Catholicism in crisis | John Pilger: take sport back from the corporates | Lib Dems in trouble

Weekly Online Newsletter 16 September 2010 Home Editor's Choice Features Regulars Arts & Books Blogs Subscribe   Editor's Choice IN THIS WEEK'S NEW STATESMAN... As Pope Benedict XVI begins his trip to the UK, this week's New Statesman looks at the troubled state of Catholicism. Geoffrey Robertson QC, who has called for the arrest of the pontiff, attacks the Foreign Office over its refusal to challenge the Vatican's dubious claim to statehood. Elsewhere, in a review of Robertson's new book The Case of the Pope: Vatican Accountability for Human Rights Abuse, John Cornwell says that the Church urgently needs to uncover the roots of the paedophile priest scandal that has made a mockery of its claim to moral authority. But elsewhere, in this week's NS Interview, the historian and journalist Paul Johnson tells Jonathan Derbyshire that the abuse scandal has been "greatly exaggerated" and insists that it will "blow over". Also this week, John Pilger asks if sport can be rescued from corporate dominance, Mehdi Hasan look at how a late surge of support for Ed Miliband has left his brother rattled and Laurie Penny explains why she's proud to say nope to the Pope.. The issue is on sale now, or you can subscribe through the website. Get a FREE copy of Noam Chomsky's Hopes and Prospects when you start your annual subscription today for just £82. The five most read blogs Christine O'Donnell versus Eddie Izzard By Duncan Robinson On Lady Gaga and that meat dress By Laurie Penny The moment we will know who won Labour's leadership contest By James Macintyre Ed Miliband's anti-war credentials By Mehdi Hasan The cuts come under attack from all sides By George Eaton Features Weekly briefing The Kennedy conundrum Mehdi Hasan and James Macintyre On the eve of the Liberal Democrats’ most keenly anticipated conference since they were founded in 1988, Mehdi Hasan and James Macintyre examine the challenges facing a troubled party. Regulars Leader: The Lib Dems need to show distinction to avoid extinction The good cardinal, psychic computers and forbidden fruit By Peter Wilby The Pope has picked the wrong cardinal to beatify. Also, ruminations on the incapacity benefit, Gmail and a former boss. Arts & Culture I'm Still Here (15) By Ryan Gilbey Joaquin Phoenix's rapping has turned him into a joke.     This Week's Issue Kindly note that if you receive this e-mail your e-mail address is being held by us for the purpose of communicating with you on New Statesman related matters. If you do not wish us to e-mail you, please unsubscribe from this list. New Statesman Limited is a Data Controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998. © New Statesman Ltd. 2009. The above information may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient of this email please destroy it. As Internet communications are not secure please note that the New Statesman does not accept legal responsibility for the content of this email message.