clergy sexual abuse
Nearly 100 sex abuse suits against Catholic priests rock island of Guam
By Yonat Shimron — August 4, 2017
(RNS) — While clergy abuse is well-documented elsewhere in the U.S. and in cities around the world, a similar pattern of allegations in Guam has gone largely unnoticed outside this tiny island.
Cardinal returns to Australia to face sexual assault charges
By Yonat Shimron — July 10, 2017
SYDNEY (AP) — The 76-year-old cleric is due to appear in a court in the Victoria state capital, Melbourne, on July 26.
Pope names Detroit bishop to Guam archdiocese rocked by sex abuse allegations
By Josephine McKenna — October 31, 2016
ROME (RNS) Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Byrnes was appointed to Guam after the archbishop there refused to stand down voluntarily.
Bishop in scandal-ridden Italian diocese resigns
By Josephine McKenna — September 2, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The bishop was a hero to traditionalist Catholics but he also welcomed priests and seminarians with shady pasts and lurid accusations against them.
Prominent French priest and Vatican adviser accused in sex scandal
By David Gibson — May 20, 2016
(RNS) Allegations that Monsignor Tony Anatrella, who has argued that gay men cannot be priests, sexually exploited male clients under his care could have major repercussions.
Nun recounts rape, abuse by priest in memoir backed by Catholic Church
By Josephine McKenna — March 21, 2016
ROME (RNS) "This is the first time a full story about clerical sexual abuse has been written in Italian by an Italian,” said a priest who is on the Vatican's anti-abuse commission and wrote the preface to the book.
German choir abuse claims hit close to home for retired Pope Benedict XVI
By David Gibson — January 9, 2016
(RNS) Benedict's older brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, directed the famous choir when most of the abuse allegedly occurred.
Rome summit looks to improve church’s handling of child sexual abuse
By Rosie Scammell — June 25, 2015
ROME (RNS) As the Vatican continues to work on policies to combat clergy sex abuse, a leading pontifical university in Rome hosted a conference this week on how the Catholic Church can better address the current crisis and released details of a new diploma program on protecting children.
Minneapolis Archbishop John Nienstedt resigns after charges over abuse scandal
By David Gibson — June 15, 2015
(RNS) The Vatican launched a major housecleaning of the scandal-plagued Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The moves seem to mark another step in Pope Francis’ new “get tough” policy on bishops.
5 lessons from the resignation of Bishop Robert Finn (ANALYSIS)
By David Gibson — April 21, 2015
(RNS) No U.S. bishop had ever been forced from office for covering up for a predator priest. Until Finn.
Pope Francis: ‘All I want is to go out for a pizza!’
By David Gibson — March 13, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis isn't a fan of being cooped up inside the Vatican, and he may not be for very long. That and other juicy tidbits from his two-year anniversary interview.
Cardinal Edward Egan, former New York archbishop, dies at 82
By David Gibson — March 5, 2015
NEW YORK (RNS) Cardinal Edward Egan was never beloved by priests or parishioners as were the men who preceded and followed him in office, but he also had a tough job to do.
Cardinal O’Malley: The Catholic sex abuse scandal is far from over
By Reuters — February 17, 2015
ROME (Reuters) "It would be perilous for us, as leaders of the Church, to consider that the scandal of clergy sexual abuse is for the most part a matter of history and not a pressing concern here and now," said Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley.
Pope Francis faces a big week in his effort to reform the Vatican
By David Gibson — February 9, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Even more important, and perhaps more difficult, than changing the Vatican’s structure is changing the culture of the place.
Papal commission on sex abuse targets bishops, seeks to convince skeptics
By David Gibson — February 7, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Members will give Pope Francis recommendations on how to punish bishops who shield priests suspected of misconduct, one of several moves that are encouraging the two victims on the panel. But they also chided Francis for endorsing spanking.