A victims’ group in Italy claims nearly 4,400 people have been abused by Catholic priests since 2020. The group, Rete l’Abuso, says the abuse cases are based on victim accounts, judicial sources, and media reports. This new data renews pressure on church leaders to address a crisis that has plagued the global Catholic Church for decades.
The Italian Bishops Conference did not comment on the findings, while new Pope Leo has told bishops not to hide misconduct allegations. The Vatican’s child protection commission published a report last year stating only 81 dioceses responded to safeguarding practices questions. Rete l’Abuso documented over 1,250 suspected abuse cases, with 4,395 victims allegedly abused by priests.
The group reports that of the suspected predator priests, only 76 faced church trials, and five died by suicide. The crisis has been ongoing for decades, but local church leaders in Italy have been less forthcoming in confronting the issue.
Source: https://gvwire.com/2025/10/24/almost-4400-people-abused-by-priests-in-italy-victims-group-alleges