This week, America and Spoke Studios published “Deliver Us,” a new podcast about the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church.

Maggi van Dorn is the host and executive producer of “Deliver Us.” Following the release of the Pennslyvania grand jury report last summer, Maggi, like so many Catholics in the United States, found herself asking: How did could happen? And what, if anything, could Catholics do to help? She put her resources and audio skills together and decided to create “Deliver Us,” which features survivors, experts and advocates discussing ways in which the church and Catholics can move forward.

We talk to Maggi about how the podcast centers the stories of survivors and what it means to be hopeful as a Catholic during this crisis.

In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis has, for the first time, acknowledged the abuse of Catholic sisters. We discuss why this matters and what it shows us about the sex abuse crisis. Last month, Nicolás Maduro was sworn in as Venezuela’s president, which has led to protests across the country. Political leaders, including President Trump, state that the rightful president is Juan Guaidó, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly. Pope Francis has stated that he is “always available” to assist diplomatically but that these negotiations can only occur if both sides ask for help. Pope Francis has a history of getting involved in Latin America. Why does this matter?

 

On Feb. 7, the Supreme Court allowed the execution of Domineque Ray, a Muslim death-row inmate in Alabama, to proceed without an imam; and a young Catholic asks the pope to go vegan for Lent. Finally, we ask: Do you have an obligation to attend your local parish?

 

Feel free to send us your questions, concerns or cocktail recipes to [email protected], or join us for discussion on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a member of our Patreon community.

 

Links from the show:

Women religious organization issues statement on abuse of sisters

Nun’s Rape Case Against Bishop Shakes a Catholic Bastion in India

U.S. bishops condemn court's denial of imam's presence at execution

Francis expresses openness to Vatican mediation in Venezuela

Venezuela opposition envoys visit Vatican, Rome officials to press Juan Guaido's cause

Open letter asks Pope Francis to adopt vegan diet during Lent

 

What’s on tap?

Coffee

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