Archdiocese releases statement about the arrest of Oscar Vasquez

The archdiocese released the following statement on July 27 regarding the arrest of Mr. Oscar Vasquez, pastoral associate of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis:
“The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has been informed that Mr. Oscar Vasquez, an employee of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis, was arrested by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and was charged with child molestation on July 27, 2015. Mr. Vasquez worked at the parish as a pastoral associate. The pastor informed people at all the Masses last weekend at St. Anthony Church about Mr. Vasquez’ arrest, and letters are being mailed to parishioners’ homes in both English and Spanish.

http://www.archindy.org/criterion/local/2015/07-31/arrest.html 

South African Christian preacher living in Australia faces deportation after being one of eight men charged with abuse of a 13-year-old girl

The South African Christian minister allegedly embroiled in a paedophile ring could be sent back to his homeland under new Australian immigration laws. Pastor David Volmer, a father-of-two from Banksia Grove in Perth, Western Australia, pleaded guilty to 12 child sex abuse charges. A 13-year-old girl was allegedly sexually exploited by a total of eight men over two years.

Now the 41-year-old South African, who moved to Perth's northern suburbs to set up an Acts Christian Church parish in 2013, faces being turfed out of the country after the law changed in December last year allowing Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to cancel a non-citizen’s visa if they are found guilty of a child sex crime within Australia,The Australian reported. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3180014/South-African-Christian-preacher-living-Australia-faces-deportation-one-eight-men-charged-abuse-13-year-old-girl-father-advertised-sex-Craigslist.html 

Jehovah's Witness sex abuse response 'deficient': Royal Commission

A sexual abuse expert hired by the Jehovah's Witness Church told a royal commission the organisation failed to meet acceptable standards in its approach to child abuse allegations.
Under cross-examination, Monica Applewhite told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse the Jehovah's Witness Church did not meet "best practice" in handling abuse claims.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/jehovahs-witness-sex-abuse-response-deficient-royal-commission-20150731-gioy2c.html 

Priest leaves jail, then back in court again on more child-abuse charges

In March 2015, Victorian Catholic priest Father Leslie Sheahan, now 84, was jailed for three months for indecently assaulting a nine-year-old girl in one of his parishes forty years ago. In July 2015, immediately after leaving jail, he was charged in court again with indecently assaulting two more girls from another of his early parishes. He is now awaiting the outcome of this new court case.
In both court cases, the charges were laid in the Ballarat Magistrates Court by detectives from the Sano Taskforce in the Victoria Police sex crimes squad in Melbourne.

http://brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/351 

Ronald Mulkearns, former Bishop of Ballarat, compelled to front child abuse royal commission

The child abuse royal commission has confirmed it will compel former Bishop of Ballarat Ronald Mulkearns to give evidence later this year. Bishop Mulkearns oversaw the diocese from 1971 to 1997, when some of the region's worst paedophile priests, including Gerald Ridsdale, were abusing children.
He was excused from a state parliamentary inquiry into abuse in 2012 for medical reasons, but he appeared as a witness in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a separate case.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-30/former-bishop-of-ballarat-compelled-to-front-child-abuse-inquiry/6661398 

Crosiers sued for negligence amid sex abuse claims

Two men are suing a Roman Catholic religious order for alleged sexual abuse that occurred more than 30 years ago at a prep school in Onamia, Minn.

The complaints, filed Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court against the Crosier Fathers and Brothers, allege the two were each abused as minors by three clerics. One of the clerics, the Rev. Gerald Funcheon, was the subject of three suits filed in Ramsey County last November and December.

http://www.startribune.com/crosiers-sued-for-negligence-amid-sex-abuse-claims/318911901/ 

Pell and bishop before abuse inquiry

VICTIMS' advocates are sceptical a former Victorian bishop will reveal the full extent of what the church knew about pedophile priests when he and Cardinal George Pell appear before the child abuse royal commission.
CARDINAL Pell has already agreed to return from Rome to give evidence to the inquiry into widespread abuse in the Ballarat diocese.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/george-pell-to-appear-at-abuse-commission/story-fni0xqi4-1227463389204 

Advocates seek Vatican inquiry of Newark archbishop

In what might be the first formal complaint to a new Vatican tribunal, an advocacy group for clergy sexual abuse victims on Wednesday called for an investigation of Newark Archbishop John J. Myers and his handling of child molestation cases spanning three decades.
Eight members of Catholic Whistleblowers, a national group of church reformists, said they would be filing an 80-page document detailing Myers’ actions in various cases in Newark and at his former diocese in Peoria, Illinois. On Wednesday, they hand-delivered a copy of their grievances to Myers’ spokesman at the Newark chancery and said they would send another to the Vatican’s top U.S. diplomat in the coming days.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/advocates-seek-vatican-inquiry-of-newark-archbishop-1.1382658 

Lawsuit alleges child sexual abuse in Friends organization

A lawsuit filed July 17 in Multnomah County Circuit Court alleges that child sexual abuse occurred in the Friends (Quaker) church in Newberg from approximately 1987 to 1991.
The plaintiff, referred to by his initials “A.J.” in the suit, claims to have been sexually abused by former Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends youth superintendent Bruce Bishop when the youth was between the ages of 11 and 16 years old.

http://pamplinmedia.com/nbg/142-news/267863-142480-lawsuit-alleges-child-sexual-abuse-in-friends-organization 

George Pell to appear at abuse commission

Cardinal George Pell, and a bishop who was aware Australia's worst pedophile priest had abused boys when he moved him between parishes, will tell a royal commission what they knew about widespread abuse in the Ballarat diocese.
Cardinal Pell has already agreed to return from the Vatican to give evidence during the second stage of a public hearing into clergy abuse in the Victorian regional centre, which will be held in Melbourne from November 23.

