Update on Story of Msgr. Tony Anatrella, Vatican "Expert" on Homosexuality: Archdiocese of Paris Sets Up Commission to Investigate Allegations

An update for you on a story we have discussed here in the past: as I told you this past May (here, here, and here), news reports surfaced in late April and early May in Dutch and French media of new allegations made against the Vatican's "expert" on homosexuality, Monsignor Tony Anatrella. Anatrella has a history of characterizing homosexuality as a psychological disorder that can be "cured" through "reparative" or "conversion" therapy. He was invited to the Vatican's Synod on the Family to advise the synod about the topic of homosexuality, and when a Vatican document instructing new bishops that they need not report allegations of sexual abuse by clergy to criminal authorities came to light and caused consternation, it was revealed that the document was citing Tony Anatrella in giving this advice. 

A Reader Writes: Trump's "Casual / Misogynistic Abuse of Women" Fully Evident in "Easy-to-Recognize" Stalking During Debate

Rachel Fitzgerald's contribution to our discussion of Donald Trump's boasting about sexual assault of women is just too good not to share: she speaks of her and her husband Mark Shumway's response to Trump's attempt during the debates to intimidate Hillary Clinton by looming behind her, stalking her, as it were:

"The Donald Took Evangelicals to a Very High, Huge, Really, Just the Best Vantage Point on Trump Tower and Showed Them All the Riches": Commentary on the Wreckage That is White American Christianity After Trump

Evangelical crypt keeper Pat Robertson excuses the misogynistic talk in Trump tapes as "macho" https://t.co/u1jIiDChpQ

— Jonathan Merritt (@JonathanMerritt) October 10, 2016

Readers Write: "It's Not About His 'Lewd' Language. It's About His Sexually Assaulting Women and Boasting About It"

I wish I lived in a country where sexually assaulting women and bragging about it on tape would disqualify you from the presidency.

— Ijeoma Oluo (@IjeomaOluo) October 8, 2016

In response to my posting yesterday that sought to capture how Twitter lit up following the release of the tape containing the filthy remarks of the Republican candidate for the White House about his sexual assaults on women, readers made some very sharp, valuable comments about how this discussion should be accurately framed:

At Heart of "Odd Bedfellow of Trump and Christian America Is the Fear of the Loss of Privilege — Privilege of a 'White America', Privilege of a 'Christian America', Privilege of a 'Straight America', . . .Privilege of a 'Male America' "

Mark Silk at Religion News Service 

Paul Brandeis Raushenbush writing last evening in Huffington Post:

Twitter Responds to Trump's Lewd, Gross, Sexist Remarks: " 'I Think What Animates Donald Trump Is Faith in God,' Said Mike Pence YESTERDAY"

This recording of Trump should force him to withdraw his name from the race. He is simply not fit to lead. https://t.co/RjCLwWfk8L

— deray mckesson (@deray) October 7, 2016

Pope Francis' Recent Remarks on Gender Theory and Pastoral Accompaniment of Gay People: My Response in a Nutshell

In a nutshell, in case this was not clear when you read my posting yesterday about Pope Francis' recent remarks regarding "gender theory" and the need for gay people to be accompanied pastorally: the word "accompany" has built right into it a reference to bread. We accompany others by sharing (cum) bread (panis). Those we accompany become our companions, those with whom we break bread.