ABUSE TRACKER

CANADA
St. Mary’s University

6 September, 2013

Two student organizers will face a disciplinary hearing following an orientation week event involving a sexually inappropriate chant at Saint Mary’s University.

A formal complaint was received Friday, September 6. The complaint alleges violations of the Student Code of Conduct for the use of abusive or offensive language or gestures at University sponsored functions.

The code states that non-academic standards of behaviour are as important as academic standards.

Under the code, any member of the University community (i.e. students, faculty, administrators or employees) may lodge a complaint within five days of the complainant having become aware of the misconduct.

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CANADA
CTV

[with video]

CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Thursday, September 5, 2013

The student union president of Halifax’s Saint Mary’s University says he made the “biggest mistake” of his life after a notorious chant promoting non-consensual sex with underage girls was used to rally first-year students during frosh week.

The chant, which was captured on video during orientation week activities and later posted on Instagram, has sparked outrage both across the country and on the east-coast university campus.

“It’s a mistake. It’s definitely the biggest mistake I’ve made throughout my university career and probably my life,” Jared Perry, president of Saint Mary’s University Student Association, told reporters on Thursday.

A controversial chant was performed by 80 student leaders in front of about 300 of their first-year peers at Saint Mary’s University on Monday.

He was joined by the 80 student leaders who led the chant, which included the phrases: “Y is for your sister,” “U is for underage,” and “N is for no consent.” It was performed on Monday in front of approximately 300 first-year students.

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CANADA
The Globe and Mail

JANE TABER
Halifax — The Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Sep. 06 2013

Saint Mary’s University is calling on an expert in bullying to lead a new task force on preventing sexual violence, following a national controversy over a rape-themed cheer at a frosh week event.

Wayne MacKay, the former chair of a provincial task force on bullying, was appointed by the school after a video surfaced of a chant during frosh week activities at the Halifax university.

“As I watched events unfold at Saint Mary’s University over the last week, I saw that there is clearly more work to be done along the road I have already been travelling in relation to human rights,” Mr. MacKay said in a statement released by Saint Mary’s Friday morning.

Mr. MacKay is a professor at Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law.

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CANADA
St. Mary’s University

A recent Orientation Week event involving student leaders chanting inappropriate and offensive lyrics is completely inexcusable and violates our University’s commitment to upholding the values of equality and respect.

My colleagues and I were shocked by this incident and are deeply sorry that our students, and now the community at large, were exposed to disturbing sexually charged material. The University regrets that this was allowed to occur and we apologize unreservedly. I am taking measures to ensure it does not happen in the future.

While Orientation Week is a student-led initiative, the Senior Director of Student Services Keith Hotchkiss, and others, including an HRM Community police officer met with the Orientation Week leaders prior to the event and spoke with them specifically about the issue of sexual assault and sexual consent.

However, I accept that I and the University administration have a role to oversee and guide student leaders. We failed in that responsibility.

As immediate steps to address that issue, I have called for a special meeting with the executive and board of the Student Association, asking them to account for their actions.

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CANADA
Huffington Post

By Tyler Kingkade
Posted: 09/06/2013

A video of student leaders at Saint Mary’s University participating in a chant that endorses sexual assault is causing outrage among college students, officials and local politicians alike.

The chant happened at a Monday event called “Turf Burn” for hundreds of incoming freshmen at the university in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, during “Frosh Week.”

In a video originally posted to Instagram — which was later deleted but resurfaced online — both male and female students are heard chanting: “SMU boys, we like them young. Y is for your sister. O is for oh-so-tight. U is for underage. N is for no consent. G is for grab that ass.”

Hundreds of students participated in the chant, including 80 student leaders, the Chronicle Herald reports.

“My colleagues and I were shocked by this incident and are deeply sorry that our students, and now the community at large, were exposed to disturbing sexually charged material,” SMU President Colin Dodd said in a statement.

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TEXAS
Outlook India

The author of Sex, Lies and Two Hindu Gurus shares her experiences

KAREN JONSON

In 1991, American writer Karen Jonson wasn’t in love and was in a dead-end job when she joined an ashram, the Jagad­guru Kripalu Parishat (JKP) in Austin, Texas, attrac­ted by local guru Prakashanand Sara­swati’s talks “about god and loving god”. The JKP proclaims the divi­nity of Kripaluji Maharaj. In the beginning, she was happy to be among a group of people who had the same feeling and purpose, picking green beans by the moonlight, cooking meals, acting in skits. After living in the ashram for 15 years, she quit in 2008, three years before Prakashanand was found guilty on 20 counts of child sex abuse. Jonson published a tell-all book, Sex, Lies and Two Hindu Gurus, which JKP followers dismiss as a ‘Christian conspiracy’. Here Jonson tells Debarshi Dasgupta how her spiritual quest went awry:

In hindsight, I always had some small doubts about both Kripalu and Prakash. But I had no proof of anything. I was also very religious and wanted to believe what they were telling us, about achieving God realisation and becoming a gopi in divine Vrindavan. All we had to do was ‘surrender’ to them, they said. So I tried really hard to do that, and whenever I stumbled, I believed it was because of my own lack of devotional qualities. So whenever I had doubts, I would push them back into the corners of my mind.

But the major onset of scepticism occurred when Kripalu was arrested in Trinidad for raping a young woman in May 2007. It was while he was on a ‘world tour’ that year for a few months. He had just spent about four weeks in the JKP ashram in Austin where I had lived full-time since April 1993. His plan was to go to Trinidad, then Canada, then come back to Austin.

Some uncomfortable events took place when he was in the Austin ashram, called Barsana Dham at the time (the name was changed to Radha Madhav Dham later, after Prakashanand fled to Mexico on his own cases becoming public). For the first time ever, I was invited to Kripalu’s bedroom to perform a secret ritual they called ‘charan seva’. I had never heard of it before. But I later learned that many of the women in JKP’s ashrams participated in this ritual, which took place several times every day at specific times.

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DEUTSCHLAND
HNA

Ehemalige, die die Ansprache hörten, werfen ihm eine Relativierung der Hexenverbrennungen und des sexuellen Missbrauchs durch katholische Priester vor. Einige hätten den Raum entrüstet verlassen, berichtet Frauke Gromotka aus Fritzlar. Sie spricht von einer „erbärmlichen Argumentation“.

Schulleiterin Jutta Ramisch hat auf der Internetseite der Schule eine Erklärung veröffentlicht, in der sie im Namen von Schulleitung und Kollegium „die entstandenen Irritationen zutiefst“ bedauert. Den Inhalt der Rede habe sie nicht gekannt, sagte Ramisch.

„Es ist eine unglückliche Geschichte gewesen“, erklärte Pfarrer Maleja auf Anfrage der HNA. Er habe einen zentralen Satz der Ursulinengründerin Angela Merici zugrunde gelegt: „Haltet euch an den alten Weg und lebt ein neues Leben.“

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
DFW Catholic

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Sep 6, 2013 / 04:14 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The bishops of the Dominican Republic have voiced support for the investigation launched into accusations of sexual misconduct against the former nuncio to the country, Archbishop Józef Wesolowski.

The bishops called for a “purification of the Church and for the removal of those who unworthily exercise this ministry and do not deserve to be called priests,” in a letter signed by Cardinal Nicolás López Rodríguez of Santo Domingo and president of the Dominican bishops’ conference.

This purification should take place with “the collaboration of authentic priests, who are the majority, and of the church community.”

Archbishop Wesolowski resigned from his post Aug. 21 in the wake of accusations of sexual misconduct that were reported in the media.

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CALIFORNIA
Monterey Herald

By JULIA REYNOLDS
Herald Staff Writer
POSTED: 09/06/2013

After several fits and starts, a bill extending the statute of limitations for some childhood sexual abuse victims was approved by the California Legislature on Friday — paving the way for possible lawsuits against Palma High School in Salinas.

Nine people who say they were abused by priests while attending Palma may be among the first to sue if Gov. Jerry Brown doesn’t veto the bill, known as SB 131.

The bill extends the civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims.

Seven of the nine former Palma students say they were sexually assaulted by the Rev. Gerald Funcheon when he was a chaplain at the school from 1984-85. Funcheon, who is still a priest but is housed in a secure “treatment” facility, admitted in sworn testimony last year that he molested one of the men, but denied the others.

The two other alleged victims say they were molested by Brother Marcos Chavira and the late Brother Jerome Heustis.

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CALIFORNIA
Turlock Journal

By Sabra Stafford
Crime Desk sstafford@turlockjournal.com 209-634-9141, ext. 2002
POSTED September 6, 2013

A series of costly payments to settle multiple claims of sexual abuse has the Diocese of Stockton moving closer to a decision to file for bankruptcy, church officials stated Friday.

The Diocese of Stockton oversees Catholic entities between Lodi and Turlock, including All Saints University Parish, Sacred Heart Church, and Our Lady of the Assumption of the Portuguese Church, all in Turlock, and St. Anthony’s Church in Hughson. It also includes Sacred Heart’s Turlock schools.

“The funds we have used to settle sexual abuse lawsuits have been almost depleted, and we have no apparent way to meet the expenses of pending lawsuits and possible future claims,” said Bishop Stephen E. Blaire in a released statement.

“We continue to investigate our options, and no final decisions have been reached. I feel, however, that it is important to tell you that options other than filing for bankruptcy protection have not emerged,” Blaire continued. “It appears likely to me that the Diocese will need to re-organize financially under the protection of the Bankruptcy Court.”

Blaire said all the local Catholic entities organized as separate corporations would not be subjected to the bankruptcy filing.

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STOCKTON (CA)
Fox 40

by Lonnie Wong
Reporter

STOCKTON –

Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton Catholic Diocese didn’t dodge the numbers—the result of up to four lawsuits filed by victims of sexual abuse.

“Over seven million, maybe ten million,” Blaire said.

That’s on top of about 18 million dollars already paid to victims. Some money came at the hands of the notorious Oliver O’Grady and Michael Kelly, both convicted of abusing children.

The relatively small diocese covering six rural counties is making its $5 million budget.

“It’s just that we do not have any funds for these future lawsuits,” Blaire said.

Practicing Catholic Rosa Gaxiola is concerned that so much of her donations are being redirected to abuse victims.
“It does hurt a lot of efforts that the Catholic Church supports in helping the poor,” said Gaxiola.

Elysse Brown doesn’t begrudge victims for getting compensated even though it’s a blow to the diocese.

