ABUSE TRACKER

NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph

2 SEPTEMBER 2015
BY MAURICE FITZMAURICE

The brother of a schoolboy shot dead by the IRA says he was failed “at every level”.

Bernard Teggart was only 15 when he was abducted and murdered by the terror group in 1973.

The IRA denied being involved in the killing, but admitted it and apologised in 2004 and again in 2008. However, the teenager’s death was raised again today when it was introduced at the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry where it was described as the “most horrific” case of child abuse being considered by the probe.

Bernard Teggart was abducted from St Patrick’s Training School in West Belfast before being shot in the head some hours later. He later died in hospital.

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.

CANADA
Canadian Mennonite

(The following article discusses a difficult topic in story form. All characters are fictional, although the events referred to are based on an amalgamation of true experiences.)

She went to her pastor for advice, not sex.

Another woman accepted her pastor’s invitation to chair a committee he oversaw, not an invitation to be sexually preyed upon.

And still another woman was encouraged by her pastor to enter the ministry, not to enter a sexual relationship with her seminary professor, who was also the on-campus pastor.

Each of these women thought they knew what they had agreed to. None of these women ever expected a pastor to do something so egregious as to manipulate them into having sex with him. The worst part of it was that each woman blamed herself for having an “affair” with her pastor and each woman hid silently in her shame. By holding his secret, each woman protected the trusted authority figure who had betrayed her.

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
el Caribe

Varios jóvenes de los que supuestamente fueron abusados sexualmente por el fallecido exnuncio vaticano en el país Josef Wesolowski acudieron este miércoles a la Fiscalía del Distrito Nacional, donde exigen una indemnización. Uno de los jóvenes dijo que necesita el dinero para ayudar a su familia.

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
Dominican Today

Santo Domingo.- Several youngsters who were allegedly sexually abused by former Vatican envoy the late Josef Wesolowski went to the National District Office of the Prosecutor on Wednesday, to demand compensation.

One boy said he needs the money to help his family, elcaribe.com.do reports.

Wesolowski, charged with sexually abusing boys during his tenure in the Dominican Republic, died at the Vatican reportedly from a heart attack last Friday.

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.

KENTUCKY
WDRB

By Antoinette Konz

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Father Steven Pohl, a former priest at St. Margaret Mary Church facing several child pornography charges, faced a federal judge Wednesday at his initial hearing.

During the proceedings, U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin approved Pohl’s release on 24-hour federal home incarceration on strict conditions.

Pohl, who is being housed in Grayson County, will not be released until Thursday when they can get all of the required monitoring equipment set up at his mother’s house, which is located in Jefferson County.

Prosecutors acknowledged acknowledged that his mother’s home is located near several schools, but they said they do not believe he poses a risk to the community. They also said that while Pohl left the state during the investigation, they don’t believe he did it to flee law enforcement, so they are OK with his release on home incarceration.

Pohl’s attorney, Ted House, said Pohl was arrested at his sister’s home near Tampa, Fla., and that he is “in no way” a flight risk.

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.

MINNESOTA
Minnesota Lawyer

Clergy abuse victims’ privacy to be debated in bankruptcy court, the craziest law review article ever, and a melodrama in the Pennsylvania AG office

By: Mike Mosedale September 2, 2015

In clergy sex abuse cases: Who gets to review victims’ claims?

The Wall Street Journal checks in on the latest legal jousting in U.S. Bankruptcy Court between the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and victims of clergy sex abuse.

Plaintiffs attorneys are pushing back against a request to allow as many as 1,000 additional individuals – including parish pastors, parish financial councils, board members and other lawyers – to review “the unusually detailed and intensely personal details” in the victims’ claims.

While those particulars have already been eyeballed by the archdiocese, insurance carriers, and the parishes’ bankruptcy lawyers, Mary Jo. A. Jensen-Carter – a lawyer representing a group of parishes – said in court papers that it is “imperative that individuals governing the parish be involved in the process of analyzing the claims.”

Judge Robert Kressel is expected to take up the matter at a hearing in Minneapolis tomorrow.

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.

ILLINOIS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday, September 2, 2015

For more information: David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, davidgclohessy@gmail.com, SNAPclohessy@aol.com), Barbara Dorris (314 503 0003, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org), Jeff Jones, Peoria SNAP leader (jjones10072gmail.com, 815 985 9441)

Victims challenge bishop about alleged predator priest
He’s a “credibly accused child molester,” church admits
But group worries that his whereabouts now are secret
“We fear he has hurt others or is hurting others,” SNAP says
Cleric reportedly also led weekend retreats for Catholic teenagers

A victims’ group is prodding Peoria’s bishop to be more honest about a just-suspended priest who allegedly committed child sexual abuse. It also wants Catholic officials to “aggressively seek out others who may have seen, suspected or suffered these crimes so the wrongdoers might be prosecuted.”

Last week, Fr. Terry Cassidy was removed as pastor of St. Anne’s parish in Peoria because of accusations of child sexual abuse. The announcement was made in a news release from the Peoria Diocese. But Bishop Daniel Jenky would “not specify a number of victims, when the misconduct occurred or when the allegations were made,” according to the Peoria Star Journal.

[Journal Star]

Leaders of a support group called the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests are writing to Jenky urging him to “take decisive action to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded and expose the truth.”

Specifically, SNAP wants the bishop to disclose:

–where Fr. Cassidy is now,
–how much time elapsed between the first abuse report against Fr. Cassidy and his suspension, and
–how many individuals have reported child sex crimes by Fr. Cassidy.

They also want Jenky to

–put Fr. Cassidy in “a remote, secure, independent and professionally-run treatment center, so that kids will be safe,”
–personally visit every place where Fr. Cassidy worked, “begging victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to call law enforcement,” and
–turn over to law enforcement all church records about Fr. Cassidy.

“Catholic officials will often oust child molesting clerics from parishes because it’s a smart legal defense and public relations move for them,” said Jeff Jones, SNAP’s Peoria leader (jjones10072gmail.com, 815 985 9441). “The real issue is: Will church officials warn and help protect the public from these dangerous predators? That’s what almost every bishop refuses to do.”

“We hope Bishop Jenky will show some courage, go beyond the bare minimum and do what any caring shepherd would really do, by aggressively seeking out victims, witnesses and whistleblowers,” said David Clohessy of St. Louis. He is SNAP’s director. “For starters, Jenky should tell parents, police, prosecutors, parishioners and the public where Fr. Cassidy is now so that kids can be kept away from him.”

“We’re afraid Fr. Cassidy may be hurting kids right now,” said Clohessy. “And it’s very likely others who were hurt by him are “still suffering in shame, silence and self-blame. So Peoria’s bishop, priests and lay Catholics should do everything possible to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded.”

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.

NORTHERN IRELAND
BBC News

The IRA murder of a schoolboy is the “most horrific” case of child abuse being considered by the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA) , it has been revealed.

Barney Teggart, 15, was abducted from St Patrick’s Training School in west Belfast in 1973.
He was shot in the head some hours afterwards and died in hospital.

Inquiry counsel said the killing is “the most horrific incident of child abuse to come before the HIA Inquiry”.

It was revealed that the school authorities did not report the abduction to the police.

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.

KANSAS
Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home

Fr. Camillus Matthias Wurtz, OSB
(November 21, 1928 – August 16, 2013)

Father Camillus (Matthias) Wurtz, O.S.B. died on August 16, 2013, at the Heartland Regional Medical Center after a short illness. He was born on November 21, 1928, in Greenleaf, Kansas, the son of Matthias A. and Rhea (Hogue) Wurtz.

