Sexual orientation by itself is irrelevant to child sexual abuse. The risk factors include impulse control problems and substance abuse, and offenders take advantage of situations in which they are trusted.
Sexual Abuse
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Can the church be both holy and sinful?
We need to recover and renew in our lives a vision of the church as a pilgrim people, already holy yet still sinful.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Feds: Child exploitation focus of Pennsylvania church probe
All but one of the state’s eight dioceses confirmed Thursday that they have received the federal subpoenas sent last week, and largely sounded willing to comply.
Posted inFaith, News
All Illinois Catholic dioceses targeted in sex abuse lawsuit
Three men and one woman who say they were sexually abused by priests decades ago filed a lawsuit Thursday against every diocese in Illinois for an alleged ongoing scheme to cover up sexual assault by priests.
Posted inFaith, News
Response to sexual abuse crisis tops agenda for USCCB fall assembly
The firestorm surrounding the clergy sex abuse crisis and the way some bishops handled allegations of abuse against priests will be an important part of the agenda of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall general assembly.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
In third letter Viganò repeats accusations but offers no new evidence on McCarrick case
In this third letter Archbishop Viganò no longer insists that the restrictions that he claimed Benedict XVI had imposed on Archbishop McCarrick can be understood as “sanctions.”
Posted inFaith, News
With Cardinal Wuerl stepping down, who’s next?
The drama surrounding Wuerl’s resignation is only partially about Wuerl himself — it’s also about who’s next. Other bishops, also facing tough questions, could now find themselves beset by calls to follow Wuerl’s example and step down.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope removes two Chilean bishops accused of sex abuse from priesthood
Just before the announcement was made, the pope met with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and discussed the sexual abuse scandal affecting the Catholic Church in the country.
Posted inArts & Culture, Theater
What do we owe abusers? A new play asks this uncomfortable question
“Downstate” poses a number of uncomfortable questions, relevant and challenging both in light of the ongoing #MeToo movement and the church’s continued grappling with its sexual abuse scandal.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Exclusive Interview: Cardinal Wuerl on his resignation, Pope Francis’ letter and more
“What is important now is…not concentrating on myself but helping this church to get to a new place.”