11.   From Australia to Ireland, church leaders have been criticized for protecting priests who sexually abused boys and girls without punishment, often for decades.

12.   Roman Catholic authorities in Belgium defended the church Saturday against allegations it tried to protect a priest accused of sex attacks on children.

13.   Since January, the U.S. church has been shaken by allegations that some bishops protected priests suspected of molesting children.

14.   Following the scandals, Daly, who is primate on both sides of the Irish border, had personally pledged not to protect the priests involved.

15.   The lawsuit claims the church hierarchy is involved in a conspiracy of silence to protect abusive priests.

16.   The lawsuits claim the cardinal and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles effectively conspired to protect priests through racketeering, negligence and fraud.

17.   The lawsuits claim the cardinal and his Archdiocese of Los Angeles effectively conspired to protect priests through racketeering, negligence and fraud.