US EditionAdvocates press for accounting of sex-abuse cases in new pope’s past jurisdictions
- On May 9, 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV amid calls for accountability over sex-abuse cases during his past church leadership in Chicago and Peru.
- Prevost faced a formal March 25, 2023 complaint alleging misuse of ecclesiastical power in handling abuse claims against priests under his authority, prompting a Vatican investigation under new 2023 rules.
- The complaint involved two cases: one about James Ray, a Chicago priest placed on restricted ministry due to abuse allegations, and another from Chiclayo, Peru, where three women accused two priests of abuse starting in 2007.
- Advocates say Prevost fell short by not informing schools or interviewing accusers, though the Vatican found he imposed necessary restrictions; the Peruvian civil case closed due to statute limits before Prevost was named to the Vatican office for bishops.
- Advocates and victim groups urge Pope Leo XIV to win survivors' trust and reform how bishops handle abuse, hoping his election signals a crackdown on mishandling within the Catholic Church.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Advocates press for accounting of sex-abuse cases in new pope's past jurisdictions
The new pope, Leo XIV, has something in common with many of his peers in the Catholic hierarchy. He’s been in positions of authority when accusations of sexual abuse have arisen against priests under his supervision. Now some advocates of…
Advocates press for accounting of sex-abuse cases in new pope’s past jurisdictions
The new pope, Leo XIV, has this in common with many of his peers in the Catholic hierarchy: He’s been in positions of authority when accusations of sexual abuse have arisen against priests under his supervision.Now some advocates for victims say there needs to be an accounting of how Leo — the name taken by Cardinal Robert Prevost upon his election Thursday — handled such cases when he held positions of church authority in Chicago and Peru. And …
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