Catholic Church sexual abuse cases

Rare card · No. 37517

Reports of the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy and members of religious orders have been documented in numerous countries. Beginning in the late 20th century, allegations and subsequent investigations revealed long-term patterns of misconduct and, in some instances, failures by Church authorities to address or disclose allegations. Victims were primarily boys, though girls were also affected, from early childhood to adolescence. As public awareness grew, more adults reported past abuses, leading to criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, and internal Church reviews. By the 1990s and early 2000s, major inquiries in multiple countries identified systemic shortcomings in how abuse was reported and handled. The Boston Globe's 2002 investigation — later depicted in the film Spotlight — brought attention to the issue in the United States and contributed to broader international scrutiny. Between 2001 and 2010, the Holy See reviewed about 3,000 cases involving priests, some of which...

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