Morning Briefing

Washington deacon tells Archbishop Wuerl: 'Genuine healing' impossible unless you resign

At least five states attorneys general have announced investigations. Most will be very much like this analysis from New York: The New York attorney general’s new investigation into clergy sex abuse allegations in the Roman Catholic Church could be sweeping, But few criminal cases or lawsuits may come out of the inquiry, whatever its findings.

Timothy Busch, a conservative Catholic lawyer and donor, is denying claims he was consulted on a letter written last month by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò alleging, among other things, that Pope Francis ignored accusations of sexual abuse by a prominent cleric in Washington, D.C.

Amid abuse crisis, women religious call for healing, changes to church structure They advocate giving women religious and the laity authority in abuse cases; putting women religious in positions of authority within the church to thwart clericalism; and including more women religious in the vocation process for priests.

Several communities of sisters joined the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in issuing statements in response to the clergy sex abuse crisis.Communities sound off on clergy sex abuse crisis

Here are a couple of items you may have missed over the weekend:

If the church seeks authentic repentance and repair, it must address the historical roots of the present crisis and open itself to a long-term process of truthful remembering that is oriented to the wisdom of the survivors of clerical sexual abuse. Church must open a process of truthful remembering

We don't need to wait for women to be ordained — there have been laypeople in the College of Cardinals before. Let women have a place at the table now. If we want to reform the church, let's make women cardinals

The Economist sets its gaze on the U.S. Catholic church: The Catholic church in America is as politically divided as the country

In our weekly podcast NCR In Conversation, NCR editors and correspondents discuss the sex abuse crisis.

All of NCR's reporting on the sex abuse crisis is gathered in on spot, a channel page we call Accountability.

Pope Francis' exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate ("Rejoice and Be Glad") has inspired many. NCR and Celebration have the resources to help you on your journey of 'small holiness'.

  • Start your day inspired with daily Scripture reflections. Join NCR's sister publication, Celebration, for Daily Bread, a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings.
  • Or reflect on Pencil Preaching by Pat Marrin. Every morning Pat Marrin breaks open the Word with a pencil sketch and a short meditation.

Other news we're following:

Buenos Aires, Argentina -- Argentinians formally leave Catholic church over stance on abortion They are protesting the church’s campaign against efforts to legalise abortion in the country.

A snapshot from the past: 100 years ago in Spokane. Anti-Catholic group draws attention of authorities

A snapshot of the present from the Pew Research Center: 7 facts about American Catholics

As federal spending cuts and cautious policy mean that fewer refugees are coming to Oregon, Catholic Charities has extended its work with refugees who are already here. Catholic Charities shifts to long-term refugee work

Vice President Mike Pence says: I'm confident no one on my staff wrote the NYT column

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