Spain’s report on Catholic Church sex abuse estimates victims could number in hundreds of thousands
1 year, 1 month ago

Spain’s report on Catholic Church sex abuse estimates victims could number in hundreds of thousands

Associated Press  

MADRID — Spain’s first official probe of sex abuse by clergy members or other people connected to the Catholic Church in the country included a survey that indicated that the number of victims could run into hundreds of thousands. The survey was part of a damning report by the office of Spain’s ombudsman, or “defensor del pueblo,” following an 18-month independent investigation of 487 cases involving alleged victims who spoke with the ombudsman’s team. The ombudsman’s investigation represents Spain’s first official probe of the child sex abuse problem that has undermined the Catholic Church around the world, and the estimate from the survey is the first time such a high number of possible victims was identified in the country. Spain’s parliament voted in March 2022 to open the country’s first official investigation by the ombudsman into the extent of sexual abuse committed by priests and church authorities.

Spain Abuse Church Catholic Church Sex Victims Sex Abuse Survey Report Spanish Madrid  victims  number  estimates  spanish  survey  sex  hundreds  catholic  thousands  abuse  ombudsmans  church  spains  priests  report

History of this topic

Church must learn from abuse victims, Pope Francis says on Belgium trip
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Church must learn from abuse victims, Pope Francis says on Belgium trip

The Hindu  

Pope Francis said on Saturday the Catholic Church must learn from victims of child sexual abuse, as he was pressed on the issue on the second day of his Belgium visit partially overshadowed by past scandals. Replying at a meeting in Brussels to a scripted question by a representative of an organisation helping abuse victims, the pontiff acknowledged the "atrocious …

Catholic church is stonewalling sex abuse investigation, Washington attorney general says
7 months, 1 week ago

Catholic church is stonewalling sex abuse investigation, Washington attorney general says

Associated Press  

SEATTLE — The Catholic church is refusing to cooperate with a Washington state investigation into whether it unlawfully used charitable trust funds to cover up sexual abuse by priests, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Thursday, asking a court to force the Seattle Archdiocese to turn over decades of records. Ferguson said the archdiocese ignored a second subpoena issued this spring …

Expanding clergy sexual abuse probe targets New Orleans Catholic church leaders
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Expanding clergy sexual abuse probe targets New Orleans Catholic church leaders

Associated Press  

NEW ORLEANS — Authorities have expanded an investigation of clergy sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans to include senior church officials suspected of shielding predatory priests for decades and failing to report their crimes to law enforcement. Louisiana State Police carried out a sweeping search warrant last week at the Archdiocese of New Orleans, seeking a …

The Vatican’s problematic process to address clergy sex abuse cases, explained
10 months ago

The Vatican’s problematic process to address clergy sex abuse cases, explained

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — One afternoon in mid-December, Pope Francis had a meeting that wasn’t on his official agenda or otherwise recorded, that underscored the utter dysfunction of the Catholic Church’s response to the global clergy sex abuse scandal. “The only justice, or semblance of justice that has been meted out is in civilian courts because the church can’t screw them …

Spain’s report on Catholic Church sex abuse estimates victims could number in hundreds of thousands
1 year, 1 month ago

Spain’s report on Catholic Church sex abuse estimates victims could number in hundreds of thousands

LA Times  

Spanish ombudsman Ángel Gabilondo delivers a report on abuse in the Catholic Church to President of the Congress Francina Armengol in Madrid on Friday. Spain’s first official investigation of sex abuse by clergy members or other people connected to the Catholic Church in the country included a survey that indicated the number of victims could run into hundreds of thousands. …

In the wake of Chile’s Catholic abuse crisis, victims struggle to find justice
1 year, 3 months ago

In the wake of Chile’s Catholic abuse crisis, victims struggle to find justice

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “This wasn’t a crisis, this was a cultural break …

In Chile, justice eludes victims of Catholic clergy sex abuse years after the crisis exploded
1 year, 3 months ago

In Chile, justice eludes victims of Catholic clergy sex abuse years after the crisis exploded

Associated Press  

SANTIAGO, Chile — Soon after she learned what happened, Helmut Kramer’s mother grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the priest out of photographs from her son’s baptism. “This wasn’t a crisis, this was a cultural break from the Catholic Church,” said Chilean historian Marcial Sánchez. Not long after the pope’s visit, Helmut Kramer joined other victims to launch “Red …

Over 1,000 cases of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church since mid-20th century
1 year, 3 months ago

Over 1,000 cases of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church since mid-20th century

The Hindu  

A sweeping, year-long study of sex abuse by Catholic priests and others in Switzerland published on September 12 has turned up more than 1,000 cases since the mid-20th century, as the Swiss church becomes the latest in Europe to reckon with the abuse scandal. The report, commissioned by the Swiss Conference of Bishops and led by two University of Zurich …

Sweeping study finds 1,000 cases of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church since mid-20th century
1 year, 3 months ago

