The Abuse of Power

I had every intention of making my next post part 3 of the sins of omission with a focus on the environment and that is yet to come, probably the next one. After recent personal events I felt called to reflect on the ongoing abuse of power that is prevalent in society.

Power is not a gift it is a responsibility. With great power comes great responsibility but as far as I can see, instead of placing the wellbeing and love for the other at the heart of that responsibility we have placed a tick-box ‘accountability’ that is essentially a glorified justification of doing what you want and pretending it is moral.

Over time the Church has abused its power, that is a fact. Society reminds us of this again and again. But I question you Society – are you any less without blame in this area? You, who perpetuate the oppression of minorities, you who co-created this patriarchal society where being a woman becomes more of a defining quality than if you are a man? Let me explain that. We are born equal in dignity. God loves men and women equally. Yet many of the world religions have different rules for men and women. And you, Society, you define us women as ‘woman’ before you consider our other traits and abilities; whereas with men you say ‘oh he is a intelligent’ or ‘he is a leader’ or ‘he is talented’, incorporating gender in but not as that key defining quality. I am a woman. That is a fact. But I am also intelligent, a leader, talented, kind and compassionate. Why should I be pushed down when I challenge a man – I have the right to do so! And yet, from experience, if a woman challenges a man there is retaliation. It is not just within the domestic field but it is riddled throughout the workplace and the never-ending ‘boys club’ that exists and has not diminished – it has merely dressed itself differently. And you, Society, play a great role in this tragedy. This does not come from God. My God loves me. My God is with me when I am oppressed. My God is that eternal presence that gives me hope that this is not how it is supposed to be.

Currently, I am loving the music of Banners. (My children will attest to this and are a bit sick of it but hey I have to put up with their music in the car so quid pro quo child!) There is a song that to me is a conversation between me and God when I lie in bed and wonder what the hell is going on and how am I to survive this?

When the lights go out and leave you standing in the dark
No one ever told you this would be so hard
I know you think your fire is burning out
But I still see you shining through
You got it in you

I am blessed. I also have a wonderful network of friends who ‘welfare check-in’ with me daily when I am struggling in this mire that you Society allow. But what if I didn’t? I had a rude awakening the other day when I found out a friend in a distant city had been in a similar situation to myself and had attempted suicide. There is this vicious cycle of abuse dressed as professionalism that is killing people. Society is giving power to those who want it – not to those who will do the most good with it. There are many so-called leaders that I have met that call themselves Catholic and profess to be ‘good men’ but they do not walk as Jesus did. They talk a great deal but it is when you see how they treat those who do not fall in line that you see their hunger for power is at their core not compassion. Being nice to those who pander to you is not integrity – even despots and dictators do that.

Think of the woman at the well. She was quite challenging in her existence at the time to Jesus the Jew. He, in turn, challenged her. In that dialogue I see hope.

That is how it should be that we challenge each other to be the best we can be. How about it Society? Do you think you can change so that those with power are the ones who deserve it because power is supposed to be there to protect not to make people suffer. Can you remove the disguise from the boys club that makes you Society such a hypocrite? Maybe if Society breaks this down then the Church will actually become more gender friendly as the Church exists in Society not the other way around.