Recent weeks have brought a number of stories that reveal how Pope Francis aims to lead the church on this issue.
Bishops
Posted inFaith, Short Take
Why are the bishops praying about the abuse crisis instead of doing something about it?
Catholics have every right to demand action, but there must be discernment and prayer before making decisions. Then comes the courage to enact necessary change.
Posted inFaith, News
German cardinal calls for ‘new thinking’ ahead of celibacy discussion
German Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising spoke as the German bishops’ conference prepares for a workshop debate to “review” the issue of celibacy for priests.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican letter undermines U.S. cardinal on abuse
While the Vatican is known for its slow pace, even the speediest bureaucracy would have found it difficult to review and approve sensitive legal documents over a long weekend.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
As 2018 ends, U.S. bishops move to address allegations of abuse and claims of cover-up
2018 will no doubt be remembered as a dark time for the U.S. Catholic Church.
Posted inFaith, News
Vatican summit on sex abuse should discuss holding bishops accountable, expert says
A member of the committee organizing Pope Francis’ February summit on the sexual abuse crisis said the meeting should include discussing ways to hold bishops accountable for handling cases correctly.
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?
Posted inFaith, News
Illinois attorney general says local clergy abusers number far more than church officials revealed
While church officials have publicly identified 185 clergy members in Illinois as having been “credibly” accused of child sexual abuse, the Illinois attorney general’s office states that it found allegations of abuse by at least 500 more.
Posted inFaith, Features
Can restorative justice help the church heal from sex abuse scandals?
Adopting the practices of the restorative justice movement could help re-establish the church’s moral credibility on preventing and responding to sex abuse.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Finding hope and healing in the face of the abuse crisis
Structural reform and renewal are absolutely necessary to reclaim a measure of integrity for the church and—some would even say—for her very survival.