Pope Tries to Encourage Abuse Prevention Board Amid Turmoil

Pope Francis sought to encourage his embattled child protection advisory board Friday, following weeks of turmoil sparked by the latest resignation of a founding member and fresh questions about its direction. Francis urged his Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors to pursue a “spirituality of reparation” with abuse survivors and build a culture of … Read more

Director of Institute for Spiritual Direction Charged with Stealing $830,000 from Retired Priests

The former director of the Lansing Catholic Diocese’s St. Francis Retreat Center has been arrested for allegedly embezzling $830,000 from three fellow priests, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday. Father David Rosenberg, 70, of Dewitt, was arraigned in the 65-A District Court in Clinton County on the following charges: Three counts of Embezzlement from … Read more

Teen Sues Cleveland Diocese Saying It Failed To Protect Him From Sexual Abuse

A Northeast Ohio teenager has filed a civil lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland that alleges the diocese failed to protect him against his abuser: former priest Robert McWilliams. A federal judge sentenced McWilliams to a life sentence last November for numerous child pornography, child exploitation and child sex trafficking charges. McWilliams took his … Read more

Cardinal Cupich Denies Vax Exemptions To His Flock

Cardinal Blase Cupich sent a message to priests in the Chicago Archdiocese Wednesday about Catholics and the COVID vaccine. He said religious exemptions for the vaccine go against church teachings, and priests should not provide them to parishioners. In the letter, Cupich said the Catholic Church supports the vaccine, adding it promotes the common good. … Read more

Former Priest – Monsignor Craig Harrison – Subject of Two New Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

The law firm Jeff Anderson & Associates announced that on Wednesday it will file two lawsuits against former Bakersfield priest Craig Harrison and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno for ignoring and concealing his alleged sexual abuse against minors. Attorney Jeff Anderson confirmed with 23ABC the suit involves a new alleged victim. Harrison resigned from … Read more

Minnesota Diocese Settles Abuse Claims for $21.5 Million

The Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota says it has reached a $21.5 million settlement with 145 individuals who were sexually abused by its clergy members. It’s the last Catholic diocese in the state to settle its abuse claims, filed in response to a 2013 law that temporarily extended the statute of limitations on abuse cases. … Read more