ABUSE TRACKER

UNITED STATES
BishopAccountability.org

Summary of Case: Dickerson was a Jesuit of the New Orleans Province who, in addition to parish work, worked in high schools in New Orleans and Dallas. He appears to have left the priesthood in the late 1980s. He has two known accusations against him of child sexual abuse; in 2007 the Jesuits settled with a man who claimed Dickerson abused him when the man was an eighth-grader in 1974, and in 2011 they settled with a man who accused Dickerson of sexually abusing him repeatedly when he was 11-years-old, in 1982. Dickerson’s whereabouts in September 2013 are unknown.

Ordained: 1980

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CALIFORNIA
Pope Crimes & Vatican Evils…

Paris Arrow

Updated September 4, 2013

42-14, California Assembly voted YES to SB 131. Hoorah! Hoorah!

Thank you, California Representatives, for voting YES to SB 131, may God reward you for doing the RIGHT THING. You shall bring your vote to SB 131 to your grave and eternal life. Every child that you render justice to – with this SB 131 – you shall be greatly rewarded by Divine Justice! California Legislative Assembly, you are showing to the USA and to the whole world that – the Roman Catholic Church is not above the law, specially secular law

– and that the (once-upon-a-time godly) Roman Catholic Church must now (again like Cardinal Mahony paid $660 million to victims) – pay for ALL the crimes it covered-up – and face ALL the consequences of ALL pedophile priests it covered-up through the decades. It’s time for the hypocritical Roman Catholic Church to stop obstructing justice against children and women, read our related article about the (wrong) powerful influence of the Vatican in the United Nations here –

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AUSTRALIA
Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse

The Royal Commission’s first issues paper on Working With Children Checks has attracted 55 submissions from around Australia so far.

A Working With Children Check is a pre-employment screening process to determine a person’s suitability to work with children.

Chief Executive Officer, Janette Dines, said the Royal Commission was pleased with the response.

“Some common views were expressed,” said Ms Dines:

They include:

the need for national consistency in the operation of the Working With Children Check
the need for more research to determine what elements of existing schemes are most effective; and
the need to consider the Working with Children Check as only one element in a broader framework for protecting children.

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AUSTRALIA
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is heading to the Northern Territory.

The Royal Commission will be holding private sessions in Darwin from October 15. Royal Commission CEO Janette Dines said that the Royal Commission hopes that people in the Northern Territory take the opportunity to come forward.

“This is a chance for any Territorian affected by child sexual abuse in an institution to tell a Royal Commissioner what happened to them,” said Ms Dines.

Ms Dines acknowledged it was difficult for some people to talk about what happened to them. “For that reason, the Commission provides counsellors who can provide immediate support should it be necessary. As well, we encourage people to bring a friend or family member along for support.”

“Private sessions are informal. No-one from an institution will ever be present and what is said is kept in complete confidence. It is not like a court where individuals give evidence and are cross examined.

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AUSTRALIA
lewisblayse.net

The Royal Commission into child sexual abuse will finally commence public hearings on 16th September. It is going to cost a hell of a lot of money (even more than George Pell’s Roman holiday villa!). If the money is well spent, then serious changes must occur in the institutional responses.

It is clear that the emphasis will be on procedural matters concerning checks and balances in organisations’ rules. This will inevitably disappoint some people who told their story to the Commissioners in recent months, and who may find that their individual case is not even mentioned. This is a flaw in the original set-up of the Terms of Reference. Submissions for the terms were only open for 5 days, so only the major players had time to put anything in.

We must work with what is available, unfortunately. There was also no discussion as to who the Commissioners were to be. At least one Commissioner, Mr. Fitzgerald, should not have been selected for the job, but it is apparently too late to do much about it.

The emphasis has to be on maximizing outcomes from the existing situation. The best way to do this is for people to be ready to debate things as they arise. The first hearing is to do with why Larkins (see previous posting) got away with things for so long. Officialdom will want to concentrate on the procedures which were in place, and how they can be improved in the future.

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AUSTRALIA
The Age

A group of Victorian clergy abuse victims say they have been brushed off by both main parties as they seek financial and moral support for the duration of the federal sex abuse royal commission.

Andrew Collins and Peter Blenkiron were abused while students at Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College in the 1970s and ’80s and informally co-ordinate a group of 100-odd victims and family members. The group has welcomed the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse but says it brings challenges. Up to 40 abuse victims in the Ballarat area alone have taken their own lives and the group fears the royal commission will stoke more suicidal thoughts.

Mr Collins has called for a full-time support worker during the commission. He also says a dedicated pension fund would support victims who struggle to work and connect them to health services.

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AUSTRIA/SLOVENIA
STA

Maribor/Graz, 5 September (STA) – The Diocese of Graz in Austria seems to be planning to help the neighbouring Maribor Archdiocese avoid bankruptcy by buying some of the real estate this Slovenian archdiocese holds in the centre of Maribor, according to Austrian media reports.

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CHILE
CNN

[con video]

La decisión fue adoptada de manera unánime por la Octava Sala de la Corte de Apelaciones de Santiago.

Con arresto domiciliario total y arraigo nacional quedó el sacerdote de Los Legionarios de Cristo John O’Reilly, acusado de abuso sexual contra dos menores del Colegio Cumbres.

La decisión fue adoptada de manera unánime por la Octava Sala de la Corte de Apelaciones de Santiago tras la resolución de la jueza Andrea Díaz Muñoz, del Cuarto Juzgado de Garantía de Santiago, que había negado la prisión preventiva dejándolo en libertad y sin ningún tipo de restricción.

El abogado querellante, Juan Ignacio Escobar, explicó en CNN Chile que esta revocación se debe a que “sí existían antecedentes suficientes de participación y de la existencia de los delitos de abuso por los cuales fue formalizado O’Reilly”.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Hoy

Escrito por: LLENNIS JIMÉNEZ (l.jimenez@hoy.com.do)

La Fiscalía del Distrito Nacional hizo público que abrió una investigación al destituido nuncio apostólico Josef Wesolowski, quien dejó el puesto repentinamente, acusado de abuso sexual contra menores de edad, en un hecho que se ha convertido en un escándalo para la Iglesia Católica.

El Vaticano confirmó ayer su retiro de la función de representante de la Santa Sede. La fiscal titular, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, informó que pese a no tener una denuncia formal de las posibles víctimas, el Ministerio Público inició las indagatorias de las acusaciones que pesan contra quien hasta hace días era el representante en el país de El Vaticano. Reynoso indicó que actuará en base a las denuncias divulgadas en investigaciones de programas de televisión de las periodísticas Nuria Piera y Addy Burgos y de acuerdo a la confirmación del caso por parte de monseñor Agripino Núñez Collado.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Hoy

[video – Nuria Piero via YouTube]

Escrito por: CRISTAL ACEVEDO (c.acevedo@hoy.com.do)

La Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano restó hoy competencia a monseñor Agripino Núñez Collado para hablar de la posición de la la Iglesia Católica en relación a los casos revelados en los últimos días de sacerdotes acusados de pederastia, que involucran incluso al nuncio del Papa.

Se explicó que sólo los representantes de la Iglesia responsables de diócesis pudieran hacerlo y que no es el caso de Núñez Collado.

Se recuerda que el martes el rector de la Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), monseñor Agripino, se convirtió en el primer alto jerarca de la Iglesia dominicana en hablar públicamente del caso de pederastia en el que se involucra a Joseph Wesolowski, representante del Papa.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Hoy

Escrito por: CRISTAL ACEVEDO (c.acevedo@hoy.com.do)

El Episcopado Dominicano precisó hoy que “no basta con decir que son culpables, sino que, hasta que se demuestre lo contrario, los sacerdotes acusados por pederastia, son inocentes”.

Así lo afirmó el encargado de prensa del Episcopado, el sacerdote Manuel Ruíz, quien agregó que el cura Juan Manuel de Jesús Mota, conocido como el “padre Johnny” ha dado la cara y se ha presentado ante las autoridades.

Consideró que los casos que se han reportado en el país de curas acusados de abuso sexual contra menores, han tenido tanta notoriedad, porque no es común que los sacerdotes fallen.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA/CIUDAD DEL VATICANO
La Nacion

Ciudad del Vaticano

La asociación de víctimas de pederastia estadounidense Snap lamentó este jueves la sanción “secreta y tardía” del papa Francisco contra el nuncio (embajador) del Vaticano en la República Dominicana, destituido a finales de agosto por acusaciones de abusos sexuales a menores.

Imagen del 12 de agosto del 2011 del ahora destituido nuncio apostólico de República Dominicana, Jósef Wesolowski, durante un acto de condecoración a un diplomático colombiano en Santo Domingo.

“Los responsables católicos sólo actúan cuando están obligados a hacerlo bajo la presión mediática. Y cuando lo hacen es siempre en secreto, en este caso sin revelar las acusaciones, la suspensión o la razón de la suspensión”, lamentó en un comunicado Barbara Dorris, directora de la Red de Supervivientes de Víctimas de Abusos Cometidos por Sacerdotes.

“Igual que sus predecesores, el papa Francisco actúa de manera tardía y secreta”, añadió.

El 21 de agosto el nuncio del Vaticano en la República Dominicana, el polaco Jozef Wesolowski, de 65 años, fue destituido de sus funciones, una información que el Vaticano no anunció pero que fue confirmada el miércoles por Federico Lombardi, el portavoz del Papa, que aseguró que existe de una investigación en curso sobre las acusaciones.

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PUBLICA DOMINICANA
Listin Diario

Ramon Urbáez
Santo Domingo

[Summary: The Dominican Episcopal Conference said today that the situation that has arisen over the alleged sexual abuse of children by priests and former Apostolic Nuncio Jozef Wesolowski, “concerned and embarrassed the bishops and the Catholic Church in general.”

