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Convicted priest's lawyers to seek house arrest for himupdated: Mon Jun 25 2012 05:26:00

Attorneys for Monsignor William Lynn will return to court Monday to argue that the cleric, who was convicted of child endangerment, be put under house arrest rather than jailed until his sentencing in August.

High-ranking priest guilty on one count in child sex abuse caseupdated: Fri Jun 22 2012 18:07:00

Monsignor William Lynn, the highest-ranking cleric accused of imperiling children by helping cover up sexual abuse, was found guilty Friday of one count of child endangerment.

Tell toddlers what's private about their bodiesupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 13:20:00

Little of the reported testimony from the Jerry Sandusky trial surprises me. I have heard these stories thousands of times over the past 25 years.

Sandusky witnesses testify about showersupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 13:20:00

Mark Geragos, Marcia Clark and Louis Kraus analyze the strategy used by Jerry Sandusky's defense team.

No verdict in Philadelphia priest sex abuse trial, source saysupdated: Wed Jun 20 2012 16:25:00

A Philadelphia jury was unable to reach a verdict Wednesday on four of five charges in a landmark priest sex abuse case, according to a source familiar with the proceeding.

Delibrations continue in Catholic child abuse cover-up caseupdated: Mon Jun 04 2012 01:09:00

Deliberations resume Monday in Philadephia in the landmark trial of Monsignor William Lynn, the highest-ranking cleric charged with endangering children by allegedly helping cover up sexual abuse.

Catholic child abuse cover-up case heads to juryupdated: Fri Jun 01 2012 09:30:00

Jury deliberations could start Friday in Philadelphia in the landmark trial of Monsignor William Lynn, the highest-ranking cleric charged with endangering children by allegedly helping cover up sexual abuse.

Top U.S. archbishop linked to abusive priest payout planupdated: Thu May 31 2012 13:48:00

One of the most powerful Catholic Church leaders in America approved payments of $20,000 to get abusive priests to leave the church, abuse victims and the archdiocese in question said Thursday.

Accused priest: 'I was helping priests and helping victims as best I could'updated: Wed May 23 2012 18:57:00

The highest-ranking cleric to be charged with child endangerment testified Wednesday in the landmark child sexual abuse and conspiracy trial in which he and another Philadelphia priest are defendants.

Philadelphia priest: Not archdiocese's policy to tell police about abuse reportsupdated: Tue May 22 2012 20:11:00

A priest who assisted Monsignor William Lynn investigate clergy sex abuse claims testified Tuesday that it was not the archdiocese's policy to contact law enforcement or other victims of abuse.

Philadelphia Archdiocese bars 5 priests in child sex abuse scandalupdated: Fri May 04 2012 15:03:00

Philadelphia's Catholic archbishop announced Friday that five priests will not be reinstated following a church investigation into accusations of child sex abuse, though the men have a right to an appeal.

Ireland's top Catholic cleric faces calls to resign over abuse scandalupdated: Fri May 04 2012 11:09:00

Ireland's top Roman Catholic cleric, Cardinal Sean Brady, was under mounting pressure to resign Friday amid renewed allegations about his role in dealing with the sexual abuse of children by priests.

Testimony: In 2008, priest admitted to sleepover, letting teen look at pornupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 19:42:00

One of the two Philadelphia priests on trial in a landmark child sexual abuse and conspiracy case admitted in 2008 that he allowed a 14-year-old to view pornography and sleep in the same bed with him during an overnight visit in 1996, according to testimony given to church investigators.

Sex abuse trial opens for archdiocese official, priest updated: Mon Mar 26 2012 14:28:00

Opening arguments started Monday in the first case in which a Roman Catholic archdiocese official is accused of covering up evidence of suspected sexual abuse of children.

Philadelphia priest trial refocuses abuse scandalupdated: Mon Mar 26 2012 01:44:00

Opening statements are scheduled for Monday in Philadelphia in the first case in which an official of a Roman Catholic archdiocese has been accused of protecting abusive priests by moving them from parish to parish.

