All Things Considered

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Discussion & Talk

Religion & Ethics

Religious affairs programme, tackling thorny issues in a thought-provoking manner

Religious affairs programme, tackling the thornier issues of the day in a thought-provoking manner

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All Things Considered: Spiritual Abuse

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Spiritual Abuse

BBC Radio Wales - All Things Considered, Spiritual Abuse

Jonathan Thomas examines the issue of spiritual abuse.

Jonathan Thomas talks to survivors of spiritual abuse and asks what can be done to create healthy church cultures.

The term 'spiritual abuse' is increasingly used in faith contexts, but what exactly is it, and how does it differ from other forms of abuse? Jonathan Thomas explores the issues. 

Jonathan hears the testimonies of those who have suffered abuse including Caroline Plant, founder of Replenished Life, a charity based in St David's that supports victims of spiritual abuse. Co-founder Simon Plant explains their personal motivation to establish the charity. 

Dr Lisa Oakley, Professor of Safeguarding and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Chester, and joint author of the book Exploring the Maze of Spiritual Abuse explains what makes spiritual abuse distinctive from other forms of abuse.

The most recent allegations to hit the headlines about spiritual abuse have been against Mike Pilavachi, founder and figurehead of Soul Survivor in Watford. Over many years this church attracted tens of thousands of young worshippers through their annual Christian festivals. Allegations of 'inappropriate relationships' between Pilavachi and young male interns have come as a shock to the Evangelical Christian community. Megan Cornwell, Deputy Editor of Premier Christianity Magazine and host of podcast Soul Survivors examines the allegations. 

This autumn St David's Catholic Cathedral in Cardiff is hosting a week-long 'Loud Fence' initiative to provide a voice to those who have experienced abuse in faith based settings. During the week people are encouraged to tie brightly coloured ribbons and messages of support to railings to recognise survivors of abuse. Antonia Sobocki is the leader of the initiative in the UK. She explains why we need a radical change in the way we respond to survivors of abuse.

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