LOS ANGELES (AP) — The election of a new pope could help heal the wounds left by a Roman Catholic sex abuse crisis that has savaged the church's reputation worldwide.
But for alleged victims, much depends on whether Pope Francis — a Jesuit — disciplines the priests and the hierarchy that protected them.
Some are calling on the new Roman Catholic leader to defrock U.S. cardinals who covered up for pedophile priests, formally apologize and order the release of all confidential church files from every diocese.
Adding to their distrust are several multimillion dollar settlements the Jesuits paid out in recent years, including $166 million to 450 Native Alaskan and Native American abuse victims in 2011.
That settlement included alleged victims who were abused at Jesuit-run schools across the Pacific Northwest.
