News
Measures to help protect minors are imminent, summit moderator says
While the four-day Vatican summit on the protection of minors has ended, the work to ensure that laws and concrete actions are in place is just beginning, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi.
Summit emphasizes global nature of abuse crisis, need to put victims first
Speaking to the public, including dozens of abuse survivors, after his midday recitation of the Angelus Feb. 24, the pope promised measures to ensure children would be safe in the church and that the crime of abuse would stop.
Pope, bishops look at what they have done, failed to do to prevent abuse
In an opulent Vatican room designed in the 16th century for papal meetings with kings, a cardinal read, "We confess that we have shielded the guilty and have silenced those who have been harmed."
After the Vatican’s summit on abuse, the stakes are clear
The long-awaited meeting of bishops surpassed the expectations of some while disappointing others. It may also become a prototype for future such gatherings in terms of a diversity of voices and an honesty of opinion.
Bishops must see press as allies, not enemies, Mexican journalist says
Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki, who has covered the Vatican for over four decades, told bishops at the Vatican summit on abuse Feb. 23 that journalists can help them root out the "rotten apples and to overcome resistance in order to separate them from the healthy ones."
Secrecy must ‘go out the window,’ Irish archbishop says
When it comes to the abuse of children by members of the clergy, using secrecy to hide problems rather than protect victims "must go out the window," said Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Lack of transparency harms church, justice, victims, cardinal says
Transparent, reliable and respectful administration is critical for counteracting sinful behavior within the Catholic Church, said German Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising.
Church credibility ruined by silent hypocrisy, sister tells summit
The hypocrisy of Catholic leaders who claimed to be guardians of morality yet remained silent about clerical sexual abuse has left the church's credibility in shambles, an African woman religious told bishops at the Vatican summit on abuse.
Text: At abuse summit, Sister Openibo calls for complete transparency
Here is the prepared text of the presentation given Feb. 23 by Nigerian Sister Veronica Openibo, leader of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, at the Vatican summit on child protection. Sister Openibo was one of 10 women religious participating in the summit.
Pro-life groups, lawmakers praise final ‘Protect Life Rule’ for Title X
The Trump administration Feb. 22 finalized its "Protect Life Rule" preventing funds appropriated under the Title X Family Planning Program from being used in services that include abortion as a method of family planning or that make abortion referrals.