sex abuse
Matt Chandler, megachurch pastor, addresses allegations of abuse at Village Church during SBC meeting
By Adelle M. Banks — June 11, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — Matt Chandler, pastor of the Village Church outside of Dallas, defended his church against reports it had mishandled allegations of abuse.
Women sex abuse survivors tell Southern Baptists: ‘Our family is sick’
By Adelle M. Banks — June 11, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — One woman, who said she was abused by her youth pastor and then her senior pastor, said the intervention of a trusted adult is crucial for survivors.
Southern Baptist report condemns ‘epidemic’ of abuse, looks at ways to assist victims
By Adelle M. Banks — June 8, 2019
(RNS) — The 'Caring Well' report also summarizes a range of next steps to address the issue for years to come, including educating congregations about abuse, preparing them to help survivors and fostering abuse prevention.
Southern Baptist leaders plan to remedy ‘insufficient’ approach to abuse claims
By Adelle M. Banks — June 3, 2019
(RNS) — Their denomination’s Executive Committee may also vote to create a year-round Credentials Committee that will consider complaints about churches mishandling abuse or 'discriminatory behavior on the basis of ethnicity.'
5 former Michigan Catholic priests charged with sex crimes
By Paul O'Donnell — May 24, 2019
DETROIT (AP) — Four priests were arrested this week in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, and the fifth awaits extradition from India.
Survey: 1 in 3 Protestants think more stories of abuse by pastors yet to come
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 21, 2019
(RNS) — There’s both good news and bad news in the numbers in the latest LifeWay survey, which asked Protestant churchgoers wide-ranging questions about sexual misconduct and the church.
Victims of clergy abuse to sue Vatican, seek abusers’ names
By Amy Forliti — May 14, 2019
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The lawsuit being filed Tuesday seeks the release of 3,400 names of priests who were referred to the Vatican for "credible cases of abuse."
Vatican law: Priests, nuns must report sex abuse, cover-up
By Nicole Winfield — May 9, 2019
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis issued a groundbreaking law Thursday requiring all Catholic priests and nuns around the world to report clergy sexual abuse and cover-up by their superiors to church authorities.
Retired Pope Benedict wades into clergy sex abuse debate
By Nicole Winfield — April 11, 2019
(AP) — His analysis was immediately criticized as 'catastrophically irresponsible' — a conflict with efforts by his successor, Pope Francis, to lead the church out of its crisis.
DeVon Franklin produces faith films while guiding men through #MeToo movement
By Adelle M. Banks — April 1, 2019
(RNS) — ‘I challenge every man to not look at the #MeToo movement as a women's movement,’ said Franklin. ‘It's not. We need to be a part of this movement.’
Taking stock of the clergy sexual abuse crisis: Holding bishops accountable
By Thomas Reese — March 28, 2019
(RNS) — As the Catholic sexual abuse crisis has rolled on, the demand that the bishops be held accountable has become the focus of inquiries from the Vatican to attorney general offices across the U.S.
Taking stock of the clergy sexual abuse crisis: Protecting children
By Thomas Reese — March 21, 2019
(RNS) — Reading the constant barrage of news stories about abuse in the Catholic Church makes one wonder if any of the reforms is doing any good.
Southern Baptist executive, experts say churches should address abuse of adults
By Adelle M. Banks — March 14, 2019
(RNS) — As the Southern Baptist Convention confronts allegations of sexual abuse in its ranks, leaders of some of its affiliated organizations as well as other denominations are seeking to educate clergy and other staffers about appropriate boundaries.
Cardinal Pell sent to prison for abusing 2 boys in Australia
By Rod McGuirk — March 13, 2019
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Sentencing the most senior Catholic clergyman to be convicted of child sex abuse, the judge said Pell showed 'staggering arrogance.'
French court convicts cardinal of not reporting child abuse
By Nicolas Vaux-Montagny — March 7, 2019
LYON, France (AP) — French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin said Thursday he will offer his resignation to Pope Francis, after a court found Barbarin guilty of failing to report allegations of sexual abuse of minors by a priest.
