In the last few decades, it has become commonplace for Catholic archdioceses, dioceses, and religious orders to declare bankruptcy rather than face civil sexual abuse lawsuits in court. Undoubtedly, this is a well-considered national strategy because forty US Catholic religious organizations have sought bankruptcy protection in chapter 11 as of May 2025. Twenty-six bankruptcies have […]
Catholic Leadership and the Sexual Abuse of Children
While much ink has been spilled on the tragedy of childhood sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, the majority of the Catholic hierarchy including archbishops, bishops, and even popes have largely been shielded from accountability. Certainly, grand jury reports have decried the actions of bishops but none have faced criminal penalties for allowing such criminal […]
Sexual Abuse and Catholic Military Chaplains
Many do not know that Catholic priests who serve in the United States military belong to a separate diocese known as The Archdiocese for the Military Services. This archdiocese functions somewhat differently from territorial archdioceses and dioceses throughout the country. For instance, none of the priest chaplains serving in one of the branches of the […]
Update on Louisiana Childhood Sex Abuse Law
There is no statute of limitations in Louisiana now for childhood sex abuse that occurred after June 14, 2021. For cases where the abuse occurred before June 14, 2021 there are some limitations. A look back window is legislation that suspends the ordinary statute of limitations for a specific period of time. Look back window […]
Australian High Court Overturns Pell Sex Abuse Conviction
The Australian High Court has overturned a lower appellate court’s ruling in the Cardinal George Pell sexual abuse case. Pell will be released from HM Prison Barwon, a maximum-security facility southwest of Melbourne. The case against Pell lasted four years, ending in his 2018 conviction of five counts of sexual abuse. “The High Court found […]
