In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup: July 2024 Edition

Welcome to the July In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup! I’m a bit delayed on the July post because I’ve been focused on Awake’s retreat for abuse survivors last weekend. It was a truly beautiful experience and reminded me of why I pour my heart into this work - including the less-pleasant task of following the news about this issue to create these monthly posts.

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. 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.

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

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Rupnik’s Art and Care for Survivors

• Knights of Columbus covers Rupnik art at John Paul II Shrine pending sex abuse investigation

• Lourdes bishop faces resistance on removal of Rupnik art

• Alleged victims of Father Rupnik praise Lourdes, Knights of Columbus

• Rupniks remain on Vatican site despite O’Malley appeal

• Removing Rupnik art would sow church’s commitment to change, say survivors (includes quotes from me)

• Stop using art created in abuse: A plea from a survivor

New Revelations in Ireland

• Deceased Bishop Eamonn Casey “A Sexual Predator” says Former Safeguarding CEO for Catholic Church in new Documentary

• Vatican failed to reveal famed Irish bishop suspended due to child abuse allegations

• Disgraced Bishop Eamonn Casey ‘cut deal’ to move his sex predator nephew priest to new diocese

• Bishop in Northern Ireland apologizes to priest abused as a young adult

• Irish bishop says working for ‘truth, healing and peace’ after news program on abusive predecessor

U.S. News

• Retired FBI agent appointed head of U.S. bishops’ National Review Board

• Louisiana: New Orleans Archdiocese agrees to release church abuse files as part of court settlement

• Maryland: Baltimore archbishop, chair of abuse survivors committee strike unified tone on bankruptcy case

• Massachusetts: Lawmakers seek to expand scope of certain sexual offenses

• Massachusetts: Parishioners rally behind priest put on leave for alleged sexual misconduct

• Missouri: St. Louis County lawsuit names Omaha archbishop among sexual abusers. He denies the claim.

• New York: Sexual misconduct with an adult allegations substantiated against Buffalo diocesan priest

• Ohio: An Interview with An Accused Priest: A scorched hard drive, texts with a boy and a missing report + Pastor resigns years after destroying material tied to 'child pornography case'

• Ohio: Review board clears Diocese of Youngstown priest of sex abuse allegation

• Texas: Priest jailed for child abuse images charged with sexual assault + Women accusing Catholic priest of sex assault say they felt they couldn't turn him down

• Washington: AG will appeal court decision rejecting subpoena of Seattle Archdiocese + Catholic clergy abuse survivors still optimistic after investigation into Washington dioceses stalls

International News

• Ex-Missionaries of Charity allege culture of abuse and neglect

• Vatican’s Pius XII archives shed light on the Legion of Christ scandal

• Australia: Loud Fence ribbons recognising child sexual abuse survivors removed from Ballarat cathedral by unknown party

• Belgium: Church accused of hand-picking abuse victims to meet Pope

• Canada: Quebec’s Cardinal Lacroix resumes duties after being cleared by Vatican abuse investigation

• Columbia: Bishop resigns early amid coverup allegations

• France: Beloved priest Abbe Pierre was the conscience of France. Several women now accuse him of assault + French church knew of abuse claims against revered priest

• Italy: Pope praised bishop who covered up for sexually abusive priest

• New Zealand: Commission finds Church guilty of ‘inadequate’ responses to abuse and neglect

• Peru: Vatican to investigate claims that bishop had affairs with multiple women

• Portugal: Abuse survivors tell bishops to stop ‘revictimization’

• Spain: Catholic Church Backs Plan To Compensate Sex Abuse Victims

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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