Catholics believe “The sexual abuse of a child is and always was grievously sinful"

“The sexual abuse of a child is and always was a crime in civil law; it is and always was a crime in canon law; it is and always was grievously sinful. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the report is that while church leaders — bishops and religious superiors — failed, almost every parent who came to the diocese to report abuse clearly understood the awfulness of what was involved.”

--Archbishop Diarmuid Martin,
on the "Dublin Report"
Dublin, Ireland

For more, read: Pope calls Irish church leaders to Vatican to discuss abuse report