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.
PENNSYLVANIA
The Morning Call
Adult victims of child sex abuse would have a longer time limit to sue under a bill that quickly passed a House commitee Monday but stands a long shot of becoming law.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
NEW YORK
Washington Square News
WSN Editorial Board
April 6, 2016
Governor Cuomo came under fire on Monday from sexual abuse victims and child advocates, who called on him to support legislation extending New York’s current statute of limitations for criminal charges and civil suits against accused abusers. The statute in question limits legal action to the age of 23, making it one of the most restrictive in the nation. New York State needs to support the victims of some of the most heinous crimes imaginable by reforming the statute of limitation and providing greater resources for the abused.
Despite being called “regressive” and “absurd,” the statute has avoided resistance in the legislature. Four attempts at extending the statute of limitations that passed the State Assembly have been halted by the Senate, even as other states have extended their statues. Some states, like Florida, even eliminated their statutes of limitations. Even within New York State laws, rape is one of the few charges in the penal code with no statute of limitations. By definition assault of a person who cannot give consent, like a minor, is rape. The fact that child victims are given less time to pursue justice than adult victims is beyond logic. It is unfair to expect children of abuse at the age of 17 to be able to overcome such a horrific trauma within five years. Minors who have the courage and strength to overcome trauma to pursue justice should have a day in court, regardless of their age, so a grand jury — not legislators — can judge a case on its merits.
In addition to extending the statute of limitations, other measures can be taken on a community level in order to protect children from sexual abuse. Increased outreach in schools, daycares, community centers and religious institutions could play a role both in preventing and detecting child abuse. This outreach includes broader education about abuse for parents and caregivers, more widely accessible counseling options for children and their families, as well as age-appropriate programs to teach children how to recognize and report abuse. While these measures and others like them are not always foolproof, coupling them with a longer statute of limitations can make these policies go a long way in providing justice for victims and families.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
AUSTRALIA
7 News
Megan Neil – AAP on April 6, 2016
A former Victorian bishop who moved pedophile priests between parishes will have a small and private funeral.
Bishop Ronald Mulkearns died before completing his evidence to the child abuse royal commission about the Catholic Church’s handling of pedophile priests during his 1971-1997 years in charge of the Ballarat diocese.
Bishop Mulkearns, a priest for 60 years, died from cancer in his Ballarat nursing home on Monday, aged 85.
A funeral mass will be held on Monday morning in the Nazareth House Nursing Home’s chapel.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
AUSTRALIA
9 News
AAP
Lucy Turnbull has come under fire for launching the Salvation Army’s $74 million fundraising drive while abuse victims from the charity’s children’s homes await compensation.
The prominent businesswoman and prime minister’s wife launched the charity’s annual Red Shield Appeal in front of about 500 supporters, including former NSW governor Professor Dame Marie Bashir, in Sydney on Wednesday.
She pledged $50,000 to the appeal on behalf of her family’s charitable trust, the Turnbull Foundation.
But survivors of abuse at Salvation Army children’s homes criticised Mrs Turnbull’s involvement with the charity, which they say refuses to fully back a national redress scheme for abuse victims.
Thirteen members of the support group Care Leavers Australia Network protested outside the Westin hotel in Sydney’s CBD as Mrs Turnbull addressed the Red Shield Appeal launch.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
CANADA
The Telegram
Civil trial moves to second former Mount Cashel Orphanage resident
One day in 1952, three brothers were playing pond hockey in their rural community far from St. John’s when their uncle came to get them to go to Mount Cashel.
“I felt terrible,” one of the boys, now a senior, told a courtroom of the experience of leaving his friends and schoolmates. “Never even had time to say goodbye.”
Terrible was also the word he used to describe his first impression of the now infamous east-end St. John’s orphanage run by the Catholic lay order Christian Brothers.
But, he said, his war-veteran father, a double amputee, could not care for them after their mother died.
When asked by abuse claimants’ lawyer Paul Kennedy why his father chose faraway Mount Cashel, the man replied people of that generation put clergy “on a pedestal.”
They were a Catholic family and clergy were viewed as doing no wrong, he said.
“That turned out to be different,” said the man, now in his 70s, who began testimony late Tuesday afternoon at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in a civil trial to determine whether the Episcopal Corp. of St. John’s is liable for the physical and sexual abuse of boys perpetrated by some members of the Christian Brothers several decades ago.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
WEST VIRGINIA
Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON – The victim in a sexual assault case alleging 40 counts of sexual abuse by a Huntington man gave more than two hours of testimony Tuesday during the first day of trial in Cabell County Circuit Court.
Randall Pennington was indicted in September 2014 on 20 counts of second-degree sexual assault and 20 counts sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust. The case points to alleged incidents between Oct. 1, 2013, and Dec. 31, 2013.
Cabell County prosecutors allege the incidents occurred at Pennington’s home in the West End of Huntington when the alleged victim was 12.
During opening statements, assistant prosecutor Kellie Neal told the jury of 10 women and four men (two jurors are alternates) that the victim’s mother was a single mother who trusted a lifelong friend to watch her child while she worked the night shift at a local hospital.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
UNITED STATES
The Daily Beast
Brandy Zadrozny
Two siblings say a foster program that placed Native American children with white Mormon families failed to intervene and stop years of alleged abuse.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did nothing to protect two Navajo children from sexual abuse in the 1970s and early 1980s while they were enrolled in a program to convert and assimilate Native American students, according to a lawsuit filed in Navajo Nation District Court last week.
The plaintiffs are asking for unspecified damages, as well as a letter of apology to them and to the entire Navajo Nation; a change in church policy requiring church members to report charges of sexual abuse to the police; and the creation of a task force that would help to restore the Navajo culture that some participants say the program effectively erased.
Now-adult siblings RJ and MM—The Daily Beast does not identify alleged victims of sexual abuse—left their home on a reservation in Sawmill, Arizona at ages 10 and 11, respectively, to be part of the Mormon church’s Indian Student Placement Program, a controversial voluntary foster care initiative that baptized some 40,000 children between 1947 and 2000 and brought them to live with white, Mormon families during the school year.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
NEW YORK
New York Daily News
BY KENNETH LOVETT NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Wednesday, April 6, 2016
ALBANY — Do something, Albany!
State lawmakers should stop wasting time and pass legislation to make it easier for people sexually abused as children to seek justice as adults.
The call to action — contained in a letter to legislative leaders — came from the desk of state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Tuesday.
He urged Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) to quickly allow a floor vote on legislation that would extend or eliminate the time limit abuse victims have to bring criminal and civil cases.
“The Legislature has discussed and debated this issue for years, and now it is time to act,” Schneiderman wrote. “Prosecutors must be empowered to deliver justice in these cases.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
CALIFORNIA
ABC 7
By ABC7.com staff
Tuesday, April 05, 2016
SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) — An 80-year-old missionary and former pastor was charged with sexually assaulting two girls under the age of 10, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Douglas Whinery, of Tustin, approached a 10-year-old girl and her 8-year-old relative at a park in Tustin on Nov. 7, 2011.
Whinery groomed his victims by befriending their family, providing money for a place to live, taking the victims to school, having the victims spend the night in his home, and inviting them to attend church with him, according to prosecutors.
He was actively involved at Olive Crest Church in Santa Ana, Foothill Family Church in Foothill Ranch, and Grace Church in Yorba Linda, according to prosecutors.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
WEST VIRGINIA
WSAZ
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) — Tuesday marked the first day in the trial of a former church youth group leader accused of sexually assaulting and abusing a 12-year-old boy while he was watching him.
Randall Pennington faces 20 counts of second-degree sexual assault and 20 counts of sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust. According to investigators, the alleged assaults took place between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2013, while the boy was at Pennington’s home.
In their opening arguments Tuesday, the prosecution and defense both took the stand.
The defense began by talking about Pennington’s relationship with the alleged victim. According to the reported victim, now 14 years old, he would stay at Pennington’s home frequently while his mother was at work.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Times
Joseph Serna
A former pastor and missionary has been charged with sexually assaulting two young girls he met in Tustin, officials said.
Douglas Dale Whinery, 80, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to four counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 and two counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child under 10, Orange County prosecutors said. Whinery, a Tustin resident, is due back in court Tuesday.
Although he no longer is a pastor or missionary, Whinery remained active at the Olive Crest Church in Santa Ana, the Foothill Family Church in Foothill Ranch and the Grace Church in Yorba Linda until his arrest last week, authorities said.
In 2011, authorities said, Whinery approached a 10-year-old girl and her 8-year-old family member in a Tustin park and befriended their family. Over the next 4 ½ years, Whinery gave the family money to find a place to live, took the girls to school and church and even had sleepovers at his home, prosecutors say. During that time, he allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulted them, Tustin police 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.
OKLAHOMA
Duncan Banner
By Christian Betancourt The Duncan Banner
Police arrested a 71-year-old retired Duncan assistant pastor after they say he had indecent acts with an out-of-town 10-year-old female relative while she visited last summer.
Jody Hilliard, 71, was arrested and charged with two counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child under 12, a felony.
According to police reports, on March 11, detectives with the Duncan Police Department received a report from the Department of Social Services in the state where the victim resides advising them about an ongoing sexual abuse while the minor was in Duncan.
The report stated Hilliard allegedly touched the girl in her private parts without clothes on and made her touch him in his genital area.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
UNITED KINGDOM
getreading
A reverend from Spencers Wood has been jailed for 15 years after pleading guilty to child sex offences and possessing indecent images of children.
Reverend Peter Jarvis of Clares Green Road was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday, April 6, two months after entering his guilty pleas.
The 51-year-old admitted to two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust and one count of possession of indecent images of children during a re-trial.
He was sentence to 15 years in prison in relation to the two charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The judge also sentenced him to nine months for one count of possession of indecent images of children, but his sentences will run concurrently.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
UNITED KINGDOM
BBC News
A vicar from Reading has been jailed for 15 months after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two teenage girls.
The Reverend Peter Jarvis, 51, of Spencer’s Wood, admitted two counts of causing or inciting a girl aged between 13 and 17 to engage in sexual activity.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing an indecent image of a child. His crimes were between 2009 and 2011.
The Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, said it was a matter of “sorrow and regret” for the church.
He added that Jarvis has been suspended from his duties at St Michael’s Church in Spencers Wood, Reading, and a disciplinary process had started.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
PENNSYLVANIA
New York Times
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
APRIL 5, 2016
The State Legislature, under pressure after the release of a grand jury report documenting an extensive cover-up of clergy sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, took action on Tuesday to give victims more time to seek justice. Many child abuse victims do not speak up until later in life, citing shame or fear. The House Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would change the state’s statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases, eliminating the time limit for bringing criminal charges and extending the deadline for victims to file civil lawsuits to age 50 from age 30. The bill was amended to include child sexual abuse cases against schoolteachers and government officials. The legislation is scheduled to be brought to the full House on Monday.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat
By Dave Sutor
dsutor@tribdem.com
Legislation, supported by state Rep. Bryan Barbin, D-Johnstown, that would eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution in future child sexual abuse cases and raise the limit to age 50 in civil cases passed through the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
House Bill 1947 will next go to the full House for consideration.
“It needs to be done,” said Barbin, a member of the Judiciary Committee.
“If we’re going to do it, it needs to be done right and be done for everybody. I’m very thankful that we moved it through committee.”
Statutes of limitations have come to the local forefront, since, in March, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General released a grand jury report, alleging the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown carried out a decades-long coverup to shield at least 50 priests and other religious leaders accused of sexually abusing children.
However, due to the statutes, charges were only able to be filed against three priests from the Third Order Regular, Province of the Immaculate Conception, who allegedly let Brother Stephen Baker remain at Bishop McCort High School even though they reportedly knew about allegations of sexual abuse made against him.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
PENNSYLVANIA
The Morning Call
Steve EsackContact Reporter
Call Harrisburg Bureau
Pa. House committee passes bill to toughen criminal and civil penalties against child abusers
HARRISBURG — One month after a state attorney general’s report accused two Catholic bishops of allowing priests to molest and rape children with impunity, a group of lawmakers has gotten tougher on child sex abuse.
A bill that passed the House Judiciary Committee by a 26-1 margin Tuesday would make it harder for some child sex abusers — and employers who protect them — to escape criminal and civil penalties.
But critics say the bill does not go far enough because it would only affect future crimes against children and does not help past victims with no legal recourse to seek justice.
The bill would treat future child sex-abuse crimes like murder, which can be prosecuted any time, by dropping the 30-year statute of limitations on when criminal sex-abuse charges can be filed.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
MINNESOTA
Hutchinson Leader
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
By JEREMY JONES jones@hutchinsonleader.com
Much is yet unknown about a list of 16 priests released by the New Ulm Diocese, named as those who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse. Seven of those priests served in McLeod County, and they are all retired or dead.
It’s hard to know who may have been hurt by these accused priests, but Safe Avenues wants all survivors of sexual abuse to know they are not alone.
“They should know that if they need us, we will be there with them every step of the way,” said Debbie Preston, an outreach advocate with the Willmar-based victim’s advocacy group for victims of sexual and domestic violence.
Safe Avenues has an outreach office in Hutchinson, which works with victims of sexual violence in McLeod County.
“We can help if you were a victim 10 minutes ago, 10 years ago … 30 years ago,” Preston said. “It doesn’t matter (when). We will advocate for you.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
PENNSYLVANIA
Daily News
By Daniel McDonald – April 5, 2016
Like many longtime reporters, I celebrated the Oscar victory for Spotlight and the fearless journalism that exposed the Catholic Church’s clergy sex abuse scandal in Boston.
