My Therapist Told Me to Leave the Catholic Church | Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Bonaventure Chapman

August 21, 2026

Hurt by the Catholic Church? Healing, Forgiveness & Faith

What happens when the place that’s supposed to lead you closer to Christ becomes a source of pain?

Catholics can experience real hurt at the hands of priests, leaders, and fellow members of the Church. Acknowledging that pain doesn’t require abandoning the Catholic faith. Remaining Catholic doesn’t require pretending that nothing happened.

In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure confront the difficult reality of church hurt, trauma, and spiritual abuse. They distinguish between the holiness of the Church as the Bride of Christ and the very real failures of the human beings who belong to and serve her.

How should Catholics respond when a priest or another member of the Church has caused real harm? Is leaving the Church the answer? Can you take space from a particular parish while remaining faithful? What does forgiveness require—and does forgiveness always mean reconciliation?

The friars offer a Catholic approach that takes both suffering and faith seriously. They discuss the importance of allowing time and space for healing, seeking appropriate therapeutic and spiritual guidance, placing our ultimate trust in God rather than individual ministers, and remaining open to what Christ may still accomplish in our lives.

Being hurt by members of the Church can profoundly affect our relationship with the faith. But our wounds don’t have to have the final word.

Watch or listen to this episode of Godsplaining for a conversation about church hurt, healing, forgiveness, and holding onto Christ when members of His Church have failed us.