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Art

Curse-fearing thief returns 2000-year-old sacred relic

A Dutch art sleuth has tracked down one of the most sacred artefacts of the Catholic Church.

Germany

Report finds 196 German clerics abused children in Münster diocese

The research found that there were at least 610 victims of abuse in the diocese over 75 years, but the true number could be as high as 6,000.

Germany

German priest found dead after being suspended over abuse allegations

The diocese in Limburg said the news had "hit them hard" and "raises many questions".

Germany

Church convicts Catholic ex-priest of abusing boy for several years

The man was ordered to pay 10% of his income to a charity that supports victims of abuse.

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Christians celebrate Good Friday

Catholics celebrate Good Friday with masses and processions.

Portugal

Probe into Portuguese church sex abuse receives nearly 300 claims

A panel that began its inquiry in January has received witness statements from 290 alleged victims, with cases involving children as young as two years old.

Spain

Holy Week call for recognition from gay men in Andalucia

Members of Spanish brotherhoods who dress Virgin Mary floats for Holy Week accuse religious leaders of hypocrisy over their sexuality.

Culture news

Meet the gay stylists playing a key role in Spain’s Holy Week

Despite being heavily involved in the most famous, theatrical and rapturous Holy Week in the world, the LGBT+ community in southern Spain are continually relegated to the margins

Canada

Pope apologises for 'deplorable' abuse of Canadian indigenous people

More than 150,000 native children in Canada were forced to attend Christian schools from the 19th century until the 1970s.

Spain

Spain approves investigation into sexual abuse within Catholic Church

The Spanish clergy has long been criticised for its failure to investigate allegations of sexual violence.

Germany

German court convicts Catholic Church priest of abusing children

The 70-year-old was sentenced to 12 years in prison and ordered to pay victims €50,000 in damages.

Italy

Abuse survivors demand inquiry into Italian Catholic Church

Advocates for victims of sex abuse by Italian clergy launched a campaign on Tuesday to demand an inquiry into the scope of the problem.

Portugal

More than 200 allegations of sex abuse in Portuguese Catholic Church

An independent committee was set up in January to examine historical sex abuse.

Vatican

Ex-pope asks for pardon over sex abuse scandal but denies wrongdoing

A recent report found that Pope Benedict had failed to handle cases of sexual abuse at the Munich diocese.

Spain

Spain moves closer to investigation into Catholic Church sex abuse

Spain's Bishops Conference has now refused an official inquiry into allegations of priest abuse.

Spain

Spain: Left-wing parties call for inquiry commission into church abuse

The call by Podemos, ERC (The Republican Left of Catalonia), and EH Bildu (Euskal Herria Bildu) follows a 3-year newspaper investigation and similar inquiries in other European countries.

Vatican

Vatican defends Pope Benedict XVI over fighting clergy sexual abuse

The Vatican's comments followed the publication of an independent report that faulted Benedict's handling of four cases of abuse when he was archbishop of Munich in Germany.

Vatican

Ex-Pope Benedict XVI admits attending meeting about abusive priest

The retired Pope had denied attending the meeting to the investigators but says his statement had mistakes in it due to editing "oversight".

Vatican

Pope Francis pledges justice for sex abuse victims after Munich report

A lawyers' report found that Benedict XVI had mishandled four cases of sexual abuse in the clergy while archbishop of Munich.

Italy

'Horrendous': Catholic Church slams swastika-draped coffin at funeral

The swastika-emblazoned Nazi flag was branded “a horrendous symbol irreconcilable with Christianity".