Fr. Tony Flannery, an Irish Redemptorist, noted that the issues he had written that led to being sanctioned "are now being discussed widely and freely right around the Church, with no fear of sanctions."
The recent sex abuse scandal involving Cardinal Theodore McCarrick raises once again the question of how the church can punish bad priests and bishops, especially when the state cannot because of the statute of limitations or other reasons.
Morning Briefing: We need a better vision for America; Ash Wednesday actions for peace; Immigration advocates hold on to hope; Can kids fix our gun fixation?
In Conversation: NCR staff writer Brian Roewe explains the background of this excommunication case and the dialogue sessions that have led to a new offer.
After 16-month dialogue, the proposal would return Call to Action members to full communion on an individual basis, while leaving in place the 1996 decree against the reform group.
Australian priests and a bishop have said they would go to jail rather than break the seal of confession to report a person confessing to child sexual abuse. Kieran Tapsell says the issue can resolved with a change to canon law.
