One of the first tasks of the U.S. bishops' lay-run National Review Board was to thoroughly investigate the nature of the clergy sexual abuse and cover-up scandal in the U.S. A key ally was the future Pope Benedict XVI.
A "powerful, new moment in the ongoing crisis" of abuse and authority exploitation in the Catholic Church will be the focus of an Oct. 9 panel at Santa Clara University.
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.
Commentary: Frustrated that the church has drifted so far from the mission of Christ? Do something about it. Laity should unite and petition their bishops to address the abuse crisis head-on.
The U.S. bishops' call for an apostolic visitation and lay-involved investigations into abuse and cover-ups was called a "good start," but at least one former National Review Board member called it "too little, too late."
Just Catholic: Fearing a bishop's power, no one wants to say anything. And it's not just clerics whose cries are muffled. It's lay employees and religious sisters who need their jobs.
Incremental changes to the U.S. bishops' guiding document on addressing sexual abuse of minors by clergy were approved June 14 during the prelates' annual spring assembly.
"While progress continues to be made, there are worrisome signs for the future revealed in this year's audit that cannot be ignored," wrote the chairman of the bishops' National Review Board.
