News Story of the Day
How to help victims of sexual abuse get justice: Eliminate statutes of limitations
In the United States, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 13 boys experience sexual abuse every year. On college campuses, 13% of students experience rape or sexual assault. And for those brave enough to come forward, our legal system actively works against them — often precluding them from pursuing justice altogether through outdated state laws with statutes of limitations.
Abuse survivor ‘shocked’ by dismissal of priest at same church
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) — The news that her former priest was removed from the priesthood for credible allegations of sexually abusing a minor brought back horrible memories for a worshipper at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Parish in Grand Haven.
Catholic religious orders must come clean about abusive clergy
A clerical sex abuse scandal has rocked the Catholic Church for decades now, and to our way of thinking, full disclosure is the only way for the church to put the scandal completely to rest.
Costa Rica orders ex priest held on sex abuse charges
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — A Costa Rican court on Friday ordered a priest facing sexual abuse charges held in custody for six months while awaiting trial.
Marist Brothers Catholic order hid abuse by member who helped run Chicago school in the 1970s, suits say
After Brother Robert Ryan died in 2017, a relative posted an online tribute, calling him “the favorite uncle” who “lived a giving life” and “selflessly” served God.
Former Treme church pastor files defamation suit against rape accuser
A New Orleans Catholic priest removed from service in January, when allegations surfaced that he raped a young boy in 2008, has sued his accuser for defamation.
Bishop Weldon lawsuit against Springfield Diocese continues allegations of cover-ups by top officials
A recent lawsuit alleging clergy sexual abuse and a cover-up by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield — which the diocese is seeking to have dismissed — recalls a similar case the church faced and settled in 2009.
Alleged Massachusetts Abuse Victim Requests Outside Judge in Suit, Citing Diocese’s Influence
Springfield, Mass. — Lawyers for an alleged abuse victim in the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts have asked the state’s chief justice to assign a special judge from outside western Massachusetts to the case, citing a potential for undue influence from people associated with the diocese.
When sin runs deep: One Puyallup church, two priests, one awful legacy of child abuse
Twice in the past two years, a Catholic parish in Pierce County has found itself on a list of sin, scandal and modest compensation for great pain. It’s a list that no church wants to show up on.
Wisconsin to investigate state's Catholic dioceses over clergy abuse
MILWAUKEE — Attorney General Josh Kaul plans to launch an investigation into clergy sexual assault across Wisconsin's five Catholic dioceses, perhaps as early as next week.