Child sex abuse
The Latest
In Poland, lawmakers condemn disputed report about John Paul II abuse cover-up
Referring to the report’s use of material taken from communist secret police files, the resolution said it was “an attempt... Read more
Ex-cardinal McCarrick asks for dismissal of sex abuse case against him, citing dementia
Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, 92, filed a motion in a Massachusetts court claiming he is “legally incompetent” to stand trial. Read more
Chicago’s Father Michael Pfleger reinstated to ministry
Pfleger, a famous Chicago priest known for his social justice activism, has now been exonerated on four different sexual abuse... Read more
Spanish university publishes independent report on sex abuse victims in Navarra
The Public University of Navarra has published an independent report in which it identified 52 victims of sexual abuse committed... Read more
Spanish legislature may create commission to investigate sex abuse in Church
Spain’s lower house, the Congress of Deputies, agreed Feb. 1 to debate the creation of a commission to investigate sexual... Read more
Catholic Church in France raises $22 million for abuse victims
The Catholic Church in France has secured more than $22 million in compensation for victims of child sex abuse. Read more
Arlington priest who oversaw child protection office indicted for sex abuse
The Diocese of Arlington’s former director for the Office of Child Protection, Father Terry Specht, was indicted last week on... Read more
Theodore McCarrick faces new sex abuse lawsuit in New Jersey
Three sex abuse lawsuits, including one naming disgraced former archbishop Theodore McCarrick as the alleged abuser, were filed on Thursday,... Read more
More than 900 abuse claims filed against Buffalo diocese under Child Victims Act
At Saturday’s close of the “lookback” window created by New York’s Child Victims Act, more than 900 child sex abuse... Read more
NY bishop hopes Child Victims Act deadline will close a ‘painful and sordid chapter’
At the close of the “lookback” window created by New York’s Child Victims Act, Bishop Michael Fisher of Buffalo said... Read more
New sex abuse lawsuit names Theodore McCarrick, Fr. Michael Barrett
A new civil sex abuse lawsuit has been filed against former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, also naming Opus Dei priest Fr.... Read more
Priests of Buffalo diocese continue to face sex abuse accusations
Since June more than 90 sex abuse lawsuits involving the Diocese of Buffalo have been filed under New York’s Child... Read more
'A welcome necessity': Canon law society praises revisions to Church penal sanctions
The Canon Law Society of America on Tuesday expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s new revisions to Book VI of the... Read more
Syracuse diocese to hold Mass for Healing amid nearly 400 sex abuse claims
The Diocese of Syracuse will hold a Mass for Healing on April 29 after nearly 400 sex abuse claims involving... Read more
Law firm tallies 2,800 suits filed against Catholic entities under NY Child Victims Act
A law firm that frequently represents victims of clerical sexual abuse announced April 6 that it had counted at least... Read more
Church in Australia to implement nationwide protocol for responding to abuse allegations
Starting in February, the Catholic Church in Australia will have a national protocol for responding to allegations of sexual abuse,... Read more
Majority of Camden diocese abuse claims left unprocessed amid bankruptcy filing
The Diocese of Camden filed for bankruptcy last week, leaving abuse settlements unpaid for about two-thirds of the alleged victims... Read more
Western Australian legislative committee recommends preserving confessional seal
Religious ministers should not be required to violate the seal of confession to report child sex abuse, a committee of... Read more
Queensland passes law requiring priests to break confessional seal
The legislature of the Australian state of Queensland on Tuesday passed a law requiring priests to violate the seal of... Read more
Holy See upholds confessional seal in response to Australian royal commission
The Australian bishops have provided the federal government with the Holy See’s observations on 12 recommendations of a 2017 report... Read more
