The diversity of the Catholic Church in the United States requires that it develop a culturally sensitive approach to preventing abuse, a safeguarding expert said. Although the US church, like the church in Europe, has structures in place to promote safeguarding to a higher degree than churches with less resources, “there are cultural aspects that Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Clergy sexual abuse’
Vatican investigation clears Quebec cardinal of misconduct
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024An investigation commissioned by the Vatican has concluded a senior leader of Quebec’s Roman Catholic Church did not commit sexual misconduct. The allegations against Cardinal Gérald Lacroix, the archbishop of Quebec City, emerged in January when he was named as an alleged perpetrator in a class-action lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by clergy and staff. The Read more
In support of victims of clergy abuse
Monday, May 13th, 2024
Isabelle Chartier-Siben, a respected physician and victimologist, has shared insights into supporting survivors of abuse, notably within religious communities. As president of the association ‘C’est à dire’ (‘That is to say’), Chartier-Siben (pictured) has dedicated some thirty years to aiding individuals navigating the aftermath of abuse. In a recent interview with the French publication La Read more
Father Marko Rupnik’s art cannot be separated from abuse claims
Monday, May 6th, 2024For the rector of the world’s second-largest church after St Peter’s Basilica, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil, May 11 will be a day of celebrating the inauguration of the southern facade’s mosaics, all created by Fr Marko Rupnik. But alleged victims of the disgraced former Jesuit and many faithful are not Read more
Former Australian Bishop faces two new indecent assault charges
Monday, April 22nd, 2024
Former Bishop of Broome Christopher Saunders, 74, is facing two fresh charges of indecent assault relating to incidents that allegedly happened eight years ago. These new charges add to his existing legal battle comprising 26 charges, including sexual penetration without consent, indecent dealing with a child, and unlawful and indecent assault. WA Police confirmed a Read more
Priest sues diocese over “false” sexual abuse allegations
Monday, March 18th, 2024
A priest in Indiana, USA, is suing his diocese for fraud and defamation after he was suspended over what the clergyman claims were false sexual abuse allegations. Fr James DeOreo claims the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana violated diocesan policy and committed both fraud and defamation when it said, in March 2022, that he had been accused Read more
Pope urges action as Church confronts ongoing sex abuse scandal
Monday, March 11th, 2024
Pope Francis has emphasised the importance of supporting abuse victims amidst growing concerns over the persisting clergy sex abuse scandal within the Catholic Church. During a meeting with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, the Pope addressed the need for continued efforts in aiding victims. The meeting came as recent events outside the Read more
Power a key factor in church sexual abuse cases
Monday, March 4th, 2024
A renowned historian has asserted that the hierarchical power structures within the Catholic and Protestant churches are significant factors contributing to sexual abuse cases. In a recent article in the German website Herder Korrespondenz, Thomas Großbölting (pictured) highlights the clergy’s authority within the religious framework as facilitating the exploitation of children and young people. “It Read more
Outrage in Poland prompts Vatican to give reason for Catholic bishop’s resignation
Thursday, February 29th, 2024The announcement that Pope Francis had accepted the resignation of Archbishop Andrzej Dziega of Szczecin-Kamien with no explanation caused a bittersweet reaction in Poland, once viewed as the testing ground for the 2019 Vatican document on bishops’ accountability. Dziega was known for ignoring the victims of sexual abuse for years in his archdiocese. Still, in Read more
Jesuits say they warned diocese that incardinated Rupnik had complaints against him
Monday, November 6th, 2023Father Marko Rupnik’s former superior in the Society of Jesus, Father Johan Verschueren, denied that the Jesuits facilitated the incardination of the priest, who is accused of sexual abuse, in the Diocese of Koper, Slovenia, and said that the order warned the local bishop about the serious complaints against him. In a statement to ACI Read more