Abuse prevention Archives

Anti-abuse center gets upgrade, sensing both progress and frustration

May 3, 2021

Last week, a well-known center at one of Rome’s pontifical universities aimed at protecting children from clerical sexual abuse, and beyond, was upgraded to an institute of anthropology, giving the Church’s most respected academic outfit devoted to child protection room to grow.

By Inés San Martín

Catholic charity confirms allegations of assault against founder

Feb 11, 2021

On Wednesday well-known Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, known for its support of persecuted Christians, confirmed reports that the organization’s founder has been credibly accused of sexual assault.

By Elise Ann Allen

Aussie prelate says Pell verdict created ‘clear air’ to move forward on reform

Feb 1, 2021

One of Australia’s most senior Church officials has said the acquittal of Cardinal George Pell last April has allowed the country to move forward on necessary reforms in abuse prevention.

By Elise Ann Allen

Church must tackle underlying causes of abuse, expert says

Sep 24, 2020

Peruvian theologian Rocio Figueroa has argued that little is being done to target the spiritual abuse that allowed the clerical sex scandals to happen, and has urged the Catholic Church to rethink its power structure and concept of leadership.

By Elise Ann Allen

Latin Americans press fight against clerical sexual abuse

Aug 3, 2020

Some 2,000 people joined a video conference on preventing sexual abuse in the Church in Latin America organized by the Center for Child Protection of Mexico’s Catholic University (CEPROME) and the Vatican Safeguarding Taskforce.

By Inés San Martín

Australian bishops reject criticism of move to single safeguarding office

Jun 30, 2020

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference has hit back at claims that a new national safeguarding office may be a step backward from the work of Catholic Professional Standards Ltd. over the past three years.

By Marilyn Rodrigues

Top anti-abuse expert says ‘paternalistic’ attitude is worse than clericalism

Mar 13, 2020

One of the Catholic Church’s leading experts in child protection has said that more dangerous than clericalism in the clerical abuse crisis is a “paternalistic” attitude within the Church that both devalues laypeople and puts clergy on a pedestal.

By Elise Ann Allen

Expert: No system ‘will ever be perfect’ but Church abuse prevention is improving

Mar 6, 2020

According to one of the lay members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, it would be “naïve” to think that every case of abuse can be prevented, though much can be done to greatly reduce the number of cases and stop repeat offenders.

By Inés San Martín