Clerical Sexual Abuse How the Crisis Changed U. S. Catholic Church-State Relations

Church-State relations have undergone a dramatic political sea change since the landmark clerical sexual abuse scandals of 2001. Where instances of child molestation by men of the cloth were once routinely denied by the Catholic Church, United States civil authorities have taken bold steps to hold clerics accountable for abuse under civil law. From secret payoffs, cover-ups, and clerical reassignments; to civil investigations demanding transparency and justice, Formicola explores key abuse cases and how state authorities moved to protect American children without violating the First Amendment. Clerical Sexual Abuse provides a detailed examination of how rampant sexual crimes cost the Catholic Church both its political clout and its public image in a wave of outrage-fueled reform.

Jo-Renee Formicola is Professor of Political Science at Seton Hall University, USA.

1. Warnings and Denials: Gauthe
2. Revelations and Scandals: Geoghan and Shanley
3. Challenges and Complexity: Canon and Civil Law
4. Too Little, Too Late: The Hierarchy Responds
5. Pushback and Payback: The Laity and The Lawyers
6. From Crisis to Compassion? The Future