ABUSE TRACKER

MINNESOTA
The Journal

March 30, 2016
By Clay Schuldt – Staff Writer , The Journal

ST. PAUL – After months of dialogue, the law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates and the Diocese of New Ulm jointly disclosed on Tuesday the names of 16 former priests who were mutually identified as being credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor while they were assigned as priests.

The list includes these priests – Cletus Altermatt, Dennis Becker, Gordon Buckley, Robert Clark, J. Vincent Fitzgerald, John Gleason, Joseph Louis Heitzer, Rudolph Henrich, Harry Majerus, Francis Markey, William Marks, John Murphy, David Roney, Douglas Schleisman, Michael Skoblik and Charles Stark.

Thirteen of the accused have died, and all but one was previously named in media reports. Fitzgerald, Heitzer, Henrich and Majerus had credible accusations made against them while working in another diocese, but had no credible accusations made against them while serving in the New Ulm Diocese.

In conjunction with release of the list, attorney Jeff Anderson & Associates held a press conference in St. Paul on Tuesday morning. During the event two women, Kim Schmit and Lori Stoltz, spoke on the abuse they experienced from Roney.

Schmit said that as a youth in 1968 Roney forced her into a corner and abused her after school. She reported the incident to her parents who then complained to the diocese. Schmit’s family was informed actions would be taken against Roney; however, the diocese simply relocated him to another parish where he continued to abuse other victims. Schmit later became friends with Stoltz, and both were horrified to learn they had been abused by the same priest despite diocese promises.

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
Patch

BETH DALBEY (Patch Staff) – March 29, 2016

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI – Sexual abuse allegations against a former Catholic priest who served parishes in Farmington, Royal Oak, St. Clair Shores have been “found to be credible” after an internal review of complaints against him, the Archdiocese of Detroit said in a statement Tuesday.

Richard Lauinger, 85, left the priesthood in 1975, the diocese said. He was ordained in 1956.

During his 19 years as a priest, he served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington, Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, and Christ the King and St. Eugene in Detroit; and as co-pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Clair Shores.

Diocese spokesman Ned McGrath told WWJ the complaints were turned over to the Wayne and Oakland county prosecutor’s offices for review. He declined to release details about when the alleged abuse took place, how many allege victims stepped forward or the age of the alleged victims.

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MAINE
WHDH

[with video]

Reported by Kelli O’Hara

KENNEBUNK, Maine (WHDH) –
Sex abuse victims said they were forced to relive their trauma after learning their church was honoring the priest who they said abused them.

At Saint Martha’s in Kennebunk, Maine, a plaque on the wall thanks dozens of people for their donations. One of the names on the plaque is Father James Vallely.

Vallely, who was a priest at the Maine Archdiocese starting in 1952, was accused of sexually abusing at least nine children before he died in 1997. Despite the accusations, he was never prosecuted or defrocked. The church listed him on the plaque for donating money for its stained glass windows.

“It goes to show the lack of compassion,” said Jim Tremble, a former altar boy. Tremble said he was 13 years old when Vallely raped him in the backseat of his car. “I was threatened after it was over and I never said a word.”

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian is representing Tremble and others who are suing the Archdiocese, saying Vallely abused them. He said he wants to know why Vallely’s name was allowed to remain on the wall until recently.

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PENNSYLVANIA
The Morning Call

Peter Smith
Of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Diocese of Pittsburgh last year reached a “five-figure” settlement with a man over his claim that he was sexually abused as a youth in the 1980s by a priest whom then-Bishop Anthony Bevilacqua brought into the diocese despite knowing his past sexual predatory behavior and risk of repeating it.

The out-of-court settlement, reached in October, was announced this week by Boston lawyer Mitchell Garabedian, who said his client was assaulted by the Rev. John P. Connor, a New Jersey priest who worked in the North Hills section of Pittsburgh in the 1980s.

Allegations of Connor’s serial attacks on youths before and after his Pittsburgh tenure were documented in a 2005 grand jury report on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where the late Cardinal Bevilacqua later brought Connor.

But this settlement provides the first allegation that Connor also used his time in the Diocese of Pittsburgh to groom and sexually assault at least one youth.

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MASSACHUSETTS
The Republican

By Stephanie Barry | sbarry@repub.com
on March 29, 2016

SPRINGFIELD — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield on Tuesday night released new details about the disciplinary history of the late Rev. Paul Archmbault, subject of a recent civil settlement who committed suicide in 2011 when confronted about the abuse of a teenage boy, officials have said.

Archambault fatally shot himself with one of his own guns at Our Lady of Hope rectory. He did not leave a note, according to police. But, diocesan officials on Tuesday conceded the suicide was likely prompted by a confrontation over the abuse. It has not been publicly disclosed who reportedly confronted the priest.

The 42-year-old Archambault had been ordained just six years earlier. A lawsuit filed in 2013, when the victim was 20, states that he began sexually assaulting the victim, “John Doe,” when the boy was 13; the molestation continued for about four years. The complaint alleges the abuse took place at a Chicopee parish, a shrine to the Virgin Mary in Vermont and at Archambault’s father’s home in Northampton.

The victim is a Chesterfield native but has not been named in court records or by the diocese. As a policy, The Republican typically does not name victims of sexual abuse.

The diocese deemed the allegations against Archambault “credible” and settled with the victim for an as-yet undisclosed money judgment in late January. The settlement was announced earlier on Tuesday. Church officials have made a point to note that Archambault knew the victim and his family long before the priest was ordained.

Plaintiff’s lawyer John Connor argued the diocese ignored previous “red flags” raised by parishioners about Archambault’s behavior around children.

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MICHIGAN
The Oakland Press

POSTED: 03/29/16

The Archdiocese of Detroit says it has received complaints of sexual abuse of minors by a former priest. The allegations stem from the time the priest was in ministry.

Allegations against Richard Lauinger, 85, have been brought forward to the Archdiocesan Board of Review and are found to be credible, a statement by the organization said.

Lauinger was ordained in 1956 but he left the priesthood in 1975 and all ties with the diocese were severed.

Lauinger served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington; Christ the King, Detroit; Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak; St. Eugene, Detroit; and as co-pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland; St. Clair Shores.

Ned McGrath, Director of Communications for the diocese, said the organization started receiving complaints against Lauinger in January.

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ILLINOIS
Chicago Tribune

Karen Berkowitz
Pioneer Press

A former Deerfield pastor charged with the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl will be undergoing an evaluation, and it’s likely his criminal case will be resolved without a trial, a Lake County prosecutor said Tuesday.

Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Grindel provided the update to Lake County Circuit Court Judge Victoria Rossetti during a status hearing for Samuel Kee, who is charged with criminal sexual abuse of a minor.

Kee, 39, was pastor of teaching and discipleship at the North Suburban Evangelical Free Church in Deerfield on Oct. 14, 2015, when he voluntarily walked into the Deerfield police station to confess to an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl in the summer of 2014. Kee was charged Oct. 15, 2015, and pleaded not guilty during a court appearance.

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VIRGINIA
Mennonite World Review

Mar 29, 2016 by Tim Huber, Mennonite World Review

A judge dismissed a charge of solicitation of prostitution against former Eastern Mennonite University vice president of enrollment Luke A. Hartman on March 29, roughly a week after a Harrisonburg, Va., congregation acknowledged its pastors knew of an alleged “abusive relationship” involving him about a year and half before he resigned from his position in January.
Hartman was arrested Jan. 8 on a misdemeanor charge. Rockingham County Judge William Eldridge said there wasn’t enough evidence to show “a specific act that was elicited.”

Hartman has been a speaker at several Mennonite Church USA youth conventions.

A March 20 letter from Lindale Mennonite Church pastors and elders to congregants says an “abusive relationship” was brought to the staff’s attention in August 2014 and that “the victim . . . has been deeply traumatized by Luke Hartman. . . . We are grateful that the victim had the courage to step forward despite her overwhelming fear.”

The letter says lead pastor Duane Yoder and associate pastor Dawn Monger have been “walking with the victim” and “attempting to hold [Hartman] accountable for his actions.” The letter does not indicate what Hartman is alleged to have done. It states pastors have worked “to keep the victim safe” and that “professional counseling was provided.”

The letter does not indicate this information was shared with EMU.

In response to questions, EMU released a statement to MWR on March 29:

“In August 2014, Lindale (Va.) Mennonite Church leaders alerted Eastern Mennonite University institutional leaders about a situation concerning an inappropriate sexual relationship between Luke Hartman and a church member. The relationship had taken place some years prior to Luke Hartman’s employment as vice president for enrollment at EMU.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Review

BY MATTHEW SANTONI | Tuesday, March 29, 2016

The Diocese of Pittsburgh reached an undisclosed “five-figure” out-of-court settlement late last year with an alleged victim of a sexually abusive priest who served in Allegheny County from 1985-88, his attorney announced this week.

Boston-based attorney Mitchell Garabedian said the settlement was reached in October over his client’s alleged sexual assault by John Connor, who was a chaplain at Sewickley Valley Hospital and then a priest at St. Alphonsus Church in Pine. His client, now in his 40s, was 12 to 14 years old when the abuse took place between 1985 and 1986 in Connor’s car, a Pittsburgh movie theater and on a Bradford Woods basketball court, Garabedian said.

The statute of limitations for criminal charges has expired, Garabedian said, but he was publicizing the civil settlement and others to urge the Catholic Church toward greater transparency. “My client should be proud of himself for having the courage to report sexual abuse,” said Garabedian, whose work representing victims of abusive priests was portrayed in the movie “Spotlight.”

“In doing so, my client has empowered himself, other clergy sex-abuse victims and children everywhere,” he said. “It’s time to end the secrecy surrounding clergy sexual abuse, and the only way to do that is reporting the known perpetrators.”

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MASSACHUSETTS
WWLP

Mark Wiernasz
Published: March 29, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese has reached a settlement concerning an abuse allegation of a minor by the late Father Paul Archambault. According to a statement from the Diocese of Springfield, Fr. Archambault committed suicide in 2011 apparently after being confronted with the abuse allegations.

A native of Northampton, Fr. Archambault had been assigned or did ministry work in Holy Name of Jesus in Chicopee, St. Mary in Hampden, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Northampton, St. Theresa in South Hadley, and Our Lady of Sacred Heart in Springfield. He had also served as a hospital chaplain. The Diocese did not say whether the victim was male or female, but had known Fr. Archambault for many years prior to his ordination as a priest.

In the statement, Bishop Mitchell Rozanski said, “I want to extend to all victims my sincere apology for what they had to endure. I want to assure them and the entire community of my fervent resolve to continue to address this terrible plague upon our Church through our ongoing screening, education and awareness efforts. We must never let our guard down; rather we must all remain vigilant.”

The diocese has now added Fr. Archambault’s name to the official list of clergy with credible claims of abuse. Reports of abuse by clergy or someone working for the Catholic Church should be reported to local law enforcement, as well as the Office of Child and Youth Protection at 413-452-0624 or the confidential line at 1-800-842-9055.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Review

BY PAUL PEIRCE | Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Attorneys for a Somerset County priest convicted of molesting boys in a Honduran orphanage filed documents Tuesday in federal court in Pittsburgh indicating that his family has paid $70,000 in court-ordered fines, costs and restitution, effectively ending a dispute with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Last week, U.S. Attorney David Hickton’s office had asked a judge to freeze $1.2 million in assets held by the Rev. Joseph Maurizio for 60 days, alleging he was quietly transferring money and other property to relatives since March 1, when he was sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Haines alleged in a motion that Maurizio, 70, had made no attempt to pay the fines, costs and restitution stemming from his conviction, despite Judge Kim Gibson’s order to begin making payments within 10 days of his sentencing.

Maurizio’s attorneys, Steven P. Passarello of Altoona and Thomas Farrell of Pittsburgh, in their court filing provided copies of bank drafts of $70,000 that relatives withdrew from the priest’s accounts Friday and forwarded via certified mail to the federal clerk’s office in Pittsburgh.

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DEUTSCHLAND
Deutschlandradio Kultur

[In recent years, numerous cases of abuse in the famous chorus of the Regensburger Domspatzen have become known. However, many of those responsible are struggling today to find a reasonable deal, but others seek enlightenment on what happened.]

Von Lisa Weiß

In den letzten Jahren sind zahlreiche Missbrauchsfälle im berühmten Chor der Regensburger Domspatzen bekannt geworden. Doch viele der Verantwortlichen tun sich bis heute schwer, einen angemessenen Umgang zu finden, andere aber bemühen sich um Aufklärung.

Chorprobe bei den Domspatzen. Knapp 80 Jungen stehen oder sitzen im großen Chorsaal, die kleinen vorne, die großen hinten. Domkapellmeister Roland Büchner ist am Klavier, gibt eine Stelle vor – die Schüler singen nach.

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DEUTSCHLAND
BR 24

[The public prosecutor’s office is now investigating an allegation that a priest, who later became abuse officer for the Wurtzburg diocese, sexually abused a teenage girl.]

Von: Barbara Markus
Stand: 29.03.2016

Das Ermittlungsverfahren wegen sexueller Nötigung hat der Würzburger Oberstaatsanwalt Boris Raufeisen dem BR bestätigt. Auslöser war ein Bericht des “Spiegel” über Vorwürfe einer heute 44-Jährigen. Ihrer Aussage zufolge soll sich der Kleriker im Jahr 1988 an ihr vergangen habe. Der Missbrauch an der damals 17-Jährigen soll sich bei einem Treffen im Würzburger Exerzitienhaus Himmelspforten im Rahmen der Diakonatsausbildung des Vaters ereignet haben.

Mögliche Verjährung wird überprüft

Zur Person des Beschuldigten liegen Erkenntnisse des Missbrauchsbeauftragten des Bistums vor, so Oberstaatsanwalt Raufeisen.

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MASSACHUSETTS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 29

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

Catholic officials are disclosing that a clergy sex abuse and cover up case has settled. We hope that this resolution will prod others with information or suspicions about child sex crimes by Fr. Paul J. Archambault to come forward and get help from independent sources.

[MassLive]

He is the 48th publicly accused child molesting cleric in the relatively small Springfield diocese. (BishopAccountability.org)

We are grateful that Bishop Mitchell Rozanski took the initiative to announce the settlement. His colleague – Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley – often refuses to do this, and refused to do so yesterday in several cases.

[SNAP]

At the same time, however, we’re disappointed that Bishop Rozanski lists so few proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics on his website. And we’re disappointed the bishop uses lines and language designed to distance himself from this predator and that reveal more about the victim than he should (like disclosing that “Fr. Archambault knew the victim’s family personally for many years before ordination”). There’s nothing to be gained, save a little public relations advantage, by revealing such information.

