ABUSE TRACKER

A digest of links to media coverage of clergy abuse. For recent coverage listed in this blog, read the full article in the newspaper or other media source by clicking “Read original article.” For earlier coverage, click the title to read the original article.

August 27, 2020

Victim of sexual abuse by former Kamloops priest awarded $844,000

KAMLOOPS (B.C., CANADA)
Kamloops This Week

August 26, 2020

By Michael Potestio

Rosemary Anderson filed a lawsuit against the church, alleging she was sexually assaulted more than 40 years ago by Father Erlindo Molon after she was hired as a teacher at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help school in North Kamloops in the fall of 1976.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops will pay a former schoolteacher $844,140 in damages as a result of a sexual assault case ruling in a B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.

Rosemary Anderson filed a lawsuit against the church, alleging she was sexually assaulted more than 40 years ago by Father Erlindo Molon after she was hired as a teacher at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help school in North Kamloops in the fall of 1976.

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.

Greensburg Diocese reveals ‘credible’ sex abuse claims against priest convicted of theft

GREENSBURG (PA)
Trib Live

August 26, 2020

By Jacob Tierney

A priest convicted of stealing money from a South Huntingdon church has been added to a list of suspected sex abusers, according to the Diocese of Greensburg.

Bishop Edward C. Malesic on Wednesday issued an update on the diocese’s handling of sex abuse allegations as he prepares to depart for Cleveland, revealing previously undisclosed allegations against the Rev. Emil Payer.

An independent investigation found allegations that Payer sexually abused multiple minors and adults in the 1980s to be “credible and substantiated,” according to the diocese. Law enforcement officials informed the diocese of the sex abuse allegations against Payer in 2018.

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.

Fayette County priest charged with sexual assault

PITTSBURGH (PA)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

August 26, 2020

By Peter Smith

Authorities on Wednesday arrested a Roman Catholic priest from the Diocese of Greensburg on charges that he sexually assaulted an altar boy on multiple occasions from 2004 to 2007, beginning when the alleged victim was 11.

The Rev. Andrew Kawecki surrendered to agents of the office of Attorney General Josh Shapiro in Fayette County, where the alleged offenses occurred, according to the office.

Father Kawecki, 65, is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, a felony; corruption of minors, a misdemeanor; and two counts of indecent assault, one a felony and the other a misdemeanor.

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.

Priest accused of sexually assaulting boy over 3-year period

FAIRCHANCE (PA)
AP

August 27, 2020

A Pennsylvania priest has been charged with the sexual assault of an altar boy during a three-year period that started when the victim was 11, authorities said.

The Rev. Andrew Kawecki, 65, of Scottdale, surrendered Wednesday at the Attorney General’s office in Fayette County, where the alleged offenses occurred. He’s charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and two counts of indecent assault.

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.

Fayette County Priest Arrested For Allegedly Sexually Abusing Altar Boy

HARRISBURG (PA)
KDKA

August 26, 2020

Father Andrew Kawecki, now facing charges of indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, served at 15 parishes in the Diocese of Greensburg since 1980.

A Fayette County priest accused of sexually abusing an altar boy for three years has been arrested.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the arrest of Father Andrew Kawecki Wednesday afternoon. Kawecki, facing charges of indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, surrendered to officials at a district court in Fayette County this morning.

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.

Greensburg Diocese Priest Facing Sexual Abuse Charges

FAIRCHANCE (PA)
KDKA

August 27, 2020

The priest has served in 15 parishes in the Greensburg Diocese since 1980.

A priest in the Greensburg Diocese is facing sexual abuse charges.

The alleged victim is a former altar boy and police say the victim told them Father Andrew Kawecki forced him to have sex when he was 11.

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.

Priest abuse lawsuit: Former student sues Red Bank Catholic, St. James Church

RED BANK (NJ)
Asbury Park Press

August 27, 2020

By Michael L. Diamond

Lawsuit alleges that abuse occurred in the early 1980s.

A former student at Red Bank Catholic High School was sexually abused in the early 1980s by a priest who has faced accusations of abuse at other assignments, according to a lawsuit recently filed in state Superior Court..

The lawsuit says Francis McGrath abused the student, who is identified only by the initials B.T., in 1982 and 1983, causing permanent emotional and mental anguish. McGrath, now 70, was removed from ministry and left the priesthood in 1995.

The lawsuit was filed July 29 in Mercer County. It names as the defendants the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, St. James Church in Red Bank and Red Bank Catholic High School.

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.

Sexual Abuse Class Action Lawsuit Launched Against the Diocese of Quebec

QUEBEC (CANADA)
TopClassActions.co (attorneys’ blog)

August 24, 2020

By Miriam Pinkesz

Two alleged victims of sexual abuse by priests in the 1950s and 1960s have launched a class action lawsuit Canada on Friday against the Diocese of Quebec.

The application to institute the class action lawsuit was filed at the Quebec City courthouse on behalf of victims of sexual abuse by clergy.

The Quebec sexual abuse class action lawsuit covers “all persons, as well as their heirs, who were sexually assaulted by members of the clergy or lay pastoral personnel under the responsibility of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quebec and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Quebec between January 1, 1940 and the judgment yet to be passed.”

Thousands of Potential Sexual Abuse Victims

According to one of the lawyers involved in the Quebec sexual abuse class action lawsuit, statistically, 10% of priests within the Catholic Church commit abuse. Knowing that there was an average of 1,000 active priests on the territory of the Diocese of Quebec during the period covered by the proposed Quebec sexual abuse class action lawsuit, the number of victims could be very high.

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.

Action collective contre le diocèse de Québec pour agressions sexuelles

QUEBEC (CANADA)
Radio-Canada

August 21, 2020

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/premiere/emissions/c-est-encore-mieux-l-apres-midi/segments/entrevue/194180/alain-arsenault-avocat-action-collective-diocese-quebec-agression-sexuelle

Le Diocèse de Québec pourrait faire face à une action collective menée pour des cas d’agressions sexuelles remontant à aussi loin que 1940. Une demande d’autorisation à la Cour supérieure du Québec a été déposée par les avocats des victimes présumées. Me Alain Arsenault, a piloté de nombreuses demandes d’exercer une action collective visant des congrégations religieuses. C’est lui qui va mener le dossier avec Me Marc Bellemare. Le point avec Me Arsenault.

[GOOGLE TRANSLATION: The Diocese of Quebec could face collective action in cases of sexual assault dating back as far as 1940. An application for authorization to the Superior Court of Quebec has been filed by lawyers for the alleged victims. Mr. Alain Arsenault, has led numerous requests for collective action targeting religious congregations. It is he who will lead the case with Me Marc Bellemare. Update with Mr. Arsenault.]

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.

Allégations d’agressions sexuelles: recours contre le diocèse de Québec

[Allegations of sexual assault: recourse against the diocese of Quebec]

QUEBEC (CANADA)
Journal de Québec

August 21, 2020

By Kathleen Frenette

Il pourrait y avoir des milliers de victimes

[There could be thousands of victims]

Délestées depuis le mois de juin du délai de prescription qui les empêchait d’agir, deux présumées victimes qui auraient servi de jouet sexuel à des prêtres dans les années 50 et 60 ont décidé d’intenter un recours collectif contre le diocèse de Québec.

[GOOGLE TRANSLATION: Relieved since June of the statute of limitations which prevented them from acting, two alleged victims who would have served as a sex toy for priests in the 1950s and 1960s decided to bring a class action against the diocese of Quebec.]

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.

Columbus Catholic Diocese settles priest sexual abuse case for $1 million

COLUMBUS (OH)
Columbus Dispatch

August 26, 2020

By Danae King

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20200826/columbus-catholic-diocese-settles-priest-sexual-abuse-case-for-1-million?fbclid=IwAR2uJNYrPkySswwuH6pnPgC2rLuRsvKKnYbzMznJUMA20mnd90q1_pIGJEM

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus settled a lawsuit alleging that one of its priests sexually abused a minor for $1 million.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus is paying $1 million to a man who said he survived sexual abuse at the hands of a priest and high school teacher as a minor.

The diocese announced the settlement Wednesday, ending a lawsuit filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court in July 2018.

Kevin Heidtman, who is now in his 30s, said in the lawsuit that longtime St. Charles Preparatory School teacher Monsignor Thomas Bennett, who is deceased, sexually abused him and others and the diocese knowingly let it happen.

The abuse took place when Heidtman was a freshman at St. Charles Prep from 2002 to 2003, he said. Bennett taught U.S. history and economics at St. Charles Prep from 1964 until shortly before his death in 2008.

A diocese release said Bishop Robert Brennan decided to settle the lawsuit on the advice of attorneys. The diocese noted it did not admit guilt in the settlement.

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.

Exalumnos exigen investigar abusos de un sacerdote

[Alumni demand to investigate abuses of a priest]

LA PLATA (ARGENTINA)
El Patagónico

August 26, 2020

Exalumnos y familiares de exalumnos que asistieron a un colegio católico privado de La Plata exigieron hoy que se investiguen los abusos cometidos por un sacerdote que se desempeñaba como docente y confesor en el establecimiento.

[GOOGLE TRANSLATION: Former students and relatives of former students who attended a private Catholic school in La Plata demanded today that the abuses committed by a priest who worked as a teacher and confessor in the establishment be investigated.]

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.

Publican una carta para que «no queden impunes» las denuncias contra el sacerdote trasladado a Iguazú, Raúl Sidders

[They publish a letter so that the complaints against the priest transferred to Iguazú, Raúl Sidders, “do not go unpunished”]

LA PLATA (ARGENTINA)
Misiones Online

August 26, 2020

La nota fue firmada por 100 alumnos, exestudiantes y sus familiares y docentes del colegio San Vicente de Paul en La Plata donde el cura presentaba funciones hasta ser enviado a la diócesis en la ciudad de Misiones, por una acusación formal y penal en su contra por abuso sexual realizada por una exalumna de esa institución.

[GOOGLE TRANSLATION: The note was signed by 100 students, former students and their families and teachers from the San Vicente de Paul school in La Plata where the priest presented functions until he was sent to the diocese in the city of Misiones, for a formal and criminal accusation against him for sexual abuse carried out by a former student of that institution.]

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.

Church settles sex abuse cases for $1.4M

LAWRENCE (MA)
Lawrence Eagle-Tribune

August 26, 2020

By Breanna Edelstein

Case involves 10 women, 1 man who attended St. Mary’s School in Lawrence

The Catholic church has agreed to pay $1.4 million to settle a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse against 11 children who attended St. Mary’s School in Lawrence, according to the victims’ joint attorney, Mitchell Garabedian.

Garabedian, who is well known for representing victims of clergy sexual abuse, said the clients in this case were all victims of the Rev. John J. Gallagher between 1974 and 1978, when Gallagher was assigned to St. Mary’s Church and taught at the parish school.

The victims at the time — both female and male — ranged from 8 to 14 years old, Garabedian said.

According to Gallagher’s obituary, he died in 2006 at age 87. He was assigned to schools in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida, as well as locally at Merrimack College in 1969 and 1970 and St. Mary’s from 1972 to 1979.

This case against him involves 10 women and one man — now between 54 and 58 years old — who say they were abused by Gallagher in the gym and cafeteria at St. Mary’s School, the swimming pool of the Lawrence Reform School and the Lawrence YMCA.

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.

Fayette priest charged with sexually assaulting altar boy

PENNSYLVANIA
Observer-Reporter

August 27, 2020

By Alyssa Choiniere

https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/fayette-priest-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-altar-boy/article_c580323c-fdc8-5e94-9a81-1c8cea1cdf9c.html

A Fayette County priest was charged with sexually assaulting an altar boy multiple times when the boy was between the ages of 11 and 14.

The Rev. Andrew Kawecki, 65, turned himself in to agents from the office of the attorney general at Fayette County Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. Shimshock’s Masontown office Wednesday, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro. The alleged abuse of the boy, who is now in his 20s, began in 2004, Shapiro said.

The alleged “forced sexual encounters” occurred in the back room of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Fairchance, where Kawecki prepared for services before Mass, Shapiro said. Kawecki would often ask for the boy specifically when he was conducting Masses, and would allegedly assault him before or after Mass when the boy was dropped off early by his parents. The alleged abuse continued until the boy’s family left the church in 2007, Shapiro 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.

New details of child sex abuse claims against two priests in Greensburg Diocese revealed

PENNSYLVANIA
WTAE-TV

August 26, 2020

By Bob Mayo

New details about alleged child sexual abuse by two different Diocese of Greensburg priests were revealed Wednesday.

One priest, who the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office says served in 15 Greensburg Diocese parishes since 1980, is charged with sex crimes against an altar boy spanning several years in Fairchance, Fayette County.

The crimes were allegedly committed inside the sacristy of St. Cyril and Methodius Parish and in an upstairs bedroom of that church’s rectory.

Father Andrew Kawecki, 65, is charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, and corruption of minors against the altar boy, who was 11 years old when the abuse allegedly started in 2004. It allegedly continued for several years.

