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:

Msgr. Finnegan's notes on church meeting

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

Redactions by the church