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STOCKTON (CA)
The Record

By Joe Goldeen
Record Staff Writer
September 07, 2013

STOCKTON – Churches within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton will distribute a letter this weekend to their 250,000 parishioners from Bishop Stephen Blaire, describing just how close the diocese is to filing for bankruptcy protection.

“We continue to investigate our options, and no final decisions have been reached. I feel, however, that it is important to tell you that options other than filing for bankruptcy protection have not emerged. It appears likely to me that the diocese will need to reorganize financially under the protection of the Bankruptcy Court,” Blaire wrote in an advance statement issued to the media Friday.

“I want to keep you and the wider community informed as best I can in this process. That is why I am meeting in the days and weeks ahead with your pastors and with others who may be affected by a bankruptcy filing by the diocese,” the statement continued.

During an interview Friday afternoon at the six-county diocesan headquarters in downtown Stockton, Blaire explained why he was issuing his statement now.

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CALIFORNIA
Signal

After several fits and starts, a bill extending the statute of limitations for some childhood sexual abuse victims was approved by the California Legislature on Friday — paving the way for possible lawsuits against Palma High School in Salinas.

Nine people who say they were abused by priests while attending Palma may be among the first to sue if Gov. Jerry Brown doesn’t veto the bill, known as SB 131.

The bill extends the civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims.

Seven of the nine former Palma students say they were sexually assaulted by the Rev. Gerald Funcheon when he was a chaplain at the school from 1984-85. Funcheon, who is still a priest but is housed in a secure “treatment” facility, admitted in sworn testimony last year that he molested one of the men, but denied the others.

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

STOCKTON (CA)
Fox 40

by Ian McDonald
Web Producer

STOCKTON-

The Catholic Diocese of Stockton said Friday that it may file for bankruptcy after sexual abuse lawsuit settlements have “depleted” their funds.

“I feel, however, that it is important to tell you that options other than filing for bankruptcy protection have not emerged,” Bishop Stephen Blaire said in a written statement. “It appears likely to me that the Diocese will need to re-organize [sic] financially under the protection of Bankruptcy Court.”

No final decision has been made, however.

The Diocese serves 250,000 Catholics, it says. Bishop Blaire says he will keep everyone informed once a financial decision has been made.

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STOCKTON (CA)
Catholic Culture

The Diocese of Stockton, California, could soon become the 10th Catholic diocese in the US to file for bankruptcy in the face of costly legal settlements with sex-abuse victims.

Stockton’s Bishop Stephen Blaire announced that the diocese is exploring every available option for meeting its financial obligations. But he warned that “options other than filing for bankruptcy protection have not emerged.” The bishop said that it “appears likely” the diocese will enter federal bankruptcy court.

The announcement from Stockton comes close on the heels of the news that the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico will file for bankruptcy protection.

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WISCONSIN
Fox 6

[with video]

WAUWATOSA (WITI) – A former priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa is suspected of stealing money from his congregation. FOX6 has uncovered recently released subpoenas that detail how much money he may have taken, and what he spent it on. The documents suggest Father James Dokos may have spent money that was supposed to be donated to the church on everything from $1,000 worth of flowers, to a racquet club membership.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office is investigating Father Dokos, who was the pastor at the Wauwatosa church for over two decades.

In 2011, Father Dokos gave FOX6 News a tour of the church building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Court records show wealthy donors left the church more than $1 million in a trust Father Dokos oversaw.

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WISCONSIN
WTMJ

[with video]

WAUWATOSA – It’s now up to the district attorney’s office to determine if a crime was committed at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa.

The parish council said tens of thousands of dollars may be missing, and council members think a former priest is to blame.

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CALIFORNIA
The Worthy Adversary

Posted by Joelle Casteix on September 6, 2013

SB 131 – the Child Victims’ Act – has become the “little bill that could.” Despite great odds and millions of dollars spent on lobbying to kill the bill (by Roman Catholic and USA Swimming officials), SB 131 passed the senate floor vote 21-8 and is heading to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk.

There is talk that California’s bishops have heavily (and personally) lobbied Brown, a former Jesuit seminarian, to veto the bill.

Brown needs to know that this anti-crime bill—which holds wrong-doers accountable and protects kids RIGHT NOW—is a top priority for California.

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CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Times

By Patrick McGreevy
September 6, 2013

SACRAMENTO — The Senate approved a measure Friday that would make it easier for some child abuse victims to sue private or nonprofit employers for failing to protect them from molesters.

The bill, which is opposed by the Catholic Church, squeaked by on a 21-8 vote and now heads to the governor. The bill would allow some child abuse victims more time to file lawsuits against private institutions such as parochial schools, but would not apply to public schools. Some victims for whom the statute of limitations has expired would get a new one-year window during which they could bring a lawsuit.

Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) disclosed during the floor debate that he was a victim of child abuse by a family member. He said the legislation is needed because it sometimes takes decades for people to admit they were molested.

“I was alone trying to understand what happened to me for many years,” Lara said. “I couldn’t go to anyone.”

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CALIFORNIA
Fresno Bee

By Christopher Cadelago — ccadelago@sacbee.com

A bill to extend the statute of limitations for some sex abuse victims narrowly passed the state Senate on Friday.

The vote was 21-8 in the 40-member house, the minimum required for passage. It now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown.

The bill, which was resurrected after failing last month amid fierce lobbying from the Catholic Church and others, would open a yearlong window for those excluded from a 2003 law that extended the time during which sexual abuse victims can file a civil lawsuit.

Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, punctuated the debate with moving testimony about his own struggles arising from the abuse he suffered from a member of his own family. Lara, who referred to himself as a “high-level survivor,” said he knows many of his legislative colleagues have been pressured by the church not to support the bill.

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AUSTRALIA
lewisblayse.net

Victoria’s chief Anglican, Philip Freier (see previous posting), has fronted the Victorian Parliamentary enquiry into clerical child sexual abuse, but his underling Bishops have not. They do not seem to have much to say on the topic at all, apparently preferring to leave it all to their boss.

The exception is the Bendigo guy, Andrew Curnow, who has previously worked in New York and Virginia. He acknowledges seven cases of “inappropriate behaviour” in the past nine years. These were passed on to his Director of Professional Standards, and believed that only one of them was passed on to police. He claims that “We have no evidence to believe sexual abuse is widespread” in his diocese, although he admits there could be more where victims approached police first.

Archbishop Freier’s bishops seem to be much more concerned with same sex relationships.

The Gippsland guy, John McIntyre, recently appointed an openly gay priest, and supports marriage equality. The Ballarat guy, Barry Weatherill has previously said that same-sex couples should not be discriminated against in any way by the law and should have access to the same superannuation and the like, but was not in favour of marriage equality. Weatherill had been in charge when an openly gay priest quit after complaining about “persecution” for being in a lesbian relationship.

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UNITED STATES
Wonkette

by SNIPY

We know you people have not approved of our recurring NewPopeNiceTime feature, but we do not care. However, we’ll throw you a bone today and talk about how really super terrible one Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Illinois is on account of how he thinks that we’re gonna close all the churches because of being all pagan now and because the Catholic Church has handled the sexual abuse scandal pretty much better than anyone else would, yep yep.

Let’s kick it off with how since pagans have taken over the world, the First Amendment is barely hanging on and also communism:

“And now I think we are moving in a direction that – not only is it more than secular – it’s a rejection. It’s an outright rejection [of Judeo-Christian values]. It’s a pagan kind of a culture.”

“The reality is that – ironically, it is becoming more like the Church was in the time of John Paul II in Poland under Communism where you [Christians] lived in a very hostile environment. We still have the First Amendment of our Constitution but that is being sorely tested.“

The good folks at the Washington Times go on to explain at us about how communism works but neglect to explain how we are all currently arresting and murdering the Catholics, probably on account of how we are not last time we checked.

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DEUTSCHLAND
Augsburger Allgemeine

Bei den Durchsuchungen bei den Zwölf Stämmen wurden nicht nur Ruten und Stöcke gefunden. Ein Sprecher der Augsburger Staatsanwaltschaft berichtet von speziellen Räumen. Von Ina Kresse und Anika Taiber

Die Kinder der Glaubensgemeinschaft Zwölf Stämme sollen von Erwachsenen immer wieder mit Stöcken und Ruten gezüchtigt, Babys streng gewickelt worden sein. In einem großangelegten Einsatz am frühen Donnerstagmorgen haben Polizisten 28 Kinder im Alter zwischen sieben Monaten und 17 Jahren aus dem Schlaf geholt und von ihren Familien weggebracht.

Ermittlungsverfahren gegen Unbekannt

Wie die Staatsanwaltschaft Augsburg gegenüber unserer Zeitung sagt, wurde ein Ermittlungsverfahren eingeleitet. “Wir ermitteln wegen Misshandlung Schutzbefohlener und gefährlicher Körperverletzung”, sagt Christian Engelsberger, stellvertretender Sprecher der Staatsanwaltschaft. Das Verfahren richte sich derzeit gegen Unbekannt. Man müsse ersteinmal herausfinden, wer die Beschuldigten seien. “Wir können nicht alle Mitglieder unter Generalverdacht stellen.”

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SPRINGFIELD (IL)
Berger’s Beat

September 6, 2013 1:50 pm | Author: berger

Springfield Illinois Bishop Thomas Paprocki made national headlines in 2007, when he claimed that the main force behind child sex cases was “none other than the devil.” Now, in an interview with the Washington Times, he attacks Letterman for pedophile priest jokes and says that “of an institution in the country – perhaps in the world – I don’t think anyone is dealing with (child sex abuse) as responsibly as the Catholic Church has.” (Ironically, one of Paprocki’s predecessors – former Springfield bishop Daniel Ryan – resigned after abuse lawsuits against him were filed.)

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AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald

Sept. 7, 2013

Catherine Armitage
Senior Writer

The Catholic Church is pursuing hard-line legal tactics against victims of sex abuse in civil claims despite publicly promising to put victims’ needs first, lawyers say.

The church has promised to ”promote lasting healing” by avoiding litigation and ”putting the needs of victims first” since a national royal commission and two state inquiries into child sex abuse began.

Yet its legal representatives persist with obstructive and combative actions inconsistent with its public statements, says John Ellis, a solicitor with Clinch Long Letherbarrow whose unsuccessful case against the church set a legal precedent and famously led to an apology by Cardinal George Pell for ”legal abuse”.

Mr Ellis said it was difficult to provide specific examples because of client confidentiality, but victims continued to be threatened with court if they didn’t accept settlements.

