About This Issue

Abstract

About This Issue Rodger Van Allen, Co-editor Our lead article, “The Called, the Chosen, and the Tempted: Psychologists, the Church, and the Scandal” by Tom McCarthy (United States Naval Academy) makes a major and fresh contribution to the history and analysis of the sex abuse scandal, as he points to two and possibly three junctures before 2002 when clerical sexual abuse might have been detected and acted on as a systemic problem within the church. Bernadette McCauley (Hunter College) in “Nuns’ Stories: Writing the History of Women Religious in the United States” demonstrates that twenty-five years after the first conference organized by the Conference on the History of Women Religious in 1989, the history of American sisters is firmly rooted in first-rate scholarship. She highlights some major themes that have emerged and suggests some areas for further research. Dolores Liptak (Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, CT) is a Sister of Mercy of the Americas who has pioneered the creation of the Archivists for Congregations of Women Religious. It was this ministry that led her to organize and computerize several key religious archives, including the Baltimore Carmel archives that have formed the basis for this highly engaging cover essay, “Living the Carmelite Mission: ‘Or, Rather of What Use Is Delphina?’” The article offers great insight into the meaning of contemplative vocation and is a grand celebration of 225 years of contemplative life in America. Please check out the cover photos. Our award-winning book review section shares thoughtful insights into ten books that illustrate the multi-disciplinary character of American Catholic Studies. [End Page i] Copyright © 2014 American Catholic Historical Society