“Nations defined by their Catholicism – Ireland, to name only one – have seen Church influence collapse after the reality of clerical abuse and its cover-up by bishops became known…

“Unless and until proper synodality is used to tackle the real endemic problems of abuse and coverup in the Church, no effort will amount to more than rearranging the deck chairs on a ship that has already struck an iceberg.”

These are the conclusions of CRUX editor-in-chief Charles Collins, in “Synodality Leo-style holds promise: The clerical abuse crisis is the real test” – an article that muses on Pope Leo’s dealings so far with the church’s bishops and cardinal.

Referring to the expressed hope of Pope Leo for a church of safe spaces for ‘fruitful encounter with Jesus Christ’ Collins is disappointed by the published agenda of an upcoming consistory of cardinals:

“Despite these statements, clerical abuse is not on the agenda of the extraordinary consistory taking place this week, and it is fair to say the issue is conspicuous in its absence.”

For the complete CRUX article, click here.