He said the so-called Ellis defence kept surfacing in negotiations, despite Catholic Church Insurances telling the Victorian parliamentary inquiry it was not used in civil cases.

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AUSTRALIA
The Satellite

Jessica Grewal 6th Sep 2013

QUEENSLANDERS who experienced childhood sex abuse in an institution will have the chance to tell their stories when the royal commission returns to Brisbane next week.

Royal Commission CEO Janette Dines said there had been a strong response from people interested in attending private sessions.

She said more than 326 people had already given accounts and the commission expected to hear from at least 850 more by the end of the year.

Private sessions have been held Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and sessions are currently scheduled in Darwin and Tasmania.

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AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun

ANNE MATHER MERCURY SEPTEMBER 07, 2013

TASMANIANS who experienced childhood sexual abuse in an institution will have their chance to speak privately before a royal commission next week.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will be holding private sessions in Tasmania from Tuesday.

A Tasmanian advocate for the sexually abused has reassured victims that the royal commission is a compassionate and supportive process.

Beyond Abuse spokesman Steve Fisher said the private sessions being run by the royal commission were a world away from facing a court or church tribunal.

“These are designed to ensure people are not re-traumatised,” he said.

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AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald

By JOANNE McCARTHY Sept. 6, 2013

A RETIRED Catholic priest who has a family resource centre named in his honour has appeared in Wyong Local Court on child pornography charges.

Father Edward Sedevic, 72, of Lake Haven, successfully requested an order suppressing his personal details when he appeared in the court on Wednesday on three charges of possessing child abuse material and using a service to access child pornography.

He did not enter pleas and the matter returns to court in October.

Wyong Local Court magistrate Susan McIntyre revoked the order yesterday after a media application argued other men on similar charges, including a former police officer, a prominent Sydney dance teacher and a radio personality, had been named in media reports.

Police from the State Crime Command’s sex crimes squad charged Father Sedevic on August 20 with possessing a child pornography film.

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LITTLE ROCK (AR)
Arkansas Times

Posted by Max Brantley on Fri, Sep 6, 2013

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has announced it will hold a confidential supporting meeting next Wednesday at the downtown library. You can find more details here. The group emphasizes that, though the group name mentions priests, it is open to anyone harmed by a predator in an institutional setting.

The meeting precedes by less than a week Little Rock court dates in which SNAP has announced an interest. Kelly Ann O’Rourke, a former Mount St. Mary Academy teacher, is to appear in court Sept. 16 to answer a charge that she violated probation by continuing to attempt to contact a former student she sexually assaulted. Her former supervisor, Kathy Gene Griffin, is to appear in court the next day on a charge that she failed to report the abuse.

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DEUTSCHLAND
Spiegel

Limburg – Der umstrittene Bischof Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst hat von seinen Kritikern einen Protestbrief bekommen, den rund 4400 Gläubige unterzeichnet haben. In dem sogenannten Frankfurter Appell kritisieren Gemeindemitglieder, kirchliche Mitarbeiter und Priester den Führungsstil des Kirchenmannes. “Die Bistumsleitung muss umgehend einen anderen Weg einschlagen”, heißt es in dem Schreiben, das am 25. August am Ende eines Gottesdienstes im Frankfurter Dom verlesen worden war.

Vertreter der katholischen Stadtkirche Frankfurts übergaben dem Bischof die Unterschriftensammlung nun hinter verschlossenen Türen. “Ich denke, es ist ein guter Anfang”, sagte hinterher Christoph Hefter, der Vorsitzende der Stadtversammlung der Frankfurter Katholiken. Wenn es zu Veränderungen im Bistum führe, sei es ein sehr wertvolles Gespräch gewesen.

Tebartz-van Elst äußerte sich nicht persönlich zu dem Treffen. Sein Sprecher sprach von einem “offenen, konstruktiven” Gespräch, bei dem auch kritische Punkte angesprochen worden seien.

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SPRINGFIELD (IL)
Addicting Info

Catholic Bishop: Ignorance Leads To Blaming Priests For Sex Abuse; Church Has Dealt With Problem ‘Responsibly’

If there are two things I’ve never before put in the same sentence, it’s ‘Catholic sex abuse’ and ‘dealing with it responsibly.’ They just don’t make sense.

However, Bishop Thomas Paprocki feels differently. In an interview with the very conservative Washington Times, the Bishop talked about a number of topics, ranging from what he called “anti-Catholic bigotry” to David Letterman. But by far the most interesting tidbit in Paprocki’s interview came when discussing a joke made by Letterman a few months back. Letterman said:

“I am telling you if there is anything kids can’t get enough of it’s a 76-year old virgin. Come on, world youth day, or as the Vatican calls it, a salute to altar boys.”

Of course, Paprocki feels that this kind of mocking is unfair, given that the Catholic church has dealt so competently with the issue.

“You ask what else could it be other than anti-Catholic bigotry – well, it certainly is that. What else could it be? It certainly is ignorance. Profound ignorance for anyone to make comments like that. For one thing it shows the ignorance of someone who identifies the Catholic Church and, particularly the priesthood, with sexual abuse. Certainly, we have had our unfortunate share of scandals and sin and the church is dealing with that. I would venture to say that of any institution in the country – perhaps in the world – I don’t think anyone is dealing with it as responsibly as the Catholic Church has. So public figures like that continue to point their finger at the Catholic Church and say you have a problem with sexual abuse and people are ignoring where most sexual abuse is taking place. It’s occurring in families. It’s occurring in schools.” (emphasis added)

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CANADA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Friday, September 6, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com )

Father Damian Cooper, an accused predator Catholic priest, is expected to be in the Vancouver, BC courthouse (800 Smith Street) today.

[Sylvia’s Site]

An abuse and cover up lawsuit involving him was filed in December 2012 alleging that he sexually abused a teenage girl in the late 1980s to early 1990s. And an application was filed August 8th requesting the BC Supreme Court to order Vancouver Catholic officials to produce documents pertaining to Cooper’s crimes.

[BishopAccountability.org]

[The Inquiry]

No matter how today’s hearing turns out, we hope every single person who saw, suspected or suffered crimes by Cooper or cover ups by Catholic officials will step forward. Staying silent only helps those who commit and conceal child sex crimes.

We also hope they’ll contact the independent professionals in law enforcement, not the biased bureaucrats in church offices.

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SPRINGFIELD (IL)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Friday, September 6, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com )

Controversial Springfield Catholic Bishop Thomas Paprocki is at it again. First, he claimed that child sex cases were the work of Satan. Now he claims that “of any institution in the country – perhaps in the world – I don’t think anyone is dealing with (child sex abuse) as responsibly as the Catholic Church has.”

[Washington Times]

How can he ignore the fact that one of his predecessors –Springfield bishop Daniel Ryan – resigned after abuse lawsuits against him were filed?

How can he ignore the fact that one of his peers – Kansas City Bishop Robert Finn – was convicted two years ago for endangering kids and hiding evidence of child sex crimes from police?

How can he ignore the fact that another of his peers – St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson – was accused weeks ago of evidence tampering in a case involving an arrested priest’s child sex crimes from last summer?

How can he ignore the fact that no other institution on the planet has such a long, extensive and well-documented history of ignoring, concealing and enabling sexual violence against girls, boys, teens and vulnerable adults than the Catholic church?

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ARKANSAS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Friday, September 6, 2013

Little Rock clergy abuse victims meet this week
Organization works to “heal the wounded & protect the vulnerable”

A self-help group for men and women who were abused by clergy will hold a confidential support meeting in Little Rock next week.

The organization is SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. It is based in Chicago, claims 13,000 members and has been around since 1988.

“Victims, family members, and supporters are encouraged to attend,” said Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP’s outreach director. “Getting together in a private setting can help to start the healing of anyone who has been abused as a child or exploited as an adult.”

Sometimes, SNAP is perceived as an “activist” group, Dorris said. “But the bulk of what we do is to just listen and offer consolation – quietly and privately – to people who are in pain.”

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ST. LOUIS (MO)
Virtue Online

by Chris Regnier
KTVI
Sept. 4, 2013

A north St. Louis church that was in a bitter legal fight for years with the St. Louis Archdiocese may be changing its denomination entirely.

St. Stanislaus Church could become part of the Episcopal church. The possible switch to the Episcopal church is laid out in a letter from Bishop Geroge Wayne Smith who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri.

Bishop Smith’s letter to the clergy and church members say Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and St. Stanislaus Kostka are in discussions that could lead to the church “coming into union” with the Episcopal church.

Smith calls the news “exciting.” The letter says that St. Stanislaus could retain its Cherished Polish identity along with its practices and rites, or it could choose any or all of the liturgies in the Episcopal church.

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PHILIPPINES
GMA News

By LUIS B. GORGONIO, GMA NewsSeptember 6, 2013

For members of the Catholic flock who may want to know how some bishops and priests sired children, squandered money offerings, and jockeyed for power to get plum positions in the hierarchical institution, the long-awaited “Altar of Secrets: Sex, Politics, and Money in the Philippine Catholic Church” by veteran journalist Aries Rufo is a worthy addition on the bookshelf.

While some of the sources were anonymous, rendering as anecdotal some of the narratives, the wealth of inside information gathered by Rufo through decades of experience in covering the church beat has lent credence to his claim that some “princes” of the Catholic Church lived immoral lives.

In the introduction, Rufo takes pains to note that the book is not “divinely inspired” and that he believes the men of the cloth are also “made of clay.”

It is not about faith, or religion, or the Catholic Church as a whole. It is about the sexual misconduct as well as injustice, corruption, financial mismanagement, and abuse of power by people who happen to be bishops and priests.

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NEW JERSEY
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 6

Two more NJ predator priests “outed”
They worked in Newark and Trenton
And a settlement involving a third was just revealed
Victims’ group blast two bishops for “ongoing secrecy”

Two credibly accused New Jersey predator priests have been publicly exposed for the first time this week. Settlements involving the two, plus a third accused local priest, were also disclosed. In each case, the news came from alleged victims and attorneys, not Catholic officials.

Accusations against Fr. John P. Nickas first surfaced publicly in May. But until this week, no one knew of the allegations against Fr. Victor Phelan and Fr. Vincent Inghilterra.

At a news conference in Boston, attorney Mitchell Garabedian revealed that he represents child sex abuse victims of each cleric and that church officials paid them settlements.

