Clergy sex abuse and the response from the Catholic church

The Vatican responds to charges that bishops and Pope Benedict himself did not act to prevent priests from sexually abusing children, saying that outsiders are persecuting church. Critics say secrecy still shrouds action against abuse perpetrators. Two who have worked to address the sex abuse problem within the Catholic church offer their perspectives. (Kerri Miller interviewed Jeff Anderson, an attorney who represents people who say they've been abused by priests on Thursday, April 1)

Guests

• Nicholas Cafardi: Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law at Duquesne University. He is was one of the original members of the U.S. Catholic Bishops' National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Youth 2002 - 2005. He is the author of "Before Dallas," a history of the clergy child sexual abuse crisis in the United States.
• Fr Kevin McDonough: Pastor, Saint Peter Claver and Capellan, Sagrado Corazon de Jesus. He's also the coordinator of Safe Environment, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. He is the former Vicar General at the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

More from MPR

• Minn. attorney stands by abuse case amid church's denial
  April 1, 2010
• Attorney on Catholic church and sexual abuse
  April 1, 2010

Resources

• U.S. National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Office of Children and Youth Protection
• About Nicholas Cafardi
• The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis