Child sex abuse

The Latest

A view of Baltimore's Basilica nestled amid the city's famed row houses

Archdiocese of Baltimore adds 42 accused individuals to child sex abuse list

Jul 3, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The additional names come following Maryland Attorney General’s April report on child sexual abuse in the archdiocese dating back to... Read more

Cross in the square of the church of San Martín, in Callosa de Segura, Spain.

Jesuits in Spain hire law firm to address alleged sexual abuse of minors in schools

Jun 9, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

The Jesuit delegate in Catalonia has announced that the congregation has taken action in relation to the alleged cases of... Read more

Pope St. John Paul II in 1979.

In Poland, lawmakers condemn disputed report about John Paul II abuse cover-up

Mar 10, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Referring to the report’s use of material taken from communist secret police files, the resolution said it was “an attempt... Read more

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick arrives outside Massachusetts' Dedham District Courthouse for his arraignment on Sept. 3, 2021.

Ex-cardinal McCarrick asks for dismissal of sex abuse case against him, citing dementia

Feb 27, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, 92, filed a motion in a Massachusetts court claiming he is “legally incompetent” to stand trial. Read more

Father Michael Pfleger / Photo: Daniel X. O'Neil CC BY 2.0

Chicago’s Father Michael Pfleger reinstated to ministry 

Dec 12, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Pfleger, a famous Chicago priest known for his social justice activism, has now been exonerated on four different sexual abuse... Read more

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Spanish university publishes independent report on sex abuse victims in Navarra

Feb 14, 2022

By Blanca Ruiz

The Public University of Navarra has published an independent report in which it identified 52 victims of sexual abuse committed... Read more

The Palacio de las Cortes in Madrid, where Spain's Congress of Deputies meets.

Spanish legislature may create commission to investigate sex abuse in Church

Feb 4, 2022

By Blanca Ruiz

Spain’s lower house, the Congress of Deputies, agreed Feb. 1 to debate the creation of a commission to investigate sexual... Read more

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Catholic Church in France raises $22 million for abuse victims

Jan 31, 2022

By Kate Olivera

The Catholic Church in France has secured more than $22 million in compensation for victims of child sex abuse. Read more

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Arlington priest who oversaw child protection office indicted for sex abuse

Dec 30, 2021

By Joe Bukuras

The Diocese of Arlington’s former director for the Office of Child Protection, Father Terry Specht, was indicted last week on... Read more

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick arrives at Massachusetts' Dedham District Courthouse for his arraignment, Sept. 3, 2021.

Theodore McCarrick faces new sex abuse lawsuit in New Jersey

Sep 16, 2021

By Christine Rousselle, Matt Hadro

Three sex abuse lawsuits, including one naming disgraced former archbishop Theodore McCarrick as the alleged abuser, were filed on Thursday,... Read more

St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo, N.Y.

More than 900 abuse claims filed against Buffalo diocese under Child Victims Act

Aug 18, 2021

By Joe Bukuras

At Saturday’s close of the “lookback” window created by New York’s Child Victims Act, more than 900 child sex abuse... Read more

The New York capitol building.

NY bishop hopes Child Victims Act deadline will close a ‘painful and sordid chapter’

Aug 16, 2021

By Joe Bukuras

At the close of the “lookback” window created by New York’s Child Victims Act, Bishop Michael Fisher of Buffalo said... Read more

Screenshot of Jeff Anderson & Associates press conference.

New sex abuse lawsuit names Theodore McCarrick, Fr. Michael Barrett

A new civil sex abuse lawsuit has been filed against former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, also naming Opus Dei priest Fr.... Read more

St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo, N.Y.

Priests of Buffalo diocese continue to face sex abuse accusations

Jul 29, 2021

By Joe Bukuras

Since June more than 90 sex abuse lawsuits involving the Diocese of Buffalo have been filed under New York’s Child... Read more

Press Conference about amendments to Book VI of the Code of Canon Law on June 1, 2021 at the Holy See Press, Rome.

'A welcome necessity': Canon law society praises revisions to Church penal sanctions

Jun 2, 2021

The Canon Law Society of America on Tuesday expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s new revisions to Book VI of the... Read more

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse, New York

Syracuse diocese to hold Mass for Healing amid nearly 400 sex abuse claims

Apr 21, 2021

The Diocese of Syracuse will hold a Mass for Healing on April 29 after nearly 400 sex abuse claims involving... Read more

New York state capitol, Albany.

Law firm tallies 2,800 suits filed against Catholic entities under NY Child Victims Act

Apr 8, 2021

A law firm that frequently represents victims of clerical sexual abuse announced April 6 that it had counted at least... Read more

Church in Australia to implement nationwide protocol for responding to abuse allegations

Jan 28, 2021

Starting in February, the Catholic Church in Australia will have a national protocol for responding to allegations of sexual abuse,... Read more

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden.

Majority of Camden diocese abuse claims left unprocessed amid bankruptcy filing

Oct 5, 2020

The Diocese of Camden filed for bankruptcy last week, leaving abuse settlements unpaid for about two-thirds of the alleged victims... Read more

Western Australian legislative committee recommends preserving confessional seal

Sep 12, 2020

Religious ministers should not be required to violate the seal of confession to report child sex abuse, a committee of... Read more