Content warning: This story includes discussions of suicide, sexual violence, assault and abuse, including clergy sexual abuse. If you're having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988.In September 2013, former chancellor Jennifer Haselberger went public with allegations that the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis had mishandled clergy sexual abuse cases. A few weeks later, the Department of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas was grappling with accusations in its own community. Father Michael Keating, one of the department's most popular professors, had gone on leave. A young woman had come forward with allegations that he had abused her as a child. The story circulating among students was that she had misremembered and was lashing out because of mental instability. The head of the Department of Catholic Studies, Dr. Don Briel, knew much more than he was letting on. And all of this brought new pain as it was uncovered years later.So what happens when the Church’s silence and institutional neglect continue to allow abuse to flourish? In this latest episode, we explore the horrors behind sacred facades, revealing how charisma and ideology can mask devastation for decades. This episode isn't just a story — it's a call for accountability, a journey through trauma, and an urgent plea for renewal within an institution that is supposed to help those hurting, not harm them more deeply.
Chris also shares my own painful journey from admiration to disillusionment, unpacking the scandal of Father Keating’s alleged abuse and the Church’s complicity, as well as the ways in which the Catholic Studies program at the University of St. Thomas furthered harm. And he also uncovers his past experiences of sexual violence in the midst of this. We’ll explore the how Church leadership ignores warning signs, and how a community’s silence can enable ongoing harm — often at the expense of the most vulnerable. We break down the systemic failures and explore the emotional toll on victims who had nowhere to turn, fostering both fury and hope for change.In this episode, you'll uncover:
• The complex web of lies, cover-ups, and silence that allowed abuse to persist in Catholic institutions for over a decade• How charisma and intellectual brilliance can be tools of manipulation, enabling predators to evade justice
• The subtle ways the Church’s teachings and community dynamics can foster silence and self-blame among survivors
• The transformative power of truth-telling, healing, and holding institutions accountable in the fight for justice and renewal
• Why acknowledging the ugliness is essential for genuine spiritual and institutional rebirth
This is a story for anyone impacted by abuse, advocates for change within religious communities, and those searching for hope amid betrayal. The Church’s moral authority is at stake — but beyond that, so is its capacity to love and protect its most vulnerable members.
00:00 Trigger Warning and Introduction00:49 The Keating Scandal Unfolds02:12 Community Reactions and Internal Struggles04:44 Revelations and Reflections05:35 The Impact of Abuse Documentaries11:36 Keating's Manipulative Behavior13:42 Rage and Responsibility18:53 Institutional Failures and Personal Accountability23:18 A Call for Renewal and Accountability29:16 Reflecting on the Catholic Studies Gala31:07 The Weight of Silence and Misremembering34:21 Messages from Alumni37:33 Personal Achievements and Exclusion42:21 The Power of Inclusion and Belonging46:07 Reconciling with the Past and Moving Forward
