Clergy Abuse

On the first Sunday of Lent, NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Sister Joan Chittister about the holiday's meaning amid the ongoing abuse scandal.

The Roman Catholic Dioceses in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes have been running compensation programs for people with credible abuse claims. One diocese just announced they're dismantling their program due to changes in state law. The other is releasing a report on the progress of their program.

The Diocese will conclude the settlement process involving retired State Supreme Court Justice Robert Lunn, who's serving as a mediator.

Proceeds from the sale will go into the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program, formed by the Diocese last year to support victims of clergy sexual abuse.

On the first anniversary of his public disclosure of childhood sexual abuse by a Catholic priest, Michael Whalen made good on a vow to attend a Mass.

A New York man, who is a former priest and also a childhood sexual abuse survivor, is traveling to Rome in advance of the summit to stand with victims and respond to developments at the meeting.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed the Child Victims Act, which gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse more access to pursue their abusers in court.

Harrisburg's Roman Catholic Diocese is rolling out a compensation fund for people who were sexually abused by clergy as children, but don't want to press charges or have had the statute of limitations on their case expire.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse are hailing the passage of the Child Victims Act at the New York State Capitol, which will give victims their day in court.

The Child Victims Act is scheduled to be approved in the state legislature next week. Sponsors say they have fixed a perceived flaw in the legislation that opponents said could provide a loophole for public schools in sexual abuse cases.