Sweeping study finds 1,000 cases of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church since mid-20th century

Associated Press  

GENEVA — A sweeping, year-long study of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and others in Switzerland published Tuesday has turned up more than 1,000 cases since the mid-20th century, as the Swiss church becomes the latest in Europe to reckon with the abuse scandal. The report, commissioned by the Swiss Conference of Bishops and led by two University of Zurich …

Probe ordered into Catholic Church sex abuse cover-ups in Switzerland
1 year, 3 months ago

Probe ordered into Catholic Church sex abuse cover-ups in Switzerland

The Hindu  

The coordinating body of the Catholic dioceses in Switzerland said on Sunday a preliminary investigation had been launched into accusations of sexual abuse cover-ups within the Church. The conference statement came after the SonntagsBlick weekly on Sunday reported that a former prominent priest had in a letter accused four current and two former bishops of covering up cases of sexual …

'Saints by day, demons by night': In Bolivia sex abuse network in Catholic Church preyed on kids, says alleged victim
1 year, 6 months ago

'Saints by day, demons by night': In Bolivia sex abuse network in Catholic Church preyed on kids, says alleged victim

Firstpost  

A former seminarian from Bolivia who claims to have been the victim of a widespread network of sex abuse in the Catholic Church has shed light on decades of “hell” inflicted on minors by clergymen A former seminarian from Bolivia who claims to have been the victim of a widespread network of sex abuse in the Catholic Church has shed …

Pope sends top Vatican official to Bolivia as sex abuse allegations escalate
1 year, 7 months ago

Pope sends top Vatican official to Bolivia as sex abuse allegations escalate

LA Times  

Pedro Lima, a former Jesuit seminarian, has alleged sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in Bolivia. The Bolivian Episcopal Conference said Bertomeu’s visit is not directly related to the recent sex abuse allegations but had been planned earlier to analyze “the progress made in the field of the culture of prevention” promoted by the Vatican. World & Nation Report …

French church abuse victims get reparations, and recognition
1 year, 9 months ago

French church abuse victims get reparations, and recognition

Associated Press  

PARIS — “I came back to life.” Like other victims of child abuse by priests, 52-year-old Stéphane said getting an official recognition from France’s Catholic Church of what happened is helping him get better, at last. Stéphane is among 201 victims granted financial or other reparations from the church so far under a process launched last year by an independent …

Portugal church sex abuse study: Victims may number 4,800
1 year, 10 months ago

Portugal church sex abuse study: Victims may number 4,800

Associated Press  

LISBON, Portugal — More than 4,800 individuals may have been victims of child sex abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church and 512 alleged victims have already come forward with their stories, an expert panel looking into historic abuse in the church said Monday. The Independent Committee for the Study of Child Abuse in the Catholic Church, set up by Portuguese …

Italy church says 600 sex abuse cases sent to Vatican
2 years, 1 month ago

Italy church says 600 sex abuse cases sent to Vatican

Associated Press  

VATICAN CITY — Italy’s Catholic bishops provided their first accounting of clergy sexual abuse and revealed Thursday that more than 600 cases from Italy were on file at the Vatican since 2000. The report of the Italian bishops’ conference, which only covered complaints that local Italian church authorities had received over the last two years, did not mention the hundreds …

Spain: Ombudsman tasked with probing church sex abuse record
2 years, 9 months ago

Spain: Ombudsman tasked with probing church sex abuse record

Associated Press  

MADRID — Spanish parliamentarians are tasking the country’s ombudsman with the first official investigation into the depth of sexual abuse committed by members of Spain’s Roman Catholic church. A separate proposal by three left-wing parties, including the ruling national coalition’s junior partner United We Can, to open a full parliamentary commission was rejected this week as consensus built around keeping …

Bishops in Spain ask lawyers to audit their sex abuse record
2 years, 10 months ago

Bishops in Spain ask lawyers to audit their sex abuse record

Associated Press  

MADRID — A Madrid-based law firm will conduct a year-long inquiry into past and present sexual abuse committed by Spain’s Roman Catholic clergy, members of religious orders, teachers and others associated with the church, the law firm and the head of the country’s bishops’ conference said Tuesday. Cardinal Juan José Omella, the conference’s president, said the goal of the inquiry …

#ItalyChurchToo: Abuse survivors demand Italy church inquiry
2 years, 10 months ago

#ItalyChurchToo: Abuse survivors demand Italy church inquiry

Associated Press  

ROME — Advocates for victims of sex abuse by Italian clergy launched a campaign Tuesday to demand a cover-up inquiry, lamenting that deference showed the Catholic Church hierarchy in Italy has conditioned everything from criminal prosecutions to media coverage of the problem. A consortium of groups said they hoped recent national inquiries in Germany and France, and planned ones in …

