Source: Seeds of Hope – Orthodox Christian Healing and Counseling Malicious misconduct by an ecclesiastical leader manifests in many ways – emotionally, sexually, or financially.  An abusive bishop, metropolitan, or clergy exploits their authority in ways that manipulate and control a Believer. A spiritual leader abuses in multiple ways to cover their own rooted hurt failings. Lacking reconciliation themselves, their own weaknesses and unrepentant actions are exposed by unleashing and inflicting untold harm onto an innocent person. The abused absorbs this destructive mistreatment, neither aware, nor understanding why a  leader would inflict this harm onto them. Spiritual abuse is based…