All articles tagged with #clergy abuse
The Rhode Island attorney general has launched a formal investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic priests in the Diocese of Providence, with survivors and officials speaking at a March 4 press conference as investigators review past cases and potential legal actions against individuals or church entities involved.
A Rhode Island attorney general report concludes that about 75 clergy abused more than 300 children since 1950, with bishops protecting the church’s reputation; the investigation calls for reforms to boost investigative powers and accountability, while the Diocese of Providence disputes some findings.
A Rhode Island attorney general investigation found 75 Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Providence molested more than 300 children since 1950, with church leaders prioritizing the institution’s reputation over victims by transferring accused priests and offering treatment or sabbaticals rather than reporting to authorities. Only a fraction faced criminal charges, and many records were kept private for years under a 2019 agreement, prompting calls for reforms to strengthen investigations and ensure accountability and justice for survivors.
A multiyear, attorney general–led investigation found that dozens of priests in the Diocese of Providence abused hundreds of Rhode Island children over decades, aided by a secret archive and a pattern of minimal accountability as priests were transferred or sent to treatment rather than reported; only a fraction of cases led to charges, prompting calls for transparency, accountability, and systemic reform.
The Rhode Island Attorney General and State Police released a comprehensive report on child sexual abuse in the Diocese of Providence, summarizing an investigation of more than 250,000 pages dating back to 1950, identifying 72 credibly accused clergy, and outlining resources for victims and recommendations for ongoing reforms by the Church, government, and public.
The article details the stories of two half-brothers, Bernard Joseph and Marcus Hamilton, serving life sentences for murder, who allege they were sexually abused by priests in New Orleans, highlighting a broader context of clergy abuse and its long-lasting impact on survivors and the church.
Survivors of clergy abuse in the New Orleans archdiocese are frustrated with the prolonged bankruptcy process, which has been marked by secrecy, legal battles, and efforts to conceal abuse by priests, as they seek justice and transparency amidst a settlement plan that aims to compensate victims.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released a detailed report on allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct by priests in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, revealing 51 priests with allegations dating back to 1950, and highlighting extensive investigations, victim support efforts, and criminal prosecutions related to clergy abuse across Michigan. The report emphasizes transparency, victim acknowledgment, and ongoing efforts to address past abuses, with several priests already prosecuted and others awaiting legal action.
An independent commission in Spain has estimated that over 200,000 minors were sexually abused by members of the Roman Catholic clergy since 1940. The report, which included a poll of over 8,000 people, found that 0.6 percent of Spain's adult population said they had suffered sexual abuse by clergy when they were children. The percentage rose to 1.13 percent when abuse by lay members was included. The report criticized the Catholic Church for its denial and attempts to downplay the issue and recommended the creation of a state fund to pay reparations to victims. The Spanish bishops' conference will react to the report on Monday.
The Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, led by Pope Francis, highlighted the historic inclusion of women as full, voting members for the first time ever, emphasizing the importance of women's ministries in the Catholic Church. The delegates also stressed the need for the church to listen to victims of clergy sexual abuse and commit to preventing such abuse in the future. The letter addressed to the "people of God" aims to communicate the synod's experience and priorities, including responding to victims of abuse and addressing the needs of the poor. The final document, expected to be released on October 28, will outline areas of agreement and disagreement among the delegates.
Clergy abuse survivors have proposed a new church law calling for the permanent removal of abusive priests and superiors who covered for them, following outrage over Pope Francis' appointment of Cardinal Victor Fernández to head the Vatican office that investigates sex crimes. The survivors, part of the global advocacy group End Clergy Abuse, unveiled the draft law and are seeking to draw attention to the ongoing scandal in the Catholic Church and the failure of Francis and the hierarchy to fulfill their promises of "zero tolerance" for abuse. Fernández has faced criticism for his handling of abuse cases in Argentina, including refusing to promptly remove a priest accused of abusing teens. The proposed law calls for the dismissal of priests who commit sexual offenses against minors or vulnerable adults and the removal of bishops or religious superiors who fail to report sex crimes to law enforcement.
As Pope Francis visits Portugal for World Youth Day, the country's Catholic Church is grappling with revelations of widespread clergy sex abuse. A panel of experts reported that at least 4,815 boys and girls had been abused since 1950, contradicting the church's previous claims of only a few cases. The church's response has been criticized as clumsy and hesitant, leading to the formation of Portugal's first survivor advocacy group. While the scandal is not officially on the pope's agenda, he is expected to meet with victims during his visit. The church in Portugal has apologized for the abuse and is working to establish procedures and tailor responses to sex abuse.
Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019, has been charged with sexual assault in Wisconsin over an alleged incident that occurred in 1977. The charge follows multiple similar allegations against McCarrick, who pleaded not guilty to separate sexual assault charges in Massachusetts in 2021. McCarrick was once considered the most powerful cardinal in the US, but was stripped of his titles and defrocked based on evidence that suggested he had sexually abused children and seminary students for decades.