Clergy Abuse

In the past, Catholic churches quietly protect sexually abusive priests by transferring them to different parishes to preserve their reputation. Similarly, some pastors have moved between churches, abusing children and adults. In some cases, churches have even...

Many people look to their churches for comfort and guidance when times are tough. As a result, communities hold trusted members of the church in high regard. Unfortunately, the last few decades have demonstrated that churches are not always safe spaces, even for...

Sexual abuse is a heinous criminal offense that society stigmatizes due to its inherently inhumane character. Louisiana law explicitly enumerates and outlines the ways sexual abuse can transpire, from sexual battery to rape. What makes clergy abuse different is that...

Clergy abuse can happen anywhere. A recent report released by the Illinois attorney general reveals decades of sexual abuse by Illinois Catholic clergy. The report covered all six dioceses or archdioceses in the state. Even worse, the report found that the crimes were...

Like many states, Missouri has experienced Roman Catholic priests abusing children entrusted to their care. After a year-long investigation, the state’s attorney general Eric Schmitt announced that 12 men are being referred to proper officials for a determination of...

No amount of money can fully compensate a victim for clergy sexual abuse. Even if the perpetrator goes to jail for a long time and the institution that harbored them winds up in bankruptcy, the emotional scars of sex abuse at the hands of religious leaders who are...

In Louisiana and across the United States, people of faith put their trust in members of the clergy. They give them access to their children under the expectation that there will be spiritual guidance, care and mentorship. Unfortunately, there is a long history of...

Countless reports have documented the historic prevalence of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Behind each report is a victim who suffered unspeakable traumas. While the dynamics involved in sexual abuse are complex and difficult to fully understand, experts...

Readers of this legal blog know that we frequently post about clergy abuse and how to fight back. And, recently, we discussed a sinister clergy loophole in over 30 states that allows clergy to not report child abuse. Of course, the immediate question is whether...

Thirty-three states exempt clergy from reporting information about allegations of child sexual abuse to law enforcement or child welfare professionals if the church considers the information to be privileged. That loophole represented a free pass to predators...