authority figures.

Following her account, Sr. Theresa and Sr. Danielle discuss the necessity of clear safeguarding policies, the danger of idealizing religious communities, how spiritual abuse drives people away from faith, and how acknowledging human limits and danger ultimately creates safer environments for children and families.

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In our fourth episode of our new podcast, The Fringes, we listen to the story of “Sister Sarah,” a former Catholic religious sister who anonymously shares her experience of spiritual, emotional, and psychological abuse inside a convent.

What began as a sincere desire to devote her life to God slowly became an environment of isolation, control, public humiliation, medical neglect, and profound religious trauma.

We unpack themes like abuse of conscience, obedience, trauma, and the lasting psychological impact these experiences can have on faith and identity.

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In the third episode of our new podcast, The Fringes, we listen to the story of “Deacon John,” a survivor who shares about his experience of abuse by a trusted priest within the Church while he was discerning his vocation to the priesthood.

After carrying 30 years of unspoken pain, isolation, and spiritual conflict, he shares his journey through deep trauma toward healing, reclaiming his vocation, and advocating for survivor-first accountability.

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In this week’s second episode of The Fringes, we listen to the lived experience of “Michael,” a survivor who shares his account of abuse as a minor by his parish pastor—and the years of institutional silence and the lifelong burden he continues to carry.

Following his story, Sr. Theresa and Sr. Danielle unpack the concept of institutional betrayal and reflect on Michael’s recommendations for reform.

This 8-episode season releases weekly. Check your inbox for episode launch notifications!

You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss an episode!

Get full access to Sisters of the Little Way at www.sistersofthelittleway.com/subscribe

In the premiere episode of our new podcast, The Fringes, survivor “Maria” shares her story of grooming, abuse, boundary erosion, and the misuse of spiritual authority within the Church.

After Maria’s testimony, Sr. Theresa Aletheia and Sr. Danielle Victoria unpack dynamics when survivors share their experiences, including the concept of spiritual bypassing. They discuss why rushing survivors toward forgiveness or telling them to “move on” can deepen trauma and how to practice deep listening that is centered on the person sharing and not on our own feelings.

This 8-episode season releases weekly. Check your inbox for episode launch notifications!

You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss an episode!

Get full access to Sisters of the Little Way at www.sistersofthelittleway.com/subscribe