This week, we interview Pat Gothman, one of the co-founders of the online queer Catholic community, Vine & Fig.

While the new protocols are designed to include laypeople at every stage of an investigation, lay reform groups and victim advocates say they are unsatisfied, as the new rules stop just short of requiring such involvement.

This week’s social media engagement was an experiment, but Connie Poulos said she feels like it has been a success.

Retired Bishop Joseph H. Hart of Cheyenne will face a Vatican trial for allegations that he sexually abused several minors years ago.

Transparency and honesty are key elements of restoring the trust of the laity, especially young people, said two bishops who participated in a Facebook Live event sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during its spring general assembly.

“It is inconceivable to be a pontifical representative and to criticize the pope behind his back, to have a blog or even to unite himself to groups hostile to him, to the [Roman] curia and to the church of Rome,” Pope Francis stated.