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The Church and Sexual Abuse

Pope Urges Doctrinal Office to Act 'Decisively' Against Sex Abuse Sunday, April 07, 2013 VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis reaffirmed the importance of responding decisively to the problem of the sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy and called on the Vatican office dealing with suspected cases to continue carrying out its mandate.

Released Files Focus Attention on LA Church's Abuse Response Friday, February 08, 2013 LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The release of thousands of pages of personnel files by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles detailing allegations of clergy sexual abuse has focused new attention on the roles of church leaders and their handling of the cases over four decades.

Cardinal Relieved of Public Duties for Failure to Protect Children Friday, February 01, 2013 LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Cardinal Roger M. Mahony will "no longer have any administrative or public duties" as retired archbishop of Los Angeles because of past failures to protect children from clergy sex abuse, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez announced Jan. 31.

Additional Recent News
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CNS) — Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph was convicted Sept. 6 of one count of failing to report suspected child abuse and acquitted on another count in a brief bench trial. Friday, September 07, 2012 Bishop Finn Convicted of Failure to Report Abuse Friday, September 07, 2012	MILWAUKEE (CNS)—Four Catholic priests have collaborated with victims of childhood sexual abuse by clergy to make a joint public appeal urging survivors to come forward by a Feb. 1 court deadline and urging full accounting by the Milwaukee Archdiocese for the "action or inaction that may have allowed these crimes to ... Tuesday, January 03, 2012 Milwaukee Priests Join Abuse Survivors in Urging Victims to Report Tuesday, January 03, 2012
NEW YORK (CNS) — Father Benedict Groeschel, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal who has long been a popular speaker and television personality, apologized Aug. 30 for interview comments he made that were published online two days earlier, saying that "in a lot of cases" the victim of child sexual abuse ... Friday, August 31, 2012 Priest Apologizes for Comments on Sexual Abuse Friday, August 31, 2012	Jason Berry doesn’t mince words. It’s not that he’s impolite or rude. In fact, he’s a soft-spoken Southern gentleman who is unfailingly gracious and considerate. But ask him a tough, direct question and you get a no-nonsense reply. Friday, October 14, 2011 Jason Berry, Church Whistleblower Friday, October 14, 2011
ROME (CNS)—The head of the Legionaries of Christ admitted he knew about the sexual improprieties of a U.S. priest based in Rome and did too little to restrict his high-profile ministry. Wednesday, May 23, 2012 Legion Head Admits He Knew of US Priest's Transgressions Wednesday, May 23, 2012	VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In an exceptional move, the Vatican recalled its nuncio to Ireland so that he could participate in meetings aimed at drafting the Vatican's formal response to an Irish government report on clerical sex abuse. Monday, July 25, 2011 In Aftermath of Irish Report on Abuse, Vatican Recalls Nuncio Monday, July 25, 2011

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background information
Click the link to read the full document. Tuesday, April 05, 2011 Seven Myths About the Catholic Church and Clergy Sex Abuse: An American Journalist’s View from Catholic Update	Click the link to read the full document. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 “Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal: Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, revised 2005
The ongoing study of the "Causes and Context" of the crisis of sexual abuse being conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, sponsored ... Saturday, February 20, 2010 Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church: Where Are We Now? from St. Anthony Messenger magazine	Click the link to read the full document. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Office of Child and Youth Protection U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Click the link to read the full document. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Preventing Clerical Sex Abuse: How Are the Bishops Doing? From St. Anthony Messenger magazine	Click the link to read the full document. Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Crisis in the Church: Our Search for Healing From St. Anthony Messenger magazine