Church Sex Abuse Scandal

Pope Francis Calls For 'Decisive Action' On Clerical Sex Abuse

Eyder Peralta — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:15:00 +0000

Pope Francis told his staff to take "decisive action" when it comes to cases of clerical sex abuse of minors.

In a statement, the Vatican said the pontiff ordered the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to "act decisively as far as cases of sexual abuse are concerned, promoting, above all, measures to protect minors, help for those who have suffered such violence in the past (and) the necessary procedures against those who are guilty."

The BBC reports this was the new pope's first public statement on the issue, which has

Critics Wait To See How Pope Francis Deals With Sex Abuse Scandal

Jonathan Blakley — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:56:00 +0000

Pope Francis has now been installed and the world's Catholics are looking to see where he will lead the church. But one man in Rome has been trying to make sure the Vatican also deals with the church's troubled past.

David Clohessy, who says he was a victim of sexual abuse at a young age by a Catholic priest, is the director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

L.A. Archdiocese Agrees To $10 Million Settlement Over Abuse Claims

Eyder Peralta — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:46:00 +0000

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $9.9 million to four men who allege they were abused by former priest Michael Baker, the men's attorney tells the AP.

The Los Angeles Times<

Victims' Advocates Push For Some Cardinals To Be Barred From Papal Conclave

Mark Memmott — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:58:00 +0000
As Roman Catholic cardinals now gathered in Rome continue to make preparations for their conclave that will choose a new pope, NPR's Sylvia Poggioli tells our Newscast Desk that "advocates for victims of clerical sex abuse across the world are stepping up demands that three cardinals withdraw" from that process.
According to Sylvia:
"The victims groups accuse three cardinals of covering up crimes.

Pennsylvania Monsignor Sentenced To 3 To 6 Years In Prison

Eyder Peralta — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:14:00 +0000
Monsignor William Lynn, who became the first Catholic leader convicted in the church sex abuse scandal, was sentenced to three to six years in prison.
The AP reports:
"The former secretary for clergy at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, handled priest assignments and child sexual assault complaints from 1992 to 2004.
"Judge M. Teresa Sarmina said Lynn enabled 'monsters in clerical garb ...