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2015/07/30/george-pell-to-appear-at-abuse-commission.html 

A bishop has a memory lapse about the alleged crimes of an ex-priest

A retired Australian Catholic bishop, Most Reverend Ronald Mulkearns, has been forced to appear in court to answer questions about a former priest, Robert Claffey (now aged 70), who is charged with multiple incidents of indecent assault against seven children.
In court on 29 July 2015, Bishop Mulkearns was forced to admit that, yes, he had known about Father Claffey's "misbehaviour" but claimed that he could not remember the details.

http://brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/344 

Eight men arrested in WA over child abuse against teenage girl

ONE of eight men charged with the horrific sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl in WA over a two-year period is her father who allegedly “facilitated” the paedophile ring, WA Police have revealed. Another man charged is Perth pastor and the former head of the WA Prison Fellowship Program, David Volmer.
The Sunday Times revealed earlier this month that Volmer, a married father of two from Banksia Grove in Perth’s northern suburbs, who is also known as Dawid Volmer, had been charged with and pleaded guilty to a dozen offences.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/eight-men-arrested-in-wa-over-child-abuse-against-teenage-girl/story-fnhocxo3-1227461520638?sv=fe773895595c193490defb3088146879 

Former Saint Ignatius College priest Stanislaus John Hogan has sentence for child porn offences suspended on appeal

A PRIEST at a prestigious Adelaide private school who downloaded more than 1500 images of child pornography will walk from jail after his sentence was suspended on appeal.

Father Stanislaus John Hogan was sentenced in March this year to two years and six months’ jail, with a non-parole period of 10 months, after pleading guilty to one count of using a carriage service to access child pornography and one aggravated count of possessing child pornography.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/national/former-saint-ignatius-college-priest-stanislaus-john-hogan-has-sentence-for-child-porn-offences-suspended-on-appeal/story-fnii5yv8-1227462203542 

Archbishop Confronted: Gay Man in 35-Year Relationship Clarifies Archbishop Nienstedt’s Restaurant Comment to the Star Tribune

Last year the Archdiocese distributed 400,000 antigay DVDs* made by the Knights of Columbus meant to stir antigay marriage sentiments.
In the Oct. 6, 2012, Star Tribune Q&A with John Clayton Nienstedt, Archbishop for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Archdiocese, one question asked for clarification about a recollection by Rev. Michael Becker of St. Paul’s St. John Vianney Seminary that occurred at St. Paul’s Lexington Restaurant. The questioner said, “a man came into the restaurant and threw one of the church’s DVDs at you” to set context for a response.

http://www.lavendermagazine.com/big-gay-news/archbishop-confronted-gay-man-in-35-year-relationship-clarifies-archbishop-nienstedts-restaurant-comment-to-the-star-tribune/ 

OR--Rare child sex case filed in Portland vs. Quakers

A rare child sex abuse and cover up lawsuit has been filed against Oregon Quaker officials who apparently put an admitted child molester back on the job last year and hid his crimes. We hope law enforcement will investigate and charge church staff for their reckless, callous, secretive and selfish actions.
A former Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends youth superintendent, Bruce Bishop, is being sued for allegedly repeatedly abusing a boy between 11 and 16 years old. According to one news source, last year, Quaker officials confronted Bishop with abuse accusations, he “confirmed” them, was quietly suspended, but was later forgiven by his church colleagues and returned to ministry. If true, this is horrifying.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/or_rare_child_sex_case_filed_in_portland_vs_quakers 

Home > Health Advocates Seek Vatican Inquiry of Newark, NJ, Archbishop

Priests, nuns and canon lawyers who advocate for molestation victims urged Pope Francis on Wednesday to use the new Vatican tribunal he formed on negligent bishops to investigate the archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, who has long been accused of sheltering abusive priests.

The plea comes as Francis prepares for his first visit to the U.S. in September, a trip which will take place against the backdrop of the broad unfinished business of the molestation scandal. The crisis erupted in 2002 with the case of one pedophile priest in the Archdiocese of Boston before spreading nationwide, then engulfing the Roman Catholic Church.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/advocates-seek-vatican-inquiry-newark-nj-archbishop-32765616 

Defense reviewing evidence in former Los Banos priest’s child porn case

A former Los Banos Catholic priest who has been charged with possession of child pornography appeared in court Wednesday.
The Rev. Robert Gamel entered the courtroom on crutches, nursing a left foot injury he suffered while hiking, according to his attorney Roger Litman. Gamel appeared in Merced Superior Court in Los Banos for a pre-preliminary hearing on a felony count of possession of matter depicting sexual conduct of a person under the age of 18.

http://www.losbanosenterprise.com/2015/07/29/224369/defense-in-former-los-banos-priests.html?rh=1 

Pastor Masocha Dipped His Hand Into My Underwear Saying He Wanted To Remove Demons, Girl Speaks Out

Disgraced, convicted child abuser Bishop Walter Masocha has met further embarrassment after a teenage victim spoke out saying he once dipped his hands into her underwear. Princess Chiferere according to the Scottish Recorder was just 13 when Masocha began grooming her at Agape for All Nations church in Stirling before molesting her.

The comments came after GirlChild Network founder Betty Makoni called for a review of Masocha’s sentence saying there are even more victims in Zimbabwe in addition to the British ones. Masocha was sentenced to a little over 200 community service hours and put onto the sex offenders register for a year meaning he can now freely preach at his church cult. Makoni told ZimEye.com,

http://www.zimeye.com/pastor-masocha-dipped-his-hand-into-my-underwear-teenage-girl-speaks-out/ 

Father Ronald Mulkearns, ex-Catholic bishop of Ballarat testifies in priest’s child sex case

KEEPER of secrets Father Ronald Mulkearns has broken his silence about how he handled complaints of child sexual abuse while the Catholic bishop of Ballarat for more than two decades.
Until now Fr Mulkearns has avoided giving evidence at inquiries into institutional sexual abuse, citing health issues, meaning three decades of secrets from his tenure in Ballarat have remained sealed.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/father-ronald-mulkearns-ex-catholic-bishop-of-ballarat-testifies-in-priests-child-sex-case/story-fni0fee2-1227461470212 

Anger grows at NY archdiocese for closing dozens of churches

On a warm and sultry summer night, a couple dozen worshippers gathered recently at the Church of the Nativity in New York City’s East Village for a mass celebrating the life of Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker Movement dedicated to helping the poor.
The church, housed in a simple, cinder block and brick building, has none of the usual gleaming gold and majesty one would often expect from a Catholic house of worship.

