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Did You Notice? Review Board Chairman Urged Bishops to Resign

. . .Francesco Cesareo, Chairman of the USCCB National Review Board, delivers a series of home truths, in candid language.  He is not giving the bishops a few mild recommendations; he is taking them to the woodshed.  Saying what so many lay Catholics believe, he tells the body of bishops that they have lost the trust of their people. . .

by Phil Lawler,

of Catholic Culture

Cardinal Tobin Still Doesn’t Get It – Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture
Just Wait. Bishops are Going to Take Action. Pretty Soon. Probably. Trust Them. – P. Lawler
Univ. of Notre Dame Backlash to Fr. Jn. Jenkin’s Soft-Pedalling McCarrick’s Crimes – R Dreher
Why Has Pope Francis Hamstrung the U.S. Bishops? – Ch. R. Altieri, The Cthlc World Report
Pope’s Approval Numbers Plunge Over Abuse Crisis – Crux
J.R.R. Tolkien’s Priest Son a Focus of U.K. Abuse Inquiry in the Archd. of Birmingham – Crux
Cardinal Errazuriz Confirms Exit from Council of Cardinals – Catholic Herald
Why Catholic Bishops Can’t Solve The Crisis – Rod Dreher
The Pope Fiddles, the Bishops Fumble, & the Laity Fume – C.E. Olson, The Cthlc World Report
The U.S. Bishops “Don’t Wanna Go to Rehab” – John Zmirak Ph.D., The Stream
USCCB Votes Down Resolution Encouraging Holy See to Release McCarrick Files – NC Rgstr
The Conversion of the Papacy & the Present Church Crisis – Douglas Farrow Ph.D., The CWR
‘What are People to Make of Our Silence?’ Bishops Discuss McCarrick in Baltimore – NC Rgstr
Six Sex Abuse Survivors Announce Lawsuit Against U.S. Bishops – Rhina Guidos, Crux
A Solid “State of the Question” Video about The Present Crisis – Fr. Z’s Blog
Blowing the Whistle on Buffalo Dioc. Abuse: Siobhan O’Connor Interview – Pt. Jesserer Smith
Sex Abuse Inquiry Examines England’s Archdiocese of Birmingham – The Cthlc World Report
Pennsylvania Bishops Announce Victim Compensation Funds – National Catholic Register
Cardinal DiNardo Hopeful for Church in the U.S. – CNA/EWTN News via The CWR
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

What If The Catholic Crisis Is Unsolvable?

. . .well, there you go.  Their failure to police each other, to insist on collegiality & bella figura when some of their colleagues were groping, buggering, setting diocesan lawyers on victims & their families, & lying to everyone about it — well, that falls on all of them.  Who can possibly pity them?  Remember that back in 1985, every single bishop received a copy of the confidential Doyle-Mouton Report, warning them that child sexual abuse was a huge problem within the Church, & that they had better act to stop it or it would be a catastrophe. . .

by Rod Dreher

The Pope Is The Problem – Rod Dreher
Survivors Call Vatican Telling USCCB to Wait on Abuse ‘Totally Unacceptable’ – Ch. White, Crux
Pope Francis Continues His Plan of Non-Response & Inaction – Fr. Kevin M. Cusick via Twitter
The Elephant in the Room Threatens the Church – David Torkington, Catholic Stand
Rise & Fall of Bishop Holley Raises Questions about Connections to McCarrick – The CWR
Boston Globe Untethered In Its Latest Hit Piece Against the Bishops – TheMediaReport.com
The Vatican’s Carelessness is on Display as New U.S. Scandals Break – Ch. R. Altieri, The CWR
Bronx Parishioners March in Support of Bishop Jenik, Evidence Shows False Accusation – TMR
Ripe for Abuse: How Sex Scandal Made a Seminarian Go Public – Julia Terruso, The Phila. Inquirer
Today Bishops Should Explain What They Knew About McCarrick – Fr. David Fons via Twitter
Long a Lightning Rod, Sodano Figures in McCarrick/Viganò Saga Too – Elise Harris, Crux
N.Y.’ers Using Collection Basket to Ask Bishop Jenik to Resign – De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.
Clergy Sex Abuse on Rise Again & Church Leaders Ignoring Why, Sociologist Says – Kevin Jones
Missouri Bishops Release Letter Urging USCCB Action on Sex Abuse Crisis – CNA via The CWR
Protesters Gather Outside Bishops’ Meeting in Baltimore, Call for Change – Emily Rosenthal, CNS
Bishop Liam Cary of Baker: Satan Wants to Destroy the Eucharist & the Priesthood – The CWR
Atlanta Archbishop Releases a List of Priests ‘Credibly Accused’ of Abuse – Catholic Herald
Buffalo Whistleblower Says She Leaked abuse Documents ‘Out of Love’ – CNA via Catholic Herald
Journeying from Grief to Grace: How a Retreat Program Helps Sex-Abuse Victims Heal – NCRgstr
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

