Clergy Sex Abuse
The Trauma of Child Sexual Abuse
Father Kenneth W. Schmidt Comments Off on The Trauma of Child Sexual Abuse
The trauma was not only caused by priests; it includes all clerical orders and other Church personnel. It’s not just a problem in the United States or the Northern Hemisphere; it’s worldwide. It’s not only sexual abuse. We now recognize that power, position and a presumption of privilege can result in sexual, verbal and emotional Read More
The Clergy Abuse Crisis: Didn’t We Fix This?
Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti Comments Off on The Clergy Abuse Crisis: Didn’t We Fix This?
In 2002, the U.S. bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which has become known as the Dallas Charter. I was privileged to assist their committee in its drafting. After excruciating months of wilting media coverage, they adopted a series of strong child protection steps: mandatory reporting, zero tolerance, background Read More
Light in the Darkness
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Light in the Darkness
“Welcome to the greatest fraternity in the world.” Those were the handwritten words inscribed on a card given to me from a brother priest on the day of my ordination to the priesthood 30 years ago. Through the imposition of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit I was now a priest of Jesus Read More
3 Ways to Rebuild Trust
Msgr. Charles Pope Comments Off on 3 Ways to Rebuild Trust
The current crisis in the Church has many levels. There are those who have been victims of clerical sexual abuse. Some of them are minors, and some of them, though adults — even seminarians and younger priests — have been victims of homosexual abuse and harassment. We must care for them and atone for sins Read More
Living with Joy in the Face of the Abuse Crisis
Father Robert J. Hater Comments Off on Living with Joy in the Face of the Abuse Crisis
After writing in a recent issue of The Priest magazine about how living a life of joy and hope can help priests face obstacles in their lives, a great challenge has arisen — again — in the life of the Church. In light of the Pennsylvania grand jury report and the questions swirling around Archbishop Read More
Statement for The Priest Magazine on the Release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report
Father David Bonnar Comments Off on Statement for The Priest Magazine on the Release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report
For the past two years a grand jury empanelled by the Pennsylvania State District Attorney has been investigating clergy sexual abuse in several dioceses in the state. With the Aug. 14 release of the voluminous, heart-wrenching and long-awaited report, the darkness of this horrific tragedy has been brought to the light of day. The stinging Read More
Homily: A human and divine church, with good and bad shepherds
Father David Bonnar Comments Off on Homily: A human and divine church, with good and bad shepherds
The following homily was giving by Father David Bonnar, editor of The Priest magazine and priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, on the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Over 33 years ago, when I was a young seminarian studying in Rome, I remember then Bishop of Pittsburgh, Bishop Anthony Bevilacqua, visiting Rome. He took us Read More