Sacred Silence: Denial And The Crisis In The Ch... May 2026

: The book explores the psychological dynamics that sustain this culture of silence, including the impact of declining vocations and the presence of gay men in the priesthood. The Call for "Redemptive Honesty"

: The text suggests that bishops and church authorities often surrendered their authority to Vatican congregations or were immobilized by the fear of being reported to Rome.

: Transition from institutional secrecy to open, honest dialogue. Sacred silence: denial and the crisis in the ch...

Sacred Silence: Denial and the Crisis in the Church - Liturgical Press

Cozzens argues that a culture of misplaced loyalty and fear of scandal led to a leadership crisis, primarily focusing on the following areas: : The book explores the psychological dynamics that

: Cozzens highlights the "perennial muting of women’s voices" and how this exclusion inhibits the Church's ability to serve as a "beacon of light".

: He analyzes how the "cult of clerical secrecy" and systemic denial allowed for the continued exploitation of children and adolescents, often minimizing the gravity of allegations to protect the institution’s image. Sacred Silence: Denial and the Crisis in the

Rather than merely criticizing, Cozzens proposes a path forward based on . He believes that for the Church to regain its credibility and moral authority, it must: