Clerical Abuse

The Latest

Lawyer Laura Sgro, left, sits with Gloria Branciani, center, and Marjiam Kovač, during a press conference in Rome on Feb. 21, 2024. Branciani and Kovač allege that they were subjected to spiritual, psychological and sexual abuse by famous mosaic artist Father Marko Rupnik.

Two of Father Rupnik’s alleged victims speak publicly for the first time

Feb 21, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The two former religious sisters detailed the tactics the former Jesuit allegedly used to manipulate them. Read more

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

Bishop accountability group: Dismissal of charges against McCarrick ‘hugely disappointing’

Aug 30, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Anne Barrett Doyle told CNA that “our hearts go out to the courageous victim who brought this case, and to... Read more

Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco.

Archbishop Cordileone: Chapter 11 bankruptcy for San Francisco ‘very likely’

Aug 5, 2023

By Daniel Payne

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone on Friday revealed that it was “very likely” that the archdiocese would be filing for... Read more

James Grein speaks at the Silence Stops Now rally in Baltimore, Nov. 13, 2018.

Alleged victim of Theodore McCarrick says ex-cardinal abused him for years

Apr 18, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The criminal complaint filed in Wisconsin this week against former cardinal Theodore McCarrick was revealed to have come from James... Read more

Theodore McCarrick

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick charged with sexual assault in Wisconsin

Apr 17, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been criminally charged with fourth-degree sexual assault in Wisconsin for an incident that allegedly occurred... Read more

Archbishop William E. Lori.

Baltimore archbishop addresses clergy child abuse ahead of expected public report

Apr 4, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Baltimore Archbishop William Lori in a letter to parishioners Monday addressed “the evil of child abuse” ahead of the expected... Read more

A mosaic designed by Father Marko Rupnik's studio, at Lourdes

The Sanctuary of Lourdes may remove Rupnik’s mosaics out of respect for victims

Mar 31, 2023

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Mosaic art created by Father Marko Rupnik could be removed from the Basilica of the Sanctuary of Lourdes, France.  Read more

The Frauenkirche, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

Prosecutors drop case of alleged ‘cover up’ against Benedict XVI

Mar 22, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A potential legal case against Pope Benedict XVI over his handling of abuse during his time as archbishop of Munich... Read more

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Oakland Diocese considers filing for bankruptcy with 330 abuse lawsuits pending

Mar 21, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The bishop told the faithful he is giving “strong consideration” to filing for bankruptcy in order to respond to hundreds... Read more

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany, NY.

Facing hundreds of sex abuse lawsuits, Albany Diocese to declare bankruptcy

Mar 16, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The diocese has been named in more than 400 lawsuits filed from August 2019 to August 2021 under the Child... 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

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

Father Marko Rupnik

Jesuits: New restrictions against Rupnik possible in light of credible abuse accusations

Feb 21, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The allegations span from 1985 to 2018 and include claims of spiritual, psychological, and sexual abuse, and abuse of conscience. Read more

Father Marko Rupnik, SJ.

Father Rupnik ‘egocentric and violent,’ a sister from his former community alleges

Dec 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The sister told CNA she did not know anything about sexual abuse or allegations of abuse, but that her experience... Read more

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe.

Denouncing clergy sex abuse, Santa Fe Archdiocese files $121 million settlement plan

Oct 13, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Lamenting the damage that abusive Catholic clergy have caused to sexual abuse victims, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe submitted its... 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 says he won’t resign after report he mishandled abuse cases

Sep 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

A report published Sept. 20 said Bishop Franz-Josef Bode mishandled abuse cases in the Diocese of Osnabrück, in northwestern Germany,... Read more

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Colombian archdiocese publishes list of abuse complaints, actions taken

Aug 31, 2022

By Eduardo Berdejo

The Archdiocese of Medellín has published the list of complaints of sexual abuse by priests it has received in the... Read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet takes part in the Pontifical Council for Culture's Plenary Assembly on Women's Cultures in Rome, Feb. 6, 2015.

Cardinal Ouellet: Allegations against me are defamatory

Aug 19, 2022

By Carl Bunderson

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, on Friday denied having made inappropriate gestures on a woman who... Read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet takes part in the Pontifical Council for Culture's Plenary Assembly on Women's Cultures in Rome, Feb. 6, 2015.

Cardinal Ouellet named in Canadian sex abuse lawsuit

Aug 16, 2022

By Carl Bunderson

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, was accused of sexual assault in a civil suit filed against... Read more

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, N.M.

For sexual abuse victims in Santa Fe archdiocese, $122 million settlement a 'next step'

May 18, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has agreed on a $121.5 million bankruptcy settlement to provide compensation for hundreds of sexual... Read more