Leo XIV and the Sexual Abuse Crisis: How Did Robert Prevost Deal With Misconduct Cases?

Allegations of cover-up and inaction… but are they true?

Leo XIV and the Sexual Abuse Crisis:
How Did Robert Prevost Deal With Misconduct Cases?

Then-‘Cardinal’ Robert F. Prevost prays the Rosary for Francis in St. Peter’s Square (Mar. 3, 2025)

Since his election as ‘Pope Leo XIV’, there has naturally been a flood of information published about Robert Francis Prevost, the new occupant of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. The man has a formidable resume as an Augustinian priest, later prior of the order, then bishop in Peru, and finally curial cardinal in the Vatican as head of the so-called Dicastery for Bishops — until the conclave chose him to be the head of the Vatican II Church (‘Pope’) on May 8, 2025.

Given his positions of authority, and considering the times we live in, Prevost’s past also includes the handling of cases in which clergy under his watch were accused of sexual misconduct. In recent months, and especially since his election, some people have accused Prevost of failing to act properly, swiftly, or transparently to deal with cases of abuse. Thus the question presents itself: Are the accusations true and do they come from a genuine concern for souls and for justice, or are they a smear campaign meant to discredit the man whom the world now believes to be the Pope of the Catholic Church?

An accusation is one thing; actually being guilty is quite another. In order to get to the truth of the matter as objectively as possible, we collected all the material we came across in the last few weeks — news articles and blog posts from all kinds of sources, be they secular, religious, pro-Prevost, anti-Prevost, etc. (Find the complete list of links at the end of this post.) Although most of them are in English, we also included some written in Spanish and German. Some of the material predates Prevost’s election as ‘Pope’, although most of it was published only after.

Granted, we are very much opposed to Prevost theologically and do not regard him as a valid Pope or even a Catholic; at the same time we are not interested in spreading false accusations or other kinds of misinformation about him. While it is shameful to turn a blind eye to sexual abuse, which thereby facilitates it, it is also sinful to accuse someone of wrongdoing falsely or rashly. Credible accusations ought not to be downplayed, but neither should they be exaggerated. Only a calm and dispassionate analysis of the facts can serve the cause of truth.

To that end, we collected all of the material we had found on Prevost’s handling of sexual abuse allegations into a single PDF document (referred to below simply as “the document”) and fed it into a so-called ‘artificial intelligence’ module (monica.im) to process the data and extract a summary from it.

The following is the computer-generated synthesis of all the documentation we came across in the controversy over Prevost’s past handling of sexual abuse cases. We provide no commentary of our own.

Extended Summary of Key Points from the Document

The document provides extensive information on allegations, defenses, and controversies surrounding Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost) and his handling of sexual abuse cases during his tenure as a bishop in Peru and as a leader in the Catholic Church. It also explores broader implications for his papacy and the Church’s response to abuse scandals. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key points:

Allegations Against Pope Leo XIV (Robert Prevost)

1. Handling of Abuse Cases in Chiclayo, Peru:

Three sisters accused priests Eleuterio Vásquez Gonzales and Ricardo Yesquén of sexually abusing them as minors between 2007 and 2010. The sisters claimed that when they reported the abuse to Prevost in 2022, he failed to open a proper investigation. Instead: No formal canonical investigation was initiated. Precautionary measures were not imposed to prevent the accused priests from continuing ministry. One of the priests, Vásquez Gonzales, continued celebrating Mass and was transferred to another parish without restrictions. The case was allegedly closed by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith due to lack of evidence but was later reopened following public outcry by the victims and advocacy groups.

2. Accusations of Cover-Up:

Survivors and advocacy groups, including the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), allege that Prevost mishandled abuse cases during his tenure as Bishop of Chiclayo. Critics argue that Prevost’s actions, or lack thereof, contributed to a culture of impunity and failed to protect victims. SNAP has also criticized Prevost for not providing transparency in handling abuse cases and failing to take decisive measures to safeguard children.

3. Placement of Accused Priest in Chicago:

In 2000, as provincial superior of the Augustinians, Prevost approved the placement of Father James Ray, a priest accused of molesting children, in a monastery near St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Elementary School in Hyde Park, Chicago. The decision to house Ray in close proximity to a school was criticized as reckless, particularly since church records falsely stated that there were no schools in the area. Ray was later removed from ministry, but this case has remained a point of contention regarding Prevost’s judgment and leadership.

4. Conflict with Canon Lawyer Ricardo Coronado:

Monsignor Ricardo Coronado, a canon lawyer who represented the victims in Peru, was barred from practicing law and later defrocked. Coronado accused Prevost of covering up abuse cases and failing to follow proper canonical procedures, including neglecting to open investigations or impose precautionary measures. Coronado’s removal has been interpreted by some as an attempt to silence a vocal critic of Prevost, though others have questioned Coronado’s credibility due to allegations of misconduct against him.

Defense of Pope Leo XIV

1. Support from Victims of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae:

Victims of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a now-dissolved Catholic lay movement accused of systemic abuse, credit Prevost with taking their claims seriously and helping dismantle the organization. Investigative journalists Paola Ugaz and Pedro Salinas, who exposed Sodalitium’s abuses, have publicly defended Prevost, stating that he supported victims, facilitated reparations, and played a key role in bringing the group’s abuses to light.

2. Statements from Experts and Advocates:

Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, a leading expert on abuse prevention and child protection, described Prevost as committed to combating abuse and sensitive to victims’ needs. Sociologist Rodolfo Soriano Nuñez noted that Prevost was one of the few bishops in Peru who actively addressed abuse cases. He praised Prevost for establishing protocols and handling cases with a degree of seriousness uncommon among Church leaders in the region.

3. Actions Taken by Prevost:

As Bishop of Chiclayo, Prevost reportedly implemented safeguarding measures, including creating a diocesan listening center for abuse victims and drafting protocols for handling abuse cases. He forwarded some abuse cases to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith for review, though critics argue that these steps were insufficient or delayed.

4. Defense by Journalists and Advocates:

Peruvian journalist Pedro Salinas, who investigated the Sodalitium case, defended Prevost’s record, stating that there is no credible evidence to support the allegations of cover-up. José Enrique Escardó Steck, a prominent advocate for abuse victims in Peru, also voiced support for Prevost, stating that he had worked with victims and supported efforts to address abuse within the Church.

Criticism and Public Response

1. Advocacy Group Concerns:

Advocacy groups like SNAP have called for Pope Leo XIV to implement a global zero-tolerance policy for clergy abuse. They have also demanded greater transparency, accountability, and the establishment of independent oversight mechanisms to investigate abuse allegations.

2. Media and Public Perception:

Some media outlets and commentators have questioned the timing and credibility of the allegations against Prevost, suggesting they may be politically motivated, particularly by factions opposed to Pope Francis’ reforms. Others emphasize the need for transparency and accountability, arguing that the allegations raise serious concerns about Prevost’s leadership and judgment.

3. Calls for Reform:

Survivors and advocates have urged Pope Leo XIV to take decisive action within the first 100 days of his papacy, including:

• Establishing a global truth commission to investigate abuse cases
• Providing reparations for victims
• Enforcing stricter policies to prevent abuse and hold clergy accountable

Notable Developments and Context

1. Sodalitium Christianae Vitae:

Prevost played a key role in exposing the abuses within the Sodalitium and facilitating its dissolution by Pope Francis in 2025. This action has earned him praise from victims and advocates but has also drawn criticism from factions within the Church that supported the group.

2. Ongoing Investigations:

The allegations against Prevost in Chiclayo remain under investigation by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. The case has drawn international attention, with victims and advocacy groups demanding greater accountability and transparency.