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

Erie diocese puts number of abuse lawsuits at 31

ERIE (PA)
Erie.com

August 26, 2020

By Ed Palattella

A total of 21 suits were filed in Erie County, others filed elsewhere, including 8 in Philadelphia County.

The Catholic Diocese of Erie’s potential legal problems over the clergy abuse crisis extend beyond Erie County.

Though the diocese is facing 21 lawsuits filed at the Erie County Courthouse, it must also deal with another 10 suits filed elsewhere in the 13-county diocese and statewide, including in Philadelphia.

The suits concern claims of a cover-up and fraud by the diocese, with the plaintiffs saying clergy within the diocese abused them as minors.

The filings are related to the two-year anniversary, on Aug. 14, 2018, of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s release of the statewide grand jury report on the sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church.

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.

Germany: Over 1,400 youths accuse Catholic religious orders of sexual abuse

GERMANY
Deutsche Welle

August 27, 2020

Hundreds of monks, nuns, and other members of Catholic religious orders in Germany have been accused of sexually abusing children and teenagers. The orders are among the last Church organizations to address the issue.

As the German Catholic Church seeks to acknowledge decades of sexual abuse perpetuated and covered up by its clergy, one faction of the church remained relatively silent — until now.

A survey into sexual abuse within religious orders found that at least 1,412 people approached the organizations claiming they were sexually abused as children, teenagers or as wards. The research, published on Wednesday, was conducted by an umbrella group for the leaders of religious orders in Germany (DOK).

The DOK acknowledged the pain caused by its members and recognized its “failure” in tackling the issue.

At least 654 monks, nuns and other members of the orders were accused of abuse. Around 80% of the victims were male and 20% female.

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.

Parishioner sexually abused by Kamloops Catholic priest 40 years ago awarded $800,000

BRITISH COLUMBIA (CANADA)
Vancouver Sun

August 27, 2020

By Keith Fraser

‘Fr. (Erlindo) Molon’s abuse caused the plaintiff pain, anguish, grief and humiliation. It deeply affected her self-confidence. She has carried these wounds throughout her life,’ judge rules

A parishioner who was sexually abused by a Catholic priest in Kamloops more than 40 years ago has been awarded more than $800,000 in damages, believed to be the highest award for a sexual abuse victim in B.C.

Rosemary Anderson, who was 26 years old at the time of the abuse and is now 70, had travelled to the Interior community in 1976 to take up a job as an elementary school teacher at Our Lady of Perpetual Help school.

Her father had recently died and she was grieving him and went to Father Erlindo Molon for comfort, guidance and care, but the priest took advantage of her and repeatedly sexually assaulted her over the course of several months in the rectory and in her home.

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.

Strengthened clerical abuse guidelines welcome, but much still to be done

IRELAND
The Irish News

August 27, 2020

The Vatican, under the direct intervention of Pope Francis, has strengthened its guidance to bishops on how the Catholic Church should combat clerical abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. Paula Jefferson of law firm BLM outlines the changes

http://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/faithmatters/2020/08/27/news/strengthened-clerical-abuse-guidelines-welcome-but-much-still-to-be-done-2045819/

NEW guidelines from the Vatican advise that clerical sex abuse claims should be reported to the police and civil authorities.

The Vatican office responsible for investigating sexual abuse of minors committed by clerics, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has published new guidelines in the form of a manual for bishops and other senior officials setting out clear and detailed rules on how to deal with clerical child sex abuse claims.

This manual, which was circulated on July 16, has been drawn up at the express request of Pope Francis who called for procedures to be laid out step-by-step to avoid any further confusion in the area.

Pope Francis has made the fight against clerical child sexual abuse and its cover-up a priority of his pontificate.

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.

Strengthened clerical abuse guidelines welcome, but much still to be done

IRELAND
The Irish News

August 27, 2020

The Vatican, under the direct intervention of Pope Francis, has strengthened its guidance to bishops on how the Catholic Church should combat clerical abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. Paula Jefferson of law firm BLM outlines the changes

http://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/faithmatters/2020/08/27/news/strengthened-clerical-abuse-guidelines-welcome-but-much-still-to-be-done-2045819/

NEW guidelines from the Vatican advise that clerical sex abuse claims should be reported to the police and civil authorities.

The Vatican office responsible for investigating sexual abuse of minors committed by clerics, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has published new guidelines in the form of a manual for bishops and other senior officials setting out clear and detailed rules on how to deal with clerical child sex abuse claims.

This manual, which was circulated on July 16, has been drawn up at the express request of Pope Francis who called for procedures to be laid out step-by-step to avoid any further confusion in the area.

Pope Francis has made the fight against clerical child sexual abuse and its cover-up a priority of his pontificate.

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.

#LetUsSpeak: Victoria blocks sexual assault victims from using real names

VICTORIA (AUSTRALIA)
News.com.au

August 26, 2020

By Nina Funnell

For years this young girl was abused by her father in her childhood bed. She hoped 30c under her pillow could save her

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/letusspeak-victoria-blocks-sexual-assault-victims-from-using-real-names/news-story/821647419aee0cdbba5f89678c5a6a14

Tens of thousands of sexual assault survivors in Victoria have been stripped of their legal right to tell their stories using their real names.

The changes to the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act – which were quietly introduced in February – silence all sexual assault victims whose offenders have been found guilty, by banning them from ever speaking out under their real identities.

The new ‘gag laws’ have been described as a “major victory” for convicted paedophiles and rapists, as their victims are now “muzzled” and prohibited from self-identifying in publications – including media and autobiographies – regardless of their consent.

The laws also apply irrespective of when the crime occurred or when the offender was found guilty, meaning that many Victorian survivors who have lawfully been able to tell their stories in the past are now censored.

This includes scores of high profile survivor advocates – including several clergy abuse victims from Ballarat – some of whom have been speaking out for decades.

These individuals will now potentially face jail time if they continue their advocacy work under their real names.

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.

#LetUsSpeak: Victoria blocks sexual assault victims from using real names

VICTORIA (AUSTRALIA)
News.com.au

August 26, 2020

By Nina Funnell

For years this young girl was abused by her father in her childhood bed. She hoped 30c under her pillow could save her

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/letusspeak-victoria-blocks-sexual-assault-victims-from-using-real-names/news-story/821647419aee0cdbba5f89678c5a6a14

Tens of thousands of sexual assault survivors in Victoria have been stripped of their legal right to tell their stories using their real names.

The changes to the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act – which were quietly introduced in February – silence all sexual assault victims whose offenders have been found guilty, by banning them from ever speaking out under their real identities.

The new ‘gag laws’ have been described as a “major victory” for convicted paedophiles and rapists, as their victims are now “muzzled” and prohibited from self-identifying in publications – including media and autobiographies – regardless of their consent.

The laws also apply irrespective of when the crime occurred or when the offender was found guilty, meaning that many Victorian survivors who have lawfully been able to tell their stories in the past are now censored.

This includes scores of high profile survivor advocates – including several clergy abuse victims from Ballarat – some of whom have been speaking out for decades.

These individuals will now potentially face jail time if they continue their advocacy work under their real names.

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.

#LetUsSpeak: Gerald Ridsdale, Ballarat survivors gagged under new laws

AUSTRALIA
News.com.au

August 27, 2020

By Nina Funnell

https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/letusspeak-gerald-ridsdale-ballarat-survivors-gagged-under-new-laws/news-story/81d626a0e0a5c820147371b177463786

They bravely showed their faces to bring paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale to justice. Now in a shock move, they’ve all been silenced.

Victims of notorious convicted paedophile Gerald Ridsdale are among those who have lost the right to self-identify in the media, as have dozens of other clergy abuse victims and other survivors in Victoria.

Under new state laws – quietly introduced in February – victims can no longer speak to media under their real names, in any case where the offender has been found guilty. The only exception is if they obtain a court order – a process which can cost thousands of dollars.

The #LetUsSpeak campaign was launched yesterday to petition the changes and funds are being raised to support individual victims to take their fight to court.

The new laws also apply to all past cases meaning that countless victims who have previously spoken to the media to push for inquiries and reforms have now lost that right.

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.

#LetUsSpeak: Gerald Ridsdale, Ballarat survivors gagged under new laws

AUSTRALIA
News.com.au

August 27, 2020

By Nina Funnell

https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/letusspeak-gerald-ridsdale-ballarat-survivors-gagged-under-new-laws/news-story/81d626a0e0a5c820147371b177463786

They bravely showed their faces to bring paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale to justice. Now in a shock move, they’ve all been silenced.

Victims of notorious convicted paedophile Gerald Ridsdale are among those who have lost the right to self-identify in the media, as have dozens of other clergy abuse victims and other survivors in Victoria.

Under new state laws – quietly introduced in February – victims can no longer speak to media under their real names, in any case where the offender has been found guilty. The only exception is if they obtain a court order – a process which can cost thousands of dollars.

The #LetUsSpeak campaign was launched yesterday to petition the changes and funds are being raised to support individual victims to take their fight to court.

The new laws also apply to all past cases meaning that countless victims who have previously spoken to the media to push for inquiries and reforms have now lost that right.

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.

Top cop Jeff Little sues over portrayal in book

AUSTRALIA
The Australian

August 27, 2020

By Kieran Gair

Hachette Australia is being sued by a top NSW detective who argues that the company allowed celebrated police whistleblower Peter Fox to portray him in a new book as a “callous” and incompetent person who helped “cover-up” the crimes of pedophile priests.

In a statement of claim lodged in the Federal Court on Tuesday and obtained by The Australian, Detective Inspector Jeff Little alleges Mr Fox’s book, Walking Towards Thunder, contains a litany of defamatory statements that have brought his reputation into “public disrepute, odium, ridicule and contempt”. Hachette Australia is yet to file a defence.

Mr Fox, a former Detective Chief Inspector, was a vocal and frequent critic of the strike force established in 2010 by NSW Police to investigate alleged concealment by church officials of child sexual abuse by clergy in the Maitland-Newcastle diocese.

Inspector Little, who was appointed in early 2011 to lead Strike Force Lantle, became a target of public vitriol after Mr Fox revealed explosive allegations about child abuse in the Catholic Church, prompting then Prime Minister Julia Gillard to launch a royal commission.

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.

Top cop Jeff Little sues over portrayal in book

AUSTRALIA
The Australian

August 27, 2020

By Kieran Gair

Hachette Australia is being sued by a top NSW detective who argues that the company allowed celebrated police whistleblower Peter Fox to portray him in a new book as a “callous” and incompetent person who helped “cover-up” the crimes of pedophile priests.

In a statement of claim lodged in the Federal Court on Tuesday and obtained by The Australian, Detective Inspector Jeff Little alleges Mr Fox’s book, Walking Towards Thunder, contains a litany of defamatory statements that have brought his reputation into “public disrepute, odium, ridicule and contempt”. Hachette Australia is yet to file a defence.

Mr Fox, a former Detective Chief Inspector, was a vocal and frequent critic of the strike force established in 2010 by NSW Police to investigate alleged concealment by church officials of child sexual abuse by clergy in the Maitland-Newcastle diocese.

Inspector Little, who was appointed in early 2011 to lead Strike Force Lantle, became a target of public vitriol after Mr Fox revealed explosive allegations about child abuse in the Catholic Church, prompting then Prime Minister Julia Gillard to launch a royal commission.

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.

Teacher accused of abuse was trusted by victim’s family

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Associated Press

August 26, 2020

A woman’s family thought a former Phillips Exeter Academy teacher was her “guardian angel” before he was charged with sexually assaulting her, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

The parents trusted Szczesny “Jerzy” Kaminski, 59, with their daughter and dined with him when visiting her in Exeter, according to an affidavit made public after his arrest.

A judge released Kaminski after setting bail at $50,000 with conditions that included no contact with the family and no unsupervised contact with unrelated minors, according to his lawyer Amy Spencer.

Police began investigating Kaminski in March after the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office received a call from an attorney representing the now 20-year-old woman. The attorney claimed Kaminski, a Phillips Exeter teacher for nearly three decades, began engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with the student in 2014 when she was in ninth grade.

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August 26, 2020

Caso Sidders: 100 alumnes, familiares y docentes del San Vicente de Paul exigen la investigación de los abusos

LA PLATA (ARGENTINA)
Prensa Obrera [Buenos Aires, Argentina]

August 26, 2020

By Redacción

Read original article

Como parte de la intensa campaña que se viene impulsado para exigir que no queden impunes las denuncias por abuso sexual contra el cura Raúl Sidders cuando cumplía funciones en el colegio San Vicente de Paul de La Plata, fue publicada una carta abierta firmada por unas 100 personas que forman o formaron parte de la comunidad educativa de la institución, para exigir que su accionar sea investigado.

