Current Events
Dear Pope: A “Mystery”?
Jul 02, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI’m puzzled. In a recent talk in Ireland about the sexual abuse of children by priests, you described the situation as a “mystery” when you addressed the Eucharistic Congress.
Finally, Some Justice Made
Jun 26, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy Ethics, Sexual Abuse by ClergyGood news is hard to come by in the work to address sexual and domestic violence. But last week was a pretty good week.
Happy Father's Day
Jun 17, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Domestic ViolenceWhen I was about nine years old, I remember a dinner table conversation between my father and mother. I think we had just received news that my favorite uncle, the doctor, had beaten up my aunt.
Dear Pope: About Sr. Margaret . . .
Jun 05, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual ViolenceI am just writing to thank you for denouncing Sr. Margaret Farley’s excellent book, “Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics.” This is the best PR any author could possibly get and, as a result, the book has soared to the Best Seller list at Amazon overnight. I realize that God works in strange and mysterious ways, but this is too good.
“The Wedding Season . . . for Some”
May 21, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual ViolenceSo it is the season of marriage and my partner and I delighted in attending our niece’s wedding in Baltimore last weekend. It was a three day party bringing together family and friends in celebration of their love for each other, their hope for the future, and their commitment to journey together, come what may.
Dear Pope: Now You've Done It!
May 03, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyIn going after the nuns in the U.S., you have struck a rock. You are attacking the church’s representatives who are the face of the church where it matters most--- in the hospitals, the schools, the parishes...
Men’s Laws
Apr 20, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against WomenThe tragic shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman has focused the nation’s attention on a new breed of law called “Stand Your Ground.”
“’Hope’ Is the Thing With Feathers”
Apr 12, 2012 — Categories: Current EventsI have been watching the live cam coverage of the eagles’ nest in Decorah, Iowa, since early March along with thousands of others. This pair of eagles returns to this nest each spring to lay eggs, hatch them, tend the eaglets and then launch them into the air. This has become part of my spring/Easter ritual.
Guest Blog: Easter Reflection - “Violence Against Women and Girls: An Easter Lesson from A Stone”
Apr 04, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Christian, Violence Against WomenA group of terrified women watch as their friend and relative is humiliated, violently beaten, and killed while the authorities refuse to help. If the women speak up or even cry aloud, then they could suffer the same fate as their loved one.
Guest Blog: Passover Reflection
Apr 01, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Jewish, Domestic ViolenceI can always remember the timing of important events in my life because I associate them with the order of the Jewish calendar.
The Time to Act is Now!
Mar 19, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against WomenIf you care about violence against women, you should care about the Violence Against Women Act. It's up for renewal in the U.S. Congress. And for the first time in its history, it's becoming partisan. Sen. Orin Hatch (R) and Sen. Joe Biden (D) were the first co-sponsors. And every renewal since has been with strong bipartisan support. Until now.
“I listen . . .”
Mar 13, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy Ethics, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThe Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, was recently interviewed on 60 Minutes, discussing his efforts since becoming Archbishop to address the sexual abuse of children by priests.
Judge Adams, Part 2: “Judge Not That You Not Be Judged . . .”
Jan 14, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child AbuseChristian scripture is very clear. In Romans, Paul doesn’t mince words about the hypocrisy of sitting in judgment on another . . . when you are doing the exact same things.
Judge Adams, Part 1: “Fathers, do not . . .”
Dec 30, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Child AbuseI was traveling and speaking at a conference in November when the story broke about Judge Adams beating his teenage daughter, Hilary, on tape.
You or Someone You Know . . .
Dec 27, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Domestic ViolenceThe latest study on sexual assault was released in December and for some suggested a new awareness of how widespread sexual violence against women really is. In fact, the new figures by and large merely confirm what we know from earlier studies: violence against women is an all-too-common experience. The bottom line: 1 in 3 women report being victims of rape, beating and/or stalking.
16 Days is Not Long Enough
Nov 20, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Other, Sexual ViolenceThis time last year I was on my way to Capetown, South Africa, to visit my friend, Elizabeth Petersen and the South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI). This was my first trip to this massive continent and, like so many people, I immediately fell in love with South Africa.
The Church of College Football
Nov 10, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual ViolenceA former defensive coordinator for the Penn State football team, Jerry Sandusky (a priest in the Church of College Football), has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse of boys over a 15 year period.
“Corrective Rape”? No, Hate Crime
Oct 24, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Sexual Violence“Corrective rape.” When I first heard this term, I stopped dead in my tracks. Having thought that I had heard it all when it came to violence against women, here was yet another perverse variation of rationale for sexual assault.
"If there's one place that you should be safe . . .”
Oct 15, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Domestic Violence"If there's one place that you should be safe, it should be in your house of worship." This was the comment made by Sheriff Grady Judd in Polk County, Florida, as he began to unravel the murder of a wife by her husband who then went to their church and shot the pastor and assistant pastor in the middle of Sunday services.
Dear Pope: Deep Trouble
Oct 03, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy Ethics, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI do wish you had called me. Now you are in deep trouble. I see that human rights lawyers have filed a complaint against you with the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