New Charges of Homosexuality in the Church, But the Pope is Silent & Blames “Clericalism”

. . .at the closing of the synod on Saturday, October 27, Jorge Mario Bergoglio once again identified the “Great Accuser,” Satan, as the ultimate author of the accusations unleashed against him, the pope, in order to strike out in reality against “Mother Church”. . .

by Sandro Magister

of Settimo Cielo

via L’Espresso

Miters & Millstones – Stephen P. White, The Catholic Thing
Catholic Agencies Closely Monitor Giving After Clergy Sex Abuse Shock – D. Sadowski, Crux
Former U.S. Nuncio Admits Hearing Rumors of McCarrick Misconduct in 1994 – Catholic Herald
Donatism & Pennsylvania: How an Ancient Controversy Can Help Us Today – Fr. Pt. Briscoe O.P.
When Men of the Cloth Do Wicked Things – Filip Mazurczak, The Catholic Thing
Youngstown Bishop Releases Names of Clergy Credibly Accused of Abuse – P. Sheehan, Crux
Little Rock Diocese Receives 26 More Clergy Abuse Reports – A.P. via Crux
Amid Lawsuit, Firm Publishes List of California Priests Accused of Abuse – J. McKeown, NCRgstr
How My Husband & I are Talking to Our Kids About the Problems in the Church – Mary Jo Gerd
When the Church is Silent, We Incur Guilt before God – W. Ross Blackburn Ph.D., the Human. . .
Pray for Our Holy Priests, & for God to Give Us More Men Like Them – B. Heldt, NC Register
Weathering the Storm in the Church – Mary Jo Gerd, We’re Late For Church
Diocese of Jalandhar Won’t Fund Defense for Bishop Franco Mulakkal Accused of Rape – CHerald
Buffalo Diocese Expands List of Credibly Accused Clerics – J. McKeown, National Cthlc Register
Amid Abuse Lawsuits, Guam Archdiocese to File for Bankruptcy – CNA via Catholic Herald
D.C. Attorney General Announces Abuse Investigation – Ed Condon J.C.L., CNA via NC Register
Chile Abuse Survivors say Pope’s Iron Fist Offers a Glimmer of Hope – Inés San Martín, Crux
Alaska Catholic Official Orders Sexual Misconduct Review – Rachel D’Oro, A.P. via Crux
U.S. Attorney for D.C. Announces Federal Hotline for Victims of Clergy Sex Abuse – NC Register
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Roots of Catholic Anger

. . .the “narrative” of an ongoing, widespread, & unaddressed rape culture in the Catholic Church in the United States is false. . .

by George Weigel,

from The Dispatch

via The Catholic World Report

McCarrick’s Seminarians – Maureen Mullarkey, Studio Matters
The Failure of a Conservative Catholic Myth – Rod Dreher
Fr. Z Muses: Repression of Catholic Speech & What We Can Do about It – Fr. Z’s Blog
Auxiliary Bishop John Jenik’s Accuser: Serious Questions Now Arise about His Credibility – TMR
Tyranny & Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church: A Jesuit Tragedy – John R.T. Lamont, Rorate Cæli
Buffalo & the Silence of the Bishops – Christopher R. Altieri, The Catholic World Report
No, Jim; Pope Didn’t Blame Abuse Victims for Persecution of the Church – TheMediaReport.com
French Priest Accused of Sexual Assault Commits Suicide – Chloe Langr, epicPew
The Bishops’ Misdeeds – The Boston Globe
Celibacy & Sexual Deviancy: Mystical Theology Has the Answer – Dav. Torkington, Catholic Stand
Priest-Sociologist Examines Data on Clergy Sex Abuse: Homosexuality – Kev. Jones, NC Register
Is Clergy Sex Abuse Related to Homosexual Priests? – Mat. E. Bunson, National Cthlc Register
Karadima Victims File a Complaint Against Francisco Cardinal Errázuriz – CNA via Catholic Herald
Peter Damian’s Counsel – Charlotte Allen, First Things
Prayer to St. Michael Makes a Resurgence in Response to Abuse Crisis – Carol Zimmerman, Crux
Apologizing for the Cover-Up, Iowa Diocese Vows to ID Accused Priests – Ryan J. Foley, Crux
Defending the Church in a Time of Scandals – Tom Collingwood, Catholic Stand
Shadows Covering the Glorious Catholic Church: Abuse – Edouard Belaga Ph.D., Catholic Stand
Marci Hamilton’s Child USA: Victim Advocacy or Contingency Lawyer Front Group? – TMR
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Two More High-Ranking Papal Appointees Implicated in Alleged Misconduct