La carta fue elaborada por alumnes, exalumnes, sus familiares, y docentes de la escuela, y cuenta con la adhesión de decenas de organizaciones y personalidades. En ella se señala que “los relatos que han circulado en medios de comunicación y redes sociales definen una serie de conductas coincidentes que retratan situaciones de acoso sexual y violencia psicológica, además de formas de expresión ofensivas y maltratos a menores de edad. En particular, los testimonios reinciden es destacar la intromisión en la intimidad sexual de les alumnes en el momento de la confesión y la incitación a determinadas prácticas sexuales, además del hostigamiento y el trato denigrante hacia mujeres y homosexuales”.

Las atrocidades cometidas por Sidders salieron a la luz pública a partir de que Prensa Obrera publicara testimonios de exalumnes y madres que sufrieron en carne propia su accionar. A raíz de su difusión, los relatos se multiplicaron y se evidenció que se trataba de una situación generalizada al interior del colegio. Sin embargo, las respuestas tanto de las autoridades de la institución como del Arzobispado de La Plata (del cual dependen las primeras) fue la defensa cerrada del cura y la negativa a investigar, buscando amedrentar a las víctimas. Como parte de esta reacción, Prensa Obrera recibió una amenazante carta documento del arzobispo platense “Tucho” Fernández, que fue respondida públicamente por nuestro medio. Nada de esto amedrentó a las víctimas que comenzaron a organizarse, y fue radicada así la primera denuncia penal en la Justicia.

La carta abierta apunta entonces a mostrar el enorme apoyo de la comunidad educativa y de las organizaciones que luchan contra los abusos eclesiásticos y por los derechos de las mujeres y la diversidad sexual al reclamo de que se investigue y se haga justicia. Esta iniciativa, además de reunir una gran adhesión, permitió además registrar múltiples testimonios de niñes y adolescentes que padecieron durante sus años de formación escolar infinidad de situaciones de violencia psicológica, acosos y abusos, como parte de un accionar netamente autoritario para con toda la institución.

“Ese accionar, desde su lugar de poder como asesor espiritual, se complementaba con un sistemático condicionamiento al desempeño de les docentes al frente de los cursos, en especial en lo referente a educación sexual pero además en relación a diversas temáticas sobre las cuales impartía posiciones oscurantistas, agresivas y carentes de todo rigor científico. Se sumaba a ello un manifiesto desprecio hacia aquelles de familias de menores ingresos económicos. En ocasiones derivó en presiones al personal de la escuela y hasta en desvinculaciones de sus puestos de trabajo”, sostienen en la carta.

Finalmente, reclaman que se suspenda a Sidders de toda función pública y eclesiástica, y que se escuche a quienes valientemente superan el amedrentamiento para informar los abusos que sufrieron. Desde Prensa Obrera, respaldamos plenamente estas exigencias, y seguiremos a disposición de esta lucha hasta que se haga justicia y derrotar el encubrimiento.

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Greensburg Diocese priest charged with sexually assaulting altar boy

HARRISBURG (PA)
WHTM-TV

August 26, 2020

A Fayette County priest has been arrested for assaulting an 11-year-old altar boy for three years starting in 2004, the state Attorney General’s Office announced.

Father Andrew Kawecki, 65, was arrested Wednesday and has been charged with indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.

The alleged victim, now in his late 20s, told prosecutors that Kawecki forced sexual encounters with him when he was 11. He said it took place in the back room of St. Cyril and Methodius Church in Fairchance where Kawecki prepared for services before mass.

The AG’s Office said Kawecki often requested his altar server to work during masses the priest was conducting. The assaults continued until the family left the parish in 2007.

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O.C.’s bishop, a $12-million problem and a secret fight stretching to the Vatican

ORANGE COUNTY (CA)
Los Angeles Times

August 26, 2020

By Harriet Ryan

The FedEx envelopes landed at dawn on the doorsteps of some of Orange County’s most influential Catholic philanthropists — real estate developers, attorneys, CEOs and other church stalwarts who had raised tens of millions of dollars over the years for the local diocese.

Inside were letters from Bishop Kevin Vann that boiled down to two words: You’re fired.

Those June missives ignited a revolt inside the Orange County church that has burned all the way to the Vatican while remaining largely hidden from the diocese’s 1.3 million rank-and-file Catholics.

At its heart is a falling-out between a circle of well-connected laypeople who helped the church rebound financially from the clergy abuse scandal two decades ago, and a prelate staring down fresh money problems brought on by the pandemic and a new round of molestation lawsuits.

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New survey of German religious orders finds decades of abuse accusations

BONN (GERMANY)
Catholic News Service via National Catholic Reporter

August 26, 2020

A new survey of heads of German Catholic religious orders found abuse allegations against at least 654 members over a period of decades, reported the German Catholic news agency KNA.

The survey of 392 orders found at least 1,412 children, adolescents or wards were the victims of sexual abuse. Of the victims, around 80% were male and around 20% female, KNA reported.

Franciscan Sister Katharina Kluitmann, president of the German Conference of Catholic Superiors, said there was an unquantifiable additional number of unreported cases. She said the victims had suffered additional pain from the way they were treated by leaders and other members of orders.

“We deeply regret this and acknowledge our failure once again,” she said.

The German Conference of Catholic Superiors sent a questionnaire to the heads of the orders in 2019 and received responses from around three quarters of them (291 of 392), covering 88% of the members of religious orders in Germany today.

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News Release: AG Pax­ton Files Ami­cus Brief in Texas Supreme Court Defend­ing Reli­gious Liberty

TEXAS
Office of Attorney General of Texas

August 25, 2020

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an amicus brief in the Texas Supreme Court urging it to protect the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock’s First Amendment rights to be free from state courts interfering with church doctrine and governance. By allowing a Catholic cleric’s defamation claim against the Diocese of Lubbock to proceed, the State’s brief argues, the lower court failed to give proper respect to the Diocese’s autonomy.

“Defending our religious liberty is one of my top priorities,” said Attorney General Paxton. “I will continue to fight for church autonomy and ensure that religious institutions are free from government interference. A church should not be subject to legal sanction for confronting serious societal problems, like sexual abuse, when matters of church governance or church doctrine are at issue.”
The case involves a decision by all the Roman Catholic dioceses in Texas to release the names of clergy who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor. The dioceses released these accusations as part of a Church-wide policy of transparency and accountability for addressing sexual abuse and alleged sexual abuse by clergy. The Diocese of Lubbock determined that an ordained Deacon of the Catholic Church had been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor female with mental disabilities on two separate occasions. The Deacon sued the Diocese of Lubbock for defamation because it released his name –along with other clergy who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor—on the Diocese’s website. The trial court concluded that the First Amendment prohibits Texas courts from adjudicating the claim but the court of appeals disagreed, forcing the Diocese to file its petition with the Texas Supreme Court.

Read a copy of the brief here.

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Pope questioned child abuse whistleblower

AUSTRALIA
The Saturday Paper

August 20, 2020

An Australian priest claimed he was summoned to the Vatican to be questioned by the Pope regarding his testimony against an archbishop accused of concealing child sexual abuse. Father Glen Walsh met with the pontiff in 2016, reports The Sydney Morning Herald, ahead of his testimony against Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson, accused of concealing allegations of sexual abuse of former altar boys in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese in the 1970s. After the meeting with Pope Francis, Cardinal George Pell was allegedly waiting outside, and lifted his hand for the priest to kiss his ring. Weeks before the archbishop’s trial was set down, Walsh was allegedly told he had no future in the diocese. Just before he could give testimony, Walsh took his own life. Wilson was found guilty of concealment charges in May 2018 on evidence that included statements by Walsh, but the conviction was overturned on appeal.

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Opinion: The Altar Boys will reopen wounds for some, and provide vindication and salvation for others

AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald

August 20, 2020

https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6886724/we-need-to-read-what-suzanne-smith-and-others-have-to-say-about-the-toll-of-clerical-abuse/

Sadly, one of the worst indictments of our society has been the terrible and insidious prevalence of child sexual abuse across a range of once trusted institutions.

Julia Gillard – who as prime minister ordered the Royal Commission that did so much to calibrate the extent of the problem – thanked the Newcastle Herald’s Joanne McCarthy for convincing her of the need for an investigation.

Others, too, played substantial roles, including Sydney journalist Suzanne Smith, whose reports for ABC’s Lateline program were crucial in attracting the attention of a national audience.

Now, spurred by the suicides of two men abused in the Hunter – one a close friend and colleague – Smith has a book on the subject, The Altar Boys, being published today.

As we indicate in our front page report, it is not a comfortable read. It was not intended to be.

What’s more, Smith has put her investigative abilities to good use and come up with new evidence about the cavalcade of abusers who hid – and were hidden by others – within the supposedly sacred spaces of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

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New bishop will lead Catholics during period of change

BEAUMONT (TC)
Beaumont Enterprise

August 19, 2020

By Chris Moore

Bishop-elect David Toups, whose ordination Friday will put him in charge of the Catholic community in Southeast Texas, arrives during what many foresee as a time of dramatic change for the church both globally and locally.

The challenges include reversing an ongoing decline in the number of priests, addressing the role of gender in the church, and rebuilding trust after a massive sex-abuse scandal that has cost the church hundreds of millions of dollars and done untold damage to its reputation.

The Rev. Luis Urriza of Beaumont has seen much change in his 76 years as a priest, most of it at Cristo Rey Church, which he helped build on Avenue A.

He knows more change is ahead, and he believes rebuilding the ranks of the priesthood must be a priority.

Urriza, 99, thinks that sometime “down the road” the church will even consider allowing priests to marry. He says he would not necessarily oppose such a change.

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“By not acting, you’re enabling.” Why survivors are abandoned to protect institutions.

MICHIGAN
Michigan Radio

August 25, 2020

By Anne Clark

Dr. Robert E. Anderson was a physician at the University of Michigan from the late 1960s to early 2000s. Hundreds have accused him of sexually abusing them in the time period. The doctor is not here to answer for his actions. Most—but not all—of the people accused of enabling him are gone too. What, then, does justice look like?

The following interview is featured in this story by Anna Clark about those survivors, his enablers, and the institution that is finally facing a reckoning.

Amos Guiora grew up in Ann Arbor, and his father was a faculty member at the University of Michigan medical school at the time that Dr. Robert Anderson worked there. He describes himself as “the world’s biggest Michigan football fan” and “the ultimate son of Ann Arbor.”

Now, he is a law professor at the University of Utah and the author of the forthcoming book Armies of Enablers: Survivor Stories of Complicity and Betrayal in Sexual Assaults. It looks at the culture of complicity that made systemic sexual abuse possible at Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics, Ohio State University, Penn State, and the Catholic Church. The only son of two Holocaust survivors, he is also the author of The Crime of Complicity: The Bystander in the Holocaust.

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Law banning sexual abuse victims from speaking out could be changed

AUSTRALIA
The Courier

August 26 2020

By Georgie Moore

The Victorian government says it’s willing to revisit laws requiring sexual assault survivors to ask courts for permission to speak publicly about their experiences.

Victoria’s Attorney-General Jill Hennessy says the changes had been designed to make it easier for survivors.

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Vatican rules that Benedictine abbot should not return to his community

ENGLAND
CNA

August 26, 2020

The Vatican has ruled that the abbot of Ampleforth Abbey in North Yorkshire, England, should not return to his community, four years after he stepped aside during an investigation into allegations against him.

Fr. Gabriel Everitt, the abbey’s prior administrator, announced the Holy See’s decision concerning Fr. Cuthbert Madden in a letter to the Ampleforth Society, a 16,000-strong group with ties to the Benedictine monastery.

“The Holy See has studied the case carefully, including the external scrutiny of Ampleforth and the fact that Fr. Cuthbert’s mandate as Abbot expires in January 2021,” Everitt wrote.

“It does not support his return to Ampleforth as Abbot or as a resident member of the community but wishes him to be free to live in a Benedictine community of his choice with the consent of the host Abbot.”

The ruling was reported by the British Catholic weekly The Tablet Aug. 25.

Madden was first elected abbot in 2005, then re-elected in 2013 for a second eight-year term. He stepped aside in August 2016 after allegations of indecent assault were lodged against him, while strenuously denying the claims.

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Youth Leader Indicted on 89 Counts of Child Sex Abuse, SNAP Responds

DELAWARE
SNAP Network

August 25, 2020

A Delaware youth leader has been indicted on 89 charges related to child sex abuse. This is an extremely disturbing case that demands answers from church officials about how this man was able to secure his position and then abuse children for multiple years.

John C. Sapp Jr. was a youth leader at Maranatha Fellowship in Dover, Delaware, where he is accused of using his position to groom and then abuse at least two girls. This reportedly went on for years yet somehow remained under the radar of church officials, despite the fact that some incidents were said to have occurred on Fellowship premises. We are glad that Sapp has now been indicted and that the public is aware of the accusations, but we believe that further investigation by the church is warranted to make sure that this will not occur again. The community should want to know if proper vetting procedures are in place and followed. Also, the Fellowship should want to discover whether any signs of criminal behavior were missed or ignored by church leaders.

