It’s a big number. A really big number. As in, $4 billion.
As part of its “The Reckoning” series, The Associated Press reported this week that a surge of new abuse claims threatens the Catholic Church like never before — “with potentially more than 5,000 new cases and payouts topping $4 billion.”
THE RECKONING: @AP reporters @MikeRezendes and @nwinfield examine the state of the clergy abuse crisis. Watch the panel discussion on Facebook: https://t.co/yrALNfcLyu
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 4, 2019
Meanwhile, AP reporters and other experts examined the state of the clergy abuse crisis in a Facebook Live panel discussion. Watch it here.
Now, let’s dive into the Friday Five:
Serious question: Is Buttigieg being gay a reason for his low support among black voters in the South? https://t.co/47Z4kLfqEN
— GetReligion (@GetReligion) December 2, 2019
1. Religion story of the week: Pete Buttigieg keeps making major headlines in the Democratic presidential race.
We highlighted his visit to a black church in the South on Sunday, asking a question that news stories mostly ignored: “Is Buttigieg being gay a reason for his low support among black voters in the South?” The New York Times later followed up with another story on Buttigieg and black voters. Still, the key question we raised remained unexplored.
In a different post, GetReligion Editor Terry Mattingly had questions about an NBC News story on Buttigieg and the Salvation Army.
Press doesn’t get why a Catholic priest would withhold Communion from outspoken gay judge https://t.co/EU5iqNYp86
— GetReligion (@GetReligion) December 6, 2019
2. Most popular GetReligion post: Why would a Catholic priest withhold Communion from an outspoken gay judge?
The press didn’t get it, wrote our own Julia Duin in this week’s No. 1 most-clicked analysis.
”I wish reporters would just try, for once, to look at how the opposite side might view this story and ask why a priest took a stand on principle that he knows will cost him,” Duin said.
‘A wakeup call:’ In our interview, British theologian N.T. Wright has some thoughts on the prosperity gospel, climate change and Advent https://t.co/7fyi6VNro7
— Sarah Pulliam Bailey (@spulliam) December 5, 2019
“I’ve taken the view that the word evangelical is far too good a word to let the crazy guys have it all to themselves.” @emmaogreen‘s interview with N.T. Wright is a must-read: https://t.co/H3tei3u9n7
— Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) December 3, 2019
3. Guilt folder fodder (and more): On my weekend reading list, I want to check out not just one but two interviews by leading Godbeat pros with N.T. Wright, the prominent New Testament scholar.
Both the Washington Post’s Sarah Pulliam Bailey and The Atlantic’s Emma Green published recent pieces featuring Wright.
What an incredible life Allan Trimble lived. What a remarkable story @murrayevans wrote about last night’s memorial service that drew more than 3,000 people. This is a must read. https://t.co/Mr2uX3J8JS #TrimbleStrong
— Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyross) December 5, 2019
4. Shameless plug: More than 3,000 people attended a memorial service this week for Allan Trimble, a Church of Christ elder better known as a legendary Oklahoma high school football coach.
My longtime friend Murray Evans covered the service for The Christian Chronicle and wrote about Trimble’s legacy of faith, family and football and his perseverance as he battled Lou Gehrig’s disease the last few years.
So this happened. . . Apparently, most of the church heard me mention my “favorite topless restaurant” during the sermon Sunday. I was attempting to say “my favorite tapas restaurant.” #awkwardmoment 🤭
— gordon dabbs (@gordondabbs) December 5, 2019
5. Final thought: Oh, now I understand. Thanks for clarifying that, preacher friend!
Happy Friday, everybody! Enjoy the weekend!
ybvdadminuser
