Ep. 11 - Has Pope Francis failed?

This February marked the fifth anniversary of one of Pope Francis' seminal efforts to confront clergy sexual abuse: a first-of-its-kind 2019 Vatican summit with global Catholic bishops about abuse prevention.

In this episode of "The Vatican Briefing," expert journalist Christopher White interviews one of the leading U.S. advocates for clergy abuse survivors about the impact of that summit, and about Francis' wider legacy in confronting clergy sexual abuse. Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of the abuse tracking website BishopAccountability.org, said the summit's effect was "minimal." She especially criticized Francis' signature clergy abuse reform law, issue after the gathering. "Its impact has been insignificant, as far as we can tell," she said.

Also in this episode, White and co-host Joshua J. McElwee have a wider discussion about Francis' legacy on clergy abuse, including his appointment of several controversial bishops and his treatment of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

This podcast and NCR's Future Media Initiative are made possible in part by the generosity of Bill and Jean Buchanan. Please support this podcast by joining NCR Forward, National Catholic Reporter's membership program. 

Relevant links:

The Boston Archdiocese's full statement to The Vatican Briefing about Cardinal Seán O'Malley's record confronting clergy sexual abuse: Boston archdiocese statement

The Vatican Briefing episode featuring Archbishop Charles Scicluna: Vatican's abuse expert says ending priestly celibacy could prevent a 'double life'

Christopher White's coverage of the latest update to Vos Estis Lux Mundi, one of Pope Francis' major efforts to address clergy sexual abuse: Pope Francis makes 'Vos Estis' clergy abuse law permanent

Joshua McElwee's coverage of Pope Francis' final message to the February 2019 Vatican summit on clergy sexual abuse: Francis ends Vatican summit with promise church will 'decisively confront' abuse 

Associated Press reporting on Cardinal Victor Fernández's handling of abuse cases: New Vatican doctrinal chief admits mistakes in handling abuse allegations against priest

Catholic News Service reporting on Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta's conviction in Argentina for abusing seminarians: Retired Argentine bishop sentenced in sex abuse case

Christopher White's coverage in 2023 of complaints about the leadership of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors: Abuse survivors, their advocates cast doubt on leadership of Vatican commission

Joshua McElwee's coverage in 2018 of former members of the commission calling for a reevaluation of its structure and purpose: Former papal abuse commissioners want re-evaluation of group

Joshua McElwee and Christopher White's reporting on the end of the 2023 Synod of Bishops: Pope's major Vatican summit ends without action on women deacons, mention of LGBTQ Catholics