Crisis Framing: One Jesuit University’s Response to the Catholic Priest Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Crisis

Abstract

A 2018 Pennsylvania grand jury report after a two-year investigation documented numerous incidents of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and the cover-up of these crimes by those in positions of leadership. Framing is a critical aspect of crisis response. Framing involves selecting and emphasizing certain attributes of an issue. This article examines the response of one Jesuit university in its attempt to frame itself and the sexual abuse crisis. The value of understanding frameworks for crisis assessment and response, public relations functions, and thinking through an organization’s mission and social legitimacy provides a comprehensive approach that can help an organization properly address a crisis.