We hope this settlement will bring some comfort and closure to the brave young man who had the wisdom to understand he’d been hurt, the courage to speak up, and the strength to seek justice in the courts. We commend him for his bravery and are confident he has done the right thing and will inspire others who are suffering to come forward.

We urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in Catholic churches or institutions – especially in Springfield – to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling journalists, get justice by calling attorneys, and get comfort by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.

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OHIO
10TV

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An attorney tells 10TV the Catholic Diocese of Columbus has reached a settlement with a man who says he was sexually abused by a priest in the 1970s.

Father Ronald Atwood was removed from the church in July 2013, one day after the dioceses received a complaint that he had abused a minor.

The man who filed the lawsuit claims the abuse happened between 1975 and 1980 in Atwood’s office at Bishop Ready High School in west Columbus.

Tonight, SNAP, or Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is calling on the Catholic Diocese to reveal when victims come forward.

An attorney for Atwood’s accuser, who is now in his mid-50’s, told 10TV his client didn’t want to talk about the case.

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MICHIGAN
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 29

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

In an extraordinarily vague and short announcement, Detroit Catholic officials admit that a priest is a credibly accused child molester. But they refuse to disclose his whereabouts or aggressively seek out others he has hurt. Shame on them.

[Detroit Free Press]

We hope that others with information or suspicions about Fr. Ronald Lauinger will come forward and seek help from independent sources.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron and Ned McGrath, one of his public relations officials, won’t say whether Lauinger hurt boys or girls, when or where the crimes happened or disclose any real helpful information. They won’t say when church officials first received a report of these crimes or how long it took church officials to substantiate them. They are doing the absolute bare minimum while leaving other kids in harm’s way by being so secretive.

We urge Vigneron, McGrath and other Detroit church staff to change their minds and disclose Lauinger’s whereabouts so that parents can be warned and families can be protected.

We urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in Catholic churches or institutions – especially in Detroit – to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling journalists, get justice by calling attorneys, and get comfort by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.

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MINNESOTA
Minnesota Public Radio

Tim Nelson Mar 29, 2016

The Diocese of New Ulm has released a list of 16 priests it says have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children in and out of the diocese.

All but three of the priests have died, the diocese said, and all but one have already been identified in media reports.

The list was released in conjunction with a St. Paul law firm, where two women spoke about their own experiences.

Kim Schmit said she was a school girl in 1968 when she was a victim of abuse at her church in Willmar.

“I was standing there waiting for my taxi after release classes when the priest approached me, backed me into the corner, into the dark,” she said. “It only happened once for me, and I went home and told my mom. And my parents went and confronted, and they promised something would have been done. But nothing was done.”

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MICHIGAN
Patch

By BETH DALBEY (Patch Staff) – March 29, 2016

ROYAL OAK, MI – Sexual abuse allegations against a former Catholic priest who served parishes in Farmington, Royal Oak, St. Clair Shores have been “found to be credible” after an internal review of complaints against him, the Archdiocese of Detroit said in a statement Tuesday.

Richard Lauinger, 85, left the priesthood in 1975, the diocese said. He was ordained in 1956.

During his 19 years as a priest, he served as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington, Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, and Christ the King and St. Eugene in Detroit; and as co-pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Clair Shores.

Diocese spokesman Ned McGrath told WWJ the complaints were turned over to the Wayne and Oakland county prosecutor’s offices for review. He declined to release details about when the alleged abuse took place, how many allege victims stepped forward or the age of the alleged victims.

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MASSACHUSETTS
New England Public Radio

by: Sam Hudzik
MARCH 29, 2016

The Catholic Diocese of Springfield has settled a lawsuit over child sexual abuse by a priest who committed suicide in 2011.

The diocese says it appears that Father Paul Archambault killed himself shortly after he was confronted about the abuse. Those allegations came out in lawsuit in 2013, two years after the priest’s death.

In a statement, the diocese says it “now recognizes this victim’s allegation as credible.”

“[The abuse] took place at a time when it was really the height of the clergy abuse scandal — being in the press and becoming public, which was extraordinary from our point of view that this was happening at that very same time where supposedly there was such heightened awareness of the issue,” said John Connor, a lawyer for the victim.

The diocese has added Archambault’s name to its public list of “credibly accused clergy.” That list includes the names of 17 priests and former priests from the Springfield diocese, which includes the four western Massachusetts counties.

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MINNESOTA
St. Peter Herald

By NANCY MADSEN nmadsen@stpeterherald.com

The Diocese of New Ulm and a St. Paul law firm identified one priest who served in St. Peter among 16 who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor while they were assigned as priests.

Father Harry Majerus, who was pastor of Church of the Immaculate Conception in St. Peter, had a credible accusation during his time with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which was reported in the media in 2014. There are no credible accusations against him during his time in the Diocese of New Ulm, including while at the St. Peter church, a March 29 news release from the diocese and Jeff Anderson and Associates said.

Majerus was the last pastor of Church of the Immaculate Conception, as it merged with the Church of St. Peter in 1991. Majerus, who was ordained in 1942 and worked in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Diocese of New Ulm until 1987, died in 1995.

“It is important that we recognize the credible accusations made against these men and acknowledge the terrible harm done by abuse in Church ministry,” said Bishop John LeVoir of the diocese in the news release. “On behalf of the Church, I apologize for the grave offenses committed against the vulnerable by those who were ordained to serve our communities. We are grateful to the survivors who have come forward already and encourage those who have not yet come forward to do so.”

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UNITED STATES
The Open Tabernacle: Here Comes Everybody

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Betty Clermont

President Barack Obama traveled to Cuba and Argentina last week.

In Cuba, Obama met with 13 Cuban dissidents at the US Embassy in Havana. They gave him the names of political prisoners the day after Cuban President Raul Castro said there were none in his island nation. Obama said the US continues to have “deep differences” with the Cuban government in the area of human rights and democracy. “My hope is that by listening and hearing from [the dissidents] that we can continue to refine our policy in such a way that ultimately the Cuban people are able to live freely and prosperously.”

In an earlier speech, Obama stated that equality under the law, the right to criticize the government, to protest peacefully, to practice faith peacefully and publicly, and to choose governments in free and democratic elections, are universal “rights of the American people, the Cuban people, and people around the world.”

Pope Francis visited Cuba September 19-22, 2015. He refused to meet with dissidents and kept silent about political prisoners and other victims of the Castro regime. His only mention of “freedom” was in regards to that of his Church.

Obama honored the victims of the 1976-1983 Dirty War in Argentina on March 24, the 40th anniversary of the military coup.

Pope Francis has not returned to his native land although he has made four trips to Latin America. His two predecessors had quickly returned to Poland and Germany, respectively, to massive acclaim by their compatriots. But when asked by a reporter on Feb. 18, “Holy Father, when are you going to go to Argentina?” – Pope Francis avoided the subject.

The Dirty War

A brutal junta initiated the Dirty War resulting in the “disappearance” of approximately 30,000 Argentines. Even those only suspected of being a dissident were kidnapped, tortured and murdered. The kidnappings – or disappearances – were preferred by the dictators to open bloodshed on their own populace for the practical effect of subduing outright civil war because the friends and families of the disappeared worked and hoped for the release of their loved ones. Because the barbarity was largely hidden, this was called the Dirty War.

Shortly before Obama’s arrival in Buenos Aires, his administration announced that US government documents relating to this period would be declassified. The Nixon/Ford Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger supported the coup. Perhaps the newly unclassified documents will show a more direct US involvement in Argentina similar to the role we played in the 1973 military coup ousting the democratically-elected Chilean Pres. Salvador Allende by Gen. Augusto Pinochet.

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KENTUCY
WDRB

[with video]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Priest, Father Stephen Pohll, who pleaded guilty to child pornography charges was sentenced today.

Ted Shouse, Pohl’s Attorney says, “He’s relieved this has come to an conclusion.”

Pohl spoke to the court saying he apologizes to the St. Margaret Mary Parish, the Archbishop, his family and friends and the public. He said he deeply regrets the sadness caused by this.

He went on to say, “I pray forr God’s mercy and forgiveness” and that his actions “may have God’s healing and peace.”

Shouse says, “I think it was sincere. It was honest and it comes from Father Pohl’s heart.”

20 people also wrote letters in support of Pohl for the judge to read before sentencing. Some asked the judge to have mercy on Pohl.

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KENTUCKY
Courier-Journal

Matthew Glowicki, @MattGlo

March 29, 2016

Former pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish Stephen Pohl has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for viewing child pornography.

U. S. District Court Judge David Hale sentenced Pohl, 57, at a sentencing hearing Tuesday afternoon.

Pohl, a first-time offender, poses a low risk for repeating his crime and is undergoing sex offender treatment, said his attorneys Ted Shouse, Annie O’Connell and John H. Harralson in a court filing last week.

In January 2016, the Roman Catholic priest admitted to accessing the pornographic images of nude underage boys on computers at the church rectory and office between January and August 2015.

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KENTUCKY
WHAS

WHAS11.com staff , Associated Press and Bethanni Williams, WHAS
March 29, 2016

LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) — A former pastor at St. Margaret Mary was sentenced to 33 months in prison on March 29.

In January, Stephen Pohl pleaded guilty to to one count of accessing child pornography with the intent to view. Pohl admitted to looking at explicit images on computers in his work and living areas at St. Margaret Mary.

Since the judge accepted a plea deal in this case Pohl will also have to register as a sex offender.

Police seized Pohl’s computer during an investigation that started after a student told his parents he felt “weird” about some photos that Pohl had taken.

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KENTUCKY
Courier-Journal

Andrew Wolfson, @adwolfson March 29, 2016

The parents of a boy photographed by the Rev. Stephen Pohl at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church has sued the Archdiocese of Louisville, saying that for decades he engaged in the bizarre practice of taking pictures of clothed children in sexual poses and that the church should have put a stop to it.

The suit, filed Tuesday in Jefferson Circuit Court, also says Pohl’s misconduct shows the archdiocese broke the promises it made to ferret out abusive priests when it paid $25.7 million in 2003 to 243 men and women who were molested as children at Catholic schools and churches.

“Such promises are proven by the conduct of Father Stephen Pohl to be hollow assurances,” attorney William F. McMurry says in the complaint filed on behalf of Christeena and Richard Gallahue Jr. “Sadly, these past lawsuits have done nothing to change the leadership culture, and the children of the church remain at serious risk of sexual abuse and exploitation by priests.”

McMurry was co-lead counsel in the priest abuse settlement, which at the time was the largest paid by an archdiocese out of its own pocket.

The suit was filed as Pohl was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court to 33 months in federal prison for accessing child porn from computers at the rectory and office of St. Margaret Mary, where he was a pastor.

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MASSACHUSETTS
The Eagle

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield has reached a settlement with a man who said a priest sexually abused him as a minor.

The diocese announced Tuesday that it has added the name of the late Rev. Paul Archambault to its list of clergy with credible claims of abuse. The list is posted on the diocesan website.

The diocese says according to legal filings in the case, it appears that Archambault took his own life after being confronted with the allegations in 2011.

The diocese is asking parishes where Archambault served to alert those communities. Those include: Holy Name of Jesus, in Chicopee; St. Mary’s Church, in Hampden; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, in Northampton; St. Theresa, in South Hadley; and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, in Springfield.

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
WCVB

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. —The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield has reached a settlement with a man who said a priest sexually abused him as a minor.

The diocese announced Tuesday that it has added the name of the late Rev. Paul Archambault to its list of clergy with credible claims of abuse. The list is posted on the diocesan website.

The diocese says according to legal filings in the case, it appears that Archambault took his own life after being confronted with the allegations in 2011.

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MICHIGAN
Detroit Free Press

AP

The Archdiocese of Detroit says child sexual abuse allegations against a former priest have been found to be credible.

The Catholic administrative body for southeastern Michigan made the announcement Tuesday after an internal board reviewed allegations against Richard Lauinger. The 85-year-old was ordained in 1956 and left the priesthood in 1975.

Diocese spokesman Ned McGrath said Lauinger hasn’t lived in Michigan since 1985 but declined to say where he is now. The Associated Press called two phone numbers assigned to someone with the same name and age and left messages.

McGrath said the complaints were turned over to the Wayne and Oakland county prosecutor’s offices.

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MINNESOTA
KEYC

By Kelsey Barchenger

The names of multiple priests accused of sexually abusing children while working for the New Ulm Diocese has just been released.

Just within the last hour the New Ulm Diocese has released the names of 16 of its priests accused of sexually abusing children from the 1940s through the ’90’s. Of these 16 men, 13 are deceased.

New Ulm is the last of the state’s six dioceses to release such a list.

This morning, two of the victims of abuse along with their attorneys spoke out at a press conference on the matter, saying this is not only a big first step in their over two year court battle to get these names released, but it’s also a chance for other victims to come forward.

Mike Finnegan said, “It’s extremely important to them–number one for child protection that there’s no more secrets around sex abuse in the Diocese of New Ulm and number two to reach out to all the survivors that are out there suffering secrecy, silence and shame that they know they can get help and they can come forward confidentially but time is running out.”

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MINNESOTA
Mankato Free Press

By Leah Buletti lbuletti@mankatofreepress.com

NEW ULM — After a lengthy legal battle, the Diocese of New Ulm and a St. Paul law firm have jointly released the names of 16 priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse while assigned as priests.

Of the 16 men, 13 are deceased and all but one — Cletus Altermatt — have been named in prior media reports.

The names were released at a news conference Tuesday morning held by the law firm Jeff Anderson and Associates, during which two victims shared their stories.

“In order for kids to be safe, the names of the credibly accused need to be out there,” attorney Mike Finnegan said after the conference.

The release of names is also important so survivors know it’s safe to come forward, Finnegan said. More priests are expected to be added to the list now that it’s public, something that has happened after other dioceses in the state have released lists.

The Diocese of New Ulm was the last one in the state to release its list of names.

For several years, attorney Jeff Anderson and his firm have been filing lawsuits in several Minnesota district courts, including in Brown County, on behalf of victims claiming they were sexually abused by priests. Many lawsuits included requests to have the lists released to the public and similar lists created by dioceses in Minneapolis and St. Paul, St. Cloud, Winona, Duluth and Crookston have been released either voluntarily or through court order.

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MINNESOTA
Roman Catholic Diocese of New Ulm

In March 2016, the Diocese of New Ulm, working in close cooperation with the law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates, disclosed the names of 16 men they mutually identified as being credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor while they were assigned as priests.