Philadelphia priest abuse trial to draw plenty of attentionupdated: Sun Mar 25 2012 18:40:00

Opening arguments are scheduled for Monday in Philadelphia in the first case in which an official of a Roman Catholic archdiocese has been accused of protecting abusive priests by moving them from parish to parish.

New book accuses Vatican of hiding cases of sexual abuse of minorsupdated: Sun Mar 25 2012 06:23:00

On the same day Pope Benedict addressed and blessed a group of 1,800 children in Guanajuato, Mexico, three Mexican authors released a book accusing the Vatican of hiding or ignoring cases of child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests.

Philly priest sex abuse case cover-up?updated: Mon Feb 27 2012 13:53:00

CNN's Susan Candiotti reports on a memo that says a Philadephia cardinal ordered a priest sex abuse file shredded.

Judge rejects dismissal in child sex cover-up case against clericupdated: Mon Feb 27 2012 13:53:00

A judge on Monday rejected a motion to dismiss charges against a Philadelphia archdiocese official accused of covering up evidence of suspected sexual abuse of children.

Vatican official defends Pope Benedict in sex abuse scandalupdated: Mon Feb 06 2012 19:14:00

A top Roman Catholic official opened a conference on protecting children from sexual abuse Monday by defending Pope Benedict XVI, arguing that he deserved thanks for his efforts.

For men and boys, a silver lining amid sex abuse scandalsupdated: Mon Jan 30 2012 12:50:00

Advocates and therapists for survivors of male sex abuse say the recent scandals at Penn State and elsewhere may help men who were abused as children, and boys being abused today, step out of the shadows and get the support they deserve.

Pope 'deeply shaken' in meeting with sex abuse victims in Germanyupdated: Fri Sep 23 2011 22:33:00

Pope Benedict XVI met Friday with a group of people who had been sexually abused by clergy in his native Germany, where disenchantment with the Roman Catholic Church has grown in the wake of the scandal.

Ireland ramps up battle with Vatican over child abuseupdated: Sun Sep 04 2011 13:48:00

Ireland stepped up its battle with the Roman Catholic Church over child abuse Sunday, with Justice Minister Alan Shatter vowing to pass a law requiring priests to report suspicions of child abuse, even if they learn about them in confession.

Vatican recalls envoy to Ireland over priest abuse scandalupdated: Tue Jul 26 2011 00:56:00

The Vatican on Monday recalled its envoy to Ireland in the wake of a blistering report accusing church leaders of covering up extensive abuse of young people by priests.

U.S. Catholic bishops revise guidelines against sex abuseupdated: Thu Jun 16 2011 23:12:00

To fight child abuse by priests, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops revised its 2002 charter Thursday, the group said.

Philadelphia priests, teacher in court in sex abuse casesupdated: Mon Mar 14 2011 21:34:00

Four priests and a parochial school teacher appeared before a Philadelphia judge Monday for the first time since their February arrests on charges of sexual abuse and child endangerment.

Sex abuse scandal roars to lifeupdated: Thu Mar 10 2011 05:45:00

Twenty-one priests are put on leave as part of a sex abuse scandal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. CNN's Mary Snow reports.

Philadelphia priest charged in scandalupdated: Mon Mar 07 2011 17:25:00

CNN's Susan Candiotti examines charges against a Philadelphia priest in a sex scandal.

Man sues Philadelphia Archdiocese, claiming he was abused as teenupdated: Mon Mar 07 2011 17:25:00

A new sexual abuse lawsuit was filed Monday against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Cardinal Justin Rigali and other archdiocese staffers on behalf of a Delaware man who grew up in Philadelphia, clergy abuse attorneys said.

2010: Pope 'sorry' for Ireland abuseupdated: Wed Jan 19 2011 11:18:00

In March 2010, Cardinal Sean Brady read a letter from Pope Benedict XVI on sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Ireland.

Irish abuse victims 'disgusted' at Vatican letterupdated: Wed Jan 19 2011 11:18:00

Irish victims of sexual abuse are "disgusted" by a newly revealed letter in which a Vatican official expresses "serious reservations" about requiring bishops to report suspected abuse by priests to police, they said Wednesday.

