In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup: Special Edition on Pope Francis's Legacy and the Lead-Up to the Conclave

Welcome to a special edition of your In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup, focused on the legacy of Pope Francis related to abuse in the Church, as well as a few notes leading up to the conclave.

As always, please remember 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. Note that I am not selecting any particular pieces to highlight in bold this time - I just encourage you to read at least a few articles that present a perspective different from your own.

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Pope Francis’s Legacy on Abuse

• Pope Francis took vital steps on abuse, but it will be up to his successor to ensure reforms are enacted

• Survivors of clergy sex abuse say Pope Francis' response to crisis was insufficient

• Francis took pastoral and practical approach against abuse

• Bishop Accountability Statement on Pope’s legacy on abuse

• Father Zollner: Listening to victims a trademark of Pope Francis’ pontificate

• Pope Francis Leaves Complicated Legacy on Sexual Abuse Crisis

• When it came to curbing sexual abuse, Pope Francis was neither a hero nor a villain (My opinion piece for Religion News Service)

Perspectives from Abuse Survivors

• David Clohessy: Regarding the safety of kids, Francis leaves a dreadfully disappointing legacy

• Juan Carlos Cruz: "I'm gonna miss him": Pope Francis remembered by a close friend and survivor of abuse

• Lucy Huh: A Survivor’s Farewell to Pope Francis: Gratitude, Grief, and Unfinished Work

• Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests: Survivors mourn the tragedy of Francis’ papacy

Preparing for the Conclave

• The abuse crisis is still roiling the Catholic Church

• Vatican anti-abuse body urges cardinals to make safeguarding a priority

• Cardinals discuss abuse while prelate sanctioned for it joins meetings + Survivors, experts, advocates decry accused prelate’s presence at pre-conclave meetings

• Conclave Watch by SNAP

• Criticism of Cardinal Mahony’s role in papal funeral points to abuse crisis still affecting Church + Cardinal Mahony’s coffin-closing cameo means it is business as usual

• Abuse survivors demand next pope enact zero-tolerance policy, identify cardinals with poor records

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If you are a person of faith, please join me in praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the cardinal electors, that they may select a leader full of both courage and compassion.

~ Sara