As more sexual abuse cases by Priests come to light around the world, although proportionately small in number, the Church affirms that we must condemn these deeds in an absolute and uncompromising manner. These Priests have committed a horrible and most serious crime of sexual abuse of minors, and they must answer for their actions before God and before tribunals, including the civil courts. At the same time, we pray that they may experience spiritual conversion and receive God’s mercy. The Church, for her part, is determined neither to hide nor to minimize such crimes. Above all, we are on the side of the victims and want to support their recovery and their offended rights.
To see what the Catholic Church in the United States has done to effectively respond to sexual abuse, click here.
To read our Holy Father, Pope Benedict’s Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland regarding sexual abuse by Priests, click here.
To see how the Holy See is addressing the Church’s response to the abuse of minors, click here.
To understand how proportionately low the number of Priests who abuse is, click here.