Holy See urges 'prudence' in reading Vatican-related cablesupdated: Sat Dec 11 2010 10:15:00

The Holy See's press office Saturday urged the public to read the latest Vatican-related diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks with "great prudence," claiming the allegations cited in the documents reflect only the view of their writers.

WikiLeaks: Sex abuse scandal left rift in Vatican-Ireland relationsupdated: Fri Dec 10 2010 20:11:00

Relations between the Vatican and Ireland deteriorated sharply as the Holy See appeared to ignore a commission looking into complaints of physical and sexual abuse of children by Irish priests, according to U.S. diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks.

Atlanta pastor, in response to suits, denies sex allegationsupdated: Tue Nov 02 2010 18:17:00

In responses to four suits accusing him of coercing young men into sexual relationships, prominent Georgia pastor Eddie Long denies the claims and asks that the suits be dismissed.

Bishop Long and loyalty to leadersupdated: Tue Nov 02 2010 18:17:00

One author thinks the Bishop Eddie Long scandal should prompt a broader conversation about sex in the black church.

German bishops set out rules to stop sexual abuseupdated: Thu Sep 23 2010 12:26:00

German Catholic bishops Thursday set out new rules to help prevent clergy from abusing children, following scandals across Europe.

Pope's UK visit proving controversialupdated: Sun Sep 19 2010 18:06:00

CNN's Atika Shubert reports on the pope's visit to Britain amid concerns over abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope praises British for resisting Nazisupdated: Sun Sep 19 2010 18:06:00

Pope Benedict XVI praised Britain Sunday for standing up to the Nazis, a remark that could rekindle controversy over the pope's past -- reminding listeners that he was forced as a young man to join the Hitler Youth.

Pope meets with clergy abuse victims as thousands protestupdated: Sat Sep 18 2010 14:01:00

Pope Benedict XVI met with five clergy abuse victims while on his official visit to the United Kingdom, the Catholic Communications Network said Saturday, the same day the pope expressed his "deep sorrow" for the scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church.

Pope addresses sex abuse scandal as he starts visit to Britainupdated: Fri Sep 17 2010 03:32:00

The Roman Catholic Church has not been vigilant enough or fast enough in responding to the problem of sexual abuse by priests, Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday.

Protests planned for pope's UK visitupdated: Fri Sep 17 2010 03:32:00

Two-thirds of respondents to a recent poll say they're unhappy about pope's visit to the U.K. Atika Shubert has more.

Church abuse survivors demand justiceupdated: Thu Sep 16 2010 12:19:00

Sue Cox was 10 years old when she says she was raped by a priest in her family home on the eve of her Confirmation, a sacrament which signifies the cementing of bonds between baptised believers and the Church.

Irish cardinal says he won't resignupdated: Wed Sep 15 2010 09:20:00

As Pope Benedict XVI prepares to visit Britain, an Irish cardinal says he has no plans to resign his post.

Irish cardinal will not resign after scandals, he saysupdated: Wed Sep 15 2010 09:20:00

Months after the revelation that he helped cover up for one of Ireland's most notoriously abusive priests, the country's top Catholic churchman, Cardinal Sean Brady, says he has "moved on" and will not resign.

Belgium church to begin interviews in sex abuse caseupdated: Tue Sep 14 2010 02:06:00

Belgian church officials will begin interviews Tuesday in their inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse of children by clergy and others working for the church from the 1950s into the late 1980s.

Pope likely to meet abuse victims, archbishop indicatesupdated: Sun Sep 05 2010 10:30:00

Pope Benedict XVI is likely to meet victims of child abuse when he visits the United Kingdom next week, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales indicated Sunday.

Belgian cardinal quizzed for 10 hours over abuse allegationsupdated: Wed Jul 07 2010 10:27:00

Belgian police questioned the country's former Catholic archbishop for about 10 hours over accusations that he knew of sexual abuse in the church but failed to stop it, the Belgian prosecutor's office told CNN on Wednesday.

Police probe Belgian cardinal over abuse cover-up allegationsupdated: Tue Jul 06 2010 15:38:00

Police are investigating accusations that the former archbishop of Belgium knew of sexual abuse in the church but failed to stop it, the Belgian prosecutor's office told CNN Tuesday.

Cardinal Roger Mahony's depositionupdated: Sun Jun 20 2010 10:22:00

A clip from the five-hour deposition of L.A. Cardinal Roger Mahony in a sex abuse case, released by a judge this week.

Cardinal should quit over abuse scandal, most Irish sayupdated: Tue Jun 15 2010 08:53:00

Three out of four Irish adults say the country's top churchman, Cardinal Sean Brady, should resign for his role in hiding abuse of children by one of the country's most notoriously abusive priests decades ago, according to a poll published by the Irish Times Monday.

Pope addresses priest abuse scandalupdated: Fri Jun 11 2010 12:45:00

Pope Benedict XVI said Friday the church must promise "to do everything possible" to ensure that the sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests "will never occur again."

Pope pleads for forgiveness from victimsupdated: Fri Jun 11 2010 12:45:00

Pope Benedict XVI asks victims for forgiveness in the church abuse scandal. CNN's Paula Newton reports.

Priest gathering overshadowed by church sex abuse scandalupdated: Thu Jun 10 2010 05:10:00

For a second day Thursday, thousands of priests from around the world are gathered in Rome for a conference to mark the end of the "Year of the Priest."

Vatican police ask women priest campaigners to leaveupdated: Tue Jun 08 2010 14:44:00

Activists campaigning for the Catholic Church to ordain women as priests were asked to leave the Vatican on Tuesday.

Italian bishop testifies in priest abuse trialupdated: Fri May 21 2010 12:37:00

An Italian bishop testified this week in the trial of a priest accused of child abuse, saying that although the accusations were "alarming," he did not stop the priest's contact with children.

Vatican to pursue new legal strategy in U.S., lawyer saysupdated: Mon May 17 2010 09:47:00

The Vatican will embark on a sweeping new legal strategy Monday in responding to allegations of sex abuse in the United States, CNN has learned.

Pope: Sex abuse scandal 'terrifying'updated: Tue May 11 2010 11:13:00

Pope Benedict XVI made one of his strongest statements to date on the sex abuse scandal sweeping the Roman Catholic Church, saying Tuesday the reality he has seen is "terrifying."

Pope, Vatican sued over priest abuseupdated: Mon Apr 26 2010 16:20:00

A man who says he was abused by a priest speaks to reporters after another man filed a lawsuit against the Vatican.

One lawyer behind many allegations of Catholic Church abuseupdated: Mon Apr 26 2010 16:20:00

The last month has seen a blizzard of new sex abuse accusations against the Catholic Church from across the United States. Almost all of them -- and the intense media attention they've garnered -- can be traced to one man: a Minnesota lawyer named Jeff Anderson.

Vatican says sex abuse suit lacks meritupdated: Fri Apr 23 2010 08:49:00

The Vatican said a lawsuit accusing it and Pope Benedict XVI of covering up sexual abuse by a priest at a Catholic school in the United States has no merit.

Lawsuit demands Vatican name priests accused of sex abuseupdated: Thu Apr 22 2010 15:20:00

An Illinois man is suing the Vatican and Pope Benedict XVI for allegedly covering up sexual abuse by a priest at a Catholic school in Wisconsin.

Pope accepts Irish bishop's resignationupdated: Thu Apr 22 2010 12:32:00

Pope Benedict accepted the resignation of a third Irish bishop Thursday.

Suit alleges U.S., Mexican cardinals covered up sexual abuseupdated: Thu Apr 22 2010 12:08:00

A Mexican resident who says he was sexually abused by a priest as a child is suing the Roman Catholic Cardinal of Los Angeles and Mexico's top-ranking Catholic cleric, alleging they aided and abetted the abuse by moving the priest between dioceses as allegations piled up against him.

Pope says church will take action on sex abuse scandalupdated: Wed Apr 21 2010 11:39:00

Pope Benedict XVI was "greatly moved" by a meeting with victims of abuse by Catholic clergy, he said Wednesday, in his first public comments on the scandal in more than a month.

Pope meets with abuse victimsupdated: Sun Apr 18 2010 18:08:00

Pope Benedict XVI has met with 8 victims of clerical sex abuse in Malta. CNN Vatican analyst John Allen reports.