The disclosure of names is the result of discussions and sharing of information between the Diocese of New Ulm and Jeff Anderson & Associates, which both recognize that the disclosure of names is an important part of the healing process for many victims and survivors of abuse.

Of these 16 men, 13 are deceased and all but one has been previously named in media reports.

Four of the 16 men, J. Vincent Fitzgerald, Joseph (Louis) Heitzer, Rudolph Henrich and Harry Majerus, do not have credible accusations against them stemming from incidents reported to have occurred in the Diocese of New Ulm. However, the four men have been credibly accused of abuse in other dioceses and all four men worked at some point in what is now the Diocese of New Ulm.

The Diocese of New Ulm and Jeff Anderson & Associates will continue to work closely together to promote healing for victims and survivors and protect children and young people.

To find out more, please see the joint statement released on March 29, 2016.

These men have been identified as having credible accusations of abuse against them.
You may see a man’s assignment history by clicking on his name in the list below.

* Fr. Cletus Altermatt – deceased 1978
* Fr. Dennis Becker – removed from ministry in 2015
* Fr. Gordon Buckley – deceased 1985
* Fr. Robert Clark – removed from ministry in 2002
* Fr. J. Vincent Fitzgerald – deceased 2009
* Fr. John Gleason – deceased 1998
* Fr. Joseph (Louis) Heitzer – deceased 1969
* Fr. Rudolph Henrich – deceased 1992
* Fr. Harry Majerus – deceased 1995
* Fr. Francis Markey – deceased 2012
* Fr. William Marks – deceased 1979
* Fr. John Murphy – deceased 2001
* Fr. David Roney – deceased 2003
* Douglas Schleisman – laicized 1994
* Fr. Michael Skoblik – deceased 1989
* Fr. Charles Stark – deceased 1991

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MINNESOTA
Bemidji Pioneer

By Forum News Service

ST. PAUL — The names of 16 priests accused of sexual abuse while working at the Diocese of New Ulm were released Tuesday morning.

The law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates and the Diocese of New Ulm jointly disclosed the names of 16 men during a news conference Tuesday morning in St. Paul. The men were mutually identified as being credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor while they were assigned as priest.

The 16 names released include: Cletus Altermatt,Dennis Becker, Gordon Buckley, Robert Clark, J. Vincent Fitzgerald, John Gleason, Joseph (Louis) Heitzer, Rudolph Henrich, Harry Majerus, Francis Markey, William Marks, John Murphy, David Roney, Douglas Schleisman, Michael Skoblik and Charles Stark.

“On behalf of the Church, I apologize for the grave offenses committed against the vulnerable by those who were ordained to serve ourcommunities. We are grateful to the survivors who have come forward already and encourage those who have not yet come forward to do so,” said Bishop John LeVoir of the Diocese of New Ulm in the news release.

“The Diocese of New Ulm is demonstrating a willingness to be transparent about clergy who have abused children,” said attorney Jeff Anderson in the news release. “This agreement to release information is an important step in transparency and child protection and safety. We will continue to work together to put this commitment into action, and we encourage other possible survivors to step forward.”

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MINNESOTA
CBS Minnesota

[with video]

March 29, 2016 By Ashley Roberts

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A list of former priests accused of sexually abusing children while they worked in the Diocese of New Ulm has been released.

Tuesday morning, survivors encouraged other victims who may be out there to come forward.

The list, released for the first time, includes the names of 16 men accused of sexually abusing children when they served as priests. Out of that number, only three are still alive.

Attorneys say disclosing their names is an important part of the healing process for the victims.

At some point, all of the men accused worked for what is now the Diocese of New Ulm. Attorney Jeff Anderson says the allegations date back to the early 1950s.

Tuesday morning, we heard from victims Lori Stoltz and Kim Schmit. They say one of the priests, who is accused of sexually abusing at least 30 victims and died in 2003, abused them as 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.

MASSACHUSETTS
Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield

The Diocese of Springfield has reached a settlement with an individual regarding their claim that while a minor they had been sexually abused by the late Rev. Paul J. Archambault whom they had known personally for many years prior to his ordination.

Based on the legal filings in this case, it now appears that after being confronted with these allegations in 2011, Rev. Archambault took his own life.

In light of this, the Diocese of Springfield now recognizes this victim’s allegation as credible and accordingly has added Rev. Archambault’s name to the official list of clergy with credible claims of abuse found on the diocesan website (http://diospringfield.org/wp-content/uploads/2016-
List-of-accused-priests-for-website-1.pdf).

We are also asking parishes where Rev. Archambault was assigned, or conducted ministry, to issue a direct notification alerting those communities as to this finding.

These include Holy Name of Jesus, Chicopee, St. Mary, Hampden. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Northampton, St. Theresa, So. Hadley and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Springfield. We urge all victims of abuse, or those who may have knowledge of abuse, to always report these concerns to the appropriate law enforcement and child protective service agencies. We also encourage you to call the Office of Child and Youth Protection at 413-452-0624 or the confidential line at 1-800-842-9055 to report abuse by clergy or a person working for the Catholic Church. State law requires that abuse and/or neglect of a minor be reported to the MA Dept. of Children and Families at 1-800-792-5200 or through law enforcement.

BISHOP STATEMENT ON REV. PAUL J. ARCHAMBAULT

Today I have added the late Fr. Paul Archambault’s name to the list of clergy with credible allegations of abuse. This is yet another sad reminder of the pain and tragedy caused by these deliberate acts, which not only cause such tremendous harm to victims, their families and close acquaintances but also violates the trust of our people and impugns the integrity of the majority of clergy and religious who faithfully minister in the Catholic Church.

This matter was made even more sad and tragic by the fact that when faced with the consequences of his actions, Father Archambault elected to take his own life.

I want to extend to all victims my sincere apology for what they had to endure. I want to assure them and the entire community of my fervent resolve to continue to address this terrible plague upon our Church through our ongoing screening, education and awareness efforts. We must never let our guard down; rather we must all remain vigilant.

In this Year of Mercy, our church seeks forgiveness for the past actions of clergy as well as our failure to adequately address past abuse claims. And in the name of our local church I echo this request. Finally, let we reiterate the need for anyone who has an awareness of abuse, past or present, to step forward and report it to local law enforcement officials . And if this involves a member of the Catholic clergy or a person in ministry to the Catholic Church, I also ask that you report it to our confidential hotline, 1-800-842-9055.

List of Credibly Accused Clergy Within the Diocese of Springfield

The following is a listing of all diocesan priests, deacons, and religious order priests who have had one or more credible allegations of sexual abuse of a child made against them while they were living. This list includes former priests who left the priesthood prior to reports having been made.

All have had their faculties to function as clergy removed.

Laicized priests who had initially been placed under the sanctions of the Essential Norms*:

Alfred Graves
Edward Kennedy
Richard Lavigne
Richard Meehan

Priests currently living under sanctions of the Essential Norms*:

Michael Devlin
Richard Kirouac
David Farland
Francis Lavelle
Ronald Wamsher

Deceased priests who had been placed under the sanctions of the Essential Norms*:

Paul Archambault
Andre Corbin
Clarence Forand
John Koonz
Charles Joseph Sgueglia
Charles Sullivan
Former priests:
Albert Blanchard
John R. Russell

Deacon permanently removed from ministry:

James Martone

With regard to the matter of former Springfield Bishop Thomas L. Dupre, Church law dictates specifically that any allegations of misconduct brought against a bishop must only be addressed by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

*Under the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People’s “Essential Norms,” “when even a single act of sexual abuse by a priest or deacon is admitted or is established after an appropriate process in accord with canon law, the offending priest or deacon will be removed permanently from ecclesiastical ministry.”

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SPRINGFIELD (MA)
MassLive

By Stephanie Barry | sbarry@repub.com
on March 29, 2016

SPRINGFIELD — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield has added a new name to its list of priests accused of sex abuse, acknowledging that the Rev. Paul Archambault’s suicide was likely prompted by a confrontation over abuse allegations that led to a court settlement.

Archambault was 42 when he fatally shot himself with his own handgun at Our Lady of Sacred Heart rectory on Rosewell Street on July 3, 2011. It was a Sunday afternoon. His body was discovered by his brother in a closet after he missed a scheduled Mass at a church in Hampden, according to police records. He had not left a note.

The suicide, just six years after Archambault was ordained by former Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell, prompted an outpouring of shock and grief in the Catholic community. Church officials are now attributing the suicide to allegations of sexual abuse.

Two years after his death, Archambault was named in a lawsuit filed in Hampshire Superior Court by a 20-year-old Chesterfield man who said Archambault began sexually abusing him at 13.

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VIRGINIA
DNRonline

Posted: March 29, 2016
By PETE DELEA

A Rockingham County judge dismissed the case against a former Eastern Mennonite University administrator accused of soliciting an undercover police officer for sex.

Luke Hartman, 46, of Harrisonburg, was one of 10 people charged on Jan. 8 with misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution by the Harrisonburg Police Department.

During trial today in Rockingham County General District Court, Judge William Eldridge said there wasn’t enough evidence.

“There is not a specific act that was elicited by Mr. Hartman,” said Eldridge. “I follow the law no matter what. The law is the law.”

During the case, an undercover police officer testified that she had two phone calls with Hartman before he arrived at a city hotel.

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VIRGINIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 29

Statement by Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org), Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

A Mennonite official who was accused of soliciting a prostitute is walking free. We are heartsick by this news. Now more than ever, those who saw, suspected or suffered his sexual wrongdoing must come forward and call police and prosecutors so that others will be protected.

[DNRonline]

In a Harrisonburg courtroom this morning, a lawyer for Luke Hartman successfully argued that his comments to an undercover police officer, posing as a prostitute, were sufficiently vague that he couldn’t be prosecuted. (His intent, however, seems clear: he had two phone conversations with a woman he thought was a prostitute, went to meet her, and gave her $80.)

It’s very likely that those who have been hurt by Hartman will feel hurt again by this development. We deeply sympathize with them. We encourage them to remember the wisdom of Martin Luther King who said “No lie lives forever.” We also encourage them to continue to focus on their recovery no matter what happens or doesn’t happen in the legal arena. It’s very possible to heal from sexual trauma. But it takes focus and determination. We stand ready and anxious to help in any way we can.

It’s also very likely that others who know Hartman – either through Lindale Mennonite Church or Eastern Mennonite University – have knowledge or suspicions about his sexual misdeeds. We beg them to search their consciences, find some courage, pick up the phone, and share their information or suspicions with law enforcement.

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FRANCE
20 Minutes

[Case Preynat: The allegations by former scouts against the Father Bernard Preynat are non-prescribed and court proceedings will continue.]

20 Minutes avec AFP
Publié le 29.03.2016

La procédure judiciaire peut continuer. Les faits de pédophilie reprochés à un prêtre du diocèse mis en examen le 27 janvier à Lyon ont été déclarés non-prescrits par le juge d’instruction et la procédure se poursuit, ont indiqué lundi des sources proches de ce dossier qui ébranle le diocèse.

La défense du père Bernard Preynat avait saisi le magistrat en arguant qu’à l’époque des cas retenus par la justice, soit entre 1986 et 1991, le délai de prescription était de trois ans pour les faits d’agressions sexuelles sur mineur reprochés au religieux, qui encadrait alors un groupe de scouts dans la banlieue lyonnaise.

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MAINE
Portland Press Herald

BY SCOTT DOLAN STAFF WRITER
sdolan@pressherald.com | @scottddolan | 207-791-6304

Freeport resident Paul Kendrick has rejected the possibility of an out-of-court settlement in the defamation lawsuit against him, leaving the fate of the case uncertain, as his appeal of a $14.5 million verdict against him is on hold.

Kendrick lost at trial in U.S. District Court in Portland last summer, but an appellate court in Boston issued a ruling last month that put the entire case in question by asking whether it ever belonged in federal court at all.

Kendrick said in an email Tuesday that he wants a scheduled two-day hearing to go forward on Wednesday and Thursday before Judge John Woodcock Jr., who presided over the trial, to decide whether the federal court trial venue was correct.

Kendrick was accused of defamation after he began a widely disseminated email campaign in January 2011 in which he accused the American founder of an orphanage in Haiti of sexually abusing the boys in his care. Kendrick widened the campaign against the founder, Michael Geilenfeld, to include Hearts with Haiti, the North Carolina charity that raises donations to fund his orphanage.

The Portland jury did not believe seven former orphanage residents in Haiti who testified about sexual abuse, and found that Kendrick was reckless and negligent in making the accusations. It awarded actual damages of $7.5 million to Hearts with Haiti, and $7 million to Geilenfeld.

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MINNESOTA
Star Tribune

Gallery: New Ulm Diocese releases names of accused priests

By Jean Hopfensperger Star Tribune MARCH 29, 2016

The names of 16 priests credibly accused of sexually abusing children in the New Ulm Diocese were released Tuesday morning, marking the final Minnesota diocese to make public a list of its clergy offenders.

Attorney Jeff Anderson made public the names at a news conference in St. Paul, following more than two years of demands for their publication. Already, victims advocates say the list is incomplete.

Anderson introduced two women abused by the same priest in the New Ulm Diocese and exhorted other child sex abuse victims to come forward before the deadline set in the Minnesota Child Victims Act for people to file old claims.

“They can do something in the next 58 days … to bring a claim against the diocese or the institution,” Anderson said. “The clock is ticking.”

The New Ulm list is significant because former St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop John Nienstedt had served in the New Ulm Diocese before his promotion to the archdiocese. Nienstedt stepped down last June after the Ramsey County Attorney’s office filed charges against the archdiocese, claiming it failed to protect children from pedophiles.

The list of names was agreed upon by the diocese and Anderson, who sued the New Ulm Diocese. At least three are still alive, including the Rev. Robert Clark, the Rev. Dennis Becker and the Rev. Douglas Schleisman, according to Anderson’s office. Anderson said his office would likely make other names public later.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 29

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik has settled – and kept silent about – another child sex abuse and cover up case against a child molesting Catholic cleric who worked/lived in Wexford and Sewickly. Catholics and citizens should ask him “How many other cases have you secretly settled in your nine years as head of the Pittsburgh diocese?”

In the early 1980s, Fr. John P. Connor was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in New Jersey. Prosecutors and diocesan attorneys struck a deal that if Connor admitted to the abuse stayed out of trouble for a year his record would be erased. He was sent to a treatment center for child molesting clerics at Southdown Institute in Canada.

