In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup: November 2023 Edition
Welcome to your monthly collection of news and commentary about the twin crises of abuse and institutional betrayal in the Catholic Church. Sorry it’s coming a few days late!
As always, if you only have time to read a few pieces this month, I recommend you start with those in bold below. (Just a reminder: 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.)
PS: If you’re looking for a little peace and centering as we enter into Advent this weekend, please consider joining Awake this Sunday evening for Breathe - An Advent Mini-Retreat with the Prayers of Cole Arthur Riley. It’s going to be a beautiful experience.
Growing Attention on Abuse of Adults
Experts: Rochester Lawsuit Shows Church Has Work To Do In Protecting Adults From Clergy Abuse (FYI, I’m one of the “experts” quoted.)
Abuse victim asks pope to hear 'adults who were wronged,' show 'the way' in Rupnik case
Accusers, Slovenian bishops speak out on latest developments in Rupnik case
Brazilian Bishop resigns at 62; accused of sexually harassing priests, seminarians
A French bishop is accused of attempted rape in latest scandal to hit Catholic Church in France
U.S. News
Former US leader of Communion and Liberation movement accused of abusing minors
Program aims to help priests, seminarians minister to abuse survivors
Catholic dioceses are declaring bankruptcy. Abuse survivors say it’s a ‘way to silence’ them
Alabama: Priest who fled country with teen won’t be prosecuted, D.A. says + Suspended Alabama priest married the 18-year-old he fled to Italy with
California: Former Teacher and Sex Abuse Survivor Motivates Archdiocesan “Garden of Healing”
Michigan: Here’s where the Michigan AG’s sweeping Catholic clergy sex abuse investigation stands
Ohio: Catholic priest sentenced to life for sex trafficking boys, manipulating opioid addictions
Tennessee: Jury acquits Catholic priest who was charged with sexual battery
Washington, DC: Archdiocese mounts legal test of watershed Maryland Child Victims Act
International News
England: Cardinal calls new National Tribunal an example of ‘practical love’
Italy: What did the pope say about Sicily’s Accused Bishop Rosario Gisana?
Slovenia: Rupnik affair challenges church to turn synod synthesis into concrete proposals in 2024
Spain: Spain's Catholic Church to compensate sexual abuse victims
From Awake
Abuse survivor group names patron saints to guide healing, reform
Polyvictimization: Why Many Victim-Survivors of Church Abuse Have Suffered Previous Trauma
Holiday How-To: 10 Tips for Talking with Your Family About Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
Going Deeper
In the US, Black survivors are nearly invisible in the Catholic clergy sexual abuse crisis
Window of Opportunism (an important perspective to be aware of, but may be upsetting to read)
Why, after so many sexual abuse cases, I am still a Catholic
‘Why do I stay?’ A young Catholic feminist on a church plagued by scandal
If you find these monthly reading roundups helpful, please consider forwarding this post to someone else who might be interested! I know it can be hard to read, but I think it’s also important to stay informed.
I will be back with a post from our Survivors’ Voices panel soon. Thank you for listening.
~ Sara