This column is being written on the eve of a much-publicized summit meeting of bishops from around the world whom Pope Francis has summoned to Rome to discuss the sex abuse scandal but will appear after it. No matter how that gathering turns out or what the media make of it, the thoughts that follow will stay the same.
A couple of weeks ago my parish's weekly bulletin plugged a session titled "Why Stay Catholic?" Very likely many parishes around the country are having similar sessions as reports of Catholics leaving the Church multiply.
In a way, it's hard to blame people who pack up and quit. The media pummeling over sex abuse that the Church has received for months—years, in fact—has taken its toll on morale, and the widely held perception that the authorities are dragging their feet on reforms certainly doesn't help.
Read Full Article »