UNITED STATES
Bilgrimage

As a new work week begins, more outstanding commentary from Jerry Slevin about the challenges that the Philadelphia archdiocesan trial poses to the Catholic hierarchy, and lessons the U.S. bishops might take away from that trial, as they convene in Atlanta this week for their semi-annual meeting. As always, Jerry speaks out of years of experience as a highly effective and well-trained Harvard-educated attorney. The following is Jerry’s text:

BACKGROUND ON CHALLENGES

2002—Shocking Boston Revelations:

Ten years ago, the Boston Globe shocked millions of American Catholics. Its investigation revealed widespread sexual abuse over decades of numerous defenseless Boston children by many predatory priests. The Globe found that known rapist priests often had been protected and reassigned by Cardinal Law. The Cardinal then fled to the welcoming comfort of a Vatican villa, shielded from prosecution by purported Vatican immunity.

An outraged American public pressured U.S. Bishops in…