Clerical sex abuse

The Latest

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Ex-priest sentenced to 15 months in prison for molestation of minor with cancer

Feb 28, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The judge condemned the sexual assault of a child and said the laicized priest took advantage of the family’s need... Read more

Father Fernando Gonzalez,

Texas priest arrested over allegation of sexual misconduct with minor

Feb 19, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Brownsville Bishop Daniel Flores said in a statement last week that diocesan officials had received an allegation against Father Fernando... Read more

Bishop Georges Colomb of La Rochelle and Saintes was reportedly charged on Nov. 17, 2023, with attempted rape of an adult man in 2013.

French bishop charged with attempted 2013 rape of adult man

Nov 21, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis has appointed an apostolic administrator of the La Rochelle and Saintes Diocese, while Bishop Georges Colomb will retain... Read more

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

Pastor removed from ministry after report about $200,000 in sex abuse hush money

Oct 16, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Father Paschal Morlino, OSB, who has been removed from his 30-year tenure as pastor of a local parish, denies any... Read more

Delegates at the Synod on Synodality participate in small-group round table discussions Oct. 9, 2023.

Vatican safeguarding group calls on Synod on Synodality to address abuse in the Church

Oct 10, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has called on the synod to discuss sexual abuse this month. Read more

Church of the Society of Jesus in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Jesuits in Bolivia call lawsuit filed by alleged sexual abuse victims ‘senseless’

Oct 4, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The lawsuit was filed on Oct. 2 by a group of former students of the John XXIII School in Bolivia... Read more

Father Hans Zollner.

Celibacy is not a direct cause of sexual abuse, Jesuit expert says

Sep 29, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The psychologist said that “celibacy is not a direct cause of abuse; what can become a risk factor is a... Read more

The 2023 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is being held Sept. 25-28, 2023, outside of Toronto, Ontario.

Canadian bishops address protection of minors and vulnerable adults at meeting

Sep 27, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

On the second day of the 2023 Plenary Assembly, a bishops’ committee provided recommendations on diocesan policies focused on protecting... Read more

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

Baltimore Archdiocese considers bankruptcy amid possible sex abuse lawsuits 

Sep 6, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

On Oct. 1, a new law will go into effect that ends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related... Read more

St. Mary Cathedral in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

UPDATED: Wyoming bishop cleared of abuse by the Vatican dies at 91

Aug 25, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The former bishop of Cheyenne, Joseph Hart, was accused on multiple occasions of sexual abuse of minors, but claims were... Read more

Australian Cardinal George Pell leaves after being released from Barwon Prison near Anakie, some 70 kilometers west of Melbourne, on April 7, 2020.

Catholic Church loses bid to have abuse lawsuit thrown out in Australia

Aug 25, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Court of Appeal agreed with last year’s Supreme Court ruling, ordering that the father of the now-deceased alleged victim... Read more

The Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Archdiocese settles for $3.5 million in sex abuse lawsuit for deceased priest

Aug 10, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The lawsuit alleged that Monsignor John Close sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy in 2006 when he took classes at a... Read more

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

Pope Francis meets with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in an audience May 5, 2023.

Vatican’s child protection commission invites public feedback on safeguarding principles

Jun 27, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The online survey is available in four languages and responses will be used to formulate an updated Universal Guidelines Framework... Read more

The Church of Foreign Missions in Paris.

Investigation opened into alleged abuse by Paris Foreign Mission Society priests

Jun 21, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The French bishops’ conference said the official investigation has come at the request of the superior general of the Paris... Read more

The facade of Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in La Paz, Bolivia.

Bishops of Bolivia admit to having caused ‘deep pain’ to victims of sex abuse

May 25, 2023

By Abel Camasca

In a May 24 statement, the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference reported that it had received the visit of Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu,... Read more

Father Bernardo Mercado, the Jesuit provincial in Bolivia.

Jesuit provincial in Bolivia admits mistakes were made in dealing with sex abuse cases

May 24, 2023

By Abel Camasca

The Jesuit provincial in Bolivia, Father Bernardo Mercado, admitted that his religious order made mistakes in handling cases of sexual... Read more

Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Ill., mother church of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Credit: Edlane De Mattos/Shutterstock.

Illinois AG report says nearly 2,000 were victims of clergy sex abuse over 70-year span

May 23, 2023

By Tyler Arnold, Kevin J. Jones

The report released May 23 covers allegations from 1950 through 2019 within Illinois’ six Catholic dioceses. Read more

Pope Francis greeted victims of sexual abuse by members of the Church after the general audience on May 17, 2023. The victims arrived in Rome after making a pilgrimage by bicycle from Munich, Germany.

Abuse victims share ‘wounded heart’ with Pope Francis after bike trek from Germany

May 17, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Fifteen abuse victims arrived in Rome this week from Munich to personally urge the pope to heal and prevent sexual... Read more

Church of the Sacred Heart in Bordeaux, France.

France’s Catholic clergy to carry ID cards proving they are in good standing

May 16, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The French Bishops’ Conference announced the change as part of a large set of measures designed to “intensify the fight... Read more