The Catholic Exodus: Abuse, Betrayal, and the Breaking Point
By Letitia M. Peyton, Co-Founder & Executive Director of TentMakers Of Louisiana
The latest Pew report lays bare a staggering trend: for every 100 people who join the Catholic Church, 840 leave. This statistic isn’t just a number—it reflects decades of unresolved crises that have left deep scars on countless lives. My family’s decision to leave the Church in 2023, followed by my husband’s excommunication in March 2024, underscores the profound impact of these failures on individuals and communities alike.
At the heart of this crisis lies the sexual abuse scandal—a wound that has festered over decades. Investigations like the John Jay Report, numerous Grand Jury inquiries, and the Fordham Report have meticulously chronicled a disturbing pattern of abuse and systemic cover-ups. Adding to this, the sheer number of civil cases filed across the United States against the Church has exposed not only individual tragedies but a culture of denial and complicity that has eroded trust in an institution once seen as a moral beacon.
Financial mismanagement further compounds the crisis. For instance, Catholic Charities received substantial federal aid through the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), as highlighted by reputable outlets including The New York Times and verified by public records on USAspending.gov. At the same time, local reports indicate that while many members of our diocese take pride in believing our community is unique, our parishes are not immune to the same financial missteps seen across America. The distribution of these funds mirrors a national trend, revealing that even in our diocese—often regarded as a beacon of resilience—there is a disconnect between institutional priorities and the urgent needs of survivors and their families. This mismatch between resource allocation and community needs adds insult to injury, underscoring that no diocese is truly exempt from the systemic challenges facing the Church.
Moreover, internal discord within the Church only deepens the divide. Debates over liturgical practices—whether the Latin Mass holds greater sanctity than the Novus Ordo Mass—have become emblematic of a broader crisis. These internal conflicts distract from addressing the systemic abuse that has undermined the Church’s moral authority and alienated countless faithful. When the focus shifts from healing to power struggles, the very mission of the Church becomes obscured, leaving many to question whether it can ever truly serve those in need.
The personal impact of these issues is undeniable. My husband’s excommunication in March 2024, widely reported by major media outlets, symbolizes an institutional response that deepens isolation rather than fostering healing. For our family and many others, this has been a painful, irreversible step that mirrors a national trend of disillusionment with a Church that seems increasingly out of touch with the needs of its people.
At TentMakers Of Louisiana, we believe that acknowledging the full scope of these challenges is essential. The overwhelming numbers in the Pew report—combined with the flood of civil cases and the financial missteps witnessed at every level of Church operations—tell a story of deep betrayal. It is a story of survivors left without a place of refuge, of communities abandoned by an institution that once promised protection and hope.
This blog post is not an appeal for a return to a reformed Church, but a call to recognize the devastating toll of decades of neglect and abuse. Until the Church confronts its painful legacy with genuine accountability and aligns its actions with the needs of its people, the exodus will continue—and future generations will pay the price.
