Marie Collins

Distinctly Catholic: Is the fight over? Of course not. All this has to be implemented, foot-dragging must be confronted, episcopal conferences have protocols to erect, and Roman dicasteries have personnel to train. Still, this is no baby step forward.

Reform starts with ordinary Catholics because we are the ones who financially support the present failed system. We are complicit in the sins of that system if we are not involved in creating inclusive structures of accountability. 

A prominent survivor and advocate for those affected by clerical abuse has urged Pope Francis to publicly name bishops who have been found guilty of negligence by church tribunals.

Three former members of Pope Francis' commission on clergy sexual abuse are calling on the pontiff's February Vatican summit on child protection to re-evaluate the structure of the group in order to make it more effective in pursuing policy reforms.

The Voice of the Faithful conference Oct. 6 was called timely by the organization's president, Mary Pat Fox, who welcomed about 300 participants and said, "We have found ourselves in another Earth-shattering moment." 

VATICAN CITY -- "We need to put on the agenda not only the question of prevention, but also accountability," Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna said at an Oct. 8 press conference.

The sex abuse crisis has exposed a real sickness in the church, and some combination of structural, cultural and spiritual renewal will be needed. 

Commentary: If all is in place and bishops are being held accountable behind the scenes then why, in his recent letter to the People of God, does Pope Francis refer to efforts "to come up with" and delay in "applying" the "actions and sanctions that are so necessary"?