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Baptist Pastor Charged with Child Sex Abuse and Human Trafficking

KALAMAZOO (MI)
SNAP Network

August 25, 2020

A Baptist pastor from a Kalamazoo church has been charged with multiple counts of human trafficking and child sexual abuse, disturbing news that will hopefully rally the community to support his victims and take steps to encourage others who were hurt to come forward.

According to his attorney, Rev. Stricjavvar Strickland will turn himself in to Michigan State Police to be arraigned on 11 charges related to child sexual abuse and human trafficking. Communities are safer when such serious allegations are reported to law enforcement for prosecution.

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Case settled for $1 million after claims Columbus priest sexually abused student

COLUMBUS (OH)
WTOL 11

August 26, 2020

The settlement was announced on Wednesday.

The Catholic Diocese of Columbus announced a $1 million settlement to a former Saint Charles Preparatory School student after claims Monsignor Thomas Bennett abused the student.

A complaint by the student, who attended the school in the early 2000s, was filed in 2018 claiming he was abused by Bennett.

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Bransfield Accuser Calls Disgraced Bishop’s Apology ‘Inadequate’

WHEELING (WV)
The Wheeling Intelligencer

Augst 26, 2020

By Mike Jones

The former traveling secretary for Michael Bransfield — who said the disgraced bishop sexually abused him while leading the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston — called his recent apology to his victims and the faithful “inadequate and unsatisfactory.”

The man, who identified himself as VGD in a four-page letter sent to The Intelligencer, took exception to Bransfield’s brief apology dated Aug. 15 as part of his amends to leave the church in good standing.

“Unfortunately, former bishop Bransfield’s letter does not meet the basic conditions of Catholic contrition, or apology, specifically in the context of reconciliation,” VGD said in his response. “In the Catholic tradition, we do not apologize for actions ‘attributed to’ us or for hypothetical ‘ifs.’”

Bransfield resigned from his position in September 2018 following accusations of misappropriating church funds and sexually abusing young seminarians and priests during his 12-year reign.

As part of his amends, current diocesan Bishop Mark Brennan last November ordered Bransfield to pay nearly $800,000 in restitution and personally apologize to his victims. The Vatican approved a reduced restitution this month, ordering Bransfield to pay $441,000.

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Is it time to rename Mount Cashel Road?

NEWFOUNDLAND (CANADA)
The Telegram via Saltire

August 25, 2020

By Barb Sweet

In the aftermath of a Court of Appeal decision, a victim says it’s time to rethink street names

A John Doe involved in the recent civil case involving 1940s to ‘60s victims of abuse at an infamous St. John’s boy’s orphanage says the city should rename Mount Cashel Road and other streets honouring the Christian Brothers’ order.

Mount Cashel Road is a relatively short street tucked away behind Elizabeth Avenue, and runs from New Cove Road to Torbay Road across from the former orphanage site, and its namesake connection to the disturbing institution is clear.

Below Howley Estates, built on the site of the former Mount Cashel Orphanage, is a series of streets named in the mid-1960s to honour various Christian Brothers from early periods of the orphanage’s history.

“I’d like to see them all changed,” said the man, who is in his early 80s and was one of five brothers sexually abused at the orphanage.

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BREAKING: Catholic priest sex abuse victim awarded $844,140

KAMLOOPS (CANADA)
Powell River Peak

August 25, 2020

By Jeremy Hainsworth / Glacier Syndicated

“He exploited the vulnerability of a young woman,” said Justice David Crossin

The Kamloops Roman Catholic Diocese will pay a priest’s sexual abuse victim $844,140 in damages, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled Aug. 25.

Rosemary Anderson, now 70, alleged in a Dec. 22, 2016, notice of civil claim that sexual abuse at the hands of Erlindo Molon, now 88, started when she was 26. She names Molon and the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Kamloops, A Corporation Sole, in the claim.

She had sought solace from her priest after the death of her father in September 1976. Instead, Molon began groping her, starting a sexual relationship that went on for several months. Anderson testified she felt trapped.

“Molon’s conduct was an egregious, and indeed reprehensible, abuse of power,” Crossin said in his decision. “He exploited the vulnerability of a young woman entrusted to his care to engage in a prolonged and repeated course of sexual exploitation. His conduct was clearly wrong, by the standards of any time. He also demonstrated a brazen indifference to the harm caused by his actions.”

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‘A people of hope’: New St. Louis archbishop calls on Roman Catholics to face difficult challenges

ST. LOUIS (MO)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

August 25, 2020

By Jesse Bogan

https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/a-people-of-hope-new-st-louis-archbishop-calls-on-roman-catholics-to-face-difficult/article_b02187aa-e577-59ba-9855-0773538fd375.html

The Rev. Mitchell T. Rozanski was installed Tuesday as the 10th archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the largest faith organization in the region.

Typically a packed affair, attendance at the Cathedral Basilica was thin. Only about 400 people with reservations were let in for the afternoon ceremony. Many were priests. Every other pew was intentionally left open to provide social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Despite the pandemic, Rozanski was officially made shepherd of about 500,000 Roman Catholics in St. Louis and 10 counties. He also has influence over Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in Shrewsbury and numerous schools, hospitals, religious communities and charities that serve the broader community.

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Royal commission gathering evidence relating to Gloriavale

NEW ZEALAND
Stuff.com.nz

August 26, 2020

By Sam Sherwood

The Gloriavale Christian Community, on the South Island’s West Coast, deals with issues internally.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is looking into Gloriavale, with an investigation into the community possible.

It comes amid revelations Gloriavale leaders forced a 13-year-old girl to sit in a room with a man who allegedly groomed her, because their versions of events did not match up.

Stuff earlier revealed the community’s sexual assault policy gave offenders “second and third chances” to stop offending – along with more rounds of forgiveness and repentance meetings if they failed to stop – before leaders would consider kicking them out of the community.

On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, established in 2018, confirmed it had Gloriavale on its radar.

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Poland struggles to deal with pedophilia in Catholic Church

POLAND
Balkan Insight

August 26, 2020

By Claudia Ciobanu

While the Polish authorities focus on fighting an imagined threat to children from what they call the “LGBT lobby”, progress on combating pedophilia inside the Catholic Church, a well-documented phenomenon, remains slow.

Afew days after receiving her first communion in May last year, nine-year-old Julia told her mother she was sick and refused to go to church for further ceremonies planned in relation to this key moment in a Catholic family’s life.

“When I asked her why she didn’t want to go, she said she didn’t like the priest. When I asked her why, she said the priest was touching her,” Magda, Julia’s mother, told BIRN, speaking on the phone from Ruszow, a village of about 2,000 people in south-west Poland where the family lives.

According to the girl’s testimony, which experts verified as authentic as part of subsequent court proceedings, the local priest, Piotr M., had put his hands under her clothes and touched her in intimate areas.

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Worcester Diocese denies allegations in Holley case, asks for dismissal

ALAMOGORDO (NM)
Alamogordo Daily News

August 25, 2020

By Nicole Maxwell

The Massachusetts-based Diocese named as a party in a child sexual abuse lawsuit along with two Alamogordo churches, called for dismissal in its response to the complaint.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, in Massachusetts, said the statute of limitations had already expired in the case which accused a priest, Fr. David Holley, of sexually molesting children in Alamogordo.

Attorneys for the diocese also said in response that the lawsuit should have named the bishop and not the diocese. Holley had been incardinated — or working under the jurisdiction of — the Diocese of Worcester on May 15, 1967.

In New Mexico the statute of limitations is six years from the date of an assault against victims between the ages of 13 and 18.

The case was filed in the New Mexico Second Judicial District in Bernalillo County on March 31, 2020, and alleged that a victim was abused by Holley in Alamogordo in the 1970s.

The complainant, John Doe, named the Servants of the Paraclete, St. Jude Parish, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Dioceses of Worcester, El Paso and Las Cruces as parties in the lawsuit.

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August 25, 2020

Two more sex abuse suits filed against ABQ orphanage

ALBUQUERQUE (NM)
Albuquerque Journal

August 24, 2020

By Colleen Heild

Two more former students of the now-closed St. Anthony Home for Boys came forward Monday to file childhood sexual abuse lawsuits against nuns who ran the orphanage after a top superior at the religious order recently stated she didn’t believe children had been molested there, their attorneys say.

The two men “are not motivated by compensation, as the sexual abuse happened many decades ago, but primarily want the truth to be known, and are asking the Court to put into public archives all documents that point to the need for accountability and transparency,” said their attorneys Brad D. Hall and Levi Monagle in a statement on Monday.

The allegations in both lawsuits focus primarily on the conduct of a specific nun at the now-closed orphanage in Albuquerque, which was operated by the Sisters of St. Francis, based in Colorado Springs.

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New Book Claims Pope Francis Interfered with Whistleblowing Priest

ST. LOUIS (MO)
SNAP Network

August 24, 2020

A new book’s explosive claim that Pope Francis personally met with and “quizzed” a parish priest who was going to share his knowledge regarding a clergy sexual abuse and cover-up case with local police once again lays bare the hypocrisy of Catholic leaders in Rome.

Pope Francis and his colleagues drag their feet when it comes to investigating and punishing abusers and enablers. However, in this case, they reacted with lightning speed when they learned that Fr. Glen Walsh was going to give police information related to how Archbishop Phillip Wilson of Adelaide, Australia, handled abuse allegations. According to the book Altar Boys, Fr. Walsh was summoned to the Vatican and made to answer questions about why he was involved in a case against an archbishop and what he intended to tell the police.

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Prominent Kalamazoo pastor faces felony child sex abuse charges

KALAMAZOO (MI)
WoodTV (Channel 8)

Felony charges have been issued against a well-known Kalamazoo pastor who’s been accused of paying teens for sex.

Rev. Stricjavvar “Strick” Strickland has been charged with 11 felony counts involving sexual assaults with children.

Strickland faces four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person between the ages of 13 and 15, three counts of child sexually abusive activity and four counts of human trafficking of a minor.

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Kalamazoo pastor charged with human trafficking, child sex abuse

KALAMAZOO (MI)
MLive.com

August 24, 2020

By Ryan Boldrey

The Rev. Stricjavvar Strickland, of Kalamazoo’s Second Baptist Church, has been charged with 11 felony criminal sexual charges.

He had a warrant issued for his arrest Friday, Aug. 21.

According to court records, Strickland was yet to turn himself in as of Monday, Aug. 24.

Strickland faces 11 felony charges, including two counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct on a student, one on a person age 13-15 and one by force or coercion.

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Dover-area church youth leader indicted on 89-counts of child sex abuse

DELAWARE
Delaware Online

August 25, 2020

By Esteban Parra

A 34-year-old Hartly man has been indicted on 89 charges he was involved in sexual relationships with two teenage girls who were members of a church youth group he’d been leading for the past three years.

Word of the sexual liaison came to light when John C. Sapp Jr. contacted Maranatha Fellowship church’s lead pastor in February requesting to “immediately meet with him,” according to court documents. It was during this meeting, at Sapp’s house with his wife there, that the youth leader confessed to “inappropriately touching” a girl.

Maranatha Fellowship did not immediately respond to messages sent to the church on Monday.

Delaware State Police investigators questioned the girl Sapp had mentioned.

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Victims of sexual abuse urged to come forward following former Middleton priest’s death

ROCHDALE (ENGLAND)
Rochdale News

August 25, 2020

By Nathalie Swanwick

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/136174/victims-of-sexual-abuse-urged-to-come-forward-following-former-middleton-priest%E2%80%99s-death

Executors of the estate of a former Middleton priest are looking for individuals who may have suffered sexual abuse at his hands to come forward.

Michael Studdert worked in Langley, Middleton, during the 1960s and is believed to have abused children in England, Wales, Poland, Denmark and Italy.

Following his death, Studdert’s estate was frozen to allow his victims a chance to file claims for compensation.

On three occasions between 1988 and 2006, Studdert was convicted of various charges relating to his possession of indecent images of children. In 1988, Studdert was convicted on four counts of possessing these images whilst working as a chaplain at Eagle House School in Berkshire.

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Indian court bails British missionary accused of sex abuse

INDIA
UCA News

August 24, 2020

Tribal boy files police complaint against founder of Odisha shelter for poor children

A court in the eastern Indian state of Odisha has granted bail to a British missionary who was arrested on charges of sexually abusing a tribal boy.

John Patrick Bridge, a UK citizen, was arrested on Aug. 20 in Jharsuguda where he runs a residential institute for poor tribal children, superintendent of police PR Rahul told reporters.

“There are several small sects working in the diocese as well as in the state and since they don’t come under the Catholic diocese we have no control over them. We have very limited knowledge about their activities and we don’t interfere with their work,” Father Bartholomeo Bilung, vicar general of Sambalpur Diocese, told UCA News.

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Vatican concludes review into Ampleforth Abbey

UNITED KINGDOM
The Tablet

August 25, 2020

By Liz Dodd

Ampleforth Abbey is to elect a new Abbot in 2021 after the Holy See concluded that Fr Cuthbert Madden, who stepped aside from the role in 2016 during an investigation into alleged misconduct, should not return to the community.

