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Analysis and commentary on issues that concern the work of FaithTrust Institute.

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Dear Pope:  A “Mystery”?

Dear Pope: A “Mystery”?

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I’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.

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Finally, Some Justice Made

Finally, Some Justice Made

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Good news is hard to come by in the work to address sexual and domestic violence. But last week was a pretty good week.

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Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day

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When 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.

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Dear Pope: About Sr. Margaret . . .

Dear Pope: About Sr. Margaret . . .

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I 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.

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“The Wedding Season . . . for Some”

“The Wedding Season . . . for Some”

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So 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.

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Dear Pope: Now You've Done It!

Dear Pope: Now You've Done It!

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In 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...

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Men’s Laws

Men’s Laws

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The tragic shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman has focused the nation’s attention on a new breed of law called “Stand Your Ground.”

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“’Hope’ Is the Thing With Feathers”

“’Hope’ Is the Thing With Feathers”

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I 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.

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Guest Blog: Easter Reflection - “Violence Against Women and Girls: An Easter Lesson from A Stone”

Guest Blog: Easter Reflection - “Violence Against Women and Girls: An Easter Lesson from A Stone”

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A 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.

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Guest Blog: Passover Reflection

Guest Blog: Passover Reflection

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I can always remember the timing of important events in my life because I associate them with the order of the Jewish calendar.

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"Same Old, Same Old. . ."

"Same Old, Same Old. . ."

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We have become almost numb to the steady stream of disclosures of child sexual abuse: the Roman Catholic experiences continue even with serious efforts to stem the tide, the Penn State tragedy and subsequent campus situations. So in some ways this most recent release of a new documentary, “Standing Silent,” could easily be overlooked.

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The Time to Act is Now!

The Time to Act is Now!

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If 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.

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“I listen  . . .”

“I listen . . .”

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The 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.

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Beyond Belief

Beyond Belief

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International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911 and has been observed each year since as a day to recognize women’s achievements as well as to lift up the issues of gender inequality such as violence against women that continue to plague the human race and diminish the lives of women and men.

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Sure, Mr. President . . .

Sure, Mr. President . . .

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The sad but not surprising story of Mimi Alford’s “affair” with President Kennedy when she was an undergraduate echoes Monica Lewinsky and poses the question:

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“Life is Hard But The Kids Are Alright”

“Life is Hard But The Kids Are Alright”

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February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Seems somehow appropriate with Valentine’s Day in the middle. I wonder, do teens do Valentines? Do they actually “date” anymore? I wonder about the Glee world of high school which teens are navigating. This blog is a shared endeavor with Emily Cohen, our Program and Learning Coordinator.

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Rape is Rape is Rape . . .

Rape is Rape is Rape . . .

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The U.S. Department of Justice has updated its definition of rape. Now we can name more clearly what victims of rape have known for centuries.

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Judge Adams, Part 2: “Judge Not That You Not Be Judged . . .”

Judge Adams, Part 2: “Judge Not That You Not Be Judged . . .”

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Christian 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.

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Judge Adams, Part 1:   “Fathers, do not . . .”

Judge Adams, Part 1: “Fathers, do not . . .”

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I was traveling and speaking at a conference in November when the story broke about Judge Adams beating his teenage daughter, Hilary, on tape.

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You or Someone You Know . . .

You or Someone You Know . . .

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The 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.

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