Lobbying for, against change in Pa. sex crime laws pushing to 'educate the public'

Lobbying to raise awareness for or against efforts to reform Pennsylvania's child sex crime laws is turning decidedly public: The side against reform is looking for extras for a commercial. The side calling for reform is looking for participants for a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Both sides are keeping their eyes on the Pennsylvania Senate, which is poised to next month take up legislation that would reform the state's statute of limitations

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/05/sex_crime_law_statute_of_limit.html 

Senator worried about destruction of residential school abuse evidence

Victims of Canada’s infamous residential schools program are still missing many documents that may be in “churches across the ocean” while other evidence is at risk of being destroyed, Sen. Murray Sinclair said on Wednesday.
Sinclair, Manitoba’s first Indigenous judge and one of three people who presided over Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission that concluded a six-year investigation into the school system in 2015, said there was still a lot of work to do for the victims of abuse in the schools.

http://www.nationalobserver.com/2016/05/25/news/senator-worried-about-destruction-residential-school-abuse-evidence 

Calls to child abuse hotline not answered

When you call a bureaucracy such as the IRS and get disconnected, you probably aren't surprised. But you wouldn't expect that to happen when calling the state's child abuse hotline, which exists to protect children.
And yet, about 1 of every 5 calls to the hotline, nearly 42,000, went unanswered last year, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said Tuesday. Some callers hung up after being placed on hold and others were dropped because the hold queue was full.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/watchdog/mc-child-abuse-hotline-unanswered-calls-watchdog-20160525-column.html 

Child Abuse Awareness: Is Vatican Aware of Rape Cases Among the Catholic Church?

Speculations have emerged that some priests from Vatican rape children. Though these accusations were not yet verified, the case of one priest from India who raped two adolescents was justified.

New York Daily released a report stating that Fr. Joseph Jeyapaul pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor. The Vatican reinstated Fr. Jeyapaul after he was found guilty of sexual abuse.

 

http://www.parentherald.com/articles/45822/20160525/child-abuse-awareness-is-vatican-aware-of-rape-cases-among-the-catholic-church.htm 

Churchill: Lawmakers can back abuse victims or face PAC launched by casino owner Gary Greenberg

Gary Greenberg wants the Child Victims Act to pass so badly that he's putting $100,000 behind the effort.
Greenberg, a minority owner of Vernon Downs casino and racetrack in Oneida County, is beyond frustrated by the Legislature's refusal to side with victims of childhood sexual abuse. So he's launched a new political action committee, Fighting for Children, that will target lawmakers who oppose the legislation.

http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-local/article/Churchill-Lawmakers-can-back-abuse-victims-or-7946029.php 

Paedophile Catholic priest Peter Grasby dies

A paedophile priest who fled to Malaysia on paid leave to seek the company of "younger Asian men" has died. Father Peter Grasby left Australia in January, despite a travel ban issued by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne as a condition of his administrative leave.
The church was not aware Father Grasby had left the country until contacted by Fairfax Media,  which reported in February about his case and the concerns it raised about the monitoring of sex offenders within the clergy.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/paedophile-catholic-priest-peter-grasby-dies-20160526-gp4jpv.html 

Chicago Archdiocese bars Back of the Yards priest from active ministry

The Chicago Archdiocese has declined to reinstate to active ministry a well-known Back of the Yards priest who has admitted to sexually abusing a minor when he was a teen.
At the request of Archbishop Blase Cupich, the archdiocese's independent review board evaluated the case of the Rev. Bruce Wellems, who had acknowledged that he abused a 7-year-old boy when he was 15. That review in March uncovered "additional facts that weren't previously available," a spokeswoman for the archdiocese said, leading Cupich to bar Wellems from active ministry.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-priest-barred-from-ministry-met-20160525-story.html 

Long Island priest faces two lawsuits and police probe into alleged child sex abuse, but diocese won’t boot him

A Long Island priest remains on the job despite twin lawsuits accusing him of being a sexual predator of children — and a police probe of his alleged sick behavior.
The Rev. Gregory Yacyshyn’s position as pastor of St. Jude Church in Mastic Beach is safe due to a lack of “credible allegations” in the case, said a Rockville Centre Diocese spokesman.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/long-island-diocese-won-boot-alleged-pervert-priest-article-1.2650288 

Filing period ends for claims of abuse against New Ulm Catholic diocese

NEW ULM — Wednesday was the final day for victims of past sexual abuse by Catholic priests to file civil claims.

As of Tuesday, the Diocese of New Ulm and parishes within the diocese had received claims from 98 victims and survivors under the Minnesota Child Victims Act, which temporarily lifted the civil statute of limitations for historic claims of sexual abuse of a minor.

http://www.wctrib.com/news/state/4041202-filing-period-ends-claims-abuse-against-new-ulm-catholic-diocese 

Legislature fails to get justice for sexual assault victims

Brad M. Hoylman is a New York State senator representing the 27th District in Manhattan. The 50-year-old, who graduated from West Virginia University and Harvard Law School, has been in office for just four years, so he may be naive enough to still think he can make a difference in the sewer system we call a state capital.

Here is how bad things are in Albany.For some time, Hoylman — who is in the minority as a Democrat in the Senate — has been trying to introduce a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for prosecuting child sexual abuse crimes.

http://poststar.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-legislature-fails-to-get-justice-for-sexual-assault-victims/article_e4422e7e-13eb-5aae-870b-adb9192a6124.html 

Catholic school priest fired, but no charges filed after alleged abuse

ATLANTA (CBS46) - Parents of students at an Atlanta Catholic school are outraged after they say the school's headmaster failed to notify police of alleged abuse of a young girl.
Witnesses reported "inappropriate touching" of a fourth-grade girl by Father Thomas Aloysius Flynn, to police in April. But according to parents, the school didn’t

http://www.wtvm.com/story/32066084/catholic-school-priest-fired-but-no-charges-filed-after-alleged-abuse 

Pope Francis and Clergy Sexual Abuse in Argentina, Including a Database of Publicly Accused Argentine Clerics

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998 to 2013 and president of the Argentine bishops’ conference from 2005 to 2011. During these years, as church officials in the US and Europe began addressing the catastrophe of child sexual abuse by clergy – and even as Popes John Paul II and Benedict made public statements – Bergoglio stayed silent about the crisis in Argentina.
He released no documents, no names of accused priests, no tallies of accused priests, no policy for handling abuse, not even an apology to victims.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/Argentina/ 

Law limits sexual abuse charges

Whether Roy Quintanilla does decide to take legal action against Archbishop Anthony Apuron for allegedly molesting the 52-year-old man 40 years ago, Guam’s laws on sexual abuse crimes could thwart any attempts to bring the matter to court.
According to Guam law, a person who was sexually abused as a minor has until three years from the time they reach 18 years old to bring the issue to the attorney general’s office to file criminal charges against the assailant. The statute of limitations kicks in after the victim has turned 21 years old.

