An 80-year-old former priest of the Diocese of Wilmington and a 57-year-old ex-teacher in local Catholic schools have been charged with sexual abuse of a minor in the mid-1990s, the Delaware attorney general announced in a news release March 17.
Child & Youth Protection
Cardinal Tobin orders review of Seton Hall president’s actions regarding McCarrick
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, N.J., announced he has engaged a law firm to investigate whether the current president of Seton Hall University, Msgr. Joseph R. Reilly, “acted appropriately” regarding disgraced former cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
Human trafficking is a disgrace, pope says on eve of world day of prayer
The fight against human trafficking requires a global response and coordinated efforts at every level, Pope Francis said.
Maryland Supreme Court rules 2023 Child Victims Act is constitutional
The Supreme Court of Maryland ruled Feb. 3 that the Child Victims Act passed by the General Assembly in 2023 is constitutional. The CVA removed any statute of limitations for civil suits involving child sexual abuse.
Advocacy group launches Philippine database on abuse; cardinal reiterates need for accountability
An international online database of clergy who face allegations or have been convicted of child sexual abuse launched its Philippine listing Jan. 29, drawing a sharp response from the Philippine bishops’ conference, which reiterated the need for efforts to hold the church accountable for abuse.
Vatican summit shared concrete ways to help kids, charity leader says
Governments have a serious responsibility to care for their nation’s children, but no caring person can stand by idly when children anywhere are starving, said the founder of a private charity working in 16 of the world’s poorest countries.
Exorcist pleads not guilty to battery charge over alleged incident during relics tour
Father Carlos Martins, a known exorcist and co-host of “The Exorcist Files” podcast, pleaded not guilty Jan. 27 in an Illinois court to a misdemeanor charge of battery over an alleged incident that took place during a national relic tour.
Pope will prepare papal document to help church promote children’s rights
Wrapping up a Vatican summit on the rights of children, Pope Francis announced he was going to publish a papal document dedicated to children.
Nothing is worth sacrificing the life of a child, pope tells world leaders
It is unacceptable that a child’s right to life and a dignified childhood should be sacrificed to “the idols” of power, profit, ideology and nationalistic self-interest, Pope Francis told a group of world experts and leaders.
Eucharistic revival event shares ways to ‘walk with’ persons hurt by the church
Walk With One embraces the idea that everyone can — indeed, must — evangelize, and aims to equip them for sharing the Good News of Jesus’ love and compassion.
Italian diocese’s abuse report, a first for country, seen as hopeful sign for tackling crisis
The Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone in Italy made history Jan. 20 by publishing the country’s first diocesan abuse report, titled “The Courage to Look.”
Peruvian Cardinal Cipriani rejects abuse allegations as ‘completely false,’ Vatican confirms sanctions still in place
Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, the first cardinal of Opus Dei, said Jan. 25 that abuse accusations made against him in a Spanish daily El País are “completely false,” while acknowledging he was sanctioned by the Vatican in the past and saying that the sanctions were lifted by Pope Francis.