Despite this, Pittsburgh Catholic officials quietly let Fr. Connor come to Pennsylvania and quietly work at St. Alphonsus Church in Wexford from 1986-88. Ironically, this was right around the time then-Fr. Zubik, a Sewickly native, was named administrative secretary to then-Pittsburgh Bishop Anthony Bevilaccqua. We find it very hard to believe Zubik – a top diocesan official and Sewickly native -didn’t know a predator priest was living in his hometown.

Now, Bishop Zubik must disclose Fr. Connor’s whereabouts and aggressively seek out others he has hurt. And Zubik must address a key, troubling question: Why, despite decades of pledges of “openness,” is the settlement against him being announced by the victim and his attorney and not by Bishop Zubik and his staff?

Bishop Zubik should also go to every place where Fr. Connor worked, and beg anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes to call police. We believe it’s possible Fr. Connor might still be criminally charged for child sex crimes. But not if Bishop Zubik and his colleagues continue to say and do as little as possible.

(A photo of and more information about Fr. Connor is available at BishopAccountability.org)

The first US predator priest attracted national headlines a full 30 years ago. All US bishops promised to be “transparent” about clergy sex crimes a full 14 years ago. It’s appalling that even now, Bishop Zubik and his colleagues are breaking their pledges and being secretive even after an abuse report is deemed credible. And it’s appalling that deeply wounded child sex abuse victims must publicly prod Bishop Zubik to do what the Gospel parable of the lost sheep mandates that he do – leave the rest of the flock, go out into the dark and the cold, seeking the one wounded individual who was assaulted as a child by a priest and is still suffering as an adult.

For the safety of kids, Bishop Zubik should also post the names of all accused predators on his diocesan web site. About 30 US bishops have done this. This is the absolute bare minimum every bishop should do to safeguard the vulnerable, heal the wounded and expose the truth. It’s just wrong for bishops to recruit, educate, ordain, hire, transfer and shield child molesting clerics and then do little or nothing to warn the public about them once abuse reports against them are made.

We hope this settlement will provide some comfort to Fr. Connor’s victim. We also hope it will encourage others who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes to come forward, expose predators, protect kids, deter cover ups and start healing.

Remember this settlements – and who disclosed it, the victim and his attorney – the next time someone claims that Catholic officials are “open” and “transparent” about clergy sex crimes and cover ups these days. It’s just not true.

Catholics and citizens must continue to rely on courageous victims, determined journalists and our secular justice system to warn parents, police, prosecutors, parishioners and the public about known, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics.

We urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in Catholic churches or institutions – especially in Pittsburgh – to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling journalists, get justice by calling attorneys, and get comfort by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted and cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.

NOTE – About 14 years ago, Fr. Connor went reportedly sent to live in a retirement home for priests in New Jersey. Bishop Zubik should disclose whether this did, in fact, happen and whether Fr. Connor is still there or not.

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UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 29

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

We’re grateful that President Obama is drawing more attention to an award-winning film about journalism and the Catholic clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis. But it should be noted that neither he nor any other US official has taken a single step to deal with that continuing crisis.

Six months ago, Pope Francis spoke to Congress, a body that has refused, over decades, to take a single action to investigate or expose clergy sex abuse and cover up by Catholic priests, bishops, nuns, seminarians and brothers.

Individual members of Congress have TALKED about the crisis. (In 2005, then-Senator Rick Santorum, for instance, cited Boston’s “liberalism” as a cause of the crisis: “When the culture is sick, every element in it becomes infected. While it is no excuse for this scandal, it is no surprise that Boston, a seat of academic, political, and cultural liberalism in America, lies at the center of the storm.”)

[BishopAccountability.org]

But no federal institution or official has ever taken action about – or even investigated – this horrific, on-going scandal.

When dozens of baseball players were charged with illegal use of steroids, Congress held hearings. But Congress has held NO hearings whatsoever about the 6,427 US accused predator priests that bishops admit are accused of sexually assaulting more than 100,000 children. And again, no president or attorney general or other federal official has taken action to expose or prevent these horrific crimes.

Kids are safest when those who commit and conceal child sex crimes are behind bars. When that can’t happen, those who commit and conceal child sex crimes should at least be exposed and deterred.

That’s what an independent, thorough government-sponsored inquiry can do. It’s also the very least that our federal government should do, since it has completely refused to take even a single meaningful step in response to the Catholic church’s on-going clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis.

We applaud the governments that have conducted investigations and issued reports about this continuing crisis, including Ireland, Australia, Canada and Belgium.

We applaud the local US jurisdictions that have done such investigations: New York (Westchester County Grand Jury Report, June 19, 2002 and the Suffolk County Grand Jury Report, February 10, 2003), New Hampshire (Attorney General’s Report with investigative archive, March 3, 2003), Maine (Attorney General’s Report, February 24, 2004. See also the attorney general’s investigative materials released on May 27, 2005 and July 8, 2005), Boston (Reilly Report and Executive Summary, July 23, 2003), three in Philadelphia, PA (Report of the Grand Jury, September 25, 2003, unsealed September 15, 2005, made public March 29, 2011, another Grand Jury Report, September 15, 2005, and a third, Report of the Grand Jury, dated January 21, 2011, released February 10, 2011). G

(Just a few weeks ago, Pennsylvania’s attorney general released the latest grand jury report on clergy sex crimes and cover ups. It focused on the Altoona diocese and concluded that “Nothing has changed.”)

[SNAP]

We applaud non-profits that have done investigations, like CRIN, the Child Rights International Network (Child Sexual Abuse and the Holy See: The Need for Justice, Accountability and Reform, January 15, 2014) and Amnesty International.

We applaud the international bodies that have done investigations, like the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations on the Second Periodic Report of the Holy See 2/5/14 and Holy See, Second Report 10/22/12 and CRC, List of Issues 7/9/13.) and the Committee Against Torture (Concluding Observations June 17, 2014).

But since the first US pedophile priest made national headlines 30 years ago (Fr. Gilbert Gauthe, Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana), Congress and the federal government have done virtually nothing.

We hope this changes soon. Specifically, we hope federal officials will launch a thorough investigation into this continuing crisis like the Australian government has.

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UNITED STATES
Religion Dispatches

BY KAYA OAKES MARCH 28, 2016

On March 14 of this year, the Boston Globe announced it would be pulling the plug on Crux, the Catholic news website it launched in 2014. Crux was headed by John Allen Jr., a veteran church reporter who had previously written for National Catholic Reporter, CNN, NPR and many other outlets, most of them operating independently of the Catholic church.

Allen has also written several books about the Vatican, including a 2000 biography of then-cardinal Ratzinger that was seen by many as critical of the former prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In spite of some readers holding the opinion that Allen’s work veers toward the liberal side, Allen has strived for neutrality as a journalist, thus making him a logical pick to head the Globe’s venture into Catholic journalism.

In its brief existence, Crux quickly became an important voice in church news. Because most secular outlets only give limited coverage to religion news, it can be difficult for readers to find stories about the Vatican and the pope that aren’t slanted in one way or another. National Catholic Reporter is run by lay people, as is Commonweal. Both tend to attract what could be described as more liberal contributing writers, but because of their editorial freedom, they are able to wrestle with issues like women’s ordination, marriage equality, and birth control. Religion News Service also covers the Catholic church, and is run by a secular nonprofit, as is this website. (Full disclosure: I have written for all of the above, as well as for America magazine.)

Other models of Catholic church news sources, however, fall under Vatican jurisdiction. This sometimes skews their ability to have complete editorial control. America magazine is supported by the Jesuits, and its former editor, Thomas Reese, SJ, was pressured into resigning due to objections to magazine content from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at the time headed by the same Cardinal Ratzinger. As a news outlet supported by a religious society, the magazine tends to strive for a neutral point of view. Matt Malone, SJ, its current editor in chief, banned the terms “conservative” and “liberal” from the magazine in 2013, when he stated that terms like “left” and “right” are “counterproductive” in a Catholic context. US Catholic, published by the religious order of Claretians, often aims for a similar middle ground.

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WASHINGTON (DC)
Boston Globe

By Kevin Freking ASSOCIATED PRESS MARCH 29, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Monday again bemoaned the political environment surrounding this year’s presidential elections and called on journalists to hold candidates and themselves to a higher standard, highlighting the work that was the basis of the movie “Spotlight” as an example of the kind of journalism Americans want to see.

“Hollywood released films about getting stuck on Mars, and demolition derbies in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and you even had Leo DiCaprio battling a grizzly bear. And yet it was a movie about journalists spending months meticulously calling sources from landlines, and poring over documents with highlighters and microfiche, chasing the truth even when it was hard, even when it was dangerous. And that was the movie that captured the Oscar for best picture,” Obama said.

“I’m not suggesting all of you are going to win Oscars,” Obama told the crowd at the Toner Prize presentation. “But I am saying it’s worth striving to win a Toner.”

“Spotlight,” which won best picture at the Academy Awards, was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

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MINNESOTA
Jeff Anderson & Associates

Joint Statement 3-29-2016
List of Credibly Accused Priests in the Diocese of New Ulm
Photos of Credibly Accused Priests in the Diocese of New Ulm
6-20-03 Germain Kunz Memo
Kunz, Germain Assignments

Two abuse survivors will speak publicly and address the release of names

WHAT: At a press conference Tuesday in St. Paul, two sexual abuse survivors and Jeff Anderson & Associates, working in conjunction with the Diocese of New Ulm, will:

· Jointly release a list of names of priests with credible allegations of child sexual abuse who worked in the Diocese of New Ulm;

· Provide a history of where the clerics worked in the Diocese of New Ulm and throughout Minnesota; and

· Encourage other survivors of sexual abuse in the Diocese of New Ulm and in Minnesota to come forward under the Child Victims Act by May 25, 2016.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 11:00AM CT

WHERE: Jeff Anderson & Associates
366 Jackson St. Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55101

NOTES: The press conference will be live-streamed from our website at www.andersonadvocates.com.

Contact: Jeff Anderson: Office: 651.318.2650 Cell: 612.817.8665
Contact: Mike Finnegan: Office: 651.318.2650 Cell: 612.205.5531
Contact: Mike Bryant: Office: 320.259.5414 Cell: 800.359.0061

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MINNESOTA
KSTP

Dave Aeikens

The names of New Ulm Diocese priests who have credible allegations of child abuse will be released Tuesday.

A St. Paul law firm led by Jeff Anderson is working with the Diocese to release the information.

The release is expected to include a history of where the priests worked in the Diocese of New Ulm and in Minnesota.

Survivors will be encouraged to come forward before the May 25 deadline under the Child Victims Act.

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UNITED STATES
Brent Detwiler

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Larry Ellis Caffery was born on March 11, 1950. He married Candace (Candy) Charlene Smith on May 9, 1970. They had three boys. Larry and Candy divorced in 1985.

Four years later, Larry married Glenna Sue McLarney-Shazer on June 30, 1989. Larry and Glenna had two children together. Their son was born on March 24, 1997. Their daughter was born on February 24, 1999.

This information comes from Caffery’s autobiographical book, Years of Grace, Life of Mercy. The book was first printed on Februay 1, 2005 by PublishAmerica. It was reprinted on April 13, 2010 by Tate Publsihing.

The back cover of the book gives this overview.

Have you ever been angry with God because of something that happened in your life? Did you take that anger out on a stranger, coworker—or worse—a loved one?

Have no fear! God is still there for you. Author Larry E. Caffery is living proof of just that. Come along as he walks through Years of Grace, Life of Mercy.

Larry had problems with anger that dictated daily siutaions in his life. He was reckless and many times lived a life on the edge. As a result, his family fell apart. Larry also became angry at God because of the many trials and tributaions in his life, including the death of his twelve-year old son and two suicide attempts.

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UNITED STATES
The Wartburg Watch 2016

“Always remember that what was done to you has nothing to do with YOU. It all has to do with a sick perverted abuser that wants/wanted power- You are not at fault and you were/are a target- but it is not because of who you are that you were/ are abused. You are worthy, beautiful, kind, smart and deserving of love, care, passion, and nurturing! xo dr. p”
― Patti Feuereisen, Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse–A Book for Teen Girls, Young Women, and Everyone Who Cares About Them link

Just what is it about Covenant Life Church, CJ Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries that seems to attract accusation after accusation of child sex abuse? What is it about the leaders in the Neo Calvinist movement that inspires them to call those who don’t think this is normal of having a Javert like obsession? How do these men (and their women) ignore the mess that has been caused by one of their own? Is it worth the contributions that some of them have received? And what about the earnest young men at T4G 2016 who will give CJ a standing ovation for …what exactly?

I was sick to my stomach when I learned of this latest situation coming out of Covenant Life Church. And for those who are so quick to say that it has nothing to do with CJ, zip your lip and check out the timeline. Thankfully, Brent Detweiler uncovered the information and is to be commended for exposing the accused pedophile at Covenant Life Church.

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MARYLAND
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 29

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

A member of a controversial church has been arrested for child sex crimes committed over nearly 11 years when he worked in “children’s ministry.” We hope kids at the church weren’t hurt. And we fear that other church members or staff knew of or suspected the abuse but kept silent. Why? Because that’s the pattern in this troubled denomination.

[court document]

Last week, Larry Ellis Caffery of Damascus Maryland was charged with multiple counts of child sex abuse and false imprisonment in Montgomery County, Maryland. He belongs to Covenant Life Church (CLC) in Gaithersburg. CLC is part of a denomination once called Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM). Since 2012, it has faced a series of lawsuits charging a conspiracy to commit and conceal child sex crimes by church staff and members. The cases have drawn national attention:

[Time]

[Washingtonian]

Caffery joined CLC in 1996, was a member at least until 2010, may still belong to the church, and “takes part in the children’s ministry program” there, according to his autobiography.

In a book that was reportedly edited, in part, by a CLC pastor, Caffery wrote about his fear of sexually abusing any daughters he might have. This comes from Brent Detwiler, a former CLC co-founder and 25 year SGM board member. (He left SGM “as a matter of conscience” in 2009 and has “spent ten years trying to bring about internal reform of an ethical nature.”)

[Brent Detwiler]

The abuse charges against Caffery cover a period from February 2004 until December 2014. At least some of this time, he worked at CLC. That’s one reason we fear that Caffery may have hurt kids in the congregation.

Often, law enforcement focuses just on those who commit child sex crimes. But it’s crucial that they also address those who conceal child sex crimes, especially in churches with troubling track records of ignoring or hiding – and thus enabling – more child sex crimes. That’s the case here. So we strongly urge police and prosecutors to dig deep and search for evidence that current or former staff or members at CLC knew about or suspected Caffery’s crimes but refused to call 911.