Fr. Inghilterra and Fr. Nickas are diocesan priests, in Trenton and Newark, respectively. Fr. Phelan is with a Catholic religious order called the Society of Missionaries of Africa but he worked at least one year (1977) in Plainfield in the Newark archdiocese, according to the Official Catholic Directory.

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CANADA/OHIO
The Columbus Dispatch

By JoAnne Viviano
The Columbus Dispatch Friday September 6, 2013

A priest who once worked in central Ohio has been sentenced in Canada to two months under house arrest and three additional months under curfew for sexually assaulting a teenager in British Columbia.

The Rev. Phil Jacobs, 63, will be on two years of probation after serving the sentence and must meet criteria that include 50 hours of community service, counseling, limited contact with young people and registering as a sex offender, said his attorney, Chris Considine.

Jacobs was found guilty in February of sexually touching a person between the ages of 14 and 18. On Wednesday, Justice J. Miriam Gropper said he could avoid jail because he is a low to moderate risk to re-offend, the Saanich News reported.

Court testimony showed that Jacobs touched the genitals of a boy he was tutoring at St. Joseph the Worker School in Saanich, British Columbia, where he served in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Jacobs said he unintentionally brushed the boy’s groin.

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AUSTRALIA
Canberra Times

September 7, 2013

Tom McIlroy
Reporter at The Canberra Times

The fallout from the royal commission on institutional child sexual abuse will shake Australian churches ”to their foundations”, the leader of Canberra’s Anglican community said on Friday.

Delivering his annual synod charge address to members of the church, Bishop Stuart Robinson said the diocese was not immune from the commission’s consideration of decades of clerical sexual abuse, and staff were examining records which dated back to the 1920s.

”I am currently expending around one-third of my energy on professional standards matters,” Bishop Robinson said.

”My expectation is that the findings will shake the churches to their foundations.”

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DEUTSCHLAND
Die Welt

Die Religionsgemeinschaft “Zwölf Stämme” macht wieder von sich reden. Auch diesmal geht es um Schulverweigerung und einen Polizeieinsatz, bei dem mehrere Kinder von Beamten weggebracht wurden.

Die Polizei hat 40 Kinder aus der umstrittenen Glaubensgemeinschaft “Zwölf Stämme” im schwäbischen Klosterzimmern geholt. Das Amtsgericht Nördlingen hatte einen vorläufigen Sorgerechtsentzug angeordnet. In der Vergangenheit hatte es immer wieder Hinweise darauf gegeben, dass die Kinder geprügelt und gezüchtigt werden.

Wie ein Sprecher des Polizeipräsidiums in Augsburg sagte, handelt es sich um 28 Mädchen und Jungen, die in der umstrittenen Gemeinschaft bei Deiningen leben. Dazu kamen zwölf weitere Kinder aus Wörnitz (Kreis Ansbach).

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DEUTSCHLAND
Focus

In zwei Zentren der Glaubensgemeinschaft „Zwölf Stämme“ hat die Polizei insgesamt 40 Kinder aus ihren Familien geholt. Er besteht Verdacht auf „erheblichen Kindesmissbrauch“: Säuglinge sollen zu eng gewickelt worden sein, Kinder mit Stöcken gezüchtigt.

Bei dem Polizeieinsatz im bayerischen Klosterzimmern im Landkreis Donau-Ries wurden am Donnerstagmorgen 28 Kinder aus dem Sitz der Glaubensgemeinschaft „Zwölf Stämme“ geholt.

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GERMANY
Telegraph (United Kingdom)

German police have raided a Christian sect, taking away 40 children, alleging that they had been beaten and abused, according to reports.

More than 100 police targeted two locations of “The Twelve Tribes” in the southern German state of Bavaria, the local Augsburger Allgemeine and Spiegel Online said.

The dawn raids followed “new evidence pointing to significant and ongoing child abuse by the members”, local officials were quoted as saying.

In all, police withdrew from the community’s custody 28 children from one monastery near the town of Deiningen and 12 from a second location, Woernitz.

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POLEN
SZ (Deutschland)

Warschau. Nachdem der päpstlichen Nuntius in der Dominikanischen Republik wegen des Verdachts auf sexuellen Missbrauch abberufen wurden, suchen die Behörden nach Medienberichten einen zweiten polnischen Priester. Nach Informationen des polnischen Nachrichtensenders TVN 24 soll der Geistliche Ausflüge und Ferienfreizeiten für Kinder organisiert haben, bei denen es zu Missbrauch gekommen sein soll.

Der ebenfalls aus Polen stammende Nuntius in der Karibikrepublik, Erzbischof Józef Wesolowski, soll sexuelle Kontakte zu minderjährigen Prostituierten gehabt haben. Ein Vatikansprecher hatte vor wenigen Tagen die Abberufung des Nuntius bestätigt.

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AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald

By JOANNE McCARTHY Sept. 6, 2013

A RETIRED Catholic priest who has a family resource centre named in his honour has appeared in Wyong Local Court on child pornography charges.

Father Edward Sedevic, 72, of Lake Haven, successfully requested an order suppressing his personal details when he appeared in the court on Wednesday on three charges of possessing child abuse material and using a service to access child pornography.

He did not enter pleas and the matter returns to court in October.

Wyong Local Court magistrate Susan McIntyre revoked the order yesterday after a media application argued other men on similar charges, including a former police officer, a prominent Sydney dance teacher and a radio personality, had been named in media reports.

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AUSTRALIA
ABC News

[with audio]

One in five children will be sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday. That’s a schocking statistic.

This week is National Child’s Protection Week and today is a day to “lift the cone of silence” that surrounds child sexual assault and increase the understanding of the difficult issue.

It’s the 17th annual Bravehearts White Balloon Day. Jill had a chat with Carol Ronkin who is a Criminologist with Bravehearts.

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AUSTRALIA
Brisbane Times

A royal commission set to expose how institutions have failed child sex abuse victims is receiving an average of 23 phone calls a day.

More than 4300 people have called since the inquiry began to report abuse perpetrated against children.

The response to the commission has been so overwhelming that commissioners say it will be impossible to make findings in relation to every institute where child sex abuse allegedly occurred.

Speaking at a Bravehearts White Balloon Day in Brisbane on Friday, Justice Peter McClellan AM said the commission would have to be selective when investigating and holding public hearings into allegations of abuse.

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UNITED STATES
Right Wing Watch

[with video]

SUBMITTED BY Brian Tashman on Thursday, 9/5/2013

The Roman Catholic bishop who suggested that voting for Democratic candidates will doom a person to Hell recently sat down with the Washington Times, which is controlled by the Unification Church, to discuss how Catholics should respond to issues like same-sex marriage. Ignoring the advice of former Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams that Christians shouldn’t mistake unpopularity for persecution, Springfield, Illinois Bishop Thomas Paprocki said that the United States is now a “pagan” culture no different from the era of the Roman Empire when Christians were oppressed and martyred.

He was especially offended by a David Letterman joke about the Catholic Church child abuse scandal, which he reflected “anti-Catholic bigotry” and “profound ignorance.”

According to Paprocki, no institution in the world has handled sex abuse cases better than the Catholic Church: “Certainly, we have had our unfortunate share of scandals and sin and the church is dealing with that. I would venture to say that of any institution in the country – perhaps in the world – I don’t think anyone is dealing with it as responsibly as the Catholic Church has.”

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UNITED STATES
BishopAccountability.org

Summary of Case: A priest of the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), ordained in 1950, Doyle worked in high schools in Missoula MT and Spokane WA. He also did parish ministry in the dioceses of Boise City ID, Great Falls MT, and Spokane WA. He was involved for many years as a missionary with native Americans on reservations in Washington State and Idaho. In a 2002 lawsuit Doyle was accused of sexually abusing a girl for years, beginning when she was 15 years-old and he was nearly 60. His accuser said she met him when she attended horse camp on the Kalipsel Reservation in Washington. The allegations were deemed credible by the Spokane diocese. Doyle died in 2005.

Ordained: 1950
Died: 2005

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CANADA
Lez Get Real

Posted by: Bridgette P. LaVictoire on September 5, 2013.

FlagFather Philip Jacobs will be getting only a five month conditional sentence and two years of probation for sexually touching a teenage boy when he was serving in hic capacity as a Catholic priest at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Saanich, British Columbia.

However, that incident is not the only one that he has admitted to. Jacobs molested children and teens in both British Columbia, Canada and in Ohio, USA.

BC Supreme Court Justice Miriam Gropper chose not to send Jacobs, who is 63, to jail for the six months requested by the Crown prosecutor. Gropper did find that the priest did act deliberately when rubbing the young man’s leg up to the groin and that Jacobs’ attempts to claim it was accidental or absent-minded in nature was not credible.

Gropper, however, acquitted Jacobs back in March of three other charges including sexual touching and sexual assault.

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MILWAUKEE (WI)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

By Annysa Johnson of the Journal Sentinel
Sept. 5, 2013

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan called on Milwaukee-area Catholics Thursday to embrace the church as their spiritual family — despite its flaws — and to fight those forces in the secular culture that would seek to destroy it.

“Are you prepared to defend your faith from those who would take it from us?” Dolan asked an enthusiastic and near-sold-out audience at the Milwaukee Theatre.

“These liberators might be the late night talk show hosts, classmates of our kids … or editorial page journalists who misunderstand the beauty of our Catholic faith,” he said. “Are we prepared to engage them … to live and die for the church? That, my friends, is apologetics. And that, my friends, we need more than ever.”

The former archbishop of Milwaukee and one of the nation’s most influential American prelates was the featured speaker for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s 10th annual Pallium Lecture series, which he founded during his tenure here. Thursday’s talk, which stressed the beauty and mystery of the church, as well as its sins, gave local Catholics insight into Dolan’s role as the Vatican’s point man for what it calls the new evangelization to spread the faith.

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MILWAUKEE (WI)
Charlotte Observer

By M.L. JOHNSON
Associated Press
Posted: Thursday, Sep. 05, 2013

MILWAUKEE New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said Thursday that one of the biggest problems facing the Roman Catholic Church is the number of people who identify as former Catholics, including many who left because of the ‘sinful’ behavior of clergy and other Church members.

Dolan, the former Milwaukee archbishop, made the comments during his first appearance in the city since the archdiocese released the personnel files of 42 priests with substantiated allegations of child sexual abuse against them in July.

Dolan didn’t explicitly mention abuse, but he acknowledged that some Catholics who left the church because “they have been shocked, saddened and nauseated by the sinful behavior” of some of its members. He said Catholics should not hide from that.

