Panama Church Reveals Clerical Abuse Cases

Sep 22, 2026

57 min

Sep 22, 2026 23:30

Panama Catholic Church reports dozens of clerical abuse cases

## Report Highlights Clerical Abuse in Panama

The Catholic Church in Panama has disclosed a report detailing numerous allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy members. The report, compiled by two Catholic universities, reveals 37 complaints filed against priests from 2001 to 2025.

## Church's Response and Apology

Archbishop Jose Domingo Ulloa of Panama City presented the findings, emphasizing the church's efforts to address the issue of sexual abuse against minors. He reiterated an apology made in 2023 to the victims and confirmed that five priests were defrocked following convictions.

## Handling of Complaints

The investigation did not find evidence of a systematic cover-up by the church but noted deficiencies in the handling of complaints. The report was a collaborative effort between Spain's Villanueva University and the University of Notre Dame in the United States.

## Underreporting Concerns

Maria Jose Valero, one of the report's authors, pointed out that the number of reported cases might not fully represent the extent of abuse, as many victims may be hesitant to come forward. A 2019 study indicated that Latin America, despite being predominantly Catholic, has low reporting rates for clerical sexual abuse.

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