In an unusual case, two priests in Steubenville, Ohio, are fighting for legal custody of a toddler who is presently under their care.
Child & Youth Protection
New review board chair: ‘We can’t be satisfied’ until there is zero abuse in church
Retired FBI official James Bogner was recently named chair of the National Review Board, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ consultative safe environment body established in 2002 under the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” also known as the Dallas Charter.
New data show sharp fall in Australian clergy abuse, with majority of incidents in Catholic settings
About 87,000 Australians have been sexually abused in faith-based organizations during their childhood, with nearly three-quarters of those taking place in Catholic settings, according to new research.
Retired FBI agent, clergy abuse survivor and social workers appointed to bishops’ National Review Board
A retired FBI agent will head up the U.S. bishops’ consultative safe environment body, while a clergy abuse survivor, a nursing professor and two clinical social workers are also among the board’s Aug. 1 appointments.
Senate passes major online child safety legislation, but future in House uncertain
The U.S. Senate passed two major online child safety reforms July 30, but the bills face an uncertain future in the House.
Mediation framework set for archdiocesan bankruptcy
The parties in the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy have agreed to a framework for mediation in the case.
Italian court rules bishop ‘facilitated’ abuse by protecting accused priest
The bishop of a southern Italian diocese deliberately avoided protecting victims in his diocese and instead sought to protect a priest long accused of having abused several minors as a seminarian, a court in the southern Italian city of Enna ruled.
Abuse suits filed against St. Louis archdiocese, naming Omaha archbishop, St. Louis priest
Five civil lawsuits filed against the Archdiocese of St. Louis July 24 allege multiple incidents of sexual abuse of minors and long-standing coverups, with a Nebraska archbishop — then a St. Louis archdiocesan priest — included among the accused.
Judge rules attorney general cannot enforce subpoena against Seattle Archdiocese
A judge ruled July 12 that the Washington state attorney general does not have legal authority to enforce a subpoena for clergy abuse records against the Archdiocese of Seattle, specifically noting that the religious exemption in the state Charitable Trust Act stands.
Survivors committee and archdiocese discuss next steps in bankruptcy case
The survivors committee and the Archdiocese of Baltimore continue to work together in the archdiocese’s bankruptcy case toward the goals of compensating as many victims as possible equitably, allowing the archdiocese to continue its ministries and ensuring that policies and procedures are in place to prevent future incidences of child sexual abuse.
U.S. church needs culturally sensitive safeguarding training, expert says
The diversity of the Catholic Church in the United States requires that it develop a culturally sensitive approach to preventing abuse, a safeguarding expert said.
Virginia bishop removes pastor over handling of abuse allegations against parishioner
A Virginia pastor has been removed from his parish following concerns over his handling of abuse allegations against a parishioner who was also a school parent.