Can the Catholic Church Be Saved? Holy Cross Professor Opines on NBC News

Mathew Schmalz, associate professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross, was called upon by NBC News to share his opinion on the recent grand jury report revealing widespread abuse among 300-plus Pennsylvania priests.

In a video commentary for NBC News' digital opinion hub "THINK," Schmalz pointed to the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church as the main factor in the lack of accountability throughout the Church. "The Catholic Church is very top down and laity, it's often said, have to pay, pray and obey," said Schmalz.

According to Schmalz, the Church can find its way back from this crisis through "substantive reforms in terms of transparency, particularly listening to the voices of laity, and particularly listening to the voices of women."

A sought-after expert on the Catholic Church and the papacy, Schmalz has published opinion pieces in Newsweek, Salon, The Washington Post, Fortune Magazine and Huffington Post. He also has provided expert commentary to CNN, USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC’s Good Morning America, NPR, CNBC, and U.S. News & World Report, among others.

To watch the video, please click above or go to NBCNews.com.