S2E9 // Wolves in Shepherds' Clothes: Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Orthodox Church (Guest: Dr. Hermina Nedelescu)

Heads up: this episode discusses sexual abuse and spiritual abuse within the Church. Please be kind to yourself.

Today we sit down with neuroscientist Dr. Hermina Nedelescu for a wide-ranging and deeply important conversation about clergy sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, institutional complicity, and what healing and accountability might look like within the Orthodox Church. We discuss the neurological relationship between abuse and addiction, and why traumatic experiences often shape behaviors in ways that are misunderstood morally, pastorally, and spiritually.

Hermina also shares about her path toward advocacy for survivors of clergy sexual abuse and the founding of Prosopon Healing, an organization devoted to survivor support, education, accountability, and cultural change within Orthodox contexts.

Listen on Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or RSS wherever you get podcasts.

We also talk about:

* Neuroscience and the evolving theological conversation on what it means to be human

* The neurological connections between abuse and addictions

* Hermina’s path to advocacy for survivors of clergy sexual abuse and the founding of Prosopon Healing

* Why is disclosure so extraordinarily difficult for sexual abuse survivors

* How does the narrative of “one bad apple” diminish our solidarity and shared responsibility to prevent abuse and protect each other

* Spiritual abuse and how it paves the way for other kinds of abuse, including sexual abuse, within church communities

* The use of power in church communities and how Christ described the appropriate use of power

* “Seeing the plank” in our own eye – Becoming more aware to our own complicity and choosing differently

Resources and links mentioned:

* Nicole Lyon Roccas, “Not Everything is Beneficial: Fr. Seraphim Rose and the Nature of Complicity” (May 12, 2026)

* Article: Emily M. Hicks et al., “Decoding the Transcriptomic Signatures of Psychological Trauma in Human Cortex and Amygdala,” October 23, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.23.619681.

* Prosopon Healing:

https://www.prosoponhealing.com/

* The Betrayal Bond by Patrick Carnes

https://www.drpatrickcarnes.com/the-betrayal-bond

* The Milgram Experiments

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment

* “Descent Into Light” Podcast by the Sisters of the Little Way

https://www.sistersofthelittleway.com/podcast

* Predators by Anna Salter

https://enoughabuse.org/get-the-facts/predators-pedophiles-rapists-and-other-sex-offenders/

* Poem: Please Call Me By My True Names By Thich Nhat Hanh

Other resources about spiritual abuse and clergy sexual abuse:

Some of these resources pertain to these issues in broader Christian or religious contexts. Those produced by/for Orthodox contexts are listed first and marked with an asterisk (*).

* “Resources for Survivors.” Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) website. (https://snapnetwork.org/resources-for-survivors/). May 11, 2026.*

* “Services for Survivors,” Prosopon Healing.*

* “Ongoing Research: Clergy-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse in the Orthodox Church,” Prosopon Healing (2024).*

* “Parish Ministry Resources - When The Unspeakable Happens,” Ellen Gvosdev, OCA.org (1994).*

* For Orthodox clergy: “Role of Leadership in Clergy Sexual Misconduct Cases.” Prosopon Healing.*

* “The Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse Perpetrated by Leaders or Other Adults in Religious Organizations in Australia,” Gabrielle R. Hunt et al., Child Abuse & Neglect 155 (September 2024).

* Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church, Diane Langberg (2020).

* “Researchers Reveal Patterns of Sexual Abuse in Religious Settings,” Ualberta.ca (2020).

* Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores, Diane Langberg (2015).

* “What Is Clergy Sexual Misconduct? - MCC Abuse Response & Prevention,” Abuse Response & Prevention (March 6, 2025).

All music featured on this podcast is used in accordance with Creative Commons licenses. For a full list of the tracks we use, visit https://recreationpodcast.substack.com/p/music-featured-in-our-episodes

Connnect with Nicole and Eleni:

* Find Nicole on Substack Nicole M. Lyon Roccas or her website (www.nicoleroccas.com)

* Find Eleni at

https://www.eleniopperwallcounselling.com/

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The Re-Creation podcast is a show about trauma, faith, and mental health from an Orthodox Christian perspective. Hosts Nicole Roccas, a trauma-informed coach and author, and Eleni Opperwall, a registered therapist, explore what it means to be human after trauma through honest and hopeful conversations. Drawing on Orthodox tradition, professional insights, and personal stories, they share reflections to support healing, wholeness, and spiritual growth.

Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional mental health care.