“It’s not a bad idea to fess up to the sinful side of the Church,” Dolan said.

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CIUDAD DEL VATICANA
El Nuevo Herald

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO — Una asociación de víctimas de pederastia lamentó el jueves la destitución “secreta y tardía” por parte del Vaticano del nuncio del Vaticano en República Dominicana, decidida en agosto debido a acusaciones de abuso sexual a menores pero que no se difundió hasta el miércoles.

El 21 de agosto, el nuncio (embajador) del Vaticano en República Dominicana, el polaco Jozef Wesolowski, de 65 años, fue destituido de sus funciones, una información que el Vaticano no anunció pero que fue confirmada el miércoles por Federico Lombardi, portavoz del Papa, quien confirmó la existencia de una investigación en curso del Vaticano sobre esas acusaciones.

“Los responsables católicos sólo actúan cuando están obligados a hacerlo bajo presión mediática. Y cuando lo hacen es siempre en secreto, en este caso sin revelar las acusaciones, la suspensión o la razón de la suspensión”, lamentó en un comunicado Barbara Dorris, directora de la Red estadounidense de Supervivientes de Víctimas de Abusos Cometidos por Sacerdotes (Snap).

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
EFE

Santo Domingo, 5 sep (EFE).- El cardenal de la República Dominicana, Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, pidió hoy a la Justicia actuar con “firmeza” y “claridad” ante denuncias de presunto abuso sexual a menores por parte de sacerdotes y el destituido nuncio apostólico en el país, Jósef Wesolowski.

Las declaraciones del arzobispo de Santo Domingo, leídas en una rueda de prensa en la que no estuvo presente, se producen un día después de que la Fiscalía de Santo Domingo informara de que abrió una investigación sobre Jósef Wesolowski, ante las investigaciones periodísticas que le acusan de pederastia.

La Justicia también indaga denuncias de presunto abuso sexual cometido contra varias mujeres por el cura de Constanza (norte), Juan Manuel de Jesús Mota (conocido en la comunidad eclesiásticas como el Padre Johnny) y quien ha sido apartado del cargo.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Noticias SIN

[con video]

CONSTANZA, República Dominicana.- Tres de las jóvenes que denuncian abuso sexual contra Juan Manuel Mota de Jesús, “padre Johnny”, presentaron querella formalmente este miércoles.

Hoy dos de ellas se mostraron ante las cámaras y hablaron para Noticias SIN, solicitando justicia por los supuestos abusos a los que fueron sometidas.

Las supuestas víctimas identificadas como Yudelkis Trinidad y Alexandra Soriano ambas de 21 años, estuvieron acompañadas por su representante legal el abogado Félix Portes, quien depositó la querella.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Panorama Diario

Santo Domingo.- El cardenal de República Dominicana, Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, pidió este jueves a la justicia actuar en base a “investigaciones muy serias” en relación a los últimos escándalos de pederastias que involucra a sacerdotes. En un documento de prensa leído en la Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano, López Rodríguez solicitó al entramado judicial proceder con firmeza y claridad y aplicar las sanciones establecidas en el Código Penal.

De su lado, el sacerdote Manuel Ruiz quien habló en representación del cardenal, afirmó que hasta el momento no hay una acusación formal en contra del destituido nuncio apostólico, Józef Wesolowski, acusado de pederastia.

Tras leer el documento, el secretario general de la Conferencia del Episcopado, Carmelo Santana Jerez, restó competencia y calidad a Monseñor Agripino Núñez Collado para hablar de pederastia con relación al nuncio, porque sostiene que las comunicaciones han sido directas entre el cardenal López Rodríguez y el papa Francisco.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Hoy

Escrito por: ANBARELI ESPINOZA (a.espinoza@hoy.com.do)

El cardenal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez pidió perdón a la sociedad por los casos de abuso sexual que se les imputa a varios sacerdotes, solicitó a la justicia que actúe con firmeza y claridad ante esos hechos y criticó que “profesionales de la intriga” se ceban en denostar a la Iglesia Católica “como si fuera la única institución en que estas realidades humanas suceden”.

En n un documento leído ayer en el Episcopado Dominicano, el arzobispo metropolitano de Santo Domingo plantea que urge purificar a la Iglesia, “sacando del ministerio a quienes lo ejercen indignamente y no merecen llamarse sacerdotes”. “Esta súplica de perdón la extiendo a la comunidad de la Iglesia Católica que se siente humillada por estos abusos incalificables, pero también a todo el pueblo dominicano que está contemplando este lamentable espectáculo con incredulidad e indignación. Lo que todos hemos visto no tiene justificación”.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Listin Diario

Editorial

De manera clara, responsable e indubitable, la Iglesia Católica dominicana ha condenado los actos incorrectos e indecorosos en que han incurrido algunos miembros del clero en nuestro país, y ha pedido perdón por esas humillaciones.

Una sentida reflexión sobre el particular ha emitido el cardenal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, patentizando el rechazo de la Iglesia a estas prácticas que “nos preocupa y avergüenza”, pidiendo perdón a las víctimas de los sacerdotes que han abusado de ellas y a sus familiares, y encareciendo a la justicia a “actuar con firmeza y claridad, en base a investigaciones muy serias estableciendo las sanciones que están previstas en el Código Penal”.

Aprovechando esta cruda y escandalosa circunstancia, el cardenal López Rodríguez plantea que se purifique a la Iglesia “sacando del ministerio a quienes lo ejercen indignamente y no merecen llamarse sacerdotes”.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Hoy

A raíz de las distintas denuncias hechas públicas en el país acerca de los casos de sacerdotes católicos acusados de abuso sexual a menores de edad, el Episcopado Dominicano dio a conocer esta mañana un comunicado con la posición que tiene en este sentido el cardenal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez.

Ver comunicado aquí: http://goo.gl/3fdY7l

A través del documento presentado en rueda de prensa, el arzobispo de Santo Domingo expresó su pesar ante los últimos escándalos ventilados en medios de comunicación sobre acusaciones emitidas a sacerdotes y al nuncio saliente.

“Me consta que muchas personas, sobre todo los de fe sencilla, pero también otros que se sienten parte activa de la gran familia católica, están observando con preocupación y profunda tristeza el presente cuadro”, dijo.

¿Qué hacer ante lo que estamos viviendo?, se preguntó. Agregó: “Reconocer con humildad que estamos ante una situación que a los hijos e hijas de la Iglesia Católica nos preocupa y avergüenza; pedir perdón a las víctimas de los desalmados que han abusados de ellos y a sus familiares”.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Press TV (Iran)

The pope of the Roman Catholic Church has been denounced for secretly firing Vatican’s envoy to the Dominican Republic over allegations of child sexual abuse.

On Wednesday, Pope Francis recalled Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski and launched a probe following the news in local media outlets that the archbishop was involved in pedophilia.

And Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi announced that Wesolowski had been “relieved of his duties”.

A day later, human rights activists censured the pope for making surreptitious and reckless decisions.

“Like all of his predecessors, Pope Francis is acting belatedly, secretively and recklessly,” Barbara Dorris, the director for the US-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), said in a statement published on Thursday.

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INDIA
The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Asaram is being pilloried by everybody, from parliamentarians to journalists, for alleged sexual assault on a teenager and is in jail now. Some of the horrified public responses at his alleged act can also be attributed to the general notion that dissociates sex from spirituality. This notion considers everybody on the spiritual path as ‘wedded’ to celibacy. But is this perception correct?

A spiritual person, such orthodoxy goes, must not have a carnal side, a belief that stems from the sanyasi tradition where it is popularly believed that a seeker after God renounces all desires. This possibly explains why many Hindi newspapers and TV channels are aghast at the preacher’s “fall from grace”. In the English language media, the same horror is related: that men of cloth, like the Christian missionaries, must be celibate and breaking the vows of chastity would call for de-frocking of the erring priest.

In fact, the Boston Globe in the United States had run a series of reports on sex abuse in the Catholic church. Several such reports have appeared also in TOI. Since 2002, much of the US media has been critical of the approach of the bishops while dealing with sex abuse by priests. The net has a number of reports like this and this. This is because in Catholic church priests are bound by religion to be celibates. The instances of aggravated sexual transgressions by priests are worse as they involve under-age children, often of the same sex.

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NEW MEXICO
Daily Times

By Hannah Grover The Daily Times
Updated: 09/05/2013

FARMINGTON — On Sunday, Catholic churches throughout the Diocese of Gallup surprised parishioners with a letter from Bishop James S. Wall announcing that the diocese would file Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The letter explained that sexual abuse lawsuits brought against the diocese prompted the bankruptcy.

In the past decade, more than a dozen priests in the Diocese of Gallup, which includes parishes in San Juan County, have been accused of sexually assaulting minors, according to BishopAccountability.org, a website based out of Massachusetts that documents abuse in the Catholic Church.

By the time Wall became bishop in 2009, the diocese was already troubled with lawsuits.

“Since becoming the Bishop of Gallup, I have worked to seek ways to bring healing to those who were harmed by sexual abuse,” Wall wrote in his letter. “Unfortunately, since becoming Bishop, the number of claims has continued to increase.”

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Listin Diario

Guillermo Pérez y Ramón Cruz Benzán
Santo Domingo

La fiscal del Distrito Nacional, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, anunció ayer el inicio de una investigación sobre el destituido nuncio apostólico Jósef Wesolowski, basada en la revelación de su presunta participación en abusos a menores en el país.

Mientras tanto, el portavoz del Vaticano, Federico Lombardi, confirmó a la agencia EFE que el exnuncio, Wesolowski, fue destituido del cargo, y existe una investigación en curso sobre las acusaciones que pesan sobre él en relación con varios casos de pederastia.

De otra parte, un enviado de la Congregación para la Doctrina de la Fe está en el país desde hace varios días haciendo las investigaciones de lugar, según supo LISTÍN DIARIO de fuentes eclesiásticas, que agregaron que “la iglesia es respetuosa de las competencias del ministerio público dominicano”.

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MASSACHUSETTS
Wicked Local Roslindale

By Julie M. Cohen/Wicked Local West Roxbury and Roslindale
Wicked Local West Roxbury
Posted Sep 05, 2013

West Roxbury —
Six Roman Catholic clerics and a choir director who taught at a West Roxbury church were named publicly as alleged abusers for the first time by a prominent lawyer for clergy sex abuse victims, according to our news partners at WCVB.

