In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup: January 2023 Edition
This is a collection of recent reading about the twin crises of sexual abuse and institutional betrayal in the Catholic Church, particularly in the United States. I only share pieces that I find thoughtful and worth reading, but that doesn’t mean I agree with every word contained in these articles. If you care about these issues, I think it’s important to read from a broad variety of sources and perspectives. I hope you do too.
Note: I published the December Roundup on 12/20, so this post includes the end of December as well. It’s a long one!
On the Death and Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI
While blamed, Benedict fought sex abuse more than past popes
Benedict remembered for role in pushing US bishops to confront clergy abuse
Benedict's brief papacy was marred by the priest sex abuse scandal
Church’s ex-prosecutor on sex abuse defends Benedict XVI’s record
On the Continued Fallout from the Rupnik Case
Vatican's handling of Jesuit priest shows new dimensions of abuse crisis
Jesuits in Slovenia apologize for Rupnik abuse, say they believe victims
Rupnik mosaics stand in US chapels, amid priest artist abuse scandal
Vatican's handling of Rupnik case shows church considers women unequal
Other International News
Australia: No state funeral for Cardinal Pell due to victim distress
Canada: Second Canadian woman accuses Cardinal Marc Ouellet of misconduct
France: Former Paris archbishop target of sexual assault probe
French Guyana: Former bishop of guilty of sex abuse, Vatican court says
Germany: Canonical complaint filed against senior bishop by victims’ board
India: Vatican replaces Indian bishop accused of serious crimes
Philippines: Old clerical abuse habits die hard in the Philippines
Poland: New report on clergy abuse during John Paul II's tenure in Poland sparks intense debate
United Kingdom: Bishop reported to police for abuse as Vatican probes lockdown sex parties
Vatican: Vatican must treat abuse victims better, pope's lead investigator says
Vatican: Vatican priest advisor on sexuality barred from priestly ministry
US News
California: Hundreds of Alleged Clergy Abuse Victims Come Forward (video)
California: Santa Rosa priest was accused of child sex abuse by error, plaintiff’s attorney said
Illinois: Priest sentenced to 18 years in sexual assault conviction
Kansas: Kansas investigators deliver ‘heart-breaking’ report on clerical abuse (full report here)
Maryland: Catholic Church in Maryland concedes to some abuse reforms
Massachusetts: McCarrick’s lawyers say he’s not competent to stand trial
Missouri: Vincentian priest sentenced to prison over child pornography
New Mexico: US bankruptcy court approves $121M clergy abuse settlement
North Carolina: Priest challenges bishop, demands reinstatement to ministry
Pennsylvania: Victims confront priest they say abused them 30 years ago
Texas: Frank Pavone was accused of 'sexual misconduct' before laicization
From Awake Milwaukee
Going Deeper
Boy Scouts, Catholic dioceses find haven from sex abuse suits in bankruptcy
The Southern Baptist Church Ignored Its Abuse Crisis. She Exposed It.
Catholic collective narcissism linked to acceptance of myths about sexual abuse
A horrifying report on sexual abuse in Chicago public schools sank without a trace last week. Why?
Hierarchy's sacramental betrayal in abuse scandal obstructs synodality
Critics point to John Jay study's limitations (from 2011 - but still relevant today)
Reproductive Abuse in the Context of Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
Statement by BishopAccountability: Pope’s comments on abuse are not credible
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I will be back with an important Survivors’ Voices post next week. Until then, I wish you peace and all good.
~ Sara