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/7/29/anger-grows-ny-archdiocese-closing-churches.html 

Bishop Kettler to hold listening sessions regarding recent sexual abuse lawsuits

Bishop Donald Kettler of the Diocese of Saint Cloud will hold a series of listening sessions in August following allegations of sexual abuse committed by three priests of the diocese. The Diocese of St. Cloud was recently notified of four civil lawsuits alleging abuse by Father Robert Smith, Father William Wey and Father James Thoennes. The suits name the Diocese of St. Cloud as a defendant.
Smith and Wey have been deceased for more than 25 years. Thoennes does not have faculties to serve publicly as a priest and currently lives in St. Cloud under restrictions.

https://dairylandpeach.com/2015/07/bishop-kettler-to-hold-listening-sessions-regarding-recent-sexual-abuse-lawsuits/ 

Archbishop Martin regrets saying church needs ‘reality check’

The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said he regrets saying the church needed a “reality check” following the marriage equality referendum, as the phrase has since been widely misunderstood. He was speaking at the MacGill Summer School on Beyond 2016 – What are our Aspirations for the Republic.

“The first thing that the Church must do is to carry out continuous – what I have called – ‘reality checks’. In some ways I regret that I ever used that term in a recent RTÉ interview. What I said was taken up in the press – national and international, ecclesiastical and lay – all over the world and no two stories had the same interpretation of what I intended, indeed of what I actually said.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/archbishop-martin-regrets-saying-church-needs-reality-check-1.2298566 

More needs to be done to reduce child abuse

Minnesota has experienced a horrific parade of violence against children in recent years. Just last week, we learned of the death of Sophia O’Neill, age 2, of Minneapolis, stomped to death allegedly by her mother’s boyfriend, age 17. Most people recall the 32-year-old father, Michael Gunderson of Princeton, arrested in March after his two children ages 2 and 3 were found to be severely malnourished and dehydrated, with sores on their bodies.
The murder of Pope County’s Eric Dean, age 4, after 15 reports to the county of possible abuse went unaddressed, caused the Legislature to act. And coming out in a trickle have been years of pedophile attacks by Roman Catholic priests, of which 179 in Minnesota alone have been accused.

http://millelacscountytimes.com/2015/07/07/more-needs-to-be-done-to-reduce-child-abuse/ 

To combat police terrorism, study the response to the church's abuse crisis

Shortly after we entered the 21st century, the 24-hour news cycle bombarded us with interviews and images regarding a sex abuse scandal within the Catholic church. For a while, it seemed as though every day there was a new allegation of abuse dating back decades.
Victim after victim emerged, sharing one heartbreaking story after another. Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests became the common understanding of the word "SNAP."

http://ncronline.org/blogs/intersection/combat-police-terrorism-study-response-churchs-abuse-crisis 

Jehovah's Witness abuser quoted scripture while assaulting daughter, royal commission told

As a child growing up in a strict Jehovah's Witness household she was taught to obey her father as head of the family and warned that outsiders were "worldly people" who served Satan.
In a harrowing day of evidence before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the woman detailed how her father repeatedly sexually abused her and her three sisters.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/jehovahs-witness-abuser-quoted-scripture-while-assaulting-daughter-royal-commission-told-20150728-gim9rh.html 

Royal Commission: Jehovah's Witness sex predator reinstated

A former senior member of the Jehovah's Witnesses who repeatedly molested a teenage girl was stood down as a church elder only to be later reinstated, a royal commission has heard.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was told that former church elder Bill Neill admitted to voyeurism in a meeting in which his accuser was forced to face him.  Former circuit overseer Doug Jackson, who was in charge of the investigation, told the commission he did not regard Mr Neill's conduct as criminal at the time, nor did he inform the police.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/royal-commission-jehovahs-witness-sex-predator-reinstated-20150728-gilug6.html 

Idaho Falls man uses new legal tactic to get long-delayed justice for child abuse.

Matt Morgan’s effort to punish his uncle for sexual abuse three decades ago has traveled a unique legal course.  After exhausting traditional legal avenues, Matt Morgan’s legal team used claims of fraud to bring Terry Morgan to justice, winning a $395,000 judgment Dec. 2.
It is a legal tactic that could be used more extensively in the future, especially for those trying to press sexual abuse cases that can’t be prosecuted because the statute of limitations has expired, said Boise attorney Andrew Chasan.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/07/27/3911880_idaho-falls-man-uses-new-legal.html?rh=1

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/07/27/3911880_idaho-falls-man-uses-new-legal.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

ID--Victims applaud new legal avenue for abused kids

We admire Matt Morgan of Idaho Falls for having the strength to seek and win justice using a little-known legal approach. It takes real courage to confront child molesters in court and to open doors for other survivors of horrific childhood trauma.
Morgan successfully sued his perpetrator for fraud. Like most adults who were assaulted as kids, an archaic, predator-friendly statute of limitations initially prevented him from exposing his predator. But he and his attorneys persisted and eventually won using the fraud charge.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/id_victims_applaud_new_legal_avenue_for_abused_kids 

Crosier Abuse Lawsuits Filed Today Involve Clergy Who Worked and Abused Throughout Minnesota

Civil lawsuits were filed today by two men who were sexually abused as minors by clergy at Crosier Seminary in Onamia, Minn. Doe 51 and Doe 56 were molested by multiple priests and brothers of the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross (“Crosier”) religious order. Several of the clergy named in the complaints also interacted with and sexually abused children throughout Minnesota, including at parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and the Diocese of St. Cloud.

Doe 51 was sexually abused from approximately 1979-81 by Father Gerald Funcheon, Brother Gabriel Guerrero and Brother Roman Fleischhacker, when Doe 51 was approximately 15-17 years old. Doe 56 was sexually abused in approximately 1979-80 by Funcheon, Brother Wendell Mohs and Father Roger Vaughn, when Doe 56 was approximately 14-15 years old. The perpetrators were assigned to Crosier Seminary at the time they abused Doe 51 and Doe 56, who attended the seminary.

http://www.andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/2016/Crosier-Abuse-Lawsuits-Filed-Today-InvolveClergy-Who-Worked-and-Abused-Throughout-Minnesota.aspx 

Rabbi pleads to endangering welfare of a child, ends sex abuse case

A Monsey rabbi accused of sexually abusing a 7-year-old boy pleaded guilty Tuesday to a lesser charge of endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors said the agreement met the family's request to spare their son from having to testify in public.
Rabbi Gabriel Bodenheimer, 72, principal of Yeshiva Bais Mikroh for decades, faces three years probation when sentenced Oct. 27 on the misdemeanor count. As part of the agreement, the rabbi is barred from teaching or entering any school. He will also be subject to typical restrictions imposed on sex offenders.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2015/07/28/monsey-rabbi-gabriel-bodenheimer-plea/30794131/ 

The two sexual abuse victims and their advocates/supporters will appeal to parishioners of a Flatbush

The two sexual abuse victims and their advocates/supporters will appeal to parishioners of a Flatbush, Brooklyn parish, St. Catherine of Genoa, where Fr. Kenneth Wicks served as pastor from 1983-1991 for information about sexual abuse of children in St. Catherine of Genoa Parish, Flatbush, Brooklyn

Juan Rodriguez and Luis Ramos reported the sexual abuse by Fr. Kenneth Wicks to the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, in approximately 1993-1995 but the Diocese of Brooklyn did nothing to help the childhood victims of clergy sexual abuse and kept the sexual abuse quiet

http://www.road-to-recovery.org/news/ 

Deadline for Claims Against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, is August 3rd

There is just over a week remaining for claims against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.   You must act by August 3rd.
The deadline is shorter than the rest of the state because of the bankruptcy of the Archdiocese. If you or a loved one has a potential claim,  it is time to act.
Nationally renowned priest abuse attorney Jeff Anderson’s website details instructions. There are a number of key points:
• You must file a claim by August 3rd.
• Your privacy and confidentiality can be protected.
• Filing your claim can help you and help protect children.

http://minneapolis.legalexaminer.com/property-owners-liability-slip-fall/deadline-for-claims-against-the-archdiocese-of-st-paul-and-minneapolis-is-august-3rd/ 

Boulder DA cites VineLife Church's 'disturbing culture of secrecy' in sex-abuse cover-up

Boulder prosecutors allege the four VineLife Church officials accused of covering up reports that a youth pastor at the church sexually assaulted a teenaged congregant have refused to accept responsibility for their actions and created a "disturbing culture of secrecy and non-disclosure" at the church.
"At the heart of this case is a local church's coordinated effort to conceal a victim's report of repeated acts of sexual abuse — perpetrated by a youth pastor, the son of one of the church's elders — from the church's own congregation, the local community and law enforcement in Boulder County," prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed in the case.

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_28512966/boulder-da-cites-vinelife-churchs-disturbing-culture-secrecy?source=pkg 

'This cannot happen': Boulder judge sentences VineLife Church leaders for not reporting sex assault; Yes it can and it did.

Seeking to send a message, a Boulder County judge exceeded prosecutors' requests Thursday in ordering two VineLife Church officials to serve 10 days in jail or on a work crew for failing to report sexual-assault allegations levied against the church's youth pastor in 2013.
Two elders with the church, located at 7845 Lookout Road in unincorporated Boulder County, received lesser sentences for their role in what prosecutors have described as a cover-up. "There was enough information that the parties should have made that report to law enforcement," Judge David Archuleta said during Thursday's sentencing hearing. "A message has to be sent that this cannot happen."


http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_28530301/this-cannot-happen-boulder-judge-sentences-vinelife-church

Senior Madrid priest in money laundering probe

A LEADING Spanish priest has been accused of money laundering. Jose Luis Montes (right) is being probed over millions of euros hidden away overseas. It comes after Switzerland launched an investigation into investments made by the senior Madrid clergyman.
Dubbed the ‘priest to the nobility’ Montes is accused of misappropriating funds destined for aristocratic Madrid sisters Carmen and Blanca Roca de Togores. It is alleged that he and his lawyer brother had been fiddling funds since 2004 to the tune of tens of millions of euros.

http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2015/07/24/senior-madrid-priest-in-money-laundering-probe/ 

PA--Ex-Pittsburgh cleric sentenced for abuse

A Catholic cleric who abused in Pittsburgh has been sentenced for other child sex crimes in Australia. Now, Pittsburgh church officials should insist that his religious order publicly disclose other child molesting clerics. And they should do more to find and help others he’s hurt.
Brother Bernard Hartman, a member of the St. Louis-based Marianists, will serve three years in jail for assaulting girls in Australia. He also faces a credible accusation of molesting a Pittsburgh child.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/pa_ex-pittsburgh_cleric_sentenced_for_abuse 

Bishop Kettler to hold listening sessions regarding recent sexual abuse lawsuits

Bishop Donald Kettler of the Diocese of Saint Cloud will hold a series of listening sessions in August following allegations of sexual abuse committed by three priests of the diocese. The Diocese of St. Cloud was recently notified of four civil lawsuits alleging abuse by Father Robert Smith, Father William Wey and Father James Thoennes. The suits name the Diocese of St. Cloud as a defendant.
Smith and Wey have been deceased for more than 25 years. Thoennes does not have faculties to serve publicly as a priest and currently lives in St. Cloud under restrictions.

https://dairylandpeach.com/2015/07/bishop-kettler-to-hold-listening-sessions-regarding-recent-sexual-abuse-lawsuits/

Child abuse inquiry: Jehovah’s Witnesses never reported offenders

At least 125 allegations of child sex abuse in the Jehovah’s Witnesses did not proceed to further investigation because the church’s internal practices required at least two observers of the abuse to come forward, the royal commission will hear.
And of the 1006 alleged offenders identified by the church since 1950 not a single one was reported to the police or other “secular authorities”.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/child-abuse-inquiry-jehovahs-witnesses-never-reported-offenders/story-fngburq5-1227458506467 

