Tolton sainthood cause advances; next step would be ‘venerable’ decree
CHICAGO (CNS) — The canonization cause for Fr. Augustus Tolton is just one step away from going to Pope Francis for the priest to be declared “venerable.”
Vatican summit opens with acknowledgment of evil committed
Opening the Vatican summit on child protection and the clerical sexual abuse crisis, Pope Francis said, "The holy people of God are watching and are awaiting from us not simple, predictable condemnations, but concrete and effective measures" to stop abuse.
At summit, survivors expose ‘cancer’ of clergy sex abuse
In the first testimony, a man from Chile expressed the pain he felt when, after reporting his abuse to the church, he was treated "as a liar" and told that "I and others were enemies of the church."
Bishops must protect their flock from abuse at all costs, archbishop says
Catholics need to know that their leaders "mean business" when it comes to protecting minors from abuse, the Vatican's top abuse investigator told representatives of the world's bishops and religious orders.
Vigil for abuse survivors
Survivors of clerical sex abuse attend a vigil near the Vatican Feb. 21.
Lent resources
Connect with resources for your inbox, for the family and for the book lover.
Harming a child must be ‘line in the sand’ for removal, cardinal says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — For the Catholic Church, there is a “line in the sand,” which can never be crossed, and that is to not allow anyone who harms or would harm a child to exercise public ministry, said Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston.
Cardinal: Can the Church step up, lead way in protecting children?
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Only together, by humbly sharing their experiences, encouragement and corrective advice, can the bishops and leaders in the Catholic Church work to prevent the abuse of minors and help bring healing to survivors, said the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
Cardinal Cupich asks for new structure to ensure bishops’ accountability
The Catholic Church needs "new legal structures of accountability" for bishops accused of sexual abuse or of negligence in handling abuse allegations, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago told the Vatican summit on safeguarding.
Vatican official urges reconsidering ‘pontifical secret’ in abuse cases
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church should re-examine how “pontifical secret” is applied in clerical sex abuse cases so there is greater transparency in the cases and it is not invoked “to hide problems,” said a canon lawyer and Vatican official.