Fr Madden stepped aside as Abbot in 2016 after allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him. He has always denied any wrongdoing. North Yorkshire Police investigated the allegations and did not bring charges; the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS) Review Panel which examined Fr Cuthbert’s case did not find any sexual misconduct.

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Cardinal Pell tells U.S. Catholics: ‘We rely on you’

SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA)
Crux

August 19, 2020

By Peter Rosengren

In an exclusive interview prerecorded and aired at a U.S. conference, Cardinal George Pell reminded his audience how important the church in the U.S. is for world Catholicism and Western civilization.

U.S. Catholicism “is vitally important for us in smaller countries, we rely on you for your scholarship, your leadership … the pastoral strategies that you implement and prove to be successful will be watched and imitated by us,” he said.

Despite the scandals in church leadership, which had been “deeply wounding,” many parts of the church in the U.S. are offering a way forward in the present crisis. He named U.S. bishops such as Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York and the late Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago as outstanding examples of church leadership and vision in the present era.

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Book Review: The Outsider

PERTH (AUSTRALIA)
The Record

August 20, 2020

By Desmond O’Grady

The Outsider, by the London Tablet’s Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb, is a sustained defence of Pope Francis. Lambert presents him as reviving the hopes of the Second Vatican Council and inspirer of renewal movements throughout the Catholic Church. Occasionally he waxes lyrical in his praise.

Among the aspects of the seven-year pontificate which he examines are the clerical sexual abuse scandal, the dismissal of the head of the Knights of Malta which he links with the dubia or questions posed by four cardinals to Pope Francis, and the fierce criticism of the Pope from certain Catholic media. Here he provides information on the backers of these media, mostly American, some of which want the pope to step down.

In his enthusiasm for Pope Francis, Lambert skirts the complexity of the situation. He considers that Francis has initiated a new era. He makes striking gestures in this direction which have a big impact. However, Francis must win in the Vatican too but, like his predecessors, he struggles to handle certain issues.

He has not solved the problems connected with the Church’s central bureaucracy the Roman Curia. There are several cases of Vatican employees being brusquely dismissed without any explanation or any opportunity for an appeal. Moreover, two journalists were put on trial before they were acquitted by a lay Vatican judge.

Lamb writes about Cardinal Pell before he was acquitted by the Australian High Court. He treats him as a dubious choice for the Vatican Economic Secretariat because of the accusations against him. But the crucial question surely is why and how his attempt to introduce a new rigor in Vatican finances were blocked.

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“Rezamos para que se aclaren las cosas”

[“We pray that things are clarified”]

RECONQUISTA (ARGENTINA)
Pagina12

August 23, 2020

El cura Aldo Martini, párroco en Reconquista, saludó al ex cura Néstor Monzón, que cumple 16 años de condena por abuso sexual de menores.

[GOOGLE TRANSLATION: The priest Aldo Martini, parish priest in Reconquista, greeted the former priest Néstor Monzón, who is serving a 16-year sentence for sexual abuse of minors.]

El cura Aldo Martini, párroco en la Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción de la ciudad de Reconquista, en Santa Fe, saludó públicamente por su cumpleaños al ex sacerdote Néstor Monzón, condenado a 16 años de prisión por el delito de abuso sexual gravemente ultrajante en perjuicio de una niña y un niño. “Estamos rezando por él para que se aclaren las cosas”, señaló Martini en Radio Amanecer, la emisora católica de la región. Además, se refirió a la desaparición de Facundo Astudillo Castro, cuestionó a las Madres de Plaza de Mayo y reveló haber asistido a la marcha anticuarentena del 17 de agosto. Durante el saludo por el cumpleaños de Monzón, Martini llamó “padre” al ex párroco, quien en 2016 fue suspendido de los cargos eclesiásticos luego de que las familias de la niña y el niño abusados radicaran las denuncias.

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No descartan más denuncias contra el sacerdote Sidders por abuso sexual en un colegio de La Plata

[They do not rule out more complaints against the priest Sidders for sexual abuse in a school in La Plata]

LA PLATA (ARGENTINA)
Misiones Online

August 23, 2020

La denuncia de una joven de 27 años de acoso y abuso sexual por parte de un sacerdote hace muchos años atrás en el colegio San Vicente de Paul de La Plata el jueves pasado, ante la Fiscalía de aquella ciudad, no sería el único caso que involucra al cura y no se descarta que al menos 20 niños más –hoy mayores de edad- habrían padecido situaciones similares, cuando el acusado fue el guía espiritual de la institución.

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Arzobispo Platense pidió que el cura denunciado no tenga contacto con menores de edad

[The Archbishop of La Plata asked that the denounced priest not have contact with minors]

LA PLATA (ARGENTINA)
Grupo La Provincia

August 23, 2020

El Arzobispado de La Plata se puso a disposición de la Justicia para colaborar con el “pleno esclarecimiento” de la denuncia por presunto abuso y corrupción de menores presentada contra un sacerdote que se desempeñó en una escuela católica de la capital bonaerense, al tiempo que recomendó “que no se le encomiende ninguna tarea en colegios o con menores de edad”.

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August 24, 2020

Judge denies request by attorney representing priest facing rape charge

OAKLAND (MI)
Oakland Press

August 24, 2020

By Aileen Wingblad

https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/copscourts/judge-denies-request-by-attorney-representing-priest-facing-rape-charge/article_facd0080-e62f-11ea-9447-9b413a011ba2.html

An attorney representing a Catholic pastor accused of a decades-old rape of a child was denied a request in court Monday to have certain witnesses stricken from the case.

The request was denied by Wayne County Circuit Judge Bridget Mary Hathaway, court records show.

A trial date for Fr. Joseph “Jack” Baker is pending after the trial scheduled for last spring was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Baker, 58, is currently suspended from his duties at St. Perpetua Parish in Waterford due to the allegations. He’s charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct – sexual penetration with a person less than 13 years ago, which allegedly occurred in a storage room of St. Mary Catholic Church in Wayne in 2004.

The Oakland Press is not identifying the victim of the alleged rape due to the nature of the offense.

At a preliminary exam last year in 18th District Court in Westland, the alleged victim testified that the incident happened when he was a second-grader at the parish school. He said he was in the church’s storage room or sacristy when Baker sat him down and began talking to him, and then raped him.

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Opinion: Pull back the curtain of secrecy on abuse by priests

CINCINNATI
Cincinnati.com

August 24, 2020

By Kathy Weyer

St. Peter in Chains Cathedral is now a “minor basilica.” It is clear that Archbishop Dennis Schnurr is excited and proud, and it is clear that he welcomed members of the news media into the cathedral (now basilica) space on Aug. 15 so he could talk about ceremonial bells and special privileges.

This openness to the press is a dramatic shift.

Two years ago, Archbishop Schnurr was considerably less welcoming of the media into St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, when the Archdiocese of Cincinnati celebrated its first Mass for Healing for the Church and for Victims of Abuse. On that occasion, reporters were kept outside the church and could not bear witness to the history inside when the archbishop suspended the Mass as church ushers escorted a family member of a survivor of clergy abuse out of the church who had spoken out in anguish.

The news media could not see Archbishop Schnurr, as he stood silent at the podium, offering no acknowledgement of the man’s pain, no words of condolence or peace, and no prayer – just a “sorry for the interruption” and then resuming the liturgy.

What a juxtaposition

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Ex-Bishop Michael Bransfield’s ‘creepy’ behavior detailed

WEST VIRGINIA
Weirton Daily Times

August 24, 2020

By Alan Olson

With Michael Bransfield issuing a six-sentence letter of apology to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston last weekend for years of sexual and financial abuse, the church hopes to consider the matter closed. The marks from his tumultuous term of office, however, remain.

Bransfield issued his statement in a letter dated Aug. 15 claiming that he did not mean to make those under his power feel sexually harassed, as well as denying that a pattern of excessive and lavish spending was inappropriate. Nevertheless, he agreed to comply with a demand from The Vatican to pay back $441,000 and to take a reduced retirement package, in what one canon lawyer described as an “unprecedented” show of accountability from the church.

Bransfield was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in 2005, taking over from Bernard Schmitt, who had been bishop since 1989 and who had retired the year prior.

Before becoming bishop, Bransfield served as director of finance, executive director, and, ultimately, rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

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Catholics urged to learn signs of domestic abuse

UNITED KINGDOM
The Tablet

August 24, 2020

By Simon Caldwell

Priests and all Catholics are being urged to learn the signs of domestic abuse and how to help victims.

The National Board of Catholic Women has responded to a surge in pandemic-related domestic abuse, including against gay and transgender people by issuing a booklet advising on how to detect the signs and to help.

The booklet, which defines abuse and provides examples of abusive behaviour, points out that domestic abuse also occurs in same-sex relationships and is experienced by transgender people as well.

“Whilst recognising the teaching of the Catholic Church on same-sex relationships, there will be parishioners who identify as LGBTQ+,” the booklet says. “As a matter of pastoral compassion, it is important that our priests and parishioners are aware of domestic abuse issues within these relationships.”

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Catholic bishops in Zimbabwe speak out for first time on human rights abuses

HARARE (ZIMBABWE)
The Guardian

August 24, 2020

By Nyasha Chingono

Government calls Vatican representative for talks after scathing letter accuses Mnangagwa of corruption and abuse of power

The Zimbabwean government has summoned the Vatican representative in Harare over growing criticism by Catholic bishops of the country’s human rights record.

The move follows a scathing letter send by local clergy accusing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime of abusing power in its crackdown on political activists, and of rampant corruption.

The letter reads: “The crackdown on dissent is unprecedented. Is this the Zimbabwe we want? To have a different opinion does not mean to be an enemy. It is precisely from the contrast of opinions that the light comes. Our government automatically labels anyone thinking differently as an enemy of the country: that is an abuse …

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Abuse victims challenge legitimacy of Archdiocese bankruptcy claim

NEW ORLEANS
WWL-TV, Channel 4

August 20, 2020

By David Hammer

The archdiocese is accused of filing for bankruptcy to limit future abuse claims

Sex abuse victims and others with claims against the Archdiocese of New Orleans argued the local church filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection “in bad faith” and the case should be thrown out during a virtual U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing Thursday.

Their claims appeared to be bolstered by a letter written to the Vatican by New Orleans Archbishop Greg Aymond on April 28, just two days before the May 1 bankruptcy filing. In the letter, Aymond assures his bosses in Rome, “The archdiocese is not insolvent. We have sufficient cash, cash equivalents and investments to cover 100 percent of our liabilities.”

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Former Queens teacher faces a dozen sexual abuse lawsuits

QUEENS (NY)
The New York Post

August 22, 2020

By Melissa Klein

A former teacher and administrator at a church-run school is facing 12 lawsuits alleging he sexually abused young boys beginning in the 1970s and continuing for more than a decade.

The latest in the spate of suits against Lawrence Svrcek was filed in Queens State Supreme Court. It alleges that he molested a victim identified only by the initials S.G. beginning in 1984 when the student attended Jamaica Day School, which was run by St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

Svrcek, 74, was a gym teacher, coach and later vice principal of the school. He was also a Boy Scout leader.

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North-West Anglican church properties to be sold to fund National Redress Scheme

TASMANIA
The Advocate

August 23, 2020

By Meg Powell

An empty “bush block” at Rosebery is the latest property owned by the Anglican Church of Tasmania to join the open market.

Bishop Richard Condie in 2018 announced a decision to sell off diocesan property to fund its contribution to the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

A total of 108 properties were initially listed, and then cut down to 73 after local parishes chipped in thousands of dollars.

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Opinion: Disgraced West Virginia Bishop Apologizes (Kinda) and Repays Diocese (Partially)

UNITED STATES
Friendly Atheist via Patheos.com (blog)

August 23, 2020

By Val Wilde

“Scandal or wonderment” — that’s how former West Virginia bishop Michael Bransfield describes the fallout from the misuse of his position.

While he presided over the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Bransfield was living it up on the parishioners’ dime: pouring millions of dollars into personal travel and luxury purchases, spending hundreds of thousands on gifts for other priests.

And yes, those gifts had ulterior motives attached: Some of them went to senior leaders in a bid to buy influence in the region, while others went to younger clerics Bransfield was later accused of sexually harassing.

Rather than stripping Bransfield of his priesthood, Pope Francis elected to write a strongly-worded letter of admonishment with a few weak-tea sanctions tossed in to encourage him to “make personal amends for some of the harm he has caused.”

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Opinion: Unrepentant scandal-ridden W.Va. bishop offers offensive non-apology

UNITED STATES
LifeSiteNews

August 21, 2020

By Phil Lawler

Bp. Michael Bransfield’s ‘apology’ is of the sort that could have been delivered with a one-finger gesture.