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/05/22/law-limits-sexual-abuse-charges/84640416/ 

A Maltese Whistle blowing priest Victor Buhagiar - EXPOSES the Roman C Church Child Sexual Abuse

THE CHURCH OF SATAN IN ROME the Roman Catholic Church Continues to be EXPOSED by the LORD, using Victor Buhagiar a Roman catholic priest from Malta living in Australia who could not continue being a priest ...
"I saw the Archbishop and I heard the Archbishop telling the secretary to turn off the recorder," Buhagiar said. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. - Luke 8:17

https://gps.fedgeno.com/links/a-maltese-whistle-blowing-priest-victor-buhagiar-exposes-the-roman-c-church-child-sexual-abuse-347566 

Resignations in Guam over sex abuse allegations

Two senior members of Guam's Catholic Church have resigned from the archdiocese review board amid sexual abuse allegations against an Archbishop.
The Pacific Daily News reported the members resigned citing a conflict of interest as the board is likely to be called upon to review allegations against Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/304508/resignations-in-guam-over-sex-abuse-allegations 

New Audit Of U.S. Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Will Shock You

Audit on Catholic church shows disturbing results on sexual abuse Every year, an audit is conducted on the US Roman Catholic Church concerning reports of sexual abuse conducted by members of the clergy, since the Church began experiencing a series of reports of abuse and cover-ups in the beginning of the 2000’s. 

This year’s audit, released on Friday, has shown a disturbing sharp increase in the number of both new accusations, as well as the value of settlements to victims. As explained by Reuters, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has said that;

http://reverbpress.com/news/us/audit-on-us-catholic-church-shows-disturbing-results/ 

PA Lawmakers Expect Battle With Church Over Child Sex Abuse Bill

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A new fight is brewing between the Catholic Church and Harrisburg. A full-scale battle over Pennslvania’s statute of limitations is expected to break out.
“Just looking at it from a moral compass standpoint? They are so wrong,” said Pennsylvania lawmaker Mark Rozzi. He and others predict a coordinated challenge from the Catholic Church. But for Rozzi of Berks County, the battle is personal.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2016/05/22/pa-lawmakers-expect-battle-with-church-over-child-sex-abuse-bill/ 

Hollywood’s evil secret: pedophilia

Elijah Wood was just eight when he arrived in Hollywood, the blue-eyed son of Iowa delicatessen owners. He had been modelling in Middle Western shopping centres for four years when his mother brought him to California to launch his career in show business.
Long before Peter Jackson cast him as Frodo Baggins, the hobbit protagonist of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Wood was a child star. He took the lead in a remake of the dolphin film Flipper and ­before that shared top billing with Macaulay Culkin in The Good Son.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/the-times/hollywoods-evil-secret-pedophilia/news-story/6ccc971261d632c38fd51001c2aec84d 

There is hope for survivors to heal

Since the 1980s, when child abuse and domestic violence emerged from society's skeleton closet, researchers and clinicians have rightly prioritized the tremendous wounds caused by adverse childhood experiences.
Recently, however, researchers also have concluded that while about two-thirds of trauma survivors will experience at least some negative outcomes after trauma, almost another third will emerge into adults who seem not to have been deeply affected by earlier traumas.

http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/there-hope-survivors-heal 

Legionaries could be role models on fighting sex abuse

Both in the Catholic Church as well as in individual lives, sometimes the area where one becomes truly great is the same place where once you failed badly and got burned.
Theologically speaking, grace redeems what was once the place of darkness. Conversion isn’t just about overcoming vices, but making space for God’s grace to turn them into virtues.

 http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/05/23/legionaries-could-be-role-models-on-fighting-sex-abuse/

Bill introduced would allow molested kids to sue perpetrators anytime

Legislation introduced Monday morning would lift any time limit on filing lawsuits against alleged child molesters, a move that could cast Guam into a decades-old debate in the nation about the constitutionality of applying new laws to past crimes.
Sen. Frank F. Blas Jr.’s Bill 326 states: “victims of child sexual abuse that occurred on Guam who have been barred from filing suit against their abusers by virtue of the expiration of the civil statute of limitations shall be permitted to file those claims in the Guam Superior Court.”

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/05/23/bill-would-allow-molested-kids-to-sue-any-time/84762140/ 

Geelong Christian Brother jailed for 12 years for abusing orphans

A former Christian Brother who sexually abused six vulnerable boys at a Victorian orphanage has been jailed for more than 12 years.
William Stuart Houston, 77, abused the boys, aged 10 to 14, when he was their supervisor at Geelong's St Augustine's Orphanage in the 1960s.  Victorian County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd says the boys were powerless to stop Houston's offending and each was especially vulnerable.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/geelong-christian-brother-jailed-for-12-years-for-abusing-orphans-20160517-gowyxp.html 

lawmakers while lobbying for reform to crack down on predators

Top Democrats in Albany still won’t tell survivors where they can stand on the decade-old effort to reform the state’s statute of limitations law on child sex abuse claims.
A long day of lobbying legislators Monday did not yield any new hope for advocates as they left meeting after meeting with nothing more than rejections and earfuls of double-talk from politicians — some of whom remain noncommittal on the issue.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/n-y-lawmakers-offer-double-talk-ignorance-child-sex-victims-article-1.2639079 

Gelzinis: Where's the mercy for the church's supporters?

A disconsolate Veronica Tutunjian crystallized the grim mood in the foyer of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Church in Scituate yesterday afternoon.
“I thought this was supposed to be a year of mercy,” she said, joining five stalwart friends and parishioners who were part of an insurgent effort to hold on to the doomed church they love. “Where’s the mercy?”

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/peter_gelzinis/2016/05/gelzinis_wheres_the_mercy_for_the_churchs_supporters 

Shocked by girl’s slaying, pope decries pedophilia but rules out French cardinal’s ouster for keeping quiet

VATICAN, CITY/PARIS – Pope Francis called for “severe punishment” for pedophiles on Sunday after new details emerged in Italy of the 2014 death of a 6-year-old girl who is alleged to have been thrown from an eighth-story balcony by her abuser.
“This is a tragedy. We should not tolerate the abuse of minors,” Francis said, departing from prepared remarks at his weekly Sunday message and blessing to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/05/17/world/social-issues-world/shocked-girls-slaying-pope-decries-pedophilia-rules-french-cardinals-ouster-keeping-quiet/#.V0JP8r41eUm 

Priest pleads guilty to fondling 12-year-old

The Jones County priest accused of sexually abusing a child in 2015 pleaded guilty to fondling Monday as part of a plea deal.
The judge sentenced Jose Vazquez, 36, to 15 years in prison. When he is released, he will be deported back to Mexico. Vazquez was arrested by the Jones County Sheriff’s Department in September 2015 and was originally charged with two counts of sexual battery of a minor.

http://www.wdam.com/story/31987579/priest-pleads-guilty-for-fondling-12-year-old 

Apuron: 'I deny all allegations of sexual abuse'

Archbishop Anthony Apuron released a recorded video Tuesday evening in which he denied allegations that he sexually abused an altar boy about 40 years ago.
On Tuesday morning, Roy Taitague Quintanilla, 52, of Hawaii, gave a detailed account to the media, alleging that he was sexually abused by the archbishop when he was an altar boy and the archbishop was a priest.

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/05/17/apuron-deny-all-allegations-sexual-abuse/84479808/ 

Sexual Abuse Questions Swirl Around Yeshiva Leader in Kiryas Joel

KIRYAS JOEL, N.Y. — In a place where young boys spend their days hunched over volumes of Torah and Talmud, delving into timeless stories and precepts in an ancient singsong, the scene was incongruous.

Dozens of agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and county law enforcement officers — more than 50 by the count of officials in this Hasidic village about 50 miles northwest of Manhattan — converged on a four-story brick yeshiva here on Thursday, some armed with guns, others carrying crowbars, as helicopters whirred overhead. According to parents of children at the school, the authorities took away boxes filled with computers, office files and security-camera videos.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/18/nyregion/sexual-abuse-questions-swirl-around-yeshiva-leader-in-kiryas-joel.html?emc=edit_tnt_20160517&nlid=63876270&tntemail0=y&_r=1 

Pope Francis gives backing to cardinal accused of covering up abuse

POPE Francis has voiced support for a French cardinal who has faced allegations of covering up cases of paedophile priests in his Lyon parish, saying he should not resign.
Francis said in an interview with French Catholic daily La Croix coming out on Tuesday that a resignation of Cardinal Philippe Barbarin "would be a mistake, an imprudence".

http://www.irishnews.com/news/worldnews/2016/05/17/news/pope-francis-gives-backing-to-cardinal-accused-of-covering-up-abuse--523184/ 

Pope Francis passes up meeting with Mexican victims of serial abuser Marcial Maciel

Maciel, who died in the US in 2008, is said to have exploited his power and position to prey on boys and young men for many decades, and is even thought to have abused two of his own children from relations with two women
Pope Francis begins a high-profile visit to Latin America this week in what should be a series of celebrations for the Argentinian pontiff. Attention instead looks set to be fixed again on arguably the single most shocking case of multiple child abuse, cover-ups and conspiracy in a series of worldwide clerical paedophilia cases.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catholic-church-child-abuse-pope-francis-passes-up-meeting-with-mexican-victims-of-serial-abuser-a6865866.html

Q&A: Breakaway Catholic churches not new, but frowned upon

BOSTON (AP) — Parishioners who have maintained a constant vigil inside a Roman Catholic church for nearly 12 years in defiance of the Boston archdiocese's order to close it are vowing to create an independent church outside the Vatican's control. The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to hear a last-ditch appeal from the St. Frances X. Cabrini parishioners. Creating an independent church raises questions.  
A spokesman for Friends of St. Frances Cabrini, speaks with parishioners at St. Frances X. Cabrini church, in Scituate, Mass. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear their last-ditch appeal, parishioners who have occupied the Roman Catholic church for 11 years in defiance of the Boston archdiocese's order to close it are vowing to create an independent church outside the Vatican's control

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/state/breakaway-catholic-church-planned-by-closed-parish-not-rare/article_52fdcc07-9c45-5097-8cab-4fab6ccd0d47.html 

Suit accuses ex-Haverhill priest of sex abuse

HAVERHILL — A civil lawsuit has been filed against the Rev. Arnold Kelley, a former priest at All Saints Parish, alleging he sexually abused a boy for several years in the 1970s while Kelley served at a Boston area church.
Kelley is accused of abusing the boy from 1973 to 1976 when he was a priest at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Jamaica Plain, according to a release issued Tuesday by Robert Hoatson of Road to Recovery, a non-profit charity that assists sexual abuse victims.

http://www.eagletribune.com/news/haverhill/suit-accuses-ex-haverhill-priest-of-sex-abuse/article_828c4ba9-a23b-5c5e-87c6-20ba826b79f6.html 

Eva Bradley: Lollies' demise PC gone nuts

The role of the Fourth Estate to expose scandal and get to the heart of social injustice in all its forms is hugely important.
Watergate, the Vietnam War and sexual abuse within the Catholic Church are just three topics that immediately come to mind when I look back on the role of journalism in recent history.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11640633

Bridging the gap between logic and emotion on sex abuse lawsuits

There are plenty of tough jobs in the Catholic Church, but whenever the issue flares up, Dennis Poust of the New York State Catholic Conference faces an especially daunting challenge – trying to bridge the gap between logic and emotion when it comes to suing over clerical sexual abuse.
Rationally speaking, it’s easy enough to make the case that allowing people to sue for alleged crimes from, say, fifty or sixty years ago, when by now the alleged perpetrator is dead, the supervisors are all dead, and there are no witnesses or any other evidence, simply violates common sense.

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/05/18/bridging-the-gap-between-logic-and-emotion-on-sex-abuse-lawsuits/ 

Owensboro Pastor Suspended Due to Allegations

On May 3, an allegation was made that an Owensboro pastor had engaged in inappropriate conduct with a minor.
The Diocese of Owensboro says they immediately reported the allegation against Father Gerald Baker to the Kentucky child abuse hotline. The diocese says a 13 member review board suspended Father Baker from public ministry until the matter is resolved.

http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/owensboro-pastor-suspended-due-to-allegations 

Breaking The Cycle Of Sexual Abuse Of Students By Prep School Teachers

When it comes to sexual assault of students, some say private secondary schools are still being a little too private about how they handle misconduct.
A recent Boston Globe investigation found hundreds of students were allegedly abused by teachers and staff at scores of New England prep schools since the 1950s. Many of the perpetrators were quietly let go, and then moved on to re-offend at other schools.

http://www.npr.org/2016/05/18/478521208/breaking-the-cycle-of-sexual-abuse-of-students-by-prep-school-teachers 

I believe in a merciful God’: Retired priest admits to sexually abusing young parishioners at Ottawa church

The Archdiocese of Ottawa will not say how many victims of clergy sex abuse it has recognized or how much it has paid them. But, as Andrew Duffy reports in this series, documents filed in a recent lawsuit begin to answer those questions, while also revealing details of never-before-known cases — such as that of Rev. Barry McGrory. 

A retired Catholic priest admitted, in an interview with the Ottawa Citizen, that he sexually abused three young parishioners at Ottawa’s Holy Cross Parish in the 1970s and ’80s.

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/i-believe-in-a-merciful-god-retired-priest-admits-to-sexually-abusing-young-parishioners-at-ottawa-church 

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?
The global Catholic Church is confronting an extraordinary crisisnot faced since the Reformation, which began with sharp criticisms of the Church and ended with a schism out of which emerged the establishment of a separate Protestant Church.

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

Supporters, critics begin the battle over Pa. sex abuse bill

HARRISBURG - Rep. Mark Rozzi turned to Phil Saviano, sitting next to him inside the Capitol. Like Rozzi, Saviano was raped by a priest decades ago, and has worked to expose such abuse.
But the Boston-area man's efforts had huge impact: They helped spark the global clergy-sex abuse scandal in 2002, and figured in this year's Oscar-winning film Spotlight.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20160519_Supporters__critics_begin_the_battle_over_Pa__sex_abuse_bill.html 

Colum Kenny: Reputation of the Garda at stake in O’Higgins report

Where is the missing computer seized in a sex abuse case in Cavan? Does it contain evidence of other sex abuse victims or perpetrators? Why was its loss by gardaí not fully investigated?

The report by Mr Justice Kevin O’Higgins into Garda conduct and into complaints by whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe answers many questions but invites, others such as those set out above.

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/colum-kenny-reputation-of-the-garda-at-stake-in-o-higgins-report-1.2652446 

Rodrigo Duterte cancels plans to apologize to Pope Francis in person

Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has backpedaled on a planned trip to the Vatican to apologize to Pope Francis, whom he called a “son of a whore.”
In his first press conference since winning the Philippines’ election last week, Duterte said the visit would be an “exercise in duplicity,” though an Agence France-Presse report from the conference failed to clarify exactly what he meant by this.

http://www.cathnewsusa.com/2016/05/rodrigo-duterte-cancels-plans-apologize-pope-francis-person/?newsletter=1 

Betrayed by the cops:

Betrayed by the cops: Hundreds of officers accused of sexual misconduct including one who forced a woman to give him oral sex during a routine stop have lost their badges.

