Joseph Ratzinger
I forgive Pope Benedict. I hope others can too.
By Thomas Reese — February 22, 2022
(RNS) — I see Benedict as a holy but flawed individual who did the best he was capable of.
Pope Benedict faulted over sex abuse claims: New report is just one chapter in his – and Catholic Church’s – fraught record
By David Gibson — February 1, 2022
(The Conversation) — Pope Benedict XVI’s many years of wrestling with the abuse crisis highlight the Catholic Church’s broader challenges addressing it.
The lesson for Catholic bishops from Benedict report: Apologize, apologize, apologize
By Thomas Reese — January 31, 2022
(RNS) — Bishops might spend Lent doing penance, living on bread and water, camped out on the steps of their cathedrals.
Vatican child protection expert says prelates should apologize for abuse cover up
By Claire Giangravé — January 24, 2022
(RNS) — After a recent report accused Benedict XVI of abuse coverup, Vatican child protection expert calls for those involved to apologize.
Former pope was at meeting where pedophile priest discussed
By Associated Press — January 24, 2022
BERLIN (AP) — Retired Pope Benedict XVI has acknowledged that he did attend a 1980 meeting at which the transfer of a pedophile priest to his then-diocese was discussed, saying an editorial error was responsible for his previous assertion that he wasn’t there. Authors of a report on sexual abuse between 1945 and 2019 in […]
Pope vows justice for abuse victims after Ratzinger faulted
By Nicole Winfield — January 21, 2022
ROME (AP) — Francis said the church was continuing to discern the way forward in the abuse scandal, which has discredited the Catholic hierarchy at the Vatican and around the world.
Kin of dead sex abuse victim sue under new California law
By Brian Melley — January 12, 2022
LOS ANGELES (AP) — After decades of dealing with the boyhood trauma of being molested by a priest, Jim Bartko sued the Roman Catholic church two years ago. But the lawsuit was dismissed when he died four days after speaking publicly about it. A new law has now revived his case, allowing his estate to […]
Communion ban for pro-choice politicians is an old story, but the stakes have grown
By Claire Giangravé — June 7, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — While this debate has happened before, the context in the US Catholic church and its dynamic with the Vatican have changed.
Four reasons for the Vatican’s action on Communion for pro-choice politicians
By Thomas Reese — May 26, 2021
(RNS) — When bishops argue in public, it disturbs the myth of a united magisterium.
The future of Catholic liturgical reform
By Thomas Reese — April 13, 2021
(RNS) — Other than sex, nothing is more heatedly debated in the Catholic Church than the liturgy.
Hans Kueng, dissident Catholic theologian, dies at 93
By Geir Moulson — April 6, 2021
BERLIN (AP) — Kueng was an influential voice for liberal Catholics and a prolific author, challenging Catholic doctrines on papal authority, birth control, divorce and other issues.
McCarrick gifts for bosses expose flaws of Vatican practice
By Thomas Reese — January 2, 2020
(RNS) — Gifts that Theodore McCarrick made to Vatican officials raise questions about whether the donations were buying access or protection.
Benedict’s unfortunate letter ignores the facts on the Catholic sex abuse crisis
By Thomas Reese — April 15, 2019
(RNS) — The pope emeritus' comments on sexual revolution are part of his campaign against theologians who, in his view, opened the floodgates to all sorts of sexual sins.
Doubts about Viganò’s accusations aside, Pope Francis needs a better response
By Thomas Reese — August 28, 2018
(RNS) — No proponent of transparency while U.S. nuncio, Archbishop Vigano now paints himself a born-again defender of the abused. The Vatican's only credible response is to say what it knew and when.
Humanae Vitae: Sex and authority in the Catholic Church
By Thomas Reese — July 20, 2018
(RNS) — Many Catholics left the church over the teaching, but even more stayed and simply ignored it, giving rise to the concept of 'cafeteria Catholics,' who picked and chose which teachings they would accept.
