The move is the most serious sign to date that Pope Francis is addressing the clerical sex abuse crisis in the United States. In October, the pope laicized two retired Chilean bishops accused of sexually abusing minors. In December, Pope Francis removed two top cardinals from his powerful advisory council after they were implicated in sexual abuse cases. On Wednesday, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith rejected his appeal. The announcement’s timing shows that church leaders hope they can move forward from the scandal before next week, when the pope and the presidents of bishops conferences from around the world are meeting at the Vatican to discuss the sexual abuse crisis.

Source: New York Times February 16, 2019 09:09 UTC