Bishop Richard Malone says his congregation’s darkest days are in the past. The embattled spiritual leader has faced calls for his resignation over his handling of sexual abuse allegations against clergy members in the Diocese of Buffalo, where a public reckoning that started as a local scandal became a national headline. A whistleblower, Malone’s own … Read more
A jury Monday evening convicted a former El Paso Catholic priest in a child sexual assault case that dates back to the 1990’s, when he was still an active priest. Jurors in the trial of Miguel Luna, 68, deliberated for about five hours before returning a guilty verdict on all 12 counts he faced. Luna, … Read more
The names of more than 100 clerics accused of abuse in the Diocese of Phoenix were released Wednesday. A group of lawyers, victims, and advocates held a joint press conference in downtown Phoenix to share the report in hopes of ‘bringing out of the dark’ information that they claim has not been thoroughly provided by … Read more
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus has added four names to its website list of priests credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors. The list was initially released on March 1, 2019, with 34 names on it. On March 5, the diocese added two more names. The website was updated on May 23 with the additions … Read more
New sexual assault charges have been filed against a former Catholic priest who served churches in Burton and Flushing. Vincent DeLorenzo, who now lives in Florida, is facing three counts each of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and second degree criminal sexual conduct. The alleged conduct occurred sometime around 1995. Court documents show the six new … Read more
It has been nearly a month since Heart of Illinois ABC approached Bishop Daniel Jenky with questions about priest and clergy sex abuse accusations in the Peoria Catholic Dioceses. Our journalists approached Jenky at a press event in Springfield, March 28, where we asked Jenky in person if he would be willing to speak on … Read more
It wasn’t the news parishioners at St. John’s Catholic Church in San Lorenzo wanted to hear. Their former priest, Father David Mendoza-Vela was arrested on 30 counts of Lewd acts with a child on Thursday. Some couldn’t believe it. “He’s a priest, he’s a good priest,” one unidentified parishioner said. Alameda County Sheriff’s … Read more
The Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa released the names of 39 members of the clergy who church leaders say sexually abused children – or faced credible accusations of abuse. The Santa Rosa Diocese sent a news release containing the names to 140,000 parishioners, and the news media. Dan McNevin of SNAP – the survivor’s network … Read more
There are two questions weighing heavily on abuse survivor Peter Gogarty’s mind — how people who claim to believe in and preach the Gospel could prey on and sexually abuse children, and how those who concealed the abhorrent crimes have never be held to account. The questions have consumed him and he is now taking … Read more
Three months into a state investigation of child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Thursday said that the number of violators “is more extensive than the Church previously has disclosed to the public.” Attorney General Madigan’s “initial review” has found priests with “credible allegations of sexual abuse against minors” … Read more