Vespers for the Dead, followed by visitation, will be on Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at 7 p.m. in St. Benedict’s Abbey Church. The Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Camillus will be in the Abbey Church on Wednesday, August 21, at 10:30 AM, with interment following in the Abbey cemetery.

Memorials in honor of Fr. Camillus can be made to St. Benedict’s Abbey, 1020 N. Second St., Atchison, KS 66002. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home of Atchison, Kansas, is in charge of arrangements.

Father Camillus attended Greenleaf High School 1942-1944, and finished at Maur Hill Prep School, Atchison, in 1945. He attended St. Benedict’s College for two years before entering the novitiate on July 10, 1946.

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.

AUSTRALIA
The Australian

TESSA AKERMAN
THE AUSTRALIAN
SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

Geelong Grammar has been ­exposed cynically dealing with child sexual abuse, including a cover-up and ruse where the school manufactured concern to limit the fallout of the decades-long scandal.

The child sex abuse royal commission has revealed explosive evidence detailing how the school council in 2004 had a policy of hushing up abuse and that in 2006 incumbent principal ­Stephen Meek was fully aware of confidentiality clauses used by the institution in deals with ­victims.

In damning evidence, the commission released a facsimile from 1997 written by the then head of the Toorak junior campus, Phillipa Beeson, detailing the legal strategy of dealing with a victim.

Ms Beeson told then Geelong headmaster Lister Hannah that the school should not admit liability to the victim but instead ­ingratiate itself with the victim, who was assaulted as a child in 1980 but the complaint was made in 1997.

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.

KENTUCKY
WHAS

Derrick Rose, @WHAS11 September 2, 2015

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) — With an escort from United States Marshals, Father Stephen Pohl, the former pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish, is back in Louisville to face a federal judge in connection to a child pornography investigation, a federal official confirmed to WHAS11 news Wednesday morning, Sept. 2.

Pohl is facing charges of accessing child pornography here in Louisville.

The case started when an FBI task force began investigating Pohl. The investigation revealed that Pohl had several images of children on his computer as well as child pornography. The Archdiocese of Louisville revealed some of that investigation revealing that Pohl had nearly 200 images of schoolchildren from when he worked at Saint Margaret Mary.

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.

KENTUCKY
The Courier-Journal

Matthew Glowicki, @MattGlo September 2, 2015

The Rev. Stephen Pohl, the former pastor at St. Margaret Mary, has been extradited from Florida and is due to appear in U.S. District Court at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in Louisville, court records show.

Pohl was originally arrested in Florida last month and charged with a federal count of accessing child porn.

Investigators say Pohl viewed multiple pornographic online images of nude young boys ranging in age from infancy to mid-teens with their genitals exposed, according to a criminal complaint.

Pohl, 57, viewed those images on his laptop and desktop computer seized from the office and rectory of St. Margaret Mary Parish, said Detective Dan Jackman of the Louisville Metro Police Crimes Against Children Unit in a complaint affidavit.

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.

KENTUCKY
WLKY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Former St. Margaret Mary priest Stephen Pohl is back in Louisville.

Pohl will be in court at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday to answer to a charge of knowingly accessing with intent to view material that contained an image of child pornography that had been transported using any means or facility of interstate commerce and foreign commerce by any means including by computer.

Pohl was arrested last month in Pinellas County, Florida. He resigned from his position at St. Margaret Mary a day before his arrest.

Investigators said they found more than 150 pictures of children from St. Margaret Mary School on Pohl’s electronic devices. Detectives said several of the pictures of students were inappropriate.

An examination of the hard drives from Pohl’s office and home computers showed the presence of child pornography. The images were not downloaded, but rather appeared in the cache, indicating that he had accessed and viewed materials but did not download or purposely store them.

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.

MASSACHUSETTS
Gloucester Times

Eileen Ford Insights and Outbursts

“Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
– Lord Acton

I spent a week last month at the Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford Pool, Maine, on a directed retreat, speaking with one of the sisters for an hour each day but otherwise, remaining in silence most of the time.

At Marie Joseph, newspapers were available on a table near the entrance to the dining room but I wasn’t interested in news until I read “It’s time to end pattern of deceit and denial on clergy sex abuse cases,” a headline on the July 3-16 issue of the National Catholic Reporter.

It took me back to a painful time when I lost faith in a church I always respected. As a retired NYC Transit Police lieutenant responsible for investigating allegations against police officers at one time, I wondered if the church needed a civilian review board, for it was obvious that in at least one critical area, the welfare of children, church leaders failed to police themselves.

I shared those feelings with my director and our conversations helped me regain the sense of living in the present moment and enjoying my time there.

But I also felt a need to celebrate the “unsung heroes” responsible for any improvements in the church, not bishops or popes but the survivors of abuse and clerical negligence I got to know, many of them still standing outside Catholic cathedrals every Sunday, ignored by bishops and parishioners.

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.

UNITED STATES
Renew America

By Matt C. Abbott

A bit of good news to share: A reliable source has informed me that Father John Corapi, a popular priest among orthodox Catholics who departed public life after a tumultuous period a few years ago, remains in the priesthood and is re-establishing his spiritual life.

There’s no indication he’ll be returning to public life anytime soon, if ever. However, it’s nice to know that Father Corapi can at least be a quiet prayer warrior during this extremely difficult time in the Church and world.

I won’t go into the particulars about what transpired in the past – it’s water under the bridge – and I’m sure there’s information on the Internet (some of it more reliable than other information, obviously) for those who may not be familiar with the situation. Plus, those who really didn’t pay attention to him in the first place likely don’t care one way or the other about his current status.

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.

OSTERREICH
Kleine Zeitung

Laut Staatsanwaltschaft bestand kein Autoritätsverhältnis zwischen dem Pater und den Burschen. Auch der Vorsatz der Belästigung sei nicht nachweisbar.

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.

VATIKAN
Katholishches

[Requiem for ex-nuncio Wesołowski took place in the rite for laymen.]

(Rom) Die Begräbnis von Józef Wesołowski, des ehemaligen Apostolischen Nuntius der Dominikanischen Republik und Titularerzbischofs, fand nicht im Ritus für Bischöfe, sondern für Laien statt. Wesołowski war von der Glaubenskongregation des sexuellen Kindesmißbrauchs für schuldig befunden und in den Laienstand zurückversetzt worden.

Der polnische Kurienerzbischof Konrad Krajevski, seit Sommer 2013 Päpstlicher Almosenier, leitete die Totenmesse für den ehemaligen polnischen Vatikan-Diplomaten, der im August 2013 von Papst Franziskus seines Amtes enthoben worden war (siehe Ex-Vatikandiplomat Wesołowski tot – Ihm drohten bis zu zehn Jahre Haft wegen Kindesmißbrauch).

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.

AUSTRALIA
SBS

Abuse victim and former Yeshiva student Manny Waks has welcomed the resignation of a senior Australian Rabbi.

Rabbi Zvi Telsner yesterday announced he would step down as head of Melbourne’s Yeshiva Centre, which manages schools including Yeshiva College.

In a letter to the Jewish community on Tuesday evening, Rabbi Telsner apologised for the way he dealt with child sex abuse victims and their families.

“We must all be aware of how our words and actions impact on others and therefore would like to apologise for my conduct and urge everyone to show compassion and support towards victims and their families,” he said.

Speaking with SBS from France this morning, Mr Waks said the decision was necessary.

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.

AUSTRALIA
ABC News

By Sarah Farnsworth

A man with no memory of sexual abuse perpetrated at Geelong Grammar is trying to come to terms with shattered memories of his beloved school, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has heard.

Luke Benson said he had only fond memories of his time at prestigious Victorian school from when he first started at the Highton campus in 1988.

He told the inquiry the school took pride in its ability to look after children and he developed incredibly close and intimate bonds with teachers and staff.

“I was made to feel loved,” Mr Benson said.

“It was like going to a slumber party every night for two years.”

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.

AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun

LIFE was “brutal” at Timbertop, much like the scenes depicted in William Golding’s classic novel about the descent into barbarity of a group of marooned schoolboys.

THAT’S how former student BKO recalls his time at Geelong Grammar School’s rural campus, famously attended for two terms by Prince Charles in 1966.

In Golding’s book Lord of the Flies, the stranded boys run riot and turn on one another once they are removed from the rules of civilisation.

BKO, who spent a year at Timbertop in 1973, describes the school campus on 325-hectares of bush and farming land as an unusual and “quite a brutal” environment.

“You’re out in the bush with 14 other boys in your unit and you live very closely with those boys.”

He said it was very different to Geelong Grammar’s Corio campus, where if you did not get on with somebody you did not really have to see them much at all.

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.

AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald

September 2, 2015

Timna Jacks
Reporter

A Geelong Grammar School student who was abused up to 40 times by a school tutor he considered a “father figure” has no memory of the abuse, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse has heard.

Luke Benson, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, attended the school from the late 1980s to early 1990s, was asked to attend Prahran police station in 2005. There, he was informed that one of the school’s house assistants, Philippe Vincent Trutmann, had admitted to sexually abusing him 30 to 40 times over a two-year period.

“It is confusing to have no recollection of the abuse,” Me Benson said. “I have no memory of this happening and I inquired whether it was a mistake.

“The police told me that Trutmann had reviewed school yearbooks and identified from photographs the boys who he had abused. I think this was the worst day of my life.”

Trutmann was sentenced to up to six-and-a-half years in jail in 2005, for sexually abusing 40 young male boarders at the school’s Highton campus between 1985 and 1995.

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.

AUSTRALIA
The Guardian

Staff and agencies
Wednesday 2 September 2015

Former pupils of the elite Australian school where Prince Charles spent two terms have told a royal commission that complaints of sexual abuse against numerous teachers over decades were ignored or dismissed.

One witness, referred to as BKO, said Geelong Grammar’s rural campus, Timbertop, where in 1966 the 17-year-old prince spent most of his time, was a brutal environment and a “Lord of the Flies-type situation at times”.

Australia’s long-running royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse is holding a two-week hearing into events at Geelong Grammar. On Tuesday, a former student, Robert Llewellyn-Jones, told the commission the school was a “hothouse of violent acts” with a “subculture of brutality”.

On Wednesday, BKO told the commission, sitting in Melbourne, that the school was more concerned with avoiding scandal than dealing with abuse.

BKO said the school chaplain, the Rev John Davison, had fondled his genitals and those of boys during supposed hynotism sessions. When he reported the abuse to a maths teacher, Jonathan Harvey – who was later convicted for abusing a student – he found the process very threatening and was told he might be expelled, he said.

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.

UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, bblaine@SNAPnetwork.org)

For the sake of healing, we call on Pope Francis to aggressively do outreach in each of the ten nations where archbishop Josef Wesolowski spent time as a cleric. The pontiff should publicly beg anyone who was hurt by Wesolowski to come forward and get help.

(The nations are: Poland, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Tadjikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Dominican Republic, Italy and Puerto Rico.)

http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bweso.html

For the sake of justice, we call on Pope Francis to insist that church staff in each of these nations turn over files about Wesolowski to law enforcement. It’s possible that some of this predators’ colleagues intimidated victims, threatened witnesses, destroyed evidence, stonewalled police, shredded documents or broke laws in other ways. If so, they should be prosecuted, and Francis can help make this happen.

Regardless of what the pontiff decides, we call on the bishops of these nations to take these steps immediately.

Why?

Because it’s likely Wesolowski hurt kids in many (perhaps all) of these countries.

Because Catholic officials recruited, educated ordained, trained, promoted and moved Wesolowski.

Because Catholic officials call themselves “shepherds” who search for and help “lost sheep.”

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.

NORTH CAROLINA
Fayetteville Observer

By Bill Kirby Jr.

Joan Dayton let two assistant principals know, and in no uncertain terms.

“This is my school,” the principal and co-founder of Freedom Christian Academy was telling Lin Wheeler and Hall Powers, according to an affidavit, who were concerned in 2012 about why she allowed a registered sex offender to perform odds jobs at the school. “I’m in charge here, and I can do whatever I want.”

Paul Conner, 50, the registered sex offender, was arrested May 28 and charged with violating the Sex Offender Registration Act.

On Tuesday, Dayton stood before Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons and entered a plea of responsibility to aiding and abetting and conspiring with Conner’s breach of the Sex Offender Registration Act on multiple occasions dating to 2010 at the private school.

“I am agreeing to what I did,” Dayton, 64, told the judge. “I did know he was a past sex offender. It’s a heavy price.”

But Dayton, her lawyer said, was little more than a good-hearted woman trying to help someone along life’s way.

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.

NORTH CAROLINA
Fayetteville Observer

By Michael Futch Staff writer

Joan Dayton, the former head of Freedom Christian Academy, had not spoken to the media since she and her school fell under scrutiny more than three months ago in a Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office investigation.

On Tuesday, she talked for the first time publicly about why she allowed a registered sex offender on the school campus in 2011.

“I do want to say this: What I am agreeing to is what I did,” she told Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons during a plea hearing.

Dayton faced Ammons and spoke softly, her back to her family and supporters in the courtroom. Some were weeping.

Her comments came one day after being charged with violating the Sex Offender Registration Act by “failing to report and aiding and abetting the violations committed by Paul Conner of being on school property.”

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.

NORTH CAROLINA
WRAL

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The former head of a Fayetteville private school told a judge on Tuesday that she takes full responsibility for hiring a convicted sex offender to perform work on the campus.

Joan Ellen Dayton, co-founder of Freedom Christian Academy, turned herself in Monday on a felony charge of violating the state’s Sex Offender Registration Act. Authorities said she failed to report, and aided and abetted, Paul Conner, a registered sex offender who worked at the school.

In her appearance Tuesday in Cumberland County Superior Court, Dayton accepted a plea agreement of 11 months of probation, 50 hours of community service to be performed within 180 days and payment of court costs. She also is not allowed on campus during her probation.

If she completes the requirements, the felony charge will be dismissed.

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.

NORTH CAROLINA
Raw Story

DAVID EDWARDS
01 SEP 2015

Freedom Christian Academy co-founder Joan Ellen Dayton was expected enter a plea on Tuesday to charges that she knowingly allowed a sex offender to work around students and then tried to cover it up.

According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina, Dayton violated the Sex Offender Registration Act by “aiding and abetting the violations committed by Paul Conner of being on school property,” the Fayetteville Observer reported.

Investigators said that Dayton allowed Conner to work at Freedom Christian Academy during the 2011-12 academic year while his wife was working as a teacher. The sheriff’s office was notified after a parent discovered that Conner was a sex offender.

Dayton surrendered herself at the sheriff’s office on Monday. She was charged with three Sex Offender Registration Act violations, including conspiracy to allow a sex offender on protected premises.