Police Ask to Extend Sexual Abuse Rabbi's Detention Until Trial

The Israel Police have filed a prosecutor's declaration to the Nazareth Magistrate's Court against Rabbi Ezra Sheinberg from Tzfat (Safed), former Rosh Yeshiva (dean) of the Orot HaAri Yeshiva (Torah academy) on Friday, after no fewer than 13 women have now filed complaints of sexual abuse.
Police have asked the court to extend Sheinberg's detention until the end of the trial. An indictment against Sheinberg is expected to be filed in the Nazareth District Court next week.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/198573#.VbWdDfmXmUm

Boy Scouts Are Poised to End Ban on Gay Leaders

The Boy Scouts of America is expected on Monday to end its blanket ban on gay leaders — a turning point for an organization that has been in turmoil over the issue. But some scouting groups will still be able to limit leadership jobs to heterosexuals.

To gain the acquiescence of conservative religious groups that sponsor many packs and troops, like the Mormon and Roman Catholic Churches, the policy will allow church-run units to pick leaders who agree with their moral precepts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/us/boy-scouts-expected-to-end-ban-on-gay-leaders.html?emc=edit_tnt_20150726&nlid=63876270&tntemail0=y 

Father James Robinson's abuse victim 'thought it was love'

A victim of a former Roman Catholic priest convicted of sexually abusing boys between 1959 and 1983, said he thought he was in love with the man who called himself Father Jim.

Richard John James Robinson, 73, originally from Aldridge in the West Midlands, encouraged the altar boy with gifts, outings and rides in his sports car.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-11595676 

Catholic priest James Robinson fled after ‘police tip-off’

A paedophile priest fled the country after a police officer tipped off the Catholic Church in Birmingham, a sex abuse victim has claimed. The man said the officer passed on documents about 30 years ago which led to James Robinson being "spirited away" overseas. The priest was later jailed.
The Archdiocese of Birmingham has always denied knowingly covering up the activities of paedophile priests. West Midlands Police said claims about the officer were being looked into.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-33317255 

Media Release – July 24-25, 2015

The two sexual abuse victims and their advocates/supporters will appeal to parishioners of a Flatbush, Brooklyn parish, St. Catherine of Genoa, where Fr. Kenneth Wicks served as pastor from 1983-1991 for information about sexual abuse of children in St. Catherine of Genoa Parish, Flatbush, Brooklyn

Juan Rodriguez and Luis Ramos reported the sexual abuse by Fr. Kenneth Wicks to the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, in approximately 1993-1995 but the Diocese of Brooklyn did nothing to help the childhood victims of clergy sexual abuse and kept the sexual abuse quiet.

http://www.road-to-recovery.org/news/ 

Cardinal George Pell told in 1970s of claims of abuse, royal commission hears

GEORGE Pell tried to bribe the nephew of notorious paedophile Gerald Ridsdale to keep quiet about his abuse at the hands of his uncle, it has been alleged.
David Ridsdale told the royal commission today he phoned Pell in 1993 to tell him about the abuse but instead of offering help he tried to silence him. He said Pell asked “what would it take” for him to keep quiet about the abuse.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/cardinal-george-pell-told-in-1970s-of-claims-of-abuse-royal-commission-hears/story-fni0cx4q-1227361503571 

Leaders Of Longmont Church Sentenced For Role In Sex Assault Case

A judge sentenced four leaders of a Longmont church on Friday for failing to report sexual assault allegations. Former Vinelife youth pastor Jason Roberson had an inappropriate relationship with a church member starting when she was just 15 years old.
He was sentenced to two years in jail and 10 years of sex offender probation in July 2014. He was also ordered to undergo sex offender treatment.

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/07/24/leaders-of-longmont-church-sentenced-for-role-in-sex-assault-case/ 

Priest: Claims I attacked another priest with a crucifix cost me my job

A priest is suing a former colleague at a Florham Park retreat, accusing him of thefts and of making a false criminal allegation.
In a lawsuit made public Wednesday in Superior Court in Morristown, the Rev. Frank Hreno accused the Rev. Emeka Okwuosa of spitting in his face; pinning him against the wall; taking Hreno's checkbook and writing checks to himself; damaging cars Hreno was authorized to use; taking Hreno's van without authorization and using Hreno's credit card without authorization.

http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2015/01/priest_sues_fellow_priest_he_allegedly_threatened.html 

One priest alleges another attacked him with a crucifix in Florham Park

A Catholic priest at the Florham Park-based Vocationist Fathers Retreat and Conference Center has been accused of threatening to kill a fellow priest and attacking him with a metal crucifix.
Father Frank Hreno is accused of threatening to kill fellow priest Emeka Okwuosa during an altercation at the Vocationist Fathers Retreat and Conference Center in Florham Park last month.

http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2014/05/one_priest_alleges_another_attacked_him_with_a_crucifix_in_florham_park.html 

From trusted pastor to child predator

It was the story that made headlines for more than two years. Last month, former Richmond Mega Church Pastor Geronimo Aguilar was guilty of sexually assaulting two young girls when he was their youth pastor in Fort Worth, Texas back in the 1990s.
Nancy Mohr one of the victims spoke exclusively with 8News immediately after the verdict was read. “I am so thankful to the jury I am so thankful to everybody who sat and listened, believed us for the first time,” she said.

http://wric.com/2015/07/24/from-trusted-pastor-to-child-predator/ 

Ex-priest charged with sex abuse has bail revoked

A defrocked priest charged with historic child sex abuse offences has had his bail revoked, after the DPP took a challenge to the Supreme Court.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in the Downing Centre District Court yesterday morning for a preliminary hearing into dozens of allegations of historic child sex offences – the first court appearance since he was ordered into custody on July 16. 

http://www.gippslandtimes.com.au/story/3234006/ex-priest-put-behind-bars/?cs=2452 

Former pastor arrested again for inappropriate contact with 16-year-old boy

A former pastor in St. Mary Parish has been arrested again for alleged inappropriate activity with another 16-year-old boy.
Jules Anderson, 56, of Franklin, was arrested by Franklin Police Wednesday on warrants for computer-aided solicitation of a minor for sexual purposes, sexual battery and molestation of a juvenile.

http://www.katc.com/story/29616179/former-pastor-arrested-again-for-inappropriate-contact-with-16-year-old-boy

The Church needs better ministry to priests in prison: after they served the time for their crimes

A recent article in the “National Catholic Reporter” by Thomas C. Fox, titled “Vincentian visits imprisoned priests,” drew my attention to the plight of priests in prison, especially those convicted of the sexual abuse of minors. 

