Downsizing church: Baltimore Catholic parish closures a “punch in the stomach” with long-term impact
In the US, parish closures in the nation’s oldest Catholic diocese are part of a nationwide trend of dioceses restructuring in response to falling Mass attendance and priest shortages. ALEJA HERTZLER-MCCAIN, of Religion News Service, reports…
Crew support: Ministers aid seafarers caught in Baltimore bridge crisis
“Everyone’s still kind of rattled and trying to figure things out,” said Rev Joshua Messick, who has Bibles ‘in every conceivable language’ to distribute upon request. ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, reports…
In the US, Baltimore Catholic Archdiocese files for bankruptcy before new law on abuse lawsuits takes effect
Baltimore, USAP The Archdiocese of Baltimore on Friday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganisation days before a new state law goes into effect removing the statute of limitations on child sex abuse claims and allowing victims to sue their abusers decades after the fact. The step will allow the oldest diocese in the United States […]
Revised report on church sex abuse in US state of Maryland leaves five church leaders’ names still redacted
Baltimore, USAP Maryland’s Attorney General released some previously redacted names in its staggering report on child sex abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore on Tuesday, but the names of five Catholic Church leaders remained redacted amid ongoing appeals, prompting criticism of the church by victims’ advocates. While the names of the high-ranking church leaders already have been […]
In the US, report details “staggering” church sex abuse in state of Maryland
Baltimore, US AP More than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused over 600 children and often escaped accountability, according to a long-awaited state report released Wednesday that revealed the scope of abuse spanning 80 years and accused church leaders of decades of coverups. The report paints a damning […]