If the institutional Church really wants to prevent child sex abuse, it can’t continue to rely on therapists whose theories and practices may fall outside the guidelines of the American Psychological and Psychiatric Associations. Advice that had proven convenient in cover ups does little for real healing. Let’s look at the case of Father Edward … Continue reading Your Hour of Convenient Therapy Is Up

Click here to read, "Church Whistle-Blowers Join Forces on Abuse," by Laurie Goodstein, The New York Times, May, 20 2013 Excerpt: Although they know they could face repercussions, they have banded together to push the new pope to clean house and the American bishops to enforce the zero-tolerance policies they adopted more than a decade … Continue reading Priests and Nuns Form ‘Catholic Whistleblowers’

The Philadelphia priests removed from ministry have three options: 1- Live a life of prayer and penance. 2- Laicization. 3- Appeal to the Vatican. The archdiocese has not updated the public on what each of the priests removed from ministry has chosen. Their choices impact the laity and society in general. There are no official … Continue reading Worth Repeating – We Need More Answers

Black smoke rose at the Vatican today, but I was thinking about the smoke screen here in Philadelphia until the 2011 Grand Jury Report cleared the air. That report, rather than concern or morality, was what prompted Cardinal Rigali to remove 26 "unsuitable" priests from ministry for investigation. According to court documents the Philadelphia hierarchy … Continue reading Questions About Permanently Removed Priests Unanswered

The U.S. broadcast news, with the notable exception of Cokie Roberts - whose mother was ambassador to the Vatican, seems clueless in regard to the mindset of the College of Cardinals. These insulated men don't bother themselves with the daily life of the average American. They are not concerned with popularity or being liked. I … Continue reading Understanding the Vatican Mindset