William Emmett O’Brien, who died in 2004 on Cape Cod at the age of 72, was a West Roxbury resident and the children’s choir director at St. John Chrysostom Church in West Roxbury at the time of the incidents, attorney Mitchell Garabedian said.

Garabedian released the names of the five priests, one nun and O’Brien on Wednesday.
Each of the alleged victims is a client of Garabedian’s and all their cases were settled within the last year for amounts ranging from the high five figures to the low six figures, he said.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
El Nuevo Herald

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SANTO DOMINGO, República Dominicana — La iglesia católica dominicana aseguró el miércoles que no existe ninguna denuncia formal sobre abuso sexual infantil contra el ex nuncio apostólico Józef Wesolowski, pero se negó a dar detalles de la reciente remoción del sacerdote polaco por parte del Vaticano, y quien en este país es investigado por pederastia.

Las familias de varios menores de edad denunciaron a finales de mayo ante la prensa agresiones sexuales a monaguillos por parte de Wojciech, quien en ese momento se encontraba de vacaciones en Polonia. El sacerdote no ha vuelto a República Dominicana, pero ha hablado con medios de comunicación locales para insistir en su inocencia. Sólo una familia presentó una querella formal, mientras surgieron voces que lo defienden.

“Las autoridades sacerdotales van evaluando año por año a cada sacerdote, no necesariamente puede ser un asunto penal (la destitución de Wesolowski)”, dijo el sacerdote Manuel Ruiz, quien actuó como vocero en una rueda de prensa de la Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano.

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NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand Herald

By Lincoln Tan
5:30 AM Friday Sep 6, 2013

A senior pastor who founded the Korean Presbyterian Church of Auckland will be struck off the ministerial roll after an internal church investigation found him guilty of sexual misconduct and abuse.

Reverend David Ock-Youn Jang has been found guilty by the Auckland Presbytery Complaints Hearing Committee for “gross impropriety on three representative charges which relate to sexual misconduct, and physical, verbal and emotional abuse against a single complainant”.

He denies any wrongdoing and says he has the backing of his congregation to stay.

The complainant is a woman who is linked to the Presbyterian church, the third largest Christian denomination in New Zealand.

Some details of the complaint and judgment cannot be reported for legal reasons.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
VOXXI

By Ana Lopez

The Dominican Conference of Bishops have asked for pardon from the persons affected by alleged abuses committed by representatives of the Catholic Church in a series of new scandals of pederasty.

The scandals affect several priests and in a separate case to Monsignor Josef Wesolowski, a 65-year-old Pole, that was fired in his post of Papal Nuncio in Santo Domingo due to “missteps” related to accusations of pederasty.

According to he Dominican newspapers, Monsignor Wesolowski had sex for money with underage boys in the “Zona colonial,” the historic center of Santo Domingo.

Catholic Church scandals

John Paul II appointed him nuncio to Bolivia in his first posting. Wesolowski was ordained in 1972 by the then archbishop of Krakow, cardinal Karol Wojtyla, who later became pope John Paul II.

He also worked in several countries in Central Asia and was appointed as Papal Nuncio to the Dominican Republic by Benedict XVI in 2008.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
TribTown

By EZEQUIEL ABIU LOPEZ Associated Press
First Posted: September 05, 2013

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The Vatican’s recently ousted ambassador to the Dominican Republic has not been accused of child sex abuse, Catholic Church officials in the country said Thursday, while refusing to shed any light on the envoy’s sudden ouster.

Amid an outcry in the largely Catholic country, and a newly opened investigation by the attorney general’s office, senior church leaders portrayed the removal of Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski as an administrative matter.

“Church authorities are always evaluating on an annual basis every priest. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a criminal matter,” said the Rev. Manuel Ruiz, who acted as a spokesman for the Dominican church’s leadership at a news conference in the capital.

Pedro Joaquin Dominguez, general secretary of the Dominican bishop’s conference, said that there have been no accusations of child sex abuse against Wesolowski, who was the Vatican’s representative in the country from 2008 until he was removed Aug. 21.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/VATICAN CITY
The Independent (United Kingdom)

Missing Vatican ambassador recalled following child abuse accusations in Dominican Republic

ADAM WITHNALL THURSDAY 05 SEPTEMBER 2013

A Catholic priest has been relieved of his role as ambassador for the Vatican to the Dominican Republic after local news reports accused him of paedophilia.

Archbishop Josef Wesolowski had been the nuncio, an envoy representing the interests of the church leadership, in the capital of Santo Domingo for nearly six years.

That was until Dominican television network NCDN, quoting the director of a community group called Pedro Espinal, ran a story saying Archbishop Wesolowski and a fellow Polish priest took several altar boys back to his beach house and slept in the same room as them.

Both prosecutors in the country and Vatican officials have begun separate investigations into the conduct of Archbishop Wesolowski – but neither knows where he is now.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Dominican Today

Call for prosecution

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s Catholic bishops on Thursday pulled the rug out from Agripino Nuñez Collado one of their most prominent colleagues, in the wake of an exploding scandal centered on former nuncio Josef Wesolowski, removed by the Vatican after reports of alleged sexual abuse of minors.

The bishops grouped in the Dominican Episcopal Conference said Nuñez doesn’t speak for Catholic Church on recent cases of priests accused of pedophilia, including Wesolowski.

In a statement read by spokesperson and priest Manuel Ruiz at Episcopal Conference headquarters, the bishops said that only Church representatives responsible for dioceses can state its position, which isn’t Nuñez’s case.

On Tuesday Nuñez became the Dominican Church’s first senior prelate to publicly acknowledge the pedophilia allegations against the Vatican’s representative, even stating that Wesolowski was “traveling in bad steps.”

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UNITED STATES
BishopAccountability.org

Summary of Case: Dickerson was a Jesuit of the New Orleans Province who, in addition to parish work, worked in high schools in New Orleans and Dallas. He appears to have left the priesthood in the late 1980s. He has two known accusations against him of child sexual abuse; in 2007 the Jesuits settled with a man who claimed Dickerson abused him when the man was an eighth-grader in 1974, and in 2011 they settled with a man who accused Dickerson of sexually abusing him repeatedly when he was 11-years-old, in 1982. Dickerson’s whereabouts in September 2013 are unknown.

Ordained: 1980

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CALIFORNIA
Pope Crimes & Vatican Evils…

Paris Arrow

Updated September 4, 2013

42-14, California Assembly voted YES to SB 131. Hoorah! Hoorah!

Thank you, California Representatives, for voting YES to SB 131, may God reward you for doing the RIGHT THING. You shall bring your vote to SB 131 to your grave and eternal life. Every child that you render justice to – with this SB 131 – you shall be greatly rewarded by Divine Justice! California Legislative Assembly, you are showing to the USA and to the whole world that – the Roman Catholic Church is not above the law, specially secular law

– and that the (once-upon-a-time godly) Roman Catholic Church must now (again like Cardinal Mahony paid $660 million to victims) – pay for ALL the crimes it covered-up – and face ALL the consequences of ALL pedophile priests it covered-up through the decades. It’s time for the hypocritical Roman Catholic Church to stop obstructing justice against children and women, read our related article about the (wrong) powerful influence of the Vatican in the United Nations here –

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AUSTRALIA
Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse

The Royal Commission’s first issues paper on Working With Children Checks has attracted 55 submissions from around Australia so far.

A Working With Children Check is a pre-employment screening process to determine a person’s suitability to work with children.

Chief Executive Officer, Janette Dines, said the Royal Commission was pleased with the response.

“Some common views were expressed,” said Ms Dines:

They include:

the need for national consistency in the operation of the Working With Children Check
the need for more research to determine what elements of existing schemes are most effective; and
the need to consider the Working with Children Check as only one element in a broader framework for protecting children.

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AUSTRALIA
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is heading to the Northern Territory.

The Royal Commission will be holding private sessions in Darwin from October 15. Royal Commission CEO Janette Dines said that the Royal Commission hopes that people in the Northern Territory take the opportunity to come forward.

“This is a chance for any Territorian affected by child sexual abuse in an institution to tell a Royal Commissioner what happened to them,” said Ms Dines.

Ms Dines acknowledged it was difficult for some people to talk about what happened to them. “For that reason, the Commission provides counsellors who can provide immediate support should it be necessary. As well, we encourage people to bring a friend or family member along for support.”

“Private sessions are informal. No-one from an institution will ever be present and what is said is kept in complete confidence. It is not like a court where individuals give evidence and are cross examined.

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AUSTRALIA
lewisblayse.net

The Royal Commission into child sexual abuse will finally commence public hearings on 16th September. It is going to cost a hell of a lot of money (even more than George Pell’s Roman holiday villa!). If the money is well spent, then serious changes must occur in the institutional responses.

It is clear that the emphasis will be on procedural matters concerning checks and balances in organisations’ rules. This will inevitably disappoint some people who told their story to the Commissioners in recent months, and who may find that their individual case is not even mentioned. This is a flaw in the original set-up of the Terms of Reference. Submissions for the terms were only open for 5 days, so only the major players had time to put anything in.

We must work with what is available, unfortunately. There was also no discussion as to who the Commissioners were to be. At least one Commissioner, Mr. Fitzgerald, should not have been selected for the job, but it is apparently too late to do much about it.

The emphasis has to be on maximizing outcomes from the existing situation. The best way to do this is for people to be ready to debate things as they arise. The first hearing is to do with why Larkins (see previous posting) got away with things for so long. Officialdom will want to concentrate on the procedures which were in place, and how they can be improved in the future.

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AUSTRALIA
The Age

A group of Victorian clergy abuse victims say they have been brushed off by both main parties as they seek financial and moral support for the duration of the federal sex abuse royal commission.

Andrew Collins and Peter Blenkiron were abused while students at Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College in the 1970s and ’80s and informally co-ordinate a group of 100-odd victims and family members. The group has welcomed the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse but says it brings challenges. Up to 40 abuse victims in the Ballarat area alone have taken their own lives and the group fears the royal commission will stoke more suicidal thoughts.

Mr Collins has called for a full-time support worker during the commission. He also says a dedicated pension fund would support victims who struggle to work and connect them to health services.

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AUSTRIA/SLOVENIA
STA

Maribor/Graz, 5 September (STA) – The Diocese of Graz in Austria seems to be planning to help the neighbouring Maribor Archdiocese avoid bankruptcy by buying some of the real estate this Slovenian archdiocese holds in the centre of Maribor, according to Austrian media reports.

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CHILE
CNN

[con video]

La decisión fue adoptada de manera unánime por la Octava Sala de la Corte de Apelaciones de Santiago.

