June 2012

Vol. 77, No. 6

Cover

SPECIAL REPORT: Are we there yet?

The sex abuse crisis at 10

Take it to the board

By Bob Smietana
The diocesan review board is one of the most important reforms of the sex abuse crisis, but its ability to keep predators out of priestly ministry depends on the prelate in charge.

Reader Survey

Needs improvement

By Scott Alessi
Over the past 10 years the church has come a long way in cleaning up its act, say U.S. Catholic readers, but it’s still too early to declare the sex abuse crisis over.

Interview

We can do better

An interview with canon lawyer Nicholas Cafardi
The 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was a blueprint for restoring trust in the church, says this member of the first National Review Board. Unfortunately, a few bishops are still ignoring the plans.

Web-only sidebar:

Consulting the faithful: Why bishops should use review boards and how they work

Feature

Cuban comeback

By Araceli Cantero
Long isolated by a hostile government, the Catholic Church in Cuba is helping to bring about a new way of life on the island.

Web-only sidebars:

Timeline: A brief history of church-state relations in Cuba

Essays

All together now

By Dominic Perri
It takes teamwork to run the modern church, but priests and laypeople need to agree on who is calling the plays.

Take the plunge

By Karen Skalitzky
Getting your feet wet isn’t enough; motherhood requires diving in headfirst.

In Person: Crime fighter

By Brian Fraga
Former career criminal David Lukenbill used to be one of the bad guys. Now he’s helping other offenders use their powers for good.

Eyes

By Janet Shook
A picture of Jesus provides a lesson on seeing with the eyes of Christ.

Poem

The Thirty

By Brian Doyle

Departments

Editors’ Note

You May Be Right (Letters to the Editor)

Signs of the Times (News)

Catholic Tastes (Humor)

Culture in Context: Music, book, and film reviews

Glad You Asked: Why do we go to confession?

At Home with Our Faith  (Family spirituality)

Eye of the Beholder (Art meditation)

Columns

The Examined Life: Look who’s talking
By Bryan Cones

Margin Notes: Under the influence
By Kevin Clarke

Culture in Context: Accessory to murder
By Patrick McCormick

Testaments: Minor prophets
By Alice Camille