In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup: June 2025 Edition

Welcome to your In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup for the second half of June. (I know I said I wasn’t going to send one again until the end of July, but I happened to be all caught up on my reading today, so I thought sending a shorter one now would help make the next one more manageable in length.) I’ve also included a few posts from Awake at the top, along with a link to my talk at the International Safeguarding Conference in Rome, in case you’re interested.

For those who are new here (welcome 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.

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

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From My Trip to Rome!

• Awake Delivers Heartfelt Survivor Letters to the Vatican This Week

• Bearing Witness in Rome: Reflections from the International Safeguarding Conference

• Reflections on Accompanying Survivors (Video of My Presentation at the ISC)

On Pope Leo XIV’s Response to Abuse

• Pope Leo delivers fiery defense of freedom of the press, supports Peru journalists covering abuse

• Survivor letters frame challenge facing Leo XIV on abuse and coverup (includes quotes from me)

• Two Contrasting Cases Raise Questions of Pope Leo’s Actions on Sex Abuse

• How will Pope Leo tackle the sex abuse crisis?

• An early test for Pope Leo: Addressing the intersection of sexual and spiritual abuse

• Pope Leo XIV affirms celibacy for priests, demands ‘firm’ action on sex abuse

U.S. News

• US bishops considering new safeguarding document beyond ‘Dallas Charter’

• NCR first exposed Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal 40 years ago this month

• Louisiana: Louisiana man groomed by priest says he felt ‘nauseous’ at clergyman’s parole hearing + ‘Give me your word you won’t do it again’: convicted sex abuser priest tells how church gave him second chance after inappropriate texts

• Texas: Former Slaton priest accused of indecent assault

International News

• Vatican secretary for protection of minors: ‘Harming a victim is harming the image of God’

• Czech Republic: Leader of Czech Jesuits announces investigation into Aletti Center community linked to Rupnik

• Germany: Indian Bishop barred from visiting Germany due to abuse allegations

• Mexico: Legion of Christ priest arrested in Mexico City airport on rape charge for alleged abuse of a minor

• Poland: Abuse survivors feel ‘betrayed’ by shift in bishops’ leadership preparing for commission + Polish bishops break ranks over abuse commission reset + Protestors lay stones in front of church buildings

Reflection, Opinion, and Analysis

• Spiritual abuse and canon law in religious life

• Making sense of ‘Vos estis’ after Francis

• Survey on how Catholics view sexual abuse and misconduct in the Catholic Church

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Thank you for reading. See you again soon!

With gratitude,
Sara