Primacy vs. synodality

Something that happened at a bishops’ meeting nearly half a century ago raises questions about the Vatican’s action last month telling the U.S. bishops to cancel a scheduled vote on two proposals for self-policing on sex abuse. It also illustrates the built-in tension between two interlocking principles – “primacy” and “synodality” – that today are…

Common Sense and Candor? Four Hopes for the USCCB Meeting in November

Common Sense and Candor? Four Hopes for the USCCB Meeting in November

NCRegister—The victims of this abuse, and all those scandalized by it, deserve the bishops’ very best efforts — Like many in the Church from both the clergy and laity, I am increasingly shocked by the depths of the crisis before us. Every day seems to bring forth new allegations of sexual immorality or the cover-up…