In a public document signed by the President of the Conference and archbishop of Santo Domingo, Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, the church said one cannot justify what can not be justified and apologized to potential victims “of the heartless who have abused them and their families.”]

La Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano confirmó hoy que la situación que se ha presentado sobre los presuntos abusos sexuales contra niños por parte de sacerdotes y el ex nuncio apostólico Jozef Wesolowski, “preocupa y avergüenza a los obispos y a la Iglesia Católica en sentido general”.

En un documento público firmado por el presidente de la Conferencia y arzobispo de Santo Domingo, el cardenal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, la iglesia afirma que no se puede justificar lo que no puede tener justificación y pidió perdón a las posibles víctimas “de los desalmados que han abusado de ellos y a sus familiares”.

El documento fue leído por el secretario general de la Conferencia, el padre Carmelo Santana Jerez y el secretario adjunto, padre Joaquín Domínguez. Mientras que el padre Manuel Ruiz habló en representación del cardenal López Rodríguez.

La Conferencia pidió también perdón al pueblo dominicano, señalando que está contemplando ese lamentable espectáculo con incredulidad e indignación.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Europa Press

SANTO DOMINGO, 5 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

La fiscal de Santo Domingo, en República Dominicana, Jenny Berenice Reynoso, ha anunciado este miércoles que iniciará una serie de investigaciones contra el ex nuncio apostólico Jósef Wesolowski por las acusaciones de pederastia.

El sacerdote católico y rector de la Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, monseñor Agripino Núñez Collado, informó de la destitución de Wesolowski, por supuesto abuso sexual contra menores, después de las denuncias hechas por las periodistas Nuria Piera y Addy Burgos en sus programas de investigación.

Según informaciones del diario dominicano ‘Nuevo Día’, la representante del ministerio publico afirmó que aunque no exista una denuncia formal hecha por parte de las víctimas, el hecho es de acción pública por lo que corresponde al Ministerio Público iniciar la investigación, la cual abarcará varias jurisdicciones.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
El Universal

[Summary: The Vatican does not oppose investigation of the former papal nuncio by Dominican Republic authorities. The nuncio, who has since been recalled, has been accused of child abuse in that country. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told journalists today that the allegations are deemed to be credible and of a serious and grave nature.]

El Vaticano no se opone a que las autoridades de República Dominicana investiguen al ex embajador papal, Josef Wesolowski, acusado de abusos contra menores, afirmó hoy el vocero de la Santa Sede, Federico Lombardi.

En declaraciones a un grupo de periodistas, el sacerdote jesuita confirmó que las denuncias contra el diplomático son “suficientemente verosímiles, serias y graves” como para que haya sido cesado de su puesto.

“Esta situación se debe profundizar, cuando hablaba de investigación me refería a un proceso de la Santa Sede. Si República Dominicana quiere emprender acciones legales, no existe oposición de nuestra parte, pero eso es competencia de sus autoridades”, dijo.

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ARKANSAS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 5
Victims seek bishop’s help
Accused teachers go court next week
One pled guilty to molesting female student
And a fellow teacher didn’t report the crimes
Group wants Catholic officials to help prosecutors
SNAP to Little Rock diocese “Do aggressive outreach now”

A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging Little Rock’s Catholic bishop to “aggressively seek out” others who may have “seen, suspected or suffered crimes” by two former Catholic school teachers who will be in court next week on child sex charges.

One of them, Kelly Ann O’Rourke, admitted molesting a student. The other, Kathy Gene Griffin, allegedly concealed O’Rourke’s crimes.

Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are begging Bishop Anthony Taylor to use his “vast resources” to urge prod others “who might have knowledge or suspicions about the two teachers’ crimes or school or church cover ups” to call law enforcement officials immediately, “so the two might face or be convicted of more charges and end up behind bars so kids will be safer.” SNAP also wants Taylor to give the accused teachers’ personnel files to the prosecutors if he hasn’t done so already.

The group sent a letter to Taylor about their concerns this morning by fax and email.

On Sept. 16, O’Rourke will appear in Pulaski County Circuit Court (Room 220) on charges of violating her parole by repeatedly calling the girl she molested, then a teenaged Mount St. Mary (MSM) School student. ( The school is at 3224 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, 501-664-8006 ).

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KENYA
allAfrica

The Star

BY MARTIN MWAURA AND CHARLES MGHENYI, 4 SEPTEMBER 2013

A catholic priest sued in a children’s court over allegedly siring and neglecting a 15-year-old child went through a DNA test to prove his paternity.

Father Josephat Mwazia, the parish priest of St Joseph Allamno Mbiriri Social Centre in Nyeri, was taken to the Tononoka Children’s court by Cecilia Mbiki. She had said Mwazia is the biological father of the boy.

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CHICAGO (IL)
WLS

Archdiocese facing another abuse suit over ex-priest Daniel McCormack

A former student at a West Side Catholic school is suing the Archdiocese of Chicago, claiming convicted former priest Daniel McCormack molested him 10 years ago.

McCormack pleaded guilty in 2007 to abusing five children while he was a parish priest at St. Agatha Catholic Church. He was laicized in November of that year and sentenced to five years in prison.

The anonymous plaintiff claims McCormack fondled him on two separate occasions between 2003 and 2004, when the boy was between 11 and 12 years old, the suit said.

The plaintiff, who is now 20, was a student at a Catholic school affiliated with St. Agatha, the suit said. McCormack was appointed pastor of the parish in 2000, and also coached basketball and taught math.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Tablet

5 September 2013

A priest in the Archdiocese of Southwark has been convicted of possessing indecent images of children.

Fr Edmund Higgins, 39, was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Isleworth Crown Court, south London, last month, after admitting to having 174 pornographic images of children on his laptop.

Higgins, parish priest at the Church of St Elizabeth in Richmond, south-west London, at the time of his arrest, also received a supervision requirement and a sexual offences prevention order.

It was revealed during sentencing that Fr Higgins – who was a governor at St Elizabeth’s RC Primary School in Richmond and a chaplain at Christ the King Sixth Form College in Lewisham – had visited gay chat rooms, from where he was sent mostly adult pornographic images and some indecent images of children.

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KANSAS CITY (MO)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Thursday, September 5, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)

As part of the carefully-orchestrated public relations campaign to restore his shattered image, Bishop Robert Finn’s staff has released a report that doesn’t protect a single child from a single child molesting cleric.

[The Kansas City Star]

The document gives numbers of abuse reports. But Catholic officials refuse to disclose any names of any offenders, even those who they deem “credibly accused.”

A parent can’t protect her child from a number. A parent needs – and deserves – to know who child molesting clerics and church staff are. That’s what every US bishop pledged to do more than a decade ago. That’s what this report, and Bishop Finn, still refuse to do, in case after case.

According to the KC Star, “two people tied to the diocese were removed from ministry” last year because of “boundary violations.” But Finn and his staff won’t say who or where they are. So both could now be working in public schools or private day cares.

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KANSAS CITY (MO)
NECN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph says calls to its child abuse ombudsman have increased 35 percent in the reporting year that ended in June.

The ombudsman said in a report released Thursday that she received 107 calls in the year, compared with 79 the previous reporting year.

Ombudsman Jenifer Valenti attributed the increase to anti-abuse training programs the diocese began in the last year.

The Kansas City Star reports ( ) Bishop Robert Finn implemented the child protection programs after a 2011 controversy over his handling of a Catholic priest’s production of child pornography.

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CANADA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com )

A predator priest who worked in Canada and Ohio won’t be going to prison.

[Columbus Dispatch]

[Vancouver Sun]

We are grateful that Fr. Jacobs will be forced to register as a sex offender and be on probation for two years but very disappointed that he won’t be jailed. Kids are safest when predators are locked up.

Jacobs admitted molesting kids in Ohio. Nothing suggests he’s been ‘cured.’ Any prudent person would assume he’s still a danger to kids. If he won’t obey criminal laws and his celibacy pledge, he’ll very likely not obey his probation restrictions either.

We hope that anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes will come forward, call police, expose wrongdoers, protect kids and start healing. We strongly believe he has committed other crimes for which he could also be prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned. But it’s crucial that those who have information or suspicions about him call police now.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Catholics4Change

SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 BY SUSAN MATTHEW

You are invited to a two-hour, self-guided motorcycle ride (11am to 2pm) followed by an after party for your family and friends for lunch at The Office. Lunch includes Mama DiFillipo’s famous meatball sandwiches, more great food, drink specials, raffles and more. The event benefits Justice4PAKids efforts to protect children from sex abuse, to provide resources for victims and their advocacy programs aimed at reforming laws.

When: October 12th
Where: The Office Bar and Grille, 1021 Morehall Road, Malvern, PA
What: Registration for the ride 9:30 to 11 am. After party at 2 p.m.
Donation: $50 per rider, $25 per lunch guest

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ARGENTINA
APF Digital

Milton Urrutia informó que durante la madrugada de este miércoles sufrió un atentado en su vivienda en Paraná. Alrededor de las 1:30, “implosionaron dos artefactos dentro del garaje”, reveló.

“Estaban preparados con tornillos y pólvora. Además había una carta, que decía que me deje de joder con la causa de los curas y que la próxima iba a ir un tiro en la vivienda —detalló el letrado—. La carta estaba hecho con recortes de diarios o revistas”.

El hecho fue denunciado en sede policial. Ante lo ocurrido, Urrutia dijo sentirse “desahuciado, desanimado con todo, cansado, agobiado y harto”. Y advirtió que mientras avanza la investigación en la denominada causa Ilarraz, “ya vamos por el tercer atentado y por esto le llamo la atención al ministro (de Gobierno Adán) Bahl”.

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ARGENTINA
La Gaceta

PARANÁ.- Después de casi 20 años, la Iglesia católica decidió tomar acciones en el caso de abuso sexual a menores contra el sacerdote Justo José Ilarraz, acusado de violaciones contra decenas de niños que estaban a su cargo cuando era profesor del Seminario menor de Paraná, capital de Entre Ríos.

Ahora, por pedido expreso de la Santa Sede, el sacerdote Alejandro Bovero, vicario de justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, con jurisdicción sobre la diócesis de Paraná, está llevando adelante una investigación previa, a modo de instrucción, sobre una víctima que declaró en la Justicia de Entre Ríos por el caso de abuso, y la documentación que se reúna será enviada a Roma.

En 1995 la Iglesia ya había investigado otros tres hechos, pero no prosperó ninguna sanción contra el sacerdote. Es la primera vez que interviene este Tribunal, consignó “El Diario”, de Paraná.

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ARGENTINA
Pagina 12

El vicario de Justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, Alejandro Bovero, confirmó que por orden de Roma se abrió un proceso de instrucción para analizar las acusaciones contra el exprefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná, Justo José Ilarraz, a quien la Justicia entrerriana había sobreseído en la causa que lo acusó de abusar de al menos 50 seminaristas de entre 10 y 14 años, entre 1984 y 1992.

Según el religioso, la investigación fue abierta hace poco más de un mes y fue paralela a la que había revisado la Sala I de la Cámara del Crimen, que revocó el dictamen del juez de Instrucción de Paraná Alejandro Grippo y consideró prescripta la causa por el paso del tiempo.

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ARGENTINA
Diario El Argentino

La Santa Sede pidió que el vicario de justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, con jurisdicción sobre la diócesis de Paraná, el sacerdote Alejandro Bovero, inicie una investigación previa sobre las acusaciones que pesan sobre el sacerdote Justo José Ilarraz.

El cura Ilarraz carga sobre sus hombros con una causa penal en su contra en la Justicia de Entre Ríos. En septiembre de 2012 comenzó a instruirse una investigación, que acumula ya la declaración de siete víctimas, que contaron en Tribunales de qué modo el sacerdote, que entre 1985 y 1993 fue prefecto de disciplina en el Seminario de Paraná, abusó de ellos, siendo adolescentes, cuando cursaban los primeros años de la secundaria como pupilos.

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ARGENTINA
Pagina12

El ex prefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná Justo José Ilarraz ya había sido investigado internamente en un expediente secreto. El caso llegó a la Justicia, pero la Cámara determinó que los delitos habían prescripto. Ahora Bergoglio mandó abrir una nueva investigación.

El Vaticano ordenó una segunda investigación interna para analizar las acusaciones de pedofilia contra el ex prefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná Justo José Ilarraz, acusado de abusar sexualmente de al menos medio centenar de seminaristas de hasta 14 años entre 1984 y 1992. La investigación está a cargo del vicario de Justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, Alejandro Bovero, quien analiza el testimonio de una de las víctimas que ya declaró ante la Justicia de Entre Ríos. El mes pasado, la Cámara del Crimen de Paraná dispuso que las acusaciones contra Ilarraz habían prescripto. Los querellantes llegaron a la corte provincial y aguardan que ésta convoque a una audiencia pública para debatir la apelación.

Los casos denunciados contra Ilarraz corresponden a los años 1984 y 1992, pero recién salieron a la luz pública en septiembre de 2012, cuando un seminarista de 33 años declaró ante el fiscal Rafael Cotorruelo, para relatar cómo, entre esos años, medio centenar de niños que por entonces tenían entre 12 y 14 años eran abusados por el cura Justo José Ilarraz. La Justicia intervino de oficio luego de la publicación de los casos en un medio paranaense.

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ARGENTINA
La Capital

El Vaticano inició una investigación propia, paralela a la judicial, para analizar las acusaciones sobre pedofilia contra el ex prefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná, Justo José Ilarraz, acusado de abusar sexualmente de al menos 50 seminaristas de entre 10 y 14 años entre 1984 y 1992.

Las actuaciones están a cargo del vicario de justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, presbítero Alejandro Bovero, quien analiza el testimonio de una de las víctimas que ya declaró ante la Justicia de Entre Ríos por los supuestos abusos.

Bovero confirmó a la prensa que, a pedido del Vaticano, inició hace más de un mes la investigación, que “no es un juicio sino una instrucción previa” y que “lo instruido lo devuelvo a la Santa Sede”.

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ARGENTINA
Diario

El Vaticano inició una investigación propia, paralela a la judicial, para analizar las acusaciones sobre pedofilia contra el ex prefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná, Justo José Ilarraz, acusado de abusar sexualmente de al menos 50 seminaristas.

Las actuaciones están a cargo del vicario de justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, presbítero Alejandro Bovero, quien analiza el testimonio de una de las víctimas que ya declaró ante la justicia de Entre Ríos por los supuestos abusos, informaron fuentes judiciales a Télam.

Bovero confirmó a la prensa que, a pedido del Vaticano, inició hace más de un mes la investigación, que “no es un juicio, sino una instrucción previa” y que “lo instruido lo devuelvo a la Santa Sede”.

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DOMINIKANISCHEN REPUBLIK
Spiegal

Santo Domingo – Polizei und Staatsanwaltschaft in der Dominikanischen Republik ermitteln wegen Kindesmissbrauchs gegen den päpstlichen Gesandten im Land, Erzbischof Josef Wesolowski. Nachdem gegen ihn Pädophilie-Vorwürfe laut geworden waren, hatte der Vatikan Wesolowski abrupt von seinem Posten abberufen.

Francisco Dominguez Brito, der Chefankläger der Dominikanischen Republik, bestätigte den Vorgang, schränkte allerdings ein, bislang wisse seine Behörde nur von Gerüchten über den päpstlichen Gesandten. Konkrete Anschuldigungen gebe es bisher nicht.
Auch der Vatikan führt inzwischen eine Untersuchung gegen Wesolowski durch, wie Sprecher Federico Lombardi bestätigte. Er nannte keine Einzelheiten über die Vorwürfe, die gegen den polnischstämmigen Nuntius laut geworden waren. Tatsächlich habe man ihn aber von seinem Posten abberufen. Ein solcher Vorgang gilt als höchst ungewöhnlich.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Dominican Today

Santiago, Dominican Republic.- The archbishop of Santiago on Wednesday apologized to the victims, their families and society for the reported cases of children abused by members of the Catholic Church.

“We refer to the statements made by the Archbishop of Santiago and La Vega Bishop Monsignor Antonio Camilo Gonzalez, who states, we apologize to those affected, their families, society and the common people for the times of the bad example and the lack of a consistent witness as servants of Jesus Christ, we have offended,” said a statement to the media.

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WISCONSIN
WTMJ

[with video]

By James Kust
CREATED SEP. 4, 2013

WAUWATOSA – Hundreds of dollars towards the Western Racquet Club, over a thousand dollars to a florist, and $57,000 worth of checks written to a Bank of America account. Those are just some of the expenditures Father James Dokos is suspected of spending from a trust fund that was intended to be used for charity.

“Yes those are checks the church council doesn’t believe were spent for church purposes,” said David Feiss, an attorney with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office, “But we need to investigate that further.”

Word that her former pastor of Annunication Greek Orthodox Church is suspected of theft was shocking to Nikoletta Mitchell.

“I was very surprised because he said that someone had donated to him.”

Father Dokos was the sole trustee of a fund left by a wealthy donor.

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CHICAGO (IL)
CLTV

Convicted sex offender and former priest Daniel McCormack, 44, is being accused, again, of sexually abusing one of the boys in his church.

Six years ago, McCormack, the pastor of St. Agatha Church, was removed from the priesthood and sentenced to five years in prison in 2007.

Now, a 21-year-old man is suing Francis Cardinal George, saying McCormack fondled him twice when he was a boy.

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NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph

BY COLIN FRANCIS – 05 SEPTEMBER 2013

Abuse allegations regarding two Londonderry homes run by the Sisters of Nazareth will be the focus of the first public hearings of a new inquiry.

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry will look at allegations about St Joseph’s Home in Termonbacca and Nazareth House in Bishop Street.

The inquiry is due to report to the Stormont Executive in 2016.

It is probing the extent of child abuse in both Catholic church and state-run institutions in Northern Ireland.

Statements from people who claim to have been abused in the two Derry homes will be heard when inquiry members travel to meet them in Australia later this month. Another visit next year will be about other institutions.

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VATICAN CITY
Chiesa

The prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith and the founder of liberation theology are trying to conclude twenty years of polemics. But one of the most severe critics of this theological current has been precisely the current pope

by Sandro Magister

ROME, September 5, 2013 – Next Sunday, in the basilica of Saint Barbara in Mantua, the prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, Gerhard Ludwig Müller, and the Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez will present together the Italian edition of a book they have co-written dedicated to liberation theology, available starting Monday, September 9 in all bookstores:

G. Gutiérrez, G.L. Müller, “Dalla parte dei poveri. Teologia della liberazione, teologia della Chiesa”, Edizioni Messaggero-EMI, Padova, 2013, pp. 192, euro 15,00.

The book was released in Germany in 2004 without raising any particular stir, but this Italian reprinting has been hailed by some as an historic turning point: almost as if it were the signing of a peace treaty between liberation theology and the magisterium of the Church.

Gutiérrez is considered one of the fathers of liberation theology, and Müller was his pupil and admirer. So much so that when in 2012 Benedict XVI called him to head the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, many demonstrated surprise.

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NORTHERN IRELAND
BBC News

Public hearings of the inquiry into abuse at institutions in Northern Ireland are to start in January.

Two children’s homes run by the Catholic Church in Londonderry are to be investigated first.

However, there has been criticism that historical clerical abuse and Magdalene laundries in Northern Ireland are not being investigated by the state.

Northern Ireland programme director of Amnesty International, Patrick Corrigan, said it was a positive step.

“The Martin McAleese review into Magdalene laundry type institutions in the Republic only covered those institutions south of the border,” he said.

