Beyond redress: Perspectives on change and resistance in Dutch Catholic institutions addressing historical abuse

• In Event: State and Political Crime

Abstract

Clerical abuse has profoundly disrupted the lives of victim-survivors while exposing systemic failures within the Catholic Church. Institutional responses—i.e. complaint and compensation mechanisms—have historically prioritised institutional preservation over victim-centred support, often marginalising victim-survivors from their own faith communities. The Church’s self-conception as a ‘family of families’ reinforces hierarchical structures that demand loyalty and obedience, frequently at the expense of justice. Simultaneously, clergy function as a distinct ‘clerical family,’ a tightly woven network that has prioritised institutional protection over accountability. Understanding how these familial structures shape institutional responses is critical to assessing whether redress mechanisms genuinely address harm or remain constrained by self-interest.

This study examines systemic change and resistance within Dutch Catholic institutions by analysing perspectives from victim-survivors, clergy, and (Church) experts. It moves beyond assessing the effectiveness of redress procedures to highlight the broader necessity for institutional transformation. Specifically, this research explores four key questions: (1) to what extent do victim-survivors and experts perceive a willingness within Catholic institutions to implement meaningful change; (2) what concrete measures have been taken to address historical abuse; (3) what institutional reforms are needed to prevent future harm; (4) how does the Church’s self-conception as a ‘family of families’ shape its responses?

Applying the frameworks of transformative justice (TJ) and institutional betrayal theory (IBT), this study analyses institutional failures. IBT highlights harm caused when institutions conceal or neglect abuse, while TJ serves as both a diagnostic tool and an aspirational framework, advocating for fundamental institutional transformation rather than procedural redress. Achieving justice requires dismantling entrenched power imbalances, implementing independent oversight, and ensuring robust safeguarding policies.

By integrating these perspectives, the study underscores the urgency of moving beyond traditional remedies toward substantive institutional reform. Only through sustained structural change can trust be rebuilt, ensuring the Church no longer prioritises institutional reputation over moral responsibility.

Authors

• Naomi Ormskerk, University of Humanistic Studies

• Maarten Kunst, Leiden University

• Nicole Immler, University of Humanistic Studies