No matter what happens with these charges against Caffery, we strongly urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups at in SGM churches – especially at Covenant Life Church – to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling journalists, get justice by calling attorneys, and get comfort by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted and cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.

NOTE – SGM has changed its name and is now called Sovereign Grace Churches (SGC).

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OHIO
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday, March 29

Statement by Judy Jones, SNAP associate Midwest director, 635 433 2511, SNAPjudy@gmail.com

Another child sex abuse and cover up case against an ex-Columbus child molesting Catholic cleric has just settled. Now, Columbus church officials must disclose his whereabouts, put him in a treatment center and aggressively seek out others he has hurt.

[Columbus Dispatch]

Fr. Ronald J. Atwood was suspended in July 2013 after he was accused of sexually abusing a child at Bishop Ready High School and/or St. Stephen the Martyr and St. Peter parishes in Columbus between 1976 and 1979.

In 1999, Fr. Atwood was charged with public indecency in a public park known for sexual activity and the following year, he pled ‘no contest’ to urinating on a tree and paid a fine.

But troubling questions remain: Where is Fr. Atwood? Who’s monitoring him? And why is the settlement against him being announced by the victim and his attorney and not by Columbus Bishop Frederick Campbell and his staff?

For the safety of kids, Bishop Campbell should also post the names of all accused predators on his archdiocesan web site. About 30 US bishops have done this. This is the absolute bare minimum every bishop should do to safeguard the vulnerable, heal the wounded and expose the truth. It’s just wrong for bishops to recruit, educate, ordain, hire, transfer and shield child molesting clerics and then do little or nothing to warn the public about them once abuse reports against them are made.

Bishop Campbell should also go to all parishes where Fr. Atwood worked, and beg anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes to call police. We believe it’s possible Fr. Atwood might still be criminally charged for child sex crimes. But not if Bishop Campbell and his colleagues continue to say and do as little as possible.

(A photo of and more information about Fr. Atwood is available at BishopAccountability.org)

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UNITED STATES
BishopAccountability.org

Sixteen Priests and Brothers Added to Attorney Mitchell Garabedian’s List of Accused Clerics, March 2016

Assignment Records Researched by BishopAccountability.org

On March 28, 2016, Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian added 16 priests and religious brothers to his website’s list of accused clerics named in civil claims resulting in settlements or arbitration awards. Below we provide assignment histories and other information for some of these clerics. Six of the 16—Rev. Joseph J. Brennan, Rev. Richard J. Butler, Bro. Damien (Patrick) Chong, O.Carm., Rev. James L. MacGuinness, Rev. Philip A. Mathews, and Bro. Timothy O’Sullivan, C.F.C.—have not been publicly accused until now.

Ten of the accused clerics added to Garabedian’s list today worked during all or part of their priesthood in the Boston archdiocese. However, as indicated below, six of the ten are not included in Cardinal O’Malley’s published list of accused priests.

This page supplements our previous collection of assignment records for the 19 new clerics named by Garabedian when he posted his original list of 117 accused clerics on January 19, 2011 and the 12 new clerics he named on April 11, 2012. He added five newly accused clerics, a nun, and a lay choir director to his list in September 2013. On October 31, 2014 Garabedian added 13 names. A complete list of all the clerics named by Garabedian clients is provided on the law firm’s website.

Click on the linked names in red below to view assignment histories.

1. Rev. Ronald J. Atwood (Diocese of Columbus). Recent settlement involved his alleged abuse of a minor at Bishop Ready High School, Columbus OH, 1975-1970.

2. Rev. James E. Braley (Archdiocese of Boston). Included in Cardinal O’Malley’s published list. Braley’s status on the list from 2012 to early 2016 was “Administrative Leave; Case in Process” (see 1/2013 version of O’Malley’s list). Braley’s status changed in March 2016 to “Found unsubstantiated; Restricted; Senior Priest.”

3. Rev. Joseph J. Brennan (Diocese of Camden). Recent settlement involved his alleged abuse of child at a Brooklawn NJ parish 1957-59. Died 1976. Not previously identified as accused.

4. Rev. Andrew P. Brizzolara, C.S. (Missionaries of St. Charles/Scalabrinians). Worked in the archdioceses of Boston, New York, Hartford, and Washington DC. Has faced two allegations of abusing children in the Boston archdiocese, in 2004 and in the recent settlement, but is omitted from Cardinal O’Malley’s list of accused clergy.

5. Rev. Richard J. Butler (Archdiocese of Boston). Allegedly abused child in Cambridge MA but is not included in Cardinal O’Malley’s list of accused priests as of 3/28/2016. Died 2012. Not previously identified as accused.

6. Rev. Joseph F. Byrne (Archdiocese of Boston). Worked also in the diocese of Fall River MA. Named by at least two alleged victims. Included in Cardinal O’Malley’s list as of 3/28/2016 in two categories: Category E, Cases Involving Deceased Clergy for Whom Criminal or Canonical Proceedings Were Not Completed But The Existence of Allegations Has Been Publicized, and List of Unsubstantiated Cases. Died 2014.

7. Bro. Damien (Patrick) Chong, O.Carm. (Carmelite).Worked in the dioceses/archdioceses of Cleveland, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston. Recent settlement involved alleged abuse of a child at a Carmelite high school in Encino CA (Los Angeles archdiocese). Died 2014. Not previously identified as accused.

8. Rev. John P. “Jack” Connor (Diocese of Camden). Worked also in the diocese of Pittsburgh and archdiocese of Philadelphia. Recent settlement involved alleged abuse of a child in the Pittsburgh diocese.

9. Rev. Richard T. Coughlin (Archdiocese of Boston, Archdiocese of Los Angeles). Worked also in the diocese of Orange in CA. Permanently restricted. Included in Cardinal O’Malley’s list under Category A, Cases That Have Been Concluded Canonically, Either By Dismissal or Sentence to Life of Prayer and Penance, or Criminally, Either By Plea or Conviction.

10. Rev. Robert G. Gibney (Archdiocese of Newark). Recent settlement involved his alleged abuse of a child 1961-63 at a Vailsburg NJ parish. Died 2012.

11. Rev. Randal Gillette, C.P. (James R.) (Passionist). Worked in the dioceses/archdioceses of Newark, Boston, Mexico City, Pittsburgh, and New York. Allegedly abused children in the Boston archdiocese (1, 2) but was omitted from Cardinal O’Malley’s list of accused priests.

12. Rev. James L. MacGuinness (Archdiocese of Boston). Allegedly abused a child in Roxbury MA but is not included in Cardinal O’Malley’s list of accused priests as of 3/28/2016. Died 1955. Not previously identified as accused.

13. Rev. Philip A. Mathews (Diocese of Camden). Recent settlement involved his alleged abuse of a child in 1966 at a Berlin NJ parish. Not previously identified as accused.

14. Bro. Timothy O’Sullivan, C.F.C. (Congregation of Christian Brothers). Allegedly abused a minor at Bergen Catholic in the Newark NJ archdiocese. Not previously identified as accused.

15. Rev. Joseph J. Rocha, O.P. (Dominican). Worked in the dioceses/archdioceses of Washington DC, Boston, Nashville, and Providence. Recent settlement involved alleged abuse of minor at St. Stephen’s Priory, Dover MA, which is within the Boston archdiocese. Not included in Cardinal O’Malley’s list of accused clerics.

16. Rev. Martin J. Walsh (Archdiocese of Boston). Walsh has been accused of child sex abuse by at least two people: a victim who died in 1997, and the victim involved in the recent settlement. Yet as of 3/28/2016, Walsh is included in Cardinal O’Malley’s List of Unsubstantiated Cases. Died 2007.

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KENTUCKY
WDRB

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Louisville priest who pleaded guilty to child pornography charges is scheduled to be sentenced.

Father Stephen Pohl accepted a plea deal in January. He faces years in jail, lifetime supervision, and he’ll also have to register as a sex offender.

Earlier this year, Stephen Pohl appeared in federal court to change his plea to guilty. He did this to avoid a trial.

Pohl used to be a pastor at St. Margaret-Mary Parish. Court documents show the investigation started after a student told his parents Pohl took pictures of him and it felt “weird.”
A search warrant turned up photos of students at the parish’s school. But the pictures were not considered child pornography. Investigators also discovered Pohl viewed child porn online.

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KENTUCY
WLKY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —A former Catholic priest is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court Tuesday after he admitted to viewing child pornography.

Stephen Pohl pleaded guilty in January to accessing child pornography.

Prosecutors are calling for a sentence of 33 months in prison and Pohl’s attorneys have supported that motion.

But the judge can impose a longer prison term.

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AUSTRALIA
ABC News

By Charlotte King

A religious order implicated in a notorious child sex abuse ring in Victoria has been accused of refusing to assist victims achieve adequate compensation.

A survivor and his lawyer said the Christian Brothers, who ran the St Alipius Boys School in Ballarat, were adopting a smoke and mirrors approach to avoid paying up.

Ron Kochskamper was nine years old when he started at St Alipius in 1965.

“So here I come as a bright, fresh-faced child, ready to go to school. And here are these hardened paedophiles. Basically, I didn’t have a hope. We were lambs to the slaughter,” he said.

For decades, Mr Kochskamper said he repressed his memories of abuse.

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PENNSYLVANIA
PA Homepage

[with video]

By Valerie Tysanner | vtysanner@pahomepage.com, Adam McGahee | amcgahee@pahomepage.com

(WBRE/WYOU) As we head into child abuse awareness month this April, we’re talking a look into why so many cases go unreported in the commonwealth.

It doesn’t matter where you live…particularly in Pennsylvania where child abuse is believed to be vastly under reported. It has one of the lowest rates of reported child abuse in the nation. Advocacy groups say we have a culture of cover ups.

The recent allegations against the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, accused of covering up the abuse of hundreds of children, inspired a recent legislative push…to change the statute of limitations.

Therapists like Laura Jacoby, who works at Children’s Service Center, believe child abuse is under reported because not all signs of abuse are noticeable. “Neglect…a child not having the appropriate clothes, housing necessities or water” Jacoby says.

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CALIFORNIA
KSBY

[with video]

Santa Maria police on Monday arrested a 25-year old man on suspicion of the continuous sexual abuse of a child.

Police say the suspect, Daniel James Moreno, is a youth leader at a local church and also coaches youth sports.

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CALIFORNIA
edhat

Source: Santa Maria Police Department

On the morning of Monday, March 28, 2016 at approximately 0040 hours, SMPD Officers responded to a confidential residence in the City of Santa Maria. Upon their arrival, Officers contacted 25 year old Santa Maria resident, Daniel James Moreno. Moreno was arrested for the continual sexual abuse of a child under Penal Code section 288.5. Moreno was subsequently booked at Santa Barbara County Jail.

Over the course of the investigation, investigators have learned that Moreno is a youth leader in a local church and he also coaches youth sports, therefore, we are seeking out persons who might have further information concerning this investigation or other related crimes.

This investigation is ongoing and the SMPD requests any information be directed to the Investigations Division at 805-928-3781.

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NEW YORK
New York Daily News

BY EDGAR SANDOVAL, SHAYNA JACOBS, LARRY MCSHANE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Monday, March 28, 2016

The law couldn’t protect the adopted son of an accused pedophile during eight years of sexual abuse — or after he finally revealed the details of his secret torment.

The 30-year-old victim discovered recently that his sordid tale was useless to police or prosecutors under New York State’s oft-maligned statute of limitations law.

“The detectives told me they couldn’t do anything about my case, because it’s old,” said the frustrated man. “It made me angry. … How can someone rape children and not face consequences later?”

The law requiring victims to come forward by age 23 with their abuse charges means the man’s foster father, Cesar Gonzales-Mugaburu, can’t be charged with abusing him.

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UNITED STATES
Verdict

29 MAR 2016

MARCI A. HAMILTON AND STEVEN BERKOWITZ

Spotlight is a motion picture with a purpose: to deliver the truth of how every adult that could have halted the sex abuse by Catholic priests in the Boston Archdiocese did not. Children were betrayed by priests, bishops, parents, lawyers, journalists, and the buddy culture of men in power. The message: these kids did not have a chance, and it is no wonder they are angry and suffer from severe post-traumatic stress, among many other related problems.

After one walks out of the theater, the inevitable next thought is: we must do better by our children. The same thought has entered Pennsylvania’s consciousness following the three Philadelphia District Attorney grand jury reports on abuse in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, and the Attorney General grand jury reports on abuse at Penn State, and in the Altoona-Johnstown Archdiocese. Yet, one continues to see deep frustration on the faces of survivors from all corners of Pennsylvania as the bishops hit high gear lobbying against the victims’ access to justice through statute of limitations reform.

The Reports tell us that adults in power shredded children’s lives. True. Only the bishops and their insurers, however, have routinely leveled an additional, knock-out blow to each victim, either through scorched earth litigation tactics or by lobbying to keep the perpetrators from justice. The trauma these survivors (and their families) already suffered is compounded by the litigation and legislative tactics of the bishops.

The sex abuse alone can cause lifelong debilitating effects, including PTSD and depression, unemployment, alcohol, drug, or sex addiction, and suicide. Children can’t process sex abuse when it happens, and it is simply a scientific truth that multiple factors including shame, guilt and changes in their neurobiology delay victims’ disclosure of abuse until well into adulthood.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Conservative Home

By Alistair Lexden

Last updated: March 28, 2016

Lord Lexden is the Conservative Party’s official historian. His website can be found here.

Until a few months ago, the formidable reputation of George Bell, Bishop of Chichester for nearly 30 years and runner-up for the Archbishopric of Canterbury in 1944, seemed totally secure. Within the Church of England he had long been revered as one of its greatest bishops, learned, devout and inspiring. More widely, he was famous for his courageous stands in international affairs. Before 1939 .no one did more to sustain and defend German Christian leaders and Jews of all kinds in the face of Nazi persecution. During the Second World War, he led the protests against the bombing of entire German cities which killed so many civilians. This brought him much criticism to which Churchill contributed richly, but no one questioned his deep Christian integrity. “The Church”, he said in 1943,” has still a special duty to be a watchman for humanity, and to plead the cause of the suffering, whether Jew or Gentile”.

On 22 October last year, everything changed. The Church of England’s media centre issued a statement announcing that, under an out of court settlement, compensation (later revealed to be £15,000) had been paid to an unnamed individual who had claimed to have suffered sexual abuse at Bishop Bell’s hands in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The current Bishop of Chichester, Martin Warner, said “we face with shame a story of abuse of a child”. Yet neither he, nor anyone else among the Church authorities, has divulged any information about the nature of the alleged uncorroborated abuse, where exactly it is supposed to have taken place, the manner in which investigations were conducted or the expertise possessed by the anonymous individuals who examined the undisclosed evidence and apparently found it convincing.

