“Overall, 86 percent of all alleged perpetrators were identified as ‘deceased, already removed from ministry, already laicized, or missing,’ not surprising as about seven-tenths (72 percent) of the alleged abuses occurred in 1979 or earlier," according to a new report from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). Over $5 billion has been paid in costs due to the abuse crisis in the U.S. Catholic Church. CARA said over the past 20 years, dioceses and religious communities have deemed a total of 16,276 allegations of abuse of minors by priests, deacons, and religious brothers as “credible.”
Parishes paid a total of $53 million toward the settlement, and every one of the 136 parishes belonging to the diocese filed for bankruptcy and contributed, whether or not they were being sued. The move was greeted with dismay at most parishes. It's one piece of a bankruptcy settlement that took four years to reach, following claims that scores of priests and other adults who worked for the diocese from the 1950s onward abused children in their care. About 30 parishes that were not facing litigation were included in the bankruptcy and thus contributed to the diocese's payout.
Shortly after his election as pope, he recalls in his book, he visited Benedict at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence south of Rome. “He gave me a large white box,” Francis writes. “‘Everything is in here’, he told me. ‘Documents relating to the most difficult and painful situations. Cases of abuse, corruption, dark dealings, wrongdoings.’” Benedict then told him: “I have arrived this far, taken these actions, removed these people. Now it’s your turn.” In Hope, Pope Francis says: “I have continued along his path.”
Gay men will be allowed into Roman Catholic seminaries to train to be priests but they must observe celibacy according to Catholic doctrine that holds that non-practising homosexuals are not sinners, the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) said in new guidelines. To be admitted to the seminary, one must show from the beginning "an orientation towards celibate life". In this perspective, there will not be a barrier to homosexuals as such but to those who "practise" homosexual acts. "The Church, while deeply respecting the people in question, cannot admit to the Seminary and to Holy Orders those who practise homosexuality".
Compared to how most bishops handle cases of falsely accused priests, the Cardinal's actions are exemplary. Justice and truth demand that obviously wrongly accused priests be immediately sent back to their calling – not years later – and the Cardinal is showing strong leadership and a care for his fellow priests by taking swift action where it is warranted. We hope other bishops find some courage and take note.
The Archbishop refuses to release a list of Archdiocesan priests who have been “credibly accused” of abuse. It did, however, release a new list of priests “approved for ministry” by the Archdiocese. In a statement, the Archdiocese said releasing a list of all priests accused of sexual abuse would be “unjust” for those who are falsely accused. Out of a dozen Catholic dioceses in the state, it is the only one that has not released a list of priests hit with abuse allegations deemed credible by church review boards.
Reddy said the court “cannot dismiss the matter” under state law, but the court “will not set any further reviews on this matter and it will remain in suspended status until the defendant passes away,” court records say. Prosecutors told the court they were “not ready to dismiss this matter” and asked that the trial remain “in suspended status.” McCarrick’s attorney Jerome Buting countered that McCarrick’s “extreme deterioration” should lead the court to dismiss the case outright.
After a concerted effort to conduct a thorough investigation, the Diocese Independent Ombudsman has discovered no additional information to corroborate the August 1, 2024, accusation against the Deacon, and the complainant has withdrawn the lawsuit in which the accusation was made. Therefore, the Independent Review Board has recommended to the Bishop that the diocese follow existing protocols and close the preliminary investigation. The Bishop has lifted the precautionary suspension from exercising diaconal ministry and restored the Deacon to active ministry.
From a period of cover-up and concealment, we moved into a phase of suspicion towards the clergy. Allegations of abuse became more frequent and the ecclesiastical institutions reacted by removing the accused from their ecclesiastical functions. In the face of a widespread suspicion of clerical guilt clerics can be disqualified as perpetrators of abuse on the basis of mere accusations. The cleric becomes the target of a storm of discrediting, i.e. in a very short time numerous negative comments spread through social networks that have far-reaching existential consequences for the religious in question. The cleric in question is unable to defend himself against such agitation and the accused is publicly branded as an aggressor and considered guilty, without further investigation or evidence. An accusation becomes a proven fact for the public opinion and the outrage against this cleric spreads like an avalanche. The author asks “in a situation like this, where is the question of truth and justice? Who will guarantee that the accused can exercise their rights?
Diocesan priests, both locally and nationwide, continue to struggle with the fallout of the clergy abuse crisis, which has created an environment where priests are “trying to minister in a climate of suspicion.” Just like the secular population, priests also have had an increase in struggles with mental health and physical well-being. The Bishops said a key part of the initiative will be looking at priests’ workload, and being “very assertive in the number of churches that we’re going to keep,” while determining “the number of parishes, the number of churches that one priest can manage because they feel it’s getting too much for them.”
