VATICAN CITY (RNS) In his new book, “Church, Interrupted: Havoc & Hope: The Tender Revolt of Pope Francis,” papal historian John Cornwell forecasts the repercussions Pope Francis may have for the Catholic Church, portraying Francis as a priest, bishop and pope who has never been afraid of paving his own way.
“I have focused on a consistent feature of his papacy: a capacity to hold opposites in tension, his many paradoxes giving rise to disruption,” Cornwell writes.
A veteran writer on Catholic affairs, Cornwell is very much aware of the profound challenges facing the church today. Priestly vocations are dropping, pews remain empty and the sexual abuse and financial scandals in the Vatican have seeded doubt in the institution.
Civil Lawsuits Are the Only Way To Hold Bishops Accountable for Abuse Cover-UPS
Victims or their family members react to a Pennsylvania grand jury investigation that identified more than 1,000 child victims of clergy sexual abuse
These revelations are shocking but not surprising given the history of the church’s sexual abuse scandal.
Since 1984, similar disclosures from around the country have made national headlines and brought shame to the church.
Yet the few criminal prosecutions of church officials for such cover-ups have either been dropped or resulted in small fines or, in one case, probation.
Civil lawsuits – legal claims brought by abuse victims for money damages – have consistently been the only effective way to make Catholic church officials publicly and concretely accountable for their decadeslong cover-up of unspeakable crimes. I argued this in my 2008 book, “Holding Bishops Accountable.” It is still true today.
Book emphasizes reality of spiritual warfare, need for vigilance and forgiveness catholicworldreport.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from catholicworldreport.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pope Francis waves from the central balcony of St. Peter s Basilica following his election March 13, 2013. March 13, 2021, marked the eighth anniversary of the Argentine cardinal s election as pope. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Eight years ago today, Pope Francis emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Square for the first time, clad not in the red ermine cape and new red loafers prepared for the next pope, but in a simple white cassock and his old black orthopedic shoes.
His simple apparel set the tone for what would become a whirlwind papacy including 52 papal trips, six major documents, three synods and thousands of speeches and homilies aimed at shifting the church toward simplicity, collegiality and care for the poor and outcast.
The McCarrick Report -- After the dust has settled renewamerica.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from renewamerica.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.