George Bell has been condemned in secret by processes whose character is totally unknown. Today’s Church authorities have denied natural justice to one of the most eminent of their predecessors.

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ALABAMA
WTVM

By Steffany Means, Digital Content Producer

JACKSON COUNTY, AL (WAFF) –
A Jackson County pastor was arrested Monday night for sexual abuse of a child charges.

Jeffrey Allen Elkins, 55 of Bridgeport, has been arrested on a seven-count grand jury indictment.

Elkins is facing five counts of sexual abuse of a child less than 12-years-old and two counts of enticing a child for immoral purposes.

He is a pastor at a church in Bridgeport.

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WASHINGTON
The Olympian

The Olympian Editorial Board

Accounting for the horrific sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests and nuns over the last half-century continues in the Archdiocese of Seattle. The legal settlement last week of eight abuse claims was the latest installment of a slowly unfolding story that the church could expedite with complete disclosure of files it holds on offenders.

The archdiocese in January released a public list of 77 clergy and others accused of sexual assault against children. Included were about 25 who had served in Catholic Church posts in Thurston and Pierce counties, most recently in 2003.

The archdiocese said in a January news release that the clergy and church staff named in the list, who lived or served in Western Washington since 1923, were implicated in allegations of sexual abuse of children that were either “admitted, established or determined to be credible.’’

Those welcome disclosures were tempered by a statement that the list of locations — which included Saint Martin’s Abbey, school and college in Lacey, as well as Saint Michael’s Church in Olympia — did not necessarily mean that abuse had occurred at all of the sites.

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PENNSYLVANIA
We Are Central PA

[with video]

By Carolyn Donaldson | cdonaldson@wtajtv.com
Published 03/28 2016

Duncansville, Blalir County

One local woman’s fight to change the statute of limitations in case of child sexual abuse is heading to Harisburg.

Michele Gonsman of Duncansville, who is a victim herself, is trying to fill a bus with victims for a rally Monday, April 11th at the Capitol rotunda. Spurred on by the recent catholic church priest abuse scandal, Gonsman has set up meetings with elected leaders from Blair and Cambria counties.

As Gonsman says, “By doing this, I’ve gotten so many messages on Facebook, or emails – just people that I have known or don’t even know are reaching out to me and telling me their story and I said to my friend the other day – this is so much bigger than us.”

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CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Daily News

By Brenda Gazzar, Los Angeles Daily News

For nearly four decades, Allan Bruce said he held a closely guarded secret involving the Catholic Church.

While a student at the private Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, Bruce said he was repeatedly fondled — sometimes plied with alcohol beforehand — by a religious brother from 1984 to 1986. Bruce, then a Saugus resident, claims Brother Damien Chong sexually abused him at least 30 times in his quarters after inviting him to sleep there after football practice.

“I think the betrayal was the hardest part; he was supposed to be my friend and look after me and that wasn’t what happened,” the 47-year-old Bruce, who lives in Massachusetts, said by phone Monday. “I didn’t tell my parents or anybody. One, I didn’t think they would believe me and two, the school probably wouldn’t believe me either. I was just a C student from Saugus.”

Bruce was awarded a five-figure out-of-court settlement against the Carmelite Fathers and Brothers religious order last March involving the late Brother Chong — one of 16 Catholic priests, religious brothers, nuns or employees nationwide accused of alleged sexual abuse in which settlements were reached in the last few years and made public on Monday. The exact amount of Bruce’s settlement was not disclosed.

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NEW YORK
New York Daily News

The spotlight at the moment is on a Long Island foster care house of horrors where an accused predator took in dozens of boys over the course of two decades and allegedly subjected many of them to sexual abuse.

The spotlight has shone elsewhere before — many elsewheres.

More than 20 teachers at the prestigious Horace Mann School in the Bronx sexually abused more than 60 students.

The football coach at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn abused at least a dozen boys, according to a suit that the school has settled.

Thirty-four former students at Yeshiva University High School for Boys have reported being abused by the school’s then-principal.

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MINNESOTA
Lillie News

By: Mike Munzenrider

Roseville priest reinstated after investigation of sex abuse allegations

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced March 17 the reinstatement of a Roseville priest who took a leave of absence in August following accusations of sexual abuse.

The Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick, pastor of Saint Rose of Lima and Corpus Christi Roman Catholic churches, was accused of sexually abusing a minor in the 1980s. He denied the allegations, the archdiocese release said, and took the leave of absence voluntarily.

At the time of the leave of absence, the archdiocese termed the allegations “credible” and “not manifestly false or frivolous.”

The most recent statement from the archdiocese said that law enforcement investigators closed the Fitzpatrick case “based on a lack of evidence and the statute of limitations.”

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PENNSYLVANIA
Sharon Herald

STATE REP. Mark Rozzi has been pushing for years to change state laws in an effort to broaden the rights of victims of child sex abuse, to little effect.

Part of the problem may have been that the issue had been fading in the public consciousness. The subject was making major headlines around 15 years ago, when a scandal erupted over sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church and the mishandling of such cases by religious leaders, and then more recently with the Jerry Sandusky case involving Penn State. Since then the church has insisted it learned from its mistakes and that the days of protecting predator priests are long over, and changes were made to child abuse laws in response to the Sandusky situation.

But the issue is back at the forefront thanks to an investigation by the state attorney general’s office that alleged terrible corruption in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese. Rozzi, himself a teenage victim of sexual abuse by a priest, is looking to use the news as impetus to win support for his effort.

A grand jury found that two bishops who led the diocese helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by more than 50 priests and other religious leaders over a 40-year period starting in the mid-1960s. The report went on to portray the church as holding such sway over law enforcement that it helped select a police chief. One diocesan official told the grand jury that the police and civil authorities would often defer to the church when priests were accused of abuse, the report said. Following the grand jury report, three ex-leaders of a Franciscan order were charged with allowing a friar who was a known sexual predator to take on jobs that enabled him to molest more than 100 children.

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NEW YORK
New York Daily News

BY LARRY MCSHANE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Tuesday, March 29, 2016

It wasn’t until after his 33rd birthday that the crippling flashbacks began for Michael DeSantis.

The one where he’s a grammar school kid, innocently riding his skateboard to the apartment of a parish priest. Once inside, he’s raped by one cleric and forced to perform oral sex on another.

Or the one where a voice commands, “Give him God’s love,” before forcing the boy to service a third priest.

Or the time he was targeted by yet another priest inside Our Lady of Mercy Church in upstate Colonie — his family parish, where he was an altar boy and his mother worked for years.

The married father of five, first sexually violated when he was 9, is among a growing number of pedophilia victims urging the state to scrap its statute of limitations on certain child sex abuse charges.

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OHIO
The Columbus Dispatch

By JoAnne Viviano
The Columbus Dispatch • Monday March 28, 2016

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus has agreed to a financial settlement with a man who says he was repeatedly sexually abused as a teenager by a priest who worked at a diocesan high school, said an attorney who represents the man.

Mitchell Garabedian of Boston said his client was 16 when he was first abused by the Rev. Ronald Atwood in 1975. The abuse, he said, continued until 1980 and happened in Atwood’s office at Bishop Ready High School on the West Side and at various locations during road trips to places such as Illinois, Michigan, Kansas and Missouri.

Garabedian said the settlement “in the low five figures” was reached in February 2015. He released the details on Monday along with information about cases he’s settled since early last year involving 15 other priests and religious brothers.

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NEW JERSEY
Courier-Post

Jim Walsh, @jimwalsh_cp March 28, 2016

CAMDEN – The Diocese of Camden has made financial settlements to resolve claims of clergy sex abuse involving parish priests in the 1950s and 1960s, a lawyer said Monday.

The payments took place after two men alleged they were sexually assaulted in separate incidents when they were children, said attorney Mitchell Garabedian of Boston. He gave no details but said each settlement was “in five figures.”

One man, now in his 70s, alleged the Rev. Joseph Brennan sexually abused him from 1957 to 1959 at the former St. Maurice Parish in Brooklawn, Garabedian said.

The man was 12 to 14 years old at the time, Garabedian said.

The other, now about 60, said he was abused in 1966 by the Rev. Philip Mathews, who was assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Berlin Borough.

Both of the priests are deceased.

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ILLINOIS
Daily Herald

The Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests — which has chapters in Chicago, Rockford and Peoria — is calling on Illinois lawmakers to expand the statute of limitations in sex abuse cases to allow victims to file criminal charges retroactively. They made the request after it was revealed last week that an accuser is expected to testify at former House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s sentencing next month.

Hastert pleaded guilty last October to violating bank laws as he sought to pay $3.5 million to ensure someone stayed quiet about past misconduct allegations, which dated back to when he coached wrestling at Yorkville High School. In this particular case, there are no charges of sexual abuse because it’s outside the statute of limitations in place more than 30 years ago. “Hastert might have been exposed years earlier had Illinois lawmakers reformed the state’s archaic, predator-friendly statute of limitations,” network officials say.

Gov. Pat Quinn in 2014 signed a law that removes the statute of limitations for abuse occurring after Jan. 1, 2014, but survivors of abuse before that time are still subject to the law that was in place at the time of their abuse.

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UNITED STATES
The Good Men Project

Peter Pollard

In my 15 years as a child-protection social worker, what ultimately impressed me even more than the unimaginable trauma and loss I became privy to, was the remarkable survival instinct that enabled the boys and girls I worked with to move forward with their lives (though admittedly using what I frequently viewed as less-than-perfect coping strategies.)

Then I remembered that healing is a personal, life-long process and that we each use the tools that fit our lives.

I’ve often said, “what’s really extraordinary, given what I’ve learned about people’s lives, is not that so many are doing so poorly, but that so many are actually able to get up in the morning, put one foot in front of another and function at all.”

Resilience is a remarkable characteristic we humans possess.

It’s always easy to identify others’ problems. And in assessments, reports and service plans, I certainly regularly referenced substance abuse, dysfunctional relationship choices, issues with anger- management and violence as “problems” that the adults and adolescents with whom I worked needed to address. I’m pretty certain that my observations were generally accurate, over time I realized that even those behaviors that seemed to me to be solely self-destructive (or in some instances damaging to others), often also served a self-preserving purpose for them.

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MASSACHUSETTS
Boston.com

By Amanda Hoover

The Archdiocese of Boston has reached settlements with seven people who say priests sexually abused them for years, according to The Boston Globe. The settlements involve cash and counseling services.

“To a survivor, a settlement represents that the archdiocese has admitted that a claim is valid, has substance, and is credible,” the accusers’ attorney, Mitchel Garabedian, told the Globe. “A settlement helps a survivor try to rid himself or herself of the unnecessary guilt and shame felt as a result of being sexually abused.”

Still, the church’s agreements with the alleged victims lacked any admission of liability. For many survivors, the archdiocese’s response is discouraging.

“What upset me the most through this process was going to the ivory towers of the legal defense people in Boston, and no one from the church ever showing up,” Wayne Rogers, 54, who says he was abused at St. Peter’s Parish in Cambridge as a boy, told the Globe. “No apology. No admitting guilt.”

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MASSACHUSETTS
Patch

By MIKE CARRAGGI (Patch Staff) – March 28, 2016

BOSTON, MA – The Archdiocese of Boston has settled for several hundred thousand dollars and counseling services for seven people who said they were sexually abused by priests, the attorney for the victims said.

The agreements came with no admission of liability.

“The monetary settlement allows the survivor to validate their claim and heal,” attorney Mitchell Garabedian said. “By coming forward survivors empower themselves and other survivors to make the world a safer place for the children.”

Two other cases involving priests from outside of the Archdiocese of Boston but who worked in the city were also settled.

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MASSACHUSETTS
WBUR

By SIMÓN RIOS

BOSTON The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has settled with seven victims of alleged clergy abuse by diocesan priests.

That’s less than half of the total number of abuse settlements made by Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian in recent months.

Garabedian says three additional priests from religious orders were involved in settlements in Massachusetts. Alleged victims received nearly $800,000 between the 10 settlements.

Garabedian says his clients now have a sense of validation.

“There isn’t a client I’ve ever had who wouldn’t trade all the money in the world for not being sexually abused–but they’re trying to move on, they’re trying to cope with it,” he said in an interview on Monday.

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MASSACHUSETTS
Patch

By ALEX NEWMAN (Patch Staff) – March 28, 2016

WALTHAM, MA – A former Waltham priest has been named in a settlement between the Archdiocese of Boston and seven people who said they were sexually abused by priests.

Father Martin Walsh was posted at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted when he abused a 13-year-old boy in 1975, Mitchell Garabedian, an attorney for the alleged victims, said.

According to Garabedian the abuse occurred in a cabin in Sunapee, NH. The accuser is now in his 50s.

Walsh, who died in 2007, is one of three priests included in the settlement listed as “unsubstantiated cases” on an archdiocesan website that tracks accusations against clergy, according to the Boston Globe.

But Garabedian says the church’s settlement, which he describes as “well into the five figures,” substantiates his client’s claims.

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UNITED STATES
Catholics4Change

WRITTEN BY KATHY KANE

Essential Norm #12 From the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

“No priest or deacon who has committed an act of sexual abuse of a minor may be transferred for a ministerial assignment in another diocese/eparchy. Every bishop/eparch who receives a priest or deacon from outside his jurisdiction will obtain the necessary information regarding any past act of sexual abuse of a minor by the priest or deacon in question. Before such a diocesan/eparchial priest or deacon can be transferred for residence to another diocese/eparchy, his diocesan/eparchial bishop shall forward, in a confidential manner, to the bishop of the proposed place of residence any and all information concerning any act of sexual abuse of a minor and any other information indicating that he has been or may be a danger to children or young people. In the case of the assignment for residence of such a clerical member of an institute or a society into a local community within a diocese/eparchy, the major superior shall inform the diocesan/eparchial bishop and share with him in a manner respecting the limitations of confidentiality found in canon and civil law all information concerning any act of sexual abuse of a minor and any other information indicating that he has been or may be a danger to children or young people so that the bishop/eparch can make an informed judgment that suitable safeguards are in place for the protection of children and young people. This will be done with due recognition of the legitimate authority of the bishop/eparch; of the provisions of CIC, canon 678 (CCEO, canons 415 §1 and 554 §2), and of CIC, canon 679; and of the autonomy of the religious life (CIC, c. 586).”