“There’s a duty, particularly on the school principal – a statute that provides a duty for persons who are aware of a sex offender violating the registration act,” Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office attorney Ronnie Mitchell told the Observer. “Their duty is to report that. Not to cover that up. And so a failure to make that report to law enforcement is itself a separate felony.”

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.

SCOTLAND
Scottish Catholic Observer

The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland met with Dave Sharp after issuing an apology following the publication of the McLellan report

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow has met with a survivor of abuse within the Church.

Dave Sharp was granted the one-to-one meeting after the president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland apologised to victims on behalf of the Church.

The 56-year-old, who was assaulted as a child at a Catholic brothers’ school in Falkland, Fife, said the discussion was very positive and he raised his concerns with the archbishop (above) in a ‘very open and frank’ way.

“I got the feeling I was the first victim the archbishop had spoken to in depth,” Mr Sharp said after the meeting took place. “I think it was eye-opening for him.

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.

UNITED STATES
Forward

September 1, 2015
By Elana Sztokman

Many members of the Jewish community are scratching their heads these days about the seemingly bizarre decision by the board of the Riverdale Jewish Center to keep on Jonathan Rosenblatt as their communal rabbi despite significant evidence that he has been acting inappropriately in his leadership role. To be fair there are people like Dr Steven Bayme who, according to the New York Times , decided that they cannot morally justify staying in such a synagogue, despite four decades of commitment, and for that they should be commended. And yet, despite what seems like an obvious history of violations of some basic moral and Jewish tenets, the board is retaining Rosenblatt, making victims of sexual abuse and their allies question the ethical backbone of the entire Orthodox community.

In fact, though, we should not be so surprised by the support that Rosenblatt has gotten from some of his balabusim and some of his peers. There is a long list of sexual predators and other Torah offenders who have received enviable support even as their sins come to light. Motti Elon , for example, who was convicted of sexual assault against his male students, has a strong following in Israel and abroad, and is frequently invited as a lecturer around the country. Marc Gafni , another long-time sexual offender, is considered a celebrity in many places, while his offenses barely find mention in his bio or on his Wikipedia page (“Best-selling author” it is). Michael Broyde , whose bizarre crimes of fraud were not sexual but nevertheless far out of the bounds of Torah, seems to be leading a new minyan of followers. And while Barry Freundel is largely condemned for his outrageously hurtful crimes of mikveh voyeurism, he had many vocal supporters before the undeniable evidence against him came to light, and many voices of support during sentencing – including Orthodox machers and pundits declaring, “It’s not rape” and therefore he should have gotten a much shorter sentence.

It is not only in the Jewish world where high-profile sexual predators find high-profile support. It has taken dozens of testimonies of women and several decades before anyone began taking seriously the allegations against Bill Cosby – and he still has some major celebrity supporters. Accusations against Dominique Kahn-Strauss were dismissed by some of his peers with a jovial, “Everyone knows he likes women.” And in fact all we have to do is look to the Supreme Court where Clarence Thomas has been sitting silently for over two decades despite powerful testimony about sexual harassment against him. It seems as if it is often easier for men in positions of power to wiggle out of accusations of sexual abuse than it is for victims to be believed.

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.

ITALY
The Local

A priest in Italy has suspended all parish activity apart from Sunday mass, after being dogged by rumours that he fathered a child with a married member of his congregation.

Father Luciano Venturi, a 50-year-old parish priest in Monteobizzo di Pavullo, in the province of Modena, had endured the claims for over a year – but on Sunday he took decisive action, Gazzetta di Modena reported.

As the Sunday morning service was about to start, Venturi approached the pulpit, flanked by the parishioner he allegedly impregnated, her husband and their three young children.

Venturi then delivered a short homily on the subject of his supposed affair with the woman, addressing his congregation while reading a statement.

“I am not the father of that child,” Venturi told his flock.

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.

AUSTRALIA
Leader

ALLEGATIONS  of sexual abuse at the former Bayswater and Box Hill boys’ homes are the subject of a hearing in October.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has announced it will hold a public hearing to inquire into the experiences of children who lived in Salvation Army institutions between 1940 and 1990, which includes the notorious Bayswater Boys’ Home.

The home in Liverpool Rd, The Basin, operated from 1897 to 1986 and housed hundreds of boys who had been placed in legal custody.

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.

NORTHERN IRELAND
Care Apppointments

Fewer than 2% of residents at a Catholic-run training school in Northern Ireland made abuse allegations, a lawyer told a public inquiry.

Police considered some of the claims surrounding St Patrick’s in West Belfast to be “demonstrably” false, Joseph Aiken said. Of more than 4,000 residents only 66 individuals (1.45%) made allegations to the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Inquiry of some form of abuse.

Retired judge Sir Anthony Hart is leading the HIA probe, one of the UK’s largest inquiries into physical, sexual and emotional harm to children at homes run by the church, state and voluntary organisations. On Tuesday it focused on St Patrick’s, where sexual abuse by a member of staff has been proven.

Mr Aiken said: “Its size in percentage terms (1.45%) is striking in comparison to, for instance Rubane where approximately 20% of the 1,050 children who passed through that institution had made allegations of abuse in one form or another.”

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.

TEXAS
KXII

[with video]

BONHAM, Texas — The trial of Lyle Huddlestun, 43, began Monday with opening arguments.

Huddlesten is charged with two counts of sexual assault on a child under 17 years of age.

Bonham police officer Terry Bee testified saying these 20 to 22 incidents happened between 2007 and 2009 in Huddlestun’s home.

The victim reported these allegations to authorities in 2013, claiming the incidents happened when he was 13 or 14 years old.

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.

CANADA
CBC News

Two former students of Métis schools in Manitoba are suing the Roman Catholic Church and the province for alleged sexual abuse.

The lawsuit outlines allegations that date back more than 50 years, naming a priest and a nun, both deceased, as the perpetrators.

The plaintiffs’ counsel, Israel Ludwig, hopes to settle the case outside the courtroom.

“What I would like to see is something that’s non-adversarial. These people that suffered abuse are very sensitive people. They are fragile,” Ludwig told CBC News.

“One of the things that personally bothers me when I take these cases forward is seeing my clients being re-abused by having to go through the process of telling their story and being subjected to some very tough questions.”

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.

INDIA
The Hindu

The Sagar police have arrested a priest, Manjunatha Acharya, who was serving at Kalika Parameshwari temple in Sagar city, on the charge of sexually assaulting a minor girl on Monday.

According to the police, a father and daughter had gone to the priest’s house for astrological consultations.

The priest allegedly told the father the problem would be solved by offering worship at the nearby temple, and asked him to go there immediately. When the father left, the priest attempted to sexually abuse the girl. When the victim raised a hue and cry, the priest fled.

The police were able to nab him later.

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.

MALTA
Malta Today

Miriam Dalli / Jurgen Balzan
2 September 2015

Gozo bishop Mario Grech refused to answer questions on his decision to stand by a priest who was defrocked by the Vatican more than two years ago.

Asked by this newspaper for his reaction, Grech retorted “do you mind if I don’t?” and when pressed to give an answer he said “all your premises are wrong”.

Asked to elaborate, Grech said “I’ll tell you some other time.”

On Sunday, MaltaToday revealed how a Gozitan priest who was defrocked by the Vatican in 2013 had not yet been notified of his dismissal by Grech.

The priest in question, 63-year-old Dominic Camilleri, was investigated by the Maltese Church over the sexual abuse of minors. He had been accused of abusing a number of boys in Gozo over a number of years. Details are hazy since the cases were never reported to the police.

