Maureen Fiedler

NCR Today: The Vatican delays, but it is way past time that the leaders of our church, in the U.S. and internationally, own up to the horrific nature of the sexual abuse crisis.

NCR Today: I was left wondering about the priests I knew when I worked in the Pittsburgh Diocese. If there was any abuse of any kind at the time, I did not know about it.

NCR Today: Cardinal McCarrick, whatever his office in the church, should, in fairness, be subject to the same civil laws and penalties as others facing similar accusations.

NCR Today: Tri-lingual co-founder of the Quixote Center in Maryland, Dolly Pomerleau is also a founder of the Women's Ordination Conference. She is committed to rectifying injustices of any kind where her actions might make a difference.

Thousands of Central Americans and Mexicans are seeking refuge by crossing our southern border. Most are good people fleeing desperate poverty as well as violent gangs and cartels.

NCR Today: Cats (and dogs as well) sometimes do display a sense of spirituality — not often perhaps, and certainly not all the time. But they seem to sense that they were created by a higher Being and in their best moments, they know they should be kind to each other.

NCR Today: Mary McAleese said the church has long "been a primary global carrier of the virus of misogyny." How true. And this is an area where Pope Francis has fallen way short.

NCR Today: I am not surprised at reports of foul and insulting language from Trump. But this latest is not just a case of "bad language." It is a case of racism, pure and simple.

NCR Today: The women and men of the Catholic lobbying group are a blessing on the Hill, because they speak the Gospel message in the face of legislation such as this.

NCR Today: Patriarch Theodoros II and the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria have decided to reinstate the order of deaconesses in the Greek Orthodox Church. It's welcome news, though it is short of any goal favored by feminists, whether Orthodox or Catholic.

NCR Today: In the midst of this administration, not to mention all the other woes of our world, there are things to be thankful for.

NCR Today: President Trump, like other favorites of the National Rifle Association, is anxious not to blame the availability of guns for any tragedy. But in this case, might both mental illness and guns be to blame? 

NCR Today: Whether the funeral guidelines in the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, for people in same-sex relationships constitute official policy, they reflect a position that some U.S. bishops are emphasizing, against the majority opinion of U.S. Catholics.

It may seem far-fetched to contact our representatives and ask that they invoke the 25th Amendment. But this is an action we must keep in mind as we watch President Trump's behavior.

NCR Today: The Protestant Reformation not only made room for variety in Christianity, it also paved the way for religious freedom and tolerance.

NCR Today: As I savor the richness of the company on the Washington, D.C., Metro every day, it's a wonderful motivator to pray for the incredible variety of human beings.

NCR Today: As we watch and lament the damage done by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, we need to realize that we can act to mitigate the effects of future storms.

NCR Today: The rains and flooding brought to Texas are "a perfect storm of pollution, environmental racism, and health risks" -- worsened by climate change.

NCR Today: Did you know that there is a severe famine in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria? The news has been overshadowed by the incessant coverage of Donald Trump.

NCR Today: I must admit it is difficult finding hope in this "Time of Trump." But hope is possible. Most important for retaining hope: Pope Francis is still in the Vatican.