ABUSE TRACKER

UNITED STATES
Newsweek

BY ELIJAH WOLFSON ON 3/3/16

Mint-colored city buses and sherbet mid-rise apartment complexes with undulating facades.

Women in polka-dot bikinis and men in wide-lapelled shirts unbuttoned halfway down their chests. Postcard-perfect white sand beaches and cocaine-addled nights that throbbed to a mix of brassy disco and tropical Cuban beats.

It was 1981, and the 19-square-mile barrier island known as Miami Beach was on the verge of bursting into one of the most hedonistic scenes committed to the history books.Somehow, in the midst of this Caribbean decadence, a very different community also thrived.

Just a few blocks from the scantily dressed beachgoers and the drug lords in Armani silk were men in ill-fitting black suits and heavy beards, and women in thick wigs and long woolen skirts all year long, even as the wet heat of the Atlantic swept across the peninsula.

The ranks of Miami’s ultra-Orthodox Jews, Hasidim, were swelling. They were insular and defiantly anti-secular, clinging to traditions that may have protected their community in a medieval world but in modern America would lead to tragic consequences for many of their youngest, most vulnerable members.

Twelve-year-old Ozer Simon hadn’t grown up Hasidic, but after his parents divorced, his mom became a baal teshuva, a secular Jew who has “returned” to religious ways, and enrolled him at a yeshiva. He immediately fell behind because the other kids had been studying Hebrew since they were toddlers, so when Rabbi Joseph Reizes, a new teacher recently arrived from Brooklyn, offered to tutor the child, his mother jumped at the opportunity.

But when she asked Simon how his first lesson went, she could tell “something was really wrong.” Simon told her the rabbi hadn’t taught him anything; instead, he’d asked the boy to lie down and take a nap. When he did, the older man lay down on top of him. The next school day, Simon’s mother went to Rabbi Avrohom Korf, principal of the boy’s school, and told him what had happened. “I said to him, ‘If Reizes continues to teach here, I’m going to go to the newspaper. Or whatever it takes,’” she recalls. “The next thing I know, the guy is gone.”

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.

NEW YORK
Riverdale Press

By Shant Shahrigian
Posted 3/2/16

The Bronx District Attorney’s office says it did not learn of any criminal activity after speaking with 20 people about Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt, the longtime leader of the Riverdale Jewish Center (RJC) who came under fire for a years-long habit of bathing nude with boys at a sauna.

“We did not receive any first-hand information about conduct that constituted criminal activity, and any conduct was outside the statute of limitations of New York. We remain available to speak with members of the community who would like to share information with us, and to offer counseling and other services,” DA spokeswoman Patrice O’Shaughnessy said in a Tuesday email statement.

Details of the investigation, conducted by the DA’s Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, were not immediately known. The DA had asked anyone with information about possible criminal activity to come forward following a May New York Times article that said the rabbi habitually played racquetball with boys and led them nude into the sauna in the 1980s and 1990s, though there were no allegations of sexual touching or criminal conduct.

Last week, the president of RJC sent an email to congregants saying Rabbi Rosenblatt is “stepping aside from the Senior Rabbinate” of the synagogue.

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.

WASHINGTON
The Daily Beast

Brandy Zadrozny

A new lawsuit seeks to find out what Mark Driscoll did with millions in tithes to Seattle’s now-shuttered Mars Hill megachurch.

Just when controversial pastor Mark Driscoll was hoping to make a new start, former members of his old stomping grounds at Seattle’s Mars Hill Church have filed a lawsuit alleging Driscoll and his chief elder ran the now-shuttered megachurch like an organized crime syndicate, in which church members became unwitting participants.

The lawsuit was filed on Monday in the Western District of Washington U.S. District Court in Seattle under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a law originally created for prosecution of Mafia figures.

Former members have been threatening to file such a lawsuit for months to find out just where the members’ tithes—some $30 million yearly, according to church reports—actually went.

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.

ROME
National Catholic Reporter

Joshua J. McElwee | Mar. 2, 2016

ROME
Cardinal George Pell, one of the highest-ranking officials at the Vatican, has admitted to an Australian government commission that when a schoolboy came to him decades ago to report that a Catholic teacher was “misbehaving with boys” he did not report the matter to authorities.

Pell, who served as the leader of two Australia archdioceses before becoming the head of Pope Francis’ new centralized Vatican treasury department two years ago, said that when the boy came to him in the mid-1970s “he just mentioned it casually in conversation; he never asked me to do anything.”

The boy, the cardinal said, was complaining about a member of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers named Edward Dowlan, who would later be convicted of abusing at least 20 boys at six Australian schools starting in 1971.

Pell told the Australian Royal Commission via video testimony from Rome late Wednesday night Rome time that the child came to him to say “something like ‘Dowlan is misbehaving with boys.'”

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

AUSTRALIA
Lakes Mail

By David Stewart
March 3, 2016

THE Catholic Bishop for the local region has called for a national redress scheme and uniform child protection standards in the wake of evidence heard at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Bishop Bill Wright heads the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, which includes the parishes of Morisset, Toronto, and Booragul.

Bishop Wright said evidence provided by Cardinal George Pell at the Royal Commission had “helped to complete the disturbing picture of how badly the church performed when dealing with reports of child sexual abuse” at the time.

“Anyone who is a survivor of abuse or has lived their life in the Catholic Church will be finding it difficult to hear the manifold failings of the church to protect children, and this is especially true for those within our local community with the sad history of abuse in our region,” he said.

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

ROME
Sydney Morning Herald

Nick Miller
Europe Correspondent

Rome: Was Tim Minchin wrong? Hilariously, outrageously, toe-tappingly wrong?

As this week of hearings in Rome went on, there has emerged a theory that the interests of transparent, feet-to-the-fire justice have been better served by Cardinal Pell not ‘coming home’ after all.

By sitting on his little dais in front of his video screen in the back room of the Hotel Quirinale, this theory goes, Cardinal Pell placed himself in the hot glare of the world’s attention.

TV cameras from around Europe covered his arrival and departure at the hotel – and sought out, regularly, the voices and outrage of the abuse survivors who crossed the globe to face him.

The survivors themselves acknowledged this. After the first day of the hearing they expressed to me their satisfaction with arrangements – the international media interest in their stories and wishes has been large, varied and sustained.

Back in Australia, it’s unlikely so many media would have invested the time and effort. Their curiosity may never have been piqued, it would have been something distant and obscure. And of course, in Rome, this whole odd Australian judicial adventure is taking place just down the road from the Vatican itself.

‘Vaticanisti’ media and observers came along to the hearings out of curiosity, and ended up glued to the video evidence.

Cardinal Pell revealed that on Monday, he met with the Pope and “I arranged for him to have a summary of each day’s activities provided to him and to the Secretary of State”.

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.

ROME
Catholic Herald (UK)

by Dan Hitchens
posted Thursday, 3 Mar 2016

The cardinal met a group of survivors this morning after four days of questioning by an Australian royal commission

A survivor of child abuse has said that Cardinal George Pell “gets it” after a meeting with the cardinal in Rome.

Phil Nagle, who was among a group of child abuse survivors who met Cardinal Pell this morning, told reporters: “We talked about the future not the past… I think he gets it.”

Nagle said Cardinal Pell had discussed ways in which the Church could do more to help survivors of child abuse.

“We talked about counselling, we talked about care, we talked about what the future’s going to be for our survivors and how the Church is going to help with that, from George’s level down,” he said.

Nagle was abused by a priest at a school in Ballarat in the 1970s. At the time, Cardinal Pell was Ballarat’s episcopal vicar for education. The cardinal has repeatedly said that he did not know the extent of abuse and thought it was being dealt with by others.

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.

ROME
Sydney Morning Herald

March 3, 2016

Nick Miller

Rome: An exhausted but positive Cardinal George Pell said the most difficult moment of his cross examination by the child sex abuse Royal Commission was reading the evidence from abuse survivors.

“It’s been a hard slog at least for me, I’m a bit tired but the Royal Commission process is designed to try to make the situation better for the future for the survivors and to prevent the repetition of all this suffering in the future,” he said.

“So I hope that my appearance here has contributed a bit to healing, to improving the situation.

“All the leadership of the church in Australia is committed to avoiding the repetition of the terrible history of the past and to try to make things better.

“Cardinal Pell said he grieved for the suffering of the people he regarded as “his own people” in Ballarat. He would meet some abuse survivors later on Thursday and “please God that’ll take us a little bit forward”.

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.

ROME
Sydney Morning Herald

March 3, 2016

Jane Lee
Legal affairs, health and science reporter

When it comes to responses to child sexual abuse, there have always been two George Pells.

For four days, they have fought tooth and nail for air in a Roman hotel room.

Either he did not know enough about child sexual abuse to try to stop it from happening or he did, but didn’t act.

No one expected the Cardinal to abandon the best version of himself, which he has defended for decades, including in media statements whenever his name is uttered at the royal commission.

No surprises, then, when he consistently distanced himself and the Catholic Church from the handful of aberrant church officials who he blamed for covering up child abuse in Ballarat and Melbourne.

He refuses to admit that his negligence also likely allowed more children to be abused.

​At the height of his career, his only regret is that he had not been more curious, which is tempered by his belief that others prevented him from doing more.

Yet his latest testimony revealed how little weight this carries in a world that has learned so much in a few years about what Pell and those who surrounded him knew about children being sexually abused, how much children suffered and how little the church cared for them.

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

ROME
Sydney Morning Herald

March 3, 2016

Andrew P Street
Writer

Pell in a Handbasket

Cardinal George Pell has wrapped up his testimony into the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and it’s fair to say that he’s not exactly distinguished himself.

Among his testimonial highlights was admitting that he’d heard rumours that children were being raped by priest Gerald Ridsdale, but that “was a sad story and wasn’t of much interest to me,” as he memorably put in on Tuesday.

His marvellously selective memory had forgotten this quote a day later, when he railed against lawyer Jim Shaw for repeating the quote to him.

“I said nothing of the kind,” Pell angrily responded to his exact words, “as I have endeavoured to explain this evening.”

Shaw, oddly, begged to differ: “I’m quoting you from the transcript, Cardinal.”

Pell wasn’t having a bar of it: “I would like you to do so.”

Shaw obliged: “I just did. ‘A sad story and it wasn’t of much interest to me.'”

Pell: “That’s a selective quotation.”

In Georgie’s defence, how is he supposed to remember things he said on camera, under oath, during a Royal Commission, a matter of hours earlier?

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.

ROME
9 News

AAP

WHAT GEORGE PELL KNEW AND DIDN’T KNOW
ABOUT BR EDWARD DOWLAN

Was told fleeting references about Dowlan “touching boys” which Cardinal Pell said was “misbehaviour by Dowlan which I concluded might have been pedophilic activity”.

A student at Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College student told him in 1974 Dowlan was “misbehaving” with boys.

The cardinal said the boy “mentioned it casually in conversation” and did not ask him to do anything.

“I didn’t do anything about it,” Cardinal Pell said, although he went to the school chaplain who said the Christian Brothers were dealing with it.

He also heard “unfortunate rumours” that were vague and unspecific about Dowlan’s activity with young people from other priests.

Asked if he understood it to include sexual activity with young people: “Yes, and possibly excessive discipline or violence but certainly the first was, an element was present.”

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.

ROME
Herald Sun

AAP

Survivors of child sex abuse who were crowdfunded to Rome to see George Pell give evidence before a royal commission say they’ve achieved “times a thousand” what they set out to do.

The group, many of whom were sexually abused as children by priests and brothers in the Victorian town of Ballarat, hugged and shed tears at the end of Cardinal Pell’s four nights of testimony from a Rome hotel.

The survivors vowed to continue their campaign to ensure children are protected from sexual abuse, including ensuring the Catholic Church changes its systems to prevent such abuse.

They meet with the cardinal later on Thursday and hope to meet with Pope Francis on Friday to put their case and explain the reality of trauma for abuse victims.

Survivor group spokesman David Ridsdale said they had achieved “times a thousand more” than they set out to do, with their campaign gaining global media attention.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
Catholic World Report

Pittsburgh, Pa., Mar 3, 2016 / 12:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown is calling for prayers after a Pennsylvania grand jury released its report on the alleged sexual abuse of hundreds of children by priests in the diocese in past decades.

The report covers cases dating back to the 1940s and charges that previous bishops put abusive priests back to ministry.

“This is a painful and difficult time in our diocesan Church,” Bishop Mark L. Bartchak of Altoona-Johnstown said March 1. “I deeply regret any harm that has come to children, and I urge the faithful to join me in praying for all victims of abuse.”

On March 1 a grand jury released its 147-page report on the diocese’s response to sex abuse by clergy. The report in part drew on evidence from diocesan archives that were opened through a search warrant. Over 115,000 documents were seized, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

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.

ROME
Sydney Morning Herald

Melissa Cunningham

Ballarat clergy sexual abuse survivors want Vatican law rewritten to protect future generations of children.

The group, which is still pushing to meet Pope Francis, will put the request to Australia’s most senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, when they meet with him.

They will also meet a member of the Pontifical Commission for Protection on Minors, an institution which deals with the rampant sexual abuse of children at the hands of Catholic clergy.

Survivors initially rejected a meeting with the Cardinal after he was accused of “designing” his evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Response into Child Sexual Abuse to deflect blame from himself.

But after the Cardinal dropped restrictions, including that survivors not speak to the media about the meeting, they had a change of heart.

For several victims, the idea of meeting Cardinal Pell following his evidence this week is too painful and they have rejected the offer.

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.

ROME
The Guardian

Kristina Keneally

“ … on that Monday 24 March I watched Cardinal Pell being questioned in the royal commission and I woke up at 4.40 the next morning and thought, ‘It’s too disgusting, the way he threw his men to the wolves to protect himself.’”

So said church historian Father Edmund Campion at the Catholic Institute of Sydney on 27 May 2014.

So he could have said on 2 March 2016.

Cardinal George Pell’s evidence this week to the royal commission on institutional responses to child sexual abuse is – to many – shocking. Audible gasps can sometimes be heard from the public gallery in Sydney.

The criticism of Pell emanates along a spectrum from Ray Hadley to David Marr. Even Andrew Bolt was moved to condemnation – though that position didn’t last. Bolt came to his senses, so to speak, and remembered that he was, after all, Andrew Bolt.

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

CANADA
Toronto Star

By: Michael Coren Published on Thu Mar 03 2016

Something deeply significant occurred at the Academy Awards this year. Beyond the glamour, the talent and the entirely valid concerns about lack of diversity, Spotlight was named best movie. Frankly, I didn’t think it would happen. A film about the child rape crisis within the Roman Catholic Church was given international acclaim and acknowledgement.

Let me take you back to 1989. I was working for the CBC, making documentaries. One of them was about Covenant House, the essential and entirely noble shelter in Toronto that cares for street kids. With origins in 1960s New York, Covenant House now has international branches.

One of its founders, and very much its public face, was the Franciscan priest Father Bruce Ritter, and after spending weeks speaking to people who worked at the centre and to many of the kids who lived there, we flew Ritter from New York to Toronto.

He was, shall we say, a difficult man. He was rude to the crew and to me, highly demanding and insisted on only meeting with boys at Covenant House. “No girls, no,” he told us. It was explained by his handlers that he was uncomfortable with girls and thought it might look awkward. I didn’t believe a word.

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.

ROME
news.com.au

Charles Miranda in Rome
News Corp Australia Network

CARDINAL George Pell has said he is committed to working with sex abuse survivors in Ballarat, admitting their stories “were hard to listen to”.

After meeting with victims of child sex abuse in Rome, the Cardinal said he owed a lot to the people of Ballarat and that he supported a centre to enhance healing.

He also said that he was committed to “making things better”, as “one suicide is too many”.

His comments come after four days of interrogation in which he gave evidence via videlink to the royal commission into child abuse.

Meanwhile, amid talk of conspiracies and cover-ups, power, deceit and betrayal among priests forced to make hushed promises to hold secrets on original sin, sex orgies, torture and even murder, there is just something a bit tooDa Vinci Code, too clichéd, to pitch as a potential new Dan Brown novel.

But this is not fiction but rather extraordinary revelations by a senior figure from the Vatican about the institution that he rightly declared has existed since the days of the Roman Empire and would continue into some form into the next millennia.

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

AUSTRALIA
Al Jazeera

Jarni Blakkarly | 03 Mar 2016

Sydney, Australia – Sitting alone on a bench in Sydney’s busy financial district, Darren Chalmers is surrounded by dozens of placards condemning the Roman Catholic Church’s response to child sex abuse victims like himself.

Inside the building behind him, around 50 people, including a dozen victims, watch one of the Vatican’s most powerful clergymen, Cardinal George Pell, testify, via a videolink from a hotel in Rome, as to what he knew about decades of sexual abuse within the church.

Over four days of hearings for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, 48-year-old Chalmers, who was sexually abused at the age of 14 at a boy’s school in Melbourne, sat outside with signs, some which read “Pell go to hell” and “Pope Sack Pell Now”. He wasn’t able to bring himself to join the other victims inside the hearing.

“Being in there feels too uncomfortable, it brings back memories of things I try and forget. But sitting out here, I do feel proud, people see me and I’m helping myself and other victims who can’t be here,” Chalmers told Al Jazeera.

After he swore on the Bible on Monday, Pell’s gruelling questioning lasted almost 20 hours over the four days and focused on what he knew about sexual abuse in his small hometown of Ballart and in the city of Melbourne between the 1970s and 1990s as he rose in the Catholic Church hierarchy.

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

AUSTRALIA
The Conversation

Timothy W. Jones
Senior Lecturer in History, La Trobe University

Cardinal George Pell returned this week to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in relation to the Ballarat and Melbourne case studies.

Giving evidence over the course of four days, via video link from Rome, Pell modified slightly his previous public positions. But, fundamentally, he insisted that he knew little, and fulfilled his duties in relation to what he did know.

On several occasions, counsel assisting the royal commission suggested that Pell’s claims to be ignorant of child sex offending in various contexts was implausible. If everyone around Pell knew, how could he not have known?

The forms of denial

One of the most important lessons we have learnt from Pell’s appearance is the church was – and still is – in a state of denial. It is in denial about the harms of sexual abuse, and about the adequacy of its responses to allegations of abuse.

Being in denial is a curious thing. In denying something, you implicitly admit that there is something to deny.

The late sociologist Stanley Cohen examined this phenomenon in his last book. Cohen argued that we have myriad techniques of keeping disturbing knowledge at bay: there are many ways of not knowing.

The simplest is literal denial. We saw plenty of this from Pell. He repeatedly said that he never knew of allegations of abuse; that he never heard rumours of Gerald Ridsdale’s offending when they shared a presbytery in Ballarat.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive

By Ivey DeJesus | idejesus@pennlive.com

In 1987, Richard Serbin, an Altoona attorney, took on a lawsuit filed by Michael Hutchinson, a former altar boy at St. Therese Catholic Church in Altoona.

Hutchinson was seeking justice from the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese and, specifically, Francis Luddy, who was priest and religious leader at St. Therese.

Hutchison, who was about 20 when he met Serbin, claimed that Luddy had begun sexually molesting him when he was 10 years old in 1977. The molestation lasted until 1982, when his family left Altoona.

Up against the formidable resources of the diocese, the case lasted for over 20 years. The diocese spent more than $2 million in attorney fees to protect and defend Luddy, even though, he had admitted to sexually molesting 10 children and was a known-child predator.

The case put Serbin, a 1970 graduate of theUniversity of Pittsburgh and 1974 graduate of Duquesne University School of Law, on a new path: representing the children who had been sexually molested by priests and church leaders of the Altoona Diocese.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

By David Clohessy

Most folks won’t wade through all 147 pages of the new grand jury report disclosing rampant child sex abuse and cover ups in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese. So here, in our view, is the shortest, clearest summary of the most alarming and recent wrongdoing it contains.

In short, the report shows that diocesan abuse deceit is continuing. Here’s how PennLive reported it:

The bishop controlled the Allegation Review Board.

Bishop Adamec created the Allegation Review Board to allegedly determine the credibility of an allegation of abuse.

However, the purpose of creating the board, the grand jury said, was to convince people that the days of a mysterious bishop deciding how to handle a scandalous and heinous report of child molestation were over.

“In reality, the bishop still exclusively makes the decision how or what to do with a report of child molestation,” the grand jury said. “Nothing has changed but the trappings of how a report is procedurally made.”

The grand jury said victims who believed they were reporting to a board of unbiased and neutral observers “would be sadly mistaken.”

Diocese ‘victim advocate’ looked out for the church, not the victims.

The grand jury concluded, upon interviews with victims and reviews of documents, that the diocese “victim advocate” is an advocate for the diocese against the interest of the victims. The victim advocate was identified as Sister Marilyn Welch.

“Where the advocate can shuffle a victim into the Allegation Review Board without the involvement of legal representation for a victim, she does so,” the grand jury reported.

“Money is offered. Confidentiality and release claims are signed by victims and the diocese to avoid public scrutiny.”

So much for all those claims of ‘reform’ by bishops. .

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.

COLORADO
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver

An adult woman who lives in Colorado has reported that she was a victim of sexual abuse by a religious order priest approximately 35 years ago. The woman’s report is that the abuse took place in the 1980s when she was a student at Marycrest High School in Denver.

The priest named in the complaint is Father Ben Colucci, a retired member of the Capuchin Franciscan religious order. The woman first reported the abuse to the Capuchin Franciscans in 2015 and the order’s Review Board, which is tasked with investigating complaints of abuse and misconduct by its priests, thoroughly reviewed the matter. Based on the information received, the Review Board has advised that the complaint should be treated as credible.

Protective steps were taken upon learning of this complaint. The Capuchin Franciscans have confirmed with the woman that she reported the matter to law enforcement. The order has also separately contacted proper authorities to report the matter. It is the policy of the Archdiocese and the Capuchin Franciscans to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies investigating complaints of abuse.

