It’s an historic report – with a glimpse of optimism but a major warning.



The child sexual abuse crisis that’s engulfed the Catholic church may have peaked in Australia and other western countries.

But it could re-emerge in 20 to 30 years without fundamental change – including rethinking compulsory celibacy for priests.



The report from RMIT in Melbourne, titled simply Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church, brought together the findings of 26 official enquiries over 30 years.