After facing intense scrutiny for his handling of sex abuse cases in Pittsburgh in the 1980s and 1990s, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., has withdrawn from participating in the World Meeting of Families in Ireland.
sexual abuse
Vatican Responds to Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report
Regarding the report made public in Pennsylvania this week, there are two words that can express the feelings faced with these horrible crimes: shame and sorrow. The Holy See treats with great seriousness the work of the Investigating Grand Jury of Pennsylvania and the lengthy Interim Report it has produced.
Bishops ‘Shamed’ by Sins Leading to Abuse
The U.S. bishops “are shamed by and sorry for the sins and omissions by Catholic priests and Catholic bishops” that have led to sexual abuse and caused great harm to many, said an Aug. 14 statement from the USCCB president and the chair of its child protection committee.
Pope Accepts Cardinal McCarrick’s Resignation As a Cardinal
After a month of mounting allegations of sexual abuse against American Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Pope Francis has accepted his resignation from the College of Cardinals. Cardinal McCarrick continues to be a priest, and has been ordered to remain in a house “to be indicated” until the accusations against him are examined.
Leaked Letter Puts Pressure on Chile Cardinal
Despite repeated attempts to distance himself from his country’s sexual abuse crisis, including recently asserting there’s a climate of “slander” against the Catholic Church, Chilean Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati of Santiago is facing mounting scrutiny for his role in the scandals both from outside the Church and within.
O’Malley Calls for ‘More than Apologies’ In Response to McCarrick Claims
Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who serves as the pope’s point man for sex abuse reform, is calling for decisive action following recent allegations of sexual abuse against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
In Wake of McCarrick Scandal, Is Rescinding Honors Whitewashing History?
Earlier this month, Fordham University announced that its Board of Trustees had voted to rescind an honorary doctorate awarded to Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, following revelations that the former Archbishop of Washington had molested an altar boy nearly 50 years ago as a priest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.
NY Times Details Alleged Abuse By Cardinal, Settlements Received
NEW YORK (CNS) – A front-page New York Times article published July 16 detailed the alleged abuse of two seminarians in the Diocese of Metuchen, N.J., by then-Bishop Theodore E. McCarrick in the 1980s that resulted in settlements to each man.
Former Chilean Chancellor Arrested on Abuse Charges
by Junno Arocho Esteves
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – As the Catholic Church in Chile continues to reel from allegations of clerical sexual abuse and cover-ups, police arrested the former chancellor of the Archdiocese of Santiago on accusations that he had sexually abused minors.
Church Is Experiencing Its #MeToo Moment
In the wake of historic allegations of sexual abuse and cover-up in countries around the world, the Catholic Church is experiencing the same challenge that has brought a reckoning to those who used their authority to abuse or silence victims, said an Australian archbishop.