Why has the Catholic Church made so many controversial statements about Jews as it wrestles with a sexual abuse crisis? One could argue that, in the heart of a wounded Church, a play is being made for the shroud of the victim.
In response to Richard Dawkins’ and Christopher Hitchens’ attempt to arrest the Pope for complicity in the sexual abuse crisis, Frances Kissling argues that the Church only responds to external pressure anyway. What does it matter where it comes from?
Coming from Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, this stunt is likely to provide support for those who believe that atheists and secularists are just out to destroy a church they believe to be evil.
In the latest diavlog in RD’s collaboration with Bloggingheads.tv, Anthea Butler and Michelle Goldberg discuss the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, Christian militias, the GOP’s spiral of extremism, and more.
From an all-male hierarchy that trains priests to look only to their superiors for guidance, to a theological emphasis on secrecy, to the “creeping infallibility” that confers divine authority on church leaders, the Catholic church needs reform—at a structural level. And it’s up to the laity to begin the process.