Is Francis actually backsliding on punishing abuse?
Distinctly Catholic: In the clerical culture, being defrocked is the most severe penalty. But does cutting a priest abuser loose best serve the key objective — protecting children?
Accountability
Mexican priest, first convicted of sexual abuse, gets 16 years in prison
A priest in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca has been sentenced to 16 years and 6 months in prison for sexual abuse, marking the first ever conviction of a Catholic clergyman for such crimes in the country.
Father Gerardo Silvestre Hernandez, a priest in the Archdiocese of Antequera Oaxaca, was convicted in January of corrupting minors while serving as a priest in a remote indigenous village of Oaxaca. His sentence was made public Feb. 24, Mexican media reported.
Australian archbishops to ask Vatican for clarity on confession issues
Australia's five archbishops said they would consider asking the Vatican for clarification on concerns raised in a government inquiry into sexual abuse of children in the church.
Australian archbishops: Leadership on abuse was 'catastrophic failure'
Five Australian archbishops testified before a government commission on child sexual abuse, reiterating apologies and taking responsibility for actions that occurred before they were church leaders.
Bishop's testimony reads like an NCR editorial
You gotta read this. We've got to get to know the bishop of Parramatta, Australia, Vincent Long Van Nguyen, a lot better.
Cardinal Burke leaves Guam after interviewing witnesses in abuse case
U.S. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke spent two days in Guam interviewing witnesses and alleged victims in a clerical sexual abuse case against Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron of Agana.
Founder steps down while SNAP considers new directions
The change in personnel didn’t so much spark an examination of SNAP’s future so much as it fueled already ongoing conversations of what it will look like in the future.
Victims want more action against Sodalitium abusers, including founder
A Peru-based Catholic movement has acknowledged that its founder sexually, physically and psychologically abused minors, teen and young adult members.
An internal investigation of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae found that Luis Fernando Figari, who founded the organization in 1971 and headed it until 2010, and three other high-ranking former members abused 19 minors and 10 adults.
Pope Francis seeks forgiveness from clergy abuse victims
Pope Francis on clerical sex abuse: In an unusual move, the pontiff's comments on clerical sex abuse were published as a preface to a new book by Daniel Pittet, a Swiss victim who was sexually abused for four years by a priest when he was a child.
Experts: To limit clergy abuse, look at model of business accountability
In a wide-ranging discussion, members of Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and experts called to testify discussed how good business practices might or might not make children less vulnerable.
The hearing included discussion of church governance, celibacy and what seminarians are being taught about power and leadership.
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In This Issue
May 19-June 1, 2017
- Read select articles from our print issue
- Special Section [Print Only]: Health & Well-Being