Con arresto domiciliario total y arraigo nacional quedó el sacerdote de Los Legionarios de Cristo John O’Reilly, acusado de abuso sexual contra dos menores del Colegio Cumbres.

La decisión fue adoptada de manera unánime por la Octava Sala de la Corte de Apelaciones de Santiago tras la resolución de la jueza Andrea Díaz Muñoz, del Cuarto Juzgado de Garantía de Santiago, que había negado la prisión preventiva dejándolo en libertad y sin ningún tipo de restricción.

El abogado querellante, Juan Ignacio Escobar, explicó en CNN Chile que esta revocación se debe a que “sí existían antecedentes suficientes de participación y de la existencia de los delitos de abuso por los cuales fue formalizado O’Reilly”.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Hoy

Escrito por: LLENNIS JIMÉNEZ (l.jimenez@hoy.com.do)

La Fiscalía del Distrito Nacional hizo público que abrió una investigación al destituido nuncio apostólico Josef Wesolowski, quien dejó el puesto repentinamente, acusado de abuso sexual contra menores de edad, en un hecho que se ha convertido en un escándalo para la Iglesia Católica.

El Vaticano confirmó ayer su retiro de la función de representante de la Santa Sede. La fiscal titular, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, informó que pese a no tener una denuncia formal de las posibles víctimas, el Ministerio Público inició las indagatorias de las acusaciones que pesan contra quien hasta hace días era el representante en el país de El Vaticano. Reynoso indicó que actuará en base a las denuncias divulgadas en investigaciones de programas de televisión de las periodísticas Nuria Piera y Addy Burgos y de acuerdo a la confirmación del caso por parte de monseñor Agripino Núñez Collado.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Hoy

[video – Nuria Piero via YouTube]

Escrito por: CRISTAL ACEVEDO (c.acevedo@hoy.com.do)

La Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano restó hoy competencia a monseñor Agripino Núñez Collado para hablar de la posición de la la Iglesia Católica en relación a los casos revelados en los últimos días de sacerdotes acusados de pederastia, que involucran incluso al nuncio del Papa.

Se explicó que sólo los representantes de la Iglesia responsables de diócesis pudieran hacerlo y que no es el caso de Núñez Collado.

Se recuerda que el martes el rector de la Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), monseñor Agripino, se convirtió en el primer alto jerarca de la Iglesia dominicana en hablar públicamente del caso de pederastia en el que se involucra a Joseph Wesolowski, representante del Papa.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Hoy

Escrito por: CRISTAL ACEVEDO (c.acevedo@hoy.com.do)

El Episcopado Dominicano precisó hoy que “no basta con decir que son culpables, sino que, hasta que se demuestre lo contrario, los sacerdotes acusados por pederastia, son inocentes”.

Así lo afirmó el encargado de prensa del Episcopado, el sacerdote Manuel Ruíz, quien agregó que el cura Juan Manuel de Jesús Mota, conocido como el “padre Johnny” ha dado la cara y se ha presentado ante las autoridades.

Consideró que los casos que se han reportado en el país de curas acusados de abuso sexual contra menores, han tenido tanta notoriedad, porque no es común que los sacerdotes fallen.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA/CIUDAD DEL VATICANO
La Nacion

Ciudad del Vaticano

La asociación de víctimas de pederastia estadounidense Snap lamentó este jueves la sanción “secreta y tardía” del papa Francisco contra el nuncio (embajador) del Vaticano en la República Dominicana, destituido a finales de agosto por acusaciones de abusos sexuales a menores.

Imagen del 12 de agosto del 2011 del ahora destituido nuncio apostólico de República Dominicana, Jósef Wesolowski, durante un acto de condecoración a un diplomático colombiano en Santo Domingo.

“Los responsables católicos sólo actúan cuando están obligados a hacerlo bajo la presión mediática. Y cuando lo hacen es siempre en secreto, en este caso sin revelar las acusaciones, la suspensión o la razón de la suspensión”, lamentó en un comunicado Barbara Dorris, directora de la Red de Supervivientes de Víctimas de Abusos Cometidos por Sacerdotes.

“Igual que sus predecesores, el papa Francisco actúa de manera tardía y secreta”, añadió.

El 21 de agosto el nuncio del Vaticano en la República Dominicana, el polaco Jozef Wesolowski, de 65 años, fue destituido de sus funciones, una información que el Vaticano no anunció pero que fue confirmada el miércoles por Federico Lombardi, el portavoz del Papa, que aseguró que existe de una investigación en curso sobre las acusaciones.

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PUBLICA DOMINICANA
Listin Diario

Ramon Urbáez
Santo Domingo

[Summary: The Dominican Episcopal Conference said today that the situation that has arisen over the alleged sexual abuse of children by priests and former Apostolic Nuncio Jozef Wesolowski, “concerned and embarrassed the bishops and the Catholic Church in general.”

In a public document signed by the President of the Conference and archbishop of Santo Domingo, Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, the church said one cannot justify what can not be justified and apologized to potential victims “of the heartless who have abused them and their families.”]

La Conferencia del Episcopado Dominicano confirmó hoy que la situación que se ha presentado sobre los presuntos abusos sexuales contra niños por parte de sacerdotes y el ex nuncio apostólico Jozef Wesolowski, “preocupa y avergüenza a los obispos y a la Iglesia Católica en sentido general”.

En un documento público firmado por el presidente de la Conferencia y arzobispo de Santo Domingo, el cardenal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez, la iglesia afirma que no se puede justificar lo que no puede tener justificación y pidió perdón a las posibles víctimas “de los desalmados que han abusado de ellos y a sus familiares”.

El documento fue leído por el secretario general de la Conferencia, el padre Carmelo Santana Jerez y el secretario adjunto, padre Joaquín Domínguez. Mientras que el padre Manuel Ruiz habló en representación del cardenal López Rodríguez.

La Conferencia pidió también perdón al pueblo dominicano, señalando que está contemplando ese lamentable espectáculo con incredulidad e indignación.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
Europa Press

SANTO DOMINGO, 5 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

La fiscal de Santo Domingo, en República Dominicana, Jenny Berenice Reynoso, ha anunciado este miércoles que iniciará una serie de investigaciones contra el ex nuncio apostólico Jósef Wesolowski por las acusaciones de pederastia.

El sacerdote católico y rector de la Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, monseñor Agripino Núñez Collado, informó de la destitución de Wesolowski, por supuesto abuso sexual contra menores, después de las denuncias hechas por las periodistas Nuria Piera y Addy Burgos en sus programas de investigación.

Según informaciones del diario dominicano ‘Nuevo Día’, la representante del ministerio publico afirmó que aunque no exista una denuncia formal hecha por parte de las víctimas, el hecho es de acción pública por lo que corresponde al Ministerio Público iniciar la investigación, la cual abarcará varias jurisdicciones.

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REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
El Universal

[Summary: The Vatican does not oppose investigation of the former papal nuncio by Dominican Republic authorities. The nuncio, who has since been recalled, has been accused of child abuse in that country. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told journalists today that the allegations are deemed to be credible and of a serious and grave nature.]

El Vaticano no se opone a que las autoridades de República Dominicana investiguen al ex embajador papal, Josef Wesolowski, acusado de abusos contra menores, afirmó hoy el vocero de la Santa Sede, Federico Lombardi.

En declaraciones a un grupo de periodistas, el sacerdote jesuita confirmó que las denuncias contra el diplomático son “suficientemente verosímiles, serias y graves” como para que haya sido cesado de su puesto.

“Esta situación se debe profundizar, cuando hablaba de investigación me refería a un proceso de la Santa Sede. Si República Dominicana quiere emprender acciones legales, no existe oposición de nuestra parte, pero eso es competencia de sus autoridades”, dijo.

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ARKANSAS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Thursday, Sept. 5
Victims seek bishop’s help
Accused teachers go court next week
One pled guilty to molesting female student
And a fellow teacher didn’t report the crimes
Group wants Catholic officials to help prosecutors
SNAP to Little Rock diocese “Do aggressive outreach now”

A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging Little Rock’s Catholic bishop to “aggressively seek out” others who may have “seen, suspected or suffered crimes” by two former Catholic school teachers who will be in court next week on child sex charges.

One of them, Kelly Ann O’Rourke, admitted molesting a student. The other, Kathy Gene Griffin, allegedly concealed O’Rourke’s crimes.

Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, are begging Bishop Anthony Taylor to use his “vast resources” to urge prod others “who might have knowledge or suspicions about the two teachers’ crimes or school or church cover ups” to call law enforcement officials immediately, “so the two might face or be convicted of more charges and end up behind bars so kids will be safer.” SNAP also wants Taylor to give the accused teachers’ personnel files to the prosecutors if he hasn’t done so already.

The group sent a letter to Taylor about their concerns this morning by fax and email.

On Sept. 16, O’Rourke will appear in Pulaski County Circuit Court (Room 220) on charges of violating her parole by repeatedly calling the girl she molested, then a teenaged Mount St. Mary (MSM) School student. ( The school is at 3224 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, 501-664-8006 ).

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KENYA
allAfrica

The Star

BY MARTIN MWAURA AND CHARLES MGHENYI, 4 SEPTEMBER 2013

A catholic priest sued in a children’s court over allegedly siring and neglecting a 15-year-old child went through a DNA test to prove his paternity.

Father Josephat Mwazia, the parish priest of St Joseph Allamno Mbiriri Social Centre in Nyeri, was taken to the Tononoka Children’s court by Cecilia Mbiki. She had said Mwazia is the biological father of the boy.

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CHICAGO (IL)
WLS

Archdiocese facing another abuse suit over ex-priest Daniel McCormack

A former student at a West Side Catholic school is suing the Archdiocese of Chicago, claiming convicted former priest Daniel McCormack molested him 10 years ago.

McCormack pleaded guilty in 2007 to abusing five children while he was a parish priest at St. Agatha Catholic Church. He was laicized in November of that year and sentenced to five years in prison.

The anonymous plaintiff claims McCormack fondled him on two separate occasions between 2003 and 2004, when the boy was between 11 and 12 years old, the suit said.

The plaintiff, who is now 20, was a student at a Catholic school affiliated with St. Agatha, the suit said. McCormack was appointed pastor of the parish in 2000, and also coached basketball and taught math.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Tablet

5 September 2013

A priest in the Archdiocese of Southwark has been convicted of possessing indecent images of children.

