New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan has been formally questioned about clergy sex abuse in his former Archdiocese of Milwaukee, just days ahead of his departure for Rome and the conclave that will elect the next pope.

A 67-year-old second generation Irish woman, with a criminal record for theft has been charged with siphoning $1m in donations while working in a finance office of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York, Church officials have confirmed.

Six priests have been asked to leave their assignments by the Archdiocese of New York over past allegations of sexual misconduct.