Catholic Church sexual abuse crisis: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Location	Boston • Massachusetts • United States

Photos

Confronting an epidemic of abuse in the Catholic Church

John Geoghan, wearing a dark suit and handcuffs, is escorted by two uniformed officers down a courthouse hallway.

A group of women and men stand outside Leinster House in Dublin holding a banner reading Magdalene Survivors Together, Fighting for Justice.

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, wearing clerical attire, gestures with open hands while speaking at a press conference, with several microphones visible in front of him.

Cardinal Bernard Law and Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick, both in black robes with red trim and red caps, sit side by side in conversation.

Protest by Ending Clergy Abuse

Pope Francis sits with his head resting on his hand in a thoughtful pose during a liturgical prayer, surrounded by cardinals and clergy at the Vatican.

See All Images and Interactives →

Topics

Roman Catholicism Ground Zero: Ireland and the Church Abuse Crisis What impact did the sexual abuse crisis have on the Catholic Church in America?Sexual abuse