Because Father Colucci has not been in active ministry for many years, it was not necessary for the Capuchin Franciscans to remove him from ministry as a result of the complaint. Father Colucci served in Colorado from 1970 to 1993 at Marycrest High School, Annunciation Parish, and the Samaritan House. Father Colucci has not served or lived in Colorado since 1993, when he was removed from ministry by the Archdiocese of Denver for reported misconduct.

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.

COLORADO
The Denver Post

By Kieran Nicholson
The Denver Post
POSTED: 03/02/2016

A Colorado woman says she was abused by a Catholic priest about 35 years ago, when she was a student at Denver’s Marycrest High School during the 1980s.

The woman has reported the accusation of sexual abuse to the Archdiocese of Denver, which is investigating her claims, according to a Wednesday media release from the Roman Catholic Church.

“The woman first reported the abuse to the Capuchin Franciscans in 2015 and the order’s Review Board, which is tasked with investigating complaints of abuse and misconduct by its priests, thoroughly reviewed the matter,” according to the release. “Based on the information received, the Review Board has advised that the complaint should be treated as credible.”

The priest named in the complaint is Father Ben Colucci, a retired member of the Capuchin Franciscan religious order.

Colucci served the church in Colorado from 1970 to 1993 at Marycrest High School, Annunciation Parish, and the Samaritan House. Colucci hasn’t lived in Colorado since 1993, when he was removed from ministry by the Archdiocese of Denver for “reported misconduct.”

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.

ROME
The New Daily

Mar 3, 2016

ROSE DONOHOE Reporter

Cardinal George Pell has finished his fourth and final day of giving evidence via video link from Rome to the Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Sydney.

On Thursday morning (AEDT) the hearing kicked off with Cardinal Pell being asked why so many paedophile priests were placed in Ballarat during the 1970s and ’80s, to which he said it was a “disastrous coincidence”.

By the end of the day’s proceedings he fronted a media pack for the first time since the hearing began on Monday.

“I hope that my appearance here has contributed a bit to healing,” Cardinal Pell told reporters just before 4am Rome time.

When asked if he believed that he was the victim of a witch hunt, Cardinal Pell replied “I’ll leave that to you to figure out”, before heading home to bed.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
Fox 43

CLINTON COUNTY — A grand jury investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Pennsylvania determined dozens of priests in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese molested children for decades.

Now some of those alleged victims are speaking out to share their stories.

The men, now in their 50s, spoke with WNEP because they say they want people to know the truth.

They say they were 6 or 7 when they were molested by Father Joseph Bender, but kept the memories of abuse tucked away for decades.

Robert Holtzapple told WNEP, “He led you to believe that he cared about you and he loved you. You know what I mean? That’s what he did. He manipulated you mentally as well as physically.”

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.

ROME
Telegraph (UK)

By AFP

Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell said that it was a “disastrous coincidence” that five paedophile priests preyed on children in the Australian town where he was based, as survivors accused him of lying.

On Thursday Cardinal Pell gave evidence for a fourth and final day to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Sydney via videolink from Rome and came under intense questioning from lawyers representing victims of abuse by the clergy.

The cardinal has consistently denied any wrongdoing during his time in the town of Ballarat and the city of Melbourne where he grew up and worked in the 1970s and 1980s. During the same years paedophile priests abused dozens of children.

Cardinal Pell, who revealed Pope Francis had been given a summary of each day’s evidence, has claimed at least two archbishops and other people in authority deceived him by not revealing what was happening during a period of what he called “crimes and cover-ups”.

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.

ROME
The Express Tribune

SYDNEY: Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell said Thursday it was a “disastrous coincidence” that five paedophile priests preyed on children in the Australian town where he was based, as survivors repeatedly accused him of lying.

Pell gave evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse via videolink from Rome for a fourth day and came under intense questioning from lawyers representing victims of abuse by the clergy.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing during his time in the town of Ballarat and the city of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, where he grew up and worked, in the 1970s and 80s, when paedophile priests abused dozens of victims.

Pell, who revealed Pope Francis was being given a summary of each day’s evidence, has claimed at least two archbishops and other people in authority all deceived him by not revealing what was happening during a time of what he called “crimes and cover-ups”.

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.

ROME
7 News

Sydney (AFP) – Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell admitted Thursday he “should have done more” to follow-up on claims a priest was abusing boys, as survivors accused him of lying about what he knew.

Pell gave evidence for a fourth and final day to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Sydney via videolink from Rome and came under intense questioning from lawyers representing victims of abuse by the clergy.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing during his time in the town of Ballarat and the city of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, where he grew up and worked, in the 1970s and 80s when paedophile priests abused dozens of children.

Pell, who revealed Pope Francis was being given a summary of each day’s evidence, admitted a boy complained to him in 1974 about Christian Brother Edward Dowlan.

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.

ROME
The Daily Telegraph

Andrew Carswell
The Daily Telegraph

CARDINAL George Pell chose not to report a serious allegation that a priest was sexually abusing boys at a Victorian Catholic school because the student who warned him about the abuse “wasn’t asking me to do anything about it’’.

In his final day in the witness stand in Rome in front of the royal commission into child sexual abuse, Australia’s most senior Catholic confirmed a St Patricks College student complained to him in 1974 that priest Ted Dowlan was “misbehaving with boys’’.

Cardinal Pell confessed he did nothing with the “very serious” allegation.

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.

ROME
The Daily Beast

Barbie Latza Nadeau

An Australian royal commission on clerical crimes finds damning evidence that the Vatican’s most senior cardinals turned a blind eye to sex abuse. So why doesn’t the pope fire him?

ROME—Whatever one’s religious affiliation or belief, it must be argued that the Gods of Glorious Coincidence were at work this week. Just as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was handing out the Oscar statuette for Best Picture to Spotlight last Sunday night, Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican’s no. 3 official, was seated in a dingy hotel event room testifying by video link about the very same sort of systematic clerical sex abuse exposed in the film.

But in what is really an unfathomable disconnect, accolades for breaking the silence and exposing serious clerical sex abuse in the United States seemed completely lost in Rome.

Pell, who heads the Vatican’s Secretariat on the Economy, was called to give voluntary evidence to Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The 74-year-old spent a total of four very late nights answering a slew of questions about a number of clearly predatory priests in Australia from the time he was a young cleric to when he was the Archbishop of Melbourne. The hearings started at 7 or 8 a.m. in Sydney, which meant they began at 9 or 10 p.m. in Rome. The latest of the hearings wrapped up around 3 a.m. local time.

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.

ROME
ABC News

For four days, the child abuse royal commission has forensically questioned Cardinal George Pell over his knowledge of alleged abuse within Australia’s Catholic Church.

Abuse survivors and their supporters watched on as evidence was extracted from Australia’s most senior Catholic — some of it, they said, “beggared belief”.

Here are some of the key moments in his testimony and the reactions it drew.

Day one:

* Cardinal Pell said the church made ‘enormous mistakes’
* He said the ‘predisposition was not to believe’ children’s claims of abuse
* Cardinal Pell said the instinct was to protect the church

He was questioned specifically on two case studies — number 28 about the Diocese of Ballarat and number 35 about the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

These case studies included complaints about Monsignor John Day, Brother Gerald Leo Fitzgerald and Gerald Ridsdale.

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.

ROME
The West Australian

[with video]

Amanda Banks Legal Affairs Editor
March 3, 2016

Cardinal George Pell has said he hoped his appearance before the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse had “contributed a bit to healing, to improving the situation”.

Speaking in Rome after he gave evidence over four days, he said: “All the leadership of the church in Australia is committed to avoiding any repetition of the terrible history of the past and to try to make things better.”
He will meet a group of survivors from Ballarat who are in Rome to watch his testimony.

“I grieve for the suffering of the people whom I regard as my own people,” he said.

Giving evidence today, Cardinal Pell denied an explosive allegation that he offered a bribe to a victim of child sex abuse to “keep quiet”, saying the accusation is implausible and based on a “radical misunderstanding”.

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.

ROME
Daily Telegraph

[with video]

ANDREW CARSWELLThe Daily Telegraph

CARDINAL George Pell has told the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse why he chose to infamously accompany paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale, in full priestly robes, to his first court hearing, earning the scorn of victims.

While admitting he now regretted walking alongside Ridsdale, Pell said he deemed it at the time as the right Christian thing to do; to be kind to the lowest of lows.

“I walked with him following the Christian conviction that it’s an appropriate activity to, to be kind to prisoners,’’ Pell said in his final day in the witness stand.

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.

ROME
The Guardian

Ben Doherty
@bendohertycorro
Wednesday 2 March 2016

Cardinal George Pell will meet with victims of child sex abuse at a private meeting in Rome, just hours after stepping down from the witness box of the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse.

After more than 16 hours of at times combative questioning before the commission over what he knew of abuse within the Catholic church, Pell will sit down with some of the victims of that abuse at 11.30am, local time, in Rome.

“There are a few things we will say,” abuse survivor David Ridsdale said in Rome, “but we as a group have made a commitment to ourselves to be diplomatic and dignified.”

David Ridsdale was molested by his uncle, and Pell’s one-time housemate, the former priest Gerald Ridsdale, who is now in prison. Pell walked in support of Ridsdale into court in 1993, an action, Pell conceded yesterday was “a mistake”.

Many of those who will attend Thursday’s meeting were abused at schools and in churches in the diocese of Ballarat, where Pell grew up and where he was a priest in the 1970s and 80s.

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.

ROME
9 News

AAP

Cardinal George Pell denies lying about being told nothing about the real reason Victorian pedophile priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale was being moved.

Cardinal Pell said he would have remembered if pedophilia was mentioned as the reason for Ridsdale being moved at meetings of then Ballarat bishop Ronald Mulkearns’ advisers in the 1970s and 1980s.

A victims’ barrister Jim Shaw told Cardinal Pell: “I suggest very directly you are lying about this to protect your own reputation.”

Cardinal Pell said: “I say that that is completely untrue and unjustified by any evidence. It is a baseless allegation.”

Bishop Mulkearns knew about abuse complaints against Ridsdale when he moved him between parishes in Victoria’s Ballarat diocese.

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.

ROME
9 News

AAP

Cardinal George Pell was “in the loop” over serious complaints about pedophile priest Peter Searson after worried parents wrote to education authorities, the child abuse royal commission has heard.

Cardinal Pell said he would have been aware of concerns raised by parents from the Victorian parish of Doveton in a 1991 letter to the Catholic Education Office that said Searson was going into the boys’ toilets, watching boys in the shower and taking children into the presbytery without permission.

He said he did not investigate the matter because it was the responsibility of the CEO and the Vicar General.

“If they’d asked my opinion I would have given it,” he said.

He agreed that he was “in the loop as far as knowledge of Father Searson being a risk to children” but said the issue was the level of risk and “just what could be done within church and state law”.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive

Altoona-Johnstown Diocese sex abuse: what each priest is accused of (warning: graphic content)

By Christian Alexandersen | calexandersen@pennlive.com

Law enforcements officials knew about the rape of children by leaders in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and did nothing to stop it, according to a damning grand jury report.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane released a report Tuesday that detailed the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by more than 50 diocesan priests and religious leaders. The abuse took place over the last four decades.

