More than Catholic 50 priests defrocked since 2001 because of sexual abuse

A report released today shows that 52 priests have been laicised (defrocked) in England and Wales since 2001 as a result of sexual abuse.

It will take "about a generation" for trust to be restored in the Catholic Church, the chair of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission (NCSC), which released the report, said.

Between 2003 and 2012, 598 allegations of abuse were reported, of which 465 were allegations of sexual abuse.

"The media did the Church a service by casting light on this abuse, and now that the spotlight is on other intuitions, that doesn't mean the Church is going to turn a blind eye," said Adrian Child, director of the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS).

In 2013 there were 81 reports of abuse, up from 59 in 2012, though still short of the 92 reports made in 2010.

There are currently 384 "covenants of care" in place on individuals believed to pose a risk within the church community, including priests and lay church members. Someone under a covenant of care may be restricted from attending services where children may be present.

The CSAS plans to set up a new Survivors Advisory Board incorporating victims of abuse, as well as those who represent and support them.

In 2011 the National Association for People Abused in Childhood and the Survivors Trusts refused to work with both Catholic safeguarding bodies.

They were protesting against Portsmouth Diocese's decision to appeal a High Court judgement which required the diocese pay compensation for alleged abuse by a priest.

Danny Sullivan, chair of the NCSC, said that there should be greater emphasis on the individual needs of victims.

Earlier this year Pope Francis said that one in 50 priests is a paedophile, although Child said the number is considerably lower for the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

related articles
Pope reiterates need for decisive action on abuse

Pope reiterates need for decisive action on abuse

Pope Francis personally asks for forgiveness for Catholic Church\'s child sex abuse history
Pope Francis personally asks for forgiveness for Catholic Church's child sex abuse history

Pope Francis personally asks for forgiveness for Catholic Church's child sex abuse history

Pope \'personally compelled\' to ask forgiveness for \'evil\' child abuse
Pope 'personally compelled' to ask forgiveness for 'evil' child abuse

Pope 'personally compelled' to ask forgiveness for 'evil' child abuse

Did Pope Francis admit 1 in 50 clergy are paedophiles?
Did Pope Francis admit 1 in 50 clergy are paedophiles?

Did Pope Francis admit 1 in 50 clergy are paedophiles?

News
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster
Richard Moth appointed as new Archbishop of Westminster

Bishop Richard Moth has been confirmed as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the most senior post in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. 

The mystery of the Wise Men
The mystery of the Wise Men

The carol assures us that “We three kings of Orient are…” and tells us they were “following yonder star”. Can we be sure there were three of them? Were they kings? Where in the Orient were they from? What was the star they followed? In fact, there is a lot that we just do not know. This is the story …

English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.