clerical sexual abuse

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Photograph of Father Luis María Roma, SJ, in the auditorium of the John XXIII boarding school in Cochabamba, Bolivia, the place where another Jesuit priest, Alfonso Pedrajas (“Padre Pica”) allegedly committed most of his abuse of minors. This image was taken there in October 2023.

Jesuits in Bolivia admit their actions were ‘disastrous’ in dealing with sexual abuse

Jun 18, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Jesuits of Bolivia in a June 16 statement admitted their actions were “negligent, indolent, and disastrous” in response to... Read more

"I was deeply moved by their very powerful testimony,” Archbishop William Lori said following a second bankruptcy court-ordered listening session with sexual abuse victims on May 20, 2024.

Archbishop Lori completes court-ordered ‘listening sessions’ with sexual abuse victims

May 22, 2024

By Matthew Balan

Baltimore Archbishop William Lori has completed the second of two federal bankruptcy court-ordered “listening sessions” with alleged victims of sexual... Read more

Quebec Cardinal Gérald Lacroix speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 7, 2021.

Pope Francis names retired judge to investigate sex abuse charges against Canadian cardinal

Mar 6, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Archdiocese of Quebec has announced that Pope Francis has ordered an investigation into the accusations of sexual abuse against... Read more

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Ex-priest sentenced to 15 months in prison for molestation of minor with cancer

Feb 28, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The judge condemned the sexual assault of a child and said the laicized priest took advantage of the family’s need... Read more

The cross of the German “Synodal Way.”

Critics challenge German Synodal Way in light of abuse study

Jan 30, 2024

By AC Wimmer

A new study looking at survivors of abuse within the Evangelical Church in Germany calls into doubt the narrative that... Read more

Bolivian bishops express their support for Bishop Robert Flock on Nov. 13, 2023.

Bolivian Bishops’ Conference criticizes 5-hour interrogation of fellow bishop in abuse case

Nov 15, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The Bolivian Bishops’ Conference expressed its solidarity and closeness to the bishop of San Ignacio de Velasco, Robert Flock, saying... Read more

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Church in Bolivia criticizes excesses of raids on Jesuits in sexual abuse cases

Aug 30, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The Bolivian bishops questioned the procedures carried out “under the rationale ... to collect evidence” in cases of alleged sexual... Read more

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick outside the Dedham District Court on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021.

UPDATE: McCarrick’s alleged victim ‘left with nothing’ after ex-prelate ruled incompetent to face trial

Aug 30, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick is not competent to stand trial on criminal sexual abuse charges in Massachusetts, a state district... Read more

Father Bernardo Mercado, the Jesuit provincial in Bolivia.

Jesuit provincial in Bolivia says he would not have entered order if he knew about abuse

Aug 17, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Father Bernardo Mercado was interviewed recently by the special commission for the investigation of sexual abuse in ecclesial environments. Read more

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Prosecutor in Bolivia asks for Church’s cooperation in clerical sexual abuse cases

Jul 31, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The prosecutor for Chuquisaca asked the Archdiocese of Cochabamba for the names of the Jesuit provincials during the years 1999,... Read more

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse, New York

Diocese of Syracuse to pay $100 million to trust fund for survivors of child sexual abuse

Jul 28, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The diocese will contribute $50 million to the trust, while parishes will contribute $45 million. Other entities will contribute $5... Read more

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UPDATED: Which U.S. dioceses have declared bankruptcy? Here’s a map

Jul 24, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

More than two dozen U.S. dioceses, including two in U.S. overseas territories, have entered into bankruptcy proceedings, the vast majority... Read more

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Clerical sex abuses crisis: Spanish priests hit with sanctions

Jul 13, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

The Diocese of Mallorca in Spain has sentenced one priest to three years of not celebrating Mass other than in... Read more

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Sex abuse scandal in Bolivia: Who had the Jesuit priest’s diary, and when?

Jul 11, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The personal diary of the Jesuit priest Alfonso “Pica” Pedrajas, who died in 2009, has been at the center of... Read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who has led the Vatican’s office for choosing bishops for over a dozen years, talks with Hannah Brockhaus, CNA Rome correspondent, and EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser at the Dicastery of Bishops in Vatican City on Feb. 23, 2023.

Quebec cardinal says new claims of sexual assault are ‘defamatory’

Jun 20, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Cardinal Marc Ouellet responded to the new allegations saying he intends to demonstrate his innocence in a court of law. Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 17, 2023.

Pope Francis expresses ‘shame and dismay’ over sexual abuse of minors in Bolivia

Jun 16, 2023

By Ary Waldir Ramos Díaz

Pope Francis sent a letter Friday to the president of Bolivia expressing a firm promise to work with the government... Read more

Jesuits accused of abuse in Bolivia in May 2023.

Six Jesuits reportedly under investigation for cover-up of sexual abuse in Bolivia

Jun 7, 2023

By Abel Camasca

In addition to allegations of the sexual abuse of minors by a number of deceased Jesuits in Bolivia, six others... Read more

Bishop Giovani Arana of El Alto, Bolivia.

Bolivian bishop on clerical sex abuse: We know asking forgiveness is not enough

May 30, 2023

By Diego López Marina

“We have asked for forgiveness; we know that it’s not enough,” said Bishop Giovani Arana of El Alto, Bolivia. Read more

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Bolivia Jesuits ask victims of two priests implicated in scandal to make formal complaint

May 20, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The Jesuits asked the victims to make a formal complaint with the Society of Jesus and offered their assistance in... Read more

Father Marko Rupnik, SJ.

Rupnik superior: ‘From an ecclesial point of view it’s illegal’ for priest to own business

Apr 27, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The superior of Father Marko Rupnik, a Jesuit priest and artist accused of sexually abusing numerous nuns, said Rupnik owned... Read more