WASHINGTON (DC)
Catholic News Service
February 12, 2019
By Fredrick Nzwili
‘I think there could be more cases in Africa, but most go unreported because of fear’
Africa is also grappling with clerical abuse, say Catholic leaders
When child sexual abuse scandals involving Catholic priests emerge in Africa, they do not draw a frenzied reaction similar to that witnessed in developed countries, but the continent’s church is affected, said Catholic leaders.
While there is a general view that the scandals are a challenge of the church in Europe and America, African officials confirm the incidents, amid reports of some provinces expelling or defrocking priests.
In Africa, clerics view the issue as too delicate and sensitive for the public, and many remained tight-lipped on the subject. At the same time, the church leaders said they were concerned about the abuses and closely follow any such reports, both locally and globally.
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