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CHILE
La Tercera

por Javiera Matus – 05/09/2013

Distintas posiciones manifestaron ayer los abogados consultados por este medio, acerca de los criterios utilizados por la jueza de garantía, Andrea Díaz-Muñoz, y la sala de la Corte de Apelaciones, para aplicar o no medidas cautelares en casos como el del sacerdote John O’Reilly, imputado por abusos.

Para el penalista Jorge Bofill, en el caso de los abusos sexuales -que dejan principalmente huellas sicológicas y no físicas, como en las violaciones- se debe verificar el peso que tienen los antecedentes de prueba que pueden acreditar la comisión de un delito: “Lo determinante son los relatos de las supuestas víctimas, la credibilidad de éstos, y eso es algo que se discute a través de peritos”.

Añadió que, en el caso O’Reilly, “llama la atención que la jueza de garantía haya tenido una opinión tan divergente con respecto a la de la corte. En este caso, la discusión se centró en la necesidad de la medida cautelar, respecto del peligro de fuga o la seguridad para la sociedad, y si concurren o no elementos que justifiquen la existencia y participación del delito”.

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CHILE
Terra

La Corte de Apelaciones de Santiago decretó este miércoles el arresto domiciliario total para el sacerdote John Joseph O’Reilly, de 66 años, acusado de presunto abuso sexual en contra de dos niñas del Colegio Cumbres.

La determinación la adoptó la Octava Sala del tribunal de alzada al estimar que “sí existen antecedentes suficientes en esta etapa procesal para estimar la efectividad del ilícito que se investiga, así como la participación que en tales hechos ha tenido el imputado” dice el fallo que leyó la ministra Marisol Rojas.

Además se decretó el arraigo del sacerdote, desestimándose la prisión preventiva solicitada por el Ministerio Público.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Listin Diario

Adolfo Paniagua Contreras
Constanza

El suspendido sacerdote Juan Manuel Mota de Jesús (Johnny) reiteró que es inocente de las denuncias de abuso sexual de menores formuladas a través de los medios de comunicación, cosa que dijo demostrará ante los tribunales, si es sometido a juicio.

Mota de Jesús recordó que hasta la fecha nadie ha presentado acusación en su contra respecto a abusos sexuales contra menores de edad que pertenecían a la Pastoral Juvenil y al coro de la Parroquia Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, de la cual hasta hace poco él era su párroco.

En rueda de prensa realizada ayer en la oficina jurídica de Bienvenido Concepción, quien junto a las abogadas Odilis Del Rosario Holguín y Mercedes Olalla formarán la barra de la defensa del religioso, éste, con ánimo tranquilo y a la vez retador, manifestó que espera que las personas que lo denuncian den la cara, y que el juez, llegado el caso, determine si es o no inocente de lo que califica de campaña mediática en su contra.

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SCOTLAND
BBC News

Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner has called for an independent inquiry into allegations of abuse at Fort Augustus Abbey Catholic boarding school.

A third Australian monk has now been implicated in a suspected paedophile ring, revealed by a BBC investigation.

The Scottish government said the allegations were matters for the Catholic Church in Scotland, and were for Police Scotland to investigate.

But Children’s Commissioner Tam Baillie said an inquiry was needed.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland he said: “I am actually appointed by parliament, not by the Scottish government, and the government has to listen to the lobby, if you like, the views, the judgement, and in my judgement this requires an independent inquiry.

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KANSAS CITY (MO)
The Kansas City Star

September 5
BY MARK MORRIS
The Kansas City Star

Calls to the child abuse ombudsman for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph jumped 35 percent in the most recent reporting year, according to a report released Thursday.

According to the study by the diocese’s Office of Youth Protection, ombudsman Jenifer Valenti received 107 reports of child abuse or boundary violations for the year ending in June. She received 79 reports the previous year.

But Valenti said she welcomed the increase, saying it was inevitable after the diocese instituted sweeping anti-abuse training programs in the last year.

“I attribute it to greater awareness of personal responsibility,” Valenti said. “I see the greater numbers coming from our training on mandated reporting. That’s a great thing.”

Bishop Robert Finn announced the new child protection measures after the 2011 scandal over his handling of a disgraced Catholic priest’s production of child pornography. The Rev. Shawn Ratigan will be sentenced in federal court in that case next week.

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CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Tribune

[Archive: Accused priest was rising star]

By Mitch Smith, Chicago Tribune reporter
September 5, 2013

Another person has come forward saying he was fondled by Daniel McCormack, a former Roman Catholic priest who was convicted of sexually abusing boys at his West Side parish.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court, an unidentified 21-year-old man alleges that, as a child, he was fondled twice by McCormack, who was the pastor at St. Agatha Catholic Church. The alleged victim was a student around 2003 and ’04 at St. Agatha, the lawsuit says. The plaintiff repressed memories of the abuse until this summer, according to the suit.

McCormack was considered a rising star in the Archdiocese of Chicago before boys from his parish came forward with abuse allegations. He was removed from the priesthood and sentenced to five years in prison in 2007. The archdiocese has since agreed to pay millions to settle civil claims regarding the former priest.

When McCormack came up for parole after serving 21/2 years of his sentence, the Cook County state’s attorney and the Illinois attorney general petitioned the court to have him committed under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act, arguing that he remained a threat.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Irish Independent

EZEQUIEL ABIU LOPEZ AND NICOLE WINFIELD SANTO DOMINGO – 05 SEPTEMBER 2013

Authorities in the Dominican Republic will look into allegations of child sex abuse against the papal envoy to the Caribbean country, following his abrupt removal from his post by the Vatican, the attorney general said.

Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito was careful to note that his office is aware only of rumours about the papal nuncio, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, and has not received any accusations.

A Vatican spokesman, the Rev Federico Lombardi, confirmed that Polish-born Dr Wesolowski had been removed from his post and that the church was conducting an investigation of him.

Mr Dominguez told reporters that he had designated a senior official to lead the investigation and co-ordinate with the Vatican.

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VATICAN CITY/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Hong Kong Standard

Pope Francis came under fire from victim groups following news that he had quietly sacked the Vatican’s envoy to the Dominican Republic over allegations of pedophilia.

“Like all of his predecessors, Pope Francis is acting belatedly, secretively and recklessly,” said Barbara Dorris, outreach director for the US-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

“Catholic officials act only when forced to do so by media pressure,” she said in a statement received by AFP.

“When they do act, they act secretively – in this case, by not disclosing the allegations, the suspension or the reason for the suspension.”

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VATICAN CITY
TVNZ (New Zealand)

The Vatican has recalled its ambassador to the Dominican Republic and relieved him of his duties pending an investigation, after local media accused him of paedophilia, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church said.

The Dominican Attorney General later announced that a special prosecutor had been appointed to investigate Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, who has been nuncio, or ambassador, in the capital Santo Domingo for nearly six years.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Holy See had started a probe of Wesolowski and that he had been recalled “in the last few weeks,” specifically over the paedophilia accusations.

“He has been relieved of his duties and the Holy See has begun an investigation,” Lombardi said when asked about allegations against Wesolowski in the local media.

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CITTA DEL VATICANO
euro news

[con il video]

Il Vaticano ha richiamato il nunzio, il proprio ambasciatore, dalla Repubblica dominicana. Il religioso è accusato di pedofilia.

Josef Wesolowski, questo il nome del diplomatico, è stato per quasi sei anni ann rappresentante della santa sede nel paese.

Lo scandalo è stato scatenato da un reportage televisivo che accusava il religioso di aver abusato sessualmente di almeno sette minori. Fra gli accusatori di Wesolowski c‘è Nunez Collado, rettore della università cattolica che ha preteso che l’uomo fosse rimosso dall’incarico e sottoposto a inchiesta a Roma.

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CITTA DEL VATICANO/REPUBLLICA DOMINICANA
Abuse Trackers (Italia)

[Excerpt in English: However that catches your eye while Cardinal of Santo Domingo and the Dominican authorities ignore where the monsignor, the Italian Catholic website Vatican Insider makes no secret that the archbishop is hidden in Rome, far from the Dominican judiciary and also the danger of extradition of Italy, which does not have a treaty with the Republic Caribbean.

And ‘now clear that the escape of the monsignor was organized by the Vatican just to prevent the archbishop contestategli face charges in the Dominican Republic.]

Roma 5 settembre 2013

Cambia il papa la prassi non cambia: sottrarre alla giustizia e proteggere gli ecclesiastici incriminati di abusi sessuali. (Notizia confermata 1 ora fa anche in Europa da Euronews)

Dalla stampa caraibica apprendiamo che l’arcivescovo Josef Wesolowski, ambasciatore del Vaticano in Repubblica Dominicana, Haiti e Porto Rico, è incriminato per pedofilia dopo essere stato sorpreso da una emittente tv dominicana aggirarsi in zona dedita alla prostituzione maschile. Dopo la messa in onda del servizio sono emerse le accuse di abusi sessuali su una decina di minori.

Le abitudini sessuali e l’alcolismo del nunzio vaticano erano in realtà note da tempo, ma le gerarchie vaticane nulla hanno fatto fino a ch il monsignore non è stato colto in flagranza. Finché hanno potuto hanno lasciato che il monsignore continuasse la sua condotta.

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UNITED STATES
Mennonite World Review

By Barbra Graber

I remember the Sunday morning two Mennonite Youth Fellowship friends who were dating were made to get up in front of the congregation to confess their sins. They were pregnant out of wedlock.

Meanwhile, John Howard Yoder, the most acclaimed Mennonite peace theologian, sexually assaulted and harassed untold numbers of women over decades and never publicly confessed.

Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and other Mennonite agencies that hired Yoder, were unable or unwilling to publicly censure him. Years of institutional silence ensued while files of complaint letters accumulated. In 1984, AMBS announced that Yoder had resigned to teach at Notre Dame. No warning of his sexually deviant behavior was issued, and students were left to wonder why their brilliant professor suddenly flew the coop. Since that time, the church at large has not explained or acknowledged the decades of apparent complicity by its agents and institutions. Quite the opposite.

After public exposure of his abuses in 1992, followed by a secretive disciplinary process, Yoder was declared reconciled with the church and encouraged to return to teaching and writing. The promise of a public statement of apology to the victims whose lives he upended, and the wider ecumenical community whose trust he betrayed, never materialized. Today Yoder continues to be lauded, his books roll off the presses, and there’s pressure from all sides to go back to business as usual.

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FLORIDA
The Ledger

By Jason Geary
THE LEDGER
Published: Wednesday, September 4, 2013

BARTOW | The mother of a girl who reported being molested at a school and church has filed a lawsuit against the Polk County School Board and First Assembly of God in Mulberry.

The lawsuit was filed Aug. 23 in circuit court and is seeking damages on behalf of the girl.

The Ledger is not identifying the girl, in keeping with its policy of not identifying victims of sexual assaults in most cases.

She is referred to as “Jane Doe” in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit’s allegations include that some instances of abuse took place at Mulberry Middle School in a classroom and at First Assembly of God in the parking lot and inside a room..

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CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Times

By Melanie Mason
September 4, 2013

SACRAMENTO — A bill that would give some victims of childhood sexual abuse more time to file lawsuits narrowly passed the Assembly on Wednesday, following emotional appeals from lawmakers and nearly an hour of extended wrangling for votes.

The measure, by Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose), would lift the statute of limitations for one year to enable some abuse victims to sue private or nonprofit employers that failed to protect them from known molesters.

Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) spoke of her own childhood abuse in advocating the bill.

“We cannot put a timeline on what triggers our ability to deal with an experience we had as a child,” Skinner said, adding that she did not confront her past until her daughter reached the age when Skinner’s abuse started.

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AUSTRALIA
Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay Weekly

By GOYA DMYTRYSHCHAK Sept. 5, 2013

A Catholic brother accused of sexually abusing an Altona Meadows woman as a child has been charged with 14 counts of indecent assault.

Brother Bernard Hartman, 73, was arrested at Melbourne Airport after arriving from the US yesterday morning.

Taskforce Sano detectives allege the offences happened at schools in the western suburbs of Melbourne during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Mairead Ashcroft, 48, went to the church nearly 15 years ago alleging that Hartman had abused her from the ages of eight to 11.

The Marianist Brother was the Ashcroft family’s babysitter and also saw Ms Ashcroft during Saturday classes at St Paul’s College in Altona North.

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VATICAN CITY
euronews

[with video]

The Vatican has recalled its ambassador to the Dominican Republic after he was accused of sexually abusing children.

Two local TV channels broadcast allegations of paedophilia against Archbishop Josef Wesolowski,who had been nuncio, or ambassador, in the capital, Santo Domingo, for nearly six years.

A spokesman for the Catholic church in the Dominican Republic, Monsignor Agripino Nunez Collado, said that “The law is for everyone” and there was no excuse for anyone who violated the law, “not citizenship, not faith, not creed, not politics, not religion”, saying again “The law is for all.”

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CALIFORNIA
Digital Journal

A bill currently pending before the California Legislature would open up one-year window for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse to bring lawsuits.

September 05, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ — Childhood sexual abuse is one of the worst things a human being can be forced to endure. In addition to the immediate physical trauma, child sex abuse often inflicts emotional damage that can last well into adulthood. In too many cases, victims never fully recover from the horrors to which they have been subjected.

In California, victims of child sexual abuse have the right to sue their abusers and, in some cases, the institutions that enabled the abuse. However, many children are so frightened by the prospect of confronting their abusers that they do not tell anyone about the abuse until many years after it occurred. Others may repress memories of the abuse, only to have them reappear later in life. Unfortunately, this delayed reporting can sometimes prevent victims from being able to take legal action.

Under current California law, sexual abuse victims who are adults over the age of 26 are often barred from bringing suit over childhood sexual abuse.

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KENTUCKY
WAVE

Posted: Sep 04, 2013

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – A former pastor charged with sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy returns to court.

Prosecutors say Isrom Johnson abused the child on three separate occasions.

Johnson was the victim’s pastor at Prince of Peace Church in New Albany, but the alleged crimes happened in Jefferson County, Kentucky.

During the hearing, Charles Hagan, Johnson’s new attorney said he hasn’t seen the evidence. Hagan and Johnson’s former attorney have pointed fingers over whose hands that file is in now.

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VATICAN CITY
NBC News

By Philip Pullella, Reuters

The Vatican has recalled its ambassador to the Dominican Republic and relieved him of his duties pending an investigation, after local media accused him of pedophilia, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church said on Wednesday.

The Dominican Attorney General later announced that a special prosecutor had been appointed to investigate Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, who has been nuncio, or ambassador, in the capital Santo Domingo for nearly six years.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Holy See had started a probe of Wesolowski and that he had been recalled “in the last few weeks,” specifically over the pedophilia accusations.

“He has been relieved of his duties and the Holy See has begun an investigation,” Lombardi said when asked about allegations against Wesolowski in the local media.

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CHILE
The Sun Daily

Posted on 5 September 2013

SANTIAGO (Sept 5, 2013): An Irish-born priest was ordered under house arrest in Chile on Wednesday, amid a widening paedophilia scandal that has engulfed the religious order he belongs to.

Father John O’Reilly, a senior figure with the Legion of Christ in Chile religious order, was detained while authorities investigate the “credibility of the allegations” against him and others at an exclusive school run by the order in Santiago.

Officials said O’Reilly is barred from leaving his home and has been denied the right to leave the country.

He also has been relieved of all his priestly duties and forbidden from having contact with minors, while authorities probe allegations that he sexually abused such individuals.

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CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Sun-Times

BY LEEANN SHELTON Staff Reporter September 4, 2013

A former student at a West Side Catholic school is suing the Archdiocese of Chicago, claiming convicted former priest Daniel McCormack molested him 10 years ago.

McCormack pleaded guilty in 2007 to abusing five children while he was a parish priest at St. Agatha Catholic Church. He was removed from the priesthood in November of that year and sentenced to five years in prison.

The anonymous plaintiff claims McCormack fondled him on two separate occasions between 2003 and 2004, when the boy was between 11 and 12 years old, the suit said.

The plaintiff, who is now 20, was a student at a Catholic school affiliated with St. Agatha, the suit said. McCormack was appointed pastor of the parish in 2000, and also coached basketball and taught math.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/CHILE
Hong King Standard

(09-05 14:03)

The Dominican Republic is investigating allegations of child sex abuse against Polish-born papal envoy Archbishop Josef Wesolowski (pictured) following his abrupt removal by the Vatican, the attorney general said.

The news came as Irish-born priest Father John O’Reilly was ordered under house arrest in Chile, amid a widening pedophilia scandal that has engulfed the Legion of Christ in Chile.

O’Reilly, a senior figure in the order, was detained while authorities investigate allegations against him and others at an exclusive school run by the order in Santiago.

Officials said O’Reilly is barred from leaving home and has been denied the right to leave the country. He also has been relieved of all his priestly duties and forbidden from having contact with minors.

In the Dominican Republic, Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito said his office is aware only of rumors about the papal nuncio, Archbishop Wesolowski, and has not received any accusations.

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POLAND
The News

Polish archbishop Jozef Wesolowski has been recalled from his position as Vatican ambassador to the Dominican Republic after allegations of sexual abuse of minors were made against him.

“Archbishop Wesolowski has been recalled and dismissed from his post. He did not leave his post voluntarily,” Federico Lombardi has said.

National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso is quoted on the Dominican Today web site as saying that if found guilty, the Polish priest would have to face punishment on the island.

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CANADA
CBC News

A support group for people abused by priests says it is disappointed with the conditional sentence handed to a former Roman Catholic priest in Victoria who sexually touched a teenage boy.

Phil Jacobs will serve five months of house arrest, followed by two years probation.

A spokesperson for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said the sentence does not reflect the damage Jacobs has done.

Leona Huggins said the crime has shaken the faith of the victim, his family and members of St. Joseph’s the Worker Church in Victoria, where Jacobs was a parish priest from 1997 until 2001.

“I’m baffled that the courts don’t understand the nature of this crime,” she said. “This is a very minimal sentence, but it really shows a lack of understanding.”

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AUSTRALIA
ABC News

The Anglican Diocese of Grafton is apologising to victims who suffered abuse at the North Coast Children’s Home in Lismore.

The Diocese received a number of claims in 2006 about abuse at the Lismore facility between the 1940s and 1980s.

Thirty-nine were settled, but two people did not accept the conditions, and seven others later came forward with similar claims.

In May this year the Right Reverend Keith Slater resigned as bishop.

He admitted to not passing on all complaints to the church’s professional standards director, saying legal liability questions clouded the issue.

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AUSTRALIA
Coffs Coast Advocate

THE Anglican Diocese of Grafton has apologised to children who suffered abuse at the North Coast Children’s Home in Lismore.

In an advertisement in The Northern Star today the diocese has apologised to victims of sexual abuse and to those who experienced hard punishment or did not receive “appropriate nurturing and care” while living at the North Coast Children’s Home.

A victim of physical and sexual abuse at the North Coast Children’s Home between 1948 and 1963, Richard “Tommy” Campion, said he had been trying to get a “truthful apology” for the past eight years.

He said the apology is a “huge step forward” and had “lifted a huge burden” off his shoulders.

“I think this apology is an important step in admitting that the church had responsibility and saying they will provide future care for children (who were abused),” Mr Campion said.

