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Pope Leo XIV affirms celibacy for priests, demands 'firm' action on sex abuse
VATICAN CITY, JUN 25 – Pope Leo XIV urged bishops to uphold clerical celibacy and called for zero tolerance and firm action against abuse, citing over 100 annual allegations since 2016, officials said.
- On June 25, 2025, at St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV spoke to around 400 Catholic leaders representing 38 nations, reaffirming the importance of priestly celibacy and calling for decisive measures to address abuse within the Church.
- The pope's call followed decades of widespread child sexual abuse allegations, including over 900 complaints involving 3,000 instances documented between 1970 and 2015.
- Leo called on bishops to strengthen unity, ensure openness, act promptly against abuse, and support victims in order to foster an environment within the Church that prioritizes prevention and healing.
- A Pew survey found 95% of Catholics were aware of the scandals, 80% believed issues persist, and about 25% reduced church attendance and contributions due to ongoing concerns.
- Leo's directives emphasize accountability and transparency, signaling ongoing international pressure on Church leaders to end impunity and rebuild trust amid survivor demands for justice.
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99 Articles
The Pope defeated the rule for the clergy, who under Francis wavered. He appealed to stabilize Syria after the attack in the church.He did so with his style, with a gentle roar, but yesterday Pope Leo XIV, speaking to the seminarians of the Triveneto, recalled that priestly celibacy is a charism...
Fidel Mauricio Ramírez was a very young man linked to the Catholic Church: as a teenager he went to prayer groups, he participated in missions and went to spiritual retreats. For his parents, some Caldense peasants, it was not strange, therefore, that a priest invited his son to a parish house during his vacation. One night, according to a complaint, this priest intoxicated him and abused him. The blood resulting from the tear he suffered was pr…
Philstar Global
Pope Leo XIV calls bishops to be ‘firm and decisive’ in dealing with abuse
VATICAN— Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday called bishops to be firm and decisive in dealing with scandal and sexual abuse, linking vigilance against abuse to
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