Archbishop Herft denies protecting defrocked priest at child sexual abuse royal commission

One of Australia's most senior Anglicans, the Archbishop of Perth, Roger Herft, has denied protecting a former priest accused of child sexual abuse.

Archbishop Herft is being questioned about his time as Bishop of Newcastle between 1993 and 2005 at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-29/royal-commission-anglican-church-archbishop-herft/7789290?section=wa 

Perth Archbishop gives second day of evidence in Royal Commission

PERTH Archbishop Roger Herft has repeatedly told the Royal Commission he is unable to recall anything about a range of child sexual abuse allegations that documents show were raised with him during his 12 years as bishop of Newcastle from 1993 to 2005.
I can’t answer that, I can’t answer that question because I have no recollection of it happening.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4128304/bishop-loses-his-recall/ 

Group: Yona seminary is a 'sham'

A group that has repeatedly called for the removal of Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron said on Monday, Aug. 29 that a seminary in Yona is a “sham” and should be shut down, but the seminary's rector said it will start a brand new academic year on Sept. 5 with 38 students enrolled.
Andrew J. Camacho, vice president of the Concerned Catholics of Guam, cited alleged problems and deficiencies of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, which he said include a lack of strict admission requirements, poor quality and quantity of permanent and visiting faculty, and a sole focus on the Neocatechumenal Way. There is an ongoing rift in the local Catholic church between traditional Catholics and those who follow the Neocatechumenal Way, including Apuron.

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/08/29/group-yona-seminary-sham/89527908/ 

Priest arrested for raping 4-yr old girl

Cuttack: Cuttack police today arrested Ratikant Das, a priest of a temple at Andoti village under Sadar police limits, from Bhingarpur after a complaint was lodged against him alleging that he had raped a four-year-old girl of the village on Sunday.
Informing news men about the manhunt here, Sanjeev Arora, Cuttack DCP, said, “A case has been registered under Sec 376 of the IPC and the relevant section of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at the Sadar police station and the victim has undergone preliminary medical examination.”

http://odishatv.in/odisha/body-slider/shame-4-yr-old-raped-by-temple-priest-163240/ 

Maverick cleric Buckley willl 'keep highlighting Maynooth sex scandal' despite blog ban

Controversial cleric Bishop Pat Buckley has accused the Catholic Church of attempting to censor him after a blog, in which he revealed a gay sex scandal in Maynooth training college, was deleted by Google.
For six weeks the Larne-based bishop has disclosed details of a gay sub-culture in Maynooth with some students having profiles on the gay dating app Grindr, and using the site to solicit sex with priests and laymen.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/maverick-cleric-buckley-willl-keep-highlighting-maynooth-sex-scandal-despite-blog-ban-35002548.html 

Moorhead native's abuse by pastor inspires fictional play

MINNEAPOLIS—James Hanson, an actor and religion professor at St. Olaf College in Northfield, was doing a solo show about the apostle Paul a couple of years ago when he shared a secret with John Woehrle.

Hanson told Woehrle that he had been molested as a teenager by a Lutheran pastor in Moorhead, where he grew up. The cleric, David L. Anderson of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, was a family friend.

http://www.inforum.com/news/4102473-moorhead-natives-abuse-pastor-inspires-fictional-play 

Priest defends seminary, dismisses CCOG's claims as myths

It's not just the ownership of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary that's under fire, but the institution itself. On Monday, the Concerned Catholics of Guam called the seminary a "sham", alleging the priests in training had no background checks, no psychological screenings, and no records to prove they were high school graduates. The CCOG also alleged the faculty were few and unqualified.
Today, we heard from the rector of the seminary himself, Father Pius Sammut, and he's out to debunk what he's calling "misgivings" from the CCOG.

http://www.kuam.com/story/32875415/priest-defends-seminary-dismisses-ccogs-claims-as-myths 

Former Church Intern Accused of Sexual Assault No-Show for Trial

An Abilene man who is accused of sexually assaulting a child while serving as an intern at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church more than two decades ago did not show up for his trial Monday.
Jeffrey Forest, 44, is charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child and was scheduled to face a jury Monday in the 350th District Court in Abilene. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

http://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/news/breaking-news/former-church-intern-accused-of-sexual-assault-no-show-for-trial 

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in the Newcastle Anglican diocese day 11

3.49pm Justice Peter McClellan has just told the royal commission that a group of Newcastle Anglican parishioners, including Caddies, wrote to the Royal Commission on April 13, 2016, complaining about Newcastle Bishop Greg Thompson giving evidence at the royal commission.
The letter includes: “Our concern relates to the behaviour of, and statements made by, the current bishop...”
Naomi Sharp: “Firstly, you say that you are gravely concerned that Bishop Thompson apparently took no action in relation to his own abuse?”
Caddies: “Yes.”

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4128862/day-11-of-the-newcastle-child-sexual-abuse-royal-commission/ 

Archbishop Roger Herft tells child abuse royal commission he 'let down' victims

One of Australia's most senior Anglicans, the Archbishop of Perth, Roger Herft, has told a royal commission he "let down" survivors of child sexual abuse.

Archbishop Herft has wrapped up his evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse after three days in the witness box.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-30/royal-commission-hearing-roger-herft-evidence/7797480 

Abbey, Backous seek protective order

Attorneys representing St. John’s Abbey and the Rev. Timothy Backous are asking a Stearns County judge to block the release of hundreds of pages of Abbey documents about Backous.
The Abbey is seeking the protective order after Jeff Anderson, the attorney representing two men who claim Backous abused them years ago, threatened to release the documents if the Abbey didn’t meet several of his conditions.

http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2016/08/24/abbey-backous-seek-protective-order/89270702/ 

Research released on long-term effects of disclosure

A new research report conducted for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has examined the long-term effects of disclosures of institutional child sexual abuse on survivors and their families.
Read the full report - Family relationships and the disclosure of institutional child sexual abuse. The Royal Commission appointed the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to undertake research into the long-term effects of disclosures which included 50 in-depth interviews with survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and family members who received such disclosures.

http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2016-08/research-released-on-long-term-effects-of-disclosu 

'Maynooth seminary has to change, we are living in a different world'

HOW PRIESTS ARE trained has to change, according to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. The Archbishop told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that Irish society has changed and the Church has to move with the times.
The change that has been taking place in Irish culture and in Irish religious culture is radical change, and the response to radical change has to be more than just tweaking.

http://www.thejournal.ie/archbishop-diarmuid-martin-priests-2946904-Aug2016/ 

CURTAINS UP: Long Beach's International City Theatre Revives Doubt

Anyone who attended Catholic school prior to the 1970s likely knew a nun like Sister Aloysius. The Catholic school principal at the center of John Patrick Shanley's award-winning play "Doubt" is filled with devotion, piety and spiritual certitude. She is domineering and can be harsh with her fellow nuns and students, yet inspires many to greatness.

http://www.gazettes.com/entertainment/curtains-up-long-beach-s-international-city-theatre-revives-doubt/article_cdb41022-6a26-11e6-bf8a-a36c711267fb.html 

Bishop tended Catholic flock quietly for 23 years

The Most Reverend J. Terry Steib, S.V.D., the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, blesses a room filled with church members during a dedication on Monday morning as the Immaculate Conception Cathedral School and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception celebrate the campus' new Early Childhood Center. The $4 million, two-story structure is the first new building on the IC campus in 41 years and will officially open on August 10, the first day of school. "We are all one local church, one diocese," said Steib. "My thanks to you for making this possible."

http://www.commercialappeal.com/columnists/david-waters/bishop-tended-catholic-flock-quietly-for-23-years-3ad7a396-57b9-4b4f-e053-0100007f53b9-391493721.html 

