child abuse

The Latest

Eduardo Verástegui speaks at the Vitae Summit in Vatican City on Sept. 1, 2022.

Anti-human-trafficking film ‘Sound of Freedom’ just topped ‘Indiana Jones’ at box office

Jul 6, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Catholic filmmaker Eduardo Verastegui recently explained how and why he got involved with the film. Read more

Father Frederick Lenczycki (left) admitted to abusing more than 30 children in three states; Bishop Joseph Imesch of the Diocese of Joliet had recommended him for a transfer without disclosing allegations against the priest.

Illinois clergy sex abuse report: How bishops protected accused priests

May 26, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The report showed examples of bishops transferring accused child abusers to other parishes or dioceses while failing to make the... Read more

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Catholic prevention organization: Mexico ranks first in human trafficking and child abuse

Apr 7, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

A nun with the Rahamim network said Mexico holds “first place in human trafficking, child abuse, organ selling, sex tourism,... Read more

The Monserrate Home is administered by the sisters of the Congregation of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Poor in Colombia.

Colombian bishop repudiates shocking abuse of boy at home run by nuns

Dec 23, 2021

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Bishop of Zipaquirá, Colombia, Héctor Cubillos Peña, expressed his “deep pain and his firm repudiation” of the “serious mistreatment”... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square after the Wednesday general audience, June 1, 2016.

Pope Francis: Governments must act urgently against child pornography

Nov 12, 2021

By Courtney Mares

‘The groups responsible behave like mafias,’ the pope said. Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Meter association in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, May 15, 2021.

Pope Francis to anti-pedophilia group: ‘Your work is more necessary than ever’

May 15, 2021

The pope was speaking to members of the Italian Meter association. Read more

Stock photo.

Catholic women raise alarm over spike in child abuse during lockdowns

Mar 30, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Catholic women are calling for increased prevention efforts after pandemic lockdowns led to an increase in child abuse at home. Read more

Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

Chicago Tribune op-ed: Public schools can learn from Catholics in handling sex abuse

Jul 2, 2019

After an investigative series by the Chicago Tribune uncovered numerous cases of sexual abuse and cover-up in the city’s public... Read more

How family structure affects the likelihood of child abuse

Aug 6, 2018

By Mary Farrow

Amid a renewed public conversation about what can be done to keep children safe from abuse, studies show that unstable... Read more

St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.

Australian bishops join national program to compensate child sex abuse victims

May 30, 2018

The Australian Catholic bishops confirmed Wednesday that they will participate in a national compensation program for survivors of child sexual... Read more

Computer.

First-of-its-kind congress leads global conversation on digital sexual child abuse

Sep 30, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

A global congress to be held in Rome next week will focus on how to protect children in the digital... Read more

Church pew.

Legal expert: Religious freedom does not justify child abuse

Jan 5, 2017

By Mary Farrow

Two Minnesota parents are facing charges of child neglect after they prayed over their severely ill son rather than seeking... Read more

Legal counsel: Religious freedom never justifies abuse

Sep 2, 2016

An Indiana woman who allegedly beat her 7-year-old with a coat hanger is citing religious freedom as her defense against... Read more

People pray outside Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in Denver.

Suit claims Colo. Planned Parenthood ignored sex abuse

Jul 15, 2014

A lawsuit charges that a Colorado Planned Parenthood affiliate failed to recognize and report the sexual abuse of a 13-year-old... Read more

A suspect is taken into custody by FBI agents in Jackson, Mississippi during Operation Cross Country VIII in June 2014.

Major FBI bust highlights problem of human trafficking

Jun 27, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

The arrest of nearly 300 suspected pimps and rescue of 168 children in a national bust of child sex trafficking... Read more

The Irish flag.

AP issues massive correction on Ireland child burial story

Jun 24, 2014

By Matt Hadro

The Associated Press has retracted key claims from its reports of an Irish Catholic home for unwed mothers supposedly burying... Read more

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson.

Media coverage of St. Louis archbishop criticized as 'misleading'

Jun 12, 2014

The Archdiocese of St. Louis criticized “inaccurate and misleading” reports suggesting that Archbishop Robert Carlson did not know sexual relations... Read more

Pope Francis preaches during a Penitential service at St. Peter's Basilica, March 28, 2014.

Sex abuse will not be tolerated, Pope Francis says

May 27, 2014

Pope Francis strongly denounced clerical sex abuse of children, saying that such abuse will not be tolerated and announcing a... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on October 2, 2013.

Pope apologizes for priests' sex abuse, promises strong response

Apr 11, 2014

Pope Francis called April 11 for an “even stronger” Catholic Church response to combat sexual abuse, saying he felt compelled... Read more

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput at a May 2012 press conference.

Archbishop Chaput finds two priests unsuitable for ministry

Feb 25, 2014

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia had found two local priests to be unsuitable for ministry following separate, substantiated allegations... Read more