Clerical Abuse

The Latest

The first hearing of the abuse trial takes place at the Vatican court Oct. 14, 2020.

Vatican abuse trial: Court clears former altar boy and ex-youth seminary rector of crimes

Oct 6, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican tribunal ruling came at the end of a year-long trial. Read more

Cardinal Seán O’Malley celebrates Mass during a safeguarding summit in Warsaw, Poland, Sept. 20, 2021.

Cardinal O’Malley at safeguarding summit: ‘The wrongs done to God’s people must be corrected’

Sep 22, 2021

By CNA Staff

The archbishop of Boston said: “Abuse and its cover up must stop.” Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Jan. 27, 2021.

Pope Francis invokes Abraham Lincoln in message to safeguarding summit

Sep 18, 2021

By CNA Staff

The pope referred to Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. 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

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

The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter’s Basilica in the background. Credit: Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Vatican abuse trial: Prosecution requests jail time for defendants

Jul 16, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The tribunal listened to lawyers’ closing arguments. Read more

Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, N.Y.

Some abuse victims dissatisfied by Rochester diocese's bankruptcy plan

Jul 7, 2021

By CNA Staff

A proposed settlement deal between the Diocese of Rochester and several insurance agencies has drawn criticism from a group of... Read more

Fr. Hans Zollner.

Safeguarding expert to lead Rome’s new anthropology institute

Jul 2, 2021

By CNA Staff

Fr. Hans Zollner S.J. will serve as director of the institute at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Read more

The Iowa capitol. Credit: Henryk Sadura/Shutterstock.

Iowa attorney general releases report on clergy sex abuse

Jul 2, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Iowa Attorney General’s office has released a 30-page report on sexual abuse by members of the clergy, almost exactly... Read more

Crucifix /

Springfield bishop appoints co-chairs of sex abuse task force

Jun 29, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

The bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts has announced the appointment of two social workers to lead an independent task force... Read more

The Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, which houses the meeting room of the UN Human Rights Council.

UN experts’ letter to Vatican has ‘no real teeth,’ says Church official

Jun 21, 2021

By CNA Staff

The letter accused the Holy See of engaging in “obstructive practices” related to abuse. Read more

The meeting room of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in the Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Statement by UN ‘experts’ seeks to discredit the Holy See

Jun 20, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The statement by a group of U.N. experts will ‘give the Holy See a pie in the face.’ Read more

Pope Francis unveils sweeping reform of Catholic Church’s penal sanctions

Jun 1, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis wrote in the apostolic constitution introducing the changes that those who have committed a crime “need both mercy... Read more

Bishop Tadeusz Rakoczy, bishop of Bielsko-Żywiec, Poland, from 1992 to 2013.

Vatican imposes penalties on retired Polish bishop after ‘Vos estis’ probe

May 28, 2021

By CNA Staff

Bishop Tadeusz Rakoczy led the Diocese of Bielsko-Żywiec from 1992 to 2013. Read more

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki.

Pope Francis orders apostolic visitation of Cardinal Woelki’s Cologne archdiocese

May 28, 2021

By CNA Staff

Apostolic visitors will evaluate “possible mistakes” by the cardinal and archdiocesan officials. Read more

View of St. Peter`s Basilica from the roof of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross on April 1, 2015.

Vatican abuse trial: Witness testimony gives conflicting view of victim, pre-seminary

May 12, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican City State’s criminal court heard testimony from five witnesses. Read more

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican responds to bishops’ call to amend Church law on crimes against minors

May 11, 2021

The Vatican told English and Welsh bishops that it was in the process of altering the Code of Canon Law. Read more

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral in Montreal, Canada. Credit: Travis Wise via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Montreal archbishop appoints ombudsman to oversee abuse complaints

May 5, 2021

By Autumn Jones

The Archdiocese of Montreal announced Wednesday the appointment of an independent ombudsman, Marie Christine Kirouac, to receive all complaints of... Read more

Fr. Hans Zollner, S.J.

Safeguarding expert: Guidelines are ‘in vain’ if not upheld by Church powers

Apr 30, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Fr. Hans Zollner, S.J, explains why Rome’s Center for Child Protection is becoming an anthropology institute. Read more