This time, we’re told, the Vatican is serious about abuse. Really.
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Nov 29, 2018
Archbishop Scicluna says that the February conference on sexual abuse will be “the start of a global process“ to plan a worldwide response to the scandal.
The start? You mean the process didn’t start when Pope Francis formed the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors? And it didn’t start in 2015, when the Pope told abuse victims in Philadelphia that “we will follow the path of truth wherever it may lead?” And it didn’t start when, three years later, as he met with the members of that commission for the first time, the Pope promised “the application of the firmest measures?” And of course it didn’t start when the American bishops approved the Dallas Charter, way back in 2002?
So all those times in the past, when we’ve been told that the all-out response was underway, it actually hadn’t even begun?
Then why, pray tell, should we believe that it’s going to begin in February?
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