A few years ago I did some research concerning Essential Norm 12. A spokesperson from the Office of Child Protection of the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops explained it to me. This norm is refers to “removed” priests. An example would be those who have accepted a life of prayer and penance and might be moving into a residence located in another Diocese. Those residences could include community, convent or monastery with supervision. I was hoping it would include treatment centers such as St John Vianney, but it does not because those abusive priests are coming for treatment and not residence. This was confirmed by the Philadelphia Archdiocese Office of Child and Youth Protection.

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GEORGIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Monday, March 28, 2016

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

The dispute over these so-called “religious objection” laws – here and elsewhere – involves more than adults with differing beliefs. It also involves innocent young kids and wounded adult victims who suffer when claims of “religious freedom” are used to protect clerics who commit and conceal heinous child sex crimes.

[New York Times]

Time and time again, in civil courts across the US, unscrupulous church officials cite Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) laws to block child sex abuse lawsuits and prevent records about child molesting clerics from being disclosed. These self-serving church officials – fixated on protecting their careers, comfort and reputations – exploit these laws to make sure their reckless and callous decisions to hire, promote, transfer and protect child predators are not exposed or scrutinized.

We urge every lawmaker to resist pressure to vote for these bills. We applaud the legislators who are filibustering now in Missouri. And we urge judges to help make sure that these laws don’t help corrupt church officials keep hiding their complicity in child sex crimes.

Remember: In the US, we adults are free to believe whatever we want. But we’re not free to do whatever we want, especially when the safety of precious children and vulnerable adults is at stake.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Road to Recovery

MEDIA RELEASE – MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016

Boston Attorney releases the names of 16 priests and religious brothers accused of sexually abusing minor children from as far back as the 1940s

Archdiocesan, diocesan, and religious order priests and religious brothers sexually abused minor children from east to west coasts of the United States

REV. JOHN CONNOR

Rev. John Connor, a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA, was assigned to St. Alphonsus Parish, Wexford, PA from 1986-1988. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child in Fr. Connor’s car, in a movie theater in Pittsburgh, PA, and on a basketball court in Bradfordwoods, PA. Fr. Connor was removed from ministry in 2002. A settlement was reached between the victim/survivor and the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA, in October, 2015.

Contacts
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617- 523-6250
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800

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MASSACHUSETTS/NEW ENGLAND
Road to Recovery

MEDIA RELEASE – MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016

Boston Attorney Mitchell Garabedian releases the names of 16 priests and religious brothers accused of sexually abusing minor children from as far back as the 1940s

Archdiocesan, diocesan, and religious order priests and religious brothers sexually abused minor children from east to west coasts of the United States

Rev. James Braley, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, MA, was assigned to St. Peter’s Parish, Cambridge, MA, from 1974-1976. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child in the rectory of St. Peter’s Parish, Cambridge, MA; at a hotel in Yarmouth, MA; at the priest’s residence in Yarmouth, MA; and the priest’s residence in Centreville, MA. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Archdiocese of Boston was reached in May, 2015

Fr. Andrew Brizzolara, C.S., a priest of the Missionaries of St. Charles religious order (also known as the Scalabrinians), was assigned to St. Tarcisius Parish, Framingham, MA, from 1979-1982. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child in Fr. Andrew’s car in various locations in Framingham, MA and in Fr. Andrew’s bedroom in the rectory of St. Tarcisius Parish. Fr. Brizzolara is currently living in a nursing home run by the Missionaries of St. Charles. A settlement was reached between the victim/survivor and the Missionaries of St. Charles in January, 2015.

Rev. Richard Butler, a deceased priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, MA, (died in October, 2012), was assigned to Blessed Sacrament Parish, Cambridge, MA, from 1967-1968. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child in the sacristy of Blessed Sacrament Church, Cambridge, MA. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Archdiocese of Boston was reached in June, 2015.

Rev. Joseph Byrne, a deceased priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, MA (died in June, 2014), was assigned to St. Matthew’s Parish, Dorchester, MA, in 1969. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child in the sacristy of St. Matthew’s Church, in the restroom of St. Matthew’s Church, and Fr. Byrne’s car. A settlement was reached between the victim/survivor and the Archdiocese of Boston in June, 2015.

Br. Damien Chong, O. Carm., a religious brother of the Carmelite religious order, was assigned to Crespi Carmelite High School, Encino, California, from 1984-1986. He was accused by a former student of Crespi Carmelite High School of sexual abuse when he was a minor child. Br. Damien Chong, O. Carm. was most recently assigned to Our Lady of the Scapular Priory in Peabody, MA. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Carmelite Fathers and Brothers was reached in March, 2015.

Rev. Richard T. Coughlin, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, MA, was assigned to St. Patrick’s Parish, Stoneham, MA, from 1957-1962. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child at a cottage in Alton Bay, New Hampshire; at a hotel in Alton Bay, New Hampshire; at hotel rooms in New York City and Lake George, NY; at a cottage in Falmouth, MA; and in Fr. Coughlin’s car. He has been permanently removed from ministry. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Archdiocese of Boston was reached in April, 2015.

Rev. Randal Gillette, C.P., a priest of the Passionist religious order, was assigned to St. Gabriel’s Passionist Monastery and Retreat House in Brighton, MA, from 1971-1974. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child at the rectory of St. Gabriel’s Monastery and Retreat Center in Brighton, MA. A settlement was reached between the victim/survivor and the Archdiocese of Boston in June, 2015.

Rev. James L. Mac Guinness, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston who is believed to be deceased, was assigned to St. John’s Parish, Roxbury, from 1938-1940. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child at the rectory of St. John’s Parish, Roxbury. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Archdiocese of Boston was reached in December, 2014.

Rev. Joseph Rocha, OP, a priest of the Dominican religious order, was assigned to St. Stephen’s Priory, Dover, MA, from 1968-1969, and accused of sexually abusing a minor child in Fr. Rocha’s bedroom at St. Stephen’s Priory. Fr. Rocha left the priesthood in 1990. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Dominican Fathers and Brothers was reached in November, 2015.

Rev. Martin Walsh, a deceased priest of the Archdiocese of Boston (died in 2007), was assigned to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish, Waltham, MA in 1975. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child at a cabin in Sunapee, New Hampshire. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Archdiocese of Boston was reached in December, 2014.

Contacts
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617- 523-6250
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800

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NEW JERSEY/PENNSYLVANIA
Road to Recovery

MEDIA RELEASE – MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016

Boston Attorney releases the names of 16 priests and religious brothers accused of sexually abusing minor children from as far back as the 1940s

Archdiocesan, diocesan, and religious order priests and religious brothers sexually abused minor children from east to west coasts of the United States

REV. JOSEPH BRENNAN

Rev. Joseph Brennan, a deceased priest of the Diocese of Camden, NJ, (died in 1976), was assigned to St. Maurice Parish in Brooklawn, NJ, from 1957-1959. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child in the bathroom of St. Maurice Church and in Fr. Brennan’s bedroom in the rectory of St. Maurice Parish. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Diocese of Camden, NJ, was reached in January, 2016.

REV. PHILIP MATHEWS

Rev. Philip Mathews, a priest of the Camden, NJ, Diocese, was assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Berlin, NJ, in 1966. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child at a hotel in Atlantic City, NJ in 1966. Fr. Mathew’s present whereabouts are unknown. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Diocese of Camden, NJ, was reached in February, 2015.

Contacts
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617- 523-6250
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800

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NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Road to Recovery

MEDIA RELEASE – MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016

Boston Attorney releases the names of 16 priests and religious brothers accused of sexually abusing minor children from as far back as the 1940s

Archdiocesan, diocesan, and religious order priests and religious brothers sexually abused minor children from east to west coasts of the United States

REV. ROBERT GIBNEY

Rev. Robert Gibney, a deceased priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey (died in 2012), was assigned to Sacred Heart Parish in the Vailsburg section of Newark, New Jersey, from 1961-1963. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child at the child’s family summer home in New Jersey. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, was reached in November, 2014.

BR. TIMOTHY O’SULLIVAN, C.F.C.

Br. Timothy O’Sullivan, C.F.C., was assigned as a teacher at Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell, New Jersey, from 1972-1973. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child in his classroom at Bergen Catholic High School. Br. Timothy O’Sullivan left the Irish Christian Brothers and is no longer a religious brother. A settlement between the victim/survivor and Bergen Catholic High School was reached in December, 2015.

Contacts
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617- 523-6250
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800

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OHIO
Road to Recovery

MEDIA RELEASE – MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016

Boston Attorney releases the names of 16 priests and religious brothers accused of sexually abusing minor children from as far back as the 1940s

Archdiocesan, diocesan, and religious order priests and religious brothers sexually abused minor children from east to west coasts of the United States

REV. RONALD ATWOOD

Rev. Ronald Atwood, a priest of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, was assigned to Bishop Ready High School, Columbus, Ohio, from 1975-1980. He was accused of sexually abusing a minor child in Fr. Atwood’s office at Bishop Ready High School and in various locations during road trips to Illinois, Michigan, Kansas, and Missouri. A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, was reached in February, 2015.

Contacts
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617- 523-6250
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800

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CALIFORNIA
Road to Recovery

MEDIA RELEASE – MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016

Boston Attorney Mitchell Garabedian releases the names of 16 priests and religious brothers accused of sexually abusing minor children from as far back as the 1940s

Archdiocesan, diocesan, and religious order priests and religious brothers sexually abused minor children from east to west coasts of the United States

BR. DAMIEN CHONG, O. CARM.

Br. Damien Chong, O. Carm., a religious brother of the Carmelite religious order, was assigned to Crespi Carmelite High School, Encino, California, from 1984-1986. He was accused by a 46 year-old former student of Crespi Carmelite High School of sexual abuse. Br. Damien Chong, O. Carm. was most recently assigned to Our Lady of the Scapular Priory in Peabody, MA.

A settlement between the victim/survivor and the Carmelite Fathers and Brothers was reached in March, 2015.ontacts:

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617- 523-6250
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc. – 862-368-2800

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MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Globe

MARCH 28, 2016

This list contains settlements reached since December 2014 that involve allegations of sexual abuse by priests and members of religious orders. The list includes the accused, dates of the alleged abuse, where the clergy were assigned at the time, when the settlement was reached, and whether the accused is deceased. The information was provided by Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston lawyer who represented the claimants.

Rev. Ronald Atwood
1975-80
Bishop Ready High School, Columbus, Ohio
February 2015 settlement with Diocese of Columbus

Rev. James Braley
1974-76
St. Peter’s Church, Cambridge, Mass.
May 2015 settlement with Archdiocese of Boston

Rev. Joseph Brennan (died 1976)
1957-59
St. Maurice Church, Brooklawn, N.J.
January 2016 settlement with Diocese of Camden, N.J.

Rev. Andrew Brizzolara
1979-82
St. Tarcisius Church, Framingham, Mass.
January 2015 settlement with Scalabrinian Missionaries

Rev. Richard Butler (died October 2012)
1967-68
Blessed Sacrament Church, Cambridge, Mass.
June 2015 settlement with Archdiocese of Boston

Rev. Joseph F. Byrne (died June 2014)
1969
St. Matthew’s Church, Dorchester, Mass.
June 2015 settlement with Archdiocese of Boston

Brother Damien Chong
1984-86
Crespi Carmelite High School, Encino, Calif.
March 2015 settlement with Carmelites

Rev. John Connor
1986-88
St. Alphonsus Church, Wexford, Pa.
October 2015 settlement with Diocese of Pittsburgh

Rev. Richard T. Coughlin
1957-62
St. Patrick’s Church, Stoneham, Mass.
April 2015 settlement with Archdiocese of Boston

Rev. Robert Gibney (died 2012)
1961-63
Sacred Heart Church, Vailsburg, N.J.
November 2014 settlement with Archdiocese of Newark

Rev. Randal Gillette
1971-74
St. Gabriel’s Passionist Monastery and Retreat House, Brighton, Mass.
St. Anthony’s Church, Revere, Mass.
June 2015 settlement with Archdiocese of Boston, Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., and the Passionists

Rev. James L. MacGuinness (believed deceased)
1938-40
St. John’s Church, Roxbury, Mass.
December 2014 settlement with Archdiocese of Boston

Rev. Philip Mathews
1966
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Berlin, N.J.
February 2015 settlement with Diocese of Camden, N.J.

Brother Timothy O’Sullivan
1972-73
Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell, N.J.
December 2015 settlement with Bergen Catholic High School

Rev. Joseph Rocha
1968-69
St. Stephen’s Priory, Dover, Mass.
November 2015 settlement with Dominicans

Rev. Martin Walsh (died 2007)
1975
Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, Waltham, Mass.
December 2014 settlement with Archdiocese of Boston

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MINNESOTA
St. Cloud Times

David Unze, dunze@stcloudtimes.com March 28, 2016

Attorneys representing a man suing the Diocese of St. Cloud argued Monday that a Stearns County judge should order the diocese to immediately release personnel files of priests with credible allegations of sexual misconduct against them.

Jeffrey Anderson told Stearns County District Court Judge Kris Davick-Halfen that there is an ongoing threat to safety because the diocese hasn’t turned over the files. He criticized the diocese for stalling on turning over the files.

The diocese’s attorney, Thomas Wieser, argued that the names and work histories of those credibly accused have been public knowledge for more than two years and that Davick-Halfen should instead issue a protective order that would prevent sensitive information in those files from getting to the public.

Davick-Halfen took the matter under advisement and plans to issue a decision in early April.

The request for the priest files is part of a “public nuisance” claim against the diocese in a lawsuit involving the Rev. James Thoennes.

A former student at a Foley elementary school in January 2015 sued Thoennes, accusing him of abusing the student years after the diocese knew Thoennes had abused other children.

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MASSACHUSETTS
WBUR

Ten recent settlements were made involving people who say they were sexually abused by Catholic clergy. Seven settlements were with the Archdiocese of Boston, according to lawyer Mitchell Garabedian.

The settlements were reached for cases from the 1930s to the 1980s and in all totaled over $750,000 in cash and counseling.

Guest

Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org

More

The Boston Globe: Boston Archdiocese Settles With Seven Alleged Victims Of Clergy Abuse

“The Archdiocese of Boston has agreed to settlements involving cash and counseling with seven people who say they were sexually abused by priests, sometimes for years, according to the attorney for the alleged victims. Two other settlements with religious orders have been reached in cases involving priests who allegedly abused victims while they worked in the archdiocese, according to the attorney, Mitchell Garabedian. Another, separate settlement with the Carmelite Order involved a brother who had been accused of abuse in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles before being assigned to a chapel at the Northshore Mall in Peabody.”