This morning I had planned to write about the disgraceful excuse for an “apology” proffered by a former bishop. But I see that Christopher Altieri, writing in the Catholic Herald has beaten me to the punch:

“Let’s be clear about two things: Bishop Michael J. Bransfield — improbably emeritus of the Diocese of Wheeling Charleston — did not apologize; nor did he get the “justice with a gesture of mercy” that his successor, Bishop Mark E. Brennan, suggested he might have got.”

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August 23, 2020

Marylands School abuse inquiry: ‘It’s about time’

WELLINGTON (NEW ZEALAND)
Radio New Zealand

August 22, 2020

A victim of abuse at Marylands School in Christchurch says a new investigation is overdue but he hopes it will result in justice.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state care has launched eight new investigations including one about the Christchurch school which was run by the Catholic religious order, the Hospitaller Brothers of St John of God, from the 1950s to 1984.

It will look into the nature and extent of abuse that occurred, why it happened and the impact it had on victims.

How the Catholic Church responded to the allegations will also be investigated.

Survivor Darryl Smith spent a year at the school in 1971 when he was seven years old.

“Everyone knew it was happening, the older boys would warn us to not go into certain rooms. It’s about time the school is being investigated.”

He wants people to be held accountable.

“As soon as the government found out this order was preying on little boys with special needs they should have stepped in. People were coming forward about abuse in the school in the 50s, long before I was even born.”

Smith said the order and church kept the abuse quiet and denied it for years.

“It’s time the order which I think are a pack of criminals are bought to justice. The church would investigate abuse allegations and then nothing would happen.”

Smith has written multiple books about the abuse he suffered in state care and travelled to the Vatican last year to meet with cardinals to discuss it.

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German archbishop calls for open debate about women priests in the Catholic Church

NEW YORK (NY)
America Magazine

August 20, 2020

By Colleen Dulle

The archbishop of Hamburg, Stefan Hesse, has called for an open debate on the ordination of women in the Catholic Church.

“One has to be permitted to think about and discuss the issues,” the German archbishop said on Aug. 19. He argued that “Ordinatio sacerdotalis,” St. John Paul II’s 1994 letter that stated the church cannot ordain women as priests, was positioned as a response to those who considered women’s ordination “open to debate” and affirmed the male-only priesthood “in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance.”

Archbishop Hesse said new arguments had emerged in the conversation around women’s ordination that needed to be addressed. “The historical perspective is one thing—but it isn’t everything,” he said.

Archbishop Hesse is a member of the forum on “Women in Ministries and Offices in the Church” in the “synodal journey” reform project launched by the Catholic Church in Germany. The project places laypeople—represented by German’s prominent lay organization, the Central Committee of German Catholics—in dialogue with that country’s bishops on a range of topics relevant to the church today, including sexuality, priestly celibacy and women’s roles. The lay committee openly supports ordaining women both as deacons and priests.

The archbishop said he hoped the reform talks would examine controversial issues and that the bishops would convey the results to Rome. “But I also hold the realistic view that this will not answer or resolve the issues,” he said.

The reform project, announced in 2019 as a “binding synodal process” in response to a 2018 report on sexual abuse in the German church, has caught the attention of Pope Francis and the Vatican. In June 2019, prior to the group’s first meeting, Pope Francis wrote a letter to the group that has been interpreted as suggesting the church in Germany take a separate, similar “synodal journey” focused on evangelization. This was followed by a Vatican legal review last September, which stated that the synodal journey’s plan to reach binding decisions meant the meeting was actually a “plenary council,” which would require approval from the pope.

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The Light from the Southern Cross: Promoting Co-Responsible Governance in the Catholic Church in Australia

CANBERRA (AUSTRALIA)
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Religious Australia

August 21, 2020

By the Governance Review Project Team of the Implementation Advisory Group, as amended by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Religious Australia

[See also the leaked version of the report before amendments, and discussions of that draft in the National Catholic Reporter and Our Sunday Visitor.]

1.1 Genesis and background of the Review (page 10)

The final report of the Royal Commission commented adversely on the Church’s practices in respect to decision-making and accountability and their impact on the protection of children and the response to concerns about, and allegations of, child sexual abuse. The Commissioners said:

In accordance with contemporary standards of good governance, we encourage the Catholic Church in Australia to explore and develop ways in which its structure and practices of governance may be made more accountable, more transparent, more meaningfully consultative and more participatory, including at the diocesan and parish level.

This led to recommendation 16.7:

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference should conduct a national review of the governance and management structures of dioceses and parishes, including in relation to issues of transparency, accountability, consultation and the participation of lay men and women. This review should draw from the approaches to governance of Catholic health, community services and education agencies.

In their publicly released response to the Royal Commission of 31 August 2018, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) and Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) accepted the recommendation and entrusted the conduct of this governance Review (the Review) to the Implementation Advisory Group (IAG).

*

6.6.2 Identification and management of risk to children and other persons vulnerable to harm (page 78)

The response of many churches and other institutions to child sexual abuse and other abusive behaviour showed a poor response to the identification and minimisation of risk to children and others harmed, including:

• a lack of understanding and/or acknowledgement of the impact of abuse of those harmed;

• completely inadequate responses such as moving perpetrators to other areas or institutions and allowing them to remain engaged in ministry; and

• a tendency to allow legal advice that focused on a strict interpretation of legal liability to overshadow moral considerations and the paramount consideration of the protection of children.

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Fr Frank’s Homily

PARRAMATTA (NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA)
Catholic Outlook – Diocese of Parramatta

August 23, 2020

By Fr Frank Brennan SJ

During the week, I participated in a webinar entitled ‘The Light from The Southern Cross: Promoting Co-Responsible Governance in the Catholic Church in Australia’. Zoom conferences and webinars are now commonplace for those of us enduring the pandemic lockdown. This webinar was run out of the offices of a large law firm in Sydney. The proceedings were chaired by the distinguished broadcaster Geraldine Doogue. More than 150 committed Catholics tuned in. There was quite a buzz to the proceedings. And most of the time, the technology worked well. Geraldine introduced the keynote presenter Francois Kunc who is a judge of the New South Wales Supreme Court. He had the unenviable task of providing a 15-minute overview of the 208-page report containing 86 recommendations for improved governance of the Catholic Church in Australia. I was one of nine responders. The other responders included three of the key authors who were part of the seven-member Governance Review Project Team commissioned to provide this report to the Church’s Implementation Advisory Group which had been set up by our bishops after the Royal Commission. Another responder was one of the theological advisers to the review team. The discussion was lively, informed, and respectful. Men and women were at the table in equal numbers. Appropriately, the laity heavily outnumbered the clergy.

LISTEN: https://soundcloud.com/frank-brennan-6/homily-23820

But something wasn’t quite right. There was no bishop on the panel. We were told that invitations had been extended but to no avail. Like most things in the Church, there’s probably a back story. But I was left thinking that a discussion about co-responsible governance in the Catholic Church could well do with a couple of bishops at the table. Most of us who spoke would have been in our 60s. When looking to future governance of our church, it’s probably best to start as we’d want to finish. If co-responsibility is to work, bishops and young people will need to be at the table.

This report had been presented to our bishops at the last minute before their last conference in May 2020. Instead of publishing it promptly, the bishops decided that they wanted to sit on it until their next meeting in November 2020. The report in draft form was leaked fairly soon after the bishops completed their meeting in May. Following the leak, the bishops did a rethink on their schedule. On 12 June 2020, Archbishop Coleridge, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, announced that the bishops “would provide their feedback before 17 July.” He wrote, “After this feedback has been received, the report will be amended. The amended version will then be published in late July or early August, accompanied by a reading guide. This version will be widely available, and people are encouraged to read the full report (and not just the recommendations) and to provide feedback to their local bishop to help him in shaping his response.” That’s the last we heard from our bishops before the webinar went ahead on 19 August. On Friday, two days after the webinar, the bishops finally published the revised report. If co-responsible governance of our Church is to be a reality, we all have to do better than this. And we all have to get moving if bishops are to receive feedback and formulate their own responses in time for their November meeting.

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Catholic leaders publish report on Church governance

CANBERRA (AUSTRALIA)
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Religious Australia

August 21, 2020

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Religious Australia have today published an “important and substantial” document on the review of diocesan and parish governance and management in Australia.

The review was recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Church’s Implementation Advisory Group (IAG) oversaw the development of the report, The Light from the Southern Cross: Promoting Co-responsible Governance in the Catholic Church in Australia. The IAG engaged the Governance Review Project Team (GRPT) to research and study Church governance and to prepare the 208-page report, which includes 86 recommendations. “The Light from the Southern Cross makes an important and substantial contribution to the life and mission of the Church in Australia, and the bishops and leaders of religious institutes thank those responsible for its preparation and delivery,” Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge said.

CRA president Br Peter Carroll FMS added: “As leaders in the Catholic Church responsible for hundreds of Church entities, CRA and the Bishops Conference are working through numerous governance reforms and practices as outlined by the recommendations of the Royal Commission.

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Priest recently added to New Orleans’ credibly accused clergy roster also put on Las Vegas list

NEW ORLEANS (LA)
Times-Picayune and New Orleans Advocate

August 22, 2020

By Ramon Antonio Vargas

A priest whom the Archdiocese of New Orleans added this week to a list of clergymen faced with credible allegations of child molestation dating back to the 1980s has since been listed on a similar roster compiled by church officials in Las Vegas, where he spent his retirement.

Officials with the Diocese of Las Vegas said they moved to include Brian Highfill on their credibly accused list Friday as a result of two complaints filed against him by accusers he encountered while working in New Orleans. No one in Las Vegas had accused Highfill, 78, of any misconduct as of Friday, officials there said.

Highfill was ordained in 1974 and worked at a half-dozen different churches in the New Orleans area over the next six years, among them Metairie’s St. Catherine of Siena and St. Edward the Confessor. He later moved away from New Orleans and worked as a military chaplain for about two decades before retiring in the late 1990s in Las Vegas, where he continued in ministry as a volunteer.

After new revelations about the worldwide Catholic Church’s ongoing clergy sex abuse crisis surfaced two summers ago, a man named Mike Brandner Sr. contacted Las Vegas diocese officials in late August 2018 and provided them with love letters that his late younger brother, Scot, had started receiving from Highfill when Scot was a high school senior in 1980.

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August 22, 2020

ABUSOS EN LA IGLESIA. Encubrimiento: la Iglesia tilda de “fake news” denuncias contra el cura facho Raúl Sidders

LA PLATA (ARGENTINA)
La Izquierda Diario [Buenos Aires, Argentina]

August 22, 2020

By Valeria Jasper

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Los arzobispados de La Plata y de Puerto Iguazú (donde reside el denunciado) decidieron defender cerradamente a quien hoy es foco de múltiples denuncias por abusos, acosos, misoginia y discriminación durante dos décadas en el colegio San Vicente de Paul de la capital bonaerense.

A raíz de la expansión mediática que tomó la presentación judicial por abuso sexual agravado contra el sacerdote Raúl Sidders, durante su actividad pastoral en el colegio San Vicente de Paul en La Plata, el Arzobispado de Puerto Iguazú, emitió un comunicado en su página oficial siguiendo, como era de esperarse, los argumentos que esgrimieron desde el Arzobispado platense en una acérrima defensa de Sidders, denunciando la inconsistencia de los testimonios de las víctimas de Sidders, aduciendo que se tratan de “noticias falsas (fake news) difundidas con la intención de armar un expediente judicial”.

En el comunicado, que lleva la firma del secretario canciller del Arzobispado, Rolando Bragañolo, sostienen que la denuncia “no implica que el padre Sidders esté procesado, por lo cual sería imprudente adelantar juicio alguno sobre un proceso que todavía no existe”, sin embargo emiten de forma clara y contundente juicios sobre quienes han decidido sacar a la luz los hechos de violencia y abusos que Sidders cometió durante los 20 años que estuvo en el colegio contra menores de edad.

A su vez dejan de manifiesto haber investigado los hechos, afirmando que “en comunicación con la institución educativa, Sidders realizaba la confesión a grupos de alumnos del nivel primario acompañados por la maestra, a la vista de lo demás compañeros y de quien pasara por el lugar, pues la puerta de ingreso a la Capilla es de vidrio”, hecho totalmente desacreditado por las decenas de testimonios de exalumnas y exalumnos que afirman que los abusos se realizaban mayoritariamente en el momento de la confesión, la cual para el sacerdote era obligatoria. Vale recordar que los relatos de las víctimas son contundentes en cuanto a que la confesión era a solas con él y con el objetivo de urgar en la vida sexual de los y las menores.

Por su parte, desde La Plata, el Arzobispado a cargo del Víctor Fernándeez se manifestó afirmando, una vez más, el derecho de defensa de Sidders de prosperar la denuncia, y siendo “el primer y único comunicado emitido sobre este asunto”, informó que el cura denunciado penalmente, fue “amonestado y reprendido” para que evite todo lenguaje inapropiado sobre menores de edad y particularmente “cualquier expresión referida a las mujeres que pueda intepretarse como menosprecio, discriminación o misoginia”. Demostrando una preocupación y como prevención, por demás hipócrita y canallesca, recomendó al Obispo de Puerto Iguazú “que no encomiende al Pbro. Sidders ninguna tarea en colegios o con menores de edad”. Lo que se dice, apenas un tirón de oreja.

