Newly Elected Pope Prevost Faces Scrutiny Over Past Handling of Sex Abuse Allegations
The recent selection of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV has been met with mixed reactions, as celebrations are tempered by concerns regarding his past record on clergy sexual abuse. While the Vatican heralds Prevost’s appointment as a significant moment for the Catholic Church, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), a prominent advocacy group representing over 25,000 victims and supporters globally, has voiced "grave concern" and urged the new pontiff to enact a universal zero-tolerance policy on sexual abuse and its cover-up.
Prevost, a dual U.S.-Peruvian citizen born in Chicago, spent the majority of his career in Peru, initially as a missionary and later as a bishop. His ascension to the papacy has reignited scrutiny over his actions, or lack thereof, in addressing sexual abuse allegations during his time in both Chicago and Peru. Critics argue that Prevost failed to adequately respond to victims’ claims, prompting SNAP to file a formal complaint with the Vatican just two months before his election.
The Vatican has consistently defended Prevost, denying any wrongdoing and highlighting instances where he has actively helped address abuse threats. Furthermore, the former cardinal has publicly advocated for greater transparency within the church regarding the issue. In an interview with the Peruvian newspaper La Republica, Prevost vehemently denounced clergy sexual abuse and encouraged victims to come forward.
Prevost played a key role in the dissolution of the ultra-conservative Catholic movement Sodality of Christian Life in Peru, after investigations revealed widespread sexual abuse, corruption, and mismanagement spanning several years. This decisive action has earned him praise from some quarters, with Bishop Carlos García Camader, head of Peru’s bishops conference, commending Prevost for "opening the way here in Peru to listen to the victims" and organizing a truth commission against the Sodality.
Despite these accolades, survivors remain skeptical about Prevost’s commitment to eradicating abuse within the church. Concerns stem from specific cases where Prevost’s actions have been questioned.
One such incident occurred during Prevost’s leadership of the Augustinians in Chicago in 2000. A priest, James Ray, whose ministry had previously been restricted due to child abuse allegations, was allowed to reside in an Augustinian monastery near a Catholic elementary school. Church officials reportedly failed to notify the school about Ray’s presence, and according to the Chicago Sun-Times, church records even falsely claimed that no school was located nearby.
In 2006, the Illinois attorney general added Ray to its public list of "abusive clerics and religious brothers," citing 13 reported survivors between 1974 and 1991. While the Vatican denies that Prevost authorized Ray’s residency at the monastery, the incident raises questions about the judgment and oversight during his tenure.
Prevost also faces allegations of inaction regarding his time as a bishop in Chiclayo, Peru, in 2022. Three women came forward with claims of sexual abuse by two priests, beginning in 2007 when they were minors. The victims asserted that Prevost failed to conduct a thorough investigation and neglected to implement precautionary measures to protect the faithful. According to the National Catholic Reporter, the case was "filed and archived" without proper investigation.
SNAP’s complaint against Prevost alleged that he failed to open an investigation and provided inadequate information to Rome. While civil authorities in Peru closed the case due to the statute of limitations, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, responsible for investigating clergy sexual abuse cases, also closed the case in 2023.
The Diocese of Chiclayo defended Prevost in a public letter, stating that the accusations that he "remained silent in face of the complaints… is not true." The Vatican has similarly denied any wrongdoing on Prevost’s part.
Pedro Salinas, a Peruvian journalist known for his expose on the Sodalitium of Christian Life, has described Prevost’s role in the movement’s dissolution as "extremely important." The Sodalitium’s leaders faced widespread allegations of corruption, physical, psychological, and sexual violence, including against minors.
In January, Prevost and Pope Francis met with Jose Enrique Escardo, a victim of the Sodalitium who spoke out against the movement’s abuses. Pope Francis dissolved the movement shortly before his death.
Bishop Accountability, a victims advocacy group, acknowledged the significance of Prevost’s involvement in the Sodalitium’s dissolution, calling it a "stunning and extremely rare outcome." However, the group also emphasized that "punishing abusers isn’t heroic — it’s moral and decent" and expressed hope for more decisive action from Prevost as pope.
Despite the concerns and criticisms, Prevost has publicly asserted his opposition to sexual abuse in the church. In his 2019 interview with La Republica, he encouraged victims to come forward and advocated for greater transparency from the church. He stated, "We reject the cover-up and secrecy, that does a lot of damage, because we have to help the people who have suffered from the bad act."
Prevost further urged those who have suffered from the "bad actions of a priest to come and denounce it, to act for the good of the Church, of the person and the community."
As Pope Leo XIV embarks on his papacy, the spotlight will be on his actions to address the ongoing crisis of clergy sexual abuse. Survivors and advocates are demanding concrete steps to ensure accountability, transparency, and the protection of vulnerable individuals within the Catholic Church. The world will be watching to see if Prevost lives up to his public statements and takes decisive action to create a safer and more just environment for all. The coming months and years will be crucial in determining whether his papacy will be defined by genuine reform or by a continuation of past failures.
