NPR

At Lent, Catholics Reflect On Faith As Sex Abuse Scandal Shakes The Church

On the first Sunday of Lent, NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Sister Joan Chittister about the holiday's meaning amid the ongoing abuse scandal.
Rosaries are sold by a vendor in Mexico City on Sept. 22, 2017.

Lent is meant to be a time of reflection for Christians around the world. But once again this year, it comes at a time of deep disquiet within the faith. Sexual abuse and misconduct scandals have continued to rock the Catholic Church, leading many to question their religious institutions, or even their faith itself.

Just this past week, a French Catholic Cardinal was of covering up dozens of incidents of sexual abuse by a priest in his diocese.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min read
Tornadoes Tear Through The Southeastern U.S. As Storms Leave 3 Dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could march through parts of the South early Thursday, after deadly storms a day earlier spawned damaging tornadoes and massive hail.
NPR6 min read
A New Face, And New Chapter, In R&B's Unstoppable Rap Makeover
Dallas singer 4batz rose from obscurity to a breathlessly awaited debut in barely a year — but his arrival is part of a tense exchange between hip-hop and R&B more than a decade in the making.
NPR3 min read
FTX Says It Will Return Money To Most Of Its Customers
FTX says that nearly all of its customers will receive the money back that they are owed, two years after the cryptocurrency exchange imploded, and some will get more than that.

Related Books & Audiobooks