Bishop Howard Hubbard admitted that he consistently transferred abusive priests without informing local police, families of abuse victims, or Catholics in parishes where the men were reassigned.
Sexual Abuse
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Roundtable: Indigenous survivors of abuse on truth, reconciliation and the need for a papal apology
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” survivors explain their hopes for what healing can look like when the church and indigenous people face the truth together.
Posted inFaith, News
‘The church has failed here, at all levels.’ Benedict XVI’s secretary addresses sexual abuse crisis
“The extent of the abuse quagmire becomes clearer with every study. It will take more than one person, even if he is pope, to drain this swamp,” Archbishop Gänswein told the German newspaper Die Zeit.
Posted inFaith, News
Benedict XVI’s personal secretary defends the former pope against allegations of mishandling abuse cases
The private secretary of Benedict XVI, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, has defended the former pope and criticised the Munich abuse report which made international headlines when it was released in January.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
I am an abuse survivor. I believe the synod will teach the church how to listen.
By listening we all walk together. Along the route of life we must encourage forgiveness but not exoneration.
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
When we got a new bishop, he didn’t know about our archdiocese’s history of abuse. Then he listened to me and other victims.
When victims and survivors of sexual abuse are blamed, marginalized, stigmatized or silenced, they can be traumatized all over again. The Archdiocese of Regina is trying something new in its work with survivors.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Celibacy and the role of women in the church are on the agenda at the Vatican’s symposium on priesthood
The Vatican is hosting a three-day symposium on the Catholic priesthood amid renewed public attention on clergy sex abuse scandals involving both children and adults and fresh research into the abuses of priestly power.
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Podcast: Is Pope Benedict’s request for forgiveness enough?
Although Benedict expresses regret that abuse happened on his watch, he does not take responsibility for any specific cases, and his lawyers maintain his innocence.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Pope Francis sends Pope Benedict ‘a beautiful letter’ showing ‘full support,’ former pope’s secretary says
In the letter, Pope Francis “speaks as a shepherd, as a brother” and “expressed once again his complete trust, his full support and also his prayers,” said the secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Former priest serving life sentence for sexual exploitation dies in prison
Robert McWilliams, 41, was found unresponsive early Feb. 4, the Federal Bureau of Prisons said. It is believed that he died by suicide.