3 Months Ago
2 Months Ago
5 Months Ago
I would soon see the story, and the scandal, from a very different perspective.
Two days after the Oscar ceremony, news broke about another widespread church coverup. I found myself poring over a grand jury report outlining in sickening detail the abuse of hundreds of children by at least 50 priests and religious leaders in western Pennsylvania’s Altoona-Johnstown Diocese — in my hometown.
I moved away long ago, but I still have family there. I visit regularly, and my mom was a devoted parish volunteer during her lifetime. I figured I might recognize a few of the accused or some of the churches. I quickly realized things stretched far beyond that.
The names of priests and parishes from my childhood appeared, one after another, all familiar. My grade school priest. Not one but two pastors from my neighborhood parish, a half block from my childhood home. The principal, vice principal and music director from my high school. A priest I once met with to consider officiating my wedding. The priest at the church my four nieces and nephews attended. The chaplain of the nearby Catholic hospital, where my mom volunteered.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
MASSACHUSETTS
Wicked Local Bridgewater
The Enterprise
Posted Apr 5, 2016
BRIDGEWATER – A former Boston Globe reporter portrayed in the movie “Spotlight” stood in front of Bridgewater State University students on Tuesday and exposed the truth about the Academy Award-winning film: It was pretty darn accurate.
Matt Carroll, the data analyst portrayed by Brian d’Arcy James in “Spotlight,” came to campus to talk about the film and his more recent work as a research scientist at MIT’s Media Lab.
And as a journalist committed to seeking truth, Carroll commended the filmmakers’ sensitivity to telling a true story.
“The look and feel of everything was authentic — for the most part, it was incredibly accurate,” said Carroll. “All in all, it’s been a wonderful ride.’
“Spotlight” chronicles the Globe’s coverage of the cover-up of sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests in the Boston area.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
PENNSYLVANIA
Pocono Record
By Kathleen Bolus
The Times-Tribune (TNS)
Posted Apr. 5, 2016
Diocese of Scranton and law enforcement officials would not release any more information Monday concerning allegations that the Rev. Martin M. Boylan engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor.
The allegation is still under investigation, and no more information is available, Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards said Monday. However, she released a statement that the statute of limitations will not run out until the victim reaches age 50. The age of the victim, who is now an adult, has not been disclosed.
“No further comment will be issued at this time,” Edwards said.
State police will be investigating the allegation, she said.
The Diocese of Scranton immediately notified Edwards’ office on Friday evening after it received an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a minor against the Rev. Boylan, 68. The alleged abuse took place in Wayne County, the diocese said in a statement Friday.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
AUSTRALIA
Bay 93.9
06 April 2016
The funeral for a former Victorian bishop who knew about pedophile priests will be limited to family and close friends.
A former Victorian bishop who moved pedophile priests between parishes will have a small and private funeral.
Bishop Ronald Mulkearns died before completing his evidence to the child abuse royal commission about the Catholic Church’s handling of pedophile priests during his 1971-1997 years in charge of the Ballarat diocese.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
NEW YORK
Staten Island Advance
By Maura Grunlund | grunlund@siadvance.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests accused Cardinal Timothy Dolan of “secrecy” in the way the archbishop of New York has handled the case of a former pastor from Staten Island who was allegedly found in possession of “child pornography.”
The Rev. Keith Fennessy, prior head of St. Margaret Mary R.C. Church in Midland Beach, “was discovered with pornographic material on his computer that violated the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” according to an article in Catholic New York.
Cardinal Dolan accepted an archdiocesan review board recommendation in March that Father Fennessy not be allowed to serve as a priest, according to Catholic New York.
The cardinal knew about the accusations against Father Fennessy for “months or years” before informing the public, according to David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).
Clohessy stressed that “Cardinal Timothy Dolan is among the most secretive US Catholic officials when it comes to the safety of children.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat
By David Hurst dhurst@tribdem.com
U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson has denied a motion to freeze a convicted former Central City priest’s assets because of delayed efforts to repay his court debts.
In a one-page order, Gibson denied federal prosecutors’ request, saying the Rev. Joseph Maurizio’s “fine and restitution payments have been received by the Clerk of Court.”
Court documents, including copies of several treasurer’s checks dated March 26, show the payments were made last week – albeit after an earlier court deadline – with $50,000 sent to pay off court-issued fines.
But the payments included $10,000 in restitution each of two former Honduran orphans – both now adults – who were victims during Maurizio’s mission trips to the impoverished country, a jury found last year.
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.
UTAH
KITV
By Ann O’Neill CNN
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (CNN) — A decade after the arrest of polygamous prophet Warren Jeffs, insiders say his church has literally become a place of feast or famine, of haves and have-nots.
Prison has done little to loosen Jeffs’ hold on many of his followers, even if he is now a convicted child-sex offender serving a life sentence. They still await his revelations and follow his directives, both difficult and bizarre.
But some members are leaving the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints — and disobeying their prophet’s longstanding orders to avoid law enforcement and “answer them nothing.”
These FLDS outcasts are talking to the FBI.
They include the former cooks and drivers for the Jeffs family, as well as ex-wives and others who hovered close to the church leaders and their power center. Their words fill hundreds of pages of freshly filed federal court documents, bringing outsiders into the cloistered world of the FLDS like never before.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
NEW YORK
Staten Island Advance
By Maura Grunlund | grunlund@siadvance.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Archdiocese of New York has not taken steps to permanently remove the Rev. Keith Fennessy from the priesthood, despite its allegations that the former Staten Island pastor was caught with child pornography that violates the church’s own safeguards to protect children.
The archdiocese defended the handling of its case against Father Fennessy, an ordained priest since 1984 who headed St. Margaret Mary R.C. Church in Midland Beach from 2006 to June 2010.
Catholic New York said that the pornography was found on Father Fennessy’s computer.
He served as pastor of St. Columba’s parish in Manhattan from 2011 until June 15, 2015, when he was removed from ministry after the pornographic material was discovered, according to Catholic New York.
Joseph Zwilling, communications director for the archdiocese, confirmed that “the images were of minors.”
Zwilling stressed in a statement supplied to the Advance that Father Fennessy “will never again be permitted to function as a priest.”
However, the archdiocese has not yet decided whether it will ask the Vatican to defrock Father Fennessy.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
MISSOURI
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Joe Holleman
The latest issue of “Catholic St. Louis” magazine carries a feature highlighting 12 local men who rose to powerful positions in the church.
One of the men is Bishop Robert Finn — the former bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph who was convicted in 2012 of failing to report a priest suspected of sex abuse. The magazine feature makes no mention of his conviction.
A Vatican investigation showed that Finn waited six months before telling police about the Rev. Shawn Ratigan, whose computer held lewd photos of girls taken in and near churches where he worked.
Ratigan was eventually sentenced to 50 years in prison for child pornography. Finn later resigned from his position in Kansas City.
The magazine is published six times a year by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. It is included in deliveries of the St. Louis Review, the archdiocese’s newspaper.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
CANADA
CBC News
[with audio]
The man who suffered sexual abuse from a northern Ontario Catholic priest was the victim of a man given “nine lives” by the Roman Catholic Church, his lawyer says.
In the early 1990s, John Edward Sullivan plead guilty to sexually abusing boys during his career as a Catholic priest.
He served about two years in jail for his crimes.
More than 20 years after his conviction, one of Sullivan’s victims launched a civil case in Sudbury looking for $3 million in financial compensation.
A week before the civil trial, Sullivan died at the age of 90.
But the victim’s lawyer, Rob Talach, said the priest’s death did not affect this case.
“The evidence of Father Sullivan had been captured in a video examination well over two years ago. He is as guilty as guilty can be,” he said.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
AUSTRALIA
Forward
JTA
The former principal of a Jewish day school in Melbourne is being sued by one of her alleged victims.
The lawsuit filed last week against Malka Leifer in Victoria’s Supreme Court in Melbourne was launched by the sister of a victim of Leifer who was awarded $1.27 million by the court last year, the Australian reported Tuesday. The new lawsuit alleges that Leifer sexually abused the sister while she was a student and then a teacher at the haredi Orthodox Adass Israel School.
Leifer, who fled to Israel after the sex abuse allegations surfaced, is currently under house arrest in the haredi Orthodox city of Bnei Brak as the Israeli government considers an extradition request from the Australian government. Australia has requested Leifer’s extradition to face 74 charges of sexual abuse of girls at the haredi Orthodox school she once led.
A Jerusalem court last month ordered a second psychiatric evaluation of Leifer, the former principal of the Adass Israel School, before ruling on the extradition. Leifer came to Israel in 2008.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
PENNSYLVANIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
We’re glad Pennsylvania lawmakers are finally moving to reform the state’s archaic, predator-friendly statute of limitations but disappointed that because there’s no civil window, hundreds who have committed or concealed child sex crimes will remain hidden and escape responsibility.
[PennLive]
It’s safe and easy for lawmakers to ‘crack down’ on those who assault kids and hide crimes years down the road. But that alone is irresponsible. Steps must be taken now to expose those who have or are hurting kids and concealing crimes today. That’s tougher, because it takes real courage to take on purportedly powerful individuals like Catholic bishops and allegedly powerful lobbyists like insurance companies. But that’s what must happen if kids are to be protected right now in Pennsylvania.
We hope other lawmakers will insist that a civil window be enacted now, so that coaches, teachers and ministers who are molesting or have molested kids, or have hidden or are hiding those crimes, will face consequences for their wrongdoing and be stopped from further wrongdoing.
But no matter what lawmakers in Harrisburg do or don’t do, we urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in Catholic churches or institutions in Pennsylvania to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling journalists, get justice by calling attorneys, and get comfort by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.
CANADA
Catholic Philly
BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS) — The apostolic nuncio to Canada said Pope Francis is considering an invitation for a visit, during which many Canadians hope he would apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in running Indian residential schools.
“The pope has received this invitation, this request, from the First Nations,” said Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, nuncio. “He is considering it.”
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada — set up to discover what happened in the government-funded, church-run residential schools, issued 94 calls to action last year. One was for the pope to apologize — on Canadian soil — for the Catholic Church’s role in Indian residential schools.
“We heard many survivors say, ‘My church has not apologized to me,’” Marie Wilson, a commission member, said at an Ottawa news conference March 30.
Asked if an apology from Pope Francis would be enough, she responded, “I’m certain it won’t be enough. It’s all just movement forward.”
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ARGENTINA
Diario Uno
[Prest Julian Ruiz, who worked in the parish of Pampa de los Guanacos of Santiago del Estero, was indicted on charges of sexual abuse and corruption of minors.]
Un cura que se desempeñaba en la parroquia de Pampa de los Guanacos de Santiago del Estero fue procesado acusado de abuso sexual y corrupción de menores.
El juez ad hoc de Monte Quemado, Aristóbulo Barrionuevo (h), resolvió procesar al sacerdote Julián Ruiz como supuesto autor del delito de abuso sexual con acceso carnal y corrupción de menores en perjuicio de un joven, a la vez de ampliar la acusación por otros dos casos que el religioso habría perpetrado en perjuicio de dos sujetos, mayores de edad al momento en que se habrían producido los hechos y que ninguno de los dos denunciaron.
Según El Liberal de Santiago del Estero, el religioso se desempeñaba en la parroquia de Pampa de los Guanacos cuando fue acusado por el menor de edad quien manifestó haber sido víctima de abusos sexuales por parte del prelado.
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PERU
Expreso
LIMA. El superior general del Sodalicio (SVC), Alessandro Moroni Liabrés, anunció – a través de un vídeo – que el Sodalicio decidió expulsar a su fundador Luis Fernando Figari, luego que se comprobaran las acusaciones en su contra por abuso sexual. Fue considerado como persona no grata.
“Hoy salimos al frente para dar a conocer públicamente cuál viene siendo la respuesta del Sodalicio frente a estos hechos tan tristes y condenables… Perdón a la víctimas por cualquier tipo de abuso o atropello de parte de cualquier miembro de nuestra institución y a los denunciantes por no haber obtenido una respuesta contundente de parte de nuestras autoridades”, señaló Moroni Liabrés.
Asimismo, también se anunció que el Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana (SVC) entrará en una etapa de restructuración, además de dejar en claro que su fundador Luis Fernando Figari ha sido expulsado de esta congregación religiosa.
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PERU
El Comercio
A más de cinco meses de las denuncias de abusos sexuales y físicos perpetrados dentro del Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana (SVC), el movimiento declaró culpable a su fundador, Luis Fernando Figari.
A través de un video difundido en Youtube, Alessandro Moroni Llabrés, superior General del SVC, pidió perdón a las víctimas de dichas vejaciones y anunció una reestructuración del movimiento.
“Perdón a las víctimas de cualquier tipo de abuso y atropello que hayan sido objeto por parte de cualquier miembro de nuestra organización. Perdón a los denunciantes que por años no obtuvieron una respuesta satisfactoria y contundente de parte de nuestras autoridades”, expresó.
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PERU
Peru Reports
The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV) apostolic society has declared its founder, Luis Fernando Figari, guilty of sexual abuse against minors.
Five months after Pedro Salinas’s book “Half Monks, Half Soldiers” published allegations of widespread psychological and sexual abuse from former members in the conservative society, SCV superior general Alessandro Moroni released a video statement saying his organization had initiated Figari’s removal.
