Articles

When crisis calls for renewal
Facing the church’s open wounds

The scandal of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church has dominated the headlines of daily news and caused outrage, sadness, confusion and questions about faith at the deepest levels. After the initial shock, some respond by advocating for a more democratic organization where the laity and clergy have an equal voice, while others blame the mandatory celibacy for priests as a root for child abuse. We’ve decided to take a look at the gift of celibacy and the reasons behind it. The problem of sexual abuse by clergy is complex and requires a deeper look at the causes and at relationships that foster exclusivity, as opposed to communion among all — where the joys and struggles are shared and carried together.