News Archive
Cached versions of the articles blogged in Abuse Tracker can be accessed from the following list, or by using the search feature below.
May 1, 2026
Wheaton College Kept Silent As Abuse Allegations Against Ministry Leader Continued, By Julie Roys, Religion Unplugged - The Media Project - Institute for Nonprofit News [Dallas TX], (May 1, 2026)
Why 13 Catholic churches are closing in Northern California, By Noe Padilla, USA TODAY, USA Today [McLean VA], (April 30, 2026)
Nampa priest sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to sexual abuse involving teen, By Victoria Rodriguez, KIVI [Nampa, Idaho], (April 29, 2026)
Nampa priest sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexual battery of a minor, By CBS2 News Staff, KGAN - CBS 2 [Cedar Rapids IA], (April 29, 2026)
Dan Rodricks: Maryland court preserves a layer of secrecy in the Catholic scandal, By Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Fish Bowl [Alexandria, VA], (April 30, 2026)
Arrests In Asia’s child porn ring amid global rights crackdowns, By UCA News Network, Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) [Hong Kong], (May 1, 2026)
May 2, 2026
New Orleans Archdiocese to Remove Priest Name Following Abuse Charges, By Rizky Mahendra, AsatuNews [Abuja, Nigeria], (May 1, 2026)
RI Senate debates whether clergy sex abuse lawsuits are constitutional, By Katherine Gregg, Providence Journal [Providence RI], (April 30, 2026)
Cherokee County teacher, pastor charged with distributing obscene material to a minor, By Craig Monger, 1819 News [Birmingham AL], (May 1, 2026)
Former Pastor Gets 120 Years in Prison, Plus Additional Life Sentence for Numerous Child Sex Crimes, By Dale Chamberlain, ChurchLeaders [Colorado Springs CO], (May 1, 2026)
How bad theology has set us up for sexualized AI deepfakes, By Rick Pidcock , Baptist News Global [Jacksonville FL], (May 1, 2026)
Police issue major update after 10 members of religious group arrested during huge raids, By Stephen Topping Senior reporter, Manchester Evening News [Manchester, UK], (May 1, 2026)
Louisiana ‘Vos estis’ complaint remains unanswered, By The Pillar, The Pillar [Washington DC], (May 1, 2026)
NY Archdiocese $800M settlement pauses Orange County sex abuse trial, By Vandana Saras, Times Herald-Record [Middletown NY], (May 1, 2026)
New York Archdiocese agrees to nearly $1 billion settlement for sexual abuse victims, By Daniel Payne, EWTN News [Irondale AL], (May 1, 2026)
Archdiocese of New York offers $800 million sex abuse settlement, lawyers say, By Alexa Herrera, CBS News [New York NY], (May 1, 2026)
Archdiocese of New York proposes $800 million settlement for abuse claims, By Gina Christian , OSV News [Huntington IN], (May 1, 2026)
N.Y. Archdiocese Offers $800 Million to Settle Sex Abuse Claims, By Jeffery C. Mays and Maya King, New York Times [New York NY], (April 30, 2026)
May 3, 2026
Former Lexington County pastor back in jail, facing more child sex charges, By WIS News 10 Staff, WIS 10 [Columbia, SC], (May 1, 2026)
A journalist’s warning on Catholic Church secrecy, ‘clericalism’, By Terry Mattingly, Knoxville News Sentinel [Knoxville TN], (May 3, 2026)
Pastor sentenced to 18 months for sex assault involving teen, By Peter Robinson, Orillia Matters [Orillia, ON, Canada], (May 2, 2026)
Toledo Board of Honor to consider honorary Kei’Mani Latigue street name, removal of Monsignor Jerome Schmit sign, By Heather Schramm, Brian Dugger, WTOL11 [Toledo, OH], (April 29, 2026)
May 4, 2026
Leo XIV’s soft underbelly: Omar Sánchez and the hunting of a Pope, By Rodolfo Soriano-Núñez, Los Ángeles Press [Ciudad de México, Mexico], (May 4, 2026)
RI Senate debates whether clergy sex abuse lawsuits are constitutional, By Katherine Gregg, Providence Journal [Providence RI], (April 30, 2026)
May 5, 2026
He Remade the Southern Baptist Convention in His Image. Then Came the Abuse Allegations., By Robert Downen, Texas Monthly [Austin TX], (May 4, 2026)
Woman sues Diocese of London over alleged sexual abuse at Kingsville parish nearly 50 years ago, By Sanjay Maru, CTV News [Toronto, Ontario, CA], (May 4, 2026)
“Be not afraid!”: A Webinar for Survivors and Those Who Care for Them, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis [Minnesota], (May 4, 2026)
Province to pay $45 million to church abuse victims, NTV [St. John's, NL, Canada], (May 4, 2026)
Court approves $45.8-million settlement between NL government and clergy abuse survivors, By Tara Bradbury, Saltwire Network [Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada], (May 4, 2026)
JPII’s abuse reforms, 25 years later, By JP Kimes, The Pillar [Washington DC], (May 4, 2026)
May 6, 2026
Other victims out there’ — Lawsuit claims sex abuse by Kingsville priest led to lifelong trauma, By Trevor Wilhelm, Windsor Star [Toronto, Ontario], (May 1, 2026)
‘Light at the end of the tunnel’: Staten Islander reflects on sexual abuse, hopes for closure in $800M Archdiocese settlement, By Tracey Porpora, Staten Island Live [Staten Island, NY], (May 2, 2026)
Pastors Worry as Archdiocese Pushes $800 Million Sex Abuse Settlement, By Keith J. Kelly, Our Town [New York NY], (May 5, 2026)
Wollongong priest stands trial accused of sexually assaulting student, By Grace Crivellaro, ABC Illawarra, Australian Broadcasting Corporation - ABC [Sydney, Australia], (May 4, 2026)
Middletown child sex abuse case among those in $800M settlement proposed by New York archdiocese, By Blaise Gomez, News 12 New Jersey/ newjersey.news12.com, (May 4, 2026)
Youth pastor charged with sexual assault of teen: Winnipeg police, By Milan Lukes, CTV News [Toronto, Ontario, CA], (May 5, 2026)
‘No such thing as too young’: Former priest’s depraved Christmas hunt for child sex, By Miklos Bolza • AAP, 9News/Nine News [North Sydney, NSW, Australia], (May 5, 2026)
No ‘red flags’ around Winnipeg youth camp pastor now charged with sexually assaulting teen: lead pastor, By CBC, CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) [Toronto, Canada], (May 5, 2026)
Deadline for Justice: Uncovering clergy abuse cases in Southwest Louisiana, By Morgan Babineaux and Johnathan Manning, KPLC [Lake Charles, LA], (May 5, 2026)
Legionaries leader rebuilds vocation after Maciel scandal: Pain ‘opened our eyes’, By Victoria Cardiel, EWTN News [Irondale AL], (May 5, 2026)
Indonesian Islamic boarding school closed over alleged sex abuse, By UCA News reporter, Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) [Hong Kong], (May 6, 2026)
May 7, 2026
They Tried to Silence Me”: Survivor Exposes Allegations Against Aussie Church, By 10 News+ staff, 10.com.au [Sydney, AU], (April 13, 2026)
A Religious Organization is Suing its Critics, and the Weapon of Choice is Copyright—RRT v. Cheryl Bawtinheimer (Guest Blog Post), By Cathay Y. N. Smith, Professor of Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Blog.EricGoldman.org [Santa Clara, CA], (March 17, 2026)
Sister theologians on abuse, accountability, reform and hope in Leo’s pontificate, By Julia D.E. Prinz, Sr. Mercy Shumbamhini, Nameeta Renu, Sr. Rose Uchem, Global Sisters Report [Kansas City, MO], (May 5, 2026)
Amish retreat leader charged with sexual abuse, baby death, By Safia Samee Ali, NewsNation [Chicago IL], (May 4, 2026)
Amish retreat leader accused of baby’s death, sexual abuse, kidnapping and forced labor, By Local 12 News , WKRC-TV, CBS-12 [Cincinnati OH], (May 5, 2026)
How the devil was disguised in the SBC and Paul Pressler’s Conservative Resurgence, By Karen Swallow Prior, Religion News Service - Missouri School of Journalism [Columbia MO], (May 6, 2026)
Legionaries’ new leader says he wishes to ‘move this congregation forward’, Catholic Culture - Trinity Communications [San Diego CA], (May 6, 2026)
Polish researchers clarify, defend Cardinal Karol Wojtyła’s record on clerical abuse, By Filip Mazurczak, Catholic World Report [San Francisco CA], (May 6, 2026)
The dark legacy of Paul Pressler and the Southern Baptist Convention, Friendly Atheist [United States], (May 6, 2026)
May 8, 2026
Vatican orders Baton Rouge bishop investigation, By Pillar, The Pillar [Washington DC], (May 7, 2026)
‘Hollow and meaningless’: Public apology to be boycotted over ‘insulting’ financial offers, By Steve Kilgallon, Stuff [Wellington, New Zealand], (May 7, 2026)
Survivors boycotting Marist Brothers apology, By Rowan Quinn, Radio New Zealand - RNZ [Wellington, New Zealand], (May 8, 2026)
Pastor sentenced for sex crime, By Aileen Wingblad, The Oakland Press [Troy MI], (May 7, 2026)
Ex-teacher sentenced to 3 years for sexual exploitation of student, By Joseph Quigley, Orillia Matters [Orillia, ON, Canada], (May 7, 2026)
Wheeling-Charleston Diocese: Former Bishop Michael J. Bransfield Dies At 82, The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register [Wheeling WV], (May 7, 2026)
Joni Lamb, Daystar TV ministry co-founder, dies at 65, By Bob Smietana and Kathryn Post, Religion News Service - Missouri School of Journalism [Columbia MO], (May 7, 2026)
Defendants in Ursuline hazing suit reach deal, By Ed Runyan, Tribune Chronicle [Warren, OH], (May 4, 2026)
Ursuline coach had 5K videos, images of child sex abuse, officials say, By Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer / cincinnati.com, (May 7, 2026)
Conflicts of interest and the Catholic Church’s disciplinary system, By Kieran Tapsell, Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) [Hong Kong], (May 7, 2026)
Rep. John Lawn: “I’m a Survivor of Child Sexual Abuse” — Calls for End of Statute of Limitations, By Charlie Breitrose, Watertown News [Watertown, MA], (May 7, 2026)
Christian missionary hailed as ‘holiest man alive’ pleads guilty to abusing boys in Texas , By Suzanne Gamboa and Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News [New York NY], (May 7, 2026)
30 former Ohio State football players join Strauss abuse lawsuit, By Jordan Laird, Columbus Dispatch [Columbus OH], (May 7, 2026)
30 Former Ohio State Football Players Join Legal Action in Richard Strauss Abuse Case, By 11W Staff, Eleven Warriors [Columbus, OH], (May 7, 2026)
Ex-Ohio State players, including NFL veterans, to join a sexual abuse lawsuit against the school, By Marc Levy and Mark Scolforo, Associated Press [New York NY], (May 7, 2026)
30 former Ohio State football players join lawsuit as survivors of Strauss sexual abuse, By Katie Millard, Colleen Marshall, WCMH [Columbus OH], (May 8, 2026)
I’m a survivor of child sexual abuse. Mass. should end statute of limitations., By John J. Lawn Jr., Boston Globe, (May 6, 2026)
May 9, 2026
165 year sentence for man convicted of child sex abuse, rape in Prince George’s County, By WJLA News, WJLA-TV (ABC) [Arlington VA], (May 7, 2026)
165-year sentence for man convicted of child sex abuse, rape in Prince George’s County, By Thomas Mates, Christian Flores, WJLA-TV (ABC) [Arlington VA], (May 7, 2026)
Bransfield, Ex-Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Accused of Misconduct, Dies at 82, By Daniel Payne, National Catholic Register - EWTN [Irondale AL], (May 8, 2026)
Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) Releases Results of the 2025 Diocesan Financial Transparency Review, By PR Newswire, PR Newswire [New York, NY], (May 7, 2026)
Parade Santa, a Retired Pastor, Arrested in Child Sex Abuse Sting, Faces Life Sentence, By Dale Chamberlain, ChurchLeaders [Colorado Springs CO], (May 7, 2026)
Board delays decision on removing ‘Monsignor Jerome Schmit Way’ sign, By Heather Schramm, Brian Dugger, WTOL11 [Toledo, OH], (May 7, 2026)
Terrytown pastor, convicted sex offender found guilty of sexually abusing two teens, By Alana Thompson, WGNO [New Orleans LA], (May 8, 2026)
Police: Georgia youth pastor caught soliciting CSAM from local child, By Brett Crossley, NorthcentralPA.com [Williamsport PA], (May 7, 2026)
State ‘looked the other way’ on reports of abuse at group home, plaintiff says, By Jonathan Phelps, Union Leader [Manchester NH], (May 8, 2026)
Review: A Vatican journalist on seeing the church behind the church, By Jeannine M. Pitas, America [New York NY], (May 8, 2026)
Former NFL Players Joining Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Emphasizes Ohio State’s Lack of Accountability, By Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated [New York NY], (May 8, 2026)
Ohio lawmakers look to strengthen child protection laws, By Jesse Bethea, WCMH [Columbus OH], (April 29, 2026)
Advocates push to change Ohio’s rape statute of limitations; Defense attorney warns of due process concerns, By Caroline Gerhart, WXIX - Fox19 [Cincinnati OH], (May 7, 2026)
Justice Expired: The Fight For Change, By Fox 19 Now, WXIX - Fox19 [Cincinnati OH], (May 8, 2026)
After surviving a night of terror, Mass. rape survivor speaks out, By Mike Beaudet, WCVB - ABC 5 [Boston MA], (May 7, 2026)
May 10, 2026
Michael Bransfield, scandal-plagued ex-bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, dead at 82, By Rick Steelhammer, Charleston Gazette-Mail [Charleston WV], (May 8, 2026)
7 Oakland Catholic churches to close as Diocese is hit with abuse lawsuits, By Azucena Rasilla, The Oaklandside [Oakland CA], (May 1, 2026)
East Bay parishioners were optimistic for the future. Then came the closure notice, By Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle [San Francisco CA], (May 3, 2026)
Honor board delays decision on removing street sign as it examines man’s potential ties to murder investigation, WTVG [Toledo OH], (May 7, 2026)
May 11, 2026
‘There’s not much of a choice,’ clergy abuse accuser says of NY Archdiocese’s settlement offer, By Ryan Di Corpo, National Catholic Reporter [Kansas City MO], (May 11, 2026)
Indonesian abuse scandal sparks calls for Christian school reforms, By Jacobus E. Lato, Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) [Hong Kong], (May 11, 2026)
Diocese removes priest following sexual allegation, Vatican investigating complaint, By Chris Nakamoto, Robb Hays, Kevin Foster, and Jordan Gartner, KLTV [Tyler TX], (May 9, 2026)
Longtime Ontario Catholic high school teacher sentenced for sex exploitation of student, By Jeremy Grimaldi, Newmarket Era - York Region.com [Newmarket, Ontario, Canada], (May 8, 2026)
Sri Lankan Buddhist monk arrested over alleged sex abuse of 11-year-old girl, Agence France Presse [Paris, France], (May 10, 2026)
One of world’s most senior Buddhist monks arrested over alleged rape of girl in Sri Lanka, By Alisha Rahaman Sarkar, The Independent [London, England], (May 10, 2026)
How Pope Leo Is Shaping the U.S. Church, By Elizabeth Dias, New York Times [New York NY], (May 10, 2026)
May 12, 2026
Missouri summer camp CEO, embroiled in child sexual abuse scandal, is retiring, By Luke Nozicka, St. Louis Public Radio [St. Louis MO], (May 12, 2026)
Federal prosecutors said the teenager was driven in handcuffs from California to a Christian reform school in southwest Missouri. Agape Boarding School later closed amid an abuse scandal., By Luke Nozicka, KCUR (NPR affiliate) [Kansas City MO], (May 8, 2026)
Fired school president still under investigation by Catholic Church, By Sarah Plake, KSHB - NBC 41 [Kansas City MO], (May 8, 2026)
He Was Fired for Sexually Harassing Students. California Allowed Him to Keep Teaching Anyway., By Holly McDede, KQED, and Mollie Simon, ProPublic, Co-published with KQED, PROPUBLICA [New York City NY], (May 12, 2026)
Baptist coach accused of sending sexually explicit messages to 14-year-old student, warrant says, By Francisco Esteves and Jordan Gartner, WAFB 9 News [Baton Rouge, LA], (May 8, 2026)
58-year-old Pensacola man sentenced to 7 years in child sexual abuse case, By WEAR staff, WEAR-TV [Pensacola FL], (May 9, 2026)
Little Italy Priest Removed After Misconduct Allegations, By Jo Marquez, Hoodline [San Francisco CA], (May 10, 2026)
Seton Hall pursues former president over alleged leak tied to abuse investigation, By Dustin Racioppi, Politico [Arlington VA], (May 12, 2026)
The Altar Boy Who Refused to Hush Up, By Sui-Lee Wee and Aie Balagtas See, New York Times [New York NY], (May 12, 2026)