“After hearing the witness accounts, we find Luis Figari guilty of the alleged abuses,” Moroni said. “And we declare him a persona non-grata in our organization which completely deplores and condemns his behavior.”
Moroni added that he had personally met with Pope Francis in December to request the removal of Figari from the SCV society. Moroni also apologized to Figari’s victims and to other members of SCV scandalized by the charges.
“We recognize the sin of not reacting immediately,” Moroni said. “We are sure that by the grace of God, our great family will survive and move forward beyond the errors of its leaders, who from now on have decided to start anew.”
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PENNSYLVANIA
WITF
Written by Mary Wilson, Capitol Bureau Chief | Apr 5, 2016
The state House is poised to consider major changes to the statutes of limitations on child sex abuse cases in Pennsylvania, one month after the release of a grand jury’s findings that the clergy of the Altoona-Johnstown Catholic diocese covered up of child sex abuse allegations for decades.
The bill, passed by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, would eliminate the time limit for bringing criminal charges in a child sex abuse case. It expands the timeframe for bringing civil suits, giving victims until they’re 50 years old, instead of 30.
Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-Berks), who has renewed his public crusade for statute-of-limitations reforms since the Altoona-Johnstown case was made public, said the plan should also include a two-year period when even expired cases can be brought by law enforcement and victims, since so many weren’t ready to confront their abusers until well after the statute of limitations had expired.
“When we talk about the hundreds of victims that have been abused,” said Rozzi, “this bill does nothing for them.”
He plans to amend the bill when it reaches the House floor.
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NEW YORK
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
Today, more evidence emerges showing that Cardinal Timothy Dolan is among the most secretive US Catholic officials when it comes to the safety of children.
Last week, the website of Dolan’s archdiocesan newspaper quietly posted a short notice that Fr. Keith Fennessy has been suspended because of child pornography.
As best we can tell, Dolan never
–told anyone when Fr. Fennessy was first accused,
–told anyone when church officials deemed the accusations against Fr. Fennessy credible, or
–told anyone about the outcome of the criminal investigation into Fr.Fennessy,
–told anyone where Fr. Fennessy is now living, or
–begged other victims, witnesses or whistleblowers to come forward and call police.
In other words, for months or years, Dolan has known Fr. Fennessy was accused of child pornography. Yet he kept silent, giving Fr. Fennessy years to destroy evidence, intimidate victims, threaten whistleblowers, discredit witnesses, fabricate alibis, flee the country and hurt more kids. Dolan also gave Fr. Fennessy at least ten months (and likely longer) to ingratiate himself into more trusting families who Dolan kept in the dark about the priest’s crimes.
Shame on him. This is a clear violation of Dolan’s repeated pledges to be “open and transparent” about clergy sex crimes. It’s also a violation, we believe, of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops abuse policy – the so-called Charter for the Protection of Children – which mandates such “openness and transparency.”
Many bishops send a news release to secular media when a priest is accused of child sex crimes. Many send another news release when those accusations are deemed “credible.” As best we can tell, Dolan refused to do this, instead opting – as he has time and time again – for secrecy.
And even now, Dolan posts nothing about these serious, credible allegations on his archdiocesan website.
We urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in Catholic churches or institutions in the New York Archdiocese to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling journalists, get justice by calling attorneys, and get comfort by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.
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FLORIDA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home,davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
A credibly accused Florida predator preacher has passed away. Now, we beg his former church members and colleagues to aggressively seek out anyone else who may have been hurt by him using church websites, pulpit announcements, social media and “word of mouth” so that the wounded may be consoled and learn that they aren’t alone.
We are glad that Rev. Jeffrey London can no longer hurt kids. We’re glad too that his victims can hopefully sleep better at night knowing that he can’t assault any more children. But we fear that there may be dozens of others who were assaulted by Rev. London who are still trapped in silence, shame and self-blame. Perhaps his death will free some of them and prod them to step forward and get comfort and guidance from therapists and groups like ours.
We hope that all of Rev. London’s victims – whether hurt long ago or more recently – find the strength and courage to step forward, get help, expose wrongdoing and start healing. And we hope they find consolation.
Now that he’s passed on, we hope his former church colleagues and supervisors will be more forthcoming about Rev. London’s crimes and about those who ignored, concealed and enabled them.
We urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in churches or institutions in the Miami to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling journalists, get justice by calling attorneys, and get comfort by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.
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RHODE ISLAND
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home,davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
A credibly accused Rhode Island predator priest has passed away. Now, we beg Bishop Thomas Tobin to aggressively seek out anyone else who may have been hurt by him” by using church bulletins, parish websites and pulpit announcements so that the wounded may be consoled and learn that they aren’t alone.
[obituary]
We are glad that Fr. Louis Diogo can no longer hurt kids. We’re glad too that his victims can hopefully sleep better at night knowing that he can’t assault any more children.
We hope that all of Fr. Diogo’s victims – whether hurt long ago or more recently – find the strength and courage to step forward, get help, expose wrongdoing and start healing. And we hope they find consolation.
Now that he’s passed on, we hope Rhode Island Catholic officials will be more forthcoming about Fr. Diogo’s crimes and about those who ignored, concealed and enabled them.
He worked in churches in Providence, East Providence, Bristol, Newport, Swansea and River Point.
We urge every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes and cover ups in Catholic churches or institutions in Rhode Island to protect kids by calling police, get help by calling therapists, expose wrongdoers by calling journalists, get justice by calling attorneys, and get comfort by calling support groups like ours. This is how kids will be safer, adults will recover, criminals will be prosecuted, cover ups will be deterred and the truth will surface.
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UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
The church reforms when sufficient numbers of men and women demand integrity and honesty from themselves and force transparency and accountability from those who aspire to serve and lead. It has always been so. A.W. Richard Sipe
The Mennonite Abuse Prevention List (MAP List) is a resource provided by the Anabaptist Mennonite Chapter of SNAP. As part of the Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests, we are a group that seeks to serve survivors of abuse who come out of an Anabaptist or Mennonite tradition. We resolve to do all within our power to prevent abuse by church officials, employees or lay workers from within Anabaptist or Mennonite families, communities, agencies or institutions. We are not governed by or affiliated with any church institution or agency.
The life of a child, a teenager or an adult of any gender can be forever altered by an experience of abuse. A child, a teenager, or an adult of any gender can also become a perpetrator of abuse. They can be partnered, married, single or divorced and are often loved and respected members of our communities. Perpetrators can have hundreds of targeted victims in a lifetime. If a sexual assault occurs one time, there is risk of it occurring again.
The Department of Justice defines sexual assault as “any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient” and it is against the law. Children under the age of 18 are not considered by law to be capable of giving consent. But predators are well aware that children can be groomed during childhood to ensure “consent” for sexual contact as soon as they become of age. Even though these scenarios are not likely to gain a conviction in court, they are deeply damaging, especially when the perpetrator is ordained by the church as a “servant of God.” We believe a sexualized relationship of any kind and at any age with someone who holds authority over one’s spiritual well being and care, regardless of perceived consent, poses a serious risk of long term harm. SNAP Mennonite leader Dr. Cameron Altaras describes the experience in her speech at the 2015 annual SNAP convention in Alexandria, VA.
Unlike an accidental injury to the physical body, sexual abuse causes an emotional and spiritual wounding that becomes extremely difficult to diagnose and treat. It often takes years, decades, even lifetimes, to make the connections and process the insidious impact on one’s life. The damage and pain from the event(s) ripple out beyond the victim and perpetrator to their families, friends, congregations, colleagues, significant others, denominations and whole communities. Those who have taken their own lives are the true victims. Those of us who have lived to call ourselves Survivors feel humbled, grateful, and extremely fortunate. We want to help others heal and prevent further abuse from happening.
Were you violated by someone in an Anabaptist community of faith? Maybe it happened a long time ago and you have never told anyone. Maybe it happened to someone in your family and you carry their pain. Maybe you are currently being abused by someone or love someone who is being harmed. Maybe the only evidence you have is your own experience.
We believe you. It is not your fault. You are not alone. We will support you in finding your voice, telling your truth in whatever setting and timeline feels right for you. Our goal is to help you review the many options available for you to find healing and aid in the prevention of further harm to others. By breaking their silence, victims, witnesses and whistleblowers like you can find healing, protect others, expose wrongdoers and deter cover ups.
Our email at mennonite@snapnetwork.org is confidential. You may also write to us anonymously or by name at MAP List, P.O. Box 442632, Lawrence, KS, 66044. Your name and contact information will not be shared without your permission.
We welcome additional documentation and information on suspected, known or admitted Mennonite predators. Your identity as our source will also remain confidential.
We are grateful this MAP List can be housed under the umbrella of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. You may have seen the Oscar winning Best Picture film Spotlight, which tells the story of how SNAP survivors helped the Boston Globe expose the clergy abuse crisis in Boston. Even though “Priests” is in its title, SNAPnetwork.org is open to religious and nonreligious persons who were sexually violated by anyone inside or outside a faith community. SNAP is the world’s oldest and largest support group for sexual abuse victims and their loved ones. It was founded by survivors of Catholic priests in 1988 and now has more than 21,000 members in over 79 countries.
Finally, if you have come to this website because you are actively engaged in predatory behavior or fear you may become so, we urge you to seek help immediately from an independent, intensive, experientially-based, inpatient treatment program like Patrick Carnes’ Gentle Path at The Meadows in Wickenburg, AZ. If you believe you have broken the law and are truly repentant, you will voluntarily submit yourself to civil authorities and find others to support you in doing so.
SNAP Survivor Support Groups are both anonymous and confidential and open to survivors and their loved ones. A survivor group meets in Harrisonburg, VA the 1st Thursday of every month. Call 540-214-8874 for more information.
Or call the SNAP Help Line at 1-800-SNAP-HEALS
CREDIBLY ACCUSED CLERGY AND CHURCH WORKERS
Please click on names for more information about each individual.
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UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Tuesday, April 5, 2016
For more information: David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, davidgclohessy@gmail.com), Barbra Graber (540-214-8874, mennonite@snapnetwork.org), Barbara Dorris(314-503-0003, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org, Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, bblaine@snapnetwork.org)
Sex-offending church workers are listed for first time on website
Admitted, convicted & credibly accused clergy & employees are exposed
Mennonite/Anabaptist officials who cover up abuse will also be tracked
Exposing abuse “helps survivors heal, protects the vulnerable,” group says
A support group for survivors of sexual abuse is announcing the release of a list of credibly accused, admitted, and convicted sexual predator Mennonite and Anabaptist clergy and employees.
[SNAP]
Called the Mennonite Abuse Prevention (MAP) list, it aims to be a collection of the names and photos of Anabaptist and Mennonite clergy and church workers who have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct, abuse, assault, and/or harassment. Officials who cover up abuse will also be tracked.
The list includes men who now live in Oregon, Pennsylvania and Canada and two whose whereabouts are unknown. One now works as a counselor.
Members of the Anabaptist Mennonite Chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) compiled and released the list because, they say, Mennonite officials are not taking “meaningful action to effectively stop predators, or make this information easily available to church members or the public.”
Currently, the list only displays five names, but its compilers plan to add more names in small installments, as their research is completed and more documentation received.
“While some offending Mennonites have been named and archived in denominational or independent publications, these announcements are not easily accessible to church members and researchers who seek a better understanding of sexual violence in Mennonite settings,” said MAP list researcher and SNAP Mennonite member Stephanie Krehbiel of Kansas City, Missouri. “The MAP list is designed to make the small print larger, to create transparency around sexual violence in Mennonite institutions and communities, prevent more such violence and to help survivors still struggling with their experiences discover that they are not alone.”
Anabaptism began during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, and today includes a complex network of churches and communities including Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and the Amish. Known for their pacifism, there are more than one million Anabaptists worldwide in loosely affiliated denominations and conferences that vary in the conservatism of their faith. While the MAP list currently lists primarily Mennonite offenders, its creators are collecting information on offenders from other Anabaptist groups as well.
Hosted on the international SNAP website SNAPnetwork.org, the MAP list follows a model already established by similar websites that document sexual abuse in other faiths, including BishopAccountability.org, Pokrov.org, and Protectjewishkids.com.
To be placed on the MAP list, offenders must have been named elsewhere through established media sources, internal institutional documents, court records, or any combination of the above.
While SNAP members have been compiling and researching the MAP List for some time, its initial release was spurred by the January arrest of former Eastern Mennonite University vice president Luke Hartman for solicitation of prostitution. Hartman’s charges were dismissed on a technicality on March 29. Lindale Mennonite Church pastors and board of elders admitted in a letter to the congregation on March 20, that Hartman had abused another member of the church. Lindale officials knew of the abuse in August 2014 but apparently told neither the police nor their congregation, and Hartman remained in his position as vice president at Eastern Mennonite University until his arrest in January 2016.
“We want Mennonites to understand that the closed and secretive way that these officials are handling these abuse allegations is part of a much larger pattern of predatory Mennonite church workers and complicit institutions,” said Krehbiel.
“Where there is secrecy, denial, and lack of transparency, sexual violence thrives,” said SNAP Mennonite leader Barbra Graber of Harrisonburg, Virginia. “Despite growing evidence that such approaches re-traumatize victims and enable further abuse, most Mennonite churches and institutions still attempt to manage abuse situations quietly, internally, and at risk to public safety. The health and wellbeing of Mennonite faith communities will be better served when information about who is committing that abuse and how it is being addressed becomes accessible.”
