A victims’ group in Italy has alleged that nearly 4,400 people have suffered abuse by Catholic priests since 2020, intensifying pressure on the Church to address what has become a long-running global crisis.
The organization, which represents survivors of clerical abuse, released its report on Friday. It claimed that Italian bishops have failed to take adequate steps to acknowledge and investigate the widespread cases. The group said that the Church must show transparency and accountability to restore public trust.
The allegations add to a growing list of abuse scandals that have emerged across Europe and beyond. Several countries, including France, Germany, and Spain, have already conducted independent investigations revealing systemic abuse within Church institutions. However, Italy — home to the Vatican — has yet to hold a comprehensive inquiry, despite repeated calls from survivors and advocacy groups.
The victims’ organization said that many of those abused were minors and that the reported cases might represent only a small fraction of the total number. “We believe thousands more remain silent, fearing stigma or disbelief,” the group stated.
Church officials in Italy have not commented on the new report. The Italian Bishops’ Conference had previously acknowledged around 89 verified cases between 2020 and 2021, but campaigners say this figure significantly underestimates the true scale of the problem.
Advocates are now urging Pope Francis and the Vatican to support a full, independent investigation into the Italian Church’s handling of abuse allegations. They argue that accountability and openness are essential to prevent future crimes.
Meanwhile, the issue continues to gain global attention. Survivors’ groups from different regions, including Afghan Christian communities affected by similar misconduct abroad, have expressed solidarity with the victims in Italy, calling for justice and reform within all religious institutions.
In other news read more about: Italy vs Scotland: Italy Clinches Crucial 12-Run Victory in T20 World Cup Qualifier
