Frank Schindler of Baltimore writes the Baltimore Sun, "Bishops show lack of interest in pedophile victims":
I participated in a recent SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) press conference outside the Marriott Waterfront Hotel to urge the newly elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to consider some suggestions related to pedophile priests ("Baltimore’s Archbishop Lori elected VP of bishops’ conference," Nov. 15). As we were talking to the press, I noticed another group with signs and a bishop talking with them and offering them a blessing. They were an anti-abortion group, thanking the bishops for “protecting children.”
Can you imagine the hypocrisy of this moment? Here are survivors of childhood sexual abuse and assault asking the bishops to please help protect children who were abused by priests — whether five, 10, 20 or 40 years ago — and their concern was “protecting children” who are not born yet. This is a very sad commentary on the heart of the issue with the Catholic Church and the long history of pedophile priests molesting children, along with efforts to hide the abuse, obstruct justice and protect the priests.
Brian Bushard reports, "Baltimore Catholic Archdiocese Covered Up Sexual Abuse Of More Than 600 Victims, Probe Finds":
A criminal investigation into the Archdiocese of Baltimore revealed clergy members and other church staff sexually abused more than 600 young victims over 80 years, according to a court filing released Thursday from the Maryland Attorney General’s office—the latest probe into sexual abuse allegations rattling the Catholic Church.
Massimo Faggioli and Hans Zollner state, "The abuse crisis should be the center of the pope's ongoing synodal process":
If there is an issue on which Catholics in many countries will decide to stay or to leave, it is the reform of the church as a credible response to the abuse crisis.