Catholic sex abuse scandal
For some Pennsylvania laity, being Catholic has become embarrassing and troubling
By Bob Smietana — February 5, 2019
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. (RNS) — The latest sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church has left many lay people wondering if it is time to leave the church.
Top US cardinal let priest accused of sexual abuse lead Mass
By Nomaan Merchant — February 2, 2019
(AP) — Cardinal Daniel DiNardo allowed the accused priest to lead the 9 a.m. Thursday Mass at his parish, the statement said, because he “was already scheduled to celebrate” it.
Pope downplays expectations for sexual abuse meeting in Rome
By Thomas Reese — January 30, 2019
(RNS) — The meeting could be a disappointment for Americans who have been dealing with abuse for decades while still being a success for the universal church.
Pope challenged on sex abuse as young take stage in Panama
By Nicole Winfield — January 27, 2019
PANAMA CITY (AP) — Young people challenged Pope Francis on the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal and the plight of Christians in the Middle East as the youth took center stage Saturday in the final events of World Youth Day in Panama.
Ex-deputy to Argentine bishop says Vatican knew of misdeeds
By Almudena Calatrava — January 21, 2019
ORAN, Argentina (AP) — The scandal is the latest to implicate Pope Francis as he and the Catholic hierarchy as a whole face an unprecedented crisis of confidence over their mishandling of cases of clergy sexual abuse of minors and misconduct with adults.
US Catholic bishops to pray over clergy sexual abuse scandal
By The Associated Press — January 2, 2019
DETROIT (AP) — The Vatican blocked bishops from taking measures to address the scandal because U.S. church leaders didn't discuss the proposals with the Holy See beforehand.
Pope to priestly sex abusers: Turn yourselves in
By Nicole Winfield — December 21, 2018
(AP) — Pope Francis vowed Friday that the Catholic Church will “never again” cover up clergy sex abuse and demanded that priests who have raped and molested children turn themselves in.
Illinois investigation finds 500 more clergy abuse cases
By The Associated Press — December 19, 2018
(AP) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says her office has found 500 more Catholic clergy accused of sexually abusing children than the state’s six archdioceses have publicly identified.
Pope accepts resignation of LA bishop accused of misconduct
By Nicole Winfield — December 19, 2018
(AP) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a Los Angeles auxiliary bishop, Monsignor Alexander Salazar, after allegations of misconduct with a minor in the 1990s.
As the world appears to turn upside down (again), Advent is here
By Thomas Reese — December 12, 2018
(RNS) — The Old Testament prophets, whom we read during Advent, also spoke to people in doubt about bad rulers and an uncertain future. We too need to hear, 'God is on your side.'
Global Catholic nuns urge reporting of sex abuse to police
By Nicole Winfield — November 24, 2018
ROME (AP) — The International Union of Superiors General, which represents more than 500,000 sisters worldwide, vowed to help nuns who have been abused to find the courage to report it, and pledged to help victims heal and seek justice.
Clergy sex abuse: Why a national all-faiths inquiry is needed
By David Clohessy and Christa Brown — November 15, 2018
(RNS) — If we want our children to be safer, we cannot afford the comfortable delusion that this is an isolated problem.
All Illinois Catholic dioceses targeted in sex abuse lawsuit
By Don Babwin — October 19, 2018
CHICAGO (AP) — Three men and one woman who say they were sexually abused by priests decades ago filed a lawsuit Thursday against every diocese in Illinois for an alleged ongoing scheme to cover up sexual assault by priests.
Church abuse bill in limbo after hitting wall in Senate
By Marc Levy — October 18, 2018
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Legislation to respond to Pennsylvania's landmark grand jury report accusing hundreds of Roman Catholic priests of sexually abusing children over decades stalled on the Legislature's final scheduled voting day of 2018.
Federal government launches investigation into Pennsylvania dioceses
By Jack Jenkins — October 18, 2018
(RNS) — The Archdiocese of Philadelphia confirmed to Religion News Service that it is aware of the inquiry and is cooperating with investigators — including handing over documents.
