Boston Globe / Spotlight / Abuse in the Catholic Church

Coverage

Globe coverage of the scandal has been divided into nine categories:

Predator priests

The worst abusers preyed on dozens of children in many parishes around Boston. | Go |

Scandal and coverup

For years, the church moved priests and paid off victims to keep abuse cases quiet. | Go |

The victims

Hundreds of people have come forward claiming they were abused by clergy. | Go |

The financial cost

With hundreds of lawsuits pending, the church could be forced into bankruptcy. | Go |

Cardinal Law and the laity

An energized lay movement helped force the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law. | Go |

The church's response

Church leaders have turned over priest files and adopted a new policy on sex abuse. | Go |

The clergy

Priests around Boston have struggled to comfort their shaken parishioners. | Go |

Investigations and lawsuits

Civil suits have been brought against the church; criminal charges may be next. | Go |

Opinion

Globe columnists and guest writers offer their perspectives on the abuse crisis. | Go |

More documents:

New documents show church knew of abuse allegations

Documents released yesterday by the church show that top officials of the Boston Archdiocese had extensive knowledge of allegations of sexual misconduct by several priests.

February 9, 1996 | See document |
Letter from Cardinal Bernard Law to Rev. Daniel M. Graham regarding past sexual abuse allegations against Graham.

1964 | See document |
Letter sent by a parent to Cardinal Cushing regarding Rev. Eugene M. O'Sullivan.

January 17, 1970 | See document |
Letter sent by the Rev. Patrick J. Kelly to the Archdiocesan Personnel Office regarding Father Joseph E. Birmingham.

November 4, 1964 | See document |
Notes taken by Msgr. Finnegan from a meeting among Rev. Joseph E. Birmingham, Msgr. Sexton, Rev. Hurley, several parishoners, and himself.

August 4, 1994 | See document |
Letter from Robert Sherman, an attorney for an alleged sexual abuse victim, to Wilson Rogers, a lawyer for the Boston Archdiocese.