The most recent period of scandal involving Catholic clergy and the sexual abuse of minors began after the reporting of the Boston Globe in 2002. The daily barrage of investigative articles on numerous priests of the Archdiocese of Boston engaging in criminal abuse of children…
Last week, the former prince of the Catholic Church, Theodore McCarrick appeared in a Dedham MA criminal court room to answer charges that he had sexually molested a minor boy 50 years ago. As expected, he pled not guilty. The presiding judge ordered $5,000 bail,…
This week, criminal charges were filed against disgraced and defrocked Theodore McCarrick for incidents that began in 1974 in Massachusetts. The sexual abuse of the then 16-year-old began at a wedding reception in Massachusetts where the survivor lived with his family. McCarrick faces 3 counts…
Last month, Louisiana Governor Bel Edwards signed into law House Bill 492 abolishing the statute of limitations for any abuse survivor under the age of 28. Those over 28 will have a three-year “lookback window” to reconcile their existing cases. Rep. Jason Hughes (D-New Orleans)…
The federal bankruptcy proceedings governing the Diocese of Rochester and its 485 creditors, most of whom are priest abuse survivors, has been stalled for months as lawyers for both sides wrangle over insurance coverage and the actual assets of the Diocese. A July 9, 2021…
The Judge handling the coordinated Clergy childhood sex abuse cases in Los Angeles and Orange Counties ruled on June 11, 2021 that California Statute, CCP 340.1(b)(1) is unconstitutionally vague and that it violates the ex post facto clauses of the state and federal constitutions. The…
The Diocese of Rochester has formally submitted its request to a bankruptcy judge for approval of its $35 million plan to resolve sexual abuse claims in bankruptcy court. In a statement issued Friday afternoon, the diocese said the proposed agreement was with Lloyd’s of London…
Pope Francis has announced sweeping changes to the church’s Code of Canon Law specifically concerning the sexual abuse of adults by priests and laity. In a major shift reflecting societal norms, the Pope made the sexual abuse of adults a crime rather than a sin. …
State lawmakers have passed a landmark piece of legislation that will provide an opportunity for sexual abuse survivors who were abused as minors to seek justice in civil courts. Senate Bill 73 pass the state Senate and the bill is now on its way to…
The Catholic Bishops in Northern California had challenged a new law providing for triple damages against any Diocese or organization that covered up childhood sex abuse. In 2019, the California legislature passed a law to provide for a 3-year window for survivors of childhood sex…