Fr Edmund Higgins, 39, was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Isleworth Crown Court, south London, last month, after admitting to having 174 pornographic images of children on his laptop.

Higgins, parish priest at the Church of St Elizabeth in Richmond, south-west London, at the time of his arrest, also received a supervision requirement and a sexual offences prevention order.

It was revealed during sentencing that Fr Higgins – who was a governor at St Elizabeth’s RC Primary School in Richmond and a chaplain at Christ the King Sixth Form College in Lewisham – had visited gay chat rooms, from where he was sent mostly adult pornographic images and some indecent images of children.

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KANSAS CITY (MO)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Thursday, September 5, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)

As part of the carefully-orchestrated public relations campaign to restore his shattered image, Bishop Robert Finn’s staff has released a report that doesn’t protect a single child from a single child molesting cleric.

[The Kansas City Star]

The document gives numbers of abuse reports. But Catholic officials refuse to disclose any names of any offenders, even those who they deem “credibly accused.”

A parent can’t protect her child from a number. A parent needs – and deserves – to know who child molesting clerics and church staff are. That’s what every US bishop pledged to do more than a decade ago. That’s what this report, and Bishop Finn, still refuse to do, in case after case.

According to the KC Star, “two people tied to the diocese were removed from ministry” last year because of “boundary violations.” But Finn and his staff won’t say who or where they are. So both could now be working in public schools or private day cares.

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KANSAS CITY (MO)
NECN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph says calls to its child abuse ombudsman have increased 35 percent in the reporting year that ended in June.

The ombudsman said in a report released Thursday that she received 107 calls in the year, compared with 79 the previous reporting year.

Ombudsman Jenifer Valenti attributed the increase to anti-abuse training programs the diocese began in the last year.

The Kansas City Star reports ( ) Bishop Robert Finn implemented the child protection programs after a 2011 controversy over his handling of a Catholic priest’s production of child pornography.

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CANADA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com )

A predator priest who worked in Canada and Ohio won’t be going to prison.

[Columbus Dispatch]

[Vancouver Sun]

We are grateful that Fr. Jacobs will be forced to register as a sex offender and be on probation for two years but very disappointed that he won’t be jailed. Kids are safest when predators are locked up.

Jacobs admitted molesting kids in Ohio. Nothing suggests he’s been ‘cured.’ Any prudent person would assume he’s still a danger to kids. If he won’t obey criminal laws and his celibacy pledge, he’ll very likely not obey his probation restrictions either.

We hope that anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his crimes will come forward, call police, expose wrongdoers, protect kids and start healing. We strongly believe he has committed other crimes for which he could also be prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned. But it’s crucial that those who have information or suspicions about him call police now.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Catholics4Change

SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 BY SUSAN MATTHEW

You are invited to a two-hour, self-guided motorcycle ride (11am to 2pm) followed by an after party for your family and friends for lunch at The Office. Lunch includes Mama DiFillipo’s famous meatball sandwiches, more great food, drink specials, raffles and more. The event benefits Justice4PAKids efforts to protect children from sex abuse, to provide resources for victims and their advocacy programs aimed at reforming laws.

When: October 12th
Where: The Office Bar and Grille, 1021 Morehall Road, Malvern, PA
What: Registration for the ride 9:30 to 11 am. After party at 2 p.m.
Donation: $50 per rider, $25 per lunch guest

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ARGENTINA
APF Digital

Milton Urrutia informó que durante la madrugada de este miércoles sufrió un atentado en su vivienda en Paraná. Alrededor de las 1:30, “implosionaron dos artefactos dentro del garaje”, reveló.

“Estaban preparados con tornillos y pólvora. Además había una carta, que decía que me deje de joder con la causa de los curas y que la próxima iba a ir un tiro en la vivienda —detalló el letrado—. La carta estaba hecho con recortes de diarios o revistas”.

El hecho fue denunciado en sede policial. Ante lo ocurrido, Urrutia dijo sentirse “desahuciado, desanimado con todo, cansado, agobiado y harto”. Y advirtió que mientras avanza la investigación en la denominada causa Ilarraz, “ya vamos por el tercer atentado y por esto le llamo la atención al ministro (de Gobierno Adán) Bahl”.

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ARGENTINA
La Gaceta

PARANÁ.- Después de casi 20 años, la Iglesia católica decidió tomar acciones en el caso de abuso sexual a menores contra el sacerdote Justo José Ilarraz, acusado de violaciones contra decenas de niños que estaban a su cargo cuando era profesor del Seminario menor de Paraná, capital de Entre Ríos.

Ahora, por pedido expreso de la Santa Sede, el sacerdote Alejandro Bovero, vicario de justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, con jurisdicción sobre la diócesis de Paraná, está llevando adelante una investigación previa, a modo de instrucción, sobre una víctima que declaró en la Justicia de Entre Ríos por el caso de abuso, y la documentación que se reúna será enviada a Roma.

En 1995 la Iglesia ya había investigado otros tres hechos, pero no prosperó ninguna sanción contra el sacerdote. Es la primera vez que interviene este Tribunal, consignó “El Diario”, de Paraná.

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ARGENTINA
Pagina 12

El vicario de Justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, Alejandro Bovero, confirmó que por orden de Roma se abrió un proceso de instrucción para analizar las acusaciones contra el exprefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná, Justo José Ilarraz, a quien la Justicia entrerriana había sobreseído en la causa que lo acusó de abusar de al menos 50 seminaristas de entre 10 y 14 años, entre 1984 y 1992.

Según el religioso, la investigación fue abierta hace poco más de un mes y fue paralela a la que había revisado la Sala I de la Cámara del Crimen, que revocó el dictamen del juez de Instrucción de Paraná Alejandro Grippo y consideró prescripta la causa por el paso del tiempo.

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ARGENTINA
Diario El Argentino

La Santa Sede pidió que el vicario de justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, con jurisdicción sobre la diócesis de Paraná, el sacerdote Alejandro Bovero, inicie una investigación previa sobre las acusaciones que pesan sobre el sacerdote Justo José Ilarraz.

El cura Ilarraz carga sobre sus hombros con una causa penal en su contra en la Justicia de Entre Ríos. En septiembre de 2012 comenzó a instruirse una investigación, que acumula ya la declaración de siete víctimas, que contaron en Tribunales de qué modo el sacerdote, que entre 1985 y 1993 fue prefecto de disciplina en el Seminario de Paraná, abusó de ellos, siendo adolescentes, cuando cursaban los primeros años de la secundaria como pupilos.

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ARGENTINA
Pagina12

El ex prefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná Justo José Ilarraz ya había sido investigado internamente en un expediente secreto. El caso llegó a la Justicia, pero la Cámara determinó que los delitos habían prescripto. Ahora Bergoglio mandó abrir una nueva investigación.

El Vaticano ordenó una segunda investigación interna para analizar las acusaciones de pedofilia contra el ex prefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná Justo José Ilarraz, acusado de abusar sexualmente de al menos medio centenar de seminaristas de hasta 14 años entre 1984 y 1992. La investigación está a cargo del vicario de Justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, Alejandro Bovero, quien analiza el testimonio de una de las víctimas que ya declaró ante la Justicia de Entre Ríos. El mes pasado, la Cámara del Crimen de Paraná dispuso que las acusaciones contra Ilarraz habían prescripto. Los querellantes llegaron a la corte provincial y aguardan que ésta convoque a una audiencia pública para debatir la apelación.

Los casos denunciados contra Ilarraz corresponden a los años 1984 y 1992, pero recién salieron a la luz pública en septiembre de 2012, cuando un seminarista de 33 años declaró ante el fiscal Rafael Cotorruelo, para relatar cómo, entre esos años, medio centenar de niños que por entonces tenían entre 12 y 14 años eran abusados por el cura Justo José Ilarraz. La Justicia intervino de oficio luego de la publicación de los casos en un medio paranaense.

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ARGENTINA
La Capital

El Vaticano inició una investigación propia, paralela a la judicial, para analizar las acusaciones sobre pedofilia contra el ex prefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná, Justo José Ilarraz, acusado de abusar sexualmente de al menos 50 seminaristas de entre 10 y 14 años entre 1984 y 1992.

Las actuaciones están a cargo del vicario de justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, presbítero Alejandro Bovero, quien analiza el testimonio de una de las víctimas que ya declaró ante la Justicia de Entre Ríos por los supuestos abusos.

Bovero confirmó a la prensa que, a pedido del Vaticano, inició hace más de un mes la investigación, que “no es un juicio sino una instrucción previa” y que “lo instruido lo devuelvo a la Santa Sede”.

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ARGENTINA
Diario

El Vaticano inició una investigación propia, paralela a la judicial, para analizar las acusaciones sobre pedofilia contra el ex prefecto del Seminario Menor de Paraná, Justo José Ilarraz, acusado de abusar sexualmente de al menos 50 seminaristas.

Las actuaciones están a cargo del vicario de justicia del Tribunal Interdiocesano de Santa Fe, presbítero Alejandro Bovero, quien analiza el testimonio de una de las víctimas que ya declaró ante la justicia de Entre Ríos por los supuestos abusos, informaron fuentes judiciales a Télam.

Bovero confirmó a la prensa que, a pedido del Vaticano, inició hace más de un mes la investigación, que “no es un juicio, sino una instrucción previa” y que “lo instruido lo devuelvo a la Santa Sede”.

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DOMINIKANISCHEN REPUBLIK
Spiegal

Santo Domingo – Polizei und Staatsanwaltschaft in der Dominikanischen Republik ermitteln wegen Kindesmissbrauchs gegen den päpstlichen Gesandten im Land, Erzbischof Josef Wesolowski. Nachdem gegen ihn Pädophilie-Vorwürfe laut geworden waren, hatte der Vatikan Wesolowski abrupt von seinem Posten abberufen.

Francisco Dominguez Brito, der Chefankläger der Dominikanischen Republik, bestätigte den Vorgang, schränkte allerdings ein, bislang wisse seine Behörde nur von Gerüchten über den päpstlichen Gesandten. Konkrete Anschuldigungen gebe es bisher nicht.
Auch der Vatikan führt inzwischen eine Untersuchung gegen Wesolowski durch, wie Sprecher Federico Lombardi bestätigte. Er nannte keine Einzelheiten über die Vorwürfe, die gegen den polnischstämmigen Nuntius laut geworden waren. Tatsächlich habe man ihn aber von seinem Posten abberufen. Ein solcher Vorgang gilt als höchst ungewöhnlich.

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