Today’s Washington Post reports on a highly troubling story (Arlington Diocese parishioners question need for fidelity oath) about a rising trend in Catholic dioceses to require workers — including volunteers who teach religious education — to affirm some sort of
Flaccid ‘Fortnight for Freedom’ fizzles for fathers
COMMENTARY – Fred Clark
The “Fortnight for Freedom” was a flop.
This was supposed to be a game-changer — the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ big display of political might. But instead it exposed the bishops as inept campaigners and
Woman Says ‘Exorcist’ Priest Abused Her
A Roman Catholic priest “kissed (a woman) on all parts of her body” during a so-called “exorcism” session, and “frequently explained full, passionate kisses as ‘blowing the Holy Spirit into’ her,” the woman claims in court.
“Bad Spirit” invited to the Vatican
by digby
So the Catholic hierarchy decided it needs some professional PR help, what with all the bad press it’s had what with the pedophilia, nun-hating and other throwback policies and the like. Adele Stan reports that they’ve decided to
Catholic bishop faces Vatican’s wrath after he’s busted cavorting with a scantily-clad beauty on the beach
Argentine Bishop Fernando María Bargallo red-faced after footage emerges
Initially denied he was in video, but later admitted he played starring role
Now under investigation by the Vatican and could be de-frocked
A Catholic bishop busted cavorting on a beach
Gerald T. Slevin: The Jury Has Spoken! Will the Pope Now Speak?
In Philadelphia today, the jury in the Philadelphia abuse trial found Msgr. William Lynn guilty of child endangerment. Brian Roewe reports on this story at National Catholic Reporter. Jerry Slevin, a Harvard-trained lawyer who has closely followed this trial, has
Nuns’ leader decries church environment of fear
The leader of the group representing most American nuns challenged the Vatican’s reasons for disciplining her organization, insisting that raising questions about church doctrine should not be seen as rebellion.
Sister Pat Farrell, president of the Leadership Conference of Women
Perhaps we need some help with PR, say Catholic bishops in U.S.
File Under: Ya don’t say!
There’s no doubt that America’s Roman Catholic bishops have had their share of what might quaintly be called bad press. The priest sex-abuse scandal, a Vatican crackdown on nuns, a head-knocking fight with the president
Vatican’s term ‘radical feminist’ says more about cardinals than nuns they rebuke
COMMENTARY
It surprises me a little that the men who run things at the Vatican did not use their most favorite recent pejorative – “feminist” — when they rapped the knuckles of Margaret Farley, a nun who has long been
Vatican Denounces Nun Over Book on Sexuality
The Vatican’s doctrinal office on Monday denounced an American nun who taught Christian ethics at Yale Divinity School for a book that attempted to present a theological rationale for same-sex relationships, masturbation and remarriage after divorce.
The Congregation for the

