READ MORE:* Vatican clarifies pope on issue of 'sexual slavery' of nuns* Global Catholic nuns urge reporting of sex abuse to police* Vatican meets #MeToo: Nuns denounce their abuse by priestsThe reaction was consistent from those who spoke to Newsroom: they are devastated nuns have also been subject to abuse, but they're not surprised – especially given the power dynamics within the church as well as its tendency to cover up historical abuse, to date. But the situation facing nuns around the world has not had the same level of public discussion, despite a growing understanding of horrific sexual abuse and rape statistics. Getty Amid the #MeToo zeitgeist, nuns finally feel empowered to speak out about the abuse they've suffered at the hands of the church. To the best of his knowledge, the Catholic Church had not received a complaint of such abuse against religious sisters in New Zealand. Figueroa said the summit was important to show Catholic leaders the issue of sexual abuse applied in all regions, not just western countries.

Source: Stuff March 10, 2019 23:03 UTC