One of the most shocking aspects of the report was that law enforcement had been complicit in the coverup of sexual abuse against children.

Kane said there were instances where law enforcement looked the other way, worked with the diocese to allow priests to retire and allowed priests to go through a psychiatric facility in lieu of criminal charges.

When asked whether or not public officials could be charged as a result of the grand jury report, Kane said “The investigation is ongoing.”

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive

By Christian Alexandersen | calexandersen@pennlive.com

A hotline set up to learn about the sexual abuses performed by priests and religious leaders within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has already gotten dozens of calls.

State Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced the hotline Tuesday morning amid the release of a grand jury report documenting the rape of hundreds of children by diocese leaders over 40 years. Spokesman Jeff Johnson said the hotline — 888-538-8541 — had received 85 calls by 1 p.m. Wednesday.

“We believe that one phone call could change everything,” Johnson said. “The right information could create a new investigative lead that could result in charges.”

The hotline is being staffed by attorney general agents or attorneys fluent in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese abuse case.

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

UNITED STATES
TMZ

Father Robert Sirico — a celebrity in his own right for his political and cultural commentary — eviscerated the Academy for embracing “Spotlight” while it celebrated a child molester in its own ranks.

We got the Catholic Priest — who writes for the NY Times — and asked about the church scandal that became the centerpiece of the movie.

You gotta hear his answer … and he’s right. Roman Polanski won Best Director in 2003 for “The Pianist,” the same time The Boston Globe was breaking the molestation stories.

Polanski pled guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl and then fled the country … he’s never returned.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

PITTSBURGH – A priest of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced Wednesday to 200 months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for offenses related to his sexual abuse of two minor boys during trips to Honduras over a five-year period. The sentencing caps an extensive child sex tourism probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

In addition to the prison term, Joseph D. Maurizio Jr., 70, of Central City, Pennsylvania was also ordered to pay a $50,000 fine and $10,000 in restitution to each of the two minor victims. Maurizio was convicted on Sept. 22, 2015, following an eight-day jury trial, of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, possession of child pornography and international money laundering.

“Child sex tourism is a scourge: adults preying on the young and vulnerable to satisfy dark desires,” said David Abbate, assistant special agent in charge of HSI Pittsburgh. “As an agency, HSI is committed to the difficult but necessary task of ending this scourge–despite cost, distance, and international boundaries. There can be no place for the abuse of children here or abroad.”

“It is important to recognize the courage of the victims, the tenacity of the investigators and the resolve of the prosecutors to bring this child predator priest to justice,” stated U.S. David Attorney Hickton. “This sentence ensures that Joseph Maurizio will never again have the opportunity to travel beyond our nation’s borders to victimize children.”

“IRS Criminal Investigation will diligently work with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who violate the laws of the United States,” said Akeia Conner, IRS-CI special agent in charge. “Our partnership with HSI in this investigation demonstrates that we will work together to address the full scope of an individual’s illegal activity, and we will follow that trail wherever it may lead us.”

According to the evidence introduced at trial, in 2001 Maurizio created a charitable organization, then known as Honduras Interfaith Ministries (HIM), which was funded by donations from community members, including parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Central City. HIM became the largest donor for Pro Niño, a non-profit organization that provided shelter and rehabilitative services to poor, abandoned and at-risk children residing in a rural town near San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Between 2004 and 2009, Maurizio used HIM moneys to fund 13 separate trips between the United States and Honduras, during which he sexually abused two minor boys living at Pro Niño shelters.

Evidence presented at trial demonstrated that Maurizio used his position with HIM, Pro Niño’s largest donor, to gain unfettered access to the minors, as well as to purchase them gifts, including clothes, shoes and jewelry, in order to build the boys’ trust and to ensure their compliance during his sexual abuse. During his final trip to Honduras, Maurizio paid two minor boys to engage in sexual acts with him.

In addition, trial evidence showed that Maurizio kept digital media depicting the minors he sexually abused and other images of child sexual exploitation in the Our Lady Queen of Angels Church rectory.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
Courthouse News Service

By KEVIN LESSMILLER

(CN) – A Pennsylvania priest was sentenced Wednesday to more than 16 years in prison for sexually abusing two boys living at shelters in Honduras.

Joseph Maurizio Jr.’s 200-month sentence comes after an eight-day trial last September, after which a jury found him guilty of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, possession of child pornography and international money laundering.

Maurizio, 70, created a charity called Honduras Interfaith Ministries (HIM) in 2001, according to the U.S. Justice Department. HIM eventually became the largest donor to Pro Niño, a nonprofit that provided shelter and other resources to poor and at-risk children in a rural Honduras town.

The priest reportedly used HIM funds to go to Honduras 13 times between 2004 and 2009, during which he sexually abused two young boys living at shelters.

Evidence at his trial showed that Maurizio used his charity position to get access to the boys and purchase them gifts, thereby gaining their trust. The Central City, Pa., resident also paid the boys to engage in sexual acts with him on his last trip to Honduras, according to the Justice Department.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
ABC 27

By Dave Marcheskie

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – The lead prosecutor in a grand jury investigation that alleges widespread child sexual abuse in the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic diocese is calling for changes to the state law that sets time limits on charging offenders.

The grand jury found two former bishops worked to conceal the abuse of hundreds of children by at least 50 priests and other religious leaders for 40 years or more.

“What struck me was in some ways the way that it happened in broad daylight,” Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dye said. “Some of these priests were seen in groups of young boys in parishes and they got away with it because they were priests.”

Dye said the attorney general’s office began to investigate in 2014 when the Cambria County district attorney’s office referred the case to the state, citing a conflict of interest because the DA is Catholic. He said the county was investigating sex abuse allegations against a friar when authorities in the DA’s office realized the scope.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
WNEP

[with video]

BY KRISTINA PAPA

CLINTON COUNTY — One day after the announcement that dozens of Roman Catholic priests in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese molested children for decades. Two of those alleged victims reached out to Newswatch 16 to share their stories. The diocese includes Catholic churches in both Centre and Clinton counties.

The alleged victims we spoke with on Wednesday tell us they were 6 or 7 years old when they were molested by Father Joseph Bender in Renovo. Now, in their mid to late 50s, they contacted Newswatch 16 because they want people to know the truth. They want people to hear their stories.

At 55 years old, Robert Holtzapple remembers a lot about his childhood and his time as an altar boy at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Renovo.

“Benderites, I don’t know where that came from. They called us bender boys,” said Holtapple.

Holtzapple kept some memories about Father Joseph Bender tucked away for decades.

“He led you to believe that he cared about you and he loved you. You know what I mean? That’s what he did. He manipulated you mentally as well as physically,” said Holtzapple.

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.

ROME
9 News

AAP

Cardinal George Pell believed an “effeminate” priest accused of abusing children a week after his ordination was sent overseas to study.

The cardinal has previously told the child abuse royal commission he always had reservations about Father Paul Ryan and was never supportive of his priestly vocation.

This was because Ryan had a “rather effeminate manner”, Dr Pell told the commission via audio visual link from Rome on Thursday.

Cardinal Pell shared his concerns about Ryan with other priests, but he could not recall who.

Ryan was sent to the US in 1977 and 1979.

In 2006, when he was 57, he was jailed after pleading guilty to assaulting an altar boy in his parish house.

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.

CONNECTICUT
WTNH

By Stephanie Simoni

SEYMOUR, Conn. (WTNH) — Police say a former priest of St. Augustines is accused of stealing from his flock.

“There were rumors in the church you know? Very sad to hear it,” said an 84 year old woman who did not want to be identified and says she’s been attending St. Augustine’s ever since she was born. She knows the accused, Father Honore Kombo, 50, and the man who police say entrusted Kombo with his money.

“He was an older man who died. He was alone left a lot of money,” she said. “Everyone liked him [Kombo]. He was a happy priest. Very sad to hear what happened.”

Police say a large chunk of cash was supposed to be dispersed every year for 5 years, but the church only saw 4 years of the money. Officers say church leaders got wind of the missing 5th installment and called them.

“It was a very tedious investigation. There’s a lot of interviews to conduct, phone records to go through, bank records, statements,” said Seymour Police Department’s Deputy Chief Paul Satkowski.

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

UNITED STATES
France 24

A day after a grand jury in Pennsylvania revealed that bishops had covered up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by at least 50 Catholic priests over four decades, FRANCE 24 spoke with clergy abuse expert, Patrick J. Wall.

The report found that former Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Bishop James Hogan, who died in 2005, and his successor, Joseph Adamec, who retired in 2011, worked to cover up for the pedophile priests and that some local law enforcement agencies also turned a blind eye to the abuse allegations, said state Attorney General Kathleen Kane.

“The allegations from [Altoona-Johnstown] are consistent with what we’ve been finding across the US and Ireland and various countries where we’ve worked on these cases – that six percent of Roman Catholic clergy in their lifetime will sexually offend against a minor,” Wall, who has worked on behalf of abuse victims since 2002, told FRANCE 24.

Clergy abuse expert Wall believes that, “The bishops honestly don’t care about the children, they have no empathy.”

Wall went on to say that the Vatican must hand over all its files on paedophile priests if they want to prove they are committed to ending abuse.

“They need to turn over all of the files that they have to civil authorities… One of the great tragedies from the [Altoona-Johnstown] grand jury report is that they found, even though there’s been a zero tolerance policy in the United States since 2002, there were perpetrators in ministry [still serving the church] all the way until October 2015,” said Wall.

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.

ISRAEL
Haaretz

The trial of Rabbi Ezra Sheinberg, the former head of the Orot Ha’ari Yeshiva in Safed, charged with perpetrating sex crimes against 12 women seeking his treatment and advice, began on Wednesday behind closed doors at the Nazareth District Court.

Sheinberg made no comment before the session began.

Dozens of Yeshiva students demonstrated outside in solidarity with the victims. Also protesting where women from a Galilee rape crisis counseling center. Demosntrators carried signs that read:

‘We believe you and salute you, stand behind you,’ ‘You aren’t alone, the Orot Ha’ari community condemns Ezra Sheinberg and his actions.’

Rabbi Avraham Engel, of the Orot Ha’ari Yeshiva said their group had come all the way from Safed “to support and encourage the brave women standing at the frontlines of justice.”

A former student remarked: ‘For the first time, he is silent, and we are smiling.”

Chen Beck, from the education department at the rape crisis center for Galilee and the Golan said “this story is difficult for someone outside the community to understand. There was no violence. It is very difficult to understand this from the outside.”

Sheinberg was charged in July for having sex with 12 women after “exploiting the fact that he is considered to be a righteous person with special powers, that they had unconditional faith in him, and that they saw what he said to be the words of a living god.”

According to the indictment the rabbi assaulted the women during personal meetings or video sessions in which he asked them to undress. During the incidents most of which occurred during the last decade, Sheinberg had headed the Orot Ha’ari Yeshiva and was a community leader. He was considered an authority figure in the community at large where many, religious and secular people alike, would seek out his advice.