The article took the form of an interview with Fr. Paul Sauerbier, a Vincentian priest who has established the Prodigal Father Foundation – so-called because of the lavish generosity of the father toward the repentant son in the Gospel story of the Prodigal Son.

 

http://www.icatholic.org/article/the-church-needs-better-ministry-to-priests-in-prison-9148043 

Former bible-camp counsellor pleads guilty to 10 sex abuse charges against underage victims

A former bible-camp counsellor has pleaded guilty to 10 charges of sexually abusing underage victims.
Jeff Paxton, 48, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault, three counts of gross indecency and one count of invitation to sexual touching that were filed against him in 2013.

http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/373502/Former_bible-camp_counsellor_pleads_guilty_to_10_sex_abuse_charges_against_underage_victims

Is religion doing enough to root out abuse?

From when Karen Morgan was 12, until she was well into her teens, she was sexually abused by her uncle - a ministerial servant with the Jehovah's Witnesses.

He would go upstairs, on the premise that he was saying a prayer with his niece, then sexually abuse her. Now in her 30s, Karen wasn't understood when she first told her parents what her uncle, Mark Sewell, was doing.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-33609927 

Of course Bill Cosby is guilty': Former co-star speaks out as President Barack Obama weighs in on allegations

Bill Cosby had hoped the sexual assault scandal surrounding him would settle down. Last week, the 78-year-old lost a battle to contain court documents, in which he admitted to drugging women for sex.
This week, President Barack Obama weighed in on the allegations made by upwards of 20 women, while one of Cosby's former co-stars has written a blog titled "Of course Bill Cosby is guilty!"

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/of-course-bill-cosby-is-guilty-former-costar-speaks-out-as-president-barack-obama-weighs-in-on-allegations-20150716-giddyc.html#ixzz3gtc0dUiZ 

Catholic priests who abused New Zealand children will not be investigated; Outrageour the shoul be DEFROCKED

These priest should be stripped of their priesthood.. they should be defrocked... the Roman catholic church is just as guilty... as the rapist themselves... they are holding the rapist hands... just as Cardinal Pell walked along side... the worst rapist priest in Australia... the priest and nuns who rapped children... boys and girls... in New Zealand... should be made accountable... for their crimes...

Pell stood by this evil man... right throughout his court case... as though they were very close buddies... they even lived together for some years... and Pell says... he never knew what was going on... well which priest walked past the rapist bedroom... as he was raping a young boy??... 

why has the Pope not being told... about these priest in New Zealand... this is why I will never leave... what happened in the catholic church homes... and orphanages in New Zealand... because they are still hiding... and shielding the rapist priest and nuns... and we are left to carry our guilt and shame... to the day we die...  Ann

============================

Four Catholic priests or brothers have never faced justice for sexually abusing children, despite the church accepting their guilt. The Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand has, for the first time, revealed the number of sexual abuse claims it has received, many of which are still being investigated.
They show the number of people coming forward is growing every year, decades after they were abused. But few, if any, are resulting in fresh complaints to police. Victims have said that, even now, the church remains unwilling to dig into the darker parts of its past. "If a victim came to me now, I'd say, 'Stay away from the church'," one victim said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/70377103/catholic-priests-who-abused-new-zealand-children-will-not-be-investigated

NZ clergy members escape abuse charges; Outrageous they should be DEFROCKED

Why would we trust the church's national office... who handles the victims/survivors complaints... when the head man is a PRIEST RAPIST himself... what the hell is the catholic church up to... keep it all under cover...  MY GOD... WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN YOUR CHILDREN??... even when we called out as children for your help... we got no help... but worse still now... that we know that what they did to us... was RAPE... one of the deadliest crimes... and sins of them all... we still call out in vine...

he catholic church is covering up her crimes... and we the children of the catholic church... suffer in silence... we walk away... because of the mixed up messages... we keep getting from the enablers... that is from the Pope down... because all we hear is false promises... Ann

============================== 

Four New Zealand clergy members were never charged with sex offences against children despite the Catholic Church proving they had committed the crimes. The church has revealed the numbers of complaints coming forward - many historical - as it deals with decades of abuse by members.

According to church figures, 58 fresh complaints were made in the four years to the end of 2014. The oldest case dated back to 1946. Twenty-four are still being investigated but 26 were accepted as proven to a civil court standard. They involved 21 priests, nuns or teachers.

http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/nz-clergy-members-escape-abuse-charges-2015072510#ixzz3grmQvuad  

Dominican Fr. Thomas Doyle meets with members of pontifical commission on sex abuse

One of the most severe critics of the church's handling of the sex abuse scandal spent several days last month briefing members of the Vatican commission appointed to advise Pope Francis on the issue.