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UNITED STATES
BishopAccountability.org

Summary of Case: Devlin was a Jesuit of the California Province, ordained in 1955. He taught high school in San Francisco, San Jose and in Ogden, Utah. In 2002 the Salt Lake diocese announced that Devlin had been removed at some point due to an accusation of abuse. According to the Official Catholic Directory, Devlin left Utah in 1989, and returned to California in 1990. He died December 6, 2011.

Ordained: 1955
Died: Dec. 6, 2011

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
DFW Catholic

Vatican City, Sep 4, 2013 / 03:33 pm (CNA).- The Vatican has launched an investigation of the Apostolic Nuncio to the Dominican Republic, Polish Archbishop Joseph Wesolowski, in the wake of accusations of grave sexual conduct.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi announced on Wednesday that the Holy See has also accepted the resignation of the nuncio.

Speaking to Reuters, Father Lombardi said Archbishop Wesolowski “has been relieved of his duties and the Holy See has launched an investigation.”

The Vatican spokesman’s announcement followed statements made during a press conference today by the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic, Francisco Dominguez, who said no formal accusations have yet been made against the nuncio.

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CHILE
La Tercera

por Karen Soto – 04/09/2013

En la octava sala de la Corte de Apelaciones de Santiago, se discute a esta hora las medidas cautelares del sacerdote Legionario de Cristo John O’Reilly, formalizado por supuestos abusos sexuales a dos menores al interior del colegio Cumbres de Las Condes.

El religioso permanece en libertad y sin medidas cautelares tras ser imputado de los delitos, luego que la jueza del Cuarto Juzgado de Garantía de Santiago, Andrea Díaz-Muñoz desestimara la existencia del delito y la participación del imputado.

Los fiscales de la zona Oriente, Lorena Parra y Matías Moya recurrieron ante la Corte de Apelaciones por considerar que la medida cautelar de prisión preventiva es la única pertinente por la gravedad del delito, y la pena asignada a éste.

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CHILE
Terra

Chile: líder de Legionarios de Cristo bajo arresto por caso de abuso sexual

Un tribunal chileno ordenó este miércoles el arresto domiciliario del sacerdote John O’Reilly, líder de la orden religiosa de los Legionarios de Cristo en Chile, acusado de cometer abusos sexuales en un exclusivo colegio de Santiago.

La Corte de Apelaciones de Santiago determinó que “es posible dar por acreditado la existencia de los hechos y la presunta participación del imputado (O’Reilly) en los mismos”, por lo cual determinó su arresto domiciliario y le prohibió salir del país.

O’Reilly, de origen irlandés, fue denunciado en julio de 2012 por abuso sexual en el exclusivo colegio privado Cumbres, de la Orden de los Legionarios de Cristo. Tras la denuncia fue suspendido de sus funciones como capellán y asesor espiritual.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
El Nuevo Diario

La Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano (CED) informó este miércoles que dará a conocer este jueves informaciones sobre los últimos escándalos en que se han visto involucrados algunos miembros de la Iglesia Católica.

La actividad se llevará a cabo a las 11:00 de la mañana, en la sede de la CED.

En los últimos días la Iglesia Católica Dominica se ha visto envuelta en varios escándalos que involucran a sacerdotes en abusos sexuales a menores.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
al Momento

SANTO DOMINGO.- La Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano (CED), que preside el Cardenal convocó a una rueda de prensa este jueves para hablar sobre los últimos escándalos en los que están involucrados algunos miembros de la iglesia.

Será efectuada en la sede de la CED, en la Casa San Pablo, de la avenida Rómulo Batancourt casi esquina Núñez de Cáceres, según publicó el Diario Libre Digital.

Uno de los casos más sonados en el país es el del nuncio Jozef Wesolowski, quien fue destituido del cargo por el papa Francisco, por abuso de manores.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
7 Dias

La Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano se referirá este jueves a los casos de pederastia en que se han visto envueltos más de un sacerdote, incluido el exnuncio Josef Weselowski, recientemente destituido por el papa Francisco.

El asunto será abordado por el organismo que aglutina a los obispos dominicanos en una rueda de prensa convocada para las 11:00 de la mañana, en su sede de la avenida Rómulo Betancourt casi esquina Núñez de Cáceres.

Además del Wesolowski, en los últimos días han sido escandalosos los casos del sacerdote Alberto Gil, de origen polaco, acusado de abuso sexual a menores y suspendido de sus funciones de párroco de la comunidad de Juncalito, en Santiago; pero además, el del padre Juan Manuel de Jesús Mota (Johnny), bajo las mismas imputaciones pero en el municipio de Constanza.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Panorama Diario

Santo Domingo.- La Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano (CED) informó este miércoles hablará mañana sobre los casos de abuso sexual contra menores de parte de sacerdotes, que incluyen al exnuncio Jozef Wesolowski, quien fue destituido del cargo por el papa Francisco. Para tal efecto se convocó a una rueda de prensa para “dar a conocer informaciones sobre los últimos escándalos en los que se han visto involucrados algunos miembros de la iglesia”.

La rueda de prensa se efectuará en el la sede de la CED, ubicado en la Avenida Rómulo Betancourt casi esquina Núñez y de Cáceres.
La CED la preside monseñor Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez y el secretario es el padre Carmelo Santana Jérez.

El caso más resonante de pederastia en la iglesia dominicana es el exnuncio Wesolowski, de quien el rector de la Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Agripino Núñez Collado dijo que durante su estada en el país de cinco años “andaba en malos pasos”.

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GALLUP (NM)
El Diario (Mexico)

Dallas— La Diócesis de Gallup, Nuevo México, informó que se declarará en bancarrota como resultado de más de una decena de demandas contra sus sacerdotes, acusados de abuso sexual.

El obispo James Wall dijo que se buscará la protección del capítulo 11 de la Ley de Bancarrota de Estados Unidos, porque éste es “el camino más eficaz a tomar, a la luz de las reclamaciones de los que fueron objeto de abuso”.

Wall, quien fue designado obispo en 2009, dijo que quiere tratar a todas las víctimas de abuso “de una manera justa, equitativa y más misericordiosa”, mientras continúan las operaciones de la diócesis.

La Diócesis de Gallup incluye una extensa área rural, integrada por condados ubicados al oeste de Nuevo México y al este de Arizona.

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CHILE
Radio UChile

Javier Candia | Martes 3 de septiembre 2013

Aludiendo responsabilidades institucionales, los tres profesionales que acusan al sacerdote Fernando Karadima de abusar sexualmente de ellos presentaron una demanda contra el Arzobispado de Santiago. En un breve comunicado, la autoridad eclesiástica metropolitana insistió en asegurar que ha colaborado permanentemente con la justicia.

Patrocinados por el abogado Juan Pablo Hermosilla, el médico James Hamilton, el periodista Juan Carlos Cruz y el filósofo José Andrés Murillo, presentaron una demanda que busca una reparación económica por los abusos cometidos por el ex párroco de El Bosque Fernando Karadima.

La acción es dirigida contra el Arzobispado de Santiago, puesto que califican a la Iglesia como una institución estrictamente jerárquica que actuó con negligencia sistemática e ignorancia deliberada en estos casos, recordando que la jerarquía es territorial.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Hispanically Speaking

Papal Nuncio, Ordained by Pope John II, Removed from Dominican Republican Amidst Pedophile Claims

The Vatican has removed and ordered back to Rome the papal nuncio in the Dominican Republic, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski.

The removal comes in light of the announcement today by the Dominican National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice that an investigation has been opened into the activities of the 65-year-old Vatican diplomat. Rumors of sexual abuse of minors had been swirling around Wesolowski for sometime but no official investigation until today.

A local news program aired allegations that he had paid for sex with minors in Santo Domingo and was connected to a Polish priest accused of sexually assaulting boys under the age of 14. News reporter Nuria Piera alleges Wesolowski was a regular vistor to the Zona Colonial area of Santo Domingo where he was seen drinking and paying for sex in open areas of the Zona.

Archbishop Wesolowski had been acting as nuncio (ambassador) representing the interests of the Vatican in DR for nearly six years. He was born in Nowy Targ, Poland and started as a Vatican diplomat in 1999 in Bolivia. Wesolowski has the proud distinction of having been ordained a priest by Bishop Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John II.

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CANADA
Sylvia’s Site

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Sylvia

Father Howard Chabot‘s court date has been adjourned to 01 October 2013: 9 am, courtroom #1, Pembroke, Ontario courthouse.

Father Chabot was in the courtroom, accompanied by a large number of supporters – at least 20, and at least two of whom were priests (wearing their collars). Father Proulx was also present, but he sat apart from the Father Chabot contingent.

On the heels of the news I’ve been receiving from Pembroke I was not at all surprised at the show of support. Several sources told me that the local Knights of Columbus has now become involved and was sending out emails conveying the message that Father Chabot has said he has a clear conscience and asking for prayers for himself and the complainant.

I had difficulty with that. I don’t believe the Knights should allow themselves to be used in a situation such as this. I don’t know about others, but I see that as being used. Granted, there was an option, was there not? Every adult is capable of saying “no.”

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CALIFORNIA
Fresno Bee

By LAURA OLSON — Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — The state Assembly on Wednesday narrowly approved legislation that would open a one-year window for some victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue religious organizations and other private or nonprofit groups that employed their abusers.

The bill from Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, is similar to a 2002 measure passed amid the Catholic Church sex-abuse scandal. It would lift the statute of limitations for a group of alleged victims who were 26 and older and missed the previous window to file lawsuits because of time and age restrictions.

The Catholic Church and victims’ advocates have lobbied heavily on SB131, and lawmakers said there were unsuccessful efforts in recent days to work out disagreements over the legislation.

Beall’s measure cleared the Assembly, 42-14, and now returns to the Senate for a final vote.

Catholic Church leaders and representatives of other organizations opposing the bill, such as private schools and the State Alliance of YMCAs, say the legislation is unfair because it does not include the ability for accusers to sue public institutions.

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CALIFORNIA
Sacramento Bee

By Victor Garza
Special to The Bee
Published: Wednesday, Sep. 4, 2013

“To create a distinction between private and public entities would make a mockery of the Legislature’s stated intent to ‘ensure that victims severely damaged by childhood sexual abuse are able to seek compensation from those responsible.’”

That’s a quote from a legal brief filed by Irwin Zalkin, one of the attorneys and co-sponsors of Senate Bill 131, authored by Sen. Jim Beall.

It’s doubly ironic, because discrimination against public victims of childhood sexual abuse is at the center of SB 131. It’s why the bill has developed such a broad and surprising coalition of opponents.

On the surface, SB 131 looks like serious legislation to deal with the rights of victims of child sexual abuse to sue their abuser by reviving claims that have died because the statute of limitations has expired. But scratch the surface and people should have serious concerns about how it addresses the problem. Why?

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CALIFORNIA
Sacramento Bee

By Paula Treat
Special to The Bee
Published: Wednesday, Sep. 4, 2013

It is perhaps a product of the times we live in that we are finally able to confront old demons in a public forum. Just a few years ago I would have been terrified to say out loud that I survived sexual abuse and molestation at a very young age. Recently, however, I made that revelation in front of my colleagues. I testified at a legislative hearing on a bill that will allow some victims of such abuse legal recourse to find some semblance of justice.

Surviving molestation does not come without cost. My life was changed instantly, terribly and dramatically when a trusted individual in authority decided to abuse a second-grader.

I have learned over the years that I am part of a painful sorority. Unfortunately, since the introduction of Senate Bill 131, by Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, I have learned that girls who were my age then still suffer from the effects of the abuse when we become women our age now. It is not unusual to hide the details from those closest to us, or suppress the memories to spare ourselves. The momentary sexual satisfaction of the abuser remains a lasting specter in the lives of the abused.

The stories are similar. They are unpleasant to repeat in polite company, yet they deserve to be told to set the record straight and to do everything possible to prevent them from being repeated.

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OHIO/CANADA
Columbus Dispatch

By JoAnne Viviano
The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday September 4, 2013

A priest who once worked in central Ohio was sentenced in Canada today to serve two months under house arrest on a conviction of sexually touching a teenager in British Columbia.

The Rev. Phil Jacobs, 63, then must spend three months under court supervision, which will include a curfew and limited outings, defense attorney Chris Considine said.

He will be on probation for two years after that, Considine said, and must meet criteria that include 50 hours of community service, counseling, limited contact with young people and registering as a sex offender.

Jacobs was found guilty in February of sexually touching a person between the ages of 14 and 18. The Saanich News reported that Justice J. Miriam Gropper said he could avoid jail time because he is a low to moderate risk to reoffend.

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CHILE
Santiago Times

WEDNESDAY, 04 SEPTEMBER 2013
WRITTEN BY MIMI YAGOUB

The three victims of sexual abuse by ex-priest Fernando Karadima have filed a civil suit against the Archbishop of Santiago, calling for the Church to assume responsibility.

The three men who were sexually abused between 1955 and 1980 by Fernando Karadima of the El Bosque Parish in Las Condes, Santiago, have filed a suit against Archbishop of Santiago Ricardo Ezzati demanding economic compensation for the crimes committed against them.

The men in question are Dr. James Hamilton, journalist Juan Carlos Cruz and philosopher José Andrés Murillo and are represented by lawyer Juan Pablo Hermosilla. They say that the suit is directed towards the archbishop in an attempt to make the Church assume responsibility as an institution that acted negligently during the cases that were brought forward against Karadima.

“We’re trying to break the cornerstone of sexual abuse — silence — and this is done through what we are doing now,” José Murillo told Radio Universidad de Chile. “Every time there is abuse there is damage done, and if the abuse was committed by someone who belongs to an institution … there is an institutional responsibility, and we want this to be established.”

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CANADA
Vancouver Sun

BY JEFF BELL, TIMES COLONIST SEPTEMBER 4, 2013

Philip Jacobs has been given a five-month conditional sentence, followed by two years probation, for sexual touching of a teenage boy while serving as a Catholic priest at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Saanich.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Miriam Gropper chose today to impose the condtional term rather than up to six months in jail as requested by the Crown prosecutor.

Gropper found the 63-year-old Jacobs guilty in March while acquitting him on three other charges, including two counts of sexual touching and a count of sexual assault. She said it was clear to her that Jacobs acted deliberately when rubbing a youth’s leg up to the groin and that it was not something accidental or absent-minded as Jacobs maintained.

Gropper said the situation that led to the offence, which had Jacobs and the youth (who cannot be named) alone for a study session, was “an aspect of grooming” by Jacobs for touching in a sexual way.

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KANSAS CITY (MO)
The Kansas City Star

PUBLIC EDITOR
September 4

This week, The Star published a story about Bishop Robert Finn of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. But this one had a very different focus from most news mentioning him in recent years.

Finn was the first American bishop to be convicted of failing to report a priest engaging in illegal sexual activity involving minors. The story in the FYI section this week was about a new endeavor he’s undertaking: learning to play the trombone.

“As a very strong Catholic, I am really, really offended that you would put something in the paper about this man,” said a caller this morning. “I think this article is just terrible. He should be shunned for not protecting children, and here (The Star goes) putting this big article out saying what a great man he is. I’m so angry about this.”

Other readers have offered similar sentiments. But I’ve also heard from Finn supporters, one of whom told me she “appreciate(d) showing another side of him. We’re told to forgive, so this might show other people he is human too.”

The story does mention the sex-abuse scandal prominently. And in fact, you could argue that it’s the framing device for the story itself, ending with a subtle parallel between the bishop’s getting past his musical slip-ups and his legal transgressions.

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ST. LOUIS (MO)
Berger’s Beat

September 4, 2013 11:17 am | Author: berger

K.C. top prosecutor, Jean Peters Baker, is reportedly considering a run for attorney general if/when AG Chris Koster seeks governorship. Baker is the only prosecutor to successfully convict a Catholic prelate, Bishop Robert Finn, (who hails from our town) on charges of refusing to turn over child porn photos taken by a priest to the police. . .

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PUBLICA DOMINICANA
UPI

Publicado: sep. 4, 2013

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, sep. 4 (UPI) — Dominicana presta atención hoy a las acusaciones que señalan al nuncio apostólico Joséf Wesolowski, recientemente destituido del cargo, como un violador sexual de niños.

Según el rector de la Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, monseñor Agripino Núñez, tal comportamiento motivó el fin de la misión en este país del religioso, cuyo paradero se desconoce actualmente, indicó Prensa Latina.

El Papa tiene bien claro el daño que eso puede causarle a un infante, por lo tanto cuando hay casos así la justicia dominicana debe actuar sin importar quien sea, manifestó Núñez a reporteros en el Palacio Nacional.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
National Catholic Reporter

Ezra Fieser Catholic News Service | Sep. 4, 2013

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The Dominican Republic’s top prosecutor said Wednesday he plans to investigate claims of sexual abuse allegedly committed by the apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic, just a day after the Vatican confirmed its own investigation into the allegations.

Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, appointed as nuncio in 2008, was removed from the post Aug. 21. A Dominican bishop confirmed in early September that the dismissal was due to the sexual abuse scandal unfolding in the Caribbean country.

Days after Wesolowski’s removal, a television news program aired allegations that he had paid for sex with minors and was connected to a Polish priest accused of sexually assaulting at least 14 underage boys.

The program, Nuria, claimed Wesolowski regularly visited Santo Domingo’s historic center, where he allegedly drank alcohol and paid for sex with underage boys in an abandoned monument nearby.

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CALIFORNIA
Orange County Register

By JIM BEALL / For the Register

I introduced Senate Bill 131 because I do not believe an organization that knowingly protects employees who sexually abuse children in the workplace should escape responsibility for the harm it caused. SB131 is about justice. This bill seeks to give the adult survivors of childhood molestation their day in court against the institutions that enabled their abusers.

I introduced SB131 after listening to victims plagued with depression and anger fueled by the heinous crime inflicted upon them as innocents. For these victims, their agony is compounded because a quirk in the law denies them the opportunity to obtain justice against their abuser.

Our laws must work for victims of crimes, not against them. That’s why SB131 is supported by health care professionals such as the California Nurses Association and by law enforcement agencies such as the Peace Officers Research Association, the California Association of Chiefs of Police, and prosecutors, including the district attorneys of Santa Clara and San Diego counties.

“This bill will allow those who have suffered for years in private the public support they need to come forward and seek compensation,” San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis wrote in support of SB131. “This bill gives a voice to those who have suffered in silence way too long.”

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CHILE
The Journal (Ireland)

AN IRISH-BORN priest has been ordered under house arrest in Chile, amid a widening pedophilia scandal that has engulfed the religious order he belongs to.

Father John O’Reilly, a senior figure with the Legion of Christ in Chile religious order, was detained while authorities investigate the “credibility of the allegations” against him and others at an exclusive school run by the order in Santiago.

Officials said O’Reilly is barred from leaving his home and has been denied the right to leave the country.

He also has been relieved of all his priestly duties and forbidden from having contact with minors, while authorities probe allegations that he sexually abused such individuals.

The Legion of Christ, a group of priests and seminarians founded in Mexico in 1941, became embroiled in scandal in 2005 when its founder and leader, Marcial Maciel, stepped down amid sexual abuse allegations.

