The Maryland Attorney General's Office has released a report revealing that over 600 children have been sexually abused by Catholic priests and other individuals associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore over the past 80 years. The report also accuses church officials of covering up the abuse for decades, and paints a damning picture of the Archdiocese. The Attorney General's Office is now investigating the Archdiocese and providing support and resources to the victims, while the Archdiocese has expressed its deep sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of the victims and committed to taking action to ensure that such abuse never happens again.
Posts tagged as “Catholics”
The Maryland Attorney General's office released a report on Wednesday alleging that Catholic Church officials in Baltimore had engaged in a coverup of sexual abuse of at least 600 children over six decades. The investigation found that 156 Catholic clergy members and others had abused the children, and the number of victims is likely far higher. Attorney General Anthony Brown said the report "reveals the truth of what happened" and has been met with shock and outrage from the public. The Archdiocese has promised to take steps to ensure that such abuse never happens again.
Key takeaways: Pope Francis presided over Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, one day after leaving a Rome hospital where he was treated…
Pope Francis was discharged from a Rome hospital on Saturday after being treated for bronchitis. Before leaving, he had an emotional moment with a couple whose 5-year-old daughter had died at the hospital the night before. His recovery has been celebrated by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, with the Pope himself leaving the hospital with a quip to journalists and a gesture of surprise when a boy showed him his arm cast.
On Monday, a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, left six people dead, including three nine-year-olds. The shooter, Audrey Hale, was killed by police at the scene. Witnesses reported that the head of the school, Katherine Koonce, had tried to protect the children from the shooter before her death. The Nashville community is coming together to support those affected by this tragedy, with the Covenant School setting up a memorial fund for the victims' families.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the shooting death of Bishop David O'Connell, a longtime Catholic priest, as a homicide. O'Connell, 69, was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene in Los Angeles on Saturday. The religious community has been stunned by the death of O'Connell, who was hailed as a "peacemaker", and detectives are currently investigating the death. The Sheriff's Department is asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Bureau or leave an anonymous tip.
Pope Francis has recently spoken out against laws that criminalize homosexuality, calling them “unjust” and emphasizing the importance of recognizing the dignity of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. He has called on Catholic bishops who support such laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church and undergo a process of conversion to recognize their dignity. His statement is a sign of progress for the LGBTQ community, as it shows that the Catholic Church is beginning to recognize the importance of acceptance and inclusion.
Tributes from around the world have been pouring in for soccer great Pelé, who died on Thursday at the age of 82 from multiple organ…