Alarming Revelations: 4,400 Victims of Clergy Abuse in Italy Revealed

According to data from 2020, nearly 4,400 individuals were victims of violence by Catholic priests in Italy, as reported by an association dedicated to protecting minors from abuse. The organization, Rete L’abuso, documented 1,250 suspected cases of abuse, including 1,106 allegedly committed by clergy members. Most victims were minors, with nearly equal gender distribution. Additional victims included five nuns, 156 adults, and 11 individuals with disabilities. Of the 1,106 accused priests, 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, as only 81 out of 226 dioceses responded to a questionnaire on safeguarding measures. The new Pope emphasized that bishops must not conceal allegations of misconduct.