Sexual Abuse

Pope Francis has revised and clarified norms and procedures for holding bishops and religious superiors accountable in protecting minors as well as in protecting members of religious orders and seminarians from abuse.

The chrism Mass for the Diocese of St. Cloud was celebrated April 11 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Blizzard conditions throughout the diocese prevented many people from attending. This is Bishop Donald Kettler’s homily from the Mass.

Peruvian Archbishop Jose Eguren Anselmi of Piura won a defamation lawsuit against against Peruvian journalist Pedro Salinas April 8, but bishops in the country in an unprecedented message said the church needs the help of journalists and survivors of clergy sex abuse to overcome the current crisis.

Cardinal George Pell, 77, was sentenced to six years in prison March 13, just over two weeks after a Melbourne court allowed the publication of news that he had been found guilty of sexually abusing two boys.

Immigrant advocates have become increasingly concerned about the welfare of migrant children in detention, including reports the federal government has received thousands of complaints of sexual abuse of these minors.

An Australian court found Cardinal George Pell guilty on five charges related to the sexual abuse of two 13-year-old boys; sentencing is expected in early March, but the cardinal’s lawyer already has announced plans to appeal the conviction.

The Vatican’s removal from the priesthood of Theodore McCarrick “is a clear signal that abuse will not be tolerated,” said the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Feb. 16.

The Vatican announced the decision Feb. 16, saying, Theodore E. McCarrick, was found guilty of “solicitation in the sacrament of confession and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and with adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power.”