In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup: September Edition
Hello friends! This month’s news roundup is really packed, so I’m trying something new. I have selected a few of the pieces I found most important or thought-provoking and put those links in bold. If you only have time to read a few articles, you may want to start with those.
Please don’t miss the significance of the news about East Timor’s retired bishop Carlos Belo. While this will likely not draw as much attention in the United States as the McCarrick scandal, I think it’s every bit as important.
Reminder: This is a collection of reading about the twin crises of sexual abuse and institutional betrayal in the Catholic Church, particularly in the United States. I only share pieces that I find thoughtful and worth reading, but that doesn’t mean I agree with every word contained in these articles. If you care about these issues, I think it’s worth reading from a broad variety of sources and perspectives. I hope you do too.
On Bishop Belo of East Timor
Investigation – Sexual abuse of children by Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Belo
McCarrick and Bishop Belo — On sexual abuse, has anything really changed?
US News
U.S. diocesan synod reports highlight ‘enduring wounds’ in Church (report here)
Biden signs bill eliminating civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims
Churches defend clergy loophole in child sex abuse reporting
New York: Archdiocese argues ‘Vos estis’ records can’t be turned over
Philadelphia: John Delaney, vocal clergy abuse survivor and advocate, has died
San Francisco: Archbishop Refusing Major Step Towards Transparency
Chicago: Priest Cleared of Sex Abuse Allegations in 2021 at Center of New Claims
Buffalo: With little explanation, diocese has reinstated 17 accused priests
New York: Despite Child Victims Act, justice remains elusive for some survivors
New Orleans: Is net closing on priest who allegedly abused ‘countless’ children?
Chicago: 3 retired priests being investigated for decades-old sex abuse allegations
Wyoming: Bishop Hart accuser discusses abuse with clergy at film screenings
International News
Pope names new members to commission for protection of minors
Pope: Abuse by men and women in the Church is a ‘monstrosity’
Leading German bishop to stay in post despite damning report + What Bishop Bode's decision means for accountability
A Cheshire woman's long wait to see her abuser named by her diocese is over
Australian archbishop investigating retired bishop on abuse allegations
Catholic priest in court over sexual abuse of students in Tanzania
From Awake Milwaukee
Awake Unveils Next-Step Recommendations for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
The Pillar Interview with Sara: Listening, learning, and working for change
Abuse Survivors Share What They Want Catholics to Understand (with video)
Going Deeper
What’s Behind the Pileup of Sex Abuse Scandals? Sociologists See a Pattern
Impact Statement of David Clohessy at 2002 USCCB Meeting in Dallas
The Rarity of Direct Disclosure and Why This Matters for the Church
Women’s Complicated Reactions to Shia LaBeouf’s Conversion to Catholicism
Thank you for reading and for caring. See you next time!
Peace,
Sara