Anyone who has information and evidence of sexual abuse in Anabaptist Mennonite churches is urged to contact SNAP. Documentation concerning legal actions taken, dismissals from posts and/or media coverage may be sent via email to mennonite@snapnetwork.org or mailed to MAP list, P.O. Box 442632, Lawrence, KS, 66044.
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PENNSYLVANIA
CBS Philly
April 5, 2016 By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — The state House Judiciary Committee has advanced legislation long sought by advocates that would eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of child sexual abuse.
In addition to eliminating the statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions, the bill passed by the House Judiciary Committee would give victims of child sex abuse until the age of 50 to bring civil cases.
Republican Ron Marsico, the chairman, says the committee’s action is not merely a response to recent charges brought against priests in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.
“It’s not just that case… obviously, it’s been the Philadelphia incidents. We knew we had to – at least the committee decided that we had to go ahead and move forward with legislation.”
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CANADA
The Southern Gazette
Barb Sweet
Published on April 05, 2016
The first of four former residents of the Mount Cashel orphanage to testify at a civil trial to determine whether the Roman Catholic Church Episcopal Corp. of St. John’s, is liable for actions of the Christian Brothers, is being cross-examined today by the church’s lawyer.
Toronto lawyer Chris Blom tested the man, now in his 70s, this morning on his memory of certain events, on his feelings toward his father for putting him and his four brothers in the orphanage and on his reasons for not pursuing a PhD in teaching.
The witness, 77, said he left the orphanage at age 15 with his best friend on Boxing Day 1955. The pair had no winter coats and dragged their few belongings in a cardboard box, tied with a rope, through the snow to the friend’s grandmother’s house. There had been a blizzard the night before and his friend was late getting back to the orphanage. According to the witness, his friend was held by the throat by one of the Brothers and got the “bejesus” beat out of him because of that tardiness.
The witness took a chair and hit the Brother to defend his friend and the two of them were ordered out on Boxing Day, he said.
But Blom pointed out to the court that the movie the witness said the orphanage residents watched that night — said to be “Gunfight at the OK Coral” — was not released until a couple of years later.
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UNITED KINGDOM
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
A number of commentators have this week spoken out, inaccurately, about the Inquiry Chair and the way in which the Inquiry will conduct its work. I want to correct those inaccuracies.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse is unprecedented in both size and scope. It came about as a result of catastrophic failures of institutions to recognise and address the extent of child sexual abuse in England and Wales. Those failures destroyed the lives of children and left them growing up in a society that let them down.
We know of high profile cases where abusers, such as Jimmy Savile, used their positions of trust within institutions to gain unfettered access to children. And in towns like Rotherham, Oxford and Rochdale, we know that organised gangs and networks have targeted vulnerable children for sexual abuse. We also know that the widespread sexual abuse of children has taken place outside of the media spotlight, in the care system, in residential schools, in custody and in other institutional settings. And we know from recent research by the Children’s Commissioner that only around one in eight children who are sexually abused are ever identified by statutory agencies.
As Chair of the Inquiry, I have been asked to investigate the full range of institutions in England and Wales to identify the failures which may have contributed to the sexual abuse of children. The Inquiry is also asked to make recommendations that will help to keep children safe in the future.
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CANADA
Sylvia’s Site
[PICOT, CHARLES JEAN – obituary]
Thanks to Derek we have news that 69-year-old thrice convicted serial molester Father Charles Picot is dead. He died 31 March 2016 in Montreal. His funeral will be held 15 April 2016.
Picot was scheduled for trial 10-11 May 2016 in Bathurst New Brunswick. No more adjournments and legal dilly-dallying around now. There will, obviously – and sadly for the complainants – be no trial.
This may seem strange to some, but I have found that the death of their molester is a difficult time for victims. Please keep the many Picot victims in your prayers at this time. Remember particularly those who had hoped to see justice done this May.
Note that the funeral will be held in the Magnus Poirier funeral home and not in a church.
(Father John Sullivan, another convicted serial molester, died in Montreal 27 March 2016. His funeral arrangements were also handled by Magnus Poirier.)
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PENNSYLVANIA
WJAC
BY ERIKA STANISH TUESDAY, APRIL 5TH 2016
While legislation was introduced abolishing the statute of limitations on Monday, some are pushing for more to be done about child abuse.
The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance is urging those in the community to step up and be vigilant in the role of protecting kids.
With April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, those involved in the PFSA hope to help the community raise awareness, recognize the signs and report child abuse if they see it.
“You can’t wait. If you wait, it might be too late,” said Angela Liddle, CEO and president of the PFSA.
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PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive
By Ivey DeJesus | idejesus@pennlive.com
By an overwhelming margin, the Pennsylvania’s House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning gave its support to a bill that would reform the state’s sex crime law.
House Bill 1947, sponsored by Majority Chairman Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin), would abolish the criminal statute of limitations for future criminal prosecutions.
Under the proposed legislation no one accused of a sexual crime will ever be free from criminal prosecution because of a lapsed statute of limitations. The bill would also raise the civil statute-of-limitations age to age 50.
The bill does not include retroactive components. Victims advocates have long pushed for reforms to the retroactive parameters in the law to allow victims who have “timed out” of the legal system to seek legal recourse.
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DEUTSCHLAND
Frankfurter Allgemeine
Von KATJA THORWARTH
Der Politologe und Autor Carsten Frerk über Religionsgesellschaften als Wirtschaftsunternehmen, ihre immer noch starke Vernetzung und die Scheu der Politiker, sich mit ihnen anzulegen.
Herr Frerk, welchen Status haben die Kirchen im Staat?
Das ist nicht eindeutig geklärt. Nehmen Sie den Körperschaftsstatus: Eigentlich sind einige Religionsgesellschaften Körperschaften des öffentlichen Rechts. Die Kirchen aber sagen: Wir sind keine gewöhnlichen Körperschaften, die vom staatlichen Hoheitsrecht abgeleitet werden, sondern Körperschaften göttlicher Stiftung. In das Lobbyregister des Bundestages müssen sie sich trotzdem nicht eintragen, sondern haben quasi eine De-facto-Akkreditierung.
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UNITED STATES
Catholic league
Bill Donohue comments on an incomplete New York Times story:
On the front page of today’s New York Times there is a story about priestly sexual abuse that occurred “long ago” in a western Pennsylvania diocese. The story’s omissions are glaring. Here are some of them:
* Readers never learn what “long ago” means. In fact, the cases of alleged abuse extend back to World War II.
* Readers never learn why old cases of alleged abuse at one high school in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown was sufficient cause for the local D.A. to refer these cases to the state Attorney General.
* Readers never learn why a grand jury of decades-old allegations in the diocese was summoned, but no other institution, public or private, was probed. It simply cannot be that there are no old cases outstanding in any other institution in the state. So why the cherry-picking?
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GEORGIA
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A victims’ support group says Atlanta’s top Catholic cleric isn’t being transparent about child sexual abuse by priests, instead withholding records that could protect children and help survivors.
For more than a year, the group has been pressing Archbishop Wilton Gregory to reveal the identities of any priests, deacons, brothers or nuns accused of molesting children who spent time working in the Atlanta area. The nationwide Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, wants a list of names posted on the archdiocese website, something more than 30 Roman Catholic bishops across the country have already done.
Such a list would likely include names that have never been publicized, where accusations were handled internally then locked away in church archives.
But Gregory, SNAP members claim, is being stubbornly opaque. About a half dozen activists, most of them victims, staged a small protest this week on the sidewalk outside the Cathedral of Christ the King in Buckhead, holding up posters that said “Protect children” and “Keep kids safe.”
“We think it’s time to stop the secrecy,” SNAP Outreach Director Barbara Dorris said. “We think it’s time to start putting the protection of children first.”
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CANDA
The Sault Star
By Harold Carmichael, The Sudbury Star
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
The victim of a now-dead priest he calls a “serial molester” had harsh words for the Catholic Church after settling his lawsuit in Sudbury on Monday.
The victim, identified only as P.J.J., issued the statement following an out-of-court settlement with the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie.
“This five-year ordeal has cemented my thoughts that this church from the top down is not truly interested in action “¦ only hollow words of apology to placate the masses,” he wrote in a statement released by Beckett Litigation Lawyers of London, Ont.
“If they were truly repentant I would call for them to immediately defrock the pervert collars (I cannot bring myself to ever use the term priest or father), and then offer all the support required to assist the victims. This would also mean to stop defending the convicted collars in litigation immediately.
“These moves would make the church much more acceptable to victims.”
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FLORIDA
Sun Sentinel
Paula McMahon
Jeffery London, the former South Florida youth pastor and charter school official who was sentenced to life for a child sex abuse conviction seven months ago, has died in federal prison.
London, 52, formerly of Broward County, died last week, March 29, in custody at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, western Missouri, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons confirmed Tuesday.
A prison spokesperson declined to provide the cause of death, writing in an emailed response that it “is not considered public information and will not be disclosed.”
London had survived cancer some years ago, according to trial testimony.
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MASSACHUSETTS
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Editorial
Tuesday, April 05, 2016
The Springfield Diocese took the unusual step last week of adding the name of a dead priest to a shameful list: Catholic clergy against whom “credible” allegations of child sexual abuse have been made.
The step came with word that the diocese just settled — for an undisclosed sum — a civil lawsuit brought in 2013 by a Chesterfield man. The suit alleged that this same priest, the late Rev. Paul Archambault, sexually abused the plaintiff for nearly four years, starting around 2006 when the victim was 13. The abuse occurred nearly 50 times in various locations, the man and his attorney claimed, from a Northampton home to a Chicopee parish to a Catholic shrine in Vermont. Confronted later, in 2011, the priest shot himself in the head at age 42 inside a closet at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish rectory.
All are sorrowful facts — for the Archambault family and all who loved this troubled man and for those he apparently subjected to inappropriate physical and sexual contact.
That’s about as much as most people can bear to hear. This settlement can seem like old news. It comes years after a landslide of legal actions against the Catholic Church. But protecting vulnerable people from sexual abuse demands rigor and attention. And that’s why we think this tragic case deserves closer consideration, in a spirit of moving this issue toward understanding and reconciliation.
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OHIO
The Columbus Dispatch
Lavelle Reverend Raymond Edward Lavelle died on December 31, 2015 while under long-term care at Mohun Health Care Center. The son of Patrick and Celia (McNulty) Lavelle, he was born March 30, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from the college program at Saint Meinrad Minor Seminary (Saint Meinrad, IN) in 1951, later completing his philosophy studies at the former Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (Columbus) in 1953 and his theology studies at Saint Vincent Seminary (Latrobe, PA) in 1957. He was ordained on May 25, 1957 by Bishop Edward G. Hettinger. During his ministry Fr. Lavelle served on a number of diocesan boards and committees; he also served in several parishes until his retirement in 2000, spending part of his retirement years as a hospital chaplain and assisting at Saint Paul Parish (Westerville) before physical infirmities confined him to Mohun Health Care Center for several years prior to his death.
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RHODE ISLAND
Rebello Funeral Home
[assignment record – BishopAccountability.org]
December 11, 1920 – April 4, 2015
Resided in Pawtucket, RI
LOUIS M. Diogo, 94, Pastor Emeritus of St. Elizabeth Parish in Bristol, died peacefully surrounded by his family and friends on Holy Saturday, April 4, 2015 at home.
Born December 11, 1920, in Bretanha, Sao Miguel, Azores, a son of the late Jose and Helena (de Sousa Faria) Diogo, he attended public schools in Sao Miguel, Azores. He completed studies for the priesthood at the Seminary of Angra, Azores, and was ordained a priest on June 23, 1946 in the Cathedral Church of Angra by Bishop Guilherme A. C. Guimaraes.
From 1946 to 1953 Fr. Diogo was secretary in the Seminary in Angra. In 1954 he came to the United States and became assistant pastor for a short period at Jesus Saviour Parish in Newport then at St. Anthony Parish in West Warwick. In June 1957 he was transferred to St. Francis Xavier Parish in East Providence and in 1964 he returned to Jesus Saviour Parish in Newport. In December 1965 he became administrator of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Providence and served there until his transfer in 1972 to St. Elizabeth Parish, Bristol, also as administrator. In December 1983 Fr. Diogo was incardinated into the Diocese of Providence and appointed pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish, Bristol, where he served until his retirement in 1993.
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UNITED STATES
GetReligion
Terry Mattingly
Trust me. I understand that it would be almost impossible to write a daily news report about the hellish subject of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy that would please all readers. However, someone has to do this work and do it well.
It’s hard to talk about this story having “two sides,” unless you get more specific about the actual topic of a given report. After decades of reading this coverage – some of it courageous, some of it rather shoddy – I think it’s crucial for reporters to make it clear that there are multiple issues being discussed linked to these horrible crimes against God and innocent children and teens.
First, there is the issue of secrecy among high church officials. At this point, you will encounter few people anywhere in Catholicism who have the slightest interest in openly defending what cannot be defended. Maybe behind the scenes? If so, nail them.
However, this brings us to a more complex, and related, issue. How, precisely, should predators in the past be prosecuted and punished? The biggest issue is whether to lift the statute of limitations – which imposes deadlines on when victims can bring civil suits or state prosecutors can press charges against alleged abusers. In some cases, lawmakers have attempted to target the clergy, alone, in these legal efforts, even exempting, to name one example, teachers in public schools from facing new accusations.