In a phone interview Monday, Dominican Fr. Thomas Doyle confirmed that he met with four members of the commission in London after he was approached to consult with the group by commission member Marie Collins of Ireland, who was raped by a priest as a youngster.

http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/dominican-fr-thomas-doyle-meets-members-pontifical-commission-sex-abuse

Marianist brother who taught at North Catholic gets 2-year term for sex abuse in Australia

A two-year prison sentence cannot repair the lifelong trauma of being sexually abused from age 8, but an Australian survivor of abuse by an American Roman Catholic religious brother says his incarceration is a sign of progress.
“Although two years is a very short amount of time in light of the gravity of the crimes, it is a much better result than for many survivors of historical crimes,” Mairead Ashcroft said via email. “My hope is that survivors of crimes of this nature might be given the positive message that childhood abuse, sexual, physical and psychological, is taken much more seriously than in the past.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2015/07/25/Marianist-brother-who-taught-at-North-Catholic-gets-2-year-term-for-sex-abuse-in-Australia/stories/201507250054 

Celibacy, Sex & Catholic Church

During the past 1700 years, the Roman Catholic Church, as graphically illustrated through its Canonical, Papal, and Councilor documents, has been acutely aware of child rape and sodomy by its Bishops, Priests, and Religious. Because of many factors including the failure to enforce celibacy, growing problems of solicitation in the confessional, the neglect of the canonical enforcement of gravely sinful acts by Clerics, and the abhorrence of any scandal, 
the Roman Catholic Church by omission has fostered a secret world of sexual laxity that allowed children and vulnerable adults to be objects of sexual gratification for its Bishops, Priests, Religious and lay employees. The crisis and the documents made available in this study affect every baptized Roman Catholic in the world. Thus, the lack of enforcement has put every Roman Catholic child and the faithful in peril. 

http://www.awrsipe.com/patrick_wall/executive_summary.htm 

The need for native-speaking priests and deacons in New Zealand

At the most recent New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, Bishop Barry Jones voiced concerns that the Mass in Te Reo was slowly dying due to a lack of priests, who could conduct them in Maori.
Bishop Jones, a Pakeha, believed he is the only priest in the South Island who could speak Te Reo said the Maori Mass had been the foundation of the Catholic Church in New Zealand and it would be terrible if that aspect was lost.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2015/01/parched-the-need-for-native-speaking-priests-and-deacons-in-new-zealand/ 

Hillsong Church: Abuse unreported, perpetrator rewarded

Disturbing news surfaced last week that the founder and senior pastor of one of the largest churches in Australia, and a church well known in this country for its worship music, failed to report his father for sexually abusing children. Brian Houston of Hillsong Church, told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse that in October of 1999, he learned that an adult had reported being sexually abused as a child by leading Pentecostal pastor, Frank Houston.
The elder Houston was permanently suspended from preaching and given what The Australian newspaper and World magazine called a “retirement package”. The victim was sent $10,000. Eight more cases of child sexual abuse by Frank Houston were uncovered before he passed away in 2004.  None of these cases were ever reported to law enforcement.

http://boz.religionnews.com/2014/10/17/hillsong-church-abuse-unreported-perpetrator-rewarded/ 

How Pope Francis is selling the world on the Catholic Church

Among his other blessings, Pope Francis has been a gift to the world of marketing studies. There can be few other examples where a leader has transformed the perception of an enterprise so thoroughly, but without making any discernible change to its core principles. In business terms, Pope Francis has managed to rebrand the Catholic Church without changing its doctrines. It has been, shall we say, a miracle.
The need for change was being recognized in Vatican circles at least five years ago. As Salon noted in a well-researched article last year the approval ratings in the United States for Pope Benefict XVI had by 2010 hit a disturbing low of 40% in the wake of the scandals involving the systemic sexual abuse of children by priests.....

http://werewolf.co.nz/2015/07/pitch-perfect/ 

The undeniable sick State of New Zealand

Avoid our mistakes. Don't become like us. Don't promote radical sexual perversions to your young people as our Government and media The New Zealand Labour Government from 2000-08 was the vilest government in history (elected for 3 terms - 9 years). New Zealand is a land where the godless rule, sexually perverted are called 'heroes' and people are oblivious to good moral character.
When President Clinton committed lewd conduct in Office, people said "long as he does his job, his private life doesn't matter'. So for Heads of State in public Office we voted in alcoholics, de facto's, homosexual activists, gamblers, and transvestites. They love talk but are morally illiterate. But "personal life" does matter, belief effects action -

http://answers.net.nz/Homo/enough.htm

NZ Catholic Church dismisses sex-abuse priest claims

The New Zealand Catholic church has dismissed claims that some priests who've sexually abused children are being shifted from Australia and New Zealand to the Pacific.
A psychologist and former nun who earlier this year quit as complaints manager and head of the professional standards committee of the Order of St John of God in Australasia, says offending priests are often moved from country to country to avoid legal problems.

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/onairhighlights/475984 

Elder Abuse

In April 2004 in New Zealand, a report from the organisation Age Concern drew attention to the fact that "...about a quarter of elderly people who put someone they trust in charge of their personal and financial affairs are then abused by that person."
Elder abuse and neglect is defined by Age Concern New Zealand as "when a person aged 65 years or more experiences harmful physical, psychological, sexual, material or social effects caused by the behaviour of another person with whom they have a relationship implying trust."

http://www.life.org.nz/euthanasia/euthanasiakeyissues/elder-abuse/ 

What's Really Behind the Catholic Church's Sexual Abuse Problem?

Why has the Church been plagued by so much pedophilia – predominantly homosexual? And why has a scandal regarding this situation erupted only now?  Why has the Church been plagued by so much pedophilia – predominantly homosexual? And why has a scandal regarding this situation erupted only now?
Today, sexual abuse allegations against priests are surging in a startling array of nations: the United States and Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, The Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Belgium, Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil and Chile. New abuse scandals erupt daily. The John Jay School of Criminal Justice estimates that, in the U.S. alonebetween 1950 and 2002 hundreds of thousands of children have been sexually abused by Catholic Clergy.

http://www.alternet.org/story/146920/what%27s_really_behind_the_catholic_church%27s_sexual_abuse_problem 

Christchurch Author details abuse at hands of Catholic Church

Ann Thompson’s crime, in the eyes of her abusers, was she was born ‘a bastard’.  Her earliest childhood recollections were being told, her mother was evil, and she would end-up in hell, unless the devils inside her, could be beaten-out.

