Beginning in the mid-1990s, the church in Ireland was rocked by a series of very public revelations about sexual abuse and, particularly, about how the abuse and allegations of it were mishandled by senior church leaders.
Sexual Abuse
Posted inDispatches, Faith
New reports of sexual abuse rock Benedictine abbey schools in England
The new report finds evidence of appalling sexual and physical mistreatment of students as young as 7, as well as a culture of secrecy, at two abbey schools.
Posted inFaith, News
Bishop discusses renewed efforts on addressing abuse claims, transparency
“This transparency and objectivity I promise you will include a thorough review of our safe environment policies and procedures by an outside investigator,” Bishop Conley said.
Posted inFaith, News
Details of second letter priest sent to Cardinal O’Malley describing McCarrick abuse
He had written a letter about his concerns more than a decade before, in 2000, and it didn’t seem to go anywhere, but his new motivation came about when he saw Cardinal McCarrick and “wanted this stuff to stop with the seminarians,” he said in the interview.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Damning report on sex abuse in Pennsylvania dioceses may soon be released
Some details about what’s in the report have been made public, including that it will identify more than 300 “predator priests.”
Posted inFaith, News
Cardinal O’Malley calls for investigation; asks Boston seminary rector to take leave
Cardinal O’Malley said he also has appointed a group “to oversee an inquiry into the allegations made this week, the culture of the seminary regarding the personal standards expected and required of candidates for the priesthood, and any seminary issues of sexual harassment or other forms of intimidation or discrimination.”
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Canon lawyers explain how Vatican abuse trials function
The “regular canonical trial” for an accused bishop, experts say, usually would be conducted by the apostolic tribunal of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Posted inFaith, News
Archbishop Gregory: Weary of ‘cloud of shame’ shrouding church leaders
Archbishop Gregory said Catholics are specifically “enraged” about allegations of abuse by Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick and find “any pastoral negligence in protecting our people is similarly grievous.”
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
UK inquiry: Monks hid sex abuse to protect church reputation
Sexual abuse at two leading Catholic schools in England was considerably higher than is reflected by conviction figures.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Sex abuse expert: Crisis is a call to a new vision of the priesthood
Dealing with the reality of potential abuse and the history of clerical sexual abuse in the church is a process.