Amid more revelations of Catholic Church abuse and cover-up, survivors galvanize

This year saw more appalling revelations about the Catholic Church and the behavior of many priests, exposing just how long some dioceses knew of and concealed sexual abuse. Judy Woodruff has the story, followed by a frank conversation with two abuse survivors and a professor and advocate for change in the church about how these developments affected them and their relationships with the faith.

William Brangham:

Now to one of the more difficult stories that resonated throughout this past year.

The Catholic Church, along with its larger community around the world, has been rocked by the church's long history of sexual abuse. This year, the tragic revelations kept coming, and they exposed even more just how long many dioceses covered up the abuse.

In this very frank conversation, Judy explores what the cover-ups have meant for survivors and for the faithful at large.

But she begins with some background.

Judy Woodruff:

The assaults and cover-ups go back decades, but this year has seen a tidal wave of stories and shocking revelations of alleged abuse, misconduct and even assault in parishes and diocese around the country.

The scandals and the church's approach throughout have undermined Pope Francis' tenure. In fact, it was the subject of his annual Christmas mes...

Read the rest of the story here.


Showing 1 comment

  • Richard Kensinger, MSW
    commented 2018-12-29 11:31:03 -0600
    I know 6 men in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, PA, who were repeatedly sexually assaulted by pedophiles in their clergy roles. In all 46 of the 50 perps are clergy. The AJD established a victim’s fund in 1999 and have paid out $21M to date. The VF is designed to buy their silence, and contributed heavily to the decades old coverup.

    I provide clinical consultation to these survivors as part of my volunteer efforts at advocacy. I have divorced the Church due to these horrific crimes which are still occurring.

    And I have published articles on predator abuse on Brain Blogger. Presently the AJD is under federal investigation, which i fully support.
    Rich, MSW

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