. . .Msgr. Edgar Peña Parra, who has been tapped to take on the #2 role at the Vatican Secretariat of State, has become the subject of a dossier compiled by the laity in his home diocese which makes mention of possible homosexual behavior.  Luis Cardinal  Ferrer, Prefect of the Congregation for the CDF, has also failed to respond to a court summons in France as a co-defendant in the trial of Cardinal Barbarin, for “failing to denounce a sexually abusive priest”. . .

by Steve Skojec

of One Peter 5

WaPo Doesn’t Include Notorious Bishop on Wuerl’s List – George Neumary via Twitter
Buckle Up, Fellow Catholics! – One Mad Mom
Card. Ouellet’s Response to Abp. Viganò Lacks Credibility – Jn. M. McCarthy Ph.D., Crisis
The Pro-Gay Monsignor in Atlanta Goes to a Drag Show – Joseph Sciambra
Woman Sexually Harassed at Holy Trinity “Listening Session” – Banks of the Trinity
Time for Pope to Come Clean, Instead He’s Burying Himself – W Krumholz & R Delahunty
Are Bishops Singling Out Good Priests for Psychiatric Treatment – California C. Daily
Head of CDF Fails to Respond to Summons in French Abuse Trial – Mark Lambert
February 21: An Intriguing Date for a Meeting of Bishops – Fr. Regis Scanlon O.F.M. Cap.
How to Approach Our Priests About the Scandals – Constance T. Hull, Catholic Exchange
What Canonical Rights Does a Parish Priest Have? – Ed Condon J.C.L., NC Register
How Can We Evangelize Among These Ruins? – Benjamin Wiker, NC Register
I Helped Oversee Safeguarding in England, I Wonder if Bishops ‘Get It’ – Catholic Herald
Doctrine Precedes Morality – David Carlin, The Catholic Thing
If Church Leaders Can’t Make Things Right, God Will. . . – Fr. Jef. F. Kirby, Crux
Accused Priest Works as Contract Psychologist for the State – The Detroit News
Healing Victims Is Key: Priest Says Spiritual Start Paves Way Forward – NC Register
The Best Way to Respond to Crisis is Prayer & Fasting – Judy Roberts, NC Register
Can Church Entities & Victims Find Justice in Compensation Funds – Pet. Jesserer Smith
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Bishop Burns of Dallas Says He Had 3rd Party Investigate Clergy; Will Not Say if He Will Release the Report

. . .when asked if he was prepared to publicly release the unedited report from the investigation, the bishop said “it is my desire to bring something forward in the near future.  I am taking some serious considerations on how best to do that”. . .

from Banks of the Trinity

Cardinal Cormac & Kieran Conry – Fr. John Hunwicke, Fr Hunwicke’s Mutual Enrichment
Washington Archdiocese Releases the Names of 48 Accused Clergy – CNA via The CWR
A Third Accuser Comes Forward Against Houston Priest – Nomaan Merchant, AP via Crux
California Governor Vetoes Measure to Extend the Statute of Limitations – CNS via Crux
Indianapolis Archdiocese Lists 23 Credibly Accused Priests – AP via Crux
Film Spurs Hundreds of Abuse Allegations in Poland– CNA via The Catholic World Report
Polish Court Orders Catholic Religious Order to Pay Sex Abuse Victim – AP via Crux
California Man Sues Vatican Over Abuse Claims – A.L. Myers & N. Winfield, AP via Crux
2-year Window for Abuse Suits Divides Negotiators in Pennsylvania – Mk. Scolforo, Crux
Bp. Monforton of Steubenville: Can’t Allow Scandals to Stop Sharing Gospel – The CWR
Bishop Coyne of Burlington to Form a Lay Committee to Review Clergy Files – The CWR
Gov’t. Inquiry Documents Abuse at Catholic Orphanages in Scotland – Ch. Collins, Crux
Canadian Bishops’ Abuse Policies Has No Way to Censure Bishops – Deborah Gyapong
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

How Could You, Archbishop Vigano?