Pope Francis urged, “Please, forgive always. Forgive everything and always.” He recalled the words of a wise cardinal who advised priests never to ask too many questions, urging them to, “if someone stammers in shame, say: ‘Fine, I’ve understood. Let’s move on.’" Always forgive!, the Pope repeated, noting that forgiveness reflects God’s own heart. “In 55 years as a priest, I have never denied absolution. I love confessing. I have always sought to forgive", he said.
Jesuit Father Hans Zollner joined several safeguarding experts in releasing a joint proposal in Rome Nov. 18 advocating a global extension of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ protocol of permanently removing from ministry credibly accused priests or deacons. That norm, established in 2002 alongside the USCCB’s “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” with the Vatican’s permission, at present only applies to the Catholic Church in the U.S. ". . . when it comes to largely open questions like what can be done for those who are dismissed — when there is no church oversight at all — and for those who are removed from ministry? Who is supervising, sanctioning, accompanying the latter ones?"
Victims may be manipulated into harmful behaviours, subjected to psychological torment through threats of divine punishment, or coerced into actions that serve the abuser’s interests. Unlike physical or sexual abuse, spiritual abuse leaves no visible scars, making it difficult to define, investigate, and address. The decision to explore this issue is not without controversy. There are concerns about false accusations or the potential for misinterpreting genuine acts of spiritual leadership as abuse. Balancing the need to protect victims while ensuring fair treatment for clergy will be a significant challenge for the Vatican.
A priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed her during an encounter in 2023. In an effort to reassure and thank the usually quiet, timid and shy girl, the accused priest asked the girl to hug him. He said he went to give her a peck on the forehead because her head was tilted down. As he kissed her, the girl looked up and his kiss landed on her cheek near her mouth instead.
"There's no written handbook we have that really clarifies all the diocesan policies," said the priest, who said he received approval from members of his finance council to invest parish funds in businesses affiliated with his longtime friend. "I know many pastors have made investments with investment groups and stock brokers, without the approval of the diocese," said the priest, who added that he was unaware of any policy that required him to notify diocesan officials of parish financial expenditures apart from any amount over $30,000 for repairs and renovations.
A priest pastor who was temporarily removed from ministry amid allegations of sexual abuse has been reinstated after an investigation found no evidence to support the claims. The Archdiocese’s Office for the Protection of Children and Youth "recommended that the file be closed and he be returned to ministry. After prayerful consideration, I have accepted the Board's recommendations and have restored Father's faculties to minister," the Archbishop said. "I publicly affirm that Father is a priest in good standing and express sincere appreciation for his many years of service to the People of God in the Archdiocese. He deserves our respect and gratitude and I hope you will join me in thanking him for his long-standing dedication."
The Archdiocese Independent Review Board found there was not a reasonable cause to believe the accused priest sexually abused a minor and recommended he be reinstated to the ministry. The priest was removed from ministry after the allegation was made in October 2023. “The welfare of the children entrusted to our care is our paramount consideration,” the Archbishop wrote in letters announcing the priest's reinstatement to eight parishes where he worked throughout his career. “At the same time, I am committed to restoring the good name of those so accused if the case is unsubstantiated. To that end, I publicly affirm that Father is a priest in good standing and express sincere appreciation for his many years of service to the People of God in the Archdiocese."
Two federal judges overseeing lawsuits brought by Jane Does rejected their efforts to continue anonymously, saying in both cases the women did not establish that their concerns about harm outweighed the accused right to know his accuser and defend himself or the public’s interest in open trials. If the women want their lawsuits to proceed, the judges ruled, they will have to file them under their real names. Lawyers say anonymity is discussed with clients, who may not realize at the outset that they might have to ultimately reveal their names in court and open themselves up to public scrutiny, which has led to some cases being dropped.
A controversial bill in the Legislative Assembly has put the Catholic Church and lawmakers at odds over the sanctity of confession versus child protection laws. The proposed “Law Against Silence in Sexual Crimes Against Children and Persons with Disabilities” would require Catholic priests to break the seal of confession to report sexual crimes, prompting strong opposition from Church leaders who say they will defy the law if passed.
Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, a jurist and international advocate for children’s rights who was appointed by Pope Francis as a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in 2022, also stated that she did not see any relationship between celibacy and criminal sexual abuse against children. “I don’t see any relationship,” she said. “Sexual relationships with children is a crime and the ones who commit this have a problem, which is related to their psychological state of mind. There is no exception for this, no excuse for this crime. Children should be respected in their integrity — physical and moral. So whether celibate or not, it doesn’t matter." She said.