AG's office: Kane's resignation will not impact Baker-McCort abuse case

The resignation of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane is not expected to impact the trial against three priests accused of failing to sufficiently protect children from Brother Stephen Baker, who was believed to be a child predator.
Revs. Giles A. Schinelli, Robert J. D’Aversa, and Anthony M. Criscitelli each face charges of conspiracy and endangering the welfare of children. Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dye, the lead prosecutor in the case, has argued the three defendants – in their roles as ministers provincial of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Immaculate Conception – gave Baker assignments that provided him access to children.

http://www.tribdem.com/news/local_news/ag-s-office-kane-s-resignation-will-not-impact-baker/article_71293b9a-6536-57bb-8405-3ab6ab770dbf.html 

Mauro Visigalli: Priests deserve basic justice, too

I am an Italian "avvocato rotale." I usually work in the Roman Curia of the Catholic Church where certain canonical crimes arrive for consideration from all over the world. For this reason, I often look at American newspapers online, sometimes printing out their pages for my folders.
I was doing that the other day, searching for news about a priest who entrusted his case to me, when I found in The Providence Journal an article about a different priest, unknown to me ("Priest prohibited from serving," news, July 1). His story made me want to share some thoughts, based on my professional experience.

http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20160826/mauro-visigalli-priests-deserve-basic-justice-too

BOAK’S RALLY FOR OMNIBUS CHILD VICTIMS ACT VALIANT, BUT INFLATED SEXUAL ABUSE STAT ALL WRONG

I was taken from my mother by St. Vincent De' Paul at two and half months old... who were working for the catholic church... they took my away from my mother... and they place me in an catholic orphanage... where I spent 25 years of abuse and rape... by the workers... the older girls... the nuns and a priest... yes nuns do and did rape us children boys and girls... in the catholic church orphanages worldwide... we suffer still from that abuse... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtxOePGgXPs you will see plenty more true stories... from survivors on YouTube... our names were taken from us... and we were given a number... some of us dressed in sacks with... New Zealand Sugar Refinery on them... I still remember every one of the nuns who abused me... and some who tried to help me... but the bad nuns would never give up... on thrashing us every night and day... for no reason at all... they did not need a reason to whip us children... we were the unwanted children of the catholic church... I tried to kill myself two time... once when I was 12years old... and the 2nd time... when I was 19years old... I tried to end the pain I was in...  Ann

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

A media advisory from a New York state senator, Alison Boak, presents a dubious statistic: that one in five children are sexually abused. Really? According to who?
If this is true, it means that 20% of the people walking the Earth have been sexually abused. It also, alternatively, means that approximately 20% of people alive have sexually abused a child (it’s only “approximately” here, to take into account those who are repeat offenders). This stat is terrifically hard to believe.

http://www.empirestatenews.net/2016/08/27/boaks-rally-for-omnibus-child-victims-act-valiant-but-inflated-sexual-abuse-stat-all-wrong/ 

Back-to-school legal troubles at 2 Catholic high schools | Quigley

This wasn't a good-news month at two Catholic high schools in Bergen County.
Without admitting wrongdoing, officials of Bergen Catholic High School agreed to pay $1.9 million to 21 former students who alleged sexual abuse decades ago.  And Paramus Catholic High School was knocked down in court on its plea to deny a hearing to a teacher who was fired because she is in a same-sex marriage.

http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/08/strange_goings-on_in_some_bergen_county_catholic_h.html 

Archbishop to continue sex abuse evidence

The Anglican Archbishop of Perth, Roger Herft, is expected to continue his evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Earlier this month, Herft admitted to major failings in handling sex abuse complaints while he was in charge of the Newcastle diocese between 1993 and 2005.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/nsw/a/32467523/archbishop-to-continue-sex-abuse-evidence/#page1 

Church of England told bishops not to apologize to sex abuse victims

The Church of England explicitly warned bishops not to apologize fully, if at all, to sex abuse victims to avoid being sued, it has been revealed.

Legal advice seen by the Telegraph marked “strictly confidential,” circulated among the most senior bishops, told them to “express regret” to sexual abuse victims by only using approved wording.

https://www.rt.com/uk/356749-church-sex-abuse-apologise/?utm_source=browser&utm_medium=aplication_chrome&utm_campaign=chrome 

Assignment Record– Rev. George J. Cooley

Summary of Case: George J. Cooley was ordained for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1976. While a seminarian he had been placed on leave of absence for fondling a fellow seminarian; a year later he was deemed a good candidate for priesthood by Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Pilarczyk. Cooley went on to to assist at Sacred Heart parish in Fairfield, then Guardian Angels in Cincinnati. He was also chaplain at a summer camp for children, Fort Scott. In 1978 a 10-year-old boy told camp authorites that Cooley had molested him the night before. There were no consequences for the priest. The following summer another boy alleged abuse. Archbishop Joseph Bernardin was informed; Cooley was sent to counseling.

http://www.bishopaccountability.org/Cooley_George_J.html 

JUDGE HAMMERS SNAP

Bill Donohue comments on a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Carol E. Jackson that dropped the hammer on the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP):

As I previously demonstrated, SNAP executive director David Clohessy is a professed liar who runs a phony “victims group” whose real goal is to attack the Catholic Church. But he is protected by the media because, for the most part, those who work in journalism are not exactly Catholic-friendly, and some are seriously anti-Catholic.

http://www.catholicleague.org/judge-hammers-snap/ 

Catholic Church Groups Fight Bills To Revive Old Sex Abuse Cases

It's important to say right upfront that this isn't a story about pedophile priests. Bridie Farrell is Roman Catholic, but she says it was an adult mentor for her sports team, not a priest, who sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager.
"It happened at his house, in his car, in his hotel room," Farrell says. Farrell did what a lot of kids do when they're molested: She kept silent. But 18 years later, when she was 31 years old, she went public with her story.

http://www.npr.org/2016/08/24/484995344/catholic-church-groups-fight-bills-to-revive-old-sex-abuse-cases 

Sex abuse lawsuit against priest and Peoria diocese revived on appeal

PEORIA — An appellate court panel this week found a Peoria County judge erred when she threw out a lawsuit by a man claiming he was sexually abused by a priest.
The panel of 3rd District Appellate Court judges held the man's lawsuit, which was filed in 2012, wasn't time-barred by state law even though the abuse happened in the early 1990s. Rather, Judge Mary K. O'Brien wrote, with Judges Robert Carter and Vicki Wright concurring, the lawsuit should be allowed to proceed as the man claimed in his suit that he blocked the abuse out of his memory until 2011. As such, the statute of limitations hadn't tolled.

http://www.lincolncourier.com/news/20160827/sex-abuse-lawsuit-against-priest-and-peoria-diocese-revived-on-appeal 

How much child sexual abuse has the Royal Commission uncovered?

HAVING covered the first nine days of Newcastle hearings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Newcastle Herald is about to re-enter the fray on Monday, for two days of Anglican hearings followed by eight days on the Maitland-Newcastle diocese of the Catholic Church.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4122593/the-big-picture-in-the-royal-commission/ 

Tom Clonan: The Catholic Church can either reform itself after the Maynooth mess - or risk looking like a Fr Ted episode

MY PARENTS DIDN’T like Father Ted. They didn’t get it. If my Mum and Dad were alive today they’d be in their 80s. They were a generation that grew up in an Ireland dominated by the Catholic Church. For my parents, Fr Ted was like a fly on the wall documentary about priests. They couldn’t laugh at it. They couldn’t enter into the comedic spirit of it. They simply couldn’t suspend disbelief in order to laugh at Fr Ted, Fr Jack and Fr Dougal.

http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/tom-clonan-fr-ted-st-patricks-maynooth-2950143-Aug2016/ 

Mary McAleese says Maynooth should be ‘gay-friendly’

Former president says church’s attitude to homosexuality is damaging to young gay men.

The current controversy about a gay culture at Maynooth is misplaced and the church authorities should be focusing on why so few young people are seeking to join the priesthood rather than seeking to make seminaries gay-unfriendly places, according to former president Mary McAleese.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/mary-mcaleese-says-maynooth-should-be-gay-friendly-1.2769827 

Anti-gay pastor who said LGBT community 'deserved' Orlando massacre arrested for molesting boy

A conservative Florida pastor who said that the victims of the Orlando massacre got “what they deserve” is being charged with child molestation.
Bishop Kenneth Adkins was arrested by Georgia authorities on Friday after allegations that he molested a boy under the age of 16.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/pastor-caused-outrage-orlando-arrested-molestation-article-1.2767578 

‘I’ve always obeyed the Pope’

In a statement released to the media on Aug. 25, Archbishop Anthony Apuron responded to claims that he opposed the Pope.
"I wish to declare that this is absolutely false and it is causing real, grave and immediate damage to the Church in Guam and to my good name," Apuron said in the release. Apuron said he had always followed the Pope and has every intention of doing so in the future.

http://www.postguam.com/news/local/i-ve-always-obeyed-the-pope/article_dbebb39e-6b6f-11e6-ab02-97d27052763e.html 

Former Ballarat priest found guilty of historic indecent assault charges

A former Ballarat priest has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a young girl in her own bed more than 40 years ago.
Leslie Sheahan, 85, who was an assistant priest of St Columba’s Church at the time of the offence, will return to the Ballarat Magistrates Court next month for sentencing over the historic indecent assault. The woman assaulted as a young girl by the former Ballarat priest while she slept told the court the traumatic experience still haunted her.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4115070/former-priest-found-guilty/ 

Federal judge sides with St. Louis priest in SNAP defamation case

ST. LOUIS • Exasperated by nearly two months of defiance of a court order to supply details about people making sexual abuse claims against a St. Louis priest, U.S. District Judge Carol E. Jackson dealt a heavy blow this week to the advocacy group SNAP and others.
In an order filed Monday in a suit by the Rev. Xiu Hui “Joseph” Jiang, Jackson says that SNAP’s refusal to comply has made it impossible for the priest to “litigate the claims against him.”

http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/snap-defamed-st-louis-priest-federal-judge-says/article_16b05d84-b93e-5e66-a3ce-677e0f5d0630.html 

Louisville archdiocese sued over 'erotic' photos

Parents of a young boy who claim their son was inappropriately photographed by a Roman Catholic priest, now a convicted sex offender, are suing the Archdiocese of Louisville for negligence.
The Rev. Stephen Pohl pleaded guilty in March to a federal charge of viewing child pornography, admitting to accessing more than 100 pornographic images of nude underage boys on computers at the St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church rectory and office.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2016/08/23/parents-sue-archdiocese-over-erotic-photos/89201854/ 

Assignment Record– Rev. G.R. Keith Albrecht

Summary of Case: G.R. Keith Albrecht was was ordained for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1977. Prior to that, in the early 1970s, he was a Franciscan friar preparing for solemn vows when the Order voted him out. As a Cincinnati archdiocesan priest, Albrecht assisted in parishes in Beavercreek, Xenia, and Coldwater OH, where he was named pastor in 1987. He also spent a year as a hospital chaplain in Dayton.

http://www.bishopaccountability.org/Albrecht_G_R_Keith.html 

Abuse victims say St. Paul Archdiocese can afford $80M in compensation

“This is a plan that would fairly compensate the more than 400 survivors who have been so egregiously harmed,” victims’ attorney Jeff Anderson, shown in July, said at a news conference Tuesday.
The committee representing clergy abuse victims in bankruptcy court has proposed its own financial reorganization plan for the Twin Cities archdiocese, including provisions to mortgage the St. Paul Cathedral and to halt support payments to abusive priests and give the money to abuse victims instead

http://www.startribune.com/abuse-victims-st-paul-archdiocese-can-contribute-more/391098481/ 

Assignment Record -– Rev. William J. Walsh, S.J.

Summary of Case: A Jesuit of the Maryland Province ordained in 1954, Walsh's assignments took him from the archdiocese of Baltimore to Pittsburgh PA, where he was the founding headmaster of a diocesan pre-seminary high school in the early 1960s. His assignments included several stints at Georgetown University in Washington DC, and at the Jesuit Novitiate in Allentown, PA. After five years as assistant for formation and studies at the Province's Curia in the 1980s, Walsh spent a year with the Jesuit community in Berkeley, CA, then several years as rector in two different Philadelphia Jesuit residences.

http://www.bishopaccountability.org/assign/Walsh_William_J_SJ_.htm

Hunter Catholic priest David O'Hearn sentenced to more than five years over child sex offences

A Catholic priest who sexually assaulted boys during wrestling bouts has been sentenced to a minimum of five years and four months in jail after being convicted of 44 child sex offences against six victims.

Priest David O'Hearn committed the assaults in the Hunter region while working as a trainee priest and priest in parishes including Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Windale in the 1980s and 90s. O'Hearn, who is already in jail, was sentenced to 18 years and three months for the offences to be served from the December 18, 2012.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-22/hunter-catholic-priest-david-ohearn-sentenced-over-child-sex/7771798 

Religious privilege undermines abuse victims’ access to justice

Richard Scorer, a specialist child abuse lawyer at Slater & Gordon draws attention to organisations seeking more lenient treatment over child abuse-connected matters because they are religious and makes the case for no concessions being given.

Which is more important: religious freedom, or safeguarding children from abuse? Should churches and religious organisations be exempt from secular standards of child protection? Two recent court cases involving the Jehovah's Witnesses raise this issue in its starkest form.

http://www.secularism.org.uk/blog/2016/08/religious-privilege-undermines-abuse-victims-access-to-justice 

Fugitive former abbot appears in court over abuse allegations

Fr Laurence Soper was arrested on Sunday after returning to the UK from Kosovo. A former abbot of Ealing Abbey accused of child sex abuse offences has appeared in court after returning to the UK from Kosovo following a five-year police search for him.

Fr Laurence Soper, 72, appeared at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on Monday. In court, he gave his name as Andrew Charles Kingston Soper. He is now due to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on September 19.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/08/22/fugitive-former-abbot-arrested-over-abuse-allegations/ 

NPR: Clinton Rape Claims Are Nasty 'Old News,' But Catholic Priest Abuse Charges Never Age

“It's important to say right up front that this isn't a story about pedophile priests,” began the NPR reporter on Wednesday night....in a story with the online headline “Catholic Church Groups Fight Bills To Revive Old Sex Abuse Cases.”
Legislators have tried to pass retroactive windows to allow a so-called “grace period” for old sexual-assault allegations. Brian Mann reported New York state Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Democrat, “wanted to open a one-year window -- a kind of grace period -- so that [alleged] victims who've waited too long can get a second chance to sue in civil court. New York's Catholic bishops hate this idea and spent more than $2 million lobbying to block the measure.”

http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tim-graham/2016/08/25/npr-clinton-rape-claims-are-nasty-old-news-catholic-priest-abuse 

Fugitive Catholic monk is flown back to Britain after a five-year manhunt and appears in court accused of abusing five boys as young as 14

A Catholic monk has been returned to Britain from Kosovo following a five-year police manhunt and appeared in court today accused of a string of historical sex offences.

