ABSTRACT
Uruguay is a unique Latin-American country when it comes to the role of religion in society. This distinctiveness can be attributed to multiple factors that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in the separation of Church and State in 1919, the progressive privatization of religion, and a highly secularized society. The relatively weak presence of the Catholic Church in public life has rendered it less visible compared to other Latin-American countries. Consequently, the crisis of ecclesiastical sexual abuse in Uruguay can be viewed differently in terms of its social impact, public perception, media coverage, and the Church’s handling of the crisis. However, starting in 2016, similar allegations to those seen in other countries began to surface in Uruguay. All available information was brought to light, and both new legislation on sexual violence and the Church’s protocols for preventing and addressing alleged cases placed victims at the forefront of attention, analysis, and action. This chapter summarizes relevant public information on the subject, including investigative journalism reports and information provided by the Church. Additionally, it outlines the key changes in existing legislation and the societal transformations surrounding this scourge.
