The Catholic Church is currently campaigning against California’s proposed changes to its mandatory child abuse reporting law.
Explainer
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
The Supreme Court may undo Roe v. Wade—if a majority can agree on the right reason
The Supreme Court has overruled longstanding precedents before, writes Ellen K. Boegel, but usually to end the confusion or chaos from an ‘erroneous’ decision. Will a majority describe Roe v. Wade that way?
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: How could Bishop Bransfield misuse funds for years without raising red flags?
I knew who I needed to talk to process this news: my mom, an account who once worked for the Archdiocese of Washington.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: Measles, vaccines, religious exemptions
Every parent wants happy and healthy children, but unless we literally live on a deserted island, we are “a part of the main” and owe an obligation to our neighbors to protect them as well as ourselves.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Why doesn’t Pope Francis want people to kiss his ring?
Some background to the kerfuffle over Pope Francis and kissing the papal ring.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: The context and history of the Cardinal Pell verdict
There are elements in the trial of Cardinal Pell that do not easily translate to a U.S. context, including a media blackout and the cardinal’s long history with the issues of sexual abuse and cover-up.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Former Cardinal McCarrick faces laicization. What does that mean?
A sentence of laicization—sometimes referred to colloquially as defrocking—would complete a stunning fall from grace for the former cardinal.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: What New York’s new abortion law does and doesn’t do
Pro-life advocates argue that the New York law allows the most extreme forms of abortion. Pro-choice advocates respond that late-term abortions are rare and complicated. Both sides are right.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Will Pope Francis allow married priests?
What exactly is Pope Francis suggesting?
Posted inExplainer, Faith
If a priest is ‘credibly accused’ of sexual abuse, what does that mean? Depends whom you ask.
The terms used to describe and classify alleged sexual abuse are not standardized across dioceses and religious orders. Should they be?