3. Prevost’s Election as Pope:

Prevost’s election as Pope Leo XIV has intensified scrutiny of his past record on abuse cases. Supporters argue that his experience and commitment to reform make him uniquely qualified to address the Church’s abuse crisis, while critics question whether he will take meaningful action.

Broader Implications for the Church

1. Challenges Facing Pope Leo XIV:

As the first American pope, Leo XIV faces significant challenges in addressing the Church’s global abuse crisis and restoring trust among Catholics. His papacy is seen as a test of whether the Church can effectively address systemic issues of abuse and cover-up.

2. Potential for Reform:

Advocates have called on Leo XIV to implement sweeping reforms, including holding bishops accountable for covering up abuse and ensuring that victims receive justice. The success of his papacy may hinge on his ability to navigate these challenges and demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability.

3. Impact on the U.S. Church:

Leo XIV’s election has drawn attention to the ongoing abuse scandals in the U.S. Church, with advocates calling for greater accountability among American bishops. His decisions regarding U.S. clergy and dioceses will likely shape the Church’s future in the region.

Conclusion

The document provides a nuanced and contentious overview of Pope Leo XIV’s record on clergy sexual abuse. While some victims, journalists, and experts defend his actions and commitment to reform, others criticize his decisions and demand greater transparency. The ongoing investigations, coupled with calls for reform, will likely define the early years of his papacy and shape his legacy as a leader of the Catholic Church.

Below please find the individual news items and blog posts that were used to make up “the document”, from which the above summary was generated; in no particular order:

• Horrible record of Cardinal Prevost in his Diocese severely limits the chance of him becoming Pope
• Full dossier on Cardinal Prevost’s running of his Diocese
• “The ‘allegations’ of a cover-up against Cardinal Robert Prevost are absolutely false.”
• Leading experts defend Prevost’s handling of abuse cases
• Original Document showing Prevost’s placement of Pedophile near School in Chicago
• Chicago Augustinians defend their longtime member, the new pope, on his handling of the sex abuse crisis
• Chicago-area priest accused of sexual misconduct kicked out of Augustinian order
• Pope Leo Has A Solid Track Record Of Responding Appropriately To Sexual Abuse Cases
• Sexual abuse: Prevost could follow Benedict XVI’s example
• Survivors respond to Pope Leo XIV’s election with grave concern about his record managing abuse cases
• Pope Leo ‘respected procedures’ on abuse claims while in Peru
• Gene Thomas Gomulka: My Open Letter to Pope Leo XIV
• Serious questions of credibility surround coverup allegations against new pope
• Pope Leo XIV and the abuse crisis: What’s next?
• For Justice’s Sake, Will Pope Leo Xiv Sacrifice a Bishop for a Pawn?
• Suspicious Pressure on Catholic Media Because of Allegations of Cover-Up against Bishop Prevost
• Peruvian bishop defends Pope Leo XIV against accusations of cover-up
• If Leo XIV Cleans House, He Must Begin at Home
• Ex-priest accused of molesting kids says future Pope Leo XIV OK’d his move near South Side school
• Victims group claims Pope Leo XIV has a history of mishandling cases of sexual abuse committed by priests
• SNAP = Scurrilous, Nasty, Avaricious and Pernicious. They Advocate for Themselves
• On sexual abuse cases, can Leo’s past say much about the future?
• The Jury is still out on Pope Leo XIV
• Takeaways from AP report on abuse case handled by Pope Leo. Victims say he helped when others didn’t
• Spanish: Carta de tres víctimas de abusos sexuales al Papa Francisco: acusan al cardenal Prevost de mala gestión
• Spanish: La mala gestión como obispo de Chiclayo lastra las opciones del cardenal Prevost para ser Papa
• German: Journalisten und Opfer weisen Anschuldigungen gegen Leo XIV. zurück

We will leave all this information “as is”, without commentary; it is only meant as documentation to allow readers to educate themselves about the matter without bias.

Image source: Shutterstock (Marco Iacobucci Epp)
License: paid