Church in Crisis

As a Catholic university, we share in the deep sadness and moral outrage at the details of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults described in the recent Pennsylvania grand jury report. We stand in solidarity with the survivors of these abuses, many of whom have bravely shared their stories in order to shed light on a terrible darkness within the institutional Church.

At USD, one of our most important priorities is promoting and protecting the dignity of all people. We are, therefore, dedicated to doing all we can to prevent sexual abuse and respond as effectively and compassionately as possible to anyone who has experienced it.

A variety of support services and reporting structures exist for those in the USD community who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence or sexual misconduct of any kind. If that describes your experience, or that of someone you know, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the services listed below in order to assist with next steps towards healing and recovery.

USD is committed to exploring, investigating and seeking to understand the scope of the abuse within the Church and its underlying causes. As a Changemaker campus of ethical leaders and compassionate citizens, we look for constructive ways to confront injustice and offer assurances of safety and support, particularly to those who are vulnerable and in most need.

Understanding the Crisis

A research guide has been developed for use by faculty across a variety of disciplines to teach about the current crisis. The guide may also be helpful for anyone wanting to better understand the context and implications of the crisis.