News
Pope Warns U.S. Bishops Against Disunity Over Sex Abuse (Wall Street Journal)
By Francis X. Rocca- Pope Francis sent a letter to the U.S. Bishops as they began their retreat at Mundelein; it focused on the evils of disunity. Rocca writes that… Read More
Vatican letter undermines US cardinal on abuse (Associated Press)
Nicole Winfield- The AP obtained a copy of Cardinal Marc Ouellet’s November 11, 2018 letter to the leadership of the USCCB which gives the reason for halting the proposed vote:… Read More
NY archdiocese issued suitability letter for priest under abuse investigation (CNA)
By Ed Condon- As an example of either carelessness or a lack of concern, the Archdiocese of New York sent a letter of suitability (stating that the priest is of… Read More
Piecemeal but Concrete Beginnings of Reform
Stephen White of Catholic University writes about the Holy Father’s acceptance of the resignation of auxiliary Bishop Salazar after alleged “misconduct with a minor.” “The Salazar case is a textbook… Read More
Jesuits sent abusive priests to retire on Gonzaga’s campus (Associated Press)
By Emily Schwing, Aaron Sankin, and Michael Corey- This investigative report about Jesuit abuse uncovered that the leadership of the Jesuits in the Oregon province had a longstanding pattern of… Read More
Advent and Reform
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the crisis of 2018 in light of the Advent season. “Christian realism isn’t naivete; it’s the farthest thing from it. And (in another… Read More
Facing the flock (The Washington Post)
By Terrence McCoy- This is a “deep dive” with Fr. Brian Christensen, a pastor in Rapid City, SD whose assistant priest was imprisoned for sexual abuse of a minor. It follows… Read More
Reckoning with the Baltimore Fiasco
Stephen White of Catholic University recounts the surprise announcement from Cardinal DiNardo at the November 2018 General Assembly: that the Holy See requested the USCCB not to move forward on… Read More
Vatican cancels USCCB vote on sex abuse reform measures (CNA)
By Ed Condon- This article covers the surprise opening of the USCCB’s Fall Plenary, when Cardinal DiNardo announced that the Holy See asked the U.S. Bishops not vote on their… Read More
Miters and Millstones
Stephen White of Catholic University writes on the vocation of the priesthood, in view of the crisis and the November 2018 General Assembly. “Let’s hope and pray that the bishops… Read More
Whistleblower says bishop knew (60 Minutes)
By Bill Whitaker- Siobhan O’Connor started leaking information to the press in August 2018 about priests accused of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Buffalo. She was an executive assistant… Read More
Much to Lose, Much to Gain
Stephen White of Catholic University looks at the engagement of secular forces to investigate the Church (e.g. Department of Jusice, grand juries). “Of course, the greatest loss for the Church… Read More