sexual abuse
Italian priest loses parish post after blaming children for sexual abuse
By Rosie Scammell — October 7, 2015
(ROME) The Archdiocese of Trento issued a statement saying it “completely disassociates” itself from the Rev. Gino Flaim’s remarks.
Pope to bishops: Don’t blame others for gay marriage, family problems
By David Gibson — September 27, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) Pope Francis said a church that constantly explains doctrines without providing real support to families “is dangerously unbalanced.”
An abuse survivor speaks to the church
By Boz Tchividjian — July 31, 2015
Powerful and personal words that call for the church to reflect the genuine image of Jesus.
Australians push for Vatican cardinal to testify on abuse
By Rosie Scammell — May 22, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The powerful Vatican finance minister has denied wrongdoing and said he'll answer questions about his record in writing, not in person.
Top Anglican calls for lifting seal of confessional in child abuse cases
By Trevor Grundy — October 23, 2014
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) "How can you hear a confession about somebody abusing a child and the matter must be sealed up and you mustn’t talk about it?" asked Archbishop of York John Sentamu.
Hillsong founder denies covering up father’s sex abuse
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 10, 2014
(RNS) Brian Houston took the witness stand to answer questions on his handling of child sex abuse allegations against his late father.
Sex abuse victims: Irish cardinal’s resignation not soon enough
By Andrew Coffman Smith — September 8, 2014
BELFAST, Northern Ireland (RNS) Cardinal Sean Brady's resignation comes after he turned 75, the age at which cardinals are required to step down.
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.
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 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.
Irish abuse victim, Boston cardinal named to Vatican sex abuse panel
By Eric J. Lyman — March 24, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The high-profile names on the sexual abuse commission give some indication of the importance Pope Francis has given to the panel.
Conservative leader Bill Gothard resigns following abuse allegations
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — March 6, 2014
(RNS) Bill Gothard's Institute in Basic Life Principles was once a popular gathering spot for thousands of Christian families, including the Duggar family from TLC’s "19 Kids and Counting.”
Australia’s Hillsong Church exports its influence through praise and preaching
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — November 4, 2013
SYDNEY (RNS) Perhaps most remarkable is that a globally influential church like Hillsong could flourish at all in Australia, where in 2011 nearly a third of Australians said their religious affiliation was either ‘no religion’ or not stated.
Navy chaplains to receive more training on sexual abuse
By Tim Townsend — October 7, 2013
ST. LOUIS (RNS) Each year, Navy chaplains receive professional development training around a specific issue. Next year’s focus will be on pastoral care for sexual assault victims.
After years of decline, Catholics see rise in number of future priests
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — September 24, 2013
(RNS) Young men today “want to give their life for something that counts. These men are tired of living in a culture of relativism. They want to say there must be something true, beautiful and good," says the Rev. Mark Latcovich, president of St. Mary Seminary outside Cleveland.