Flashing lights pierced the black of night, and the big white letters made clear it was the police.  The woman pulled over was a daycare worker in her 50s, headed home after playing dominoes with friends. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3299081/How-hundreds-cops-accused-sexual-misconduct-lost-licenses.html

I speak out about my sexual abuse because others still suffer in silence

I don’t know when the abuse started, but I told my mother when I was 12. She told the police. I told a social worker. Then I told a nurse who examined me to see if I’d been physically scarred (I had). Then I told a courtroom via a video link. And after that I didn’t tell anyone for a while. I don’t remember speaking a lot during adolescence at all.
Maybe I did. But what I do remember was making the conscious decision to stop speaking about my abuse, and how it was making me feel, because everybody around me was very uncomfortable when I did talk about it, and speaking out had lost me an entire side of the family.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/25/sexual-abuse-silence 

Raped, bashed and dominated, incest victim says authorities knew but failed to act

A woman who bore four children to her father after he raped, bashed and dominated her over three decades told the sex abuse royal commission on Thursday that authorities had known of her horror, and failed to act, since she was 14.
The woman, who cannot be named because her two younger sons do not know the horrific truth, told the commission her father started raping her when she was 13 years old, threatening to kill her if she told anyone.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/royal-commission-child-abuse-raped-bashed-and-dominated-incest-victim-says-authorities-knew-but-failed-to-act-20150820-gj3ju6.html 

EXCLUSIVE: Victim raped by upstate priest wants N.Y. to fix sex abuse statute

Kevin Braney went through hell in the basement of a church rectory.
Braney says he was a devout 15-year-old altar boy when Msgr. Charles Eckermann first raped him in a rectory storage room at St. Ann’s Church in Manlius, a suburb of Syracuse. Braney says Eckermann assaulted him at least a dozen times in 1988 and 1989 on a mattress the priest had stashed in the storage room.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/victim-raped-priest-n-y-fix-sex-abuse-law-article-1.2592798 

New York lawmakers have few excuses with myths debunked about child sex abuse legal reform

ALBANY — State lawmakers may be running out of reasons not to help the victims of child sex abuse obtain justice in New York.
As the state Senate and Assembly weigh legislation to eliminate the criminal and civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases and give victims a one-year window to revive old cases, advocates contend the arguments put forward by the Catholic Conference and other critics just don’t measure up to reality.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/myths-debunked-n-y-state-child-sex-abuse-legal-reform-article-1.2639106 

Newcastle Anglican bishop dismayed at allegations of 'power paedophile rings' within the church

Newcastle Anglican Bishop Greg Thompson has expressed shock that allegations of abuse gripping his diocese have alleged links to high profile sectors within the Hunter community.

Yesterday the ABC revealed allegations gripping the diocese have potential links to politicians, doctors, members of the legal fraternity, schools, children's homes and community and business leaders.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-20/newcastle-anglican-bishop-dismayed-at-allegations-of-27power-p/6956926 

Anglican Bishop welcomes Royal Commission hearing in Newcastle

Newcastle's Anglican Bishop Greg Thompson says having the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse come to Newcastle will be important for the community.

The Royal Commission will hold a two-week public hearing into Newcastle's Anglican diocese starting on June 20. The ABC has previously reported that several alleged paedophile rings are being investigated by police and the Royal Commission.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-16/anglican-bishop-welcomes-royal-commission-hearing-in-newcastle/7250806 

Father James Williams, ex Chaminade prez, suspended from priest service

The Catholic order that runs Chaminade High School on Friday suspended its former president from serving as a priest after finding allegations that he sexually abused a former student were “credible.”

Current President Brother Thomas Cleary said Sunday that the prestigious Mineola parochial school did not learn about alleged abuse in 2011 by his predecessor, Father James Williams, until last February.

http://www.theislandnow.com/great_neck/news/father-james-williams-ex-chaminade-prez-suspended-from-priest-service/article_500bd4fe-1ba0-11e6-a04c-17d1a2ddab61.html 

Catholic bishop says Pell evidence completes 'disturbing picture' of church's handling of child abuse

The Catholic bishop of Maitland-Newcastle Bill Wright says Cardinal George Pell's evidence to the Royal Commission completes a 'disturbing picture' of how the church dealt with child sexual abuse.

Bishop Wright issued a statement in the wake of this week's evidence from Rome by Cardinal Pell to the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-03/catholic-bishop-says-pell-evidence-completes-27disturbing-pict/7216006 

Anglican church sets up Parish Recovery Team to support abuse survivors

Newcastle's Anglican church says it has developed a long-term framework to help survivors of child sexual abuse tell their stories and recover.

Decades of abuse within the church will be investigated at a two-week public hearing of the Royal Commission in Newcastle, starting in August.  The ABC has previously reported that several alleged paedophile rings are being investigated by police and the Royal Commission.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-17/anglican-church-sets-up-team-to-support-abuse-survivors/7420284 

Question and Answer: How Can You Overlook The Church’s Sex Scandal?

Question time.  I’m tackling a difficult subject today and I hope you stick with me through to the end to get my thoughts on the matter.
Question:  How you can overlook the long, long history of Church authority figures (sexually) abusing children?  How do Catholics move past this horrific thing?

http://passionatepurpose.org/question-and-answer/ 

Diocese to hold prayer service in Benscreek for sexual abuse victims

Monday marks the first of three prayer services that Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown leaders hope will provide some healing to victims of child sexual abuse.
Bishop Mark Bartchak plans to preside over the gatherings at St. Andrew in Benscreek on Monday, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona on Tuesday and Our Lady of Victory in State College on Thursday.

http://www.tribdem.com/news/diocese-to-hold-prayer-service-in-benscreek-for-sexual-abuse/article_506442ed-a551-5ae4-80c6-7db086b74548.html

Catholic order covered up for Irish priest who molested 100 girls

(RNS) A religious order covered up the sexual crimes of an Irish priest who abused more than 100 children, some as young as 6, according to a new report.

The failures of the Salvatorian order to act on the crimes of a priest named “Father A” were outlined in a report released Wednesday (May 4) by Ireland’s National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church.

http://religionnews.com/2016/05/05/catholic-order-covered-up-for-irish-priest-who-molested-more-than-100-girls/ 

With abuse bill looming, Chaput calls priest meeting

Archbishop Charles Chaput has called all Catholic priests from southeastern Pennsylvania to meetings Tuesday to discuss proposed state legislation - as lawmakers in Harrisburg this week consider a bill that for the first time would allow some victims of child sex abuse to sue their attackers and the institutions that employed them.

The priests have been asked to attend one of two meetings, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., at St. Helena Church in Blue Bell, Montgomery County, according to a source with knowledge of the event.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160517_With_abuse_bill_looming__Chaput_calls_priest_meeting.html 

Real progress achieved by Catholic Church on child protection

The publication of the final tranche of current reviews by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland has tended to be overshadowed by another appalling case of church cover-up and mishandling of clerical child sexual abuse.

In this instance it involved serial abuser Fr Paddy McDonagh and his Salvatorian congregation superiors. It should not be forgotten that this came to national attention because the board published its stark review of that case. 

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorial/real-progress-achieved-by-catholic-church-on-child-protection-1.2636815 

Newall: A long overdue quest for healing and justice

There is a bill before the state Senate that would do something real - something lasting - for survivors of sexual abuse. Something that would allow so many the opportunity for justice they have long been denied. Something that could help them heal - that could help them ease and carry their burdens.

