An Argentine judge has made a significant ruling in a case involving 20 cloistered nuns who were found to have suffered abuse for over two decades at the hands of high-ranking clergy in the country's conservative north. The judge has ordered the accused archbishop and church officials to undergo psychological treatment and training in gender discrimination.
The ruling, which took place in Salta in northwestern Argentina, sheds light on the long-standing issue of abuse of nuns by priests and bishops within the Catholic Church. This case has come to the forefront as nuns have felt empowered by the #MeToo movement, leading to the emergence of the #NunsToo movement within the church.
Judge Carolina Cáceres stated in her ruling that the nuns had endured acts of gender violence religiously, physically, psychologically, and economically for more than two decades. The verdict has been directed to be conveyed to Pope Francis.
The accused clergy members have denied the allegations of violence, with the archbishop's lawyer vowing to appeal the ruling. However, they have agreed to comply with the order to undergo treatment and anti-discrimination training through a local NGO.
The nuns' lawyer hailed the ruling as unprecedented in Argentina for recognizing the plaintiffs' suffering and addressing the broader issue of gender discrimination. This case highlights the power dynamics at play within the church hierarchy.
In recent years, there have been several cases of nuns and consecrated women coming forward with allegations of abuse by priests. However, these complaints have often been ignored by the Vatican and local church authorities, prompting the nuns in Salta to seek justice through the secular justice system.
The 20 nuns from the Discalced Carmelites order at San Bernardo Monastery brought their case to light in 2022, revealing mistreatment that included verbal insults, threats, humiliation, and physical assaults. The judge described these actions as part of a pattern of physical and psychological gender violence perpetuated by the church's hierarchical structure and culture of silence.
