Clerical sex abuse
The Latest
French bishop charged with attempted 2013 rape of adult man
Pope Francis has appointed an apostolic administrator of the La Rochelle and Saintes Diocese, while Bishop Georges Colomb will retain... Read more
Pastor removed from ministry after report about $200,000 in sex abuse hush money
Father Paschal Morlino, OSB, who has been removed from his 30-year tenure as pastor of a local parish, denies any... Read more
Vatican safeguarding group calls on Synod on Synodality to address abuse in the Church
The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors has called on the synod to discuss sexual abuse this month. Read more
Jesuits in Bolivia call lawsuit filed by alleged sexual abuse victims ‘senseless’
The lawsuit was filed on Oct. 2 by a group of former students of the John XXIII School in Bolivia... Read more
Celibacy is not a direct cause of sexual abuse, Jesuit expert says
The psychologist said that “celibacy is not a direct cause of abuse; what can become a risk factor is a... Read more
Canadian bishops address protection of minors and vulnerable adults at meeting
On the second day of the 2023 Plenary Assembly, a bishops’ committee provided recommendations on diocesan policies focused on protecting... Read more
Baltimore Archdiocese considers bankruptcy amid possible sex abuse lawsuits
On Oct. 1, a new law will go into effect that ends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related... Read more
UPDATED: Wyoming bishop cleared of abuse by the Vatican dies at 91
The former bishop of Cheyenne, Joseph Hart, was accused on multiple occasions of sexual abuse of minors, but claims were... Read more
Catholic Church loses bid to have abuse lawsuit thrown out in Australia
The Court of Appeal agreed with last year’s Supreme Court ruling, ordering that the father of the now-deceased alleged victim... Read more
Philadelphia Archdiocese settles for $3.5 million in sex abuse lawsuit for deceased priest
The lawsuit alleged that Monsignor John Close sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy in 2006 when he took classes at a... Read more
Archdiocese of Baltimore adds 42 accused individuals to child sex abuse list
The additional names come following Maryland Attorney General’s April report on child sexual abuse in the archdiocese dating back to... Read more
Vatican’s child protection commission invites public feedback on safeguarding principles
The online survey is available in four languages and responses will be used to formulate an updated Universal Guidelines Framework... Read more
Investigation opened into alleged abuse by Paris Foreign Mission Society priests
The French bishops’ conference said the official investigation has come at the request of the superior general of the Paris... Read more
Bishops of Bolivia admit to having caused ‘deep pain’ to victims of sex abuse
In a May 24 statement, the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference reported that it had received the visit of Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu,... Read more
Jesuit provincial in Bolivia admits mistakes were made in dealing with sex abuse cases
The Jesuit provincial in Bolivia, Father Bernardo Mercado, admitted that his religious order made mistakes in handling cases of sexual... Read more
Illinois AG report says nearly 2,000 were victims of clergy sex abuse over 70-year span
The report released May 23 covers allegations from 1950 through 2019 within Illinois’ six Catholic dioceses. Read more
Abuse victims share ‘wounded heart’ with Pope Francis after bike trek from Germany
Fifteen abuse victims arrived in Rome this week from Munich to personally urge the pope to heal and prevent sexual... Read more
France’s Catholic clergy to carry ID cards proving they are in good standing
The French Bishops’ Conference announced the change as part of a large set of measures designed to “intensify the fight... Read more
Maryland Senate passes bill to end statute of limitations for child sex abuse lawsuits
The bill, sponsored by Maryland state Sen. William C. Smith, D-Montgomery, passed the Senate in a 42-5 vote. Read more
Rupnik concelebrated Mass in a basilica in Rome despite restrictions
Father Marko Rupnik concelebrated Mass at a basilica in Rome on Sunday despite restrictions prohibiting “any public ministerial and sacramental... Read more