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UNITED STATES
BIshopAccountability.org

Summary of Case: A Jesuit of the Oregon Province ordained in 1932, Endal lived and worked in remote Alaskan villages from 1936 until 1987, when he retired to an assisted living facility in Anchorage. He died in 1996. In a 2011 settlement, Endal was named one of the Jesuits’ top ten worst alleged offenders, with 25 claims of child sexual abuse against him. He has been accused of abusing both boys and girls. From about 1959 through mid-1975 a volunteer, Joseph Lundowski, worked closely with Endal, traveling with him from village to village. Lundowski is said to have targeted native Alaskan boys; at least 60 have come forward with accusations against him. Some accusers have said that Endal knew of Ludowski’s abusive behavior, and told the children that to tell would be a mortal sin. Endal also reportedly told a little girl he abused that if she told, she would go straight to hell. At least one reported Endal victim, a girl, is said to have later taken her own life.

Ordained: 1932
Died: Nov.15, 1996

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CALIFORNIA
The Worthy Adversary

Posted by Joelle Casteix on September 4, 2013

Senate Bill 131 – The California Child Victims’ Act – just passed an Assembly floor vote, 42-14.

The bill give victims of child sexual abuse a one-year window to come forward and use the civil court system to get justice and accountability. It is also a huge step forward for ALL victims of abuse—the more we expose abuse in private institutions, the easier it will be to pass legislation that eliminates sovereign immunity (the legal barrier to suing public institutions for crimes like child sexual abuse).
The bill now goes back to the Senate for a final floor vote.

Remember – we would know little to nothing about the criminal activity of men like Cardinal Roger Mahony were it not for the 2003 window. Statewide, more than 250 predators—dozens in Orange County—were exposed (with supporting documents and evidence to go with it!). Men like Denis Lyons and Michael Baker would never have seen a day behind bars, and and the crimes at places like Mater Dei High School would never have been exposed.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday, Sept. 4

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com )

The pope’s ambassador to the Dominican Republic has been recalled after child sex abuse allegations against him surfaced in news accounts. But like all of his predecessors, Pope Francis is acting belatedly, secretively and recklessly.

[CNN]

It’s the same old, same old…

Catholic officials act only when forced to do so by media pressure. When they do act, they act secretively – in this case, by not disclosing the allegations, the suspension or the reason for the suspension. (According to CNN, “The Vatican confirmed Wednesday that Jozef Wesolowski was removed from his post and that an investigation is under way, but did not say what allegations were made.”)

Catholic officials claim they’ll act with “openness and transparency” in clergy sex cases. But they don’t. They claim they’re “learning” and “reforming” in clergy sex cases. But they aren’t.

The new pontiff has raised many people’s hopes by his personal warmth and simple gestures and more down-to-earth style. Tragically, however, one of that has translated into any significant change in the hurtful and self-destructive patterns of irresponsible action by the church hierarchy in child abuse and cover up cases.

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CHILE
GlobalPost

AFP

An Irish-born priest was ordered under house arrest in Chile on Wednesday, amid a widening pedophilia scandal that has engulfed the religious order he belongs to.

Father John O’Reilly, a senior figure with the Legion of Christ in Chile religious order, was detained while authorities investigate the “credibility of the allegations” against him and others at an exclusive school run by the order in Santiago.

Officials said O’Reilly is barred from leaving his home and has been denied the right to leave the country.

He also has been relieved of all his priestly duties and forbidden from having contact with minors, while authorities probe allegations that he sexually abused such individuals.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

REPUBLICA DOMINIANA
Acento

[con video]

SANTO DOMINGO, República Dominicana.-La periodista Nuria Piera denunció que el hasta hace poco embajador del Vaticano en Santo Domingo, Joséf (o Joseph) Wesolowski, era un habitual visitante de la Zona Colonial, lugares donde tomaba alcohol y luego pagaba a niños para sostener relaciones sexuales en el abandonado monumento a Fray Antón de Montesinos, en el malecón de Santo Domingo.

Joséf Wesolowski, polaco, fue destituido por el papa Francisco el pasado 21 de agosto, sin que oficialmente se haya dado ninguna explicación.

Una versión de un periódico italiano asoció la caída de Wesolowski a sus contradicciones con el arzobispo de San Juan, Puerto Rico, Roberto González Nieves.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Noticias A Tiempo

[con video]

Nuria Piera presentó vídeo del embajador del Papa en Santo Domingo tomando bebidas alcohólicas en la Zona Colonial

SANTO DOMINGO, República Dominicana.-La periodista Nuria Piera denunció que el hasta hace poco embajador del Vaticano en Santo Domingo, Joséf (o Joseph) Wesolowski, era un habitual visitante de la Zona Colonial, lugares donde tomaba alcohol y luego pagaba a niños para sostener relaciones sexuales en el abandonado monumento a Fray Antón de Montesinos, en el malecón de Santo Domingo.

Joséf Wesolowski, polaco, fue destituido por el papa Francisco el pasado 21 de agosto, sin que oficialmente se haya dado ninguna explicación.

Una versión de un periódico italiano asoció la caída de Wesolowski a sus contradicciones con el arzobispo de San Juan, Puerto Rico, Roberto González Nieves.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

VATICAN CITY
BBC News

The Vatican has recalled its envoy to the Dominican Republic and launched an investigation after local media accused him of sexually abusing children.

Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski had been the Apostolic Nuncio in Santo Domingo for nearly six years.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told the Reuters news agency he had been “relieved of his duties” and the Holy See had “begun an investigation”.

Archbishop Wesolowski had been recalled “in the last few weeks”, he added.

But he did not give details about the allegations.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/VATICAN CITY
ABC News

By EZEQUIEL ABIU LOPEZ and NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press

Authorities in the Dominican Republic will look into allegations of child sex abuse against the papal envoy to the Caribbean country following his abrupt removal from his post by the Vatican, the attorney general said Wednesday.

Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito was careful to note that his office is aware only of “rumors” about the papal nuncio, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, and has not received any accusations that would prompt a formal investigation under Dominican law.

A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, confirmed that Wesolowski had been removed from his post and that the church was conducting an investigation of him. He did not specify the nature of the accusations against the Polish-born prelate.

A nuncio is the pope’s ambassador to a country and such an abrupt removal is rare.

Dominguez told reporters at a news conference that the investigation was in its initial stages and largely in response to media reports of allegations of sexual misconduct by Wesolowski as well as a friend and fellow priest. He said that he had designated a senior official to lead the investigation and coordinate with the Vatican.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/VATICAN CITY
CNN

From Diulka Perez, For CNN
updated 2:26 PM EDT, Wed September 4, 2013

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (CNN) — The pope has pulled out the Vatican’s ambassador to the Dominican Republic, a move a local church representative says is linked to child abuse allegations.

The Vatican confirmed Wednesday that Jozef Wesolowski was removed from his post and that an investigation is under way, but did not say what allegations were made.

Wesolowski had been an apostolic nuncio, the Vatican’s official representative in the Dominican Republic.

But he was recalled last month after an internal church report connected him with child abuse and pedophilia, according to Monsignor Agripino Nunez Collado, the rector of a Catholic university and spokesman for the church in the country.

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ILLINOIS
Kane County Chronicle

BY DAVID GIULIANI – dgiuliani@saukvalley.com
Created: Wednesday, September 4, 2013

ST. CHARLES – A former Dixon priest has returned to the ministry after law enforcement authorities cleared him of wrongdoing in a computer usage investigation, the area’s Catholic bishop said.

In March, the Diocese of Rockford relieved the Rev. John Gow of St. Patrick Parish in Dixon as a result of the investigation, Bishop David Malloy of Rockford said in a statement. It was done as a precaution while Gow and the diocese cooperated with authorities, the bishop said.

Gow has now been assigned as associate pastor at St. John Neumann Parish in St. Charles. He started Sunday.

“Father Gow is returning to the full exercise of his priestly duties and deserves the total restoration of his good name and reputation,” Malloy said. “The information that prompted the investigation was baseless.”

Malloy’s statement was read Sunday during weekend Masses at St. Patrick.

“I wish to thank the parish family of St. Patrick in Dixon for your support of Father Gow during these difficult months,” Malloy said. “In addition, I am grateful to Father Gow for his cooperation and patience during this time.”

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CANADA
Victoria News

By Staff Writer – Victoria News
Published: September 04, 2013

Former Saanich priest Phil Jacobs has been handed a five month conditional sentence, which includes two months of house arrest, during a sentencing hearing today in Victoria.

He also has two years of probation following the sentence.

In February, Justice Miriam Gropper found Jacobs has guilty of touching a young person for a sexual purpose, but not guilty on three other counts of molestation.

Three young men and former students of St. Joseph the Worker School testified that Jacobs molested or sexually touched them during his tenure as parish priest at the Saanich Catholic school in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

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AUSTRALIA
lewisblayse.net

The Anglican Archbishops are different from the Catholic ones in that the Anglicans are elected by clerical and lay members of the church. They therefore tend to be more aware of their images ad more skilled at currying favour and attention (of the right sort, of course). This makes them a bit more dangerous.

The Sydney guy, Glenn Naunton Davies, who has only been in the job since last month, campaigned for his position with all the skill of a veteran politician, to come from behind and win the plum job, over his rival Richard Smith.

In the past, Davies has been quick to enter into traditional political discussion. This week, he criticized Prime Minister Rudd for his interpretation of the bible. He has been vocal in opposing secular ethics classes in NSW schools. He also punches for his church over the Catholic, whose numbers passed his in 1986 to become the dominant religion in Australia. Davies is reported as casting “doubt” on Mary MacKillop’s “alleged miracles” saying (concerning the miracle cures) that “”Even if they prayed to Mary MacKillop, what evidence is there that it was Mary MacKillop’s intercession that healed them?”

His big problem was the recent resignation of his Grafton bishop, Keith Slater, for failings to do with a children’s home. Davies, somehow, avoided having to comment in the media.

The guy with the real problems is the Adelaide Archbishop, Jeffrey Driver who took over after the resignation of the disgraced Ian George. George had “mishandled” abuse cases, particularly at Adelaide’s prestige school, St. Peter’s. He got into more hot water when the church went back on its promise not to have a “service of recognition” for Mr. George.

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