News
Celibacy: The Answer, Not the Problem (First Things)
By Rev. Carter Griffin- This essay, from a priest engaged in the formation of men for the priesthood, explains the importance of defining the current problems clearly, rather than scapegoating… Read More
McCarrick Abuse Trial: A CNA Timeline
By Michelle La Rosa- A handy reference timeline chronicling the canonical process that ended in McCarrick’s laicization. It covers June 20, the announcement from the Archdiocese of New York to… Read More
The Case of [Cardinal] McCarrick: A Failure of Fraternal Correction
In Commonweal, by Boniface Ramsey- A priest who heard many rumors of [Cardinal] McCarrick’s behavior while working at a seminary, Fr. Ramsey wrote to the nuncio (Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo) in… Read More
Why does the Catholic church keep failing on sexual abuse? (The Atlantic)
By Emma Green- This profile of Cardinal Sean O’Malley that appeared in The Atlantic sets up the various challenges reformers in the Church face on the issue of sexual abuse… Read More
Mr. McCarrick’s Mess
Stephen White of Catholic University looks at the impending laicization of Ted McCarrick. “In one sense, laicization would bring McCarrick’s part in the saga of the clerical sex-abuse crisis in… Read More
What the Army can teach the Catholic Church about responding to sexual abuse (America)
By James M. Dubik- Drawing from his thirty-seven-year career in the U.S. Army, Dubik explains why leadership saying, “Just trust us” will not work as a response to this crisis.… Read More
Knowing What We’re Up Against as Laity and Clergy
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the need for engaging the laity, both in understanding its role in the crisis, and its possibility to help bring the Church out… Read More
What the Bishop Zanchetta case tells us about Church leadership (Catholic World Report)
Christopher R. Altieri- This is a summary of the Zanchetta case right after the former vicar general, Father Juan José Manzano, came forward to say that the Vatican received information… Read More
[Cardinal] Wuerl Misread the Crisis; Pope Francis Need Not
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on how some prelates seemed to think that the 2018 crisis was about historic sexual abuse, rather than current mistrust in the honesty and… Read More
The PA grand-jury report: not what it seems (Commonweal)
By Peter Steinfels- The former editor of Commonweal and professor emeritus of Fordham University seriously contests one of the two charges of the Pennsylvania grand jury report that revealed the… Read More
Opus Dei paid $977,000 to settle sexual misconduct claim (The Washington Post)
By Michelle Boorstein- This article broke the story of the sexual misconduct of Rev. C. John McCloskey, who was a prominent Opus Dei priest who spent many years as the… Read More
Giving Due Process its Due
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the necessity of ensuring justice also for those accused of abuse. “Care for due process and the rule of law is as important… Read More