Commentaries
Sex abuse, clericalism and laity’s role in fixing them
Laypeople, called to holiness, are needed to encourage good priests and bishops, and help reform dangerous attitudes and policies so the Gospel will continue to be a light to the nations, writes Richard Doerflinger.
In these dark days, our hope remains in the Lord
The church Greg Erlandson loves is hurting. Some people are making ideological points off of the pain of our church family, targeting those they already disliked and pitting people against one another.
Crisis may only be beginning, but God keeps his covenant
It’s going to be very hard, but we need to support each other and help put the church back together, says Deacon Christopher Roberts. He explains why he is still fighting to build something beautiful for God.
Graced by artificial intelligence?
It's uncanny how an ad on a website appears for things we're thinking about, writes Brett Robinson. We seem to be known by Alexa or Siri but we are known, and loved, by God and the Blessed Mother.
Despite abuse and cover up, I still want to be a Catholic priest
A young deacon and Army reservist saw how the Army changed its culture of sexual harassment. The church can too -- by uniting with the church's founder Jesus Christ, the priest and victim.
Homily for a church betrayed
It's past time the church not only listen to women, but for women to help shape the future, says a priest homilist in Louisville. If the wisdom of women had as much power in the church as the voice of men, we would not have the culture that handed over the holy to shield predators.
Find silence, ‘sit in the stench’ of the grand jury report — then act
An archdiocesan priest of 35 years, a brother and an uncle tells his parishioners that prayer is empty without actions of justice on behalf of the victims of sexual abuse. And lay people must take the lead.
Creating a pastoral response to suicide
Few tragedies devastate families as profoundly as suicide. Wisdom, compassion and insight are needed to minister to those left behind, and to save those who are thinking of ending their lives.
‘Put not your trust in princes,’ even those of the church
The recurring clerical sex abuse scandals have eroded moral authority and for some even faith itself, writes John Garvey. Yet the church is not sanctified by men, but by God, who is the source of all grace, holiness and healing.
Sexual abuse is always intolerable, regardless of the circumstances
Safe environment measures are important but insufficient in protecting children and youth from molestation. Those in positions of trust must be held strictly accountable, stresses this guest editorial from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.