Thompson, arrived at Christchurch’s, Nazareth House in 1951, aged 10, and the abuse at the hands of the nuns started, just weeks after her arrival. When she was aged 15, she suffered sexual abuse from a priest. The horror of her childhood, is outlined, in a just published book ‘Say Sorry’.

http://canterburyatheists.blogspot.co.nz/2009/05/christchurch-author-details-abuse-at.html

On the child abuse scandal within the Catholic Church

At the school I attended as a child, any and all queries by parents about the standard of teaching or the content of the syllabus would be met by the stock response: “Take your child elsewhere, then.” End of criticism, since to be Catholic meant an obligation to raise one’s children as Catholic, and taking the child to a state school would put at risk their immortal soul. In the smallest and in the largest detail, the power of the Catholic clergy was, as remains, absolute.
A trivial example to be sure – but one typical of the mindset that I believe to lie at the heart of the child abuse scandal that is now shaking the Catholic Church. Yes, the vow of celibacy is a contributing cause – one that can and should be rescinded. As Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Brazil once conceded, the vow of celibacy is not dogma....

http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/04/06/g-campbell-catholic-churchs-child-abuse-scandal/ 

In the shadow of evil

Calls mount for New Zealand involvement in a top-level Australian inquiry into the widespread sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests and other authority figures. Greg Ansley and Catherine Masters report.
The Catholic church in Tokomaru Bay, Gisborne, is like many in small-town New Zealand - a picture of safety and innocence.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10847950 

Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust (MSSAT) started in 1991 in Christchurch when a client asked his Counsellor how he could go about meeting  other men who had experienced similar childhood trauma. Together they formed a support group and in 1997 members of that group registered MSSAT as a Charitable Trust.
In recent years MSSAT has been instrumental in the establishment of MSSAT Auckland and MSSAT Waikato who both operate as independent Trusts but with the same principles and objectives of MSSAT. Support groups for male survivors, their parents and partners are held in Nelson and Wellington.

http://survivor.org.nz/

About Devil's Playground

Fred Schepsi's film,The Devil's Playground is an elegant portrait of a young boy struggling in spirit and body with the constraints of living in a Catholic junior seminary during the 1950s.
The series Devil's Playground takes place thirty five years on, 1988, and the young boy from the juniorate, Tom Allen (Simon Burke), is now a successful Sydney psychiatrist dealing with the recent death of his wife.

http://tvnz.co.nz/devils-playground/devil-s-6334493 

Catholic church must exorcise its demons: NZ priest

Father Michael Gielen is part of a new breed of priest. He says while the Catholic Church must exorcise its demons, the problem of sexual abuse goes well beyond church walls.

“It's a cancer that we have to cut the last, the absolute last bit out,” says Father Michael. “And what I ask myself is, ‘is it a Catholic problem, or is it the whole of society?’ I found myself saying ‘whole of society’.”

http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/catholic-church-must-exorcise-its-demons-nz-priest-2010040517#axzz3gcTOQUOe 

John Jamieson – The Undertaker

John Jamieson’s appointment as the head of the New Zealand Catholic Churches National Office for Professional Standards (prof.standards@xtra.co.nz) was not surprising. The media reports were quick to point out that Jamieson is not a Catholic; an attempt to imply true independence. Jamieson of course was on the face of it qualified, having been a senior Police officer.
The underlying qualification of interest to the Bishops at the time however would have been far more sinister. Jamieson had ruled over a particularly corrupt period in the New Zealand Police forces history from 1989 to 1993 as Commissioner and prior to that during the 1980’s as District Commander, Christchurch. Later revealed was the fact that throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s Police hierarchy had been complicit in covering up serious misconduct and sexual abuse perpetrated by police officers in Christchurch, Dunedin and Rotorua.

http://laudafinem.com/2010/07/18/john-jamieson-the-undertaker/ 

Church 'in denial' over sex abuse

An organisation representing male survivors of sexual abuse including some abused by priests, says the Catholic Church in New Zealand, like other countries, is still in denial.
In a scathing report on the Vatican's policies, the United Nations' watchdog for children's rights says Church officials imposed a code of silence on clerics and moved abusers from parish to parish in an attempt to cover up such crimes.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/235430/church-%27in-denial%27-over-sex-abuse 

Catholic Church Forced To Publish Child Sex Abuse Files

I find these files to be brutal and painful reading. The behavior described in these files is terribly sad and evil. There is no excuse, no explaining away what happened to these children. The priests involved had the duty to be their spiritual fathers and they failed. Archbishop of Los Angeles.
No matter how many times we hear that this isn’t a New Zealand problem (yet?), the unassailable fact is that Catholic Priests all over the world are systematically called to answer for their despicable deeds.

http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2013/02/catholic-church-forced-to-publish-child-sex-abuse-files/ 

New Zealand’s Historic Abuse Claims – A Voice for Claimants

Child Abuse and Child Poverty in New Zealand: The “staggering” rates of child abuse and poverty in New Zealand were condemned in a United Nations 2011 report which called for the Government to better recognise childrens rights.
Child abuse rates in New Zealand are among the highest in countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and 27 per cent of children are living in poverty – defined as a household earning 60 per cent less than the median income.  As a quick summary of NZ and child abuse, among other things:

http://newzealandchildabuse.com/ 

Woman changes statement over Kirsty Bentley murder

A woman interviewed over Kirsty Bentley's murder nearly two decades ago wants to change her police statement. Kirsty, 15, disappeared on December 31, 1998 while walking her dog on the Ashburton riverbank.
The Ashburton teenager's body was found hidden under branches in a paddock at the Rakaia Gorge 18 days later. Now a Christchurch woman interviewed several times in relation to the murder has told Stuff.co.nz that she has always had concerns over her ex-partner's professed innocence.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/assault-and-homicide/news/article.cfm?c_id=124&objectid=11477094 

Exclusive: Child, Youth and Family omitted to give investigators 300 pages of documents

A High Court child-abuse trial was aborted when it was revealed Child, Youth and Family had failed to hand over 300 pages of documents to the police investigation.
Justice Paul Heath apologised to the jurors when he discharged them - after the case had been running for three days - following inquiries by the defendant's lawyer that brought the existence of the files to light.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11401141