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

UNITED STATES
The Worthy Adversary

March 2, 2016 Joelle Casteix

Less than 48 hours after Spotlight nabbed the best picture Oscar, a grand jury report and an Australian cardinal are showing the world that the clergy sex abuse scandal is far from over.

Yesterday in Altoona, Pennsylvania, a grand jury released a 147-page report outlining sex abuse and cover-up in the Diocese of Altoona-Jonestown.

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette:

Hundreds of children were molested, raped and destined to lasting psychological trauma by clerics whose abuses were covered up by their bishops, other superiors and even compliant law-enforcement officials in Blair and Cambria counties, the report said.

The conspiracy amounted to “soul murder,” the report said, with abuse happening everywhere from camps and homes to the historic cathedral itself. That description echoes that of similar grand jury probes into the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2005 and 2011 that found cardinals and other clerics shifted numerous known abusers from one unsuspecting parish to another.

Attorney General Kathleen Kane called it a “day of reckoning” for abusers and their enablers but lamented that no one could be criminally charged.
But that’s not all.

Simultaneously in Rome, an Australian Cardinal testified (via satellite) about what he knew about sex abuse and cover-up in his home country.

It didn’t go too well.

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

AUSTRALIA
9 News

Cardinal George Pell has admitted to the Royal Commission that he did nothing to investigate an abuse claim made against Father Ted Dowlan by a St Patrick’s schoolboy in 1973.

Cardinal Pell has always denied the claim, which was made by Peter Blenkiron, one of the survivors who travelled to Rome to watch the testimony.

The explosive admission may prove the first domino in the cardinal’s undoing after a morning that has seen a succession of lawyers go after him with especially aggressive questions.

“(Green) said something like ‘Dowlan is misbehaving with boys’,” Pell admitted.

A lawyer asked Pell whether he should have done something about it straight away.

“With the experience of 40 years later, certainly I would agree that I should have done more,” replied Pell.

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.

ROME
9 News

AAP

Cardinal George Pell says it was a mistake to walk pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale to court in 1993.

A photograph of Dr Pell, who was then an auxiliary bishop in Melbourne, and Ridsdale walking together is often used by critics of the Catholic Church as evidence it was more inclined to support pedophile priests rather than victims of child sexual abuse.

Giving evidence on Thursday, Cardinal Pell said he was asked in May 1993 to either give evidence or give Ridsdale a reference.

There were prolonged discussions with Ridsdale’s lawyer, he told the child abuse royal commission by audio visual link from Rome.

“I made it quite clear that I was not going to dispute any of the allegations, that I was not going to imply any disrespect for the victims, the survivors,” Dr Pell said.

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

ROME
9 News

Australian survivors of sex abuse by Catholic clergy look set to meet with Cardinal George Pell in Rome and are hopeful of a meeting with the Pope.

The cardinal has been giving evidence by videolink to the child abuse royal commission, answering questions on what he knew of offending by pedophile priests in the Ballarat and Melbourne dioceses when he served there in the 1970s and 1980s.

A group of abuse survivors who travelled to Rome to hear his evidence has been scathing of his denials and blame-shifting and counsel for the commission has labelled some of his evidenced “completely implausible”.

The survivors want to press for better systems within the church to prevent child sexual abuse by clergy.

Survivors’ group spokesman David Ridsdale told reporters on Wednesday night outside the hotel where the cardinal is giving evidence that a “positive response” from him meant a meeting looked set for Thursday.

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

AUSTRALIA
ABC News

By Liz Farquhar and Emma Tonkin

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

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

He said he would not be providing a running commentary on his evidence, which he said was ultimately the Royal Commission’s role to hear and assess.

But Bishop Wright acknowledged Hunter region survivors of abuse would be finding it difficult to hear the ‘manifold failings’ of the church to protect children.

He said the evidence made clear the need for structured, thorough and independent oversight of all organisations providing services to children.

“It also shows the need for a consistent response to those who have suffered abuse,” he said.

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

ROME
9 News

AAP

Cardinal George Pell has admitted he did nothing after a boy complained to him about a pedophile Christian Brother abusing children at a Victorian school but denied he could have stopped more abuse occurring.

The child abuse royal commission has heard a student at St Patricks College in Ballarat told Cardinal Pell that Brother Edward Dowlan was “misbehaving” with boys in 1974.

Cardinal Pell said the boy “mentioned it casually in conversation” and did not ask him to do anything.

Asked by Commissioner Peter McClellan what he did with the information, Cardinal Pell replied: “I didn’t do anything about it”.

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.

ROME
The Guardian

Cardinal George Pell tells the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse he regrets his choice of words when he described offending by the paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale as a ‘sad story’ that ‘wasn’t of much interest to me’. Pell says: ‘I was very confused. I responded poorly.’ Cardinal Pell says it’s ‘completely untrue’ he didn’t have much interest in what David Ridsdale told him about the crimes of his uncle. When asked if his ‘primary interest’ was protecting the church, Pell says: ‘Not in the slightest’

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
Michigan Radio

By JOSH HAKALA

James Francis Rapp, a former Roman Catholic priest, recently pleaded no contest to charges that he had sexual contact with students while he was a wrestling coach and a teacher at Lumen Christi High School in Jackson.

Rapp faces up to 20 years in prison. The trouble is, he’s already in prison.

Rapp, 75, is currently serving a 40-year sentence for sexually abusing a pair of teenage boys in Oklahoma.

David Clohessy, the director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), joined Stateside to talk about the case and how rare it is for someone who is already in prison to be brought up on charges for a separate incident.

“It might be the only case that we know of in the country where an already imprisoned predator priest has been charged and convicted of more charges,” said Clohessy.

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.

ROME
9 News

AAP

Cardinal George Pell has emphatically denied telling another priest that Fr Gerald Francis Ridsdale was abusing boys again.

Former altar boy BWE has testified he overhead Cardinal Pell tell Fr Frank Madden before a funeral in Ballarat in 1983: “Ha, ha, I think Gerry’s been rooting boys again.”

Cardinal Pell again denied the claim during his fourth day of evidence to the child abuse royal commission from Rome.

“Let me begin by saying that nearly every detail in this allegation is manifestly false,” he said.

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

ROME
SBS

Facing questioning from sex abuse victims’ lawyers on his fourth day on the stand in Rome, Cardinal Pell has again denied asking a nephew and victim of pedophile priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale what it would take to keep him quiet.

David Ridsdale has told the commission when he told Cardinal Pell in 1993 he had been abused by his uncle, the then Melbourne bishop asked him: “I want to know what it will take to keep you quiet.”

Cardinal Pell said he felt sorry for Ridsdale, but repeatedly denied the claim, which he did again before the commission on Thursday.

Mr Ridsdale’s lawyer Stephen Odgers SC asked: “Was it the case that you didn’t have much interest in what David Ridsdale told you about the crimes of Gerald Ridsdale?”

Cardinal Pell replied: “That’s completely untrue and David has never claimed that.”

Asked if his primary interest was to protect the church, Cardinal Pell said “not in the slightest”.

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.

ROME
news.com.au

CARDINAL George Pell is facing another day of testimony, giving evidence via videolink from Rome on day four of the royal commission.

It is expected to be the last day Cardinal Pell, who elected to give testimony during the unusual late timeslot (9pm to 3am), will be in the witness box.

Today he will be questioned by lawyers for victims that have contradicted his evidence.

Follow our live coverage below for all the updates.

LIVE COVERAGE

8.39am AEDT: BWF’s lawyer tells Pell that BWF’s ex-wife also remembers her ex-husband telling her he went to Pell and told him about Dowlan’s abusing.

The lawyer points out BWF and his ex do not have a good relationship and she had no reason to help him, yet supported his evidence that he told Pell of the abuse.

BWF “might have had a fantasy” that the conversation with him happened, Pell suggests.

8.29am AEDT: Abuse survivor spokesman David Ridsdale said the group will meet the pontifical commission tomorrow morning and most likely Cardinal Pell, Victoria Craw reports from Rome.
They will confirm if their request for an audience with Pope Francis has been accepted later in the evening.

“We’ve put forward our request… I can say we’ve had a much more positive response,” Mr Ridsdale said ahead of an extended final session on day four of the hearing.

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
WBUR

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian has represented hundreds of survivors of clergy sexual abuse and was featured prominently in the film “Spotlight” – he was played by Stanley Tucci.

Garabedian tells Here & Now’s Robin Young that since “Spotlight” came out, and particularly since it won the award for Best Picture at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, the phones at his Boston law firm have been lighting up with calls from more abuse victims coming forward.

Note: Here & Now reached out to the Boston Archdiocese for comment on our interview with Mitchell Garabedian. Spokesman Terrence Donilon referred us to the below statement from October 2015, as well as to this document that offers a summary of the Boston Archdiocese’s “efforts over more than a decade.”

Interview Highlights: Mitchell Garabedian

On the news in Pennsylvania yesterday that a grand jury concluded 50 priests abused hundreds of children over 40 years, and two bishops led a cover-up

“Well, it’s not surprising at all unfortunately. The cover-up continues, the sexual abuse continues, and there needs to be transparency. There needs to be an independent investigation.”

The abuse is still going on now?

“Oh, I have no doubt that it’s going on. You have an entity which is the most powerful in the world, most influential, has trillions of dollars, they’ve operated through secrecy for centuries.”

After Spotlight won the Oscar for Best Picture on Sunday night, what happened in your office on Monday?

“In my office, my phone was ringing off the hook. Victims were contacting me, survivors were contacting me and even church people were contacting me to let me know that I should continue to do my work.”

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.

WEST VIRGINIA
Charleston Gazette

by Erin Beck, Staff Writer

People who work to prevent child abuse and help abuse victims in West Virginia are concerned that a bill up for a final vote in the Legislature on Wednesday could be used to justify child abuse in the name of “religious freedom.”

The bill (HB 4012), which is similar to “religious freedom restoration acts” in other states, establishes a legal process for courts to follow when people or businesses believe the government is violating their religious beliefs.

The law would establish a balancing test for courts to use when determining whether the person is being substantially burdened by government action, and whether the state has “compelling governmental interest” in ensuring the law is followed.

Governmental actions could include civil rights laws, including local LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances, so civil rights advocates fear the law will be used to allow discrimination against the LGBT community and other historically-discriminated against groups.

Proponents of the bill have openly said support stems from opposition to same-sex marriage.

Jim McKay, state coordinator for Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia, is worried about effects on another vulnerable group — children. He wonders if “governmental action” would also include laws to protect 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.

PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat

By David Hurst
dhurst@tribdem.com

A former Central City priest received more than 16 years behind bars for sex acts committed on Honduran orphans during mission trips.

U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson handed down the sentence Wednesday following a hearing that included passionate pleas for leniency by the Rev. Joseph Maurizio’s friends and family, while prosecutors urged the judge to give the suspended priest as many as 30 years behind bars for “shamelessly” preying on poor street boys.

