Catholic abuse activists urge Pope to act on Peru clergy accusations

Bishop Accountability, a US-based nonprofit organisation focused on church sexual abuse cases, presented its findings at a press conference on Thursday, naming 77 Catholic clergy members who have faced public accusations of sexually abusing minors in Peru.

The organisation's move comes as Pope Francis prepares for a tour of Latin America, drawing attention to longstanding concerns about accountability within the Catholic Church across the region. Activists have long pushed for stronger measures against accused priests, arguing that the Church has not done enough to remove abusers from positions where they have access to vulnerable children.

Bishop Accountability has become a prominent voice in documenting cases of clerical sexual abuse globally. The organisation maintains extensive records of accused priests and has repeatedly called on church leadership to take decisive action in removing offenders from ministry.

Peru has been identified as one of several countries where the Church faces significant scrutiny over child abuse allegations. The release of the list underscores ongoing pressure on the Vatican to demonstrate concrete steps toward reform and victim protection.

The Pope's Latin American tour is expected to address numerous pastoral and social issues affecting the region's Catholic communities.