Pope expresses 'shame and sorrow' to abuse victimsupdated: Sun Apr 18 2010 12:45:00

Pope Benedict XVI told a group of sexual abuse victims Sunday that he feels "shame" for what they suffered within the church and will make sure their abusers are brought "to justice," the Vatican announced.

Most disapprove of pope's handling of abuse scandal, poll findsupdated: Fri Apr 16 2010 13:06:00

Most Americans -- and most American Catholics -- think Pope Benedict XVI has done a bad job of dealing with the problem of sexual abuse by Catholics priests, according to a new national poll.

Gay outrage over cardinal's child abuse commentupdated: Thu Apr 15 2010 01:57:00

Gay rights groups have expressed outrage over comments made by a senior Vatican official linking homosexuality to child abuse.

Cardinal blames homosexuality for abuseupdated: Thu Apr 15 2010 01:57:00

A top Vatican cardinal says homosexuality, not celibacy, is a root cause of child abuse by priests. CNN's Rafael Romo reports.

Vatican overhauls sex abuse case proceduresupdated: Mon Apr 12 2010 13:38:00

The Vatican is overhauling its rules on how it handles accusations of sexual abuse by priests, it said Monday, without giving any details.

Why did defrocking take 6 years?updated: Mon Apr 12 2010 13:38:00

CNN's Diana Magnay reports on the Vatican's process to defrock a California priest who molested children.

Connecticut bishops fight sex abuse billupdated: Sun Apr 11 2010 22:30:00

A bill in Connecticut's legislature that would remove the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases has sparked a fervent response from the state's Roman Catholic bishops, who released a letter to parishioners Saturday imploring them to oppose the measure.

Norwegian bishop admits child sex abuseupdated: Wed Apr 07 2010 09:08:00

A former Catholic bishop in Norway has admitted sexually abusing a minor 20 years ago, a spokesman for the Norwegian Catholic Church said Wednesday.

Church abuse victims' groups rise in Europeupdated: Tue Apr 06 2010 00:39:00

As allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic priests started piling up in the Netherlands earlier this year, Bert Smeets, a 58-year-old Dutch musician, decided to launch an organization to bring victims of church abuse together.

Reporter who broke abuse story talksupdated: Tue Apr 06 2010 00:39:00

The New York Times' Laurie Goodstein talks about breaking the latest Catholic sex abuse scandal story.

Pope silent on scandalupdated: Sun Apr 04 2010 16:26:00

The pope held Easter services amid growing controversy over sexual abuse within the church. CNN's Diana Magnay reports.

Cardinal tells pope: Faithful not influenced by 'gossip'updated: Sun Apr 04 2010 16:26:00

In a rare move, a senior cardinal spoke before the pope's Easter Mass address at the Vatican on Sunday, saying the pontiff maintains the support of Catholics around the world "who do not let themselves be influenced by the gossip."

Pope's preacher apologizes for anti-Semitism remarkupdated: Sun Apr 04 2010 10:45:00

The pope's personal preacher apologized Sunday for comparing fury over sexual abuse within the church to anti-Semitism.

Abuse scandal hangs over Good Fridayupdated: Sun Apr 04 2010 10:45:00

CNN's Diana Magnay looks at how the abuse scandal affected Good Friday celebrations at the Vatican.

Vatican: Stop 'smear campaign'updated: Tue Mar 30 2010 07:32:00

The Vatican is taking a defensive stand amid allegations of abuse by priests. CNN's Diana Magnay reports.

Clerics regret church abuse as Vatican denounces reportupdated: Tue Mar 30 2010 07:32:00

Top Catholic clerics from France and Britain expressed shame, anger and regret Friday over a widening abuse scandal in the church that has reached Pope Benedict XVI's doorstep.

Irish bishop resigns amid abuse scandalupdated: Thu Mar 25 2010 08:36:00

An Irish bishop resigned amid a Catholic church sex abuse scandal, apologizing in a statement Wednesday for any abuse that occurred in his diocese.

