The sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church is a deep wound that causes pain, anger, and betrayal among the faithful.
Numerous credible allegations of abuse have been reported globally, with significant financial costs impacting the Church’s resources and operations.
The crisis stems from a culture of clericalism, failures in priestly formation, and a systemic cover-up by church leaders to protect the institution over the vulnerable.
Calls for healing involve listening to survivors, implementing reforms, and changing the Church’s culture to ensure safety and accountability for all members.
Sexual Abuse at the Hands of Catholic Clergy: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Its Extent and Health Consequences for Affected Minors (the MHG Study) – PMC – PubMed Central, accessed July 2, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6676731/