“Pauline Year: The Ecumenical Dream of Pope Benedict”
Read a July 2, 2008, essay by the Vatican-watcher Sandro Magister about the Pauline Year–the 2000th anniversary of Paul’s birth.
Faith: Christianity
Iglesia Evangelica Espanola (Spanish Evangelical Church)
The Iglesia Evangelica Espanola (Spanish Evangelical Church), founded in 1869, is a member of the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches, the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the World Methodist Council. It is an administrative organization for Spanish evangelical churches.
“Investigation of Sexual Abuse by Clergy II”
Read the Philadelphia grand jury findings and accompanying report after the case of a Philadelphia clergyman’s sexual misconduct . The archdiocese hired a former sex crimes prosecutor to review the personnel files of all the priests named in the grand jury’s report, and in March 2011 the archdiocese placed 21 priests on administrative leave pending a final report.
“Bishop admits failure in priest’s child pornography case”
Read National Catholic Reporter coverage from May 23, 2011, of the case of the Rev. Shawn Ratigan, the priest of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph who was arrested on child pornography charges.
“Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”
See a copy of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People that was revised in 2011.
“Circular Letter: To assist Episcopal Conferences in developing guidelines for dealing with cases of sexual abuse of minors perpetrated by clerics”
A “circular letter” from the Vatican to all bishops conferences around the world was released May 16, 2011, and presents guidelines for bishops in developing policies on dealing with clergy who molest children. The Vatican also released a summary of the circular letter and a note from American Cardinal William Levada, head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the […]
“The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010”
Read a copy of the John Jay College report, titled “The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010.” The report’s analysis received a great deal of criticism from all sides and continues to generate debate. The report also called on the bishops to develop further uniform and transparent […]
Mark Knutson
The Rev. Mark Knutson is senior pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland, Ore. His church is one of two in the city involved in the New Sanctuary Movement. He has said his congregation would house an immigrant if the person needed sanctuary.
Wiley Drake
The Rev. Wiley Drake is pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif. He has been critical of groups that support illegal immigrants.