Father Laurence Soper is accused of abusing five boys as young as 14 between 1972 to 1986. The nine charges include offences of buggery, gross indecency and indecent assault.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3752498/Fugitive-Catholic-monk-flown-Britain-five-year-manhunt-charged-abusing-five-boys-young-14.html 

Deborah Hill Cone: Child sex revulsion hurting prevention

This is not a topic which is easy to write about. But maybe someone has to. Deep breath. Last week there was outrage in a community in Hamilton after two men with convictions for sexual offending against children were found to have been living in a boarding house where children were also living.
And another family with two young girls were apparently told by the Department of Corrections to play on the other side of their house after a paedophile was moved in next door. This horrifies us. Most of the public discourse around sexual offending on young children is hysterical and terrified, with the impression of a lynch mob assembling in the background.

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11698410 

Italian prosecutors allege Monsignor Giuseppe Rocco was killed after he exposed a thieving priest

A MONSIGNOR. A murder. A missing treasure. It’s a mysterious crime that has gripped Italy. But now the story of April 25, 2014, is about to be told.

It was 7.30am. Housekeeper Eleanora Dibitonto knocked on the door to Monsignor Giuseppe Rocco’s small, Spartan room, in a manse in Trieste. It was her job to make sure the frail 92-year-old would wake in time for morning mass.

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/wtf/italian-prosecutors-allege-monsignor-giuseppe-rocco-was-killed-after-he-exposed-a-thieving-priest/news-story/bae1e3b8146d02260d3c5b2fd225111a 

Plea deal possible for Elgin Islamic leader accused of sexual abuse

A possible plea deal is under consideration for the founder of an Islamic school accused of sexual abusing a former student and a former employee.
Mohammed Abdullah Saleem, an imam who founded the Institute of Islamic Education in Elgin, is charged with molesting a female student dozens of times between 2001 and 2003, when she was a student at the school and he was principal.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-elgin-imam-sex-abuse-case-met-20160822-story.html 

Ex-priest Laurence Soper in court on child sex abuse charges

A former Roman Catholic priest accused of historical sex offences against five victims has appeared in court.

Laurence Soper, 72, appeared at Ealing Magistrates' Court accused of assaulting boys, one under 14, over a period from 1971 to 1983.  The nine charges include offences of buggery, gross indecency and indecent assault, and all allegedly took place in Ealing, west London.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37151086 

Chargesheet ready against defrocked priest for teen's rape and murder

PALAKKAD/COIMBATORE: AS the chargesheet is being readied against defrocked priest, H Arockiaraj, accused in the suspicious death of a teenage girl at the pastor's residence attached to the St. Stanislaus church in Walayar in 2013, the Coimbatore Bishop and three members of the clergy are likely to be made approvers.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/Chargesheet-ready-against-defrocked-priest-for-teens-rape-and-murder/2016/08/23/article3592282.ece 

Assignment Record– Rev. James P. Vallely

Summary of Case: Ordained in 1949, James P. Vallely started his priesthood in in the Archdiocese of Portland OR. In 1951 he transferred to the Diocese of Portland ME, where he was incardinated in 1952. He assisted in parishes in Waterville, Bangor and Portland, and was chaplain for a hospital and an orphanage. He served as temporary administrator of a Limestone parish before being named pastor in Machias and then South Berwick. He retired in 1988, spending winters in the Orlando FL diocese and assisting in area parishes.

http://www.bishopaccountability.org/Vallely_James_P.html 

Ultra-Orthodox rabbis ban women from going to university in case they get ‘dangerous’ secular knowledge

Exclusive: The decree seen by The Independent warns ‘We will be very strict about this. No girls attending our school are allowed to study and get a degree. It is dangerous. Girls who will not abide will be forced to leave our school’ Ultra-Orthodox Jewish rabbis have banned women from going to university, The Independent has learned.
The strict Satmar sect issued the decree, seen by The Independent, warning that university education for women is “dangerous”. Written in Yiddish, the decree warns: “It has lately become the new trend that girls and married women are pursuing degrees in special education. Some attend classes and others online. And so we’d like to let their parents know that it is against the Torah.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ultra-orthodox-rabbis-ban-women-from-going-to-university-in-case-they-get-dangerous-secular-a7204171.html

St Patrick’s seminary to review internet policies after dating app claims

St Patrick’s College in Maynooth is to review its procedures for dealing with whistleblowers following allegations about the use of dating apps by student priests. The seminary’s trustees said internet and social media policies will also be evaluated, citing concerns over anonymous accusations.
The announcement comes in the wake of claims in letters and online blogs about a "gay subculture" on campus. The college has previously denied that there is any "concrete or credible evidence" for the existence of such a culture.

http://www.newstalk.com/St-Patricks-seminary-to-review-internet-policies-after-dating-app-claims

Ex-priest's sex sentence halved in NSW

A 73-year-old former Sydney Catholic priest has had his six-month minimum jail term halved for sex offences against boys more than three decades ago.

Robert Flaherty, who was given between six and 12 months to live 11 months ago, was granted bail pending his appeal so he will now spend his first night behind bars.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/nsw/a/32429400/ex-priests-sex-sentence-halved/#page1 

Diocese of Antigonish selling more properties to pay off sex-abuse deal

Former church properties in Nova Scotia continue to be sold by the Roman Catholic Diocese in Antigonish as a way to pay for the 2009 sex-abuse settlement, with the buildings' fates ranging from new businesses to arson.
A $15-million settlement was reached in 2009 with victims of sexual abuse by priests dating back to 1950. The diocese is selling land and properties to cover that cost.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/catholic-sex-abuse-settlement-antigonish-1.3727150 

Two men charged with ‘indecent liberties’ with youths at Virginia churches

Two men who work with youths at churches in Virginia were arrested this week in separate incidents after they had inappropriate contact with juveniles, police said.
On May 29, Derrick Ryan Trump of Centreville was reported to have had inappropriate contact with a victim at the Greenwich Presbyterian Church in Nokesville sometime in May, Prince William County police said in a statement. An investigation found that Trump, the church’s youth director, had inappropriate contact on more than one occasion with a 16-year-old girl at the church and at his home in Fauquier County, the statement said.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/two-men-charged-with-indecent-liberties-with-youths-at-virginia-churches/2016/08/19/45a9fe4c-6654-11e6-96c0-37533479f3f5_story.html 

Seminarians studying in Guam withdrawn from Yona institution

Up to 10 people from Samoa and American Samoa studying to be future Catholic priests at a Yona seminary were withdrawn from the institution earlier this summer, according to local church officials.
Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, who currently oversees Guam’s Catholic Church, said these withdrawn seminarians all were from the Diocese of Samoa in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and the Archdiocese of Samoa in Apia, Samoa.

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/08/19/church-officials-seminarians-studying-guam-withdrawn-yona-institution/88817126/ 

Tech ban for New Square school kids, parents

Residents of this Rockland County Hasidic community must adhere to strict rules - such as widespread restrictions on Internet use, a ban on women driving, and strict dress codes - or risk retribution
NEW SQUARE - Each year, when registering their children for private school, parents in the all-Hasidic village of New Square must agree in writing to follow a detailed list of very specific rules — or risk the expulsion of their children from the only school in town.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/investigations/2015/11/05/new-square-rules/74471378/ 

Chicago Archdiocese bars priest Bruce Wellems 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 

IL--Admitted predator priest will not be put back to work in Chicago

Fr. Bruce Wellems admits having repeatedly sexually abused Eric Johnson when Wellems was 15 and Johnson was seven. The Chicago Archdiocese temporarily suspended Fr. Wellems but dragged their feet for months while pondering whether to let the priest work again in Chicago again.
When confronted about his abusive acts, Fr. Wellems attacked the messenger, saying reports of his abusive acts had “no factual basis.”

http://www.snapnetwork.org/il_admitted_predator_priest_will_not_be_put_back_to_work_in_chicago 

Priest John Walshe who defended George Pell accused of sexually abusing John Roach

A Catholic priest who gave evidence to the child abuse royal commission in defence of Cardinal George Pell was himself the subject of a historical sexual abuse claim, the ABC can reveal.
In 2012, the victim, John Roach, received an apology and $75,000 compensation after the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne accepted he had been sexually abused by Father John Walshe, a parish priest based at Mentone in Melbourne's south east.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-23/john-walshe-accused-of-sexual-abuse/7051050 

Police colluded with priests, says detective

A ''Catholic mafia'' within the ranks of Newcastle police colluded with church leaders to cover up sex abuse in the Maitland-Newcastle diocese, an inquiry into the abuse has been told.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox told the inquiry on Monday that while on leave his office had been raided, he and other police had been pulled off investigations into the alleged cover-up of child sex abuse and a colleague told him about a ''Catholic mafia'' within the ranks of Newcastle police.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/police-colluded-with-priests-says-detective-20130506-2j3me.html 

Priests concerned Bishop Buckley’s replacement will be an ‘outsider’

The Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) has hit out at the Vatican’s diplomatic representative in Ireland, Papal Nuncio Charles Browne. The association says that since Browne’s appointment, in 2011, he has been recommending bishops who are not from the dioceses they are charged with leading and who do not match the philosophies of Pope Francis.

http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/priests-concerned-bishop-buckleys-replacement-will-outsider/2512700/ 

Sandusky pastor accused of additional sex crimes involving children

SANDUSKY — An Erie County pastor is accused of having sexual contact with a young child over a period of four years -- and it's not the first time he has been charged with sex crimes involving children.
Pastor Richard C. Mick of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Sandusky has twice been charged with rape; court documents show he has faced other charges in addition to the newest charges which are outlined in a grand jury indictment that was returned on August 11th.

http://nbc24.com/news/local/sandusky-pastor-accused-of-additional-sex-crimes-involving-children 

Ongoing cases of adultery in the Methodist Church - Bhagwan

There are ongoing cases of adultery in the Methodist Church in Fiji.  This has been confirmed by the Secretary of Communications, Reverend James Bhagwan who says that he cannot reveal the exact number of cases.
Bhagwan says any case of adultery is discussed in the ministerial session of the standing committee of the church which investigates any allegations and once an investigation is completed they make a ruling on the particular case.

http://fijivillage.com/news/Ongoing-cases-of-adultery-in-the-Methodist-Church---Bhagwan--sr259k/ 

Actor playing Jesus in Ben-Hur ‘received blessing from the Pope’

The Catholic couple behind the film say they hope it delivers a 'message of reconciliation'

It’s been 57 years since the last film version of Ben-Hur hit movie theatres. That alone is, for most Hollywood types, reason enough for a remake.
But when the husband-and-wife team of Roma Downey and Mark Burnett saw the screenplay of the new version from John Ridley, he of Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave fame, “we loved the script,” said Downey, an executive producer of the new film, as is Ridley. “We loved the rephrasing of the story as one of forgiveness and reconciliation instead of the previous incarnations which were revenge-driven.”

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/08/18/actor-playing-jesus-in-ben-hur-received-blessing-from-the-pope/

Pope Francis to visit Assisi, again

Pope Francis walks off the Porziuncola tiny church inside St. Maria of Angels Basilica, in Assisi, Italy, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016. The pope traveled briefly to Assisi on Thursday to pray at tiny church within the basilica that is considered the cradle of the Franciscan order.

For the second month in a row, Pope Francis will visit Assisi, the Italian town famously associated with his namesake St. Francis. This time, the pontiff will take part in a gathering of leaders from different religious and cultural backgrounds organized by the Community of San't Egidio.

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2016/08/18/pope-francis-visit-assisi/ 

Church in Ireland must learn a few home truths

In his book The Runaway Church, Peter Hebblethwaite recalled a crucial intervention at the 1971 Synod of Bishops in Rome during a discussion on the ordination of married men to the priesthood. The synod had been summoned to examine the crisis in the priesthood.
That was 45 years ago — the crisis is much greater and more urgent and more far-flung today. Indeed, in a small but significant way, the controversy in which St Patrick’s College, Maynooth — the national seminary — is presently mired is both an offshoot of that crisis and also indicative of far deeper problems.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/church-in-ireland-must-learn-a-few-home-truths-416381.html 

Former Co-Worker of Priest Accused in Cold-Case Murder of Beauty Queen: 'No One Would Have Suspected John'

Although ex-priest John Feit is now in a Texas jail awaiting trial for murder in the 1960 death of beauty queen Irene Garza, a former boss is shocked by the allegations that Feit could harm anyone. Feit, now 83, left the priesthood in 1972 and later married and had children and grandchildren. From 1987 to 2004, he worked in the administration office of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix. Steve Zabilski, the organization's executive director, says Feit's main job was to recruit and train food pantry volunteers.

http://www.people.com/article/priest-beauty-queen-former-coworker-says-john-feit-good-man 

No bail for fugitive rabbi caught admitting to rape, plotting murde

The Jerusalem Magistrate Court on Thursday ordered that a recently repatriated fugitive rabbi, who was caught on video apparently admitting to raping a woman and plotting murder, will remain in police custody until the legal proceedings against him are over.
After spending three years on the run, Rabbi Eliezer Berland was extradited from South Africa to Israel where he was arrested last month and charged with several counts of sexual assault. 

http://www.timesofisrael.com/fugitive-rabbi-caught-admitting-to-rape-plotting-murder-denied-bail/

NSW brother denies sexual contact with boy

A Christian brother accused of sexually abusing a student decades ago has told a court he had no sexual contact with the boy "whatsoever".
Christopher Rafferty, 65, has pleaded not guilty in the District Court in Sydney to six sex offences from when the boy was aged 14 until he was 16. They allegedly occurred in the mid-1980s at a school in the NSW town of Goulburn.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/08/18/nsw-brother-denies-sexual-contact-boy 

Popular Chicago-Area Priest Removed For 'Inappropriate Relationship' Joins Ministry in Texas

The Rev. Marco Mercado was removed last October by the Chicago Archdiocese, saying he was involved in “an inappropriate relationship with an adult man” has moved to Texas and begun working in hospital ministry. Mercado tells the Telemundo affiliate in San Antonio that “I’ve been able to refocus in my vocation, in my ministry, my priesthood. That’s why I’m extremely grateful for all the people who’ve supported me, all the people who’ve prayed for me.”

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Popular--390635601.html 

Abuse Victims Protest Outside Savannah Diocese

Remembering the past and protecting children in the future was the focus of a protest in Savannah Thursday morning.
Members of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests stood in front of the Savannah Catholic Diocese, holding up pictures of abused children.

http://wsav.com/2016/08/10/abuse-victims-protest-outside-savannah-diocese/

Predatory priest Peter Hercock finally brought to justice

Former priest Peter Hercock - seen here at Wellington District Court - has been jailed for sexual abuse of four teenagers in the 1970s.

GRAPHIC WARNING: Some content in this story may upset some people
In the dimly-lit room of a Wainuiomata presbytery bedroom, priestly robes lay strewn across the floor. Background music plays softly on a record player, while on the bed a drunk teenager is about to be raped by her priest.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/79401700/Predatory-priest-Peter-Hercock-finally-brought-to-justice 

Good Riddance: Penn. Attorney General Steps Down

Finally, there is some justice in Pennsylvania. Its Attorney General Kathleen Kane has been found guilty on nine counts, including two felony perjury charges; she was also convicted of criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice. The six men and six women on the jury convicted her of leaking grand jury information, and then lying about it.
Amazingly, even after she was convicted, she remained the Attorney General of Pennsylvania, even though she was stripped of her law license. But today she stepped down, knowing she was toast.

http://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/bill-donohue/good-riddance-penn-attorney-general-steps-down 

RUMOUR CONFIRMED: Sly Of The Underworld says allegations against George Pell appear to be 'progressing'

RUMOUR CONFIRMED: A recommendation on whether Victoria Police should pursue child sex abuse allegations against Cardinal George Pell has been made and is now being assessed.
Alleged victims spoke publicly last month, claiming Cardinal Pell had touched them inappropriately at a Ballarat pool when he was a priest in the late 1970s.

http://www.3aw.com.au/news/sly-of-the-underworld-says-allegations-against-george-pell-appear-to-be-progressing-20160816-gqu8hc.html 

Former GOP chief in Georgia indicted on 13 counts of child molestation for 55 years of abuse

Former Republican Party chair for Cobb County, Joseph Russell Dendy, has been indicted by a grand jury on 13 counts of child molestation.
After being arrested in May for allegedly molesting two boys, ages 4 and 12, during multiple visits to his home, the grand jury handed down multiple categories of charges. The 71-year-old formally faces four counts of child molestation, four counts of first-degree cruelty to children, three counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes, and one count each of aggravated sexual battery and aggravated child molestation, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

 http://www.rawstory.com/2016/08/former-gop-chief-in-georgia-indicted-on-13-counts-of-child-molestation-for-55-years-of-abuse/

Bishop's decision 'offends' abuse victim

An Anglican bishop's decision to suspend rather than depose a priest accused of sexual misconduct was "offensive" to the victim, a church official has told a national inquiry.

Michael Elliott, director of the professional standards board for the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle said on Friday he saw Bishop Brian Farran's 2012 decision to ban priest Graeme Sturt for five years rather than follow a recommendation to defrock him as an "affront" to the church's efforts to protect children.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/32307860/herft-evidence-expected-at-abuse-hearing/#page1 

Fallout Continues After Dublin Archbishop's Maynooth Decision

In the tumultuous and often bewildering news cycle of 2016, the Archbishop of Dublin taking to the national airwaves to address “Grindr, which is a gay dating site,” still managed to jolt the listening public in Ireland.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was clarifying why he recently decided to withdraw three seminarians from St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, because of “strange goings-on.” Archbishop Martin told listeners that Ireland’s national seminary had a “gay culture” and that “people are sexually active in the seminary. People are on an app or website called Grindr.”

http://americamagazine.org/content/dispatches/fallout-continues-after-dublin-archbishops-maynooth-decision 

Lengthy jail term imposed on ‘wolf in shepherd’s clothing’

Temple, a former children’s home worker, was sentenced at Woolwich crown court after pleading guilty to 20 charges of sexual assault in April and a further seven charges this week.
Temple twice stood trial in the late 1990s. In the first case the jury was unable to reach a verdict and Temple was acquitted in a retrial.

http://freethinker.co.uk/2016/08/10/lengthy-jail-term-imposed-on-wolf-in-shepherds-clothing/ 

Accused Prep Teacher Responds to Sexual Assault Allegations

A Fordham Prep religion teacher, who will not return to the school after an allegation of sexual abuse against him was deemed credible, is responding to the allegations made by former student Michael Meenan.
Meenan, Fordham Prep ’84,  alleged that his former religion teacher Fernand Beck performed oral sex on him against his will when they both slept over at a party in Westchester County the summer after Meenan’s graduation. On August 5th, Fordham Preparatory School sent a letter to the Fordham Prep community explaining that the allegation against Beck has been deemed credible and that Beck would not be returning. 

https://fordhamram.com/2016/08/16/accused-prep-teacher-responds-to-sexual-assault-allegations/ 

Ex-Catholic priest admits seven charges of child sex abuse

A former children's home worker and Catholic priest has pleaded guilty to a string of historical child sex abuse charges.

Philip Temple, 66, admitted seven charges committed in the 1970s when he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court. He pleaded to 20 similar charges and two of perjury at Croydon Crown Court in April.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-37027260?post_id=10204672433356106_10207289306896309#_=_ 

Lawyer admits tearing up priest’s resignation letter

A SOLICITOR and former trustee of the Anglican DIocese of Newcastle has admitted tearing up the original 1990 resignation of paedophile priest Stephen Hatley Gray, which was then replaced with one dated the day before Gray was charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy.
Central Coast solicitor Keith Allen, who began giving evidence to the Royal Commission on Friday, was again subjected to an intense examination by the commission’s chairman, Peter McClellan, and counsel assisting, Naomi Sharp.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4081281/lawyer-admits-tearing-up-priests-resignation-letter/?cs=305 

VA--Church abuse panel walks away from investigation

Today, a church panel ended their involvement in an investigation into a former Mennonite university vice president accused of sexual abuse, stalking and making violent threats. We applaud their compassionate move. We hope that officials will still take the Panel’s original recommendation of GRACE as the chosen investigating group or go back to the drawing board and this time be genuinely inclusive.
In August of 2014, Lauren Shifflett reported the crimes she suffered by church member Luke Hartman, to Lindale Mennonite Church officials. Instead of reporting it, church officials and possibly other Mennonite agencies covered it up.

http://www.snapnetwork.org/va_church_abuse_panel_walks_away_from_investigation

Local TD welcomes news that abuse survivors case will be heard

Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe says he is glad to hear that Bethany Homes survivor Derek Leister’s case to the European Court of Human Rights has been accepted.
The Irish Government’s failure and refusal to include the Protestant Church run Bethany Children’s Homes in its redress scheme has led the chairman of the survivors group to take the case.

http://www.intallaght.ie/local-td-welcomes-news-that-abuse-survivors-case-will-be-heard-by-european-court-of-human-rights/ 

US pastor raped Malawian boys

An American pastor has told a court in his native country that he raped orphaned boys in Malawi and knew he would get away with it.
The shameless pervert, Gerald Campbell, 66, raped eight orphans, including one who infected with HIV, at the Victory Christian Children’s Home in Malawi between 1997 and 2009.

https://malawi24.com/2016/05/19/us-pastor-raped-malawian-boys/ 

Catholic priest John Casey found not guilty of 16 child abuse charges

Catholic priest and former police chaplain John Patrick Casey has been found not guilty of 16 charges relating to the sexual abuse of children in northern New South Wales in the mid 1980s.

A jury did not deliver a verdict on 11 other charges relating to the same offences. The Director of Public Prosecutions has until September 21 to decide if those matters will be pursued.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-12/catholic-priest-john-patrick-casey-verdict-delivered/7712984 

A CBC Q&A with Buddhist Rob Hogendoorn, who investigates abuse in Buddhism

A Buddhist monk in Windsor is facing two counts of sexual assault against a child.
Windsor Police allege the crime took place two years ago, when child was six, and they believe there could be more victims. Rob Hogendoorn is a Dutch journalist who is investigating 17 abuse cases involving Buddhist clergy in the Netherlands.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/a-cbc-q-a-with-buddhist-rob-hogendoorn-who-investigates-abuse-in-buddhism-1.3718010 

Church official: 2 former altar boys say priests abused them

At least two former altar boys have reached out to the Catholic Church to say priests abused them, the church’s new sexual abuse response coordinator said.
Deacon Leonard Stohr, who Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai recently appointed as the church’s new sexual abuse response coordinator, said he’s “very encouraged” that people are reaching out to the church for help. Stohr said he’s following up on both cases, but declined to comment further.

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/08/12/church-official-2-former-altar-boys-say-priests-abused-them/88554478/

Texarkana pastor accused of sexual assault arrested again

Texarkana pastor David Farren was arrested Friday on a sexual assault charge for the second time this month.
Farren, 41, was taken into custody Friday on a felony charge of second degree sexual assault and a misdemeanor charge of violation of mandatory reporting requirements. Farren was arrested Aug. 3 on three counts of felony first degree sexual assault for misconduct which allegedly occurred in 2013 when the girl was 16, according to an earlier press statement from Texarkana, Ark., police. The newest sexual assault charge involves a different alleged victim than the charges which led to Farren’s Aug. 4 arrest.

http://txktoday.com/news/texarkana-pastor-accused-of-sexual-assault-arrested-again/ 

Stockton Diocese hit with sexual harassment lawsuit

STOCKTON — Attorneys from a Southern California law firm announced Friday they have filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation by a pastor at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton who was later placed on administrative leave.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in San Joaquin County Superior Court, alleges that Monsignor Lawrence McGovern sent sexually explicit photographs to the victim, a pool maintenance contractor, and then terminated his employment after the victim reported the incident.

http://www.recordnet.com/article/20160812/NEWS/160819881 

Victims' Attorneys File Sexual Abuse And Harassment Suit Against Stockton Priest And Parish

STOCKTON, Calif., Aug. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys representing a victim of alleged sexual harassment and retaliation by the Pastor of a Stockton Roman Catholic parish filed suit yesterday in San Joaquin County Superior Court.

The suit alleges that on July 26, 2016, Monsignor Larry McGovern sent sexually explicit photographs to the victim, a pool maintenance contractor, then terminated his employment after the victim reported the incident.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/victims-attorneys-manly-stewart--finaldi-file-sexual-abuse-and-harassment-suit-against-stockton-priest-and-parish-300312912.html 

Sunday Spotlight: It takes a village to raise a child

EARLIER this month, a 50-year-old English teacher at a primary school in Jerteh, Terrenganu, was detained for allegedly molesting three children at the school’s computer lab.
 Serial child abuser Richard Huckle, 30, a British photographer suspected of abusing up to 200 children aged between 6 and 12 months during his stay in Malaysia from 2006 to 2014, had volunteered as an English teacher and at a church while insidiously targeting poor and marginalised communities.

http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/08/165448/sunday-spotlight-it-takes-village-raise-child 

Dallastown pastor urges parish to report abuse

The pastor at St. Joseph Church in Dallastown on Sunday urged parishioners to report suspected abuse after a York Daily Record story named a priest accused of abuse in Boston who later worked in Dallastown for a period.
In response to the York Daily Record, the Diocese of Harrisburg recently acknowledged by name 15 priests who have been accused of sexually abusing children and who at one time worked in the diocese, which covers York County and 14 others. One of the priests was the Rev. Raymond Prybis, who was accused of abuse during his time at a Boston-area parish before he was transferred to St. Joseph's in Dallastown, where he worked from April 1989 to June 1990.

http://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2016/08/14/dallastown-pastor-urges-parish-report-abuse/88606202/ 

Maynooth trustees to discuss crisis at national seminary

The trustees of St Patrick’s College Maynooth are to meet before the end of August to address the crisis at the seminary.

It is understood the Catholic primate Archbishop Eamon Martin, who is away, has been in contact with Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin and St Patrick’s College president Msgr Hugh Connolly. 

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/maynooth-trustees-to-discuss-crisis-at-national-seminary-1.2749568 

Brazilian priest accused of abuse commits suicide in prison

The priest had been mentioned in the credits of the Oscar-winning film Spotlight. 

A Brazilian priest mentioned in the credits of the Oscar-winning film Spotlight about historic sex abuse in the US committed suicide in a prison cell after being arrested again for suspected child sex abuse, authorities in Minas Gerais state, just north of Rio, said today.

http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/5963/0/brazilian-priest-accused-of-abuse-commits-suicide-in-prison 

Kosovo: British former priest accused of abuse should not be extradited - court

A British former Catholic priest wanted on historic child sex abuse charges should not be extradited to the UK because the crimes were committed too long ago, a court in Kosovo ruled on Monday.
Laurence Soper was detained in the western town of Peja - where he had lived for abour five years under the name Andrew Charles Kingston - in May on an international arrest warrant. He is accused of sex offences while he was a teacher in Britain. Soper allegedly committed the offences at St Benedict's School in Ealing, where he was a teacher in the 1970s and 1980s

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/kosovo.british.former.priest.accused.of.abuse.should.not.be.extradited.court/92660.htm 

Defrocked Dean of Newcastle abused me as a child, royal commission hears

A man has told a royal commission's public hearings he was 15 years old when he was first sexually abused by the defrocked former Dean of Newcastle, Graeme Lawrence.

The man, who can only be identified as CKH, has given evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-09/child-sex-anglican-diocese-of-newcastle-judge-ralph-coolahan/7703934 

Church faces more serious matters than media scrum over Maynooth

In recent times, I have been writing about climate change and how Ireland is not living up to its obligations. The situation is very serious. Scientists are telling us that 2015 was the hottest year on record and that 2016 is expected to be even warmer.
The issue will lead to the death and displacement of millions of people, but unfortunately our media and politicians have been slow to grapple with it in an effective and competent way. It is only very recently that the leadership of the Catholic Church has begun to take the environmental degradation of the planet seriously.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/church-faces-more-serious-matters-than-media-scrum-over-maynooth-34950020.html 

New officers elected for Concerned Catholics of Guam

They were established two years ago amid the growing division in the local Catholic Church. The Concerned Catholics of Guam organization recently elected new officers and announced their work plan moving forward.

http://www.kuam.com/story/32714300/2016/08/09/new-officers-elected-for-concerned-catholics-of-guam 

Fordham Prep teacher out over ‘credible’ molestation claims

A popular religious studies teacher at a private all-boys school in The Bronx won’t be returning next semester after an investigation found accusations of sexual molestation three decades ago “credible,” officials said Monday.
Fernand Beck, who taught at the Fordham Prep for 47 years, is departing just months after a former student leveled the accusation near the end of the 2015-16 school year.

http://nypost.com/2016/08/08/fordham-prep-teacher-out-over-credible-molestation-claims/ 

Survivor tells of five years of teenage sex with four priests

A MAN whose complaints against the former dean of Newcastle Graeme Lawrence and three other priests led to their expulsion or suspension from the clergy told his story to the Royal Commission on Tuesday afternoon.
Given the psuedonym CKH, the 51-year old recounted a tale of grooming by priests that began in 1980 when a priest, Andrew Duncan, performed oral sex on him at the age of 14.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4085987/sex-with-priests-began-at-age-of-14/ 

Cathedral deans express grief over clergy-led abuse

[ACNS, by Gavin Drake] The deans of Australia’s cathedrals have expressed grief at hurt and trauma caused by clergy and church workers after hearing reports about the country’s Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the newly established Royal Commission into the Child Protection and Youth Detention Systems of the Northern Territory.

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/08/cathedral-deans-express-grief-over-clergy-led-abuse.aspx 

Children's worker employed in Wandsworth and Croydon homes pleads guilty to historical sexual offences

A former children's home worker and Catholic priest has admitted 27 counts of historical sexual assault committed against children in his care and two counts of perjury.
Philip Temple, 66, of no fixed address, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court today, August 9, where he pleaded guilty to seven counts of non-recent sexual assault.

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/14671445.Children_s_worker_employed_in_Wandsworth_and_Croydon_homes_pleads_guilty_to_historical_sexual_offences/ 

Bishop reluctant to defrock priest

An Anglican bishop baulked at having to defrock an influential senior cleric for sexual misconduct even though a church hearing had recommended he do so, a royal commission has been told.

The commission has been hearing complex and startling evidence on how the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle allegedly took a "do nothing" approach for decades to allegations of widespread child sex abuse by its clergy.

http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/herft-acted-to-tackle-child-abuse/news-story/702630ebf2860c8682adf6cfe17966d0 

Is this the most toxic job description in public life?

Wanted: highly respected chairman or chairwoman, available for up to 10 years, robust in the face of press scrutiny, and with no ties to the British establishment - it is becoming the most toxic job description in public life. Finding the right person to chair this vast, complex and crucial public inquiry is proving all but impossible.

The departure of Dame Lowell Goddard has plunged the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) into crisis.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-37014574 

Teacher Out at Fordham Prep After School Says ’84 Sexual Abuse Claim Is Credible

The gathering, in June 1984, was like many others involving recent graduates of Fordham Preparatory School, a Jesuit all-boys secondary school in the Bronx. It took place at a home in Westchester County, where many of Fordham’s students lived. Most of those at the party drank and several ended up spending the night, according to a former Fordham Prep student, Michael Meenan.

That night, Mr. Meenan said, a Fordham Prep teacher who had driven him to the party performed oral sex on him while he slept in a room along with others. When he woke up and pulled away, sliding beneath a coffee table, Mr. Meenan said, the teacher grabbed his leg and tried to drag him back.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/nyregion/teacher-out-at-fordham-prep-after-school-says-84-sexual-abuse-claim-is-credible.html?_r=1 

Ex-Marist brothers John William Chute and Gregory Joseph Sutton committed for trial on historical child sex abuse charges

Two former Marist College Canberra teachers have been committed to stand trial in the ACT Supreme Court for allegedly sexually abusing boys at the school in the 1980s.
Ex-Marist brothers John William Chute, 84, and Gregory Joseph Sutton, 65, were among four men police charged with fresh offences as part of an ongoing investigation into historical child sexual abuse in ACT schools.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/exmarist-brothers-john-william-chute-and-gregory-joseph-sutton-committed-for-trial-on-historical-child-sex-abuse-charges-20160809-gqoald.html 

The Silent Treatment

In April of 1994 an 18-year-old freshman walked into the office of the Dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, a place that, according to the University’s mission statement, concerns itself with fostering an “environment that celebrates and protects the dignity of the human person.”
Inside the confines of that office the young woman started the process of protecting that dignity. She told the Dean a story of how, after a night of drinking in the city, her philosophy professor took advantage of her in his office. By the end of the semester, her professor had resigned.

https://fupaper.wordpress.com/archives/volume-xxxvii-issue-ix/news/the-silent-treatment/ 

The Rev. Howard White, ex-St. George's assistant chaplain, accused of sex abuse at N.H. prep school

An alumnus of St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, has accused the Rev. Howard W. "Howdy" White Jr. of sexually abusing him during White's time there between 1967 through 1971, the school confirmed Tuesday. White served as a chaplain and teacher at the prestigious Episcopal boarding institution.

White, who subsequently became assistant chaplain at St. George’s School in Middletown, is one of a half-dozen former staff members who figured in a sex-abuse scandal at St. George's. A Rhode Island State Police investigation, concluded in June, found no prosecutable criminal misconduct against any of the alleged perpetrators, or the school, in part due to statutes of limitations.

http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160809/rev-howard-white-ex-st-georges-assistant-chaplain-accused-of-sex-abuse-at-nh-prep-school 

New Allegations of Sexual Abuse at Fordham Prep Remind Us That Men Can Be Victims, Too

Fordham Preparatory School, a prestigious Jesuit boys’ school in the Bronx, has deemed a former student’s allegations that a teacher sexually abused him in 1984  “credible,” the New York Times reported Monday.

The assault took place shortly after graduation according to the former student, Michael Meenan, who says that he decided to spend the night at a house where he’d been celebrating with peers and awoke to find religious studies teacher Fernand Beck performing oral sex on him while he slept. Meenan says he reported the assault not long after it occurred with no apparent effect.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/08/09/fordham_prep_school_hit_with_allegations_of_sexual_abuse_by_michael_meenan.html

Re-trial puts landmark Catholic sex abuse conviction in doubt

A landmark case involving Catholic officials’ response to sex abuse is planned for retrial May 1 of next year. The accused is a monsignor who was the first Catholic official convicted for his supervisory actions regarding a priest accused of abusing children.
But claims of new exonerating evidence and a court’s decision to throw out the monsignor’s previous sentence make the situation more complex.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/re-trial-puts-landmark-catholic-sex-abuse-conviction-in-doubt-50612/ 

Pray your sins away? Guam priest who molested 20 boys told to say Hail Mary

When the Catholic Church learned that a priest working at the US island territory of Guam abused some 20 children, the only suitable response it found was to advise him to pray, the cleric, now based in Minnesota, has revealed in an interview.
Reverend Louis Brouillard, 95, admitted to repeatedly molesting boys while serving and teaching at Guam from the 1940s to the 1970s. Guam is an island in the Pacific known for housing a US Naval base.

http://www.mo4ch.com/pray-your-sins-away-guam-priest-who-molested-20-boys-told-to-say-hail-mary/ 

‘Spotlight’ sex abuse priest hangs himself in jail

Brazil - A Brazilian priest mentioned in the Catholic clergy sex abuse film “Spotlight” was found dead in a prison cell after he was arrested again for suspected pedophilia, authorities said on Monday.
Father Bonifacio Buzzi, 57, hanged himself with a sheet in a jail in the state of Minas Gerais where he was taken after his arrest on Friday, the state government said in a statement.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/spotlight-sex-abuse-priest-hangs-himself-in-jail-2054875 

Royal commission: Church file notes reveal concerns about child sexual abuse

THE royal commission has heard sensational evidence of a “cover-up” of sexual abuse by Anglican priests in the Newcastle diocese, including an alleged secret file of misconduct cases kept in “brown envelopes” by former bishop Roger Herft – now the Archbishop of Perth.
The existence of the “brown envelope” system emerged from file notes of information provided by a solicitor and former trustee of the diocese, Keith Allen, to the diocese’s current business manager, John Cleary, in early 2015.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4081908/do-nothing-approach/ 

Priest who molested 'maybe 20 boys' says he was ordered to pray as punishment

Church members knew about the abuse but did not tell him to stop, according to Mr Brouillard. A Catholic priest who sexually abused “maybe 20” boys was instructed to say prayers to repent for his crimes.

The 95-year-old admitted to molesting boys on Guam, a US island in the Pacific, and said he “got the impression that kids liked it”.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/priest-child-sex-abuse-pope-francis-punishment-pray-hail-mary-guam-a7178416.html

Unholy Secrets: The Legal Loophole That Allows Clergy To Hide Child Sexual Abuse

It was 2008, and Rebecca Mayeux was living a nightmare. Just 14 years old at the time, she was being sexually harassed and abused by a member of her church, 64-year-old George Charlet Jr. According to Mayeux*, Charlet bombarded her with emails “laced with seductive nuances” over the course of a summer, slowly escalating his inappropriate advances before ultimately kissing and fondling her.

https://thinkprogress.org/unholy-secrets-the-legal-loophole-that-allows-clergy-to-hide-child-sexual-abuse-9a6899029eb5#.f9l4hvmza 

St Ninian’s abuse survivor holds poignant vigil to remember victims

A survivor of sex abuse has held a vigil outside St Andrews Cathedral in Glasgow.  Dave Sharp, 57, organised the event, during which candles were lit and a piper played a lament to remember victims.

Before the event, he told The Courier he intended to invite church leaders to pray with him for those who had lost their lives to abuse.

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/247860/st-ninians-abuse-survivor-holds-poignant-vigil-to-remember-victims/