. . .an excellent question.  It forces us to ask whether we have ever imagined that in praying for our shepherds we were thereby paying tribute to their rectitude & decency.  Think of the faithful whose priests, over, say, the last 30 years, have invited them to pray for John Paul our pope, or for Benedict our pope. . .

by Phil Lawler,

of Catholic Culture

There is a Divided & Even Toxic Atmosphere Inside the Vatican – The Atlantic
Justice by Papal Fiat Points to Serious Lack of Trust Within Church – The C. World Rprt
Can Coccopalmerio Remain a Cardinal Another Day? – The Eponymous Flower
The Wrong People Francis Can’t Get Rid Of – Sandro Magister, Settimo Cielo
The Case Against Pope Francis – Robert Kurland Ph.D., The American Catholic
I Have “Mixed Feelings” about the Acceptance of Wuerl’s Resignation – Msgr. Ch. Pope
Optimism or Pessimism about the Church’s Future? – Marty Dybicz, Catholic Stand
In Persona Christi Capitis – Jonathan Mitchican, First Things
Crisis is Like Fire Purifying the Church, Says the Head of Canadian Bishops – Crux
O’Malley Expands Sex Abuse Investigation to Include All Boston Seminaries – C. Herald
Pope Expels Two Chilean Bishops from the Priesthood – Jun. A. Esteves, Catholic Herald
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Bishop McElroy of San Diego Defends Himself at a “Listening Session”

. . .Bishop McElroy Accuses Archbishop Viganò of a ‘Political Agenda’. . .

from the California Catholic Daily

Scandal-plagued Cardinal a Key Figure in McCarrick/Viganò Saga – Elise Harris, Crux
Card. Ouellet’s Role in Vatican Soap Opera – Mark Lambert, De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.
7 Notable Points from Cardinal Ouellet’s ‘Viganò Letter – Fr. R.J. de Souza, NC Register
Pedophilia Isn’t the Main Problem with Priests, Homosexuality Is – Maureen Mullarkey
US Catholics React to Cardinal Ouellet’s Letter – J.F. Desmond, National Cthlc Register
House of Card(inal)s – Grady Means
Insipid Church Music: A Role in the Crisis? – Mark Langley, Lion & Ox
Fordham Univ. Student Op-Ed: In Support of Archbishop Viganò – Olivia Ingrassia
Are You Scandalized? – Andrew Garofalo, Those Catholic Men
Some Bishops Need to Lose Their Lives to Find Them – Nicholas Senz, The Catholic Thing
Texas Dioceses Will Release Names of Clergy Credibly Accused of Abuse – J Ramos, Crux
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Archbishop Theodore McCarrick Lives in Comfort Near a Grammar School; Here’s Why He’s Untouchable

. . .it turns out that Theodore McCarrick, when he wasn’t treating future priests like rent boys & slurping daiquiris in the hot tub, was running the $200 million Papal Foundation.  And apparently, that Foundation served as a secret slush fund for corrupt Vatican enterprises, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars.  The Foundation’s records are shoddy & full of holes.  Its directors could face legal trouble for allowing things to get that bad. . .

by John Zmirak, Ph.D.,

of The Stream

Grassroots Group Wants “Truthful Answers” f/Bp. McElroy of San Diego – Calif. C. Daily
We’ve Come to the Sorrowful Realization That the Problem is at the Top – Cali C Daily
2013: Card. Ouellet’s Brother has Sex-abuse Convictions – J. McLean, The Toronto Star
New Statements & the Church’s Trust Deficit – Rb. Royal Ph.D., The Catholic Thing
Rome Fires Pro-Homosexual Union Jesuit College Rector in Germany – Rorate Cæli
Can Francis Change the Church While Stonewalling on Sex Abuse? – Ross Douthat, NYT
The Perils of Ideological Blindness – Rod Dreher
Canon Law, Good Conscience, & Pope Francis – Fr. John Catoir, Catholic Stand
On McCarrick, Chile, & ‘Lawyers, Guns & Money’ – John L. Allen Jr., Crux
Put Archbishop Viganò on Trial? – Christopher Altieri, The Catholic Thing
San Bernardino Diocese Lists Priests Credibly Accused of Sex Abuse – CNA via The CWR
Lawmakers, Victims Discuss Priestly Sex Abuse in Poland – Monika Scislowska, Crux
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Gerhard Cardinal Müller ≈ Who Will Save the Church from Pope Francis & His Friends?

