The number of allegations of sexual abuse by clergy declined in 2013, while diocesan spending on child protection programs increased under the U.S. Catholic Church’s “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” according to a church-sponsored annual audit. Dioceses and Eastern-rite eparchies reported 370 new allegations of abuse of a minor brought by 365 people against 290 priests or deacons, said the Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. About 69 percent of the alleged offenses reported last year occurred or began between 1960 and 1984. Three-quarters of the alleged offenders are already deceased or removed from active ministry. Eight of the alleged perpetrators were deacons; 282 were priests. Spending on child protection programs jumped to $41.7 million in 2013 from nearly $26.6 million in 2012. The audit reported that more than 99 percent of clergy members, 97.6 percent of church employees and 99.5 percent of educators had undergone safe environment training.
Abuse Allegations Down in 2013
Show Comments ()
1
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
David Newman
10 years ago
I am so thankful that the Church has taken a stance at prevention as a survivor of this abuse I know first hand of the confusion this can bring to ones life. My prayer is that more people would seek to understand rather than judge. I have found it very surprising how many people have been stuck in a sense of shame over this whole matter.
David Newman "Author"
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Matter-Confession-David-Newman-ebook/dp/B00GSVJVC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385052634&sr=8-1&keywords=the+heart+of+the+matter+a+confession
The latest from america
In this exclusive interview with Gerard O’Connell, the Gregorian’s American-born rector, Mark Lewis, S.J., describes how three Jesuit academic institutes in Rome will be integrated to better serve a changing church.
Speaking at a conference about the synod in Knock, County Mayo, Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the synod, said that “Fiducia Supplicans,” will not affect the forthcoming second session of the Synod on Synodality.
Speaking with Catholic News Service before formally taking possession of his titular church in Rome April 21, Cardinal Christophe Pierre described the reality of the church in the United States as a “paradox.”
Listen to Gemma’s homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B, in which she explains how her experience of poverty in Brazil gave radical significance to Christ’s words: “Make your home in me as I make mine in you.”