In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup: August 2024 Edition

Welcome to the August In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup!

For those who are new here (hi everyone!), this Reading Roundup is a collection of the latest news and commentary on abuse and institutional betrayal in the Catholic Church, with a particular focus on the United States. Please note that I highlight articles from a variety of sources and perspectives, and inclusion here does not mean that I agree with everything in a given article, only that I think it’s worth reading. If you only have time to read a few pieces this month, I recommend you start with those in bold below. I think the AP piece on East Timor is particularly enlightening.

And if you’re here primarily to listen to the wisdom and perspective of survivors, stay tuned for my next Survivors’ Voices post soon.

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U.S. News

• For Countless U.S. Clergy Abuse Victims, Justice Remains Elusive

• New USCCB National Review Board chair: ‘We can’t be satisfied’ until there is zero abuse in Church

• How a Supreme Court ruling on bankruptcy could affect Catholic abuse lawsuits

• Louisiana: Infamous New Orleans orphanage’s abusive history ran deeper than ever known

• Louisiana: She accused a New Orleans priest of recent sexual assault. The church quietly moved him out of state.

• Missouri: St. Louis Archdiocese lawsuits bring new abuse allegations but also raise questions

• Ohio: Catholic school safe environment coordinator fired after arrest for possessing child porn

• Pennsylvania: Diocese of Scranton says Monsignor Joseph Kelly found guilty under canon law of sexually abusing two minors

International News

• Brazil: Brazilian priest abused young girls, forced one to have abortion

• Canada: Well-known media figure Fr. Thomas Rosica faces sexual assault lawsuit

• East Timor: Church sex abuse scandals in East Timor met by silence, but Pope Francis’ visit brings new attention

• Italy: Catholics in Southern Italian diocese protest abuse cover up

• Pakistan: Vatican replaces allegations-tainted Pakistani archbishop

• Peru: Capping a decade-long probe, Vatican expels founder from scandal-plagued movement + Whistleblower asked for action on founder 14 years ago

• Vatican: Rupnik art appears on Vatican website again — and in Pope Francis’ apartment

From Awake

• “Without Saying a Word, You are Safe and Understood”: Reflections from Awake’s Second Annual Survivor Retreat (written by me)

• What is DARVO? Why Learning More Could Lead to a Safer Church

• Survivor Story: Maria Silvers

• Virtual Event Invitation: Listening to Survivors: What Went Well - and Didn’t -When I Shared My Story

Going Deeper

• Abuse crisis in the Catholic Church shows no signs of abating

• Belief or Betrayal: We must do better

• What else are they hiding?

• Abuse survivors navigate 'complicated' relationship with the church amid revival (includes quotes from me)

• Video: Phil Donahue Show on “Catholic Priest Sex Abuse” - From 1993

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If you find these monthly reading roundups helpful, please consider forwarding this post or sharing on your social media. Let’s stay informed and engaged. It matters.

See you again soon.

~ Sara