Pope's Irish child abuse letter fails to calm stormupdated: Sun Mar 21 2010 22:24:00

Victims of child abuse by Catholic clergy in Ireland have dismissed a long-awaited letter by Pope Benedict XVI as not going far enough.

Pope says 'sorry' for Irish church abuseupdated: Sat Mar 20 2010 23:12:00

Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday he is "truly sorry" for the abuse suffered by victims at the hands of Catholic priests in Ireland.

Reaction to apologyupdated: Sat Mar 20 2010 23:12:00

Nic Robertson gauges the mood in Northern Ireland as the pope apologizes for the clergy's transgressions.

Pope finalizes letter on abuseupdated: Sat Mar 20 2010 02:09:00

Pope Benedict XVI has signed a letter aimed at defusing anger in Ireland over a sex abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church.

Governments must step into priest sex abuse casesupdated: Sat Mar 20 2010 01:36:00

We've come to a remarkable moment in the ongoing clergy abuse crisis. What began years ago as revelations of sexual abuse by priests -- recounted, in solitary acts of courage, by their victims and played out for the most part in parishes and local newspapers -- suddenly seems to have gone global.

Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal goes globalupdated: Fri Mar 19 2010 22:23:00

As the Vatican announced Friday that Pope Benedict XVI has signed a pastoral letter about Ireland's abusive priests, it became increasingly clear that the church abuse crisis has entered a new international phase, with allegations spreading across a half dozen countries -- including the pope's native Germany.

Child abuse scandal shatters Irish faith in Catholic Churchupdated: Fri Mar 19 2010 18:26:00

John Kelly was 14 years old when, he says, he lost his faith in God.

German bishops' 'shame' over abuse scandalupdated: Thu Mar 18 2010 11:36:00

German Catholic bishops in the pope's home state of Bavaria expressed "deep shock and shame" Thursday at recent reports of abuse in their diocese.

Dutch bishops launch child abuse investigationupdated: Thu Mar 18 2010 09:43:00

Catholic bishops in the Netherlands have announced an independent investigation into allegations of child abuse by clergy, widening a scandal that touches countries including the United States, Ireland, Germany and Austria.

Alleged abuse victim speaksupdated: Thu Mar 18 2010 09:39:00

An alleged victim of sexual abuse by German priests spoke to CNN's Frederik Pleitgen.

Pope 'distraught' by German sex abuse scandalupdated: Thu Mar 18 2010 09:39:00

Pope Benedict XVI is distraught by news of a scandal involving allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in Germany, Germany's highest-ranking Catholic said Friday.

Pope on scandal in Irelandupdated: Thu Mar 18 2010 09:26:00

Pope Benedict XVI announces he'll sign a pastoral letter addressing the child abuse scandal in Ireland.

Top Irish Catholic ducking blame in abuse case, campaigner chargesupdated: Thu Mar 18 2010 09:26:00

Ireland's top Catholic cardinal is using the "Nuremberg defense" in the face of public outrage at his role 35 years ago in investigating one of the country's most notorious child-abusing priests, an activist said Tuesday.

Would more women in Catholic Church reduce abuse?updated: Thu Mar 18 2010 09:04:00

With the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church spreading, a leading religious scholar said Wednesday that a greater female presence in the church hierarchy would have helped prevent the crisis from worsening.

Cardinal apologizes for child abuse 'failures'updated: Wed Mar 17 2010 23:09:00

The head of the Irish Catholic Church, Cardinal Sean Brady, admitted Wednesday that the church's response to abuse had been "hopelessly inadequate."

Pope's role adds new wrinkleupdated: Wed Mar 17 2010 23:09:00

CNN's Sr. Vatican analyst discusses similarities and differences between Catholic church scandals in the U.S. and Europe.

Scandal rocks German churchupdated: Wed Mar 17 2010 09:41:00

CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports on the sex abuse scandal that is hurting Germany's Catholic Church.

Church sex abuse brings trouble to popeupdated: Wed Mar 17 2010 09:41:00

With allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic priests piling up in Germany and Ireland and surfacing in Austria and the Netherlands, Europe appears poised to face church abuse in the broad, wrenching way the United States did in the last decade.

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