. . .Gerhard Cardinal Müller former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) at the Vatican speaks at length about the cover-up of sex abuse by clergy, the Youth Synod getting underway in Rome this week, & much more in this interview. . .

by Mark Lambert

of De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

Cardinal Ouellet’s Oily Anti-Viganò Letter – Rod Dreher
“The Church’s Greatest Crisis” – Fr. James V. Schall S.J., Crisis Magazine
Courage Founder Pushed Bishops to Resist Zero Tolerance on Abuse – Rod Dreher
Allegations Against Priest Who Helped Lead Football Team to Irish National Title – Crux
There are Hopeful Signs from Rome, But Stay Vigilant – Msgr. Charles Pope, NC Register
On McCarrick, Vatican Responses are Tardy, Not Reassuring – Phil Lawler, Cthlc Culture
Do Vatican Officials See Abuse Crisis as a Referendum on the Pope? – NC Register
Scicluna on Pope: “Give Him Time” – Mark Lambert, De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.
Canadian Bishops Release Lengthy New Document on Abuse – A.A.J. DeVille, The CWR
Bishop Barber of Oakland: We Have Nothing to Hide – California Catholic Daily
Archbishop Scicluna: Don’t Look to Youth Synod for Answers on Abuse Crisis – CNA
Card. DiNardo Welcomes Vatican Inquiry into McCarrick Files – National Cthlc Register
Archbishop Cox of Santiago Becomes Latest Chilean Cleric to Face Charges – Crux
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

Sphere within Sphere at the Vatican Museums (Credit: Flickr)

In Charting New McCarrick Probe, Vatican Concedes Likely Cover-Up

. . .with the announcement, the Vatican’s first formal comment on the McCarrick case since the 88 year-old’s resignation from the College, the coming probe will be the 2nd broad internal investigation born from the current storm.  Notably, given the prior sense among no shortage of Americans that Rome was reluctant to engage a review of its archives in light of the possibility that successive Popes would be implicated in enabling McCarrick’s rise, today’s move represents a head-on tackling of that criticism. . .

by Rocco Palmo,

of Whispers in the Loggia

Card. Ouellet’s Letter to Archbishop Viganò about the Vigano Testimony – Fr. Z’s Blog
Does the New Statement about McCarrick Address the Root Problem? – Fr. Z’s Blog
Ouellet’s Letter Forceful, but Doesn’t Provide Substantial Refutation – Chr. Altieri
Barron Defends U.S. Request for Vatican-backed McCarrick Probe – Ch. White, Crux
Confirmed: Pope to Meet USCCB leaders on Monday – Ch. White & I. San Martín, Crux
Pope’s ‘Thorough Study’ of McCarrick Files Unlikely to Satisfy – Ch. Altieri, The CWR
Three Questions on Pope’s Pledge of ‘Thorough Study’ on McCarrick – John Allen, Crux
Card. Ouellet: Vigano in ‘Open & Scandalous Rebellion’ Against Pope Francis – The CWR
Clericalism, True & False – Peter A. Kwasniewski Ph.D., New Liturgical Movement
Church Leaders Must Face the Truth of Abuse, Card. DiNardo Says – Cindy Wooden, CNS
Pope Francis Orders Review of Vatican McCarrick Files – CNA via The CWR
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time

As Catholic Scandal Unfolds, Pope Francis Looks Increasingly Blameworthy

. . .the report reveals a pope indifferent to the complaints of abuse survivors, & who has surrounded himself with others accused of covering up claims. . .

by Willis L. Krumholz & Robert Delahunty

Cardinal Müller Urges Pope Francis to Seek Reconciliation with Viganò – Catholic Herald
St. Peter Damian’s Battle Against Clerical Sodomy Offers Lessons for Today – The CWR
Did Fulton Sheen Prophesy about the Condition of Our Church Today? – Fr. R. Heilman
Protests Meet Cardinal Maradiaga in El Paso – Banks of the Trinity
Video: Cardinal Müller & Bishop Morlino Address the Present Crisis – Fr. Z’s Blog
Cerberus of Clerical Sexual Misconduct: a Canonical Overview – E.N. Peters J.C.D. J.D.
Each Catholic Diocese in Michigan Raided in Abuse Investigation – CNA via The CWR
Cardinal Nichols to Give Evidence to Abuse Inquiry – Catholic Herald
Cardinal Ezzati Declines to Answer Questions in Chilean Abuse Probe – The CWR
Encouragement, Not Complacency – Russell Shaw, The Catholic World Report
Florida Dioceses Support Investigations of Abuse at Institutions Statewide – The CWR
Note: A new post is published daily at 12:01 am U.S. Central Time