In Wake of Devastating Report, Abuse Survivors Call for Archbishop Aymond’s Resignation – He Says He Won’t

A small group of survivors of child sex abuse by Catholic clergy protested outside a special Mass this week, calling on Archbishop Aymond to resign over his handling of the clergy abuse crisis. Three survivors stood outside the gates of St. Angela Merici on Wednesday, holding “Aymond Must Go” signs as the archbishop entered for … Read more

3 Women Sue Cleveland Diocese Over Alleged Sexual Abuse Spanning Decades

Three women filed lawsuits Tuesday that allege they were sexually and physically abused at a now-shuttered children’s group home that had been run by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. CLEVELAND, Ohio — Three women filed lawsuits Tuesday that allege they were sexually and physically abused at a now-shuttered children’s group home that had been run … Read more

Three More Women File Complaint Against Archdiocese of Montreal

At least three women filed formal sexual assault complaints against the archdiocese of Montreal since the allegations against Ouellet were made public, Christine Kirouack, ombudswoman for the city’s archdiocese, said in an interview Wednesday. “It exploded since yesterday,” Kirouack said about the introduction in Superior Court of two class-action lawsuits against members of the Catholic … Read more

Child Psychologist Says The Church Must Do More To Address Child Sexual Abuse

Research has repeatedly demonstrated that adverse childhood experiences (or “ACEs”) are associated with damage to the brain and other systems that are vital to healthy development. ACEs are events that are outside of a child’s control, yet they can have long lasting toxic effects on their health and well-being. Among a laundry list of tragic … Read more

Supreme Court Rejects Bishops’ Attempt to Stop Older Sex Abuse Cases

The court on Tuesday rejected an 11th-hour plea by nine Catholic bishops and archbishops seeking to overturn a California law allowing people to sue over childhood sex abuse regardless of how long ago it occurred, The Press Democrat reported. At issue is the California Child Victims Act, which opened a three-year “look back” window, from … Read more

Ohio Priest Allegedly Used Confession to Extort Sexual Favors from Boys

More details, as found in new federal filings with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, were released in the case against a former priest who pleaded guilty to numerous sex crimes involving children. The investigation into allegations against Robert McWilliams started in October 2019 after two Geauga County families came forward … Read more

Cardinal Beccui to be Tried for Embezzlement

An Italian cardinal and nine others have been ordered to stand trial by a Vatican judge for alleged corruption in connection with a €350m (£300m) luxury property deal in London involving Peter’s Pence donations. Those accused include Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was fired by Pope Francis last year; the former heads of the Vatican’s financial … Read more

New Zealand Bishop Resigns Over Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour

The Pope has accepted the resignation of the Bishop of Palmerston North, Charles Drennan, following an investigation into a complaint of unacceptable behaviour of a sexual nature. The Metropolitan Archbishop of New Zealand, Cardinal John Dew, said in the eyes of the Catholic church, Bishop Drennan’s behaviour was completely unacceptable. The complaint was made by … Read more