French bishops release new stats on child sex abuse in church

Paris  More than 200 victims have reported child sex abuse to the French church in the past six years, according to data collected by the French bishops.
"More than 60 percent of these testimonies are about events that happened before 1970; 35 percent happened between 1970 and 2000; and 4 percent were abuse that have taken place since the 2000s," the conference said.

https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/french-bishops-release-new-stats-child-sex-abuse-church 

French priest convicted of child abuse in CAR

A French court sentenced a priest on Thursday to up to five years in jail after finding him guilty of sexually abusing two young boys in the Central African Republic.

The priest, whose sentence may be suspended after two years, has also been banned from carrying out any professional activity that puts him in contact with minors. The priest had admitted to one case of abuse in a letter in 2011 to the prosecutor of his home town in central France, Clermont-Ferrand.

http://en.rfi.fr/africa/20170127-french-priest-convicted-child-abuse-car 

Vatican confirms Apuron trial; canon lawyers say trial could last for years

The Vatican has confirmed Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron’s canonical trial is ongoing, and some leading canon law experts said it could last for years.
Vatican policy dictates that only Rome can investigate bishops and archbishops who are accused of sexual abuse. Besides undergoing a canonical trial in Rome, Apuron is also facing lawsuits filed in the Superior Court of Guam for allegedly raping and sexually abusing altar boys in the 1970s.

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2017/01/29/vatican-confirms-apuron-trial-canon-lawyers-weigh/96934688/ 

After the Grand Master, Another Head Is About To Fall: That of Cardinal Burke

Decapitated by the pope of its Grand Master, the Englishman Matthew Festing, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta not only has ratified his forced resignation on Saturday, January 28, but it has turned back the hands of time to the fateful 6th of December, 2016, reinstating in the role of Grand Chancellor the very man who on that day had been removed from it and suspended from the Order, the German Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager.

http://magister.blogautore.espresso.repubblica.it/2017/01/29/after-the-grand-master-another-head-is-about-to-fall-that-of-cardinal-burke/ 

Taoiseach urges Pope to review priest cases

Enda Kenny has asked Pope Francis to review the cases of five priests disciplined by the Catholic Church, in order to “improve the environment” for the papal visit to Ireland in 2018.
The priests — including Brian D’Arcy and Tony Flannery — were sanctioned over their views on married clergy and women priests on the orders of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) .

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/taoiseach-urges-pope-to-review-priest-cases-8mmgk8jvq

Dorothy: I regret secretly marrying Catholic priest – Former nun turned cop

Our woman today is Dorothy. She was a former nun who became a policewoman (cop). She fell in love with a handsome and intelligent man (got his PhD), who happened to be a priest too. It seems that he presented himself as a priest who had left…but actually reading official documents, he didn’t leave at all. Like some other priests he wanted to have the best of both worlds: the married life and the celibate life!
This does not mean that all priests are like him. Some of the priests turn out to be wonderful fathers. Yet there is always a slight possibility that a priest is luring a woman for sex and just to have fun. It’s up to the mind of the woman to make sure that the priest is not playing at all. We are all in favour of married priests. Married means to stick to one woman and to take responsibility for one’s actions. We are NOT in favour of priests who just go around and use women for their own egoistic needs.

https://maltesemarriedcatholicpriest.wordpress.com/2017/01/30/dorothy-i-regret-secretly-marrying-catholic-priest-former-nun-turned-cop/ 

Sex abuse: Prestigious NSW boy’s schools hit with 1500 lawsuits

SOME of the most prestigious boys’ schools in NSW face multimillion-dollar lawsuits alleging systemic sexual abuse on an “outrageous” scale.

Lawyer Jason Parkinson has more than 1500 cases against such schools as Trinity Grammar, Knox Grammar, St Patrick’s at Goulburn, Newington College and De La Salle colleges at Revesby Heights and Marrickville.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/sex-abuse-prestigious-nsw-boys-schools-hit-with-1500-lawsuits/news-story/782a53d316025a74b89fc2edd126b2ee 

New statute of limitations bill for child sex abuse victims introduced in Pa. Senate

Leaders of the Pennsylvania Senate on Monday introduced a bill to extend the amount of time that future victims of child sexual abuse would have to sue or prosecute their attackers, reviving a controversial measure that led to a legislative standoff before it collapsed late last year.

The bill introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati  of Jefferson County seeks to eliminate the criminal statute of limitations for prospective cases of child sexual abuse and would allow future victims to sue their attackers at any age. Currently, victims may sue only for 12 years after their 18th birthday.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/PA-Senate-introduces-new-statute-of-limitations-bill-for-child-sex-abuse-victims.html 

Bishop Keith Slater was defrocked after protecting the reputation of a Newcastle Anglican priest

AN Anglican bishop defrocked in 2015 over his treatment of child sex survivors, and for allowing Newcastle priest Allan Kitchingman to retain his title despite a child sex conviction, has had the defrocking overturned.
The defrocking of Grafton Bishop Keith Slater was declared null and void by an Anglican appellate tribunal on January 19, in a decision that has raised serious concerns about the church’s disciplinary system.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4429456/bishops-defrocking-declