Cardinals Confront Child Sexual Abuse Ahead of Conclave

JUANA SUMMERS: In the lead up to conclave, the Vatican says sexual abuse is among the issues cardinals are discussing this week, along with what qualities the new pope will need to face that challenge. NPR religion correspondent Jason DeRose reports from Rome that survivors are shining a spotlight on some cardinals they say have covered up abuse.

As the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new leader, survivors of child abuse are using a new tool to pressure cardinals into action. Sarah Pearson, with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), says her group's project, Conclave Watch, is making a difference. "That's evidence that what survivors have been doing is working," she says. By profiling cardinals and outlining their records on abuse and cover-ups, SNAP is putting the spotlight on church leaders who have failed to act.

Key Takeaways:

• Cardinls are discussing child sexual abuse and its challenges ahead of the conclave.
• Survivors are using a project called Conclave Watch to pressure cardinals into action.
• Conclave Watch profiles cardinals and outlines their records on abuse and cover-ups.
• SNAP has sent formal reports to the Vatican along with any supporting evidence.
• Peter Isley, a founder of SNAP, is encouraging cardinals to research each other before voting.
• A proposal for new canon law written by international human rights experts and canon lawyers would make the US standard global.
• Church leaders rejected a similar proposal in 2019, citing concerns about protecting innocent priests.

Statistics:

• 2019: Church leaders rejected a proposal for new canon law that would have made the US standard global.
• Dozens of priests in each cardinal's diocese have been known to abuse children, according to SNAP.
• SNAP has sent formal reports to the Vatican along with supporting evidence.

Sources:

• JASON DEROSE, NPR Religion Correspondent
• JUANA SUMMERS, Host
• SARAH PEARSON, SNAP
• PETER ISELY, SNAP Founder