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Crumbling papal foundations?
Ken Briggs, National Catholic Reporter
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Pope Francis has evoked enormous adulation on the strength of his reputation for honesty and openness. His authority stems from those qualities embodied in a gregarious, self-effacing style that preaches mercy. It rests on the integrity of his word. If it is shown to have been compromised in a major case involving clergy sex abuse, the most destructive scandal in centuries for the church, the foundation of Francis’ papacy could crumble.