There was a time when a new papal document brought eager anticipation: What would the Holy Father help us understand more deeply about Christ and the life of faith? For Sheryl Collmer, that confidence has given way to apprehension. In this article, originally published in Crisis Magazine, she reflects on the particular sorrow of losing trust in spiritual fathers—the men Catholics are taught to turn to for guidance, protection, and the care of their souls.

With characteristic bluntness, Collmer examines the damage she believes Church leaders have inflicted through scandal, failures of accountability, and silence when courage was needed. She points to Bishop Joseph Strickland as an example of the shepherding she longs to see and asks why the faithful have so often been left waiting for meaningful reform. Her argument leads to an uncomfortable question: When Church authorities fail to protect their people or account for their stewardship, should they be surprised when those people welcome scrutiny from outside?