Gibson’s sentence credited Maurizio for his prior military service, lack of a prior criminal history and decades of good deeds but also ordered him to register as a sex offender.

Maurizio, 70, would be in his mid-80s once released and would serve probation for the rest of his life, according to the ruling.

He is the former pastor at Our Lady Queen of Angels Roman Catholic Church in Central City.

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

AUSTRALIA
news.com.au

SHE is calm, persistent, and downright terrifying.

The Sydney barrister taking Cardinal George Pell to task at the Royal Commission into child sex abuse has Australians asking: Who is this woman?

Gail Furness, SC, has forced admissions of regret and slammed as “implausible” testimony from Australia’s most senior Catholic as she tirelessly grills him over his knowledge of and failure to protect children suffering abuse within the church.

Her take-no-prisoners approach to questioning and intolerance for evasive answers is causing the Cardinal to squirm on the stand like we’ve never seen before.

While it’s clear the stoic clergyman has met his match, it’s not the first time the pair have come face to face.

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.

ROME
Huffington Post

By Eoin Blackwell

Survivors of sex abuse committed by Catholic clergy have contacted Pope Francis to ask for a meeting to discuss protecting children, as Cardinal George Pell begins his fourth day of evidence to a Royal Commission.

During the first hour of Thursday’s hearing, Pell attempted to wind back his earlier statement that abuse committed by paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale was a “sad story and it wasn’t of much interest to me”.

Pell has already agreed to meet with survivors of clerical sexual abuse, but victims have said they lost faith in him following his second day in the witness box, and began a push to meet the Pope.

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.

ROME
Herald Sun

[live stream]

CARDINAL George Pell has started a marathon six-hour session at the royal commission into child sexual abuse from Rome, quizzed by lawyers for victims.

The Cardinal arrived at Hotel Quirinale about two hours before he was due to appear.

The commission has had to extend the sitting hours from 9pm-3am Rome time to allow for further evidence to be taken.

Cardinal Pell declined to comment whether he still enjoyed the confidence of Pope Francis following claims by senior counsel directing the inquiry overnight that his evidence was implausible.

It is expected to be the last day the 74-year-old Cardinal Pell, who elected to give testimony during the unusual late timeslot, will be in the witness box.

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.

ROME
7 News

AAP

Cardinal George Pell has again denied asking a nephew and victim of pedophile priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale what it would take to keep him quiet.

David Ridsdale has told the child abuse royal commission when he told Cardinal Pell in 1993 he had been abused by his uncle, the then Melbourne bishop asked him: “I want to know what it will take to keep you quiet.”

Cardinal Pell has repeatedly denied the claim, which he did again before the commission on Thursday.

The hearing via video link from Rome began an hour earlier at 9pm Rome time, 7am Sydney time.

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.

ROME
Sky News

George Pell has entered his last day in the witness stand at the sex abuse royal commission under pressure.

The Cardinal has been questioned on how he acted when a victim went to him and wanted his help, after reporting abuse from Father Ridsdale at Inglewood.

On Tuesday Cardinal Pell said Father Ridsdale interfering with children at Inglewood was “a sad story and it wasn’t of much interest to me”.

Today the Cardinal said he regretted his statement .

‘I was very confused, I responded poorly…it was badly expressed.’

‘I have never enjoyed reading the accounts of these sufferings and I tried to do that only when it was professionally and absolutely appropriate because the behaviour’s abhorrent and painful to read about.’

Cardinal Pell told the commission on Wednesday the church in the 1970s and 1980s was a world of crimes and cover ups and he was left in the dark about serious sex abuse allegations against priests and brothers in Ballarat and Melbourne.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday, March 2, 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)

We’re grateful that a central Pennsylvania predator priest will spend 16 years behind bars. We hope now that law enforcement agencies will pursue his church colleagues and supervisors who ignored or hid his crimes.

[WJAC]

We hope that all Catholic officials in Pennsylvania and Honduras will use their vast resources to find and help others who were assaulted by Fr. Joseph Maurizio or who helped conceal his crimes.

[ABC News]

Like nearly all child molesters, Fr. Joseph Maurizio claims he wasn’t given a fair trial. We’re relieved that U.S. District Judge Kim Gibson rejected this claim. And we’re glad that Maurizio will be kept away from kids for a long possible time.

It’s crucial that Altoona-Johnstown Bishop Mark Bartchak aggressively seek out other victims, witnesses and whistleblowers and urge them to call law enforcement immediately.

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

ROME
Sydney Morning Herald

March 2, 2016

Beau Donelly
Reporter

Comment

Who knew that conservative writer and broadcaster Andrew Bolt was also a master at the art of satire?

In his latest piece, published on Wednesday, the News Corp columnist delivers a sobering analysis of Cardinal George Pell’s second day of testimony to the child abuse royal commission.

In doing so, Australia’s most powerful Catholic appears to have lost one of his staunchest defenders.

And loyal readers have been left in a state of perpetual shock, asking if this might be the “backflip of the century”.

Some wondered if Bolt’s latest views would compromise his chance at an exclusive interview with the Cardinal on Thursday for Sky. And it’s not certain. Sky is hedging its bets when asked to confirm.

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.

ROME
The Australian

[with live stream]

MARCH 3, 2016

John Lyons
Associate Editor
Sydney

Jacquelin Magnay
European correspondent

Cardinal George Pell is giving evidence to the royal commission for a fourth and final day about what he knew of sexual abuse by paedophile priests and brothers in Victoria in the 1970s.

The cardinal, who is now the Vatican’s finance chief, was too ill to return to Australia for questioning and is testifying live via videolink from the Hotel Quirinale in Rome in front of a group of survivors from Ballarat.

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

OREGON
KATU

BY JACKIE LABRECQUE, KATU NEWS TUESDAY, MARCH 1ST 2016

PORTLAND, Ore. — “Spotlight,” the movie that won best picture at the Oscars, reignited the conversation surrounding the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal, especially among survivors.

The movie depicts how Globe reporters uncovered a network of priests abusing children and systemic cover-up by the Catholic Church.

“This film gave a voice to survivors and this Oscar amplifies that voice, which we hope will become a choir that will resonate all the way to the Vatican,” said Michael Sugar, the film’s director upon accepting the Oscar Sunday night.

Monday afternoon, the columnist Lucetta Scaraffia, wrote for the Vatican’s news, L’Osservatore Romano:

“The fact that a call arose from the Oscar ceremony that Pope Francis fight this scourge should be seen as a positive sign: there is still trust in the institution, there is trust in a Pope who is continuing the cleaning begun by his predecessor, then still a cardinal. There is still trust in a faith that has at its heart the defence of victims, the protection of the innocent.”

KATU News reached out to the Archdiocese of Portland for comment on the movie and the buzz it is generating. We heard back on Tuesday afternoon. The full statement from Archbishop Alexander Sample reads:

“The recent critical acclaim given to the movie “Spotlight” draws the attention of all of us to a very sad and tragic chapter in the history of the Church in the United States. I repeat what I have said many times during my ten years as bishop: That I am sorry beyond words for the harm done to victims and survivors of sexual abuse by clergy. I hope many will take the time to familiarize themselves with the sincere and rigorous efforts the Church has made to create safe environments for children and young people so that this tragedy will never happen again”

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

OREGON
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday, March 2, 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)

Shame on Portland’s Catholic archbishop for engaging in self-promotion instead of abuse prevention by posturing about the award-winning film “Spotlight.”

[KATU]

Archbishop Alexander Semple tried to put the church’s on-going child sex abuse and cover up crisis in the past, calling it “a tragic chapter in the history of the Church in the United States.” That’s disingenuous.

He knows this is still happening. It’s not “history.”

He knows it’s worldwide. It’s not “in the US.”

He knows that apologies are offered after a crisis, not during one.

And he knows that the “efforts the Church has made to create safe environments” are grudging, belated and largely unenforced, adopted largely as public relations moves forced by tremendous public, parishioner and legal pressure.

Semple could have used this opportunity to beg victims to call police, prod legislators to reform predator-friendly laws, urge parents to be careful who they trust with their kids, or remind employees to promptly report abuse suspicions.

He did none of this. Given a chance to help others, he used it to help himself. He could have offered helpful advice. Instead, offered deceptive platitudes.

Let us say now what Semple should be saying often: If you see, suspect or suffer abuse, please speak up. Please seek help from independent sources. Please call police or prosecutors. Please do not call church officials.

We hope every person in Oregon who was hurt by child molesting clerics will do what victims in the

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.

ROME
La Croix (France)

Quelques heures avant sa deuxième journée d’audition par une commission d’enquête sur les crimes pédophiles en Australie, le cardinal George Pell a assuré, lundi 29 février, devant la presse, qu’il bénéficiait du « soutien total » du pape François. Le cardinal australien, qui occupe le poste clé de préfet du Secrétariat pour l’économie du Vatican, s’était en effet entretenu avec le pape plus tôt dans la journée.

L’ancien archevêque de Melbourne puis de Sidney est soupçonné d’avoir couvert un prêtre pédophile coupable d’une cinquantaine d’agressions, Gerald Ridsdale, avec lequel il a habité quelques mois au début des années 1970. Il est aussi accusé d’avoir acheté le silence d’une victime.

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.

ROME
La Croix (France)

Gauthier Vaillant, le 29/02/2016

L’ancien archevêque de Sydney était entendu par une commission chargée de faire la lumière sur les affaires de pédophilie qui ont secoué l’Église australienne dans les années 1970.

Il est 8 heures à Sydney, et 22 heures à Rome, quand le cardinal George Pell, 74 ans, apparaît sur l’écran géant installé dans la salle d’audience de la commission chargée d’enquêter sur les crimes pédophiles en Australie. Le cardinal australien, préfet du secrétariat à l’économie du Vatican, s’exprime depuis l’hôtel Quirinale, à Rome. Sa santé l’a empêché de faire le déplacement. Quinze victimes, elles, se sont rendues à Rome et sont assises face au cardinal.

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.

ROMA
La Nacion

SIDNEY.- El cardenal George Pell, una de los máximos consejeros del papa Francisco, y encargado de las finanzas del Vaticano, reconoció hoy que se encubrieron casos de pederastia en el seno de la Iglesia Católica australiana y admitió que debería haber hecho más ante ellos.

En los años 80 había “un mundo de crímenes y encubrimientos (en el seno de la Iglesia Católica). La gente no quería que se perturbara el statu quo”, dijo ante la comisión que investiga la respuesta de instituciones religiosas, públicas y educativas a la pederastia en las últimas décadas en Australia .

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.

ROMA
La Republica

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Uno de los principales asesores del papa Francisco rechazó el miércoles las acusaciones de que ocultó haber estado al tanto de dos notorios sacerdotes pedófilos, al decirle a los investigadores australianos que indagan múltiples casos de abuso sexual infantil que él enderezó una cultura de “crímenes y encubrimiento” al interior de la Iglesia católica.

