For centuries, the Catholic Church has maintained that what a penitent says to a priest in the confessional is strictly confidential, but in 2019 that rite continues to be challenged by governments.
Challenges to seal of confession attributed to clergy sex abuse scandals
Laity not playing ‘gotcha’ with bishops on abuse, review board chair says
Francesco Cesareo, chair of the National Review Board, told Catholic News Service June 3 that laypeople want transparency and openness from the bishops and the sooner the prelates put aside their guardedness about welcoming laity as partners, the sooner the U.S. church will heal.
Letter and spirit: Using universal law to guide local churches on abuse
Pope Francis’ latest effort to help the Catholic Church safeguard its members from abuse and hold its leaders accountable came in the form of a new universal law, “Vos estis lux mundi” (“You are the light of the world”), which takes effect June 1.
Societal shifts seen in acknowledging sex abuse, finding ways to address it
A study mandated by the U.S. bishops’ charter provides a framework for understanding not only the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests but the sexual victimization of children in any institution.
Laity has role in making our church whole again
Pray that our clergy and bishops make wise decisions is good, but we also must work to bring about what we pray for.
Annual audit of church’s abuse allegations shows cautious improvement
The 15th annual report on the implementation of the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” shows a decrease in allegations of clergy sex abuse from the two previous years but also indicates the need for continued vigilance since charges were raised by more than 650 adults and 24 minors.
All of Chile’s bishops offer resignations after meeting pope on abuse
Every bishop in Chile offered his resignation to Pope Francis after a three-day meeting at the Vatican to discuss the clerical sexual abuse scandal.
Pope apologizes to sex abuse victims, defends accused Chilean bishop
Pope Francis apologized to victims of clergy sex abuse, saying he unknowingly wounded them by the way he defended a Chilean bishop accused of covering up abuse by his mentor.