In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup: September 2024 Edition

Welcome to the September In Spirit and Truth Reading Roundup! This post is arriving in your inbox a few days late because I’m away from home this week, visiting my adorable nieces and trying to stay away from my computer for a bit. But the news doesn’t stop just because I’m on vacation!

For those who are new here (hello 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 soon.

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On Papal Trips and the Abuse Crisis

• East Timor: Watchdog group pushes for Pope to help clergy sex abuse victims in East Timor

• Pope obliquely acknowledges abuse crisis during enthusiastic East Timor welcome

• Pope gets an earful from Belgian king and abuse victims over scandals and failures to respond

• Pope Francis promises to help abuse victims after hearing of their trauma and needs

• Pope’s meeting with Belgian victims is a hollow gesture: Statement from BishopAccountability.org

U.S. News

• California: In front of SF Archbishop, church abuse survivors get first chance to share stories in bankruptcy case

• Colorado: Denver parish at heart of scandals involving Peru-based lay group

• Illinois: Young Chicago priest under investigation for alleged child abuse during retreat confessions (includes quotes from me)

• Illinois: Passionist order hasn’t kept promise to name abusive clergy

• Louisiana: The big question arrives in New Orleans Catholic church bankruptcy: How much to pay survivors?

• New Mexico: 'It's a start': Archdiocese installs plaque commemorating victims of clergy sex abuse

• New York: Cardinal Dolan suing insurance company for failing to pay after abuse deals

• New York: Diocese of Rockville Centre announces $323 million abuse settlement

• Ohio: Aspiring priest sentenced for images, videos of children

• Ohio: Priest found unfit for ministry

• Texas: Grand jury indicts Catholic priest on three felony sexual assault charges

International News

• Canada: Accuser of prominent priest - ‘I'm just looking for accountability’ + Church ‘needs to find a different way’ to address survivors, says priest accusing Rosica + Canadian bishop faces probe over Rosica assault allegations

• France: New abuse allegations emerge against once-venerated French priest + French bishops urge the Vatican, broader society to help investigate Abbé Pierre

• Ireland: Catholic representative body says it is ‘deeply sorry’ as report reveals scale of abuse allegations at over 300 religious-run schools

• Mexico: Interview with a survivor of clergy sexual abuse

• New Zealand: Church vows ‘concrete actions’ against abuse in response to Royal Commission

• Pakistan: Rape-accused Pakistani priest arrested for intimidating bishop

• Peru: Cardinal leading Dicastery of Bishops never investigated abuse claims, alleged victims say + Pope expels a bishop and 9 other people from a Peru movement over ‘sadistic’ abuses

• Vatican: On eve of novel synod, pope asks pardon for new index of sins

From Awake

• Courageous Conversation: Abuse Survivors Discuss the Act of Sharing Their Stories

• Survivor Story: Gino Wolfe

Going Deeper

• Opinion: Bankrupt Dioceses Need to Fail

• Tone deaf and color blind? Catholic Church struggles to keep accused abusers out of religious art

• Irish Archbishop says until abuse crisis is addressed, ‘authentic’ renewal is impossible for Church

• In the Pacific, a ‘Dumping Ground’ for Priests Accused or Convicted of Abuse

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If you find these monthly reading roundups helpful, please consider forwarding this post or sharing on your social media. Let’s stay informed and engaged. It matters.

See you again soon.

~ Sara