Pope Francis' new constitution for the Roman Curia, Praedicate Evangelium, is a reform aimed at nothing less than a conversion of the way power is exercised in and from Rome, and by extension in the global Catholic Church.
We say: God in this most vulnerable state has nothing to do with an ecclesiology or a manufactured orthodoxy that trades on privilege, power and deception.
The Legion of Christ religious order, which was discredited by its pedophile founder and the cult-like practices he imposed, says an internal investigation has identified 33 priests and 71 seminarians who sexually abused minors over the past eight decades.
After less than two decades on the air, EWTN claimed $49 million in assets and annual income from contributions of $19 million. Today, the financial support of its weathliest contributors correlates with the pro-Republican and anti-Francis editorial direction of the network's programming and news coverage.
We say: Benedict XVI's current meddling is neither sound analysis nor helpful to a pope making unprecedented efforts to reform the clergy culture. Benedict had his opportunities to call the church's hierarchical culture to account, but he failed.
The recent essay on clergy sexual abuse by Benedict XVI shows why it was such a good idea for him to resign as pope. In the letter released last week, he shows how out of touch he is with the causes of the abuse crisis.
Michael Sean Winters rounds up political news and commentary: First Amendment Defense Act; Young people moving toward pro-choice; Save the Catholic University of America website; George Mason University students file lawsuit
