clergy sexual abuse
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.
Vatican sex abuse commission meets amid new hopes, old concerns
By David Gibson — February 6, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Priority must not be given to any other kind of concern, whatever its nature, such as the desire to avoid scandal, since there is absolutely no place in ministry for those who abuse minors," Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis to bishops: Protect the kids, not your careers
By Reuters — February 5, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "priority must not be given to any other kind of concern, whatever its nature, such as the desire to avoid scandal, since there is absolutely no place in ministry for those who abuse minors," Francis said.
Residents near center for troubled priests worry about property values
By Lilly Fowler — January 13, 2015
Families thought their street was ideal -- until learning the center houses five convicted sex offenders.
Australians suggest celibacy played a role in clergy abuse scandal
By Josephine McKenna — December 12, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Obedience and closed environments also seem to have had a role in the prevalence of abuse within some religious orders and dioceses," the report said. "Obligatory celibacy may also have contributed to abuse.”
Cardinal O’Malley repeats: Church needs to discipline bishops over sex abuse
By David Gibson — November 20, 2014
(RNS) But the Boston archbishop, one of Pope Francis' closest advisers, said the Vatican needs a system of accountability and must “avoid crowd-based condemnations.”
Benedict Groeschel, popular priest and controversial media figure, dies at 81
By David Gibson — October 6, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) Groeschel was an outspoken opponent of abortion and was quick to defend the church against what he saw as unfair criticism. But his critique of media coverage of the clergy sex abuse scandals also landed him in hot water.
Pope Francis orders accused envoy Jozef Wesolowski put under house arrest
By Josephine McKenna — September 23, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A bishop from the Dominican Republic was recently reported saying he was shocked to see former Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski walking freely on the streets of central Rome.
Polish diplomat raises extradition for Vatican official accused of sex abuse
By Josephine McKenna — August 27, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Poland’s ambassador to the Holy See has forcefully condemned the alleged sexual abuse of children by a Polish-born former archbishop and Vatican diplomat, and said Warsaw is considering a fresh request to extradite Jozef Wesolowski to face trial in his homeland.
Pope Francis raises eyebrows by saying pedophile priests include ‘bishops and cardinals’
By Josephine McKenna — July 14, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "Many of my advisers who are fighting it with me are giving me reliable data that estimates pedophilia inside the church at a level of 2 percent,” Pope Francis was quoted as saying.
Vatican’s UN envoy says bishop’s defrocking shows church takes abuse seriously
By Josephine McKenna — July 2, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, 65, is the highest-ranking church official to be found guilty of sex abuse and has two months to appeal his sentence before facing criminal proceedings at the Vatican.
Vatican diplomat Jozef Wesolowski convicted of sexual abuse, defrocked from the priesthood
By Josephine McKenna — June 27, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski was removed from his post in the Dominican Republic and recalled to the Vatican last August amid claims that he had abused boys in Santo Domingo.
Archbishop sparks controversy on fifth anniversary in St. Louis
By Lilly Fowler — June 11, 2014
ST. LOUIS (RNS) Any celebrating of the anniversary on the part of Archbishop Robert J. Carlson was done in the midst of nationwide headlines about his connection to the sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the Roman Catholic Church for more than a decade.