Passed by the House on April 12, H.B. 1947 would eliminate the criminal statute of limitations for sexual abuse and extend the civil statutes by 20 years, until victims turn 50. It would allow victims to sue over abuse that occurred decades ago.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160511_A_long_overdue_quest_for_healing_and_justice.html 

Church braced for new child abuse complaints New Zealand

The Catholic Church has accepted five fresh claims of child abuse, including allegations against a former priest already convicted of violating children.
It comes amid warnings that a child abuse inquiry that began in Australia yesterday is likely to reveal further allegations of abuse involving New Zealand priests.  Bill Kilgallon, who heads the Catholic Church's national office handling complaints of abuse in New Zealand, said that since late June the church had accepted five additional claims of abuse as genuine.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9172348/Church-braced-for-new-child-abuse-complaints 

Child abuse survivors protest after the government fails to create a national compensation scheme that would allow victims to 'be heard'

Abuse survivors angry at the government's failure to implement a national independent redress scheme have protested outside the Liberal Party headquarters in Victoria.

Survivors protested outside the Victoria Liberal Party headquarters in Exhibition Street in Melbourne's city centre at 11am on Monday.  A national redress scheme would allow victims to 'be heard' and gain counselling, receive an apology from the responsible institution and a monetary payment determined by the severity of the abuse. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3592080/Abuse-survivors-CLAN-protest-against-Liberal-Party-Victoria-Malcolm-Turnbull-national-independent-redress-scheme.html 

Take this message to my brother...

"Test everything; retain what is good.” (1 Thes 5:21) A laywoman expresses concerns about issues in the Roman Catholic Church to foster positive dialogue by posing and exploring questions. Please remember that Canon Law says it is not only a right but a duty to question the church. 
Also, Canon Law provides an over-riding power to the sensus fidelium (sense of the faithful). By this, Canon Law says that if the sensus fidelium (collective of the faithful) reject a law, it is not valid.

http://questionsfromaewe.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/take-this-message-to-my-brother.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+QuestionsFromAEwe+%28Questions+from+a+Ewe%29 

Complaint of New Ulm Catholic Priest Involved in Sex Abuse of Minor

New Ulm - In a letter from the Diocese of New Ulm, dated May 12, the Office of the Bishop informed its parishioners that one of its late priests, Fr. Harry Majerus, a priest in New Ulm (among other places in Minnesota), is accused of abusing children sexually while pursuing duties as a church leader.
Majerus died in 1995, but served the Catholic Church for decades. He was ordained in September 1942, according to the letter, for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He served a variety of parishes there until 1957 and served other areas such as Redwood Falls, Burnsville and New Ulm to name a few. He retired from ministry in 1991.

http://www.mankatogazette.com/top-stories/new-ulm-catholic-church-sex-abuse-0516 

Vehemently Anti-Gay Pastor Arrested On 70 Counts Of Child Porn

On May 9, Pastor David Reynolds, formerly of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship Church in Sherwood, Arkansas, was arrested on 70 counts of child pornography.
According to the Sherwood Police Department, Reynolds’ arrest followed a lengthy investigation which began with a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in December.

http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/15/vehemently-anti-gay-pastor-arrested-on-70-counts-of-child/ 

Nats candidate says regions need more

A year ago Paul Tatchell declared the buck stopped with Cardinal George Pell when it came to Australia's Catholic Church taking responsibility for child sexual abuse by clergy.

Now Mr Tatchell has put himself forward as The Nationals' first candidate for the regional Victorian seat of Ballarat in three decades.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/a/31612120/nats-candidate-says-regions-need-more/ 

Still protecting its own

“In 1995, two individuals alleged sexual abuse by Father Robert Hopkins in the 1970s.” “In 1999, an individual alleged sexual abuse by Father Timothy Murphy in the late 1960s to early 1970s.” “In 2002, an individual alleged sexual abuse in the mid-1970s by Dennis Pecore, who was then a religious brother.”

ON AND ON it goes. These accounts, and several dozen others like them, now appear on the website of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, which recently published a list — or rather, republished one from 2002 with 14 additional names — of clergy alleged to have abused children. Similar lists have been published by other dioceses, which in recent years have taken steps to atone for years of sweeping such cases under the rug by adopting more forthcoming policies and providing counseling to victims of abusive priests.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/still-protecting-its-own/2016/05/15/dca095ec-194f-11e6-aa55-670cabef46e0_story.html 

Guam Catholic church in abuse row

Guam's Catholic church has challenged claims made by the vice speaker of the territory's legislature that an archbishop encouraged senators to shut down a measure intended to support sexual abuse victims.
Benjamin Cruz said he introduced a measure in 2011 that would have temporarily removed the statute of limitations to allow victims of historical sex abuse to file civil action lawsuits.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/303986/guam-catholic-church-in-abuse-row 

Seven jailed over Indonesia gang rape killing

Seven youths involved in the 'barbaric' gang rape and killing of a 14-year-old Indonesian school girl have each been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Describing the case as 'beyond humanity', police chief for Padang Ulak Tanding precinct Eka Candra said the teenagers, aged 16 to 17, were not acting like children anymore when they - and seven other men - launched the deadly attack on 14-year-old Yuyun in her village in Bengkulu, Sumatra, on April 2

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/world/asiapacific/2016/05/10/seven-jailed-over-indonesia-gang-rape-killing.html 

Catholic Church in Uruguay apologizes for 20-year-old sexual abuse cases

The Roman Catholic Church in Uruguay has issued a public apology on Thursday, April 14, for the sexual abuse committed by priests to three teenagers two decades ago.
The letter issued by the church, as quoted by Christian Today, reads: "We all know how, unfortunately, acts like these have been denounced for years in several countries, but they can never be justified within the church."

http://www.christiantimes.com/article/catholic-church-in-uruguay-apologizes-for-20-year-old-sexual-abuse-cases/54700.htm 

Spotlight: Fighting the darkness within the Catholic Church

Taking on the Catholic Church must have been pretty daunting for the Spotlight investigative team at the Boston Globe newspaper. The film of the same name, Spotlight, was one of the most challenging and brilliant films I have seen in a very long time. Gripping, enthralling and upsetting to think about the thousands of lives affected by the breaking of that most sacred of trusts between priests and vulnerable children.

Starring a plethora of fabulous character actors – Michael Keaton, Leiv Schrieber, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, and written and directed by Tom McCarthy, the film systematically takes us through the painstaking investigative process that a group of reporters undertook to shed light on the abuse of children by priests and members of the Catholic clergy throughout the Boston diocese between the 1960s and the early 2000s.

http://villainesse.com/culture/spotlight-fighting-darkness-within-catholic-church 

Roman Catholic Church Sex Abuse Survivors Slam Pope Francis For Inaction

David Clohessy was lured to a Missouri trip and abused by a Roman Catholic priest. It was only after decades that he became the director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP.

Last Friday morning, he got frustrated after reading Pope Francis' 264-page document---"Amoris Laetitia," or "The Joy of Love,"---asking church leaders to open their arms in welcome to gay, lesbian, divorced or remarried followers, but not mentioning clergy abuse survivors.

http://www.newseveryday.com/articles/36828/20160411/roman-catholic-church-sex-abuse-survivors-slam-pope-francis-inaction-survivors-network-of-those-abused-by-priests-pope-francis-snap-amoris-laetitia-the-joy-of-love.htm 

Catholic Church pledges to ‘shed light’ on French paedophilia cases

The Catholic Church in France on Tuesday pledged to shed light on all cases of paedophilia, including "historic cases", following a scandal over an archbishop accused of covering up a priest's crimes.

