Illinois’ attorney general released the results of a sweeping investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy on Tuesday; investigators found that 451 clergy sexually abused nearly 2,000 children since 1950.
Sexual Abuse
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis sends top sex crimes investigator to Bolivia as abuse scandal escalates
Pope Francis has sent one of his top sex crimes investigators to Bolivia at a time when the Andean nation is being shaken by an escalating pedophilia scandal involving priests.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Fired charity managers accuse Vatican of ‘brutal power grab’ fueled by ‘colonialist’ attitude
The Vatican’s main charitable organization, Caritas Internationalis, is hoping to open a new chapter this week, but the recently ousted head is fighting back, claiming the Vatican engaged in a “brutal power grab” fueled by a “colonialist” attitude.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis to conflict-ridden sex abuse commission: This is ‘the moment of reparation.’
Francis met the papal abuse commission at a time when many questions have been raised about its organization, governance and direction following the resignation at the end of March of Hans Zollner, S.J.
Posted inFaith, News
Investigation: Judge in New Orleans archdiocese bankruptcy case gave tens of thousands of dollars to local Catholic charities
A federal judge donated tens of thousands of dollars to New Orleans’ Roman Catholic archdiocese and consistently ruled in favor of the church amid a contentious bankruptcy involving nearly 500 clergy sex abuse victims.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Jesuit abuse expert Hans Zollner explains decision to resign from Vatican safeguarding commission
Father Hans Zollner clarified that his resignation was not intended to personally attack anyone or impede the work of the commission, which he called “a success in itself and a great idea by Pope Francis.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick charged with sex abuse in Wisconsin
A criminal complaint filed on Friday alleges that ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick sexually assaulted a Wisconsin man in 1977, when the alleged victim was 18 years old.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
A new Catholic ministry brings the Eucharist to survivors of sexual abuse
Starting in March 2023, victims of sexual abuse in Saint Paul-Minneapolis who still wish to receive the Eucharist but find it too traumatic to enter a church can have the sacrament brought to them.
Posted inFaith, News
Maryland report finds over 600 children were abused by 150 priests and others over 80 years
A state report released Wednesday revealed that more than 150 priests and others sexually abused more than 600 children over the past 80 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
When a Catholic diocese goes bankrupt, does it help or hurt sex abuse survivors?
Defenders of bankruptcy say it gives organizations a fair way to distribute assets to those seeking compensation. Some critics argue that the process allows church leaders to hide assets, especially real estate.