Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
SNAP’s clergy abuse victims mark 25 years and eye new targets
By David Gibson — July 29, 2014
(RNS) The leading advocacy group for people who have suffered clergy sexual abuse is wrestling with how to respond to a flood of inquiries from victims from other faiths and institutions, and how to push for changes beyond the familiar precincts of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis’ meeting with abuse victims wasn’t a PR stunt, Vatican says
By Josephine McKenna — July 7, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Asked why Pope Francis' first meeting with abuse victims included no Americans, even though the U.S. scandal prompted worldwide attention, the Vatican's chief spokesman said it was “not such an easy thing to organize an event like this.”
Clergy abuse victims are divided over Pope Francis’ offer to meet
By David Gibson — May 28, 2014
(RNS) Some victims of clergy sex abuse say Pope Francis' first-ever encounter with victims is simply stagecraft aimed at distracting the public from what they say are the pope’s larger failures to address the abuse crisis.
UN criticizes Vatican on sexual abuse but stops short of calling it torture
By Josephine McKenna — May 23, 2014
ROME (RNS) The panel’s criticism was far more muted than a scathing February report from the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child that asserted that the Vatican had fostered “impunity” for abusers.
Vatican defends record on sexual abuse to UN panel
By Josephine McKenna — May 6, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Any serious look around the world at what the Holy See is doing and what local churches are doing shows clearly that there is no climate of impunity but a total commitment to clean house," Archbishop Silvano Tomasi said.
Vatican could face flood of torture-related abuse lawsuits
By Josephine McKenna — May 5, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican's ambassador to U.N. agencies in Geneva sought to limit the Holy See’s legal responsibility for the abuse scandal, implying that the church's jurisdiction did not extend to dioceses and churches around the world.
Victims demand action as Vatican abuse panel gets down to work
By Josephine McKenna — April 30, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican's new commission for the protection of minors, led by Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley, is designed to show the pope’s personal commitment to confront the sex scandals that have shaken the church around the world.
Vatican defends sex abuse record to U.N. panel
By Eric J. Lyman — January 16, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican's top spokesman said critics "presuppose that bishops or religious superiors act as representatives or delegates of the pope -- (though this is) utterly without foundation.”
Benedict XVI emerges to defend his record on sexual abuse
By Eric J. Lyman — September 24, 2013
ROME (RNS) Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI disputed the claim that abuse is pervasive in the Catholic Church, noting that "according to research by sociologists, the percentage of priests guilty of these crimes is no higher than those present in other similar professional fields."
Pope Francis names assisting bishop for troubled Newark, N.J., archdiocese
By Mark Mueller — September 24, 2013
NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) Embattled Archbishop John Myers rejected a claim that the appointment of a designated successor was a rebuke of his administration. "Absolutely not. It was my own request."
Vatican’s new legal guide adds offenses for abuse, leaking documents
By Alessandro Speciale — July 11, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) An overhaul of the Vatican's legal system has been long awaited -- the Vatican still uses an 1889 Italian criminal code that was adopted after the creation of the Vatican State in 1929.
UN panel questions Vatican record on child sex abuse
By Alessandro Speciale — July 10, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) According to the “List of Issues” submitted by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Vatican will have to explain the measures it has put in place to “ensure that no member of the clergy currently accused of sexual abuse be allowed to remain in contact with children.”
International Criminal Court dismisses abuse claims against the Vatican
By Alessandro Speciale — June 14, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Advocates for survivors of clergy sex abuse vow to continue their fight after the International Criminal Court dismissed their case against retired Pope Benedict XVI.
Embattled Newark archbishop demotes his top deputy
By Mark Mueller — May 28, 2013
NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) Monsignor John Doran is among the highest-ranking Roman Catholic officials in the country to be demoted over the handling of a priest accused of sexual abuse, observers say.
N.J. Catholics outraged over accused priest’s access to children
By Mark Mueller — April 30, 2013
(RNS) Newark Archbishop John J. Myers is facing fierce criticism for his handling of a priest who attended youth retreats and heard confessions from minors in defiance of a court-ordered lifetime ban on ministry to children.