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MASSACHUSETTS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Monday, March 28, 2016

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org)

Cases against several child molesting Boston area Catholic clerics have just settled, one of who was allowed to keep working in Massachusetts for years – until 2014 – after having been credibly accused of abusing a child in California.

[WBUR]

[Boston Globe]

Cardinal Sean O’Malley has never explained why he let Brother Damien P. Chong quietly work at the North Shore Mall in Danvers, despite the admission by Catholic officials in California that Br. Chong was “credibly accused” of child sex crimes.

We hope this settlement, however, will provide at least one of Br. Chong’s victim some comfort.

We also hope that this settlement will focus attention on O’Malley’s continuing recklessness, callousness and deceit.

The Globe reports that three priests involved in the settlements – Fr. James Braley, Fr. Joseph Byrne, and Fr. Martin Walsh – are listed as “unsubstantiated cases” on an archdiocesan website. “Another priest whose case was settled, Fr. Richard Butler, is not listed on the (archdiocesan) website — either as unsubstantiated or in any of the other categories,” according to the Globe.

But don’t hold your breath waiting for O’Malley to explain why his accused predator priest list continues to be found lacking.

Finally, shame on O’Malley and his public relations man Terrence Donilon for their admitted “practice” of not commenting “on individual settlements with survivors.” So much for the Catholic hierarchy’s claims of being “transparent.” O’Malley and Donilon don’t even bother to try to explain or justify such secrecy.

So Boston Catholics and citizens must continue to rely on courageous victims, determined journalists and our secular justice system to warn parents, police, prosecutors, parishioners and the public about known, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics.

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NEW YORK
Buffalo News

A former youth pastor faces child pornography charges in the Town of Tonawanda.

Town of Tonawanda police announced Monday they charged Scott D. Stockton, 44, after a year-long investigation.

Stockton was arrested and charged Friday with two counts of promoting a sexual performance of a child younger than 17 years old and one count of possession of a sexual performance of a child.

Stockton, who is free on bond, is scheduled for a felony hearing in Tonawanda Town Court at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Department of Homeland Security investigators participated in the investigation, police said.

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NEW YORK
WIVB

By Evan Anstey, News 4 Digital Producer
Published: March 28, 2016

TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) — After a year-long investigation, police in the Town of Tonawanda have charged a former youth pastor with felonies related to child pornography.

Scott Stockton, 44, is known in the area for his pastoral work and youth mentoring in churches and schools. Police say he received, shared and possessed images of child porn.

Stockton is accused of two counts of promoting a sexual performance of a child younger than 17, and one count of possessing a sexual performance by a child.

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MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Globe

Recent priest abuse settlements

By Brian MacQuarrie GLOBE STAFF MARCH 28, 2016

The Archdiocese of Boston has agreed to settlements involving cash and counseling with seven people who say they were sexually abused by priests, sometimes for years, according to the attorney for the alleged victims.

Two other settlements with religious orders have been reached in cases involving priests who allegedly abused victims while they worked in the archdiocese, according to the attorney, Mitchell Garabedian. Another, separate settlement with the Carmelite Order involved a brother who had been accused of abuse in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles before being assigned to a chapel at the Northshore Mall in Peabody.

In all, the 10 settlements paid $778,500 and involved allegations of sexual abuse in every decade from the 1930s through the 1980s, Garabedian said. The attorney also reached agreements in six other cases across the country, including four in New Jersey.

The agreements carried no admission of liability.

Terrence Donilon, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Boston, said the church “is committed to addressing cases of clergy abuse in a compassionate and just manner. As a matter of practice, we generally do not comment on individual settlements with survivors.”

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CANADA
Mennoite World Review

Mar 28, 2016 by Mennonite World Review staff

A Winnipeg, Man., woman who was sexually assaulted by a Mennonite Brethren youth pastor in 1996 has filed a $2 million lawsuit alleging his church fostered a climate that aided in the abuse of children.

The Winnipeg Sun reports Brian Douglas Porisky, 56, pleaded guilty to sexual assault in October and was sentenced to six months in prison for kissing and fondling the women, at the time 14 years old, when he was youth pastor at The Meeting Place.

The lawsuit goes further, alleging repeated intercourse and other sexual acts at church functions and Porisky’s home — allegations that have not come up in court. The Sun reports the lawsuit says the church “failed to recognize that a certain percentage of pastors would become sexually deviant and would make sexual advances on children,” failed to instruct pastors about these possibilities and taught the woman that pastors are “chosen representatives on earth of God and have special powers.”

The lawsuit says MB rules and ideologies created an opportunity for Porisky to exert power and authority, and that he “was aware of the low risk of getting caught due to his power, and therefore, [the church] put the plaintiff at risk of being abused.”

The Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba is named as a co-defendant. MBCM executive director Elton DaSilva said in a March 11 statement to MBCM churches that The Meeting Place learned of some of the issues at the time and acted promptly, including dismissal of Porisky and counseling for the female.

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DEUTSCHLAND
Sueddeutsche

[The Diocese of Würzburg rejects allegations that a cleric who sexually abused a girl had been protected. The man, who was later abuse officer for the diocese, is alleged to have sexually abused a 17year-old girl at the Himmelpforten retreat house. The priest denies the allegations.]

The magazine Der Spiegel considers the diocese in a report, they did not clean determined and allow the minister to influence the process. The man who was himself later Abuse Officer, raises a woman before she in 1988 to have forced a 17-year-old in the retreat house Himmelpforten to oral sex. 2012 , parents should have contacted the diocese. The priest denies the allegations.

Das Bistum Würzburg weist Vorwürfe zurück, dass ein des sexuellen Missbrauchs beschuldigter Geistlicher geschützt worden sei. Das Magazin Der Spiegel hält der Diözese in einem Bericht vor, sie habe nicht sauber ermittelt und den Pfarrer Einfluss auf das Verfahren nehmen lassen. Dem Mann, der später selbst Missbrauchsbeauftragter war, wirft eine Frau vor, sie 1988 als 17-Jährige im Exerzitienhaus Himmelspforten zum Oralverkehr gezwungen zu haben. 2012 sollen sich die Eltern an das Bistum gewandt haben. Der Priester bestreitet die Vorwürfe.

Der Diözese sei es “von Anfang an um eine saubere und minutiöse Aufarbeitung” gegangen, teilte sie am Ostersonntag mit. So habe Bischof Friedhelm Hofmann die Vorwürfe zeitnah an den Missbrauchsbeauftragen der Diözese, den Strafrechtsprofessor Klaus Laubenthal weitergegeben. Dieser habe eine kirchliche Voruntersuchung empfohlen, da der Missbrauchsverdacht begründet sei. Das sehe er auch heute noch so, sagte er dem Spiegel. Die Untersuchung sei in München durchgeführt worden, um eine Befangenheit auszuschließen. Dabei habe der Psychiater Norbert Nedopil ein forensisches Gutachten erstellt, in dem er einen Missbrauch nahezu ausschließt. Der Vorwurf könne “begründet nicht aufrecht erhalten werden”. Zu einer persönlichen Aussage sei die Frau nicht bereit gewesen, ihre Schilderungen seien schriftlich vorgelegen. Im Spiegel-Bericht heißt es, die Frau habe doch aussagen wollen, sie sei aber nicht gehört worden.

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DEUTSCHLAND
Regensburg Digital

[For Georg Ratzinger it was providential that he succeeded Theobald Schrems as music director of the Regensburg Cathedral boys choir. In fact, Georg Zimmermann was assigned as Director of Music but Zimmermann’s penchant for “pederasty as the ancient Greeks” paved the way Ratzinger.]

Von Robert Werner

Für Georg Ratzinger war es Vorsehung, dass er Nachfolger von Theobald Schrems wurde. Tatsächlich war aber Georg Zimmermann als Domkapellmeister vorgesehen. Recherchen von regensburg-digital belegen: Zimmermanns Hang zur „Knabenliebe wie bei den alten Griechen“ ebnete Ratzinger den Weg.

Die Wege des Herrn sind unergründlich. Was für viele Gläubige eine göttliche Fügung darstellt, betrachten andere im Kontext von Protektionismus und gesellschaftlicher Entwicklung. Georg Ratzinger glaubt und sagt indes, dass erst drei Menschen in die Ewigkeit abgerufen werden mussten, damit sein Weg nach Regensburg ins Amt des Domkapellmeisters offen wurde. Untersucht man die damaligen Ereignisse und Zeitumstände am Ende der Ära Theobald Schrems, zeichnet sich das Bild eines unsäglichen Krisenmanagements ab, in das Georg Ratzinger verwickelt wurde – zu Zeiten, in denen Missbrauchsvorfälle in den Einrichtungen der Domspatzen systemgefährdende Ausmaße annahmen und Georg Zimmermann untragbar wurde.

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ISRAEL
Jerusalem Post

Research conducted in 2010 showed that the national rate of sexual abuse victims up to age 14 was 1.7 per thousand in 2010.

Just be listening to the itensity with which Manny Waks talks, one begins to appreciate the ardor with which he approaches his work of tackling child sexual abuse within Jewish society.

Waks was a victim of such abuse growing up in the Chabad community of Melbourne in the late 1980s and early ’90s, and this experience along with the obstacles he encountered bringing his story to light led him to become a leading activist for dealing with the problem as it manifests inside Jewish communities around the world.

“Those who experience sexual abuse themselves are often the ones most passionate about dealing with it because others don’t fully understand or get it,” he told The Jerusalem Post last week. “The impact is profound and long term from a number of perspectives, and so often we are the ones who end up taking the mantle.”

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PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat

By George Foster Mar 27, 2016

It is both a sad and important time for the Catholic faith. The faithful have been rudely awakened to a horror that has besieged both sanctuary and home.

During the centuries, there have been scandals and problems that have plagued our church. However, the recent problems have seemed to crush our hearts.

This is a crisis of faith to many people in the church.

Many say this has driven them from their faith or has seriously affected their beliefs.

It is a time of sadness and anger and frustration, at what has been done by sick individuals and by what has not been done by people in authority.

During these times, we are forced to reconcile with the fact that many of our priests and bishops have been Judas rather than Christ. But remember, Judas did not corrupt Christ, he betrayed him.

The question is what are we going to do now?

We are living in the Easter season at a time when we recall how the king of kings was unjustly put to death by people of authority.

From this tragic tale, comes one of the greatest evolutions known to man, Catholicism.

It has been said our parents were one of the greatest generations to live. They fought a great war so their children and future generations would have the joys and privileges we have today.

Today, maybe we have all failed to protect what has been given to us by this sacrifice. We were entrusted with a beautiful faith, filled with sacramental graces and an unchanging clarity of teaching.

We recall the baptismal waters and oils at our birth; our children singing and reading at Mass; Christmas plays and the celebration of Christ’s birth; confirmation with our friends and school plays; our first Communion; and many happy, blessed weddings.

Even in death, we see the beauty of returning home to God surrounded by incense and prayer.

These are the things we know and understand as truth, this is just part of the beauty of our Catholic faith. I know we sit and talk with our families about this defilement and how it has affected each and every one of us. It is not the beauty of God’s faith that has hurt us, rather the ugliness of sin when we fail to live that faith.

We cannot abandon truth when we are confronted with our evil of the day.

Are we really going to stand by and let child molesters and perversion steal from us all that is good? Can we forget the sacrifices of our parents? We must not flee from this evil but engage in battle as our forefathers did. They fought for the freedom to freely worship their faith, and now we must fight to defend the essence and the sanctity of our Catholic faith.

Our generation must restore the purity of our church for ourselves and our children. We must cleanse the sanctuary of these thieves and demand accountability for past actions.

You and I are the church militant. So as God commands, “Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians)

Keep the faith! It is our time, our responsibility. If we do not, we also fail like the ones we now hold in such low esteem.

I, for one, will not lose so beautiful a faith or have it stripped from me by a bunch of cowards who prey on their flock. Don’t let the perverse actions of these traitors rob you or your loved ones of this great gift of our faith.

Easter is springtime in the church, and it is Christ’s church.

It is time to clean our altars and renew our hearts for it is Jesus Christ who is our example.

It is Christ to whom we look when we judge the worthiness of our faith – not the examples of us, the faulty humans who inhabit it.

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GUAM
Pacific News Center

Written by Roselle Romanes

Klitzkie doesn’t believe any paperwork ever existed.

Guam – The battle continues over the controversial certificate of title for the Yona multi-million dollar property under the Archbishop of Agana.

Despite a statement from the Department of Land Management regarding the disputed Yona seminary’s ownership, former Senator Bob Klitzkie says he’s still unconvinced and is now filing a Sunshine Law request. In a letter addressed to Director of Land Management Mike Borja, Klitzkie is requesting to see all public records including the petition and other associated documents Borja claims to have given to the Office of the Attorney General of Guam. Klitzie says he doubts any of that paperwork ever existed. According to a letter from Borja in January, Land Management has prepared and forwarded a petition, and other associated documents to the AG’s Office with instructions for the petition to be filed in the Superior Court in an effort to correct the certificates of title.

“I have a filed a Sunshine Law request. I want to see those drafts because there’s no pending litigation. Kristen Finney says nothing further has to be done. What I’m doing is calling Mike Borja’s bluff. I want to see the petitions etc and said he has drafted. I want to see what it looks like. See what he has. What I hope to get out of this is I want to get the Redemptoris Mater Seminary back in the patrimony of the Catholic church, back into the Archdiocese’s property,” says Klitzkie.

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CANADA
Hamilton Spectator

By Christopher Reynolds

Police have launched an investigation into a Chaldean Catholic priest from London, Ont., after church officials reported more than $500,000 slated for the Diocese of Hamilton refugee sponsorship program was lost to gambling.

Father Amer Saka, a priest working at the St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church in London, is under investigation after telling his bishop, Emanuel Shaleta, that funds intended to help new Canadians had instead vanished in vice, Shaleta said.

“He called me on the phone and . . . said he lost all the money. I said, ‘How?’ He said, ‘Gambling,'” Shaleta said on Saturday, referring to a conversation he said took place Feb. 23.

“We believe that Father Saka has a serious gambling problem and that these funds may have been used for that purpose,” he said. “Since there is an investigation going on, we cannot confirm what he’s saying.”

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CANADA
CHML

Posted: March 28, 2016

A London-area priest is under investigation after more than a half million dollars earmarked for the Hamilton Diocese refugee sponsorship program has gone missing.

Father Amer Saka was working with a sect of the church that helps Catholics from Iraq and surrounding areas resettle in Canada.

Bishop Emanuel Shaleta says Saka has confessed to gambling the money away.

Father Saka has been suspended pending the investigation by London Police.

No charges have been laid.

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