Two top contenders to succeed Pope Francis are facing serious accusations over their past handling of sexual abuse cases within the Catholic Church, raising doubts about their suitability to lead the global institution through one of its most enduring crises, according to a report by the Daily Mail.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, former Archbishop of Manila, are widely seen as front-runners in the upcoming papal conclave, set to begin on May 7. However, U.S.-based watchdog group BishopAccountability.org has accused both men of concealing vital information about abuse cases and failing to take sufficient action to protect victims.
Speaking at a press conference near the Vatican, Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability, criticized Cardinal Parolin for allegedly obstructing efforts to investigate clerical abuse. She accused him of blocking access to key Vatican documents, particularly during high-profile investigations, including a sweeping Australian probe that identified over 4,400 victims and more than 1,100 implicated clergy.
“Parolin is a consummate secret-keeper,” Doyle said, adding that under his leadership, the Vatican stonewalled inquiries such as the British investigation into abuse within the English Benedictine Congregation, claiming jurisdictional limitations as a defense.
Cardinal Tagle, viewed by many as a potential first Asian pope, also came under fire. During his tenure as Archbishop of Manila, he was criticized for failing to establish transparent and publicly accessible procedures for handling abuse cases. Although Tagle helped develop pastoral guidelines on sexual abuse, BishopAccountability notes that neither the Philippines’ bishops’ conference nor the Manila archdiocese has made these guidelines publicly available—something Doyle argues undermines his credibility as a reformer.
Both cardinals have issued responses to the allegations. Cardinal Parolin maintains he has complied with Church protocols, while supporters of Cardinal Tagle defend his intentions and pastoral leadership. Nevertheless, the accusations have cast a shadow over their candidacies as the Church prepares for one of its most consequential conclaves in recent history.
With decades of abuse scandals continuing to haunt the Church, the ability of the next pope to credibly address the crisis is expected to weigh heavily in the cardinals’ decision-making. As the conclave approaches, calls are growing for a leader who will not only offer spiritual guidance but also ensure accountability and justice for victims.
