Crisis of Faith? Scandal, Pope Francis, The Synod, And Young People

September 17, 2018 | This is a time of crisis for the Catholic Church. The horrific Pennsylvania grand jury report on clerical sexual abuse and revelations about Cardinal McCarrick have led to outrage and calls for action. Appalled at the abuse of vulnerable children and young people and the sin, injustice, abuse of power, and broken trust at the heart of this crisis, Catholics seek accountability, reform, and a path forward.

Young people are at the heart of this crisis, yet their voices are too often unheard. Young Catholics should be central to efforts at renewal. Because of this, Pope Francis’ decision to call a global “Synod on Young People and the Faith” this coming October in Rome is more important than ever.

As the inaugural event of this year’s Salt and Light Gatherings, Georgetown University invited young Catholic professionals to a discussion on this crisis and responses to it, which featured four young leaders: a Catholic opinion columnist at the Washington Post who has raised challenging questions in the wake of the crisis; a leader in D.C.’s Catholic community who will attend the synod; a leading Rome-based journalist covering Pope Francis and the Vatican; and an accomplished writer who has edited a collection of stories of those hurt by the Church. Kim Daniels, associate director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, moderated the conversation.