Clerical sex abuse

The Latest

Pope Francis meets with the Chilean bishops in the sacristy of the Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, Jan. 16, 2018.

Chilean whistleblower to meet with bishops, victims ahead of abuse summit

Feb 19, 2019

Juan Carlos Cruz, a clerical sex abuse whistleblower and a victim of Fr. Fernando Karadima, will meet with bishops and... Read more

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia archdiocese has authorized $8.4 million to abuse victims

Feb 19, 2019

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has so far authorized more than $8.4 million in compensation to survivors of child sexual abuse... Read more

Religious superiors voice shame over child abuse failings

Feb 19, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Superiors general of men’s and women’s religious communities expressed sorrow Tuesday for sexual abuse committed within religious congregations and orders... Read more

Then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick arrives at the Vatican on March 5, 2013.

McCarrick labeled 'permanently removed from ministry' in list of accused clergy

Feb 13, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

The Archdiocese of Newark released a list of names of credibly accused clergy on Wednesday, including disgraced former archbishop of... Read more

Pope Francis boards the papal plane in Rome, Jan. 15, 2018.

Pope says Church is working to end abuse of women religious by clerics

Feb 5, 2019

Pope Francis said Tuesday he is aware that mistreatment and abuse of religious women by clerics is still a problem,... Read more

Pope Francis & Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti aboard the papal plane Jan. 28, 2019.

Pope Francis outlines key priorities for February sex abuse summit

Jan 28, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Speaking on the papal flight returning from Panama, the pope said he wanted the world’s bishops to receive a “catechesis”... Read more

Brenda Noriega (far R) speaks at a World Youth Day Press Conference in Panama City, Jan. 26, 2019.

Youth minister: Pope Francis emphasized prayer in response to sex abuse crisis

Jan 26, 2019

A diocesan youth minister who lunched with Pope Francis Saturday said that he spoke about the necessity of prayer in... Read more

Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Hagatna, Guam. (public domain)

Guam archdiocese files for bankruptcy following sex abuse lawsuits

Jan 16, 2019

The Archdiocese of Agaña has filed for bankruptcy in federal court in the wake of numerous sex abuse allegations. The... Read more

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, apostolic preacher, gives an Advent sermon at Redemptoris Mater Chapel of the Vatican, Dec. 15, 2017.

Father Cantalamessa preaching to US bishops on retreat this week

Jan 2, 2019

The bishops of the US are gathered near Chicago for a week-long retreat directed by Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap.,... Read more

Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Salt Lake City diocese releases list of priests credibly accused of abuse

Dec 18, 2018

Following suit with many other Catholic dioceses throughout the United States in recent months, the Diocese of Salt Lake City,... Read more

The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ.

New Jersey bishops finalizing plans to compensate sex abuse victims

Dec 15, 2018

In the wake of sex abuse allegations against a former cardinal, the Catholic bishops of New Jersey have announced the... Read more

The Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Minn. archbishop announces moves to end culture fostering clergy abuse

Dec 14, 2018

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis announced Friday several changes meant “to change the culture that fostered the... Read more

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles archdiocese updates list of priests credibly accused of abuse

Dec 7, 2018

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced Thursday that it has updated its list of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse... Read more

Archbishop Emeritus of Adelaide Philip Wilson. Photo Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Adelaide.

Archbishop Wilson's conviction of not reporting abuse overturned

Dec 6, 2018

A district judge overturned Thursday the conviction of Archbishop Philip Wilson for failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse... Read more

The flag of Venezuela.

Venezuelan archbishop condemns sex abuse committed by religious priest

Nov 28, 2018

Archbishop José Luis Azuaje Ayala of Maracaibo on Wednesday condemned the abuse of a female minor by Fr. Iván Marino... Read more

Archbishop Emeritus of Adelaide Philip Wilson. Photo Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Adelaide.

Australian archbishop appeals conviction of not reporting abuse

Nov 28, 2018

Lawyers representing Archbishop Philip Wilson, who was convicted in May of failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse disclosed... Read more

The flag of Chile.

Abusive former bishop to return to Chile to face civil prosecutors

Nov 27, 2018

The Schönstatt movement confirmed Monday that Francisco José Cox Huneeus, a former bishop who was dismissed from the clerical state... Read more

Bishop Coyne, Cardinal DiNardo, and Bishop Doherty at the USCCB press conference in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 12, 2018.

Analysis: On sexual abuse, what will U.S. bishops, and the pope, do next?

Nov 26, 2018

By JD Flynn

After several confusing and turbulent weeks in the Church, it is worth asking where reform efforts stand, and where they... Read more

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, Minn.

Winona-Rochester diocese to file for bankruptcy amid abuse lawsuits

Nov 20, 2018

By Christine Rousselle

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it was announced Sunday. Bishop John Quinn wrote a letter... Read more

The Polish bishops' conference gathered for a plenary assembly as Jasna Gora, November 2018. Photo courtesy Polish Bishops' Conference.

Polish bishops ask forgiveness of sexual abuse victims

Nov 20, 2018

The bishops of Poland published Monday a statement on the sexual abuse of minors by some clerics, asking forgiveness of... Read more