Just when many of us wanted to believe that the Catholic Church had finally turned a corner in dealing with the clerical sexual abuse scandal/crime/outrage, the Pennsylvania attorney general published a grand jury report about 70 years of abuse in six dioceses, and the abuse of teens and adults committed by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was revealed.
Similar inquiries by attorneys general in several states, efforts to lift the statute of limitations in many states for this crime, and the February 21-24 summit at the Vatican for presidents of bishops’ conferences ensure that this issue will be in the spotlight for the foreseeable future.
St. Anthony Messenger and Franciscan Media have devoted years of coverage to the sex-abuse crisis. Here are a few of our offerings as well as additional resources from Catholic News Service. —Pat McCloskey, OFM
They Just Couldn’t Resist | John Feister
Instrument of Peace | Donis Tracy
It’s Time to Speak Up | Susan Hines-Brigger
Dear Pope Francis: Fix the Sex-Abuse Crisis Now | Pat McCloskey, OFM
The Sex-Abuse Crisis: How Do We Heal? | Clifford Hennings, OFM
Rebuild My Church | Susan Hines-Brigger
Tempted to Leave the Church from “Ask a Franciscan” | Pat McCloskey, OFM
Addressing Revelations of Sexual Abuse in the Church | Pat McCloskey, OFM
Honesty Comes before Healing | Pat McCloskey, OFM
Rebuilding Our Structures and Our Hearts | Jack Wintz, OFM
Additional Reporting from Catholic News Service
Days of Covering Up Abuse Allegations Are Over, Says Vatican Adviser
Head of US Bishops Says New ‘Season’ Could Come after Abuse Crisis
Clericalism, Abuse of Power, at Heart of Sex-Abuse Crisis
Canonists: Laity Have a Rightful Place in Addressing Abuse
Synod missed opportunity to apologize for sex abuse, archbishop says