Bishops decided that special groups would be set up to listen to complaints from victims of sexual abuse and an "independent national commission" would be set up to investigate, led by a lay person.

http://www.france24.com/en/20160412-france-catholic-church-paedophilia-cases-investigation 

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him

In the past the Christian Church condoned all manner of evil done to children. It tried and executed them for witchcraft and for other offences. It saw nothing wrong in beating them frequently and severely for minor wrongdoing — even for other people's wrongdoing. It terrified them with stories of Hell. It allowed them to contract arranged marriages.
It failed to speak out against child labour because it saw nothing at all wrong in the practice. For many centuries the Church opposed the education of poor children, except in the few cases where boys could be drawn into its own service. Girls were denied education altogether. In punishing children for sins they had not committed, there seems to have been almost no concept of fairness or rights. Thus, the Church made much of the concept of bastardy:

http://www.badnewsaboutchristianity.com/gak_children.htm 

Catholic Church abuse complaints on the rise' New Zealand

New figures show an increasing number of sexual abuse complaints are being made to the Catholic Church in New Zealand.
In the four years to the end of last year, 58 complaints were laid, with 25 lodged in 2014 alone. The church only began keeping a centralised record of complaints in 2010. Of those made since then, 26 have been proven and 24 are still under investigation.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/279679/catholic-church-abuse-complaints-on-the-rise 

New call for NZ church abuse inquiry

Survivors and supporters of church sex abuse victims are renewing calls for a Royal Commission into sex abuse throughout New Zealand.

They say Australia is facing up to its past by having an inquiry, and New Zealand should too.  John* still has the scars on his hands where he was hit with a cane by Catholic school teachers.

http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/new-call-for-nz-church-abuse-inquiry-2016030913#axzz48lNTVySD 

What Pope Benedict Knew About Abuse in the Catholic Church

The election of Pope Francis, in 2013, had the effect, among other things, of displacing the painful story of priestly sexual abuse that had dominated public awareness of the Church during much of the eight-year papacy of his predecessor. 

The sense that the Church, both during the last years of Benedict and under Francis, had begun to deal more forcefully with the issue created a desire in many, inside and outside the Church, to move on. But recent events suggest that we take another careful look at this chapter of Church history before turning the page.

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/what-pope-benedict-knew-about-abuse-in-the-catholic-church 

James Williams, ex-Chaminade president, investigated for sex abuse

The Marianist order has suspended a former longtime president of Chaminade High School from functioning as a priest after allegations of sexual abuse involving a former student were found to be “credible,” the order said.
The Rev. James Williams, who resigned in 2011 after 12 years as president of the prestigious all-boys Catholic institution in Mineola, has “completely denied” the allegations,...

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/former-chaminade-president-investigated-for-sexual-abuse-of-minor-1.11799041 

Fr Brian D'Arcy 'fell in love with a woman but I didn't break his vows'

Controversial Enniskillen cleric Fr Brian D'Arcy reveals all in candid television interview.  One of Northern Ireland's best-known clerics has revealed how he fell in love with a woman and questioned whether he should leave the priesthood.
Speaking to journalist Eamonn Mallie in an interview for Irish TV, Fr Brian D'Arcy said: "I did fall in love with a woman but I didn't break any of my vows. It did come down to a should you or should you not leave the priesthood."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/fr-brian-darcy-fell-in-love-with-a-woman-but-i-didnt-break-his-vows-34697261.html 

Predator priests and pay outs - why the church investigates its own; New Zealand

Every surface in Sonja Cooper's Wellington office is swamped with boxes full of secrets.
Each wall  is lined with folders, and her shelves are stacked with cartons full of the worst memories of more than 700 New Zealanders' lives. But the human rights lawyer cannot talk about what's in the boxes.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/79684909/predator-priests-and-pay-outs--why-the-church-investigates-its-own 

‘Inquiries’ into sex-abuse allegations going beyond Altoona-Johnstown diocese

HARRISBURG — State investigators are conducting “inquiries” into child-abuse allegations in Roman Catholic dioceses beyond Altoona-Johnstown, which was the subject of a hard-hitting grand jury report in March, Bruce Castor, solicitor general in the attorney general’s office, said Friday.
The grand jury report said nearly 50 priests molested hundreds of children over several decades in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese. Castor’s statement in an interview with the Tribune-Review is the first public acknowledgement by Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s office that other allegations are getting a serious review.

http://blog.gaycatholicpriests.org/2016/05/inquiries-into-sex-abuse-allegations-going-beyond-altoona-johnstown-diocese/ 

N.Y. bizman wants to spend $100G against senators to help child sex-abuse victims: 'kids are still getting abused every day

ALBANY — An upstate investor who was molested as a child in the 1960s says he’s prepared to spend $100,000 or more against incumbent state senators from both parties who refuse to support legislation to help child sexual assault victims.
Gary Greenberg, who lives in New Baltimore, Greene County, and is a minority owner of the casino, hotel and racetrack Vernon Downs, told the Daily News he can’t understand why the Legislature won’t act to give adults who were victimized as children more time to bring criminal and civil cases against their abusers.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/n-y-bizman-spend-100g-child-sex-abuse-victims-article-1.2637180 

Fmr. Pres. of Chaminade H.S. Father James Williams suspended after "credible" allegations he sexually abused a minor

A president of a well-known and prestigious Catholic high school in Long Island, New York, has been suspended from practicing as a priest since an investigation has found that allegations of sexual abuse brought against him are, in fact, “credible.”

Father James Williams was the president of Chaminade High School in Mineola. The Marianist order, known as the Society of Mary, conducted an investigation into the alleged abuse reportedly taking place in 2011 while Williams was still president of the high school. Accusations were made against the priest by a student who was 18 at the time.

http://www.inquisitr.com/3098151/sexual-abuse-scandal-father-james-williams-long-island/

Catholic Church ‘mucked up’ in sex abuse scandal, top cardinal tells victims

Senior Counsel Assisting Gail Furness stands in front of a screen displaying Australian Cardinal George Pell as he holds a Bible while appearing via video link from a hotel in Rome to testify at the Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse in Sydney on Monday.
Pell said on Sunday the Catholic Church had made 'enormous mistakes' as he became the highest-ranking Vatican official to testify on sexual abuse of children in the Church.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/02/29/world/social-issues-world/catholic-church-mucked-up-in-sex-abuse-scandal-top-cardinal-tells-victims/#.VzjvEr41eUk

President-elect to apologize to pope for calling him ‘son of a whore’

Throughout Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential campaign, it didn’t much seem like the renegade Davao City mayor cared if what he was saying was offensive or politically correct. He “joked” about not getting the chance to rape an Australian minister who was taken hostage, sexually assaulted and killed in his country in 1989. He also said he’ll execute 100,000 criminals.
And, while Pope Francis was visiting Manila last January, causing massive traffic jams in the capital, Duterte said he felt like calling up the spiritual leader of most of his country’s population and telling him: “Pope, son of a whore, go home! Don’t visit anymore.”

http://www.cruxnow.com/ap/2016/05/13/president-elect-to-apologize-to-pope-for-calling-him-son-of-a-whore/ 

Catholic Priests and Nuns Unite to Fight Church's Abuse Problem Breaking News

A group of priests and nuns calling themselves Catholic Whistleblowers are pressing Pope Francis and the American bishops to take on those in the church who are still protecting sexual predators.
The group formed quietly about nine months ago and plans to go public with their campaign this week. Of the 12 members in the steering group, some have exposed abusers before, three are canon lawyers who have represented the church in abuse cases in the past, and four say they were sexually abused as children, The New York Times reports.