Portugal: Church sex abuse panel unearths over 200 cases
2 years, 10 months ago

Portugal: Church sex abuse panel unearths over 200 cases

Associated Press  

LISBON, Portugal — A lay committee looking into historic child sex abuse in the Portuguese Catholic Church said Thursday that during its first month of work it received allegations from 214 people. The allegations are from people born between 1933 and 2006 and tell of psychological torment kept secret for decades, the Independent Committee for the Study of Child Abuse …

Spain: Clergy abuse victims hopeful at signs to end impunity
2 years, 10 months ago

Spain: Clergy abuse victims hopeful at signs to end impunity

Associated Press  

MADRID — After decades of neglect, victims of sexual abuse by the Spanish clergy say that they are finally seeing momentum building in their quest for real accountability and reparations. “We can’t say we are happy until we see results, but this is a very hopeful moment for those of us fighting to be noticed for years,” said Fernando García …

French report: 330,000 children victims of church sex abuse
3 years, 2 months ago

French report: 330,000 children victims of church sex abuse

Associated Press  

PARIS — Victims of abuse within France’s Catholic Church welcomed a historic turning point Tuesday after a new report estimated that 330,000 children in France were sexually abused over the past 70 years, providing the country’s first accounting of the worldwide phenomenon. The independent commission urged the church to take strong action, denouncing its “faults” and “silence.” It also called …

Report Finds 3.30 Lakh Children Were Victims of French Clergy Sex Abuse Since 1950
3 years, 2 months ago

Report Finds 3.30 Lakh Children Were Victims of French Clergy Sex Abuse Since 1950

News 18  

An estimated 330,000 children were victims of sex abuse within France’s Catholic Church over the past 70 years, according to a report released Tuesday that represents the country’s first major accounting of the worldwide phenomenon. Francois Devaux, head of the victims’ group La Parole Libérée, said it was “a turning point in our history.” He denounced the coverups that permitted …

Report finds 216,000 children were victims of French clergy sex abuse since 1950
3 years, 2 months ago

Report finds 216,000 children were victims of French clergy sex abuse since 1950

Live Mint  

An investigation into sexual abuse in the French Catholic Church has found that an estimated 216,000 children were victims of abuse by clergy since 1950, Jean-Marc Sauve, head of the commission that compiled the report, said on Tuesday. The revelations in France are the latest to rock the Roman Catholic Church, after a series of sexual abuse scandals around the …

France Catholic church abuse scandal: 216,000 minors sexually abused, report finds
3 years, 2 months ago

France Catholic church abuse scandal: 216,000 minors sexually abused, report finds

CNN  

Paris CNN — Members of the Catholic clergy in France sexually abused an estimated 216,000 minors over the past seven decades, according to a damning report published Tuesday that said the Church had prioritized the protection of the institution over victims who were urged to stay silent. “Faced with this scourge, for a very long time the Catholic Church’s immediate …

The global scale of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church
3 years, 2 months ago

The global scale of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church

Al Jazeera  

A series of abuse scandals, often involving children, have rocked the Catholic Church in recent decades. The Catholic Church has been repeatedly rocked by child sexual abuse scandals over the last three decades. An independent inquiry on Tuesday said it had concluded there were about 216,000 victims of sexual abuse carried out by the French Catholic Church’s clergy between 1950 …

French clergy sexually abused ‘over 200,000 children’ since 1950
3 years, 2 months ago

French clergy sexually abused ‘over 200,000 children’ since 1950

Al Jazeera  

About 216,000 children are estimated to have been sexually abused by thousands of French Catholic priests, deacons and other clergy since 1950, an independent inquiry has found, alleging the phenomenon was covered up by a “veil of silence”. Speaking at a public, online presentation of the report, Suave added that the Church had shown “deep, total and even cruel indifference …

Sex abuse data from Poland’s Catholic Church is decades too late
3 years, 5 months ago

Sex abuse data from Poland’s Catholic Church is decades too late

Al Jazeera  

These figures detailing allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy do not tell the full story. Last Monday, Poland’s Catholic Church released new figures of the number of complaints it has received alleging sexual abuse at the hands of its clergy. On one hand, that Poland’s church made these figures public is useful as it provides some data on the …

Polish church report lists sex abuse of over 300 children
3 years, 5 months ago

Polish church report lists sex abuse of over 300 children

Associated Press  

WARSAW, Poland — In its latest report released Monday on the sexual abuse of minors, Poland’s Catholic Church lists 292 clergymen who are alleged to have abused over 300 boys and girls from 1958 though 2020. At an online conference in Warsaw, the head of Poland’s Catholic Church, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, apologized to the victims and asked their forgiveness, echoing …

Spain: Catholic leaders put numbers to sex abuse claims
3 years, 8 months ago

Spain: Catholic leaders put numbers to sex abuse claims

Associated Press  

MADRID — In a first public attempt to put numbers to instances of child sex abuse by the country’s Catholic clergy, Spain’s Episcopal Conference revealed Friday that 220 cases were officially reported to the Vatican over the past two decades. The conference, which is the top governing body of Spain’s Catholic Church, said Spanish bishops submitted 76 allegations against regular …

Discover Related