Objectives: The course will delve deeper into the topic of systemic abuse taking into consideration the dysfunctions of the institutional/contextual distortions and culture. The course will also enable the students to assess the culture and dynamics of the institutions they belong to - in line with the main principle: accountability, transparency and compliance.

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course, the students will be able to recognize the systemic elements and dynamics of the abuse in organizations/institutions, also looking specifically at the institutions in their own countries. They will be able to deal with issues of abuse of power, clericalism, and hierarchicalism in the Church.

Content : How institutional structures and dynamics can contribute to abuse or prevent it; reflection on structure, dynamics, institutional culture, and roles; power analysis; mistakes made in the Church in the past and the proper remedies; abuse as a human issue; wrong versus appropriate attitudes towards victims; failures versus adequate responses in dealing with (potential) abusers; the negative effects of inadequate institutional responses and proper reactions; negative effects of a lack of transparency or inadequate collaboration with the media; theological and organizational convictions and interpretations of power, roles, and responsibilities that contribute to abuse or help prevent it; reflection on clericalism, hierarchicalism, and power in the Church; individual, structural, and cultural aspects that might contribute to the abuse of power and the abuse of conscience; power, authority, obedience, service.

Methodology: The course will combine lectures, readings, and seminar discussion and will focus on a range of selected texts.

Means of evaluation : Evaluation will be based on class participation and written papers.