| Abstract: | In this article the concept of sexual addiction is defined and briefly illustrated. It is argued that this is a viable concept for understanding the sexual misconduct, including abusive and exploitive activity, of some clergy. The author believes that sexual addiction becomes intertwined with the role of pastor to form the identity of the sexually addicted clergy. A typology of how is offered. It is concluded that pastoral role is used by clergy in an attempt to manage their sexual addiction, deny its presence, and minimize its consequences both to themselves and to victims. It is urged that this understanding will help provide healing to sexually addicted clergy and the Church.Mark R. Laaser, Ph.D., is a faculty member of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine of Golden Valley Health Center in Golden Valley, MN. He specializes in teaching about sexual addiction and clergy. He received a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and the Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in the field of religion and personality. |
