The big issues for the 2020 Plenary Council
John Scanlon discusses the relationship between governance, engagement with women in leadership and sexual abuse in the Church.
Mercy and the lying game
James Alison is a priest, theologian, lecturer, retreat giver and itinerant preacher who lives in Madrid, Spain. This is the second part of an article about homosexuality and the priesthood. Reprinted with permission from The Tablet August 11, 2018.
Today’s seminaries need to be inclusive
Michael W Higgins, distinguished Professor of Catholic Thought, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, is a biographer of Thomas Merton and Jean Vanier and co-author with Kevin Burns of the forthcoming Impressively Free: Henri Nouwen as a Model for a Reformed Priesthood. He writes that radical change in the training of priests is needed to combat clericalism. Reproduced with permission of the Publisher, The Tablet: The International Catholic News Weekly, 12 January 2019. www.thetablet.co.uk
Pope Francis on the sexual abuse crisis
Pope Francis wrote to the US Catholic Bishops on 1 January 2019. Francis calls for the spiritual practice of discernment, working together and the seeking of unity. Below is an abridged text.
Archbishop Fisher’s Christmas message disheartening
John Buggy, on behalf of the Australian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform (ACCCR), wrote an open letter to respond to Archbishop Fisher’s Christmas homily and his comments on religious freedom. ACCCR comprises twelve separate member organisations representing thousands of Catholics who seek reform in our Church. Members include clergy, religious and lay people across Australia.
