Catholic Church sex abuse cases

The Latest

Cardinal Friedrich Wetter.

Munich abuse report: Cardinal Wetter apologizes for mishandling case

Jan 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Friedrich Wetter was archbishop of Munich and Freising from 1982 to 2007. Read more

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, pictured in summer 2017.

Benedict XVI confirms he attended disputed 1980 meeting in Munich

Jan 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

A statement said that the mistake was the result of an editing error. Read more

The Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia.

Catholic diocese in Australia found vicariously liable for clerical abuse

Jan 21, 2022

By CNA Staff

The ruling is believed to be the first of its kind in the country. Read more

Pope Francis meets participants in the plenary session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, Jan. 21, 2022.

Pope Francis: The Church is firmly committed to justice for abuse victims

Jan 21, 2022

By Courtney Mares

His comments came a day after the publication of the Munich abuse report. Read more

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

Archbishop Gänswein: Benedict XVI is praying for victims in wake of Munich abuse report

Jan 20, 2022

By CNA Staff

‘The pope emeritus ... expresses his shock and shame at the abuse of minors committed by clerics.’ Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, pictured in June 2016.

Cardinal Marx ‘shocked and ashamed’ by Munich abuse report

Jan 20, 2022

By CNA Staff

The report accused the cardinal of mishandling two abuse cases. Read more

The Frauenkirche, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

Benedict XVI, Cardinal Marx faulted in Munich abuse report

Jan 20, 2022

By CNA Staff

The report covers 1977 to 1982, when the future Benedict XVI led the archdiocese. Read more

Jean-Marc Sauvé speaks at the launch of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church report in Paris, France, Oct. 5, 2021.

French Catholic academy critiques landmark abuse report

Dec 1, 2021

By CNA Staff

The criticisms sparked resignations from the academy. Read more

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Cleveland priest sentenced to life in prison for child pornography, exploitation

Nov 10, 2021

By Autumn Jones

On Tuesday, Father Robert McWilliams was sentenced to life in prison on convictions of sex trafficking of youths under 18,... Read more

French bishops’ conference president Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort kneels in a sign of penance at Lourdes, Nov. 6, 2021.

French Catholic bishops announce ‘vast program of renewal’ after abuse report

Nov 8, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The bishops knelt in an act of penance in Lourdes. Read more

The Frauenkirche, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

Report on handling of abuse cases in Germany’s Munich archdiocese delayed

Nov 5, 2021

By CNA Staff

The delay is caused by ‘new findings obtained in the recent past.’ Read more

Pope Francis prays with French bishops before his general audience, Oct. 6, 2021, in the wake of a devastating abuse report.

‘This is a moment of shame’: Pope Francis expresses sorrow at French abuse report

Oct 6, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The report estimated that 216,000 children were abused by priests and religious over 70 years. Read more

Jean-Marc Sauvé speaks at the launch of the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church’s final report in Paris, France, Oct. 5, 2021.

330,000 children abused in French Catholic Church over 70 years, landmark report estimates

Oct 5, 2021

By CNA Staff

The president of French bishops’ conference spoke of his ‘shame’ and ‘horror’ at the report. Read more

Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick arrives at Massachusetts' Dedham District Courthouse for his arraignment, Sept. 3, 2021.

Theodore McCarrick faces new sex abuse lawsuit in New Jersey

Sep 16, 2021

By Christine Rousselle, Matt Hadro

Three sex abuse lawsuits, including one naming disgraced former archbishop Theodore McCarrick as the alleged abuser, were filed on Thursday,... Read more

Cardinal Wilton Gregory receives the red hat from Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica on Nov. 28, 2020.

Cardinal Gregory ‘embarrassed’ at McCarrick abuse charges

Sep 9, 2021

By Matt Hadro

The Archbishop of Washington on Wednesday said he was “embarrassed” at the charges of sex abuse filed against his predecessor,... Read more