German Catholics are embarking on what is being called a “synodal journey,” but it promises to be a potentially rocky one, focusing on subjects the church usually avoids.

But taken in context, the correspondence penned by disgraced ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick to the young men he is accused of sexually abusing or harassing is a window into the way a predator grooms his prey.

Vatican City State will have its own reporting system in place before the end of the year for flagging suspected cases of the abuse of minors and vulnerable people and instances of cover-up or negligence in handling such cases, the Vatican said.

With the recent appointments of Matteo Bruni as the new director of the Holy See Press Office and Cristiane Murray as vice director, the Vatican is taking another step forward in its continuing efforts to reform its communication structures.

Alessandro Gisotti, outgoing interim director of the Vatican press office, said the investigation, led by a Vatican-appointed specialist in forensic medicine, was being carried out according to internationally recognized protocols.

Pope Francis proclaimed that the former Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston can no longer participate in the liturgy and commands him to make amends for the harm he caused.