Sexual Abuse

The Latest

The cross of the German “Synodal Way.”

Critics challenge German Synodal Way in light of abuse study

Jan 30, 2024

By AC Wimmer

A new study looking at survivors of abuse within the Evangelical Church in Germany calls into doubt the narrative that... Read more

Quebec Cardinal Gérald Lacroix speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 7, 2021.

Canadian Cardinal Lacroix to ‘temporarily’ step down, denies sexual abuse allegations

Jan 29, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Cardinal Gerald Lacroix, head of the Archdiocese of Quebec, has temporarily stepped aside from his duties as archbishop after being... Read more

Father James Jackson, FSSP, appearing at a Nov. 15, 2021, arraignment before the Rhode Island District Court.

Court documents reveal Father James Jackson said he was sexually abused as a child

Dec 11, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Jackson, who faces charges of possessing child pornography, claimed he was molested by the mother of another child in his... Read more

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Regnum Christi responds to accusations of sexual abuse of former women members

Sep 11, 2023

By Julieta Villar

In the letter, about 30 former members of the movement expressed their backing for a civil lawsuit filed in June... Read more

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

Theodore McCarrick: ‘I have trouble with words’

The former cardinal’s eloquence made him a force in the Catholic Church. Now, his loss for words appears to have... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the general audience in Vatican City's Paul VI Hall on Feb. 22, 2023.

Pope Francis extends ‘Vos estis’ decree to counter both lay and clerical abuse

Mar 25, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The decree promulgated March 25 extends the Church’s norms for handling of abuse to cover lay leaders of international associations.  Read more

Cathedral of St. Eugene in Santa Rosa, CA.

Citing abuse lawsuits, California’s smallest diocese files for bankruptcy

Mar 14, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa in northern California said on Monday that it will file for bankruptcy due to... Read more

Pope John Paul II in 1996.

Polish bishops: New allegation that JPII covered up sex abuse based on reports from communist secret police

Mar 8, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The bishops said that “further archival research” is necessary to fairly assess a new claim aired in a recent documentary.  Read more

Theodore McCarrick.

McCarrick denies sex abuse charges in telephone interview

Mar 6, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

For the first time since criminal court proceedings began against him, Theodore McCarrick spoke publicly about allegations that he abused... Read more

Photo illustration.

San Diego Diocese denies charges that it hid assets to avoid paying child sexual abuse claims

Feb 27, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The Diocese of San Diego has rejected a lawsuit’s allegations that it restructured diocesan properties to hide assets from sexual... Read more

Jean Vanier at a Templeton Prize press conference in London March 11, 2015.

New report details abuses of L’Arche founder

Feb 1, 2023

By Solène Tadié

The late Jean Vanier sexually abused at least 25 women, according to a new investigative report commissioned by L’Arche International. Read more

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode speaks during a press conference on Sept. 22, 2022, following the release of a report that said he mishandled abuse cases in the Diocese of Osnabrück, in northwestern Germany, which he has led since 1995.

German bishop must face Vatican investigation, abuse council demands

Dec 12, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The survivors’ organization called on Bishop Bode “to take moral responsibility for the suffering caused by him — irrespective of... Read more

Pope Francis visits Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in Vatican City to exchange Christmas greetings Dec. 23, 2013.

Pope Francis: Benedict XVI was ‘leader’ in responding to sexual abuse

Nov 28, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis said his predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a leader in “taking responsibility” and responding with transparency to... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard

French cardinal confesses to sexual abuse

Nov 7, 2022

By AC Wimmer

Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard said on Monday that he had abused a 14-year-old girl several decades ago and was making himself... Read more

Fr. Michael Pfleger      Credit: Marie Kanger Born/Shutterstock

Chicago parish community defends Father Pfleger after his suspension for alleged abuse

Oct 18, 2022

By Jonah McKeown, Joe Bukuras

During an Oct. 16 Mass at St. Sabina Faith Community in Chicago, the celebrant and the community expressed support for... Read more

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

Chicago’s Father Michael Pfleger removed from ministry over new sexual abuse allegations

Oct 16, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Father Michael Pfleger, senior pastor at St. Sabina parish and a well-known social activist, will live away from his parish... Read more

Parishioners of Holy Cross Church in Garrett Park, Maryland, learned in a Sept. 30, 2022, email that their pastor was suspended over allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

Maryland priest accused of sexual abuse of minors placed on administrative leave

Oct 4, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

A priest at a parish in Garrett Park, Maryland, has been placed on administrative leave after he was accused of... Read more

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Spanish court confirms former priest’s 30-year sentence for sexual abuse

Sep 14, 2022

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Spain’s Supreme Court has confirmed an appeal court’s sentence for a man convicted of sexually abusing minors and who was... Read more

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St. Louis priest to have arrest record expunged after sexual abuse cases dropped

Aug 30, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A circuit judge ruled Aug. 25 that Father Xiu Hui “Joseph” Jiang had met the legal burden to have his... Read more

Former Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta of the Diocese of Oran, Argentina.

Victim of Bishop Zanchetta: ‘Don't turn your back on us; we didn’t deserve such treatment’

Aug 13, 2022

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta of Oran, Argentina, was found guilty of abuse and sentenced to prison in March, but in July... Read more