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.

MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press

By Elizabeth Mohr
emohr@pioneerpress.com
POSTED: 09/01/2015

Private, sensitive information provided by victims of clergy sexual abuse could be disseminated to more than 1,000 people across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis if a bankruptcy judge approves a request from parishes to expand access to confidential documents.

Attorneys representing victims oppose the broad request, saying many victims came forward hesitantly and with the understanding that the court had strictly limited who would have access to their claims, filed as part of the archdiocese’s bankruptcy case.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Kressel will hear oral arguments on the issue at 2 p.m. Thursday at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.

The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection in January, citing an operating deficit and concerns about more lawsuits for clergy sexual abuse.

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.

KANSAS
KWCH

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas priest has been charged with alleging stealing nearly $151,000 from his two parishes and the Catholic Diocese to fund his extensive gambling.

A criminal information filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Kansas charges Father Thomas H. Leland with bank fraud. The court issued a summons for a Sept. 23 initial appearance.

Leland was assigned in 2010 as the sole priest at St. Francis Parish in St. Paul and St. Ambrose Parish in Erie, both located in southeast Kansas.

Court records do not show a defense attorney, and church officials had no contact information for him.

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.

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer

David O’Reilly
POSTED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

The Religion Newswriters Association met in Philadelphia this weekend. I stuck my head in for part of it on Friday. On Saturday I was a panelist to talk about covering papal visits like the one Francis is making to Cuba and the U.S. in September.

I’m not sure I can do justice to my co-panelist’s remarks, since I was not taking detailed notes, but here I thought I’d share a summary of my own remarks.

I was invited to speak because I’ve covered three papal visits since becoming The Inquirer’s religion reporter in 1995, and because I’ll be traveling with Pope Francis on his planes, and with the media pool, during his travels next month. …

When I look back on that whole adventure now, I’m struck by two things: how plain-vanilla my reporting was, and how plain-vanilla these papal appearances were. Crowds would gather at Giants Stadium, Aqueduct Race Track, Central Park, and Oriole Stadium in Baltimore. And with as much grace and dignity and warmth as he could summon, John Paul would appear, celebrate Mass in the company of many bishops and cardinals, speak to the crowd, and withdraw.

In preparing for my RNA remarks I looked up only one of those stories, JP’s appearance at Aqueduct, and could only shake my head. It described the wind blowing his cassock, the weather, the fact that the race track was so muddy from overnight rains that they cancelled the popemobile circuit, and that the water fountains weren’t working, so people got bottled water instead. John Paul spoke on familiar themes about choosing life, and I interviewed several in the crowd who spoke of how touched they were to see him.

Hmmm.

I suspect the other stories were equally bland, and ask myself now what I could have done better, but frankly I don’t have an answer. Apart from the celebration of Mass, the reason-for-being of these papal appearances was… the papal appearance. The Catholic Church talks about a thing called the “theology of presence” that’s supposed to help explain the why of these things, but looking back I am now of the opinion that John Paul’s public appearances were also intended as assertions of his authority and the authority of Rome. I failed to note it in my stories at the time, but at each venue the attending cardinals and host archbishops were required to read a public statement of loyalty – almost a medieval declaration of fealty – to John Paul. Looking back, these appearances – with John Paul seated on what can only be called thrones — were even reminiscent of a Roman emperor touring his provinces.

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.

MISSOURI
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

NOTE – SNAP members went door-to-door yesterday (8/31) in the Brookside neighborhood handing out these fliers. (See media coverage on Channel 5 and KMBZ radio.)

Help us protect kids!

WHO WE ARE
We were molested as kids by priests, nuns, seminarians and bishops. We belong to a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org).

WHY WE’RE HERE
Fr. Michael Tierney lives around here. He has been accused repeatedly of abusing kids and giving them drugs, liquor, pornography and ‘massages.’ His Catholic supervisors won’t let him work in a parish. Several child sex abuse lawsuits against him have been settled.

WHAT WE WANT
We want kids to be safe, victims to be healed, and people to be given the full truth about clergy sex crimes and cover ups in the Kansas City area.
HOW YOU CAN HELP

–Please ask your neighbors or loved ones if they were hurt by Fr. Tierney (or by any of the other 25 publicly accused predator priests in KC Missouri or the 11 in KC Kansas).
–If they were, please urge them to get help (from independent sources) and call police, not priests.
–Please call/write Archbishop Naumann. Urge him, for the safety of children, to permanently post names of prove, admitted and credibly accused predator priests on his website (Roughly 30 other bishops have taken this step, which is a simple, inexpensive, common sense way to safeguard kids.)

Besides Fr. Tierney, the publicly accused KC MO area priests are: Fr. Thomas Reardon, Fr. John C. Baskett, Fr. Michael Brewer, Fr. Thomas J. Cronin, Fr. James H. Ford, Fr. Martin Froeschel, Fr. Richard Geimer, Bishop Joseph Hart, Fr. Mark Honhart, Fr. Sylvester Hoppe, Fr. Earl Johnson, Fr. James Lawbaugh, Fr. Francis E. McGlynn, Fr. Hugh F. Monahan, Fr. Stephen J. Muth, Fr. Thomas J. O’Brien, Fr. Thomas Parrott, Fr. Bede Parry, Fr. Shawn Ratigan, Fr. Isaac True, Fr. John Tulipana, Fr. James Urbanic, Fr. Thomas Ward, Fr. James Wegenek and Fr. Francis L. Wise.

The publicly accused KC KS area priests are: Fr. Thomas F. Cawley, Fr. Thomas A. Conway, Fr. William A. Finnerty, Fr. James A. Forsyth, Fr. William M. Haegelin, Fr. Finian Meis, Fr. Anthony Putti, Fr. Dennis E. Schmitz, Fr. John H. Wisner, Fr. Norman C. “Chuck” Wolfe and Fr. Camillus Wurtz.

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.

UNITED STATES
Erin Matson

Less than two weeks ago, I used a pen to fix a cover story in The Washington Post on Jared Fogle. I crossed out the word “underage sex” and wrote in “statutory rape” in the headline, and then changed a few more words in the story: “having sex with” and “sexual encounters with” became “raping” and “rapes of” underage girls. Then I took a picture and posted the image to Twitter and Facebook.

The image went viral. Using the most conservative estimates that don’t account for people copying and pasting on their own, the image has been shared well over 40,000 times. I want to talk about why that image resonated so strongly and make some suggestions about where to go from here.

People are sick and tired of rape culture. Rape culture is the way media, law, language, sexism, and social norms interact to create a world where sexual assault is commonplace. It manifested in the Post story by wrapping Fogle’s sexual misconduct with minors in the language of consensual sex.

We can, and should, talk about why this happened. It happened, in part, because of the inadequacy of the charges against Fogle: “Distributing and receiving child pornography, and conspiring to do so, as well as repeatedly traveling to engage in commercial sex acts with underage minors.” Here’s the problem: Legal language and technicalities can obstruct telling it like it is and pursuing justice to the point where it becomes an open question whether the law is designed to protect victims of sexual crimes or powerful, popular men like Jared Fogle and Bill Cosby.

In plain language and the lived experiences of victims of sexual assault, if a person is unable to consent to sex – it’s rape, and that includes the circumstance of an adult preying upon minors below the age of consent. The exchange of money does not override other factors that make a person unable to consent to sex. Fogle engaged in criminal sexual conduct with minors – and while journalists can say that, they can’t say he raped them unless or until the law says he did.

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.

