The challenge for Americans in a turbulent, anxiety-producing and, at times, dangerous world is to remain vigilant while keeping despair at bay.

I am a childless woman who has had a very happy, and blessed, life. For over 50 years, I have had a stake in the well-being of my country as well as in its future.

We have learned a lot about sexual abuse by Catholic clergy since The Boston Globe unveiled its investigation in 2002, writes an expert in child protection. That is bringing us closer to the goal of seeing no new cases.

Strong laws and codes of conduct for law enforcement officers already exist, but mechanisms for oversight and accountability are needed, writes Kathleen McChesney.

ProPublica is advancing the painfully slow disclosure of the names of sexual abusers, writes Kathleen McChesney, who headed the U.S. bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection.

Would full disclosure of the names of clergy offenders help these survivors and the countless other men and women who have still not reported their abuse to come forward?

From 2002 until 2005, McChesney helped the bishops to implement the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Key findings of the John Jay College Study on clergy sexual abuse

Reassessing the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

Since the revelation in 2002 of sexual abuse cases involving Catholic priests in the United States, over 500 accused priests have been temporarily or permanently removed from ministry. This number is not expected to increase significantly, largely because the abuse-prevention policies and procedures