sexual abuse
Philippine church leader charged with child sex trafficking
By Robert Jablon — November 19, 2021
Apollo Carreon Quiboloy is accused of recruiting women and girls, typically 12 to 25 years old, as “pastorals” who cooked his meals, cleaned his houses, massaged him and traveled with him around the world.
Reform Jewish seminary report uncovers 50 years of sexual misconduct
By Yonat Shimron — November 9, 2021
(RNS) — The report shows many of its rabbinical students said the seminary had an ‘old boys’ club’ mentality that allowed sexual harassment against women and LGBTQ students to fester.
Southern Baptists pivot to address church sexual abuse at the state level
By Bob Smietana — November 9, 2021
(RNS) — A series of state conventions have set up committees to address the issue of abuse in Southern Baptist churches.
Ronnie Floyd, SBC Executive Committee chief, resigns, citing damage to his reputation
By Bob Smietana — October 14, 2021
(RNS) — Floyd’s plans to unite Southern Baptists around evangelism and missions were overshadowed by controversy.
Europe court rejects case seeking to blame Vatican for abuse
By Nicole Winfield — October 12, 2021
ROME (AP) — A European court agreed Tuesday that the Vatican couldn’t be sued in a local court for sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests, affirming that it enjoys sovereign immunity and that the misconduct of priests and their superiors can’t be attributed to the Holy See. The European Court of Human Rights dismissed a […]
Southern Baptist Convention’s lawyers to cut ties after vote to waive privilege
By Bob Smietana — October 11, 2021
(RNS) — Jim Guenther had represented the Southern Baptist Convention since 1966.
Two priests cleared of charges in Vatican sexual abuse trial
By Claire Giangravé — October 6, 2021
(RNS) — The school’s former rector and a former student were acquitted, but behavior that came to light during the trial prompted Pope Francis to move the seminary out of the Vatican.
SBC committee waives privilege after bitter debate, moving abuse investigation forward
By Bob Smietana — October 5, 2021
(RNS) — ‘We deserve what is coming for us as a people,’ said Tiffany Thigpen, abuse survivor.
French report: 330,000 children victims of church sex abuse
By Sylvie Corbet — October 5, 2021
PARIS (AP) — Victims of abuse within France’s Catholic Church welcomed a historic turning point Tuesday after a new report estimated that 330,000 children in France were sexually abused over the past 70 years, providing the country’s first accounting of the worldwide phenomenon. The figure includes abuses committed by some 3,000 priests and an unknown […]
Southern Baptists, at impasse, postpone vote on sex abuse probe for a week
By Yonat Shimron and Bob Smietana — September 28, 2021
(RNS) — At issue is whether the Executive Committee can shield from investigators certain communications it has received from its lawyers.
Head of SBC Executive Committee questions messengers’ resolution in abuse investigation
By Bob Smietana — September 13, 2021
(RNS) — Failing to follow the will of local church delegates, known as messengers, would be nearly unprecented, experts say.
United Methodist leaders urge churches to end Boy Scout charters for now
By Adelle M. Banks — August 26, 2021
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church estimated that as many as 5,000 of its congregations remain exposed to potential lawsuits.
With abuse allegations, conservative Anglican diocese faces questions about structure
By Kathryn Post and Bob Smietana — August 19, 2021
(RNS) — ACNA’s Upper Midwest Diocese, where the abuse allegations have taken place, places few checks and balances on the bishop’s authority.
RNS News Quiz: Ben & Jerry’s and Wally Funk
By Emily Churchill — July 23, 2021
(RNS) — Test your knowledge of the week's current events in the world of religion.
Prominent Anglican bishop takes leave of absence amid ongoing accusations of mishandling abuse allegations
By Kathryn Post — July 9, 2021
(RNS) — Bishop Stewart Ruch III of the Anglican Church in North America’s Upper Midwest Diocese has taken a leave of absence after admitting he mishandled sexual abuse allegations.
