Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul released a report Tuesday revealing that more than 450 Catholic clergy have sexually abused nearly 2,000 children in the state since 1950. The report also found that church leadership had covered up the abuse, and Raoul said it was his hope that the report would “shine light both on those who violated their positions of power and trust to abuse innocent children, and on the men in church leadership who covered up that abuse.” Raoul said that the report was a “call to action” for the Catholic Church to take responsibility for its past and to ensure that such abuse never happens again.
Posts tagged as “the Catholic Church”
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 is set to be discharged from a Rome hospital on Saturday, where he was treated for bronchitis. He will be present for the Palm Sunday Mass at the start of Holy Week, although it is not yet confirmed if he will deliver the homily. During his hospital stay, he baptized a baby in the pediatrics ward and has been receiving antibiotics intravenously.
Pope Francis has been admitted to a Rome hospital after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days. Tests have revealed a respiratory infection, though Covid-19 has been ruled out. The Pope has canceled his audiences for the next two days to undergo medical therapy, though the Vatican has not released any further information on his condition.
Carlos Medina, 61, has been charged with the murder of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell, with a special allegation of using a firearm in the commission of the crime. Investigators have rejected Medina's claim that the bishop owed him money, and he is facing 35 years to life in prison if convicted. He is currently being held without bail and is expected to appear in court soon.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a man in connection with the shooting death of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell. Detectives identified the suspect through technical means and located and detained him without incident. O’Connell was a beloved figure in the community, known for his work as a “peacemaker” and for his dedication to the Catholic Church. The Sheriff’s Department is expected to provide further details on the arrest at a news conference Monday afternoon.
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.