In surprise appointment, Bishop Henning to replace Cardinal O’Malley in Boston, US
United States RNS In a surprise announcement, Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Richard G Henning, of the Diocese of Providence, as Archbishop-elect of Boston. Henning, who has only been a bishop since 2018, will replace 80-year-old retiring Cardinal Seán P O’Malley, who has served as one of Francis’ closest advisers since the beginning of his […]
“Time to restore the balance”: Victims of Catholic nuns rely on each other after being overlooked in the clergy sex abuse crisis
TIFFANY STANLEY, of Associated Press, reports on efforts to support and advocate for those who were abused by Catholic sisters and nuns…
Catholic clergy sexually abused Illinois kids far more often than church acknowledged, US state finds
Chicago, Illinois, US AP More than 450 Catholic clergy in the US state of Illinois sexually abused nearly 2,000 children since 1950, the state’s Attorney General found in an investigation released Tuesday, revealing that the problem was far worse than the church had let on. Attorney General Kwame Raoul said at a news conference that investigators found […]
In the US, report details “staggering” church sex abuse in state of Maryland
Baltimore, US AP More than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused over 600 children and often escaped accountability, according to a long-awaited state report released Wednesday that revealed the scope of abuse spanning 80 years and accused church leaders of decades of coverups. The report paints a damning […]
US state lawmakers push for priests to report abuse learned about in confessional
United States RNS Catholic leaders are pushing back against efforts to alter state laws that exempt clergy from reporting child abuse they hear about during the sacrament of confession, arguing the changes will force priests to choose between the law and their faith. Advocates for abuse survivors insist the changes are necessary, noting instances where […]
Probe in US state of Maryland finds 158 abusive Roman Catholic priests, over 600 victims
Annapolis, Maryland, US AP An investigation by Maryland’s Attorney General identified 158 Roman Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore who have been accused of sexually and physically abusing more than 600 victims over the past 80 years, according to court records filed Thursday. Attorney General Brian Frosh announced that his office has completed a […]
New Zealand child abuse survivors call for intervention from Pope Francis
Sydney, Australia Reuters A New Zealand group representing survivors of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has called on Pope Francis to intervene in the redress process, claiming that church authorities were mishandling it and retraumatising victims. In a letter sent to the Vatican and seen by Reuters, the New Zealand chapter of Survivors […]
California bishops ask US Supreme Court to review case challenging statute of limitations
United States RNS Catholic bishops in California have asked the US Supreme Court to review a case challenging a state law that expands the time survivors of childhood sexual assault have to file their claims. The petition, first reported this week by the Catholic News Agency, was filed on 15th April by nine California Catholic […]
Essay: It’s time for our Catholic president to address the church’s sexual abuse scandal
In an article first published on Religion News Service, DAVID CLOHESSY, an abuse survivor and former national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), says it’s time for national action in the US with regard to the child sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church…
US archdiocese files for bankruptcy amid clergy abuse costs
New Orleans, USAP The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans announced Friday that it is seeking federal Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid growing legal costs related to sexual abuse by priests. The filing for reorganisation could free the archdiocese from the threat of creditors’ lawsuits while it reorganises its finances. The New Orleans archdiocese is […]