Clerical sex abuse

The Latest

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

Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, August 2018.

NJ dioceses to form compensation program for child victims of clerical abuse

Nov 19, 2018

By Christine Rousselle

The Archdiocese of Newark announced Monday that New Jersey’s five dioceses will together form a Victim Compensation and Counseling Program... Read more

The flag of Chile.

Church in Chile to sign accord with prosecutor's office for investigation of abuse

Nov 19, 2018

The Chilean  bishops' conference has announced the signing of a collaboration agreement with the prosecutor's office for the investigation of... Read more

The flag of Chile.

Chilean cardinal called to testify on abuse case, leaves papal advisory committee

Nov 15, 2018

A close advisor of Pope Francis has left the “C9”, the pope’s body of cardinal advisors, as he faces charges... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, May 2, 2018.

Vatican, US bishops face class-action lawsuit from victims of clergy sex abuse

Nov 15, 2018

The U.S. bishops' conference and the Holy See face a class action lawsuit filed by six men who claim they... Read more

Voting at the USCCB autumn General Assembly in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 13, 2018. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

'What are people to make of our silence?' Bishops discuss McCarrick in Baltimore

Nov 14, 2018

By Ed Condon

The bishops of the United States resumed their open-floor discussion on the recent sexual abuse scandals facing the Church in... Read more

Voting at the USCCB autumn General Assembly in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 14, 2018. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

US bishops punt resolution encouraging Holy See to release McCarrick documents

Nov 14, 2018

On the last day of their fall meeting, the U.S. bishops' conference voted down a resolution that would have “encouraged”... Read more

The USCCB autumn General Assembly in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 12, 2018.  (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

'No words for depth of our anger' National Advisory Council tells US bishops

Nov 13, 2018

By Ed Condon

As the bishops of the United States continued their fall general assembly in Baltimore Tuesday, the leaders of the National... Read more

The Cathedral of Saint Paul in Pittsburgh.

Lamenting clergy sex abuse, Pa. bishops announce victim compensation funds

Nov 12, 2018

Seven of the eight Roman Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania will create compensation funds for victims of clergy sex abuse, following... Read more

Exposition and Adoration at the USCCB general assembly in Baltimore, Nov. 12, 2018. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

Listen to victims, learn from your mistakes, women plead to USCCB

Nov 12, 2018

In the afternoon of the first full day of the US bishops' autumn general assembly, two speakers pleaded with the... Read more

Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis, one of the signatories of the letter.

Missouri bishops release letter urging USCCB action on sex abuse crisis

Nov 12, 2018

The bishops of Missouri released a letter Monday expressing support for proposals meant to help address the sexual abuse crisis... Read more

The USCCB autumn General Assembly in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 12, 2018.

Abuse victims challenge US bishops to confront problems

Nov 12, 2018

By Christine Rousselle

Two victims of clerical sexual abuse addressed members of the US bishops’ conference Monday and shared how the bishops' action,... Read more

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

Cardinal DiNardo: Vatican directive came from Congregation for Bishops

Nov 12, 2018

The directive not to vote on the proposals which had been expected to form the basis for the response of... Read more

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

Vatican cancels US bishops’ vote on sex abuse reform measures

Nov 12, 2018

By Ed Condon

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference has told the American bishops that they will not vote on... Read more

The Ladder of Divine Ascent (12th century)

Fear God, not Rome – advice for the US bishops

Nov 9, 2018

A former senior staffer at the USCCB wrote Friday to the country's bishops ahead of their general assembly, urging them... Read more

Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica, the seat of the Archbishop of Agana, Guam. Public Domain.

Amid abuse lawsuits, Guam archdiocese to file for bankruptcy

Nov 7, 2018

The Archdiocese of Agaña, Guam has announced that it will file for bankruptcy, following mediation efforts in September regarding clerical... Read more

Priests celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Jan. 17, 2015.

Clergy sex abuse on the rise again, and Church leaders are ignoring why, sociologist says

Nov 2, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

After years in decline, Catholic clergy sex abuse could be on the rise again, warns a professor-priest’s analysis of relevant... Read more

 The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, San Francisco, Calif.

Amid lawsuit, firm publishes list of California priests accused of abuse

Oct 24, 2018

By Jonah McKeown

A Minnesota-based law firm released a report Tuesday compiling the names of over 200 priests from the San Francisco Bay... Read more

Cardinal Donald Wuerl.

Washington archdiocese releases the names of 28 accused clergy

Oct 15, 2018

Just days after Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl as Archbishop of Washington, the D.C. archdiocese has... Read more