CONTENTS
March 2003
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These are difficult and painful moments in the life of the Church in England and Wales, says Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham. In facing the scandal of the abuse of children by clergy we must remember that the mystery of evil is faced and resolved only in the mystery of the cross.
Karen Sue Smith is editor of Church magazine (www.nplc.org/church), published by the National Pastoral Life Center in New York City. In recounting the events which have dealt a deep blow to the Church in the USA, she concludes that the bishops have made a start. But if trust is to be restored, patterns of secrecy, denial, and resistance among bishops and priests with regard to the laity must change.
Luke Timothy Johnson is Professor of New Testament at the Chandler School of Theology, Emory University, Georgia, USA. He gives here a gospel reflection on the Churchs current scandal one which is larger than sexual crime and the abuse of trust, but about the morality of the entire authority structure (and practice) of the Church.
Eamon Duffy is Professor of the History of Christianity and President of Magdalene College in the University of Cambridge. Here he assesses the impact of scandal on the Church in history and concludes that, while there are no easy answers to the present situation, the past at least provides the comfort of knowing that failure is nothing new.
What exactly constitutes scandal and how does church law deal with it? Franciscan priest Aidan McGrath is a former President of the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland and author of several publications. He explains how Canon Law is intended, even in the present situation, to help bring all of Christs faithful to preserve their communion with the Church (canon 209 §1).
Michael A. Smith is a priest of the Diocese of Pembroke in Canada, and on the formation faculty at St Peters Seminary, London, Ontario. He asks why the sacrament of reconciliation, which is a privileged moment of self-disclosure, is in crisis while there exists a cultural trend whereby many people seek to share intimate details of their lives with someone who is able and willing to listen. He concludes with some suggestions for a way forward.
Peter Turbitt is parish priest of St John Vianney, Wantage, and a canon of the Portsmouth diocese. Here he offers his reflections on the lectionary readings for the Sundays of April and the Easter Triduum.
Jim Richards is Director of the Catholic Childrens Society (Westminster). Here he explains the background to the way adoption is used and regarded, and indicates some concerns at current proposals.
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