Investigation into Amish, Mennonite sex abuse honored as Pulitzer finalist

This week’s “Weekend Plug-in” column highlights Pittsburgh Post-Gazette religion editor Peter Smith winning recognition as a Pulitzer Prize finalist — a year after he was a key part of a Pulitzer-winning entry for that same paper.

How the SBC sex abuse scandal turned a city hall reporter into a full-time religion writer

(OPINION) Come April, Downen’s work on the “Abuse of Faith” project could earn him and his colleagues a Pulitzer Prize. For now, it has resulted in a new gig for the former City Hall reporter. (“Weekend Plug-In” is a column by veteran religion writer Bobby Ross Jr. Look every Friday for analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith.)

Catholicism and clergy sex abuse: The legal saga continues

(OPINION) It’s been 17 years since The Boston Globe published its groundbreaking series on clergy sex abuse. Some two decades later, a political shift in state legislative bodies and fallout from the #MeToo movement have all collided to bring what many warn is a financial reckoning that could cripple the Catholic church in America.

Analysis, North America, Opinion, Politics, Religion, SocietyClemente LisiDecember 12, 2019Clemente Lisi, Roman Catholicism, Catholic Church, Christianity, clergy sex abuse, lawsuits, Vatican, Pope Francis, priests, Sexual AbuseComment

After a blunt sermon, how will Southern Baptists address sexual abuse?

(OPINION) J.D. Greear, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, called on his flock to confront the predators among them. Other leaders have urged victims to forgive their abusers and avoid tarnishing the church’s reputation.

Opinion, North America, ReligionTerry MattinglyOctober 15, 2019Southern Baptist Convention, J.D. Greear, Clergy Sexual Abuse, ERLC, Bible, Beth Moore, Lifeway Research, SBC Sexual Abuse Advisory Group, Terry Mattingly, Southern Baptists, Christianity, Sexual Abuse

Pope Francis' decree on sex abuse reporting ignores role of lay Catholics

(COMMENTARY) The attempt by Pope Francis to finally create some accountability and transparency is well intentioned, although misguided given that it largely ignores the role of laypeople and relies primarily on clergy self-policing.

Analysis, Primary Feature, Religion, OpinionClemente LisiMay 10, 2019Roman Catholic, Christianity, Clergy sex abuse, pope francis, Clemente Lisi, Primary Feature, primary feature, Secondary Feature, Sexual Abuse

In wake of sexual abuse scandal, a history of other leaks from the Vatican

(COMMENTARY) Let’s take a walk down memory lane of the leaks reported from Catholic circles.

Actor Andrew Rannells misses an opportunity to seriously address clergy sex abuse in new book

(COMMENTARY) In his new book, actor Andrew Rannells reveals that a Catholic priest sexually assaulted him during confession and later at his home following a graduation party. Too Much is Not Enough: A Memoir of Fumbling Toward Adulthood is where Rannells goes into detail about his childhood experiences at a Jesuit high school in Nebraska.

Analysis, Books, North America, Primary Feature, OpinionClemente LisiMarch 27, 2019Catholic church, book review, Christianity, Clemente Lisi, Secondary Feature, secondary feature, Sexual Abuse

Big trend piece to consider: Could the Catholic church in New York file for bankruptcy?

(COMMENTARY) Whether Cardinal George Pell of Australia was found guilty because of anti-Catholic bias is one theory, but the overall takeaway here — editors and reporters take note — is that this case may serve as a bellwether of more to come.