The nation's largest Protestant denomination took new steps to expel member churches that cover up or mishandle sexual abuse allegations.

David Gibson: This week’s reform package was easy compared with what comes next.

While the new protocols are designed to include laypeople at every stage of an investigation, lay reform groups and victim advocates say they are unsatisfied, as the new rules stop just short of requiring such involvement.

Retired Bishop Joseph H. Hart of Cheyenne will face a Vatican trial for allegations that he sexually abused several minors years ago.

Transparency and honesty are key elements of restoring the trust of the laity, especially young people, said two bishops who participated in a Facebook Live event sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during its spring general assembly.

A nationwide third-party system for receiving confidential reports of “certain complaints” against bishops took a step closer to being implemented during the spring general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.