Wisdom Wednesday | May 25th

Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday, exploring this week some topics we’d rather not look into: Southern Baptist sex abuse, a James Bond story at the Vatican, Pelosi denied in San Francisco receives Eucharist in Washington, targeted killings of Black persons, the possible loss of an American objective news outlet, and the reality that Pope Francis is mortal.

But first, perhaps there is synodal wisdom to be found at the Italian bishops’ conference, underway now. Pope Francis opened the gathering on the theme,

Listening to the Narratives of the People of God: The first discernment: What priorities are emerging along the Synodal Journey?

Also, underway, Laudato Si’ Week, May 22-29, marks the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on creation care. Join the celebration of the  seven Laudato Si’ Goals and share them on the Laudato Si’ Week events page.Click HERE to find out how you can participate.

The Southern Baptist Convention

Now, the sad reality: “Southern Baptists Refused to Act on Abuse, Despite Secret List of Pastors,” according to Christianity Today. The SBC Executive Committee staff saw advocates’ cries for help as a distraction from evangelism and a legal liability, stonewalling their reports and resisting calls for reform.

An alleged assault by former SBC president may be most damaging part of explosive report.

Religion News Service reports that Southern Baptist leaders mistreated abuse survivors for decades.

A Religion News Service columnist concludes that scapegoating a few leaders will not transform the SBC.

Abortion and Communion

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, who has repeatedly confronted the House speaker over her backing of abortion rights, said her stance was a “grave evil.”

However, although banned in San Francisco, Pelosi receives Eucharist in Washington.

Jewish columnist, Jeffrey Salkin, weighs in on the topic: Should religion influence abortion policy? He concludes, “Your theological claim cannot be the law of the land. This is America and this is 2022.”

At the Vatican

A trial underway, to one observer last Thursday, seems like a James Bond movie. Included are relics and militants, in a story about Vatican fraud.

Possible loss of Catholic News Service

The reorganization of the Catholic Communications for the U.S. bishops “opens the door to partisan and ideological church coverage,” according to an article in America Magazine.

At National Catholic Reporter, Michael Sean Winters says the plan shows the bishops have lost interest in civic engagement.

The AUSCP has issued a statement in support of CNS, and encourages members and friends to contact their bishops to ask for a reversal of the proposal.

Impact on Blacks of White Supremacy

A survey conducted before a White gunman killed 10 Black people at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, found around a third of Black adults (32%) said they worried every day or almost every day that they might be threatened or attacked because of their race or ethnicity. Black Americans are also consistently more likely than people in other racial and ethnic groups to express concern about gun violence and violent crime.

Avoiding a deadlocked conclave

Before he dies or retires, Pope Francis needs to make changes in the process of electing a new pope to avoid the possibility of a deadlocked conclave. So says Tom Reese.

And also . . . 

• Feminist theologian Dr. Rosemary Radford Ruether, died on May 21, 2022, at age 85. She was an internationally renowned Catholic scholar activist who leaves scores of books, countless articles, more than a dozen honorary degrees, and academic distinctions of every kind.
• Willow Creek, following pandemic losses, cuts staff
• The only Trappist Abbey Brewery in the United States announces its closing