After reading the recently published book by SCM Press: 2021: When Did We See You Naked? Jesus as a Victim of Sexual Abuse: this gave me the courage to share my story of Mary Magdalene more widely. Because when I wrote the story back in 1993 I alluded to the possibility of Jesus being sexually abused during his torture by the Roman soldiers.

Many in the Church will find my story an embarrassing-read in regard to my interpretation of Mary’s demons. According to the Gospel writers Mary Magdalene was possessed by not two, or three, but seven demons! This allowed me the freedom to use a contemporary understanding of how the horrific effects of child sex abuse can destroy the self-worth and confidence of a person during their formative years, especially when God and religion is introduced into the mix.

My story focuses on how fragile Mary Magdalene became as a result of her sexual abuse and the time it took for her to heal. With the added focus on Jesus ability to understand her fragility and respond to her during the time her gifts were slowly emerging.

Hopefully survivors of child sexual abuse will find my story of Mary Magdalene empowering, while leadership in the Church continues to learn how to respond to survivors of sexual abuse with a greater sensitivity and understanding.