The second question is also linked to the prosecution of priests. Should it be assumed that accused priests are guilty until proven innocent, if that can be proven? How do reporters handle cases in which memories have faded, or the details in stories have become muddled?
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NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph
As the alleged VIP paedophile ring story at Westminster crumbles, there is still one scandal involving powerful people, blackmail and the abuse of children that continues to churn out disturbing, but credible, material from the past: Kincora.
The so-called former ‘boys’ home’ – an inappropriate, cruel misnomer if ever there was one – in east Belfast has this enduring ability to cast up fresh demons which haunt the lives of the victims that were sent there and also raise serious questions for the British state in Northern Ireland.
Last week’s revelations about the paedophile doctor, Morris Fraser, contained this killer line: that a Freedom of Information request about the child psychiatrist’s work in Belfast during the early years of the Troubles was blocked on the grounds of “national security”.
Which raised the possibility that Fraser, who – incredibly – was allowed to keep practising in his field of child psychiatry right up until the mid-1990s, despite a number of convictions for sexually abusing boys, was a “protected species” by the security services.
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CANADA
VOCM
Monday , April 4 2016
A civil trial involving the victims of Mount Cashel, the Catholic Church, and the Christian Brothers began today at Supreme Court in St. John’s. The complainants were all residents of the orphanage between the 1940s and 1960s. The trial is set to be lengthy, and will continue into June.
In his opening statement this morning, lawyer Mark Frederick said the Archdiocese is not responsible for the faults of the Christian Brothers, who he says essentially acted as wardens at Mount Cashel. Lawyer for the victims, Geoff Budden, says the church has not done anything to adequately address the years of sexual and physical abuse suffered by the boys who once lived at the orphanage.
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PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
April 5, 2016
By Torsten Ove / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A Catholic priest convicted of molesting orphans in Honduras has paid $70,000 in court-ordered fines and restitution costs that were the subject of a tussle with the U.S. Attorney’s office last week.
Federal prosecutors had asked for a judge to freeze $1.2 million in assets held by Joseph Maurizio because they said he hadn’t paid the fine and they feared he was trying to transfer money and property to a relative.
But his lawyers have produced papers showing he has paid the money and U.S. District Judge Kim Gibson in Johnstown last week rejected the freeze request as moot.
Maurizio, 70, was sentenced March 1 to 17 years in federal prison and ordered to pay the fines within 10 days of sentencing. Prosecutors said he didn’t and also said he had deeded 42 acres in Paint Township and Windber to relatives for $1. In addition, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Haines said he had told his niece in a recorded jailhouse call that he intended leave his accounts with a “zero balance.”
But Maurizio’s lawyers later produced documents indicating he’d paid the money, saying there was no “malicious intent to not comply” with the judge’s order.
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AUSTRALIA
The Australian
One should never speak ill of the dead as the saying goes. I think we can rule it out in the case of the former Bishop of Ballarat Ronald Austin Mulkearns who died yesterday. He was 85 years of age.
Mulkearns’ predecessor, James Patrick O’Collins was five months shy of his 95th birthday when he passed away in 1983. Bishops tend to live long lives. Maybe it’s because they don’t have to worry about lay concerns like paying the mortgage or the rent or even where their next meal is coming from. Perhaps bishops like O’Collins and Mulkearns lived such long lives because God was not so keen to have them join him.
Both bishops oversaw and facilitated the activity of paedophile priests in the Ballarat Diocese. There are literally thousands of victims in the post-war to present period. Giving evidence at the Royal Commission in February, Mulkearns stammered out apologies and claimed he did not know what to do when it came to paedophile priests. He was, he said, simply ill equipped to deal with marauding serial offenders like Gerald Ridsdale and Monsignor John Day.
Last night I saw an SBS news report on Mulkearns’ death. The report concluded by saying Mulkearns had never reported offending clerics to police. It was a rookie mistake for any journalist who has put a toe into the foul water of the Ballarat Diocese. Of course Mulkearns had never reported to police that his priests had raped children. The real story is the cops came to him.
In the mid-1990s, Victoria Police looked to charge Mulkearns for his role in protecting and facilitating paedophile priests but the charges did not proceed. The truth is the police had plenty to charge Mulkearns with but that would mean opening up a dirty secret and one Victoria Police would hold close for more than forty years.
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GEORGIA
11 Alive
[with video]
ATLANTA – A group of survivors is pushing Catholic bishops in Georgia to publish the names of every cleric involved in sexual abuse.
The demand comes from SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests). The group rallied Monday afternoon near the Atlanta Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King, holding signs asking the church to “protect children” and “keep kids safe.” They also displayed photos of children from across the country at the age they say they first started to experience abuse. Most are now adults.
SNAP says too many of the bishops and deacons accused of hurting them have been quietly disciplined by the church, or not at all. That means there’s no criminal history to warn other groups about the dangers posed in letting them around children.
That’s why Barbara Blaine, who says she was raped for nearly four years starting in 8th grade, wants bishops to publish names, photos, and work histories of every cleric with a substantiated claim of sexual abuse filed against them. Today, they directed that request to the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
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AUSTRALIA
ABC News
Exclusive by the National Reporting Team’s Lorna Knowles
Some of Australia’s most prestigious private schools are being sued for millions of dollars by men who allege they were sexually abused by teachers and staff.
Sydney lawyer Ross Koffel is bringing multiple claims for damages in the NSW Supreme Court against schools including The Scots College, Knox Grammar, Waverley College and De La Salle, Revesby Heights.
Mr Koffel told the ABC he had been approached by a large number of men who allege they were abused at private schools around the country.
“It just seemed to me to be the same problem in school after school after school and it surprised us how many schools, how many students are affected,” Mr Koffel said.
“It is a systemic problem in the institutions, in the schools. We’re alleging sexual abuse of the students during school hours in most cases and on the school premises, and it just really couldn’t be worse.”
Ten separate claims against The Scots College, Knox Grammar, Waverley College and De La Salle College, Revesby Heights have been lodged and another two claims will be lodged on the coming months.
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NEW YORK
New York Daily News
BY REUVEN BLAU NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Sex abuse victims and child advocates turned up the heat Monday on Gov. Cuomo, calling on him to support legislation that would extend the statute of limitations for criminal charges and civil suits lodged against accused abusers.
For years, Joel Engelman, who was allegedly abused by a yeshiva principal, said he has lobbied Albany lawmakers to extend the statute — saying that school administrators can’t be trusted to do the right thing.
“The governor needs to take a stronger and more public stance on this issue,” said Engelman, 30. “The silence is deafening. The governor is pretty much saying he’s not interested in this bill passing.”
Cuomo said he was willing to consider some type of change to the law, but he did not elaborate.
“Those guilty of sexual abuse need to be held accountable, and we would support changes to help ensure victims have their day in court and maintain due process,” said Cuomo’s spokesman Richard Azzopardi.
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PENNSYLVANIA
The Courier-Express
Joy Norwood Apr 2, 2016
The fact that 250 calls have been made to a child-abuse hotline since the recent report of decades-long sexual crimes across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is tragic, but not surprising.
On March 1, the Office of Attorney General said priests and others associated with the diocese had been abusing children for decades across eight counties. The AG’s report directly named 35 alleged abusers, and said their crimes had been hidden by bishops who chose to move the priests from parish to parish rather than involve legal authorities.
A subsequent grand jury presentment on March 15 accused three former leaders of the Third Order Regular, Province of the Immaculate Conception, of allowing Brother Stephen Baker to work among local children knowing he had been accused of sexual assault previously in Ohio and Michigan.
As many as 100 former Bishop McCort High School students have said Baker abused them when they were students.
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PENNSYLVANIA
Philly.com
APRIL 5, 2016
By Sue A. Fugate
The thought of child sexual abuse stirs emotions of fear and anger in me as a mother of two. The more I hear about this problem, the more troubled I am at its prevalence and the lack of consistency among institutions and governments trying to deal with it.
The recent grand jury report about crimes that date back as far as the 1950s in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is the latest revelation. I won’t pretend to know the pain survivors of abuse experience or the helplessness their families feel, but I do empathize with their suffering and support their need for healing.
In the name of healing, some legislators propose changes to Pennsylvania law that would waive the civil statute of limitations for some – but not all – abuse survivors. To that, I respond as an attorney. I can’t ignore the law, nor should any elected official pledged to serving the public good. After taking a long, hard look at the consequences of such proposals, I believe they should cause serious concern for anyone who believes the law must be applied fairly and equally to all.
Any such legislation would end up creating two classes of child victims in the name of a political quick fix wrapped in emotional expedience. It would also financially penalize innocent families – members of churches and parish communities – who had nothing to do with past evil actions by a criminal few.
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NEW YORK
Catholic New York
Father Keith Fennessy, who was discovered with pornographic material on his computer that violated the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, may not return to priestly ministry.
Law enforcement officials and the archdiocesan review board both examined the details of the allegation. As a result of its investigation, the review board recommended earlier this month that Father Fennessy no longer be permitted to serve as a priest. Cardinal Dolan accepted the board’s recommendation.
Father Fennessy had most recently served as pastor of St. Columba’s parish in Manhattan from 2011 until June 15, 2015, when he was removed from ministry after the pornographic material was discovered.
The matter was also immediately turned over to the Manhattan and Staten Island District Attorney’s offices, said archdiocesan spokesman Joseph Zwilling.
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NEW YORK
Staten Island Advance
By Ryan Lavis | lavis@siadvance.com
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A priest who once served as pastor of St. Margaret Mary R.C. Church in Midland Beach has been defrocked after pornographic material was allegedly discovered on his computer, according to a report in Catholic New York.
The material, the report said, was in violation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which is a set of procedures that were established in 2002 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.
The Rev. Keith Fennessy was removed from the ministry in June 2015 after the pornographic material was discovered, according to the report.
Father Fennessy had served as pastor of St. Margaret Mary Church from 2006 to June 2010, when he left the parish amid a controversy over the sale of a portion of the church’s property to the Muslim American Society, according to previous Advance reports.
He also served as parochial vicar at St. Peter’s Church, New Brighton, from 2004-2005, and later as an administrator of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta, West Brighton, according to Catholic New York. Most recently, Father Fennessy had served as pastor of St. Columba’s parish in Manhattan.
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CANADA
The Telegram
Barb Sweet
Published on April 04, 2016
Catholic officials sat on one side of Courtroom No. 2 Monday at the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador while former Mount Cashel orphanage residents and their supporters sat on the benches across the aisle.
In the morning, the leads on two teams of lawyers outlined opposing arguments of whether the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corp. of St. John’s is liable for physical and sexual abuse of boys by members of the lay order Christian Brothers at the infamous orphanage from the 1940s to the 1960s.
And in late morning and all afternoon, the first of four men who will lay bare their experiences at this civil trial their life stories got to the unsettling descriptions of a childhood forever marked by his experiences with the Christian Brothers and a couple of employees at the orphanage.
The man cannot be named because of a publication ban in the John Doe case.
He told of grubs in daily rations of porridge, rat and mice droppings in bread and starved boys so desperate that they looked for scraps in a vat of swill collected from the leftovers of patients at city hospitals. That swill was meant for the pigs on the orphanage farm, but the boys would look for bits of meat and anything else edible.
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PENNSYLVANIA
Standard Speaker
KATHLEEN BOLUS, STAFF WRITER
Published: April 5, 2016
Diocese of Scranton and law enforcement officials would not release any more information Monday concerning the allegations the Rev. Martin M. Boylan engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor.
The allegation is still under investigation and no more information is available, Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards said Monday. However, she released a statement that the statute of limitations will run out when this victim reaches the age of 50. The age of the victim, who is now an adult, is unknown.
“No further comment will be issued at this time,” Edwards said.
State police will be investigating the allegation, she said.
The Diocese of Scranton immediately notified Edwards’ office on Friday evening after it received an allegation of sexual misconduct involving a minor against Boylan, 68. The alleged abuse took place in Wayne County, the diocese said in a Friday statement.
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FRANCE
Catholic Herald (UK)
by Jonathan Luxmoore
posted Tuesday, 5 Apr 2016
Police raided the offices of Cardinal Philippe Barbarin to search for information related to the case of Fr Bernard Preynat
A French cardinal reiterated his promise to cooperate with law enforcement officials after his offices were raided in connection with charges of failing to discipline a priest now charged with abuse.
Police raided the offices of Lyon Cardinal Philippe Barbarin on March 30 to search for information related to the case of Fr Bernard Preynat, charged with “sexual aggression and rape of minors” between 1986 and 1991 at Lyon’s Saint-Luc parish, where he ran a large Catholic Scout group over two decades.
“The investigators conducted a search, and the Lyon Archdiocese was made to hand over items sought by the justice authorities,” the cardinal’s office said in a statement after the search.
“The cardinal has many times expressed his willingness to cooperate in full transparency with the judicial process and confidently remains at its disposal, hoping the authorities will calmly reveal the truth and allay the suffering of victims.”
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GEORGIA
Fox 5
[with video]
ATLANTA – A sexual abuse survivor’s group alleges the Catholic Church knew about a so-called “predator priest” working in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The group claims church officials covered up the allegations against him.
“This six were secret until today, we question how many more are secret and our concern is that these men are still out there,” said Barbara Blaine, founder of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Blaine said she wants the Archbishop of Atlanta to do what 30 other bishops nationwide have done and make public any known sex offenders within the church.
“We say ‘Archbishop (Wilton Gregory) why haven’t you?’” Blaine demanded during a press conference on Monday from the steps of the Cathedral of Christ the King on Peachtree Road.
This fight is very personal for Blaine. She said that at the age of 12 she was rape by a member of her church. She reported it to Church officials years later, but nothing happened until she went on Oprah.
“Going on that show forced the church to remove him from ministry, but I found out later he continued to abuse more girls, seven years between the time I first reported and the time his name became public,” said Blaine.
Blaine believes there are priests who are still working who have sexually assaulted people, but are flying under the radar. She said the she found the names of six priests who have connections to Atlanta.
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PENNSYLVANIA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Monday, April 4, 2016
Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)
A just-introduced bill in the Pennsylvania legislature will let many who commit or conceal child sex crimes off the hook. It will protect our grandkids, but not our kids. And for years, it will do little or nothing to expose and punish “enablers” – supervisors and colleagues who hid child sex crimes. We hope Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) re-considers his opposition to a civil window.
[PennLive]
Marsico’s claim of concern for non-profits is baseless. We challenge him to name a single non-profit that has gone under or been severely hurt in any of the states that have enacted civil windows.
It always has and always will take decades for kids to grow up, understand they’ve been hurt, that the harm is severe, that the abuse cripples them as adults, that they legal options and the moral and civic duty to take action. That’s why we as a society must welcome and help victims of horrific childhood sexual violence, no matter when they are able to realize these realities and summon the strength to speak up.
Years and years of our own research, experience and advocacy (along with history, psychology and common sense) have convinced us that a civil “window” is the single most effective step toward preventing future abuse. Here’s how:
1) Exposing predators.
The “window” enables victims to publicly expose the predators who hurt them, through the open, impartial, time-tested American judicial system. It means that parents, neighbors and employers will know about potentially dangerous individuals.
2) Exposing and deterring enablers.
Through the balanced judicial process – depositions, discovery, interrogatories and sworn testimony – anyone who ignored a sex crime, shielded a molester, destroyed a document or deceived a victim’s family may also be exposed.
Families deserve to know whether their pastor or day care center director or athletic association harbored a sex offender, stonewalled a prosecutor, or lied to a parent.
Citizens deserve to know whether a diocese or a summer camp director knowingly hired child molesters.
3) Fear of litigation.
Without the “window,” a supervisor who’s been lax about child safety has no incentive to change bad habits or work harder.
With the “window,” decision-makers will know that if they insensitively shun a victim or recklessly endanger a child, they may be exposed in court and face consequences for having done so.
4) Fear of financial consequences.
Passage of the “window” will prod defense lawyers, public relations staff and others to beef up child sex abuse prevention and education.
Concerned employees will start asking their supervisors “Do we do background checks on everyone here?” and “Are we ready for a potential lawsuit?”
Smart organizations will start or expand efforts to train adults about reporting abuse and teach kids about “safe touch,” knowing that
– victims are less inclined to sue an institution that seems to take abuse seriously,
– judges and juries are more lenient with institutions that are already addressing the problem which led to a lawsuit.
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UNITED STATES
Columbia Journalism Review
By Merrill Perlman
APRIL 4, 2016
ONE SURE SIGN OF SPRING is the sighting of new entries for The Associated Press Stylebook.
For the past few years, changes in the AP Stylebook have been announced to coincide with the annual conference of the American Copy Editors Society. (Full disclosure: This columnist is a member of the ACES board.) …
AP now recommends that writers avoid using the word “prostitute” when a child is involved, as in “child prostitute,” “teenage prostitute,” and so forth, because it implies that the child “is voluntarily trading sex for money,” Kent says, and a child, by definition, cannot do so.
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PENNSYLVANIA
Church Militant
by Bradley Eli, M.Div., MA.Th. • ChurchMilitant.com • April 4, 2016
Allegations of pedophila is enough to have priest’s faculties removed in Scranton diocese
SCRANTON, Pa. (ChurchMilitant.com) – The Diocese of Scranton is suspending a longtime priest immediately after allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor surfaced late Friday night.
A diocesan statement released Sunday confirmed that Rev. Martin M. Boylan is the accused priest.
According to the statement, the accuser, now an adult, was a minor when the alleged abuse occurred. The name of the accuser has not been released, nor was it made clear when the alleged abuse took place.
The diocese, as per the statement, noted, “In response to the allegation, the diocese of Scranton immediately notified the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office, the county where the abuse is reported to have taken place.” …
ChurchMilitant.com has been covering the Altoona-Johnstown scandal since it broke last month with the release of a 147-page grand jury report outlining how the diocesan hierarchy helped cover up the sexual abuse of hundreds of children by dozens of priests and religious leaders over a 40-year period.
David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a Chicago-based support group, said the recent arrest of three Franciscan friars in Altoona and the revelation of a massive cover-up could have been a catalyst for the Wayne County victim to come forward.
According to Clohessy, “The victim may have said, ‘Things are changing. If I come forward now, maybe someone will listen.'”
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NEW MEXICO
KSFR
[with audio]
By KATE POWELL
Catholic dioceses in the United States have a problem with sexual abuse. It’s no secret anymore: Spotlight, a film documenting the work of a team of Boston Globe reporters investigating clergy abuse, took this year’s Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. But in New Mexico, where Roman Catholic traditions weave through the lives of even the most secular residents, the issue is harder to talk about, and justice seems harder to come by.
But that doesn’t mean no one is pursuing justice for New Mexicans abused by clergy. KSFR’s Kate Powell brings us interviews with an attorney who works to shed light on troubling practices by the Archdiocese, and a group of survivors who have broken their silence in hopes of making change for Catholic children today.
David Clohessy, Executive Director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says New Mexico is still a “perfect storm” when it comes to clergy abuse. First, because there’s been virtually no independent investigation into clergy sex crimes in the state. Second, of the dozens of sexual abuse cases launched against the Santa Fe Archdiocese, not one has gone to a civil trial. And third, New Mexico has a strict statute of limitations to initiate prosecution in cases of sexual abuse.
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NEW YORK
New York Daily News
BY KEVIN THOMAS MULHEARN SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, April 4, 2016
In recent weeks, the Daily News has been commendably focused on the compelling need to reform the New York statute of limitations for survivors of alleged childhood sexual abuse. New York has one of the most regressive laws on this issue in the entire United States; it bars child victims from seeking justice against predators unless they file a claim before they turn 23.
But, unfortunately, that’s just half the problem. At the very same time, judges have been interpreting the law in a way that’s protective of institutions that may have been involved in lengthy cover-ups of abuse.
Although typically, in cases involving fraud, the clock on a statute of limitations should not begin to run until the moment fraud is discovered or — upon reasonable diligence — would have been discovered, in sex abuse cover-up cases, New York courts have stuck to the hard-and-fast rule that if a victim is 23 or older, he or she is out of luck.
Given the shame associated with sexual abuse, it is already difficult for a victim to bring a case against an individual teacher, coach, priest or rabbi by age 23. It’s absolutely absurd to pretend that young adults by that age would have discovered what they needed to discover to credibly accuse an institution of facilitating a pattern of abuse against scores of children.
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PENNSYLVANIA
WNEP
APRIL 4, 2016, BY JIM HAMILL
HONESDALE — The Diocese of Scranton suspended Fr. Martin Boylan after learning of alleged abuse on Friday.
Fr. Martin Boylan spent time at St. John the Evangelist in Honesdale and eventually ended up at St. Patrick parish in Scranton where he’s been suspended.
It’s unclear where in Wayne County Fr. Boylan is accused of sexual misconduct with a minor, but investigators have indicated the statute of limitations has not run out.
It’s been several years since Fr. Boylan served at St. John the Evangelist in Honesdale.
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PENNSYLVANIA
PA Homepage
By Eric Deabill | edeabill@pahomepage.com
Published 04/04 2016
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – Parishioners in the Diocese of Scranton are reacting to news of another potential sex scandal.
As Eyewitness News first reported Sunday night, a priest from West Scranton has been removed from his position after an allegation of sexual misconduct.
Father Martin Boylan’s name is still on the sign outside of Saint Patrick’s Parish on Jackson Street but the priest’s ability to perform mass has been suspended by the bishop.
Late Friday night, the Diocese of Scranton says it received an allegation against Boylan.
The accuser, who is now an adult, claims the abuse reportedly took place years ago in Wayne County.
“I’m just very shocked, disheartened,” Donna Gilroy of Scranton said.
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PENNSYLVANIA
ABC 27
By Myles Snyder
Published: April 4, 2016
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – The majority chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he’s introduced legislation to abolish the criminal statute of limitations in future child sexual abuse prosecutions.
Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) said his bill would also raise the civil statute-of-limitations age from 30 to 50.
He plans to run his measure, House Bill 1947, through his committee on Tuesday.
“My choice to not include a retroactive period in this legislation was not easy,” Marsico said in a statement. “As a father and grandfather, I am horrified by allegations of sex abuse. But, I also fear the huge negative impact it would potentially have on many nonprofit community groups and the services they provide due to the massive lawsuits they might end up facing for actions that may have occurred decades ago by people who are no longer even affiliated with those nonprofit groups.
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PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive
By Ivey DeJesus | idejesus@pennlive.com
on April 04, 2016
The senior ranking member of the state House Judiciary Committee on Monday unveiled legislation designed to reform Pennsylvania’s sex crime laws.
The legislation introduced by Majority Chairman Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) would overhaul the law going forward but contains no retroactive components. Retroactive measures have been a key demand from victims of sexual abuse who have “timed out of the system,” particularly victims who were abused as children.”
“My choice to not include a retroactive period in this legislation was not easy,” Marsico said in a written statement. “As a father and grandfather, I am horrified by allegations of sex abuse. But, I also fear the huge negative impact it would potentially have on many nonprofit community groups and the services they provide due to the massive lawsuits they might end up facing for actions that may have occurred decades ago by people who are no longer even affiliated with those nonprofit groups. These groups were created to help people and I would not want those people to lose access to life-supporting services.”
Marsico’s proposed legislation would abolish the criminal statute of limitations for future criminal prosecutions.
“That way, justice will always be served because no one who sexually abuses a child then will ever be free from criminal prosecution merely because of a lapsed statute of limitations,” he said.
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CANADA
CBC News
A lawsuit alleging sexual abuse at the hands of a retired Sudbury priest has ended in a settlement.
The civil case involved a former altar boy who says he was sexually assaulted as a teenager by father John E. Sullivan nearly 50 years ago.
The lawsuit names Father Sullivan and the Diocese of Sault Ste Marie for damages amounting to $3 million.
Sullivan was criminally convicted in the early 1990s for sexual crimes against boys – 15 in total, according to the plaintiff’s lawyer, Rob Talach, from Beckett Personal Injury Lawyers based in London.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
fosters.com
Posted Apr. 4, 2016
DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire will host Walter Robinson, the Boston Globe journalist whose work inspired the Oscar-winning film “Spotlight,” April 12, at 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building, Theatre II.
Robinson of The Boston Globe led a team of reporters that uncovered sweeping sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in New England and beyond. The investigation won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service and inspired the 2016 Oscar-winning movie “Spotlight.” Robinson will lead a conversation about investigative journalism, the role of the press and more.
This event is made possible by the support of the McLean Family Fund for Journalism Excellence at UNH. Contact the UNH English Department for more information at 603-862-1313.
The event is free and open to the public.
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CANADA
The Telegram
Barb Sweet
Published on April 04, 2016
A civil trial is underway at Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court to determine whether the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corp. of St. John’s, is liable for physical and sexual abuse by Christian Brothers of boys at the former Mount Cashel Orphange from the 1940s to 1960s.
In opening statements, lawyer Geoff Budden, said the church owes a duty to the boys who were abused there. There are four test cases, representing about 60 claimants who are clients of Budden’s firm. He also said church officials were the lead when it came to dealing with government, in the orphanage’s founding and setup.
But Toronto lawyer Mark Frederick said the Christian Brothers were the wardens of the boys, and his client, the Roman Catholic Church, isn’t liable because it wasn’t involved in the facility’s operation.
The first witness in the John Doe case began testimony this morning, recalling how life was happy for him and his four brothers until his mother died of cancer at age 31, when he was seven. He recalled how the boys kissed their mother in the coffin each night during the wake, then after she died, his inconsolable father stayed away from home a lot and drank.
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CANADA
CBC News
Colin Perkel, The Canadian Press
Published Monday, April 4, 2016
TORONTO — Survivors of Canada’s notorious residential school system have the right to see their stories archived if they wish, but their accounts must otherwise be destroyed in 15 years, Ontario’s top court ruled in a split decision Monday.
At issue are documents related to compensation claims made by as many as 30,000 survivors of Indian residential schools — many heart-rending accounts of sexual, physical and psychological abuse.
Compensation claimants never surrendered control of their stories, the Appeal Court said.
“Residential school survivors are free to disclose their own experiences, despite any claims that others may make with respect to confidentiality and privacy,” the court said.
The decision came in response to various appeals and cross-appeals of a ruling by Superior Court Justice Paul Perell in 2014 related to claims made under the confidential independent assessment process — or IAP — set up as part of an agreement that settled a class action against the government.
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AUSTRALIA
The Australian
KATHERINE TOWERS
THE AUSTRALIAN
APRIL 5, 2016
Fugitive Jewish headmistress Malka Leifer will now battle authorities in two countries after a former student and teacher at a Melbourne girls’ school last week launched legal action against the former principal for serial sexual abuse.
The woman is the sister of another victim who was last year awarded $1.27 million for molestation at the hands of Ms Leifer while she was principal of the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel school at Elsternwick in Melbourne’s inner southeast.
The Melbourne woman, who cannot be named, has followed her sister in suing Ms Leifer in Victoria’s Supreme Court, alleging years of abuse by the former headmistress while a student and then teacher at the school.
Students at the female-only Adass Israel school are brought up in ultra-orthodox Jewish families and have limited access to members of the opposite sex, no television, radio, internet, magazines or newspapers, and have no sexual education. Ms Leifer fled Australia for Israel in 2008 in the middle of the night within hours of being made aware of allegations she had sexually abused more than eight girls at the school. Some members of the Adass Israel school board are under investigation by Victoria Police for helping Ms Leifer and her family leave to avoid a criminal investigation and possible prosecution.
Ms Leifer has been under house arrest in the ultra-orthodox enclave of Bnei Brak in central Israel since 2014 after Israeli authorities responded to an extradition request by Canberra. Australia wants her to face 74 criminal charges for sexual abuse of children while head of the school, but the mother of eight has avoided extradition, claiming psychiatric distress.
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PENNSYLVANIA
The Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse (FACSA)
As in many other states before PA, the Catholic Conferences have tried many tactics to prevent state legislators from doing what is in the best interest of children and the worst interest of those who have committed the crimes of child sex abuse and and even more so those who covered up the crimes for decades.
The PCC recent memo to the PA General Assembly 4/1/2016 is one of those tactics that twists or omits facts about the proposed legislation and its impact and what has actually happened in other states where this legislation has been passed. FACSA has strongly supported the current HB 655 (sponsored by Rep. Ed Gainey) which eliminates both criminal and civil statutes of limitations going forward and HB 951 (sponsored by Rep. Tom Murt) which opens a two year civil window for past victims of child sex abuse. While HB 655 appears on the House Judiciary calendar for discussion on Wednesday, in actuality, it will not be discussed at all. Rather, the chairman, Rep. Ron Marsico will be introducing new legislation that will likely eliminate only the criminal statue of limitations. He does this so he can look like he wants to protect children, but for more than a decade he has refused to consider the legislation that will provide justice for victims of child sex abuse and protection from criminals who can still be abusing children.
Below is an important rebuttal of the PCC “facts” which was written by Marci Hamilton, JD, a nationally renowned expert on first amendment law and a long time advocate for children everywhere.
NOTE: Please contact Marci Hamilton below with further questions regarding her document.
TO: Members of the PA General Assembly
FROM: Marci A. Hamilton www.SOL-reform.com
PHONE: 215-353-8984 | FAX: 215-493-1094 E-MAIL: hamilton.marci@gmail.com
RE: Omissions in Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Memo on Effects of Retroactive
Civil Legislation for Child Sex Abuse
The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (“PCC”) has submitted misleading arguments against the value of retroactive civil statutes of limitations (“SOLs”) reform for child sex abuse in a memo dated April 1, 2016. It also has omitted numerous relevant facts. The following are the facts, gleaned from my academic study of SOL Reform over the last decade, based on research for my book, Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children (Cambridge University Press 2008, 2014), and www.SOL-Reform.com, my website, which documents and tracks statutes of limitations for child sex abuse victims in every state and globally, for the purpose of public education on access to justice for victims.
1. The PCC states: facts solely related to abuse in the Catholic community, leaving the impression that revival legislation only benefits victims of the Catholic Church.
The PCC omits: all of the other organizations and individuals that have been and will be disclosed through civil SOL revival legislation across the U.S.: healthcare providers including pediatricians, a wide variety of religious organizations, numerous scouting organizations, elite preparatory high schools, universities, drama schools and theaters, modeling agencies, coaches and sports organizations, and, the largest category: families.
2. The PCC states: “sexual abuse is a serious crime” in an attempt to focus all fault on the perpetrators.
The PCC omits: (a) The endangerment of children through covering up child sex abuse is also a serious crime and Msgr. William Lynn (Philadelphia Archdiocese) was convicted for this crime and three Franciscans were recently charged by the Pennsylvania Attorney General with this serious crime.
(b) Putting children at risk of sex abuse is also a serious tort, committed by numerous dioceses worldwide. The Catholic cover up is not over, as the recent Pennsylvania Attorney General Grand Jury Report on the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese documents.
3. The PCC states: revival of civil SOLs for child sex abuse “will throw justice out of balance.”
The PCC omits: The current “balance” endangers children by keeping predators hidden and institutions unaccountable.
4. The PCC states: revival of civil SOLs for child sex abuse will “jeopardize every church, nonpublic school, and charity that serves children in Pennsylvania.”
The PCC omits: The actual number of claims is relatively small in the states where revival has been implemented, compared to the actual number of survivors and state population. The PCC’s statement is a gross exaggeration disproved in each state with revival legislation.
5. The PCC states: “Pennsylvania’s 3 million Catholics cannot afford to defend their parishes and Catholic schools from expensive and indefensible lawsuits.”
The PCC omits: The Catholic cases are typically proven by the dioceses’ own, copious records documenting the abuse and the cover-up. They are only “indefensible” because of the failures of the hierarchy to protect children from known predators.
6. The PCC states: Parishes in Delaware were sued. There was a $3 million verdict against a parish.
The PCC omits: The cases against the Delaware parishes were settled as part of the settlement with the Wilmington Diocese and 124 victims, for significant changes to improve child safety in the diocese, totaling $77 million. Survivors were paid from $75,000 to 3 million depending on severity of the abuse. No Catholic settlement in the United States has afforded survivors remotely close to $3 million on average. The dioceses settle to avoid verdicts yielding actual compensatory damages.
7. The PCC states: In Wilmington, “2 struggling inner-city schools were closed, “10%” of diocesan workforce was laid off, and funds needed for the hungry were “depleted.”
The PCC omits: This is a shell game the diocese has never substantiated. These changes are taking place across the country because giving and attendance are down, and the next generation prefers spirituality (or agnosticism) over organized religion. It hasn’t helped that the cancer of covering up child sex abuse festers in dioceses like Altoona-Johnstown, PA.
8. The PCC states: “Not one pedophile was taken off the streets in states that retroactively nullified their statute of limitations.”
The PCC omits: Dr. Earl Bradley, the worst pedophile pediatrician in history, was charged and convicted after the Delaware window was put in place. The bishops’ cover-up of its priests and employees deliberately ran out the criminal SOLs; it is unconstitutional to revive a criminal SOL; therefore, the civil revivals are the only option for justice for the vast majority of the Catholic victims. Over 300 pedophiles were identified in California through the window—inside and outside the Catholic universe.
9. The PCC states: “(68 percent) of the accused perpetrators identified with California’s ‘window” were already dead or were very old, infirm, or long removed from ministry at the time the claims were filed.”
The PCC omits: (a) Assuming the 68% is true, that means 32% were active and Californians learned the identities of at least 100 pedophiles operating in anonymity in schools and elsewhere.
(b) The entities’ endangerment of children through negligent and failed policies is an ongoing threat to child safety whether a particular pedophile is alive or dead.
(c) Pedophiles do not “age out” of abusing children. Fr. John Geoghan in Boston was abusing children in his 80s.
(d) Removal from ministry means only that the bishops released problem priests or employees into the general population without naming them. They are hidden predators who need to be named.
10. The PCC states: “Very few victims or defendants had their day in court; guilt or innocence was not the deciding the factor.”
The PCC omits: The bishops typically settle right before any trial to avoid having the hierarchy testify in public about the facts of callous child endangerment. They then often file voluntary bankruptcy to protect assets, reduce the claims per survivor, and avoid any trials. Not one false claim arose from the Catholic bankruptcies to date except when the San Diego Diocese asserted it needed to be in bankruptcy due to a lack of assets, which turned out to be categorically false.
11. The PCC states: “Bankruptcy and severe debt was the only option for most dioceses in the states with retroactive windows.”
The PCC omits: No diocese has ever filed for involuntary bankruptcy or been forced into bankruptcy. In Milwaukee, then-Archbishop Timothy Dolan hid $55 million in a so-called “cemetery trust” to avoid compensating 11 known victims who had filed suit. The Archdiocese then filed voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy, invited all known victims to become part of the bankruptcy claims for their healing, and then refused to compensate the vast majority of survivors. No California diocese was permitted to pursue bankruptcy (San Diego is the only one that tried).
The Catholic dioceses, taken together, are the largest landowners in the United States. When they reveal their annual “finances” they never include their actual wealth, which is typically hidden in countless real property holdings, under a wide variety of names.
12. The PCC states: Plaintiffs attorneys are paid as part of settlements.
The PCC omits: Plaintiffs attorneys foot the full cost of sex abuse litigation and victims pay nothing, whether the case goes forward or not. The hierarchy has paid millions to engage in hardball litigation tactics against the victims and their families in the few cases that have been able to go forward in Pennsylvania despite the short SOLs, regardless of the merits of the case.
13. The PCC states: Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed window legislation.
The PCC omits: This was a second window, that was pushed in large part for Buddhist and other victims who were unaware of the original 2003 window. The California Catholic Conference lobbied against this second revival law, and succeeded in keeping the vast majority of California’s sex abuse victims out of court.
14. The PCC states: “There comes a time when an individual or organization should be secure in the reasonable expectation that past acts are indeed in the past and not subject to further lawsuits.”
The PCC omits: This argument makes no sense when it comes to murder or child sex abuse.
Disclaimer: the views expressed here are solely those of the author in her private, academic capacity and do not represent the views of Cardozo Law School or Yeshiva University.
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UNITED STATES
The Good Men Project
Last week, I attended the annual conference of End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) whose signature awareness campaign, “Start By Believing,” aims to validate those who have experienced sexual or domestic violence.
When I think about men who have had those experiences, I’m often reminded how the expectation of invulnerability that most cultures demand of males leaves many men feeling like
The theme of this year’s EVAWI conference was “Engaging Men,” so we were excited to have a chance to be a part of this important dialogue.
In the context of ending sexual and domestic violence, “Engaging Men” is often interpreted as recruiting males as allies in the critical work of preventing and confronting gender-based violence perpetrated by men and boys against women and girls. For an organization whose very name sets out that challenge, it would have been easy for EVAWI to end the conversation there.
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INDIA
FirstPost
Panaji: Cases of child sex abuse are not rampant among Roman Catholic priests in India as appears to be the case abroad, senior Catholic priests who arrived in Goa for a high-level conference said on Monday.
They said the Vatican, the global seat of Catholicism, has approved guidelines for India as far as handling cases of priests found accused of child sex abuse is concerned.
“In India, it (child sex abuse) is not very rampant, maybe in foreign countries (it is),” Fr. Philemon Doss, president of the Conference of Diocesan Priests of India, told IANS ahead of the three-day conference of Diocesan priests which gets underway in Goa on Tuesday.
The aim of the conference, in which 275 priests from across India are expected to participate, is aimed at helping priests in India foster a expert understanding of their priesthood and encourage collegiality amongst priests of the Diocesan order, which runs several premier educational institutes in the country.
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AUSTRALIA
The Australian
APRIL 5, 2016
John Ferguson
Victorian Editor
Melbourne
As far as we will ever know, Ronald Mulkearns never molested anyone.
But through his cover-up of priests who did, the former bishop of Ballarat arguably inflicted more damage on children under his care than any other figure in the Catholic Church in Australia.
Such was his culpability that Mulkearns will go down on a world scale as having created a system in which paedophilia could thrive.
His death presents the modern church with a dilemma: how to farewell a servant of the church who got it so wrong, while honouring the faith’s core belief of forgiveness.
Those who say Mulkearns was all bad will get it wrong, but his gravest sin was to put the church ahead of the children.
The church, from the 1950s until the extent of the sex-abuse scandal became known in the 1990s, was powerfully proficient at covering up offending, aided by compliant community attitudes.
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AUSTRALIA
The Australian
APRIL 5, 2016
Tessa Akerman
Reporter
Melbourne
John Ferguson
Victorian Editor
Melbourne
The death of Bishop Ronald Mulkearns, who shifted pedophile priests between western Victorian parishes to conceal their offending, has left George Pell as the standout senior church figure to face the royal commission findings into the Ballarat scandal.
Bishop Mulkearns’s death yesterday morning all but brings to an end the child sex abuse royal commission’s examination of the abuses of hundreds of children committed in the Catholic diocese of Ballarat between the 1960s and 90s.
Bishop Mulkearns, who was 85, living in a nursing home and stricken with cancer, was part-way through his testimony to the royal commission, having run a criminally negligent diocese from 1971 to 1997 with the worst record of Catholic sex abuse in Australia.
Cardinal Pell became embroiled in controversy over his tenure as a priest in the Ballarat diocese under Bishop Mulkearns and has faced intense questioning over what he knew — and when — about offending.
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DEUTSCHLAND
Sueddeutsche
[The Würzburg judiciary is investigating a priest who allegedly abused a young years ago. The accused denies the allegations in the 44-year-old woman.]
Von Katja Auer, Würzburg
Es gibt nur zwei Leute, die genau wissen, was damals im Spätsommer 1988 im Exerzitienhaus Himmelspforten wirklich passiert ist. Deren Versionen sind aber gänzlich unterschiedlich. Eine Frau, heute 44 Jahre alt, wirft einem Geistlichen vor, er habe sie damals zum Oralsex gezwungen. Der Priester bestreitet das.
Wer recht hat, wird möglicherweise nie geklärt, denn einen Prozess wird es wahrscheinlich nicht geben. Zu lange ist alles her, strafrechtlich ist womöglich alles verjährt. Das prüft die Staatsanwaltschaft Würzburg gerade, sie hat Ermittlungen eingeleitet. Ein paar Wochen werden die zunächst dauern. 1988 betrug die Verjährungsfrist für Sexualdelikte 20 Jahre vom 18. Geburtstag des Opfers an, es kann also gut sein, dass gar nichts passiert.
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DEUTSCHLAND
Main Post
[Child Abuse: downplaying and covering up]
Das Thema sexueller Missbrauch durch Pfarrer wird die katholische Kirche nicht los. Aktuell hat eine 44-Jährige schwere Vorwürfe gegen einen Geistlichen der Diözese Würzburg erhoben, der sie vor 28 Jahren sexuell missbraucht haben soll (wir berichteten).
Erschütternde Berichte über den Missbrauch von Kindern und Jugendliche durch katholische Pfarrer hat Johannes Heibel in seinem Buch „Der Pfarrer und die Detektive“ beschrieben.
Im Mittelpunkt stehen dabei – wie ebenfalls berichtet – zwei Fälle, die mit unserer Region zu tun haben, einer sogar indirekt mit Schweinfurt. Das Buch ist im Mai 2014 erschienen. Beide Missbrauchspfarrer waren da noch im Amt. Sie sind es jetzt nicht mehr. Den heute 76-jährigen W., der lange Zeit als Pfarrer in der Diözese Würzburg wirkte, hat Papst Franziskus im Juli 2015 seiner priesterlichen Rechte und Pflichten enthoben. Er ist also kein Priester mehr.
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MEXIKO
NPLA
(Mexiko-Stadt, 7. März 2016, cimacnoticias).- Der Vater einer 13-Jährige entschied, dass niemand seine Tochter entjungfern dürfe – niemand außer ihm. Freund*innen und Bekannte hätten niemals vermutet, dass er, der angesehene Architekt, ein Kinderschänder sein könnte. In Puebla vergriff sich ein katholischer Priester regelmäßig an einem der Messdiener. Für den Jungen, der bereits im Kinderheim gewalttätige Übergriffe erlebt hatte, war das Recht auf Schutz in einer von Erwachsenen dominierten Welt bis dahin ein Fremdwort. Eine Kirchgängerin wurde schließlich Zeugin der Übergriffe und beschloss, das eingeschüchterte Kind zu retten.
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DEUTSCHLAND
Wochelblatt
[The former fiancee of the dead Maria Baumer is charged for sexual abuse of two Domspatzen choir members.]
Der ehemalige Verlobte der toten Maria Baumer wird angeklagt – wegen sexuellen Missbrauchs zweier Domspatzen. Im September 2013 hatte man die Überreste Baumers gefunden, der Ex-Verlobte gilt nach wie vor als Verdächtiger.
Der Fall Maria Baumer ist um ein weiteres Rätsel reicher: Laut Staatsanwaltschaft Regensburg ist ihr früherer Verlobter nun angeklagt, zwei Domspatzen sexuell missbraucht zu haben. Das berichtete die Mittelbayerische Zeitung online.
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NEW MEXICO
Gallup Independent
Published in the Gallup Independent, Gallup, NM, April 2, 2016
Public never informed of sexual misconduct claims against priest
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Independent correspondent
religion@gallupindependent.com
GALLUP – Eight months after the Diocese of Gallup filed its Chapter 11 petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, another priest in the diocese was accused of sexual misconduct in July 2014.
In many other Catholic dioceses, that accusation would have generated an announcement to Catholic parishioners and a news release to the general public. After an investigation, the diocese would issue another news release explaining if the allegation had been found to be unsubstantiated or whether it was deemed to be credible.
That’s a “best practice” scenario, according to what Gallup Bishop James S. Wall said in an interview in September 2009, just months after he was installed as Gallup’s Roman Catholic bishop.
But that’s a practice Wall has not followed in at least a half-dozen cases where diocesan, religious order or visiting international priests suddenly disappeared from their ministry assignments with no explanation to local Catholics or news releases to the public.
In the case of the July 2014 allegations, the Gallup Diocese has been silent until this week. On Friday, the diocese responded to questions raised by a police report obtained by the Gallup Independent.
Two allegations
The Rev. Eugene R. Bowski is the accused priest. In a McKinley County Sheriff’s Office report from July 2014, two allegations were made against Bowski, who was described as being a retired priest residing in Williams Acres and who had recently been the priest at St. Patrick’s Mission, located south of Gallup.
The report was made by two individuals from out of state who were serving as volunteers in the diocese. One was reportedly the Safe Environment trainer at their home parish. According to the report, Bowski had allegedly sexually propositioned a young man, and Bowski had allegedly exhibited grooming behaviors toward the young man when he was a minor. The second allegation was that Bowski was spending unsupervised, one-on-one time with a boy younger than 10.
In addition to filing a report with the sheriff’s office, the two volunteers called in a report to the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department and also reported the allegations to the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, then the vicar general for the Diocese of Gallup.
The Gallup Independent does not identify alleged victims of sex abuse without their consent. Although a family member of the young man and the mother of the minor boy were interviewed by phone, identifying them by name would compromise the youths’ identities.
Bowski, however, commented about the allegations in several phone conversations this week.
One mother’s support
According to Bowski, he did nothing inappropriate in either situation, and he said the mother of the young boy had even written a letter of support for him. When contacted Wednesday, Bowski said he had just had a phone conversation with the mother earlier in the morning and would ask her to call and offer her comments.
Later that day, a woman, who identified herself as the child’s mother, called and said she did not believe anything inappropriate had happened between Bowski and her son. She said she allowed her child to participate in a forensic interview, which she believes was arranged by diocesan officials.
“They did not find any evidence of abuse,” she said. “They told me that nothing had happened.”
The woman said she only left her son alone with Bowski “maybe one time,” and other times she was nearby to frequently check on her child or he was accompanied by an older sibling.
Bowski said he only remembered being alone with the child once and that was when the mother asked him to transport the boy in his car.
Other family’s view
Bowski does not have that same support from the other family. According to the sheriff’s office report, officers questioned the young man and one of his close family members. Both claimed Bowski sexually propositioned the alleged victim, but the young man rebuffed the priest’s request and immediately went home and reported the incident to his family.
The sheriff’s office closed the case because no criminal activity took place since the alleged victim was not a minor.
When contacted Tuesday, that family member expressed anger at Bowski. The individual stated Bowski had befriended the young man for a number of years while he was still a minor, and stated they believed Bowski used that friendship as a pretext to groom him for abuse.
Bowski, however, has a different perspective.
“He was an adult at the time,” Bowski said when asked about the July 2014 incident. “He wasn’t a child. It’s not against the law.”
“I have always said he misunderstood me,” Bowski added, “and I maintain that.”
Bowski also disputed that he had ever tried to groom the young man for abuse. He said he just tried to befriend the youth and offer him assistance with opportunities.
“I don’t think it’s criminal to be someone’s friend,” Bowski said.
Restrictions by bishop
According to Bowski, he doesn’t know why the Diocese of Gallup never publicly announced the allegations made against him.
“I would be interested in the answer to that too,” he said.
Under restrictions imposed by the bishop, Bowski said he can no longer celebrate Mass publicly like other retired priests. However, Bowski said, he believes he might be able to do so if he moved to another diocese.
“The case against me isn’t even flimsy,” he said. “It doesn’t even rise to that standard.”
In an email Friday, Suzanne Hammons, the diocese’s spokeswoman, addressed both allegations. Regarding the minor child, she said, the diocese retained an outside firm that conducted an independent investigation.
“No further claims nor evidence of criminal activity, including no claims of any abuse or attempted abuse of minors was discovered and none have been made since the 2014 incident,” she said.
As to the allegations by the young man, Hammons said, “While Fr. Bowski’s actions with respect to this adult male may not have been illegal, these actions were contrary to his position and obligations as a priest. Fr. Bowski’s faculties have been withdrawn and he is not ministering nor working in any capacity in the Diocese nor will he be allowed to do so.”
Hammons did not explain why the Gallup Diocese did not inform the public about the allegations, the results of the investigations or the removal of Bowski’s priestly faculties. Nor did she explain why the diocese no longer posts its Pastoral Code of Ethics on its website for public review.
Church law
The Rev. James Connell, a retired priest with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and a church canon lawyer, has become a national advocate for clergy sex abuse victims and survivors.
When contacted Thursday, Connell said church law doesn’t just look at an incident of sexual abuse by itself, but also considers the entire grooming period that led up to the abuse incident. For that reason, he said, officials with the Diocese of Gallup should take a closer look at whether the alleged grooming in this case took place while the young man was still a minor.
“It is seen as one continuous action,” he explained.
In an email Friday, Connell said Catholic bishops “committed to openness and transparency with the public” in matters of clergy sexual abuse when the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
“Any diocesan bishop who does not fulfill the commitment made in the Charter contributes to scandal in the community because the bishop’s behavior encourages people to lose trust in the moral leadership of the bishop that in turn can lead to people altering the practice of their faith,” Connell said. “And the creation of scandal is against divine law and church law.”
Hammons said the Gallup Diocese takes the “protection and well-being of all children, young people, and adults very seriously, and in this case the Charter and all legal and ethical guidelines were followed” by church officials.
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PENNSYLVANIA
New York Times
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN
APRIL 4, 2016
LORETTO, Pa. — By the age of 12, Maureen Powers, the daughter of a professor at the local Roman Catholic university, played the organ in the magnificent hilltop Catholic basilica here and volunteered in the parish office. But she said she was hiding a secret: Her priest sexually abused her for two years, telling her it was for the purpose of “research.”
By her high school years, she felt so tied up in knots of betrayal and shame that she confided in a succession of priests. She said the first tried to take advantage of her sexually, the second suggested she comfort herself with a daily candy bar and the third told her to see a counselor. None of them reported the abuse to the authorities or mentioned that she could take that step.
So when a Pennsylvania grand jury revealed in a report in March that the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, which includes Loretto, engaged in an extensive cover-up of as many as 50 abusers, Ms. Powers, now 67, decided to finally report her case. She called the office of the Pennsylvania attorney general and recounted her story, including the name of her abuser, a prominent monsignor who was not listed in the grand jury report.
“I just felt like now, someone will believe me,” said Ms. Powers, who retired after 30 years in leadership positions at the Y.W.C.A. in Lancaster, Pa.
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AUSTRALIA
The Courier
By Matthew Dixon
April 4, 2016
Former Ballarat Bishop Ronald Mulkearns has died.
Bishop Mulkearns, aged 85, died on Sunday night after a long battle with cancer. Church officials confirmed his death to The Courier this morning.
He was considered the “keeper of secrets” in the Catholic Church, with many clergy sex abuse survivors believing he could have stopped much of the horrific abuse to occur throughout the region.
Bishop Mulkearns made his much-anticipated appearance at the child sexual abuse inquiry via videolink from the nursing home where he had lived February.
He told the inquiry he was “terribly sorry” he did not take the mounting sexual abuse allegations about offending clergy seriously and admitted he did not know how to handle the situation.
The hearing was adjourned after about 90 minutes due to Bishop Mulkearns’ ill health and he did not reappear.
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ROME
The Freethinker
Funds designated for sick children were allegedly diverted to pay for costly renovations to the apartment of the Vatican’s former Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 81, above.
According to estimates published in the Italian press, each of the bedrooms has its own private bathroom, and the kitchen facilities are befitting a banquet hall. Bertone spent $22,000 on eight independent sharable audio programmes and audio controls with LCD display for each environment.
That, writes Barbie Latza Nadeau of the Daily Beast:
Essentially boils down to a sound system where each room in the lavish apartment, including the rooftop chapel, can be programmed with its own mood music. This, for a prelate and three nuns who have no official role whatsoever in Francis’s church.
She adds:
The massive-for-Rome apartment is being floored with 2,400 square feet of expensive herringbone oak parquet which cost the cardinal and the hospital $28,000. A smaller 750-square-foot area is being covered with luxury white Carrara marble at a price tag of $11,000. The double-glaze energy efficient windows cost $80,000 and the front security door is priced at $6,000.
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ITALY
The Sun Daily
ROME: Italian police are dropping an investigation into a bishop for the alleged sexual abuse of seminarists, media reports said Sunday.
Prosecutors in Cassino, south of Rome, had opened a probe into monsignor Gerardo Antonazzo after receiving a letter from a seminarian accusing the bishop of sexually molesting him and others.
But prosecutor Luciano d’Emmanuele on Sunday released a statement saying no charges would be brought, La Repubblica daily said.
Antonazzo had been quoted on Saturday stressing “how utterly unfounded the accusations are”.
Sex abuse scandals have dogged the Catholic Church in recent years with alleged victims breaking their silence in the United States, Ireland, the Netherlands, Australia France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Mexico and Poland.
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AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun
April 3, 2016
Shannon Deery
Herald Sun
THE Ballarat bishop who failed to stop the abuse of hundreds of children over three decades has died.
Fr Ronald Mulkearns who was battling cancer died overnight aged 86.
It comes just two weeks after he gave secret pre-recorded evidence ahead of an upcoming criminal trial.
Under his watch, between 1971 and 1997, hundreds of children were molested by notorious paedophiles including Gerald Ridsdale and Robert Best.
At the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in February Fr Mulkearns admitted he had failed as a bishop.
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