Tanto Víctor Fernández, máximo representante de la iglesia platense y mano derecha de Bergolio como Nicolás Baisi (su par misionero y exobispo auxiliar suyo hace hace unos pocos meses), hacen honor a una práctica sistemática por parte de la jerarquía eclesiástica de intentar ocultar bajo la alfombra cualquier hecho que involucre a uno de sus hermanos, con desmentidas y una efusión negativa de la cuestión. En este caso, con inusual rapidez, ambos jefes eclesiásticos, de larga trayectoria en el encubrimiento de curas abusadores en la ciudad de La Plata, han salido a proteger a su oveja descarriada, en un acto de revictimización de quienes, luego de muchos años de silencio, dolor e incluso vergüenza han decidido denunciar y dar pelea.

“Es oportuno señalar que no hay ningún antecedentes de acusaciones que comprometieran el comportamiento sacerdotal del p. Sidders en los 32 años que lleva de sacerdote, más allá de las diferencias con respecto a su modo de expresarse”, dijeron en sus comunicados.

Cabe preguntarse sobre los motivos del traslado, no sólo de Raúl Sidders a Misiones. Nicolás Baisi, también traslado a tierras misioneras, quien fuera obispo auxiliar de Héctor Aguer y Víctor Fernández, se ha llevado mucha información sobre los casos de abusos y crímenes que involucran al Arzbispado de la capital bonaerense.
Estos traslados cuentan con el aval del jefe supremo de la Iglesia católica, Jorge Bergoglio. ¿Qué tendrá para decir el Papa de este “nuevo dolor de cabeza” para la diócesis de su fiel amigo Fernández? ¿Seguirá manteniendo el falso discurso contra el encubrimiento a los curas abusadores, mientras los sigue premiando?.

Según fuentes del Ministerio de Seguridad de la Nación, aún no hay ninguna resolución con respecto a Sidders en lo que respecta a su nombramiento como capellán del destacamento de Gendarmería de Puerto Iguazú, otra de las changas que el cura facho, misógino y abusador espera concretar en el nordeste argentino.

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Lawsuit: Diocese of Alexandria frequently moved priest accused of sexual abuse

ALEXANDRIA (LA)
Town Talk

August 22, 2020

By Melissa Gregory

A lawsuit filed this month in Alexandria calls a Catholic priest a “diseased pedophile who raped and sexually assaulted many young boys.” The priest, the Rev. Leo Van Hoorn, was among 27 named in a February 2019 letter from Bishop David P. Talley as having credible accusations of sexual abuse against minors.

The lawsuit claims Van Hoorn, who died in 2006 at age 74 in Baton Rouge, was “moved frequently throughout the various parishes of the Diocese of Alexandria.”

The Diocese of Alexandria is the sole defendant named in the lawsuit, which was recorded on Aug. 3. It has not answered the lawsuit yet, and a Friday email and telephone message seeking comment weren’t immediately answered.

Lawsuit:Fired Alexandria Police lieutenant expected to file lawsuit after appeal denied

The victim is referred to only as Lou Doe. The alleged abuse against Doe happened in 1962-63 while the child was in the first or second grade.

The Doe family’s children attended Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Pineville during the 1960s.

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‘What are you planning to say?’ Pope quizzed whistleblower priest, book claims

SYDNEY (NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA)
Sydney Morning Herald

August 20, 2020

By Harriet Alexander

A low-ranking parish priest who agreed to give evidence against an archbishop accused of concealing child sexual abuse was mysteriously summoned to the Vatican before he was due to testify and allegedly quizzed by the Pope about what he was planning to say in court.

As the priest emerged from the 2016 meeting, Cardinal George Pell was allegedly waiting outside. “Look what I have done for you,” Cardinal Pell said, and lifted his hand for the priest to kiss his ring.

According to The Altar Boys by investigative reporter Suzanne Smith, there’s no allegation Cardinal Pell intended to put pressure on Father Glen Walsh not to give evidence.

The explosive claim about the papal meeting, contained in The Altar Boys, indicates that the pressure brought to bear on priests who betray the brotherhood extends right up to the Vatican, and has prompted calls for a police investigation.

Father Walsh was a Crown witness in the case against Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson when he met with the pontiff on February 9, 2016. Archbishop Wilson was accused of failing to report to police the allegations of two former altar boys who claimed they had been abused by a priest in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese in the 1970s. At the time he was the highest-ranking Catholic ever to be charged with concealment offences.

Father Walsh later told confidants that the Pope asked him why he was involved in a court case against an archbishop, what he was planning to say in court, and who was walking with him on the journey. Father Walsh said he did not trust the interpreter and offered scant detail.

It was the pinnacle of what Father Walsh perceived as a sustained campaign by the priesthood to get him to toe the line on child sexual abuse. He was allegedly frozen out of the Maitland-Newcastle diocese after he defied the bishop to report a fellow priest for child sexual abuse in 2004 and was not welcomed back until early 2017.

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Clerical abuse victim sues Slater and Gordon over church payout

MELBOURNE (VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA)
The Age

August 21, 2020

By Cameron Houston

A victim of one of Victoria’s most notorious paedophile priests says law firm Slater and Gordon bungled his compensation claim against the Catholic Church, which paid out $75,000 for horrific sexual abuse.

Slater and Gordon has been accused of negligence in documents filed in the Supreme Court, including claims it failed to advise its client of his alternative rights to compensation that could have exceeded $1 million.

However, a Slater and Gordon spokeswoman said the statement of claim lodged by rival firm Arnold Thomas and Becker was “misconceived and fails to reflect current developments in the law”.

Slater and Gordon indicated it would vigorously defend the case, which could have implications for more than 320 victims of clerical abuse, who received about $10 million from the church’s compensation scheme set up in 1996 by George Pell.

Known as the Melbourne Response, the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne appointed an independent commissioner who investigated allegations of abuse and made a determination based on the evidence.

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Survivors insist Catholic crimes not just ‘historical’ as Altar Boys launch hears call for investigation into death of whistleblower priest Glen Walsh

NEWCASTLE (NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA)
Newcastle Herald

August 22, 2020

By Ian Kirkwood

https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6890316/the-altar-boys-clerical-abuse-expose-launched-at-newcastle-city-hall/

Newcastle City Hall rang with socially distanced applause last night during the launch of The Altar Boys by Suzanne Smith, as Geoffrey Nash – brother of abuse victim Andrew Nash – read the names of 38 priests, brothers and lay Catholic staff from the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle diocese he said had been convicted or acknowledged as child abusers.

COVID-19 restrictions meant just 140 people were at the concert hall for the launch.

Smith’s long career at the ABC included leading Lateline’s clerical abuse investigations, and a good slice of the audience had either spoken to her for the book, or were featured in it.

The book centres on two suicides: that of whistleblower priest Father Glen Walsh, and ABC journalist Steven Alward, a colleague and friend of Smith’s.

Alward’s life partner, Sydney writer Mark Wakely, sat quietly in the darkened hall as classical pianist Gerard Willems played some of Robert Schumann’s Scenes from Childhood as a memorium.

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In wake of pastor’s arrest, Findlay Catholics turn to prayer and each other

TOLEDO (OH)
Toledo Blade

August 21, 2020

By Nicki Gorny

Findlay – In their shock, their anger, their sadness and their heartache, parishioners turned to each other.

More than a hundred of them gathered on the grounds of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Findlay this week, spreading themselves out in the parking lot for a parishioner-led candlelight prayer vigil. In familiar verses and extemporaneous petitions, they prayed for a parish and a community rocked by the previous day’s arrest of their pastor on sex abuse-related charges.

“For St. Michael the Archangel Parish,” one parishioner offered as a petition, his voice rising clearly above the subdued crowd. “That we will stay strong and get through this together.”

“Lord,” they responded, echoing the words they say together every Sunday, “hear our prayer.”

With a vibrant congregation that encompasses approximately 3,300 families – and as the only Catholic parish firmly in northwest Ohio’s Hancock County – St. Michael the Archangel Parish is the largest parish in the 19-county Diocese of Toledo, according to Kelly Donaghy, the diocese’s senior director for communications. It covers a downtown stone church and a sprawling campus on the east side of the city, where a newly dedicated church opened with seating for 2,000 in the early 2000s; the parish’s main campus also encompasses an affiliated parish school and brand-new convent for several just-arrived Adrian Dominican Sisters.

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Mayor says it’s time to talk about sex abuse

FINDLAY (OH)
The Courier

August 22, 2020

By Denise Grant

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn didn’t mince words after learning of the arrest of the Rev. Michael Zacharias, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel parish, Findlay.

In a statement issued before noon Tuesday, the day of the arrest, Muryn said the Findlay Police Department will cooperate fully with the investigation.

“I am distraught by the news of the arrest of Father Michael Zacharias. These allegations are not taken lightly, and the Findlay Police Department and our community at large will support the full and thorough investigation by the FBI. Such abuse of power, and perversion of sexuality is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated by any organization, individual, or society,” said Muryn.

As of Tuesday, Muryn said the city’s police department was not involved in the investigation, and has no information that St. Michael’s School or its students were involved.

Zacharias, 53, was taken into federal custody Tuesday from his home at 2008 Greendale Ave. by the Northwest Ohio Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. He made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Toledo on Tuesday. He is being held in federal custody without bail.

He is charged with sex offenses involving two former students of Catholic schools in Toledo over a period of years.

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Rebuilding trust will take time

FINDLAY (OH)
The Courier

August 21, 2020

By Lou Wilin

News that their pastor was charged with sex trafficking has devastated members of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in ways that could cause some to leave the church.

Scandals occur in other church denominations, to be sure, and they all are painful. But experts point out that for Catholics, a scandal involving a priest — in Catholic tradition the mediator between people and their God — is even more devastating.

“They feel betrayed. They feel embarrassed,” said William Payne, professor of evangelism and world missions and director of Chaplaincy Studies at Ashland Theological Seminary. “That embarrassment is going to go down to your soul. It’s also going to make you angry that this happened, because this shouldn’t happen.”

Church members will be dealing with the pain for a long time, said Marcos Ghali, assistant professor of counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary Counseling Program. Members are experiencing something like the stages of grief.

“When you hear this sort of news, you go in denial. You maybe go in, like, anger, resentment, and maybe you will distance yourself for a while from church, from even everything that is relating to God and faith, because now you’re not really standing on solid ground — especially when these cases of abuse have been persistent now for some time,” Ghali said. “When you hear one after the other, it’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy, like when you tell yourself, ‘See, I told you. It is all fake’ or ‘You can’t trust religion anymore.’”

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Accuser believes others were abused

DUNEDIN (NEW ZEALAND)
Otago Daily Times

August 22, 2020

By Daisy Hudson

A Christian Brother allegedly sexually assaulted a young boy while working at a Dunedin school — the same school where the man’s brother assaulted several boys.

Brother Don Murray was subject to a complaint in 2018, relating to a series of incidents during his time at St Paul’s High School in the 1970s.

Br Murray is the brother of pedophile and former priest Magnus Murray, who was convicted on sex offence charges in 2003. Br Don Murray died in Auckland in May.

In a complaint to police seen by the Otago Daily Times, Michael Chamberlain alleged Br Don Murray approached him when he was 14-year-old pupil at the school in 1971.

Br Murray is alleged to have said his brother had told him he should introduce himself to him, Mr Chamberlain says in the complaint.

Mr Chamberlain said he was befriended by Br Murray, who started taking him to play squash at a club in Kaikorai Valley Rd. It was in the showers after games that the alleged abuse began.

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Catholic Diocese issues statement over sex abuse battle

CHATHAM-KENT (ONTARIO, CANADA)
Blackburn News

August 19, 2020

By Paul Pedro

A woman sexually abused by a priest in Chatham decades ago can’t believe the Diocese of London is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to overturn a lower court ruling in her favour.

Irene Deschenes was sexually abused by Father Charles Sylvestre between 1971 and 1973 at St. Ursula School in Chatham. She was just 10-years-old when the abuse started. She filed a lawsuit against the Diocese in 1996 and, in 2000, reached a settlement after the Diocese said it was unaware of concerns about Sylvestre until the 1980s. However, it was later learned that the Diocese was made aware of accusations against Sylvestre in 1962. Deschenes then went to court to have the settlement thrown out and a new lawsuit filed.

In May, the Ontario Court of Appeal decided to uphold a 2018 court ruling to throw out the earlier settlement. In his 2018 decision, Justice David Aston acknowledged that Deschenes “would not have settled as she did in the fall of 2000 if they had known about the 1962 police reports.”

The Diocese is now asking the Supreme Court of Canada to take up the case.