El cardenal australiano George Pell dijo esta semana a la Real Comisión de Respuesta Institucional sobre Abuso Sexual Infantil que fue engañado en dos ocasiones por las autoridades eclesiásticas con respecto a las acusaciones de abuso sexual infantil en contra de los sacerdotes Gerald Ridsale y Peter Searson.

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.

BRASIL
DN

[Brazilian priest threatens to sue “Spotlight”. Priest José Afonso Dé was sentenced in 2011 to 60 years imprisonment for sexual abuse of nine teenagers. He was acquitted in 7 cases but he is angry that he is listed on the “list of shame” at the end of the movie which just won an Oscar for Best Picture. He has maintained his innocence of all charges.]

José Afonso Dé foi condenado em 2011 a 60 anos de prisão por abuso sexual de 9 adolescentes. Absolvido em 7 dos casos, o sacerdote indignou-se com citação no filme

Um padre brasileiro ameaça processar os produtores de O Caso Spotlight, vencedor na madrugada de segunda-feira do Óscar para melhor filme estrangeiro, por ter sido incluído numa lista no final da obra que inclui sacerdotes acusados de abusar sexualmente de menores por todo o mundo. José Afonso Dé, o religioso em causa, sempre alegou estar inocente e já foi absolvido de sete dos nove casos de que é acusado.

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.

NEBRASKA
KWBE

March 1

SIDNEY – District Judge Susan Christensen ordered new jurors called to the courthouse Tuesday as the original panel of 45 diminished in the sex abuse trial of Roger Craig Kissel, the former pastor of Sidney’s Cowboy Church.

A total of 18 potential jurors were eliminated from the panel in the morning regarding admissions of bias. Potential jurors were asked if they or someone they know well has ever been sexually abused.

When there were only two jurors left, who had not yet been seated as the panel of 24, Judge Christensen ordered Clerk Robin Shirley to call more people in.

One of the 10 who came on short notice was Barbara McQueen of Farragut, who had just sat down to lunch at 12:45 p.m. and was told to be at court in Sidney 15 minutes later.

She said missing the meal did impact her blood sugar, but she was happy to have done her duty.

Assistant Attorney General Denise Timmons said the number of people dismissed is not unusual in cases of this nature, but Shirley said it is the first time in her 17 years that she had to call people in.

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.

NEBRASKA
KWBE

SIDNEY – A elementary school aged girl was on the stand over an hour Wednesday morning answering questions about what happened to her two years ago involving a former Sidney pastor accused of sexual abuse.

The girl described sexual contact while alone with Roger C. Kissel, 67, in 2013. In cross examination, she said her memories were strengthened when the state showed her a video of an interview conducted while in victim services.

In his opening statement, Fremont County Attorney Corey Becker told the jury there was no coaxing the girl when she first came forward to tell her mom what had happened. He said her testimony alone is enough to convict the former pastor of Sidney’s Cowboy Church.

Becker: “Over the course of the next few days the state is going to present evidence to you that will paint a disturbing picture. Picture of broken trust, a picture of abuse.”

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

ROM
kath.ch

Rom/Rom, 1.3.16 (kath.ch) Der vatikanische Missbrauchsexperte Hans Zollner hat den Oscar-Gewinner-Film »Spotlight» über sexuellen Missbrauch in der US-amerikanischen Kirche als erschütternd bezeichnet. Der auf wahren Begebenheiten beruhende Film habe ihn beunruhigt, sagte der Präsident des internationalen Kinderschutzzentrums der päpstlichen Gregoriana-Universität in einem Interview mit der italienischen Zeitung «Corriere della Sera» (1. März).

Es sei unfassbar, dass Kirchenverantwortlich noch vor 15 Jahren so gehandelt hätten, so Zollner, der auch der päpstlichen Kinderschutzkommission angehört. Er rief dazu auf, im Kampf gegen Missbrauch nicht nachzulassen, den Opfern zu Gerechtigkeit zu verhelfen und dafür zu sorgen, dass «solche unsagbaren Dinge nie wieder geschehen.» Dazu müsse auch viel Präventionsarbeit geleistet werden. Die Dunkelziffer bei Missbrauchsfällen innerhalb und ausserhalb der Kirche sei in vielen Ländern hoch, so Zollner weiter. Sichere Zahlen über Missbrauch in der katholischen Kirche gebe es bisher nur in den USA.

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.

ROM
Aargauer Zeitung

Der von Franziskus vor zwei Jahren zum allmächtigen Finanzchef des Vatikans ernannte australische Kardinal George Pell wird von einem Missbrauchsskandal in seiner Heimat eingeholt. Im Kirchenstaat rumort es.

Der kräftig gebaute und einen rustikalen Umgangston pflegende Australier Pell wird im Vatikan von allen nur der “Ranger” genannt, auch vom Papst. Seit Februar 2014 ist der 74-jährige ehemalige Erzbischof von Sydney Präfekt des vatikanischen Wirtschaftsrats und damit Herr über die Finanzen und weltlichen Besitztümer des Kirchenstaats – einer der mächtigsten Männer im Vatikan.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
N-TV

Vier Jahrzehnte lang leiten zwei katholische Bischöfe eine Diözese im Bundesstaat Pennsylvania – und decken in dieser Zeit mehr als 50 Geistliche, die die Kinder in ihren Gemeinden sexuell missbrauchen. Dokumentiert sind die Fälle in einem “geheimen Archiv”.

Zwei katholische Bischöfe haben einer Untersuchung der US-Justiz zufolge über einen Zeitraum von mehr als vier Jahrzehnten den sexuellen Missbrauch von Kindern durch mehr als 50 Geistliche gedeckt. Der am Dienstag im Bundesstaat Pennsylvania veröffentlichte Untersuchungsbericht geht hart mit den Bischöfen James Hogan und Joseph Adamec ins Gericht, die von zahlreichen Missbrauchsfällen wussten und die Täter vor Strafverfolgung schützten.

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

NORTHERN IRELAND
News Letter

Around 50 victims of historical abuse in Northern Ireland have died in the years since a campaign for truth and redress began, MLAs have been told.

A leading victims’ advocate highlighted the numbers of people who had passed away as she criticised Stormont’s failure to provide interim compensation payments to those who suffered abuse before an ongoing inquiry had concluded.

Retired judge Sir Anthony Hart is leading what is one of the UK’s largest inquiries into physical, sexual and emotional harm to children at homes run by the church, state and voluntary organisations.

His Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry was formally established in January 2013 by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to investigate child abuse which occurred in residential institutions over a 73-year period from 1922 to 1995.

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

UNITED STATES
Above the Law

By JILL SWITZER

The ratings were down for this year’s Oscar show, no surprise given the controversy about the lack of nominee diversity. It may well be that people without any connection to the movie industry or who don’t feast on tabloid Hollywood gossip could care less about the Oscars, that La-La land is exactly that. As host, Chris Rock was his usual take no prisoners self, but he did goof when he interviewed moviegoers in a town he called “Compton.” There aren’t any movie theaters in Compton, but “Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza” doesn’t have the same ring, and it may have been an indirect slap at the failure to include the movie “Straight Out Of Compton” in the best picture nominee category.

I watched the show for only one reason. I wanted the movie Spotlight to win best picture, and it did. Why? For several reasons: one, because the movie was beautifully written and acted, two, it told a story that some people still have trouble accepting to this day, and three, it shows the power of print journalism when it’s allowed to do (e.g. given the resources) to do what it does best, which is to tell the stories that need to be told, that can’t be told in two minute sound bites or by people ranting/interrupting each other while trying to get words in edgewise. Spotlight is the story of the Boston Globe’s investigative team, called Spotlight that in 2002 uncovered the pedophilia priest cover-up in the Boston archdiocese.

Aside from the usual “scumbag,” “how can you defend these people,” “a shill for the church,” comments by various reporters and editors, I thought that the movie spotlighted (pun intended) some ethical issues that lawyers face. A shout out to one of the reporters who, during a pre-publication discussion about the story, defended various lawyers, saying that they were only doing their jobs. Thank you.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
National Catholic Reporter

Brian Roewe | Mar. 2, 2016

A statewide grand jury report released Tuesday by the Pennsylvania attorney general revealed a blistering sketch of at least six decades of persistent and concealed sexual abuse of hundreds of children by at least 50 priests and religious leaders assigned to the Altoona-Johnstown diocese.
Beyond the purported crimes, the report outlined how several bishop-enablers took conscious steps to stifle victims and advocates in reporting and to move the priests — at times unimpeded by local law authorities aware of allegations.

“The Grand Jury concludes the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown was a location rampant with child molestation for decades,” the report stated. “That widespread abuse of children was assisted by priests and Bishops who covered up the abuse rather than properly report it.”

The 147-page grand jury report chronicles a history of abuse in the south-central Pennsylvania diocese that extended from 1940 through 2009. It comes as the third such major probe into the issue of clergy sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, following grand jury reports in 2005 and 2011 examining the Philadelphia archdiocese.

“This is a finding of fact and an effort at transparency — not to slander a religion but to expose the truth about the men who hijacked it for their own grotesque desires,” the grand jury said.

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

PENNSYLVANIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday, March 2, 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)

For the safety of kids and the healing of victims, we call on all Pennsylvania bishops to quickly and thoroughly share the names of Altoona predator priests cited in the new grand jury report.

No priest stays in his home diocese forever. Virtually all priests cross diocesan boundaries often and help at churches where their clerical colleagues are sick or on vacation, when seminarians are ordained, when a bishop is installed and for dozens of other reasons.

So it’s likely that kids were abused or are at risk in dioceses near Altoona. And it’s callous and irresponsible for Harrisburg Bishop Ronald Gainer or Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik or Erie Bishop Lawrence Persico to assume that none of the 50+ wrongdoers identified by the grand jury are not now in or has not ever hurt anyone in his diocese.

A cursory look at the new grand jury report confirms this: Fr. William A. Rosensteel abused a kid on a trip to Pittsburgh. Fr. William Crouse sodomized a boy in New Jersey. Fr. Mario Fabbri raped youngsters on trips to New York, Quebec and Montreal. Fr. David Arsenault assaulted a teenager in Washington DC. Fr. Francis McCaa was quietly sent to work in West Virginia. Fr. Robert J. Kelly was quietly transferred to work in Charleston, South Carolina. We suspect most Altoona predators also molested outside of Altoona.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Review

A Roman Catholic priest will serve nearly 17 years in a federal prison for molesting boys at a Honduran orphanage.

Prosecutors said the Rev. Joseph D. Maurizio used a self-run charity based in Johnstown, Humanitarian Interfaith Ministries, to visit the orphanage numerous times between 1999 and 2009, promising candy and cash to boys to watch them shower, have sex or fondle them.

U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson on Wednesday sentenced Maurizio to 16 years, eight months in prison on two counts of engaging or attempting to engage in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places and one count each of possession of child pornography and money laundering.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
WJAC

BY MARIA MILLER AND WEB STAFF WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2ND 2016

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former Somerset County priest convicted of five counts of sexually abusing young boys while on mission trips in Central America was sentenced to 200 months in prison on Wednesday.

A federal judge ordered Joseph Maurizio, 70, to serve his sentence in a prison close to Johnstown and that he has a lifetime of supervised release.