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/catholic-priests-nuns-whistleblowers/2013/05/21/id/505561/ 

Accused potty-mouthed priest and Catholic school principal denies launching into sexist, racist, homophobic rants alleged in suit

It's all bull&*%# said by this guy... but most people beg to differ... this alone tells me what short of a man... this guy is... he is rude and abominable...unpleasant... unkind... nasty... unfriendly... aggressive hostiles behavior... and has no respect for any human-being.. he should be defrocked... Ann

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

An allegedly potty-mouthed priest accused of belittling his staffers at a Staten Island Catholic school with racist, sexist, homophobic rants says the claims are "absurd"  but a prominent alum says he's the one who's full of it.
In a blistering Instagram post, "SNL" star Pete Davidson said Rev. Michael Reilly is an "absolute monster" who's running St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School into the ground.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/staten-island-priest-denies-racist-sexist-speech-allegations-article-1.2633423 

Clock is ticking for clergy survivors of sex abuse to come forward

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) -- In 2013 Doe 19 came forward as a victim of sexual assault by Father James Vincent Fitzgerald when he served the church in Crookston.
About a week ago, his case was settled and he's getting the help he needs and Wednesday, documents from the Oblate priest's file were released and other alleged victims are urging victims to come forward before it's too late.

http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Clock-is-ticking-for-clergy-survivors-of-abuse-to-come-forward-379065641.html 

3 file sexual abuse lawsuits against Archdiocese of Santa Fe

SANTA FE, N.M. — Two unidentified men and a woman have filed lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Santa Fe alleging they were sexually abused as children by priests working in New Mexico parishes.
Three priests identified as alleged abusers include Jason Sigler, who served nine years in a Michigan prison after pleading guilty in 2003 to molesting two boys.

http://www.abqjournal.com/772549/3-file-sexual-abuse-suits-against-church.html 

In Aftermath Of Hastert Case, States Push To Change Reporting Of Child Sex Abuse

Illinois lawmakers may soon vote to eliminate the state's statute of limitations on child sex abuse crimes.
The move comes in response to the 15-month sentence given last month to former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Although Hastert admitted molesting teenage boys he coached decades ago, he could only be sentenced for a financial crime related to his efforts to pay one of his victims millions of dollars in hush money to cover up the crime.

http://www.npr.org/2016/05/12/477664609/in-aftermath-of-hastert-case-states-push-to-change-reporting-of-child-sex-abuse 

Hollywood vs. ‘New York Child Victims Act’

Child sex abuse, the patterns of their predators, and all that jazz has been quite a topic of discussion. The following child sex abuse statute of limitation bills are pending in the New York Legislature. The statute of limitations is how long a victim of child sex abuse has to come forward and sue their rapist and in civil cases, others who enabled the rape and subsequent cover-up.
A window means a “window” will open up for a year where survivors whose time to come forward has expired will have one year to come forward during the window and file a civil lawsuit. Like New York weather, the 2016 legislative season is heating up!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/courtney-m-soliday/hollywood-vs-new-york-chi_b_9919180.html

Time to act on abuse complaint time limits

We commend the Palaszczuk government for the steps it has taken to address the archaic time limits that currently prevent survivors of historic child abuse from accessing justice through the civil courts.
This week, it indicated for the very first time that it was open to changing the state time limitation laws for victims of child sexual abuse.

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/time-to-act-on-abuse-complaint-time-limits-20160512-gotexx.html 

No mass for Vic bishop who moved abusers

Ronald Mulkearns did not have a funeral befitting a retired Catholic bishop; nor will he even get the public prayers said for dead sinners.
The pain caused by pedophile priests under the 1971-1997 Ballarat bishop's watch is still so raw that the Catholic Church has cancelled a memorial mass planned for Monday.

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/05/12/10/42/memorial-for-catholic-bishop-cancelled 

Oregon priest pleads guilty of attempting to lure girl, 14

An Oregon priest faces as much as a year behind bars when he is sentenced this month for attempting to lure a 14-year-old girl into his car in Vancouver.
Michael T. Patrick, 59, the former pastor of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Scappoose, entered a guilty plea Friday in Clark County Superior Court, according to The Columbian. He was originally charged with luring in the 2014 incident.

http://www.oregonlive.com/clark-county/index.ssf/2016/05/oregon_priest_pleads_guilty_of.html 

NY priest threatened to send black student ‘back to the jungle’ and spewed hate towards women: suit

Father Michael Reilly’s mouth must not have been ordained by God because he unleashed a string of obscenities and inappropriate remarks at St. Joseph By The Sea High School, a recently filed lawsuit claims.
According to the New York Daily News, Reilly called women “b*tches” or “tw*ts,” gay people were called “f*gs,” some teachers were referred to as “d*ckheads,” and at one point he threatened to boot a black man “back to the jungle,” and kick a cancer patient “to the f*cking curb.”

https://www.rawstory.com/2016/05/ny-priest-threatened-to-send-black-student-back-to-the-jungle-and-spewed-hate-towards-women-suit/ 

Guam teacher campaigns against stature of limitations

A school teacher in Guam is campaigning for the removal of a statute of limitations for civil claims relating to child sexual abuse.

George Washington High School teacher Joe Santos has launched a petition called Silent No More which he plans to take to the Guam Legislature to compel it to lift the two year time limit on filing civil claims.  He told Jo O'Brien he was prompted to take action after students came forward about sexual abuse.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201800323/guam-teacher-campaigns-against-stature-of-limitations 

In Ireland, a 'Silenced' Priest Speaks

If you were to choose a venue for a public talk with Father Tony Flannery, a Redemptorist priest, the old, disused courthouse in the town of Dingle, County Kerry is as apt as any. Flannery sits at a table by the witness stand to speak about 100 years of the church in Ireland during the Feile no Bealthaine, an annual weekend festival held in the town. But he never gets around to that; the public are far too curious about Flannery and the public and personal trials he has faced since 2012.
It’s been four years since he was “silenced” by the Vatican, with his subsequent struggle detailed at length in newspapers, on radio shows and in his own tell-all book. By his own admission, some of his supporters feel the story has been exhausted. Even so, Flannery still manages to draw a crowd.

http://americamagazine.org/content/dispatches/ireland-silenced-priest-speaks 

Mentally ill man attempts suicide after clinic replaces his meds with Bible study

Alex Jacobsen, 26, was suffering from mental exhaustion and anxiety. He hadn’t slept for days despite being in a faith-based treatment program. He felt hopeless and when he spotted a box knife he grabbed it and held it against his neck pressing harder as it cut through his skin.
This all happened 10 days after he stopped taking his medication, which was when he entered himself into the faith-based program, the Des Moines Register reports. He said he trusted his recovery to them and to God and he almost died from it.

https://www.rawstory.com/2016/05/mentally-ill-man-attempts-suicide-after-clinic-replaces-his-meds-with-bible-study/ 

Catholic group hopes to find sex abuse victims

The Concerned Catholics of Guam (CCOG) hope to find victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy with their full-page ad in local print media. The ad has two phone numbers to contact the organization confidentially, but does not provide information on the kind of help the organization will provide.
When asked about the services they plan to have, CCOG supporter Tim Rohr said, “(The CCOG) will provide an attorney for protection (so the victims) can be able to go public with their stories without fear of their perpetrator. Most people don’t want to talk about (their experiences) because it was a powerful person that had hurt them.” Rohr said the CCOG has been in contact with Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. The SNAP organization helps heal those who have been sexually victimized by clergy.

http://www.postguam.com/news/local/catholic-group-hopes-to-find-sex-abuse-victims/article_8a12039a-1753-11e6-ac12-5721b97af66f.html 

Retired Catholic priest on Rochdale child sex assaults trial

A retired priest sexually abused nine young girls and a boy over the course of four decades, a court has heard.

