LONG ISLAND (NY)
Newsday
March 7, 2019
By Bart Jones and Craig Schneider
Clergy sex abuse has brought the Roman Catholic Church to a pivotal moment — one that demands fundamental changes, from removing complicit bishops and ending the secrecy to ordaining women, say church analysts and a sampling of Long Island’s faithful.
Still, both the religious scholars and the parishioners are hopeful about the church’s future. And the Long Island members are clear that they are steadfastly committed to their faith.
“Yes, the church is in crisis and we’re at a turning point, but … I’m a Roman Catholic. It’s who I am,” said James Morgo, 74, who attends Our Lady of the Snow Roman Catholic Church in Blue Point.
“The really horrendous acts were committed by flawed and sick men — not by the church,” Morgo said.
How quickly, and forcefully, Pope Francis addresses the scandal will determine what the church will look like, the parishioners said. For some of the faithful, the pontiff has sent encouraging signs. Others are more skeptical.
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