Sentencing guidelines recommend a person convicted of these crimes be sentenced to 262 to 327 months in prison, but Maurizio’s defense team and his family said they are content with the 200-month sentence.

A new defense team was hired to help him with his appeal.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
WPXI

The Associated Press

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — A suspended Pennsylvania priest has been sentenced to nearly 17 years in prison for sexually assaulting poor street children during missionary trips to Honduras.

Federal prosecutors in Johnstown sought up to 30 years in prison for 71-year-old Joseph Maurizio Jr.

But a federal judge agreed to less time due to Maurizio’s age, charitable works and other legal factors.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown suspended Maurizio after federal prosecutors filed charges in September 2014.

Prosecutors contend Maurizio used a self-run Johnstown-based charity to travel to an orphanage for several years ending in 2009. He was convicted of promising candy and cash to two boys to watch them shower, perform sex acts or fondle them.

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

PENNSYLVANIA
Philly.com

by Caitlin McCabe, STAFF WRITER.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – One day after the release of a damning state grand jury report on sexual abuse by clergy, a federal judge Wednesday sentenced a Catholic priest to more than 16 years in prison for sexually assaulting two children during missionary trips to Honduras.

Joseph Maurizio, 70, one of the priests named in that report, also must pay a $50,000 fine and $10,000 in restitution to each child under terms imposed by U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson. The sentence follows the priest’s conviction in September and subsequent failed effort to secure a new trial.

Gibson lectured the cleric before handing down the sentence, criticizing him for having preyed on vulnerable children by giving them candy, money and gifts, only to then abuse them. He further scolded Gibson for hiding behind the clerical collar.

“You abused a position of public trust,” Gibson said.

Maurizio greeted the judge’s sentence with silence. He was escorted out of court in shackles.

The sentencing came a day after the findings of a two-year state grand jury probe into the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
Daily American

By JUDY D.J. ELLICH judye@dailyamerican.com

JOHNSTOWN – The Rev. Joseph Maurizio Jr. was sentenced to 200 months (16.6 years) in federal prison and a $50,000 fine Wednesday for sexually assaulting two young boys in an orphanage in Honduras.

The 70-year-old priest did not speak at his sentencing in front of U.S. District Judge Kim Gibson, but numerous friends, family and parishioners did, for nearly two hours.

“I’ve always been proud of my brother,” his sister, Angela Maurizio, of Windber, told Gibson. “I am not ashamed of saying who my brother is.”

She and several others said they have seen Maurizio do good over the years, both in the military and in the priesthood.

They all told the court they believed he is innocent of he crimes he was sentenced for conducting.

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.

CALIFORNIA
Hollywood Reporter

MARCH 02, 2016 by Rebecca Ford

The Spotlight team had a busy weekend, winning top awards at both the Indie Spirit Awards and the Oscars. But director Tom McCarthy, co-writer Josh Singer and Mark Ruffalo made some time on the morning of the Academy Awards to participate in a downtown Los Angeles rally organized by Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP). It turns out it was a last-minute decision made the morning of the event. SNAP founder Barbara Blaine was at the Indie Spirits with the Spotlight group Saturday night, and encouraged them to join her in the morning.

“It was a little spur of the moment. I didn’t know what [Oscar] day was going to look like, but as soon as I realized I didn’t have much to do but shower and put on a tux I thought, ‘What better way to start the day?’” says McCarthy, who called up Ruffalo and Singer that morning to join him. “It was incredibly gratifying.” Singer adds: “We’re trying to put a little more pressure on the [Catholic] Church to hold bishops accountable, have a little more transparency and do a better job protecting kids.”

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
Crux

By Margery Eagan
On Spirituality columnist March 1, 2016

The also-rans fade from memory fast. Not so the winners. So Sunday’s surprise Oscar winner, “Spotlight,” now takes its place with other famed best pictures: “12 Years a Slave,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Million Dollar Baby, “Forrest Gump,” “Schindler’s List,” and, way back in 1972, “The Godfather.”

Way back in 1972 was still five years after Christine Hickey was sexually assaulted by former priest James Porter, who admitted to molesting more than 100 boys and girls. But almost no one believed such claims in 1972, never mind 1967. Boys and girls then kept their horror and confusion and anguish to themselves. And even later, when they began to tell, nasty counter-accusations flew. They were out for money from the Church. They were disturbed children from disturbed families making up disgusting tales about the beloved parish priest.

Christine Hickey knew she’d been sexually assaulted. But she once thought herself, like so many other survivors, uniquely targeted. Who could even imagine the Church that told us not to lie, steal, cheat, miss Mass on Sunday, or have sex outside of marriage was conspiring from coast to coast and country to country to cover up sex crimes by priests? Who could imagine that those same judgmental bishops were also the chief conspirators?

“I keep thinking how far we’ve come,” said Hickey yesterday about the “surreal” choice of “Spotlight” and all the elated Facebook postings and e-mails she was still receiving from survivors. “Everybody’s using worlds like ‘ecstatic’ and ‘glorious day’ and ‘sheer joy’ and talking about jumping up and down when they read the winner Sunday.”

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

UNITED STATES
USA Today

Carly Mallenbaum, USA TODAY
March 1, 2016

In Oscar-winning film Spotlight, Neal Huff plays Phil Saviano, a survivor of sex abuse. The real Saviano provided The Boston Globe’s Spotlight team with key research to help publish their news-making 2002 church abuse investigation.

Now, years after the report, Saviano says it’s “a little strange” that “I’m finally getting the recognition (for my work),” but the success of the Spotlight film is great, because …

“More and more folks will hear the story and have the courage to speak out,” he said on the red carpet at the Spirit Awards (where “Spotlight” won several categories, including best feature film).

Case in point: Huff, who got to know Saviano well in order to embody him in the movie, has had strangers stop him to share their personal stories of abuse.

“I was at the post office just a week ago, and the man (working there) recognized me, that I played Phil. He said, ‘I saw ‘Spotlight’ twice. I’m a clergy abuse victim,” recalled Huff.

It was a powerful moment for the actor.

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

VATICAN CITY
Natonal Catholic Reporter

Christa Pongratz-Lippitt | Mar. 2, 2016

Questioned on his reaction to the unveiling of systematic cover-up of priestly sexual abuse in the Oscar-winning film “Spotlight,” the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, said that only a number of individuals not motivated by their priestly office but instead “disturbed or immature,” have been proven guilty of sexually abusing minors.
“The vast majority of priests have been bitterly wronged by the generalizations regarding abuse,” he said, recalling that criminal statistics showed that most sexual abusers were found within the family circle. “They are fathers and other relatives of the victims. One cannot, however, draw the inverse conclusion that most fathers are therefore possible or actual perpetrators.”

In the interview with German daily Kölner Stadt Anzeiger on a visit to Germany, he said he had a problem with the word “hush up” being used “far too lightly” with reference to bishops and sexual abuse cases.

“For me hushing something up means deliberately preventing a recognized criminal offense from being punished or not preventing a further offense from occurring,” Müller said. “Now, as we all know, in past decades the state of knowledge regarding sexual abuse was very different from that of today. Unfortunately, no one had their eye on the long-term consequences of sexual abuse in those days, as, thank God, we have today. Seriously admonishing the perpetrator was often thought — somewhat naively perhaps — to be enough.”

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.

ROME
Perth Now

March 2, 2016

Charles Miranda in Rome

IF THERE was a single line that attracted unanimous nods of agreement in Cardinal George Pell’s third day in the witness box, it was that he was very much a unique character.

“They realised very clearly I was not cut from the same cloth,” he told the child abuse royal commission hearing sitting in Rome to a couple of stifled chuckles in the room.

For anyone who has sat though his late night testimony there was never any doubt of that.

Never in the field of human conflict have so many, sought to deceive so few.

Cardinal Pell on Wednesday added to the list of those who have deceived him during his rise through the ranks of the clergy to where he is today.

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.

ROME
Courier-Mail

March 2, 2016

Andrew Bolt

SINCE I was a boy I have had a fear of surrendering to a mob – as I finally did yesterday.

How could I have forgotten myself more than 40 years after writing my first published work about not standing up to a pack attack? Here are the last lines of that mawkish poem I wrote when I was 13 – “But fear sealed my mouth, Held me back. And soon I was yelling with the rest.”

Yet yesterday, surrendering to fear, I did yell with the rest – the rest of that pitiless pack called journalists.

My god, it was sweet. For once I trended on Twitter with praise, not venom. For once I was on a TV panel show where everyone else agreed with me.

For one giddy day I felt the joy of being a David Marr or Robert Manne, praised for the fury of my sanctimonious denunciation of a man I had reduced to crudest caricature.

Former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally even tweeted in rare admiration that I had been more savage on Cardinal George Pell than she.

Here is what happened.

On Monday night, Pell appeared in a hotel room in Rome to again give evidence to the royal commission into child abuse in institutions.

Within minutes, the number three in the Vatican, put his big foot in his mouth.

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

AUSTRALIA
The Age

March 3, 2016

Lisa Flynn

A governor-general once resigned because of his failure to deal with sex abuse claims. Is there a parallel to be drawn with Cardinal Pell?

I have been following with a heavy heart the testimony being given by Cardinal George Pell before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The questions being asked and the experiences being discussed have taken me back to 10 years ago when I was representing a courageous woman who reported suffering a life of serious sexual abuse by members of the clergy, and other organisations in the Ballarat region.

Annie Jarmyn is a name that may be familiar to some. Her name will always be linked with the demise of our governor-general at the time, Peter Hollingworth.

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.

GEORGIA
Connect Savannah

By Jim Morekis
jim@connectsavannah.com
@jimmorekis

A KEY SCENE in the movie Spotlight — which just won the coveted Best Picture Oscar — is when the Boston Globe investigative team finds the paper trail of transferred priests the Boston Archdiocese knew were guilty of child sex abuse.

Watching the film in Savannah, when Michael Corbett saw the real name of the priest who had abused him flash onscreen, it was a bittersweet moment of triumph.

“That whole montage, where they start finding all the names and begin unraveling the church’s coverup, really hit home,” he says. “It was a real sense of validation.”

A longtime counselor at Savannah Arts Academy after his move here from Boston in 2005, Corbett says he was the target of abuse by Father Robert Gale in July 1993.

The arc of his recovery has been long. Only recently has he been able to fully come to terms with the abuse and its impact on his life.

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.

PENNSYLVANIA
York Daily Record

Two bishops who led a central Pennsylvania Roman Catholic diocese helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children, according to a grand jury report released Tuesday.

The report said more than 50 priests or religious leaders abused children during a 40-year period in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.

Catch up on on news about the grand jury’s report.

What’s in the report

One diocesan official under former Bishop James Hogan told the grand jury that church officials held such sway in the eight-county diocese that “the police and civil authorities would often defer to the diocese” when priests were accused of abuse, the report said.

The grand jury report details the assignments and allegations against priests. Warning: graphic content.

The grand jury investigation was prompted after a district attorney referred an investigation into a priest to the attorney general’s office, according to the Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown.

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.