Search Result for “"Pope Francis"”
Archbishop Sample ‘shaken to core,’ calls for lay-run abuse investigation
IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring By Ed Langlois PORTLAND, Ore. (CNS) — Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample issued a letter Aug. 20 to western Oregon Catholics in which he expresses shock, anger and discouragement over revelations of clergy sex abuse in other parts of the country. “I have been shaken to the …
Vatican confirms pope will meet abuse survivors in Ireland
IMAGE: CNS photo/Clodagh Kilcoyne, Reuters By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis will meet survivors of sexual abuse during his trip to Ireland Aug. 25-26, but it will be up to the survivors to decide whether any information about the meeting will be released, said the director of …
Update: Pope: Abuse victims’ outcry more powerful than efforts to silence them
By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — “No effort must be spared” to prevent future cases of clerical sexual abuse and “to prevent the possibility of their being covered up,” Pope Francis said in a letter addressed “to the people of God.” “I acknowledge once more the suffering endured by …
Priests’ group says it’s ‘sad, angry, frustrated’ by abuse scandals
By Dennis Sadowski WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Association of U.S. Catholic Priests said its members are “sad … angry … frustrated” over continued reports involving fellow priests and a lack of accountability by bishops. “At every level, our church is in pain,” the 1,200-member organization said Aug. 17. The organization …
Abuse in Ireland: Pressure mounts for pope to address scandal
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis is traveling to Ireland specifically for the World Meeting of Families, but the sex abuse crisis is dominating headlines before his Aug. 25-26 trip. While coverage of clerical abuse in the United States, Chile and Australia continues, …
Fight scandal by giving witness to the Gospel, pope tells young people
IMAGE: CNS photo/Paul Haring By Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Members of the Catholic Church sin and give scandal, it’s true, Pope Francis said, but it is up to each Catholic to live the faith as authentically as possible and witness to the world the love of Jesus. “The best …
Cardinal O’Malley calls for investigation at Boston seminary
By Rhina Guidos WASHINGTON (CNS) — The Archbishop of Boston said in an Aug. 10 statement that he has asked the rector of its main archdiocesan St. John Seminary to go on sabbatical leave immediately and is asking for an investigation of allegations made on social media about activities there …
Bishops, faith leaders condemn Tennessee’s first execution in nine years
By Theresa Laurence NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) — Two Tennessee Catholic bishops called the execution of Billy Ray Irick Aug. 9 “unnecessary.” “Tonight’s execution of Billy Ray Irick was unnecessary. It served no useful purpose,” Bishop J. Mark Spalding of Nashville and Bishop Richard F. Stika of Knoxville said in a …
Argentina Senate votes down abortion decriminalization bill
IMAGE: CNS photo/Agustin Marcarian By David Agren MEXICO CITY (CNS) — The Argentine Senate voted against a bill that would have decriminalized abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Senators voted 38-31 against the measure early Aug. 9 following a 15-hour debate. The measure had been approved in June …
Pope thanks Chilean bishops for steps taken to address abuse scandal
IMAGE: CNS photo/Chilean bishops’ conference By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) — After the bishops of Chile issued a formal apology for failing to listen to clerical abuse victims and drew up national guidelines for responding to abuse allegations, Pope Francis sent them a handwritten letter of thanks. “I am …