AUSTRALIA
Haaretz

Rabbi Zvi Telsner, the head of the Yeshivah Centre in Melbourne, Australia, resigned under pressure on Tuesday over his handling of a child sex abuse scandal, Australia’s ABC reported.

Telsner testified before a royal commission investigating the affair in February, and amongst other things told them he thought gay people and pedophiles could be cured through therapy, as well as counseling and spiritual guidance. The royal commission was examining how Jewish schools had responded to accusations of sexual abuse of children since the 1980s.

Telsner apologized to the Yeshivah community, as well as friends and supporters in a letter announcing his immediate resignation on Tuesday. He had allegedly called the sexual abuse victims “crazy.”

Telsner said he endorses the Yeshiva Centre’s values, policy and message of support and compassion for child sexual abuse victims and their families, according to Australian ABC. “I recognize that my conduct towards victims and their families did not demonstrate these values or behavior to the extent necessary of a rabbi in my position,” he said in the letter.

The royal commission uncovered a culture of ignoring issues within the Yeshiva Centre, a lack of knowledge about child abuse and of sympathy for victims assaulted between the 1980s and 2010. It also revealed a teacher and other men linked with the school who were known to be or suspected of being child abusers were allowed to make contact with children.

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.

AUSTRALIA
9 News

AAP

Australia’s Jewish community is in shock after one of its most senior rabbis stepped aside, apologising for his treatment of child sex abuse victims at a Melbourne Jewish school.

Rabbi Zvi Telsner has said he will step down immediately as head of Melbourne’s Yeshiva Centre, which manages schools including Yeshiva College, apologising for his behaviour towards victims.

In a letter to the Jewish community on Tuesday evening, Rabbi Telsner apologised for the way he dealt with child sex abuse victims and their families.

“We must all be aware of how our words and actions impact on others and therefore would like to apologise for my conduct and urge everyone to show compassion and support towards victims and their families,” he said.

Yeshiva College was among the Jewish schools in Melbourne and Sydney examined by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse concerning their response to sex abuse.

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.

OREGON
The Oregonian

on August 27, 2015

Police and church leaders have neither seen nor heard from the Rev. Ysrael Bien since a judge signed a warrant for his arrest last week.

The reality that the priest may not return from the Philippines leaves the criminal investigation unfinished and his Sherwood congregation without a chance to face the man they once admired.

“I don’t ever expect to see him again, but I think in his heart of hearts he knows how many people he’s hurt,” said parishioner Peter Hainley. “Owning it would be a really good step toward helping people heal.”

Bien was the beloved pastor of St. Francis Catholic Church. He was trusted, even considered charmingly innocent.

Now, he’s AWOL.

Bien, 34, is accused of hiding a camera in a bathroom at the church.

He left the country without permission shortly after Archbishop Alexander Sample put him on administrative leave in June, according to the archdiocese. He declined when the archbishop instructed him to return, then he stopped responding altogether. Sample has not heard from Bien since early August.

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.

MICHIGAN
Detroit Free Press

By Patricia Montemurri, Detroit Free Press
September 1, 2015

Catholic priest Edward Belczak pleaded guilty Tuesday to fraud in connection with embezzling $573,000 of money from St. Thomas More church in Troy, the prosperous parish he led as pastor for nearly 30 years.

Belczak agreed to forfeit a plush Florida condo he bought with parish money and pay $573,000 in restitution. His sentencing will be Dec. 1; the sentencing guidelines call for him spending 33 to 41 months in prison.

Belczak wore his priestly collar during the hearing before U.S. District Judge Arthur Tarnow.

Belczak initially said he thought some donations to the parish were intended for him, but his comments did not seem to sit well with Judge Tarnow.

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.

OHIO
YouTube

Carol tells her story of how she was sexual abused by her Steubenville parish priest between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. [ http://www.steubenvilletruth.org/ ] If you wish to connect with this survivor, contact: snapsteubenville@gmail.com

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.

AUSTRALIA
The Australian

BY JAMIE DUNCANAAP
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

A MAN who was molested while studying at a Melbourne Jewish school is celebrating after one of Australia’s most senior rabbis stepped down over his handling of child sex abuse allegations.

RABBI Zvi Telsner has said he will step down immediately as head of Melbourne’s Yeshiva Centre, which manages schools including Yeshiva College, apologising for his behaviour towards victims.

Manny Waks told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse he was molested by the son of a senior rabbi and teacher at Yeshiva College, bullied by classmates who knew of the abuse and shunned by his community for speaking out.

In a jubilant tweet, Mr Waks said on Tuesday: “Finally. The news we have all been awaiting. I commend all those who stood up and voiced their views.”

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.

UNITED STATES
Frum Follies

Rabbi Tvi Telsner was finally forced to resign as head of Melbourne’s Yeshivah Centre. His misconduct over the years included helping accused molesters flee the country just ahead of the cops (e.g., Malka Leifer), threatening and shunning victims who went to the police, and orchestrating a barrage of abusive comments about victims who dared to go public with their charges.

ABC in Australia reports

Manny Waks, who went public in 2011 with allegations he was repeatedly sexual abused as a boy at Yeshivah College and accusations of a cover-up, said the rabbi was “at the heart” of the scandal, and said his position had been untenable for a long time.

“He has caused immense pain and suffering to the victims, to our families, but also to the broader Jewish community — not just to the Yeshivah community — because he has tainted all of us,” he said.

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.

MINNESOTA
Jeff Anderson & Associates

Judge Guthmann’s Order Paves the Way for Trial in Ramsey County

Doe 30 Order on Summary Judgment

(St. Paul, MN) – The first civil trial regarding clergy sexual abuse of a minor under the Minnesota Child Victims Act will begin in the Doe 30 case on October 19, 2015, in Ramsey County District Court. The Diocese of Duluth is the defendant. An order issued by Ramsey County District Court Judge John Guthmann denied the Diocese of Duluth’s attempt to be dismissed as a party in the case, meaning the jury trial will begin October 19 before Judge Guthmann.

Plaintiff Doe 30 was sexually abused in approximately 1978 by Father J. Vincent Fitzgerald, a priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (“Oblates”) religious order he met as a young parishioner at St. Thomas More Church in Lake Lillian, Minn., in the Diocese of New Ulm. Fitzgerald brought Doe 30 to St. Catherine’s Church in Squaw Lake, Minn., in the Diocese of Duluth, where he molested Doe 30. Fitzgerald was working as a priest at St. Catherine’s Church at the time of the abuse.

In 2014, Doe 30 filed a civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Duluth, the Oblates and the Diocese of New Ulm, regarding the abuse. Doe 30 brought his lawsuit under the Minnesota Child Victims Act, which was enacted in 2013 and gives child sexual abuse victims until May 25, 2016, to file civil lawsuits. The Doe 30 case will be the first to go to trial in a case brought under the Child Victims Act.

“This trial will mark the first time that the Diocese of Duluth’s secret documents will see the light of day,” said Jeff Anderson, attorney for Doe 30.

Contact: Jeff Anderson: Office/651.964.3458 Cell/612.817.8665
Mike Finnegan: Office/651.964.3458 Cell/612.205.5531

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.

MINNESOTA
Jeff Anderson & Associates

First time Diocese of Crookston Secret Documents Will Be Turned Over

Doe 19 Order Compelling Discovery

(St. Paul, MN) – Mahnomen County District Court Judge Kurt J. Marben has ordered the Diocese of Crookston – a Defendant in the Doe 19 clergy sexual abuse lawsuit – to produce all records pertaining to sexual abuse reported to have been committed by any priest before 1985. The secret documents will be produced to Doe 19 under seal as a result of a protective order previously obtained by the Defendants in the lawsuit.

