In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup: May/June 2025 Edition

Welcome to your May to mid-June 2025 In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup! (As I mentioned in my last update, I’m spreading out my posts a bit during this busy summer.)

Understandably, there have been a lot of stories this month regarding Pope Leo XIV’s past actions regarding abuse, and what might be expected of him moving forward. But there’s also plenty of other news worth following, so I’ve included a variety of those pieces as well. Yes, this is a really long post - sorry!

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 in July.

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On Pope Leo XIV’s Approach to Addressing Abuse

• Pope Leo XIV and the abuse crisis: What happens next?

• How will Pope Leo tackle the sex abuse crisis?

• Survivors Share Their Hopes for the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV

• I was sexually abused by a priest. I'm not celebrating Pope Leo.

On Pope Leo’s Previous Handling of Abuse Issues

• A new pope confronts his church’s abuse scandal amid praise and scrutiny

• Clergy molestation survivors concerned and insulted by election of Pope Leo XIV

• The accusations of abuse cover-up against Pope Leo XIV: A campaign that was also spread inside the Vatican + How Pope Leo dealt with years of abuse allegations in a powerful Catholic society in Peru + Abuse case handled by Pope Leo: Victims say he helped when others didn’t

• Docs show decision to move accused priest to Augustinian friary in 2000 originated from Chicago Archdiocese, not now-Pope Leo

• On sexual abuse cases, can Leo’s past say much about the future?

On the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

• Pope Leo XIV meets with Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

• Cardinal O’Malley Interview on the Work of the PCPM

• Pope Leo’s long meeting with Commission for Protection of Minors shows abuse crisis not over

• Pope meets safeguarding commission as he faces litmus test on Cipriani

On Rupnik (Still)

• On Pope Leo's Desk: Rupnik

• Vatican website removes pictures of artwork created by priest accused of abuse

• Under the surface: What’s next now Rupnik’s art is offline?

• Leader of Czech Jesuits announces investigation into Aletti Center community

• A sexual abuse survivor on Lourdes’ decision to cover Rupnik mosaics

U.S. News

• USCCB annual report: Abuse allegations and costs down, but complacency a threat + USCCB 2024 Child and Youth Protection Annual Report

• Florida: New bishop was once accused of mishandling abuse case, which suit says led to another child getting molested

• Florida: Murdered priest alleged to have sexually abused boys (and maybe his killer)

• Illinois: Chicago-area priest accused of sexual misconduct kicked out of Augustinian order

• Kansas: Bishop Miege High School president placed on leave over ‘leadership’ concerns

• Louisiana: “Enough Is Enough”- Survivors Call for Dismissal of Archdiocese Bankruptcy, Citing Five Years of Obstruction and Abuse

• Louisiana: Louisiana passes anti-grooming law championed by clergy abuse survivor

• New Jersey: Bishop says diocese will drop fight against state’s grand jury abuse probe + Bishop Williams’s letter + Survivor welcomes NJ bishop's reversal on clergy abuse probe

• New Jersey: Seton Hall defies cardinal’s order to cooperate in sexual abuse investigation

• North Carolina: Charlotte bishop assessing future of priest accused of boundary violations, sexual abuse

• Vermont: Burlington Bishop Hears Sex Abuse Survivors' Stories

• Washington: Washington bishops sue over seal of confession

International News

• Argentina: Report - Zanchetta back in Argentina

• Brazil: First network of clergy abuse survivors is created in Brazil

• England: The price of disclosure for nuns and religious sisters

• Germany: Pope Leo Faces First Major Test Over 'Morally Corrupt' Bishop

• India: How Nuns Were Punished For Exposing Abuse In Kerala’s Syro Malabar Catholic Church

• Ireland: 'Significant increase' in allegations of abuse against Catholic Church members, report says

• Italy: As Italy’s bishops release latest abuse figures, survivor meets with Vatican commission

• Peru: Peru abuse victims applaud Vatican mission, request meeting with Pope

• Poland: Poland primate leaves independent abuse commission project

• Zambia: Catholic nun in Africa urges Church to address sexual abuse of women religious + Zambian Sister Blows Whistle on ‘Systemic’ Clerical Sex Abuse of Nuns

Reflection, Opinion, and Analysis

• Zero Tolerance Recommendations from SNAP

• Survivor Story: Mary O’Day

• Survivor Story: Alexandra Buchlmayer

• Surviving Catholic clerical sex abuse is not new, and it's not White.

• The Liminal Space of Adolescence (on predatory adults preying on teenagers)

• Why Words Matter: A Sociological Look at Language Surrounding Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse

• McCarrick survivor condemns article praising his abuser

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Thank you for reading.

I’m leaving for Rome on Sunday (!!!). So, if you’re a praying person, please pray for me - especially for my health, which can make travel challenging, and for my presentation at the International Safeguarding Conference.

With gratitude,
Sara