Sexual Abuse Scandal

McCarrick charged with sexually assaulting teen in Wisconsin, amid controversial AG probe

By Michelle La Rosa, the Pillar, April 17, 2023 Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been charged in Wisconsin with sexually assaulting a teenage boy in 1977. McCarrick is charged with one count of fourth-degree sexual assault, stemming from an alleged incident in April 1977. He is... read more

Key pope advisor says [he] quits Vatican abuse body over failures

AP, March 29, 2023 The most influential member of a Vatican commission on tackling clerical sex abuse said Wednesday he has quit over "structural and practical issues" which made it "impossible" for him to continue. Hans Zollner, the public face of Pope Francis's efforts to tackle... read more

ENDLESS FILTH NEEDS TRANSPARENCY, TRUTH, TIERS AND TEARS

It had to be immensely painful and difficult for the community, but they did not shirk their responsibility to the victims of abuse, to their communities and supporters, and to the church. By Elizabeth Scalia, The Pilot/ Our Sunday Visitor, March 24, 2023 It was terrible to learn... read more

‘Confusion, control and abuse’: Report offers new details about Jean Vanier’s secret sect and sexual exploitation

By Katie Collins Scott, National Catholic Reporter, January 30, 2023 When revelations emerged nine months after his 2019 death that Jean Vanier — a philosopher, author and activist once deemed a living saint — had sexually and spiritually abused women, his legacy was... read more

Exclusive: Ex-Cardinal McCarrick denies abuse of NJ man as criminal case hangs in balance

By Deena Yellin, NorthJersey.com, March 4, 2023 Former Roman Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked after years of sexual abuse allegations, said in an exclusive interview that he did not assault a New Jersey man he is charged with abusing, though he did acknowledge... read more

Prosecutors challenge medical report finding McCarrick not competent to stand trial

DEDHAM, Mass. (OSV NEWS) -- Prosecutors are challenging the medical report claiming former cardinal Theodore McCarrick is not competent to stand trial on charges he sexually abused a teen in the 1970s.McCarrick's legal team filed the report Feb. 27 in Massachusetts' Dedham District Court based... read more

Jesuits: New restrictions against Rupnik possible in light of credible abuse accusations

By Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency, February 21, 2023 The Society of Jesus said Tuesday it will open a new internal procedure on Jesuit Father Marko Rupnik after receiving abuse accusations with a “very high” degree of credibility against the artist. According to... read more

Stika told priests accused seminarian was ‘victimized’

Bishop Rick Stika is accused of defamation, and covering up sexual abuse, in the Diocese of Knoxville. The Pillar, January 31, 2023 The Pillar has confirmed a recently-made allegation, that Bishop Rick Stika told priests a seminarian accused of sexually assaulting a parish organist had... read more

Vatican abuse inquiry into Hexham and Newcastle will cause ‘pain and shame’, says Archbishop

By Simon Caldwell, Catholic Herald (UK), January 30, 2023 Catholics of the diocese in the spotlight of a Vatican abuse inquiry were warned yesterday to brace themselves for a period of “pain and shame” as investigators establish the truth behind the shock resignation of their... read more

Confusion abounds in Pope’s AP interview

By Philip F, Lawler, Catholic Culture, January 25, 2023 Another month, another papal interview, another spate of confusion. In a lengthy session with the Associated Press, Pope Francis made a series of puzzling and/or misleading statements about topics including homosexuality, priestly abuse,... read more

High-ranking Catholic authorities scrutinize Knoxville diocese amid sex abuse lawsuits

An apostolic visitation by two bishops is a signal church authorities are concerned, a Jesuit priest told Knox News Tyler Whetstone By Tyler Whetstone, Knoxville News Sentinel,January 19, 2023 KEY POINTS: Two bishops conducted a fact-finding visit to the Knoxville diocese late last... read more