By 
A Zambian nun has issued a passionate and urgent appeal to Catholic Church leaders to confront and address abuse against women, warning that silence and inaction continue to harm victims and compromise the Church’s moral authority.
Sister Linah Siabana, a mental health specialist with the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, delivered her remarks during the Symposium and 6th Annual General Meeting of the Conference of Major Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (COMSAM), which concluded on May 30 in South Africa.
As reported by Crux, Sister Siabana called on Church leaders to decisively respond to all forms of abuse within religious communities, particularly those targeting women.
“Sexual violence takes many forms — from physical assault to emotional manipulation and abuse of power — all of which undermine an individual’s ability to give informed consent,” she told delegates.
She warned that intimidation, threats, and grooming tactics often silence victims, making it difficult to resist or report abuse, particularly in environments where power hierarchies are rigid and unquestioned.
“Understanding the unique nature of sexual abuse is critical to addressing the vulnerabilities faced by women and children, whose risks are often heightened by social, economic, and cultural inequalities,” she said.
Calling sexual abuse within the Church “a profound and harrowing failure,” Sister Siabana emphasized that Catholic leaders bear collective responsibility to protect those in their care.
In an emotionally charged presentation, she shared harrowing testimonies from victims — including women abused by priests and, in some cases, by fellow sisters.
“In one case, a sister abused another sister. The victim attempted suicide three times. She felt stripped of her dignity and calling, burdened with shame and silence,” she recounted.
She highlighted the devastating psychological and spiritual toll of such abuse, especially when committed by formators entrusted with guiding novices.
“These violations destroy trust and tarnish the very foundations of religious life — compassion, care, and integrity,” she said.
Read more: Uganda suspends military ties with Germany over claims of envoy’s alleged subversive activities
While clerical abuse scandals have drawn attention in Europe and North America, Siabana said such cases in Africa often remain hidden, largely due to cultural taboos and the lack of formal research.
“Sometimes, the only time we discover abuse is when a sister becomes pregnant,” she said. “What happens then? Often, she is expelled in silence, with no inquiry into whether a priest was responsible. Is he held accountable? Or does she take the fall alone?,” she added.
She condemned what she described as a “conspiracy of silence” in African Church structures, where institutional image was often prioritized over justice for victims.
“The power structures within religious institutions create an environment where loyalty to authority overshadows the need for transparency and accountability,” Siabana said.
As a result, survivors face pressure to stay silent for fear of retaliation, disbelief, or isolation.
To address the crisis, she called for several concrete actions:
The creation of effective and anonymous reporting mechanisms
Educational initiatives to help women religious recognize signs of abuse
Safe spaces for victims to share their stories
A commitment to dialogue, transparency, and healing within the Church
She said: “Every survivor’s voice matters. We must empower them to seek justice and create a culture that supports, rather than silences, the abused.”
Sister Siabana said: “If we are to journey together as pilgrims of hope, then let us truly be bearers of hope — especially for the most vulnerable among us.”
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments