Catholic Church Tells Bishops They Are Not Obliged to Disclose Child Sex Abuse: Report

Catholic Church Tells Bishops They Are Not Obliged to Disclose Child Sex Abuse: Report

The Catholic Church is allegedly telling newly ordained bishops that they have no obligation to report child-sexual-abuse allegations to law-enforcement officials, saying instead that the decision to take such claims to the authorities should be left to victims and their families.

Pope Francis Says Parents May Spank Children, But Must Give Them 'Dignity'

Pope Francis Says Parents May Spank Children, But Must Give Them 'Dignity'

Pope Francis weighed in on corporal punishment for children this week, pronouncing that spanking is fine, as long as parents do it with "dignity." 

Pope Francis says it is fine for parents to smack their children if they are misbehaving

Pope Francis says it is fine for parents to smack their children if they are misbehaving

Pope Francis has said it is fine for parents to smack their children as punishment for misbehaving.

The Pope said parents should punish their children, 'do the right thing, and then move on,' as he acted out the movement of smacking a child on the bottom.

Pope declares 'zero tolerance' on child abuse

Pope declares 'zero tolerance' on child abuse

Pope Francis said Monday he will meet with a group of sex abuse victims next month at the Vatican and declared "zero tolerance" for any member of the clergy who would violate a child.

Pope Francis asks forgiveness for child abuse by clergy

Pope Francis asks forgiveness for child abuse by clergy

Pope Francis has asked for forgiveness for the "evil" damage to children caused by sexual abusers in the clergy.

UN Report Blasts Catholic Church for Systemic Child Abuse Coverups

UN Report Blasts Catholic Church for Systemic Child Abuse Coverups

On Wednesday, the UN's Committee on the Rights of the Child blasted the Vatican for being more concerned with avoiding scandal than addressing clergy child abuse and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement. The UN panel demanded the Catholic Church immediately remove clergy known or suspected of child molestation and report them to authorities. The Holy See defended itself following the publication of the report.

Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests for child abuse

Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests for child abuse

Former Pope Benedict XVI has defrocked nearly 400 priests in just two years over claims of child abuse, the Vatican confirmed.