Father Mortimer Stanley, 84, denies 19 counts of indecent assault said to have been committed between 1977 and 2002. He allegedly targeted the complainants, who were aged under 11, at St Vincent de Paul RC Church in Norden, Rochdale.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-36259996?post_id=10204672433356106_10206701100551518#_=_ 

Priest in Duluth Diocese trial faced decades of sexual misconduct allegations

Mike Finnegan describes the Rev. J. Vincent Fitzgerald as "one of the worst predators" he's seen in his career as an attorney and advocate for victims of child sexual abuse.

Fitzgerald had already been accused of sexual misconduct when he arrived in Northeastern Minnesota in the early 1960s, according to documents publicly released Wednesday. Allegations continued over the next 20-plus years, much of which time he spent working at parishes throughout the Diocese of Duluth. Fitzgerald died in 2009.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4030546-priest-duluth-diocese-trial-faced-decades-sexual-misconduct-allegations 

Court papers outline decades of unreported priest sex abuse

Court documents obtained by WDAZ reveal shocking allegations against a priest who served in Minnesota.

The priest died in 2009, but his time serving the Catholic Church is still costing diocese across the state. The Crookston Diocese has reached a settlement with Doe 19, who claims he was sexually abused by Father Vincent Fitzgerald.

http://www.wdaz.com/news/minnesota/4030594-court-papers-outline-decades-unreported-priest-sex-abuse 

No mass for Vic bishop who moved abusers

Ronald Mulkearns did not have a funeral befitting a retired Catholic bishop; nor will he even get the public prayers said for dead sinners.

The pain caused by pedophile priests under the 1971-1997 Ballarat bishop's watch is still so raw that the Catholic Church has cancelled a memorial mass planned for Monday.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/a/31580758/memorial-for-catholic-bishop-cancelled/ 

Francis to create commission to study female deacons in Catholic church

Vatican City Pope Francis has announced he will create a commission to study the possibility of allowing women to serve as deacons in the Catholic church, signaling an historic openness to the possibility of ending the global institution's practice of an all-male clergy.
The pontiff indicated he would create such a commission during a meeting at the Vatican Thursday with some 900 leaders of the world’s congregations of Catholic women religious, who asked him during a question-and-answer session why the church excludes women from serving as deacons.

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-create-commission-study-female-deacons-catholic-church 

Pete Davidson on vulgar SI priest: He’s ‘an epic piece of s–t’

“Saturday Night Live” funny­man Pete Davidson launched an online rant Wednesday against a priest being sued for using profanity at a Staten Island parochial school — including calling women “tw-ts.”
“I went to this high school and I’m glad something is ­finally being done about ­Father [Michael] Reilly,” ­Davidson wrote on Instagram about the man of the cloth, the principal at St. Joseph by the Sea HS.

http://nypost.com/2016/05/12/pete-davidson-on-vulgar-si-priest-hes-an-epic-piece-of-s-t/ 

Culture minister indicates she won’t strip priest of torch lighting honor

Miri Regev, whose Culture Ministry determines who will light Independence Day torches at the main state ceremony Wednesday night, says she won’t rush to judgment against Father Gabriel Naddaf.

Her statement appears to indicate she won’t ask Naddaf, accused of sexual harassment, to step down from his role as torch lighter, seen as a major honor.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/culture-minister-indicates-she-wont-strip-priest-of-torchlighting-honor/ 

List of Accused Priests and Religious Brothers

In September of 2002, the Archdiocese of Baltimore published a list of priests and religious brothers who had served in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and who had been accused, in their lifetime, of child sexual abuse. The 57 men on that disclosure are listed below.
As was noted at the time by Cardinal William H. Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, the disclosure did not include priests and brothers who were accused after their deaths, nor did it include a few instances where an investigation concluded that the facts did not indicate sexual abuse had occurred. For greater context, the information accompanying the 2002 disclosures can be found by hovering over the names listed below.

http://www.archbalt.org/about-us/child-youth-protection/resources/disclosure.cfm

High-profile priest abuse survivor also an abuser

A high-profile victim of a notorious pedophile priest who travelled to Rome to see Cardinal George Pell testify before the royal commission has been accused of not being open about his own past as an abuser.
As a child, David Ridsdale was abused by his uncle, Catholic priest Gerard Ridsdale, for four years. Almost 15 years later, in 1995, David pleaded guilty to two counts of indecently assaulting a young victim only years after he suffered abuse himself, the ABC's 7.30 reports.

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/05/10/20/44/high-profile-abuse-survivor-also-an-abuser 

Abuse scandal rocks Peru’s upper-class Catholic sodality

LIMA, PERU – One way of looking at the Francis pontificate is that he’s universalizing what the Latin American Church agreed to at its famous continent-wide gathering in 2007, held at the Marian shrine of Aparecida in Brazil.
The signature tunes of the Latin American Church to come out of that meeting – missionary discipleship, pastoral conversion, an option for the poor– make up the music these days coming out of Rome.

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/04/17/abuse-scandal-rocks-perus-upper-class-catholic-sodality/ 

Uruguay Catholic Church apologizes for sex abuse by priests

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — The Roman Catholic Church in Uruguay apologized Thursday for sexual abuses committed by priests 20 years ago that went unpunished because the statute of limitations expired.
Uruguay’s bishops’ conference said in a letter on its website that it feels “pain and shame” about the “abhorent acts committed by people who had promised to serve God and neighbor.”

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/04/15/uruguay-catholic-church-apologizes-for-sex-abuse-by-priests-2/ 

Bishop apologises for alleged child abuse by former parish priest

BISHOP FRANCIS DUFFY has told communities in the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois he is “shamed” by the alleged child abuse of their former parish priest, Fr Brendan Hynds, and apologised for it.
Duffy acknowledged recent testimony he had received about the conduct of Hynds, who was parish priest in Cloghan, Co Offaly and before that, Ballymahon, Co Longford. He died in 1993.

http://www.thejournal.ie/bishop-francis-duffy-brendan-hynds-child-abuse-priest-offaly-longford-apology-2493514-Dec2015/ 

"Why Adult Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse Are Not To Blame"

If your pastor sexually abused you after you had become an adult you may ask, “How can it be that I’m not partly to blame? I was an adult after all. Didn’t I keep it a secret?” Maybe you were married and you lament, “I broke my marriage vows.” The evidence seems conclusive:
The pastor can’t be the only one who did wrong. But that conclusion ignores the circumstances. Just as a driver is not prosecuted for running a red light to get his pregnant wife to the hospital, your behavior must be considered against the background of how you were being abused. There are at least six reasons why you are not to blame for what happened to you. 

http://www.sitemason.com/files/bhakfK/blamearticle.pdf