Over 4,400 Victims of Clergy Abuse Reported in Italy: Calls for Church Accountability Intensify

A victims’ advocacy group in Italy has announced that around 4,400 people have been abused by Catholic priests since 2020. This report has increased pressure on the Catholic Church to clarify and address the allegations…

According to a recent report, approximately 4,400 people in Italy have been abused by Catholic priests. The victims’ advocacy group known as Rete L’Abuso stated that this statistic is based on testimonies from victims, judicial sources, and media reports.

A crisis challenging the Vatican

This new statistic has increased pressure on Italian bishops to take a clearer stance against a crisis that has plagued the Catholic Church for years. Last week, Pope Leo met for the first time with several survivors of clergy sexual abuse and urged bishops not to conceal any cases of misconduct.

Shocking details of victims and perpetrators

According to a report from the Vatican’s Child Protection Commission published on October 16, out of a total of 4,625 victims, approximately 4,395 were abused by priests. Among the victims, 4,451 were under the age of 18, and more than 4,100 of them were boys. Additionally, five nuns, 156 vulnerable adults, and 11 individuals with disabilities have also been identified among the victims.

Five victims have lost their lives

Part of the report states that at least five victims have committed suicide due to the psychological pressures resulting from these incidents.

Low prosecution rates of accused clergy

According to the Rete L’Abuso Association, of the 1,106 suspected priests of abuse, only 76 have been tried in church, 17 have been temporarily suspended, and seven have been transferred to other churches. Furthermore, 18 individuals have been dismissed from clerical office or have resigned.

Limited response from the Catholic Church in Italy to the crisis

The Vatican’s report states that only 81 dioceses out of 226 in Italy have responded to a questionnaire related to victim support methods. This level of accountability, from the perspective of observers, indicates structural resistance against transparency within the church.

International pressure on the Vatican for accountability

Victim advocacy groups say that the Catholic Church must be held accountable for inaction and a policy of silence regarding sexual abuse. They call for the establishment of an independent oversight system and the requirement for bishops to publicly report on misconduct cases.