The documents will provide a clearer picture of the Diocese of Crookston’s practices regarding abusive priests. The Diocese of Crookston has refused to provide these documents to Doe 19. The Diocese previously released a list of credibly accused priests but has refused to publicly release related documents. The other Defendant in the Doe 19 case – the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (“Oblates”) – was ordered to release similar documents in a separate clergy sex abuse case in Ramsey County in January.

“The Diocese of Crookston must finally disclose to Plaintiff what it knew about abusive priests, when it knew, and how it responded,” said Jeff Anderson, attorney for Doe 30. “We again urge the Diocese to publicly disclose this information. Only then, through full, public disclosure, will there be transparency, justice and healing for survivors.”

Doe 19 was sexually abused by Father J. Vincent Fitzgerald, an Oblate priest he met as a young parishioner at St. Ann’s Parish in Naytahwaush, Minn., on the White Earth Indian Reservation, in the mid-1980s. Doe 19 brought his lawsuit under the Minnesota Child Victims Act, which gives child sexual abuse victims until May 25, 2016, to file civil lawsuits.

Contact: Jeff Anderson: Office/651.964.3458 Cell/612.817.8665
Mike Finnegan: Office/651.964.3458 Cell/612.205.5531

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.

MINNESOTA
Wall Street Journal

By TOM CORRIGAN

Lawyers representing more than 400 clergy sexual-abuse victims will head to court this week to fight a request from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’s parishes for permission to review victims’ confidential bankruptcy claims.

Victims’ lawyers said that if the parishes’ request is approved by a judge, it could result in the dissemination of “unusually detailed and intensely personal” information to more than 1,000 additional recipients.

“Many of the additional permitted parties will reside in smaller parishes outside of the metropolitan area where confidential information is more likely to be linked to specific claimants,” Robert Kugler, a lawyer for the committee representing abuse victims, said in court papers.

Lawyers for the parishes, however, say the information included in the claims is crucial to efforts to broker a settlement with victims.

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.

MISSOURI
KMBZ

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests canvass a street in Brookside with fliers.

The flier stated that a man that lives in Brookside is a retired priest, who was the subject of several sexual abuse claims. The priest in question, Father Michael Tierney, was never convicted of a crime.

SNAP’s David Clohessey would like priests with credible claims of sexual abuse to be permanently removed from the clergy and kept in communes in rural areas.

“We think it is just unbelievably irresponsible for church officials to exercise no control, no supervision over these potentially dangerous men,” said Clohessey.

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.

AUSTRALIA
Manny Waks

1 September 2015

I am pleased that Yeshivah Centre’s (Melbourne) Rabbi Zvi Telsner has finally taken responsibility for his gross and repeated failures and has resigned from his role as Senior Rabbi and Head of the Yeshivah Synagogue.

Rabbi Telsner was at the very heart of this scandal. He was more than just a by-stander to the re-victimisation, bullying and harassment of victims and their families – he actively led his community down the terrible path which they pursued towards their victims. While some of the other rabbis and leaders at Yeshivah preached one thing but practiced another, Rabbi Telsner used the pulpit to encourage, normalise and actively participate in the excommunication of victims and their families.

On a personal note, I would significantly attribute my departure from Australia to him. He had the power and authority to ensure I was treated humanely. Instead he mobilised the forces against me, my family, additional victims and others. So the pain and suffering that resulted due to Rabbi Telsner’s actions and inactions is profound – something several of us have experienced until this very day. …

Letter from the Yeshivah Centre Interim Committee of Management

י”ז אלול תשע”ה
1st September, 2015

Dear Yeshivah Community Members, Friends and Supporters,

At the Yeshivah Centre we are currently working hard to ensure that we have the appropriate policies and processes in place to guarantee a safe environment for our children. As well as appropriate policies, our values and behaviours need to reflect support to those who have been affected by this both now and in the future.

Today, Rabbi Telsner has notified the Committee of Management of his decision to stand down from his position as Rabbi at the Yeshivah Centre, effective immediately. This follows a recent event in which such values or behaviour to the extent required of a Rabbi in his position were not demonstrated. We support his decision and immediate resolve.

In Rabbi Telsner’s letter to the community he apologises for his past conduct and urges everyone to show compassion and support towards victims and their families throughout the moised and broader community. We echo Rabbi Telsner’s apology and his message of consideration and compassion and we resolve to make every effort to continue to move forward and improve in this regard.

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.

AUSTRALIA
Australian Jewish News

RABBI Zvi Hirsch Telsner has stood down, effective immediately, as the senior rabbi of the Yeshivah Centre in Melbourne.

In a letter to the community tonight Rabbi Telsner told the community he endorses Yeshivah Centre’s “values, policies and message of continued support and compassion for victims of Child Sexual Abuse, their families and all of the community”.

He said that Elul is a time to reflect on ones values and behaviours as we prepare to herald in the New Year.

“I recognise that my conduct towards victims and their families did not demonstrate these values or behaviour to the extent necessary of a Rabbi in my position,” Rabbi Telsner said.

“Accordingly, I have decided to stand down from my position as Rabbi at the Yeshivah Centre, effective immediately.”

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.

AUSTRALIA
ABC News

The head rabbi of Melbourne’s Yeshivah Centre has announced he is stepping down, after months of pressure to resign over his handling of child sex abuse.

Rabbi Zvi Telsner appeared before the royal commission into child sex abuse in February, and while he denied shunning victims, he admitted he was complicit for not speaking out against it.

He has also told the royal commission he believed paedophiles and gay people could be “cured” by therapy.

In a letter sent to the “Yeshivah community members, friends and supporters” on Tuesday night, Rabbi Telsner apologised the way he had treated victims of child sex abuse.

“As a senior Rabbi at the Yeshivah Centre I acknowledge and endorse its values, policies and message of continued support and compassion for victims of child sexual abuse, their families and all of the community,” Rabbi Telsner wrote.

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.

AUSTRALIA
The Age

September 1, 2015

Chloe Booker

Yeshivah Centre chief rabbi Zvi Telsner has stood down after he allegedly accused sex abuse victims of trying to destroy his community, calling one “crazy”.

Rabbi Telsner resigned after it was revealed he had berated a victim during a conversation about the centre’s leadership following a cover-up of sexual abuse within the centre.

He wrote a letter to the community on Tuesday, apologising for his conduct towards victims and their families, saying it did not demonstrate the centre’s values.

“I have decided to stand down from my position as rabbi at the Yeshivah Centre, effective immediately,” he wrote.

“We all must be aware of how our words and actions impact on others and therefore would like to take this opportunity to apologise for my conduct and urge everyone to show compassion and support towards victims and their families throughout the moised and broader community.”

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.

AUSTRALIA
ABC – The World Today

ELEANOR HALL: The Royal Commission into child sexual abuse has been hearing today that Victoria’s prestigious Geelong Grammar School failed to act on reports of abuse from students.

The commission is examining the handling of abuse at the school from the 1950s to 2007.

Several former students are to evidence they were assaulted by teachers or staff.

Samantha Donovan is following the commission hearings and joins us now in Melbourne. And a warning her report will contain some disturbing information.

So Sam, what has the commission heard about Geelong Grammar School today?

SAMANTHA DONOVAN: Well counsel assisting the royal commission, Eleanor, David Lloyd has started off by describing the school’s history and a little bit about its campuses this morning. He’s said its Australia’s largest co-educational boarding school; it was first established in 1855 and many of its former students have risen to prominent positions in business, law, politics and medicine.

It’s known of course to many Australians, Eleanor, because Prince Charles attended its Timbertop campus in the 1960s.

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.

AUSTRALIA
9 News

Two former Geelong Grammar students have testified about their brutal treatment, and the school’s dismissive response, at the Royal Commission into Child Sex Abuse.

Established in 1855, Geelong Grammar has enjoyed a prestigious reputation – attended by Prince Charles and boasting a list of successful students including Rupert Murdoch and the late Kerry Packer.

However, in its long history there have been some dark chapters, read today as the Royal Commission examines its 32nd case study.

Former students recalled their experiences of sexual abuse while boarding at GGS in the 1960s and 1970s.

The reported offending was allegedly done by chaplains, a house resident and other students.

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.

AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun

September 1, 2015
SHANNON DEERY
Herald Sun

ONE of the country’s most senior rabbis has resigned after he was accused of covering up sex crimes and shunning child sex abuse victims.

Yeshivah Centre chief rabbi Zvi Telsner stood down indefinitely today amid claims he had continued to berate victims who exposed a widespread abuse cover-up within the Jewish community.

The Herald Sun understands Yeshivah’s interim committee of management was pressured to act after a heated exchange with a victim of abuse that saw him claim whistleblowers were trying to destroy the Yeshivah.

Rabbi Telsner, the leader of the biggest Chabad community in the Southern hemisphere, is the third person to lose a senior position after the child abuse royal commission probed the Yeshivah cover-up earlier this year.

Rabbi Telsner has notified the Committee of Management of his decision to stand down from his position as Rabbi at the Yeshivah Centre, effective immediately.

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.

BANGLADESH
UCA News

Stephan Uttom, Dhaka
Bangladesh
September 1, 2015

A Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant against a Catholic priest on Aug. 30, about a month after a woman accused the priest of abuse and refusing to marry her after nearly 10 years of an alleged intimate relationship.

Felicita Murmu, 44, a Catholic from the indigenous Santal community, filed her case against Father Patras Hembrom, 43, also a Santal, on July 28 under the country’s Women and Children Repression Act.

Murmu’s lawyer Debendra Nath said that if found guilty, Father Hembrom could face 10 years in jail plus a fine. “Having a physical relationship with a woman with a false promise of marriage is a serious crime according to the law,” she said.

Murmu said she was left with no option except to pursue a legal claim against the priest for his past alleged abuses.

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.

MINNESOTA
Canonical Consultation

[with document]

08/31/2015

Jennifer Haselberger

The diocesan priesthood differs from membership in a religious order or institute (i.e. the Dominicans, Jesuits, Franciscans, etc.) in several ways. Priests who are members of religious orders vow to observe the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and they offer their ministry in service of the charism of their order. Diocesan priests, on the other hand, do not take vows. They make a promise of obedience and are obliged to perpetual sexual continence, but unlike religious priests they are under no obligation of poverty, communal life, or the communal ownership of property. Diocesan priests are incardinated into a particular diocese, meaning that at the time of their ordination they offer their life’s ministry in service to the people of a particular diocese. In return, the faithful of the diocese are to see that the priests have what is necessary for their decent financial support both while they are in active ministry and during their subsequent retirement (delicately referred to as their ‘third age’). Generally, this is achieved through a defined benefit pension plan.

Given the bargain that exists between priests and the dioceses they serve , I am sure more than one priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis considered jumping ship after receiving last week’s letter announcing that the Pension Plan for Priests is currently funded at only 44%. It has been acknowledged for years that the plan has been underfunded, but I have never seen an actuarial valuation this low before. The letter does state that the Pension Plan Board anticipates that the plan will be fully funded in the next 15-20 years, but that claim is based in part on a continued annual funding level of $17,400 per priest per year. The unspoken variable is the presumed level of mortality of the priests currently drawing a pension.

On the positive side, at least at this point the pension funds have not been liquidated as part of any bankruptcy settlement. Whether that situation will continue remains to be seen.

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.

AUSTRALIA
9 News

A Geelong Grammar School student was threatened with expulsion after reporting a chaplain for molesting him during a hypnosis session, the child abuse royal commission has heard.

The same chaplain tried to hypnotise a bullied student in an effort to have sex with him before later becoming a church vicar in suburban Melbourne, the inquiry heard.

Counsel assisting the commission David Lloyd said former student BKO will give evidence that Rev John Davison touched him during one of two after-school sessions in which the chaplain tried to hypnotise a group of students.

BKO reported the incident to a teacher but found the subsequent process very threatening and was told he may be expelled, Mr Lloyd said.

Another former student Dr Robert Llewellyn-Jones, who was 15 at the time, said Rev Davison offered him support because he was being bullied, including incessant “mocking” or verbal bullying.

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.

AUSTRALIA
The Age

Sex abuse royal commission: Geelong Grammar chaplain tried to hypnotise students before sexually assaulting them

September 1, 2015

Henrietta Cook
Education Reporter at The Age

A chaplain at one of the country’s most prestigious private schools tried to hypnotise students before sexually assaulting them, a victim told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse.

The royal commission turned its focus to Geelong Grammar, where serious and ongoing sexual abuse occurred from the late 1950s until 2007.

Former student and Sydney psychiatrist Dr Robert Llewellyn-Jones told the commission on Tuesday that the school’s chaplain, the now deceased Reverend John Davison, befriended him in 1971 and then tried to hypnotise him with a watch in his locked office.

Reverend Davison then indecently assaulted him, before accusing Dr Llewellyn-Jones of propositioning him.

“There was a subculture of brutality,” he said.

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.

AUSTRALIA
SBS

Source: AAP
1 SEP 2015

A Geelong Grammar School chaplain hypnotised boys so he could molest them, boarders were sexually abused as they slept and students were subjected to incessant bullying and even abuse by their peers, an inquiry has heard.

A code of silence discouraged students from reporting five decades of abuse which continued until as recently as 2007 while those who did speak out were met with inaction or even threatened with expulsion, the child abuse royal commission heard.

Victim BKO has told the commission that Rev John Davison abused him during one of two after-school sessions in 1970 in which the school chaplain tried to hypnotise a group of students.

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.

MINNESOTA
Star Tribune

By Emma Nelson Star Tribune AUGUST 31, 2015

Bob Rich was in his 20s when he won an $850,000 settlement from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis — compensation for years of sexual abuse at the hands of the Rev. Robert Michael Thurner.

Rich and his family were hopeful the lawsuit, settled in 1992, would bring closure. But within four years, the money was gone. Some Rich gave away. Some went to a California beach house and a Porsche. Some he used to fuel a cocaine habit — an effort, he said, to ease the pain.

More than 20 years later, hundreds of survivors of clergy sexual abuse have filed claims against the archdiocese. Many were urged forward by the 2013 Minnesota Child Victims Act, which extended the statute of limitations for civil claims in child sex abuse cases.

Unlike Rich, these survivors won’t file suit. Instead, the assets of the archdiocese, which filed for Chap. 11 bankruptcy in January, will be divvied up among them. And settlements are unlikely to reach the amount that Rich’s did.

In 2004, 171 victims in the Portland archdiocese split $90 million. In August, negotiations in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee led to a $21 million settlement for 330 victims out of more than 500 who filed claims. In the Twin Cities, the archdiocese’s assets are estimated between $10 million and $50 million and more than 400 people have filed claims.

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.