The Catholic Church has long been plagued by sickening
scandals involving priests abusing children. And there is reportedly
another scandal coming — this one of the pope's own making.
Two people with direct ties to the Vatican tell me that
Pope Francis, following the advice of his clubby group of allies in the
curia, is pressing to undo the reforms that were instituted by his
predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI in handling the cases of
abuser priests. Francis is pushing ahead with this plan even though the
curial officials and cardinals who favor it have already brought more
scandal to his papacy by urging him toward lenient treatment of abusers.