Though most prelates who have resigned or been removed for sexual misconduct or cover-up no longer attend the biannual U.S. bishops' meeting, only one has been formally disinvited. And one convicted bishop continues to show up.
Commentary: The faithful question how the church can restore trust without transparency and accountability. If true healing and restoration is to occur, legal privileges must be waived and some significant disclosures must take place.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Dec. 14 that until "all open allegations are resolved," his predecessor, Archbishop John Nienstedt, is not free to exercise public ministry in the archdiocese.
The Boston Globe and the Philadelphia Inquirer newspapers teamed up for an article published in both daily papers Nov. 4 that examined ways it said the U.S. bishops have failed to police themselves even since their 2002 gathering in Dallas.
Distinctly Catholic: In two weeks, the U.S. bishops gather in Baltimore. They must confront their own accountability amid the sex abuse crisis, and their loyalty to Pope Francis. Are the bishops up to it?
We say: As the church lives through a fundamental transition, some who ignored the abuse crisis for decades now seize on it to smear Francis and plant the church of their dreams.
We say: The four points outlined by leadership of the bishops' conference are, for the most part, good beginnings. But they won't lead us to the full truth-telling that is needed.
A court approved the $210 million settlement between the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese and 400-plus abuse survivors, one of the final steps in a nearly four-year bankruptcy process.
The clergy sex abuse crisis stirred anger and anguish during the latest dialogue put forward by the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life.
