Clerical Abuse

The Latest

Release of Santa Fe court records a step in countering abuse, archdiocese says

Oct 24, 2017

The release of court records related to sex abuse allegations against three Catholic priests several decades ago will serve as... Read more

Former Boston priest faces more sex abuse charges

Feb 8, 2017

A former priest previously convicted of sex abuse of an altar boy was indicted on 29 counts of sexual misconduct... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square April 13, 2016.

Pope kicks off new year renewing 'zero tolerance' policy on abuse

Jan 2, 2017

By Elise Harris

In a letter sent to bishops around the world for the feast of the Holy Innocents, Pope Francis lamented the... Read more

Bishop Michael Byrnes, who was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Hagatna Oct. 31, 2016.

New bishop to lead beleaguered Guam archdiocese

Oct 31, 2016

Pope Francis on Monday appointed Bishop Michael Byrnes as the successor to Guam's archbishop, who has been accused of sexual... Read more

Guam priest admits guilt amid ongoing abuse scandal

Aug 11, 2016

A priest in Guam has admitted to abusing around 20 children, a revelation that comes amid an ongoing investigation into... Read more

Brazilian priest mentioned in 'Spotlight' film commits suicide

Aug 10, 2016

Fr. Bonifacio Buzzi, a Brazilian priest convicted of child abuse and who was mentioned in the Oscar-winning film ‘Spotlight,’ committed... Read more

Re-trial puts landmark Catholic sex abuse conviction in doubt

Aug 9, 2016

A landmark case involving Catholic officials’ response to sex abuse is planned for retrial May 1 of next year. The... Read more

The Cathedral of Saint Paul in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

St. Paul archdiocese hopes for quick payments to sex abuse victims

May 31, 2016

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is eager to see a quick end to its reorganization plan so that... Read more

Spotlight Official Poster.

Vatican paper lauds Spotlight as brave, not anti-Catholic

Feb 29, 2016

The film Spotlight, which won the Oscar for best picture on Sunday, is a courageous movie that is not anti-Catholic,... Read more

Cardinal George Pell of Sydney speaks at a Vatican press conference on July 9, 2014.

Cardinal Pell strikes back at allegations of child abuse

Feb 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Friday Cardinal George Pell forcefully denied an alleged police investigation's claim of “multiple offenses” of child sexual abuse, calling... Read more

Cardinal Sean O'Malley speaks with CNA in Rome on Feb. 4, 2013.

There's no question – reporting abuse is a must, Cardinal O'Malley says

Feb 16, 2016

By Elise Harris

After recent media reports suggested the Vatican is telling bishops to cover up sexual abuse, the Pontifical Commission for the... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Vatican: No, bishops are not being told to cover up abuse

Feb 11, 2016

Media reports are wrong to claim that the Vatican is telling new bishops that they don’t have to report sexual... Read more

Józef Wesolowski, former apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic.

Former nuncio awaiting Vatican trial died of natural causes, autopsy says

Aug 29, 2015

Initial autopsy findings indicate that disgraced former apostolic nuncio Jozef Wesolowski died of natural causes from a “cardiac event,” the... Read more

Józef Wesolowski, former apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic.

Former nuncio Wesolowski, facing sex abuse trial, dies

Aug 28, 2015

Jozef Wesolowski, the laicized, former apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic who faced criminal charges in Vatican City of possession... Read more

Józef Wesolowski, former apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic.

Vatican postpones criminal trial of ex-nuncio on pedophilia charges

Jul 11, 2015

The criminal court of Vatican City State held on Saturday the first hearing in the trial of Jozef Wesolowski, the... Read more

The Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, which will offer a diploma course in minor protection in 2016.

Pontifical university plans to offer diploma in child protection by 2016

Jul 2, 2015

By Elise Harris

Beginning in the spring of 2016, Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University will begin offering an intensive one-semester diploma program on the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on May 28, 2014.

Pope to Church leaders: 'scourge' of minor sex abuse must stop

Feb 5, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has sent a letter to religious superiors and presidents of episcopal conferences, asking for their full cooperation in... Read more

St. Peter holds the keys in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

With new team, Vatican ups efforts to fight clerical sex abuse

Nov 11, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis established on Tuesday a new judicial body within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with responsibility... Read more

Msgr. Robert W. Oliver. Courtesy of Archdiocese of Boston.

Boston priest named secretary of Vatican commission to protect minors

Sep 10, 2014

By Elise Harris

The Vatican announced today that Msgr. Robert W. Oliver will leave his position as promoter of justice to take on... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on May 28, 2014.

Vatican dismisses Italian news report on papal interview

Jul 13, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Vatican spokesperson said that the Pope’s words as reported in the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica” cannot be considered with... Read more