More than 450 church leaders from around the world came to the Vatican in early October to debate this and other questions during the latest synod, a monthlong meeting to discuss the church’s future. Their conclusion: more research is needed.
The Vatican is in day two of a four-day long conference on sex abuse. One survivor and now advocate says there are some promising signs — but says the summit should be the beginning of many conversations about new regulations.
“The conservatives have declared war and they are convinced they can reform the Church with a frontal attack,” a senior Vatican prelate said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because “the line is silence” now.