The Catholic Church Faces Its Past

The Guardian
January 24, 2019

https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2019/jan/25/the-catholic-church-faces-its-past

Last year investigations around the world showed that historical sexual abuse within the Catholic church had been covered up for decades. India Rakusen talks to two survivors and hears from the Guardian’s religion correspondent Harriet Sherwood on how the church plans to move forward. Plus: the Guardian’s Tom Phillips on Juan Guaido’s attempted take over in Venezuela

In February, Catholic bishops from around the world will attend a summit at the Vatican to discuss how to tackle child abuse within the church. Last year a series of inquiries shook the church, embroiling Pope Francis in the biggest crisis of his papacy. Investigations found that historical sexual abuse had been covered up for decades, and thousands of victims gave evidence of rape and abuse.

In the UK, the national inquiry into child sexual abuse is examining the extent of any institutional failures to protect children by the Catholic church in Birmingham. Birmingham was chosen as a case study because it is the largest archdiocese in England. India Rakusen hears from two survivors who gave evidence at the inquiry, while the Guardian’s religion correspondent Harriet Sherwood discusses how the church has responded and whether it can recover from this scandal.

Plus: the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips talks about Juan Guaido, who is trying to take over the presidency of Venezuela.