“I’m very disappointed that, once again, the Diocese of London continues to bully victims into submission,” said Irene Deschenes. “Being abused as a little girl by a Roman Catholic priest was harmful enough. That the Diocese continues to use all its vast resources to continue to legally bully me is very painful. I recognize that they have a right to legally defend themselves, but is it the right thing to do?”

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Daily Drinking, Alleged Sexual Harassment, Lavish Spending: How Michael Bransfield Shook the Faithful

WHEELING (WV)
The Intelligncer and News-Register

August 22, 2020

By Alan Olson

https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2020/08/drinking-harassment-lavis-spending-how-michael-bransfield-shook-the-faithful/

With Michael Bransfield issuing a six-sentence letter of apology to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston last weekend for years of alleged sexual and financial abuse, the church hopes to consider the matter closed. The marks from his tumultuous term of office, however, remain.

Bransfield issued his statement in a letter dated Aug. 15, claiming that he did not mean to make those under his power feel sexually harassed, as well as denying that a pattern of excessive and lavish spending was inappropriate. Nevertheless, he agreed to comply with a demand from The Vatican to pay back $441,000 and to take a reduced retirement package, in what one canon lawyer described as an “unprecedented” show of accountability from the church.

Bransfield was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in 2005, taking over from Wheeling native Bernard Schmitt, who had been bishop since 1989 and had retired the year prior.

Before becoming bishop, Bransfield served as director of finance, executive director, and, ultimately, rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Attempts this week to reach Bransfield were unsuccessful.

Who’s Bransfield’s ‘Next Pretty Boy?’

According to the investigation commissioned on behalf of Archbishop William Lori, who led the diocese for about a year following Bransfield’s departure in September 2018, Bransfield’s misconduct began far earlier than his time as bishop, with several witnesses telling lay investigators that he had engaged in “a decades-long campaign of predatory behavior” beginning in 1982 while serving in several official capacities at the National Shrine. One former colleague described Bransfield as “creepy.”

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Lawsuits accuse three Camden diocese priests of clergy sex abuse

CHERRY HILL (NJ)
Courier-Post

August 21, 2020

By Jim Walsh

Camden – A lawsuit accuses a former principal at two Catholic high schools of sexually abusing a child while serving at a Camden County parish.

The Rev. Kenneth L. Johnston was among three priests, all now dead, who were named in four suits filed Thursday against the Diocese of Camden.

The allegations of sexual misconduct were the first to be brought against Johnston, a former principal at Gloucester Catholic and St. James high schools. Johnston, also a pastor at three South Jersey parishes, was described as a “kindly, gentlemanly priest” in a June 2018 obituary.

Two lawsuits made accusations against the Rev. Eldridge Evans, a former teacher at St. James High. A third alleged wrongdoing by the Rev. Gerald P. Clements, who taught at Camden Catholic High School.

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Vegas diocese adds name to list of credibly accused clergy

LAS VEGAS (NV)
Associated Press via Albany Times Union

August 21, 2020

Church officials in Nevada said Friday they’re following their counterparts in Louisiana in adding a Roman Catholic priest who was suspended in 2018 to a list of clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse.

The Diocese of Las Vegas said it suspended Henry Brian Highfill in August 2018 after learning he had been accused of abusing a now-deceased relative while Highfill was a priest in New Orleans from 1974 to 1981.

Highfill, 78, owns a home in Las Vegas, according to public records. He did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. No telephone number was found, and the diocese did not provide a contact for him.

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Las Vegas diocese adds priest to sexual abuse list

LAS VEGAS (NV)
Review-Journal

August 21, 2020

By John Przybys

The Diocese of Las Vegas is adding the Rev. Henry Brian Highfill to its list of clergy and other diocesan-affiliated people who have been “credibly accused” of sexual abuse.

Highfill served at several parishes in the Las Vegas diocese between March 1999 and 2005. However, the diocese says no allegations have been made regarding his time here.

According to a statement on Friday, the Diocese of Las Vegas was contacted in August 2018 by someone who had “secondary information” alleging that Highfill “abused a now deceased close relative.”

The allegation involved events dating back to Highfill’s service in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, where he was ordained in May 1974, the diocese said.

The Las Vegas diocese suspended Highfill from public ministry on Aug. 28, 2018, and turned over the results of its investigation to Las Vegas police and the New Orleans archdiocese. “The estimated time of abuse was between 1975 and 1981 and to date there has been no accusation or information of any incidents in Las Vegas,” the diocese said.

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English Catholic women ID ways to spot all types of domestic abuse

WASHINGTON (DC)
Catholic News Service/USCCB via Crux

August 21, 2020

By Simon Caldwell

Manchester, England – Responding to a pandemic-related surge in domestic abuse, including against gay and transgender people, the National Board of Catholic Women urged pastors and fellow Catholics to learn the signs of abuse and how to help victims.

The booklet, which defines abuse and provides examples of abusive behavior, pointed out that domestic abuse also occurs in same-sex relationships and is experienced by transgender people as well.

“Whilst recognizing the teaching of the Catholic Church on same-sex relationships, there will be parishioners who identify as LGBTQ+,” the booklet said. “As a matter of pastoral compassion, it is important that our priests and parishioners are aware of domestic abuse issues within these relationships.”

Trans persons suffer domestic abuse when their “sense of gender or sexual identity” is undermined by spouses or family members, said the booklet.

The board, a consultative body to the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, also defined as abusive withholding hormones and surgery “needed to express victim’s gender identity.”

The booklet, “Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse,” was published in mid-August on the website of the bishops’ conference and will be distributed to parishes throughout England and Wales. A report about the document and a link to it were featured on Vatican News.

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Michael Studdert: Contact made over paedophile priest’s £4.7m estate

LONDON (ENGLAND)
BBC

August 21, 2020

By Phil Shepka

A website to track down potential victims of a paedophile priest for compensation from his £4.7m estate has received contact from individuals.

Michael Studdert was jailed for four years in 2006 over indecent images but was never convicted of physical abuse before his death aged 78, in 2017.

A High Court judge ruled there was a “real prospect” he may have committed sexual assaults in the UK and abroad.

The website for potential victims has been online since the end of July.

Daniel Winter, from the executors of Studdert’s will, said the website aimed to “allow survivors of historical assault to come forward and state an intention to seek financial compensation from his legal estate”.

In the meantime Studdert’s estate has been “effectively frozen”, Mr Winter, of Nockolds Solicitors, said.

Studdert was banned from working in a priestly function in the Church of England after being jailed in 2006 for possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children.

More than 100,000 indecent images were found at his home.

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August 21, 2020

Appeal shows London diocese not ready to ‘do the right thing,’ sex abuse survivor says

LONDON (ONTARIO, CANADA)
London Free Press

August 21, 2020

By Jane Sims

[Includes the important December 6, 2018 video statement by Irene Deschenes, announcing that she had won a court challenge to re-open a civil suit against the Catholic Church.]

Once again, the Roman Catholic Diocese of London, as Irene Deschenes said, isn’t ready to “do the right thing.”

You could set your watch this week for when the diocese would drop its application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, hoping to overturn a lower court decision allowing the sexual abuse survivor to reopen her two-decades-old civil case.

Deschenes had already brushed away any fleeting thought that the church might back off so she could move forward. The application arrived right at deadline.

“It’s painful enough to try to recover from the effects of sexual abuse by a Roman Catholic priest,” said Deschenes, 58, at her news conference Thursday.

“It’s more painful to recover from the effects of legal bullying that the church and their lawyers put victims through again and again.”

The church hasn’t offered any comment, but if it thinks all this legal effort will stop Deschenes, one of Canada’s most fearless survivors of sexual abuse by a priest, it should think again.

Deschenes is both a victim and whistleblower of prolific pedophile Charles Sylvestre, the defrocked priest who died at 84 in 2007, months into his three-year sentence for indecently assaulting 47 little girls over four decades in Windsor, London, Sarnia, Chatham and Pain Court.

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Woman sexually abused by priest urges Roman Catholic diocese to drop appeal

TORONTO (ONTARIO, CANADA)
Global News

August 20, 2020

By Paola Loriggio

An Ontario woman who was sexually abused by a priest as a child says the Roman Catholic church is turning to Canada’s top court in an effort to further delay a decades-long legal battle.

Irene Deschenes says the Diocese of London has filed for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada after Ontario’s highest court granted her the right to sue the church a second time over the abuse.

While the diocese has the right to legally defend itself, that doesn’t mean an appeal is the right thing to do, Deschenes said in a news conference Thursday.

“It’s painful enough to try to recover from the effects of sexual abuse by a Roman Catholic priest; it’s even more painful to recover from the effects of legal bullying that the church and their lawyers put victims through again and again,” she said.

“Two decades is two decades too long. If we go to mediation, this painful process will be expedited and I can finally get on with my life.”

A spokesperson for the diocese did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Deschenes first filed a lawsuit in 1996 alleging she was sexually abused by Father Charles Sylvestre in the early 1970s, and that the diocese failed to prevent it. She settled out of court in 2000 after the diocese maintained it didn’t know of any concerns regarding Sylvestre or his behaviour until the late 1980s.

In 2006, Sylvestre pleaded guilty to having sexually assaulted 47 girls under the age of 18, including Deschenes. It also came to light that the diocese had received police statements in 1962 alleging the priest had assaulted three girls.

As a result, Deschenes sought to throw out the settlement and launch a new lawsuit, and a motion judge ruled in her favour. The diocese challenged the ruling, but its appeal was unanimously dismissed by the province’s top court in May.

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London Diocese takes child sexual abuse settlement challenge to Supreme Court

TORONTO (ONTARIO, CANADA)
CBC

August 19, 2020

The Catholic Diocese of London is taking its fight against Irene Deschenes to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Deschenes was sexually abused by Father Charles Sylvestre between 1971 and 1973, while she was a student at St. Ursula Catholic School and a member of his parish in Chatham, Ont. She was 10 years old when it started.

Deschenes reported the abuse in 1992 and filed a lawsuit four years later. She reached a financial settlement with the Diocese in 2000 believing church officials did not know Father Sylvestre was preying on young girls.

He pleaded guilty in August 2006 to sexual assaults involving 47 victims, including Deschenes. All the girls were under the age of 18.

“On assurance from the Diocese of London that it had no information or knowledge that the priest had engaged in sexual abuse of other girls prior to the time Irene was so abused in 1971, Irene accepted an out-of-court settlement,” reads a statement released Wednesday by the group Advocates for Clergy Trauma Survivors in Canada (ACTS-Canada).

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Letter to the Faithful

WHEELING (WV)
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston

August 15 2020; released August 20, 2020

By Bishop Emeritus Michael J. Bransfield

I am writing to apologize for any scandal or wonderment caused by words or actions attributed to me during my tenure as Bishop of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese.

First, during my tenure I was reimbursed for certain expenditures that have been called into question as excessive, and I have been advised that I should reimburse a certain amount of money to the Diocese. I have now done so even though I believed that such reimbursements to me were proper.

Second, there have been allegations that by certain words and actions I have caused certain priests and seminarians to feel sexually harassed. Although that was never my intent, if anything that I said or did caused others to feel that way, then I am profoundly sorry.

I hope that this letter will help to achieve a kind of reconciliation with the Faithful of the 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.

Statement on the Congregation of Bishops’ decision on amends plan for Bishop Michael J. Bransfield

WHEELING (WV)
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston

August 20, 2020

By Bishop Mark Brennan

I wish to announce to the faithful people of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston that the Congregation for Bishops in Rome has reached a decision on how former Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Michael J. Bransfield should fulfill Pope Francis’ requirement that the Bishop “make personal amends for some of the harm he caused” while serving in this Diocese. This decision comes after extensive input from me, as the representative of the Catholic people of the Diocese, and with consideration of governing factors in both civil and canon law.

First, Bishop Bransfield has been told to make a public apology to the people of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese for the scandal he created. He is urged as well to apologize privately to certain individuals who reported abuse and harassment. We have received his letter of apology to the Diocese, which is being made public on our diocesan website, and are aware that some individuals have received a letter from the Bishop.

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Philly native and ex-Bishop Michael Bransfield apologizes for financial and sexual impropriety — yet still says he did nothing wrong

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer

August 20, 2020

By Jeremy Roebuck

https://www.inquirer.com/news/michael-bransfield-west-virginia-philly-bishops-abuse-catholic-church-20200820.html

The Rev. Michael Bransfield — the Philadelphia-raised priest and former West Virginia bishop who resigned in 2018 amid a scandal over his lavish spending and sexual misconduct allegations — issued a tepid apology Thursday, his first to Roman Catholic faithful in his former diocese and one made under orders from the Vatican.

Despite saying he was “profoundly sorry” if anything he said or did made priests of seminarians uncomfortable during his 13-year tenure at the helm of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Bransfield continued to defend himself and took no responsibility for the millions he spent on pricey personal accommodations in one of the country’s poorest states.

“I am writing to apologize for any scandal or wonderment caused by words or actions attributed to me during my tenure,” he wrote in a letter dated Saturday and posted to the diocesan website by his successor Thursday.

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