Respect for bona fama is not only an essential element of any human community, but that it is particularly important in the life of the Church, especially for its clergy. It is incomprehensible for an ecclesial community professing fidelity to the incarnate Word of God to ignore or downplay a right so fundamental as the right to reputation. In this light, then, we can more easily see the fundamental hypocrisy at work if one professes caritas but permits calumnia.

“We have a zero tolerance policy in our diocese", the bishop said. “But the same time, unless a person is proved guilty, he cannot be called guilty. It is not in our hands, it is already being taken up by the magistrate, and we have to wait for the process. All legal aid will be provided by the diocese, as is within his rights as part of his ‘right to defense.’”

Between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, 2,704 allegations were reported by 1,998 victims/survivors of child sexual abuse by clergy throughout 194 Catholic dioceses and eparchies that reported information. These allegations represent reports of abuse between an alleged victim and an alleged accused, whether the abuse was a single incident or a series of incidents over a period of time. The abuse was alleged to have occurred from the 1930’s to the present.

“In light of the information presented, the IRB determined that there is not a reasonable cause to believe Father sexually abused a minor. In addition, the board recommended that the file be closed and Father be returned to ministry. Having given careful consideration to their recommendation, which I accept, I now inform you that I am reinstating Father's faculties to minister. We must keep our commitment to do everything possible to restore Father’s good name. We will share this letter with our priests, asking them to provide it to their parishioners. It will also be sent to the media and archdiocese employees and posted on our archdiocesan website.”

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed that three alleged victims of sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic priests cannot sue the bishops who supervised those priests. The law draws a clear dichotomy between perpetrators and non-perpetrator defendants for retroactive application of the amended 35-year statute of limitations. The new, extended limitations period applies only to perpetrators.