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Editorials
Sexual abuse by priests has done untold harm to innocent children and adolescents who were physically, psychologically and spiritually damaged by people they should have been able to trust and respect. Outrage at these crimes has been directed not only at the perpetrators but also at those church of
Politics & SocietyFeatures
A major problem now exists for the future of priestly vocations because of “the alliteration of priest and pedophile.”
Books
Apr 22, 2002 issueAt the close of the 19th century a religious sister in New Orleans left to her sisters and to future generations a written history of the community to which she belonged What is unusual is that this history was written by a black woman a member of a community of black sisters founded before the
Books
Apr 22, 2002 issueThe major culprit for the disasters in Africa is none other than foreign involvement claims the distinguished journalist Mark Huband First came the European colonialists who delineated territories according to their political interests and then either created or exploited cultural differences am
News
Vatican on Scandals—Defensive but Understands SeriousnessAfter months of reticence, the Vatican confronted the painful issue of clerical sex abuse in a twin initiative—a papal letter and a press conference. According to John Thavis of Catholic News Service, statements issued on March 21
Just as the omens in Congress had begun pointing in the direction of changes in U.S.-Cuba policydropping the travel ban, facilitating sales of food and medicinesthe events of Sept. 11 took place, and the president declared war on international terrorism. It’s been a long time since Cuba could
Faith
"The world is charged with the grandeur of God," wrote the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins. Merton’s lesson is, "Pay attention, you might miss it."
Of Many Things
Out of town and alone, you want to call home but the only phone available requires collect calls and your family can’t afford the chargesa temporary problem for many, but one that could last for years if you are behind bars. Telephones represent a lifeline between prisoners and their families,
Columns
Marriage is said to be a sacred union. But I have had cause lately to contemplate just what a sacred union is and is not. Two dear friends have endured painful separations from spouses. One couple has recently reunited; the other appears headed for an ugly divorce. Like most people, I’ve known
Letters
Our Own Penance
To add to the tragedy of pedophile priests (Signs of the Times, 3/18), there have been no words of sorrow, no admissions of complicity, no words of compassion from the pope or his Vatican officials addressed directly to the victims (and their families) of sexual abuse by priests. The victims have been stonewalled and ignored. The only thing we hear about is damage to the church.
Pope John Paul II has repeatedly exhorted us that there is no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness. In order to make just amends, we must begin by doing our own penance at the highest level in the church. Anything less only adds to this continuing injustice that eats away at any credibility we may yet have.
(Rev.) Charles E. Irvin