Nearly 4,400 People Abused by Priests in Italy, Victims’ Group Claims. Nearly 4,400 people have been abused by Catholic priests in Italy since 2020, according to Rete l’Abuso, the country’s largest victims’ advocacy group. The group’s unofficial tally is based on victims’ testimonies, judicial records, and media reports, founder Francesco Zanardi said. The Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) declined to comment on the findings, following recent criticism from the Vatican’s child protection commission. Italy’s church hierarchy has long faced pressure to confront clerical abuse, but has been slower to act than other countries. Pope Leo, who met survivors for the first time this week, urged new bishops not to conceal misconduct — echoing efforts begun under Pope Francis. A Vatican report last week revealed that only 81 of Italy’s 226 dioceses had responded to a safeguarding questionnaire, highlighting poor accountability. Rete l’Abuso documented 1,250 alleged abuse cases, including 1,106 linked to priests, affecting 4,625 victims — most of them male minors. Of the 1,106 priests accused, just 76 faced church trials, 18 were defrocked, 17 suspended, and seven reassigned; five took their own lives. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT