A Spanish priest has been temporarily suspended by the Roman Catholic Church after being accused of trafficking narcotic substances, including Viagra and other powerful aphrodisiac substances. The clergyman, identified as Don Alfonso Raúl Masa Soto, was detained and provisionally released by the investigating judge. The diocese of Plasencia expressed pain and dismay at the events and has temporarily removed him from the public exercise of the ministry. The priest's lawyer stated that there is no evidence incriminating his client, while reports suggest that the priest was involved in drug trafficking with another man, who was identified as his boyfriend.
The funeral of transgender activist Cecilia Gentili at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York drew over 1,000 mourners and sparked controversy as church leaders denounced the event, calling it a scandal. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York condemned the funeral, while the family defended the gathering as a defiance of the church’s hypocrisy and anti-trans hatred. Gentili was celebrated as a champion of the LGBTQ+ community and a leading advocate for transgender people, sex workers, and those with HIV. The funeral also featured a performance by "Pose" actor Billy Porter, which drew criticism from conservative groups.
Pope Francis' announcement that Catholic priests may bless LGBTQ+ couples and others in "irregular" situations marks a significant shift in the Roman Catholic Church's approach to loving relationships. While the declaration does not permit same-sex marriage or recognize civil marriages, it emphasizes pastoral care and the meaning of blessings in the Catholic Church. The declaration sidesteps divisive doctrinal questions and focuses on ministering to people rather than teaching doctrine. While the move is historic, it is likely to deepen divisions within the Catholic Church, particularly in the United States. Nonetheless, it represents a gesture of welcome and invites all people to experience God's love in a community devoted to building a more just world.
A Roman Catholic priest in Ohio, Michael Zacharias, has been sentenced to life in prison for sex-trafficking charges related to the molestation of three boys he met at a preschool. Prosecutors stated that Zacharias coerced the victims into continuing sexual activity as adults, using fear and drug addiction as leverage. The priest maintained his innocence, claiming that the sexual contact occurred when the boys were adults and was consensual. The Roman Catholic diocese of Toledo, which placed Zacharias on administrative leave after his arrest, supports the sentencing and has presented a case for defrocking him to the Holy See.
An independent commission in Spain has estimated that over 200,000 minors were sexually abused by members of the Roman Catholic clergy since 1940. The report, which included a poll of over 8,000 people, found that 0.6 percent of Spain's adult population said they had suffered sexual abuse by clergy when they were children. The percentage rose to 1.13 percent when abuse by lay members was included. The report criticized the Catholic Church for its denial and attempts to downplay the issue and recommended the creation of a state fund to pay reparations to victims. The Spanish bishops' conference will react to the report on Monday.
An independent commission in Spain estimates that over 200,000 children have been sexually abused by the Roman Catholic clergy since 1940. The report, based on a poll of over 8,000 adults, found that 0.6% of respondents said they were abused by clergy as children, equating to about 200,000 individuals. When including abuse by lay members of the church, the proportion increased to 1.13%, or over 400,000 people. The report criticizes the church's response to abuse cases and recommends the creation of a state fund for reparations. The Spanish bishops conference has called an extraordinary meeting to discuss the findings.
The Diocese of Stockton in California has issued a warning about fake priests who are targeting parishioners, particularly undocumented immigrants and migrant workers. These imposters, claiming to be Spanish-speaking Catholic bishops and priests, charge exorbitant fees for sacraments and services, misappropriating the identities of genuine priests in Mexico. The diocese has reported the scams to the police but has been told that only victims can file complaints. The diocese is urging people to be cautious and has advised that Catholic sacraments are typically administered within Catholic churches, not in outdoor locations like parks.
An official inquiry into the Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland has revealed nearly 1,000 cases of sexual abuse since 1950, with the majority of victims being children and 56% of them male. Researchers from the University of Zurich found evidence of a widespread cover-up, stating that the identified cases are only the tip of the iceberg. The report criticized Church officials for not taking sufficient action and revealed that clerics accused of abuse were systematically reassigned to other posts to avoid prosecution. Victims' groups accused the Church of covering up crimes and protecting perpetrators at the expense of the silenced victims.
Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was once the archbishop of Washington, D.C., has been declared incompetent to stand trial on sex abuse charges in Massachusetts due to dementia. McCarrick was expelled from the priesthood in 2019 following an internal investigation that found multiple instances of sexual misconduct. He also faces a sexual assault charge in Wisconsin. The statutes of limitation in both states allowed prosecutors to bring criminal charges against him despite the alleged incidents occurring decades ago. This case highlights the ongoing issue of clergy sex abuse and the challenges faced by victims seeking legal recourse.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to address over 500 lawsuits related to child sexual abuse. The archdiocese claims that bankruptcy is the best solution for compensating survivors, as it lacks the financial means and practical ability to litigate each case individually. However, victim advocates argue that this move denies justice and transparency for survivors and allows the archdiocese to keep its secrets and wealth. The bankruptcy filing would freeze legal actions against the archdiocese while it restructures its finances, but it would not affect the independently managed parishes and schools. This follows similar bankruptcy filings by other dioceses in California and across the United States.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in response to over 500 civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse. By declaring bankruptcy, the Archdiocese aims to consolidate the lawsuits into one settlement and avoid individual trials. However, the bankruptcy only applies to the corporate entity and does not affect individual church parishes or schools. This move has sparked criticism from abuse victims and their advocates, who argue that it prioritizes secrecy and self-protection.
Former Bishop Howard Hubbard has been hospitalized at Albany Medical Center after suffering a stroke. Hubbard, who recently announced his marriage to a woman after an unsuccessful attempt to be removed from the priesthood, remains a retired Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church and is not recognized as being in a valid marriage by the Church. Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger confirmed that the rules against marriage still apply to Hubbard, even though he cannot represent himself as a priest.
An investigation by The Guardian has revealed that Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans ignored the findings of a board tasked with evaluating abuse allegations against priests and deacons. The board found clergymen to be credibly accused, but Aymond concealed the findings and failed to disclose them to the public. The revelations come as part of a decades-long scandal at the archdiocese, which has been accused of covering up for a confessed child abuser. The memo detailing Aymond's actions contradicts transparency promises made by the Catholic Church in response to the ongoing clerical abuse scandal. The investigation raises concerns about violations of Pope Francis' 2019 legislation aimed at combating sexual abuse within the Church.
Three US states, Vermont, Maine, and Maryland, have removed all time limits on child sexual abuse lawsuits, with Michigan, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts poised to follow. More than two dozen people have sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Maine, over the past year, seeking delayed justice since lawmakers allowed lawsuits for abuse that happened long ago and can’t be pursued in criminal courts either because of time limits or evidence diminishing over time. The lawsuits have targeted churches, summer camps, scout groups, and other institutions accused of enabling pedophiles or turning a blind eye to wrongdoing.
Pope Francis has announced that women will be allowed to vote for the first time at a global meeting of bishops in October, a move that could lead to more inclusiveness in decision-making in the Roman Catholic Church. In the past, women were allowed to attend the synods as auditors but with no right to vote. The new rules also include the inclusion of 70 non-bishop members who represent various groupings of the faithful of the people of God. The synods are usually attended by about 300 people, so the bulk of those with voting rights will still be bishops.
