MORE DETAIL: The Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore just filed for bankruptcy, a day and a half before a new Maryland law takes effect allowing victims of child sexual abuse to sue institutions, no matter how long ago the abuse took place. 1/x washingtonpost.com/religion/2023/… If the claim moves along, the bankruptcy court will set a permanent end-date when alleged victims of abuse in the archdiocese can file claims -- rather than opening a permanent window as the Child Victims Act intended. There's actually a key question -- 2/x

Matt Martens, a former prosecutor who has an upcoming book on biblical justice and has written about the SBC sex abuse reforms, said the Ascol/Barber race is not conservative v liberal, but between a conservative turn and a more fundamentalist turn 1/x #SBC22 @martensmatt1 “Fundamentalism has a more bunker mentality instinct when it comes with dealing with the outside secular world,” he said. “Do we protect ourselves, our children from worldly influences or are we more engaging with the world in our approach?” 2/x

Having covered the Catholic Church for 16 years, I know clergy abuse survivors and advocates never stop demanding accountability at the top and that institutions often resist it. I just had the chance at #SBC2022 to ask new prez and VP of the SBC executive committee about it 1/4 I asked @JaredcWellman and @dsons (elected today as prez and VP of the Southern Baptist's administrative body: What will happen with holding people named in the report accountable? Do you think the leaders named should be? 2/4

“In the past issues that divided evangelicals, such as speaking in tongues, End Times theology, Calvinism - all of those things have receded, and it’s now these social and political issues that define allegiances" @kkdumez on new bedfellows #SBC2022 1/6 washingtonpost.com/religion/2022/… I'm going to share a bit of context/backstories on some of the hot-button issues that are in the ether here at the #SBC22. They include comments and measures from the recent past 2/6

HISTORIANS: The US Catholic bishops absolutely took up this Eucharist document in this way at this time in response to Biden’s election and real concern about that image 1/x Yes, a revival of Communion has been discussed for several years. But Biden’s election brought urgency and focus. 2/x

THREAD: Since the pandemic began, some clergy have called masks and vaccines an infringement on religious liberty, while other clergy call protections a moral duty. A survey out today shows how complicated the role of religion during the pandemic is 1/10 washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/… One fascinating thing: According to most regular churchgoers, their clergy “didn’t say much about the vaccine either way.” Among clergy who did say something, the vast majority (39 pct) encouraged vaccines. Just 5 percent of churchgoers said clergy discouraged vaccinations 2/10

BISHOPSBIDENCOMMUNION THREAD: It's not entirely clear the possible outcomes of the communion document the US Catholic bishops will write 1/x Proponents weren't clear about its purpose. There has been recent talk of a "national policy" or national "guidance" and references to pro-choice pols. But there is pushback on that. The men all want a document about the "meaning" of communion. But they have different views 2/x

NEWS: Thread on what the Vatican thinks of what the US Catholic bishops are doing re creating a new document about communion and pro-choice pols (there’s news in here if you stick with me!) 1/10 The head of the Vatican’s doctrine arm wrote to the US bishops last month saying, essentially, the goal is unity among you. Have a discussion and/or form a national policy, if it helps you be more unified. Here’s the letter itself: scribd.com/document/50739… 2/10

There has been little clarity about exactly what the Catholic bishops who want a communion document want. Something addressing Biden? A national policy? A general theological statement? We got a little more clarity today but it’s still not crystal 1/x The awesome @FrancisXRocca asked Bishop Rhoades, who runs the doctrine committee that would be writing the document: What’s the deal? The next few tweets are the text of his answer verbatim: 2/x

Today is the first day of the annual Catholic bishops’ spring conference and by my read two things emerged: Deep division, and strong emotions and views. A key vote right off the bat showed the men are in some ways split down the middle. #USCCB21 1/6 Bishops have various agenda items but most challenging is the move by some to create a doc about the meaning of communion, including for pro-choice Catholic pols. The bishops did this in 2006 but many conservatives want another one bc of the election of the pro-choice Biden. 2/6

A story and then a thread on bishops, Biden and abortion: U.S. Catholic bishops next month will take a vote aimed directly at the question of whether pro-choice politicians should receive Communion. 1/7
washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/… I spoke to Archbishop Joseph Naumann, leader of the US bishops’ pro-life committee and one of the men pressing for the vote. He noted the bishops took a similar vote in 2004, but said the new effort is urgent because of what he calls a “different climate” on abortion. 2/7

AMAZING NEWS: As part of its efforts to holistically deepen the diversity and inclusion of our journalism and newsroom, the @washingtonpost today just announced a DOZEN new positions, including (per newsroom memo) 1) a managing editor for diversity and inclusion (!): 1/x "A senior leadership position who will act as a convener of regular coverage discussions that will bring together an expanded group of editors, reporters and visual journalists focused on race and identity. 2/x

The Episcopal bishop of DC – who oversees the DC church Trump just stopped at – tells the @washingtonpost she is "outraged" and that neither she nor the rector was asked or told… “that they would be clearing with tear gas so they could use one of our churches as a prop.." 1/3 ..holding a bible, one that declares that God is love and when everything he has said and done is to enflame violence. I am beyond.We need moral leadership and he’s done everything to divide us and has just used one of the most sacred symbols of the Judeo-Christian tradition."2/3

DC’s Episcopal bishop, Mariann Budde, said late Sunday of the St. John's fire: "I'm trying to stay focused on the deeper realities that this whole week is calling our attention to. And I am not condoning violence or destruction of property." 1/x "But I’m trying not to lose sight of the power of a collective witness calling for necessary change and also built-up frustration that has been brewing for so long.” 2/x

In our @washingtonpost investigation of alleged coverup and financial misconduct at the highest levels of the Catholic Church, we simply didn't have room to list everything but specific spending is jarring so read this thread washingtonpost.com/investigations… The spending and gifts to high-ranking clergy came as Bishop Michael Bransfield made no secret of his desire to rise to higher positions in the church -- and included gifts to people close to the pope.