Today is the 50th anniversary of the release of Humanae Vitae, the papal encyclical that banned birth control. Columnist Michael Sean Winters argues that “even if you think Humanae Vitae got it wrong about the pill, it was prescient about much else.” (Here are all of NCR’s articles commemorating this anniversary.)
As the papal trip to Ireland next month near, clergy sex abuse survivors are hoping Pope Francis will—as he did in Chile earlier this year—admit to the Vatican’s role in decades of cover-up of abuse.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who served as an auxiliary bishop to Cardinal McCarrick for six years, said he was “shocked” about the allegations of sexual abuse and harassment against the cardinal. And Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston says the church needs policies that address bishops’ violations of vows of celibacy.
Meanwhile, some right-wing Catholics are using the allegations to attack so-called “Francis bishops.” (I refuse to link to other, disreputable websites where these attacks are happening.)
ICYMI: Maria Benevento’s powerful stories of asylum-seekers fleeing gang or domestic violence, as Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said such cases should not usually qualify migrants for asylum.
The deadline for the government to reunite the more than 2,500 children separated from their parents at the border is tomorrow. But more than 450 of those parents may have been already deported without their kids, according to a court filing.
A must-read: this in-depth Washington Post piece about why evangelical Christians support Trump, which includes this problematic biblical exegesis: Love thy neighbor meant “love thy American neighbor.” … Welcome the stranger meant the “legal immigrant stranger.”
Global Sisters Report has this story of 140 unbroken years of perpetual adoration by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. I have a personal connection, as my great aunt, Sister Eliza Werrell, was a sister in that community.
This week’s Justice Action Bulletin goes international: protests in Washington State, Maine, Germany and London.
Three books examine unbelief—they’re best read in conversation with one another, our reviewer says.
Speaking of books, I’m a big fan of Quaker writer (and Wisconsinite!) Parker Palmer, who has a new book out about aging.
Best book title I’ve heard in awhile: “I Can’t Date Jesus,” about growing up black, gay and Catholic in Texas. Listen to author Michael Arceneaux’s interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air.
Godspeed to all the theologians and ethicists traveling to Sarajevo for the international event, "A Critical Time for Bridge-Building: Catholic Theological Ethics Today,” which begins tomorrow. Our Josh McElwee will be reporting.
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