Prevention is key in protecting minors from abuse, Pope Francis said.
Pope: Church needs apostolate of prevention to protect minors from abuse
Purging silence: Vatican expands abuse prevention to lay movements
The dicastery brought together representatives of lay movements and associations to review child protection policies.
Universal and local: Church law responds to local law, culture
The Catholic Church has universal laws valid around the globe, but many of those laws — including on handling allegations of abuse — must be further refined on a local level to respond to national laws and cultures.
Retired pope publishes reflection on abuse crisis
Pope Benedict has released an article addressing the roots of the clerical sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church and how the church should respond now.
‘Spiritual combat’ must be part of fight against sex abuse, pope says
To fight clerical sexual abuse, the Catholic Church must have clear laws and procedures, but it also must engage in “spiritual combat,” because it is obvious the devil is at work, Pope Francis said.
Church must follow, accept local laws on abuse, Father Zollner says
The Catholic Church must respect the law and accept court decisions regarding clerical sexual abuse and its cover-up, said Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, a leading expert in child protection.
Young people want leaders who are fathers, not Pharisees, observer says
The Catholic Church must be a place of justice and mercy, and its members must be catalysts for change, some young observers said at the Synod of Bishops Oct. 11.
Young people want credibility, someone to walk with them, bishops say
Bishop Mark O’Toole of Plymouth, England, Oct. 11, told the synod, “credibility and authenticity are crucial” and young people want to know what the church is doing to prevent clerical sexual abuse.