Clerical and Religious Child Abuse: Ireland and Beyond

The note considers recent theological commentary on the clerical sexual abuse crisis in Ireland and beyond. It examines the nature and extent of the crisis within the Catholic Church through the lens of the Murphy and Ryan Reports. These two reports together provide an invaluable resource for understanding the theological, ethical, and ecclesiological dimensions of this scandal. The note also considers “the shape of the reform” that is urgently needed within the Church under the headings of (1) the body and sexuality, (2) patriarchy and the abuse of power, and (3) church, ministry, and leadership.