US church ban for abusive priests
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.American bishops have agreed to keep sexually abusive clergy in the priesthood but bar them from face-to-face contact with parishioners.
American bishops have agreed to keep sexually abusive clergy in the priesthood but bar them from face-to-face contact with parishioners.
Yesterday's decision follows months of turmoil in which about 250 priests resigned or were suspended over misconduct claims.
The policy represents a significant shift from the voluntary discipline guidelines that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has relied on for years. The bishops will need Vatican approval to make the policy binding.
"From this day forward no one known to have sexually abused a child will work in the Catholic church in the US," Bishop Wilton Gregory, the conference president, said.
He apologised for what he called "our tragically slow response in recognising the horror" of sexual abuse.
Under the plan, abusers -- past and future -- will be prohibited from any work connected to the church, from celebrating Mass to teaching in parochial school.
* A Nebraska jury awarded $800,000 (£540,000) in damages yesterday to a former altar boy and his mother because a Catholic priest had sexually abused the boy in the 1990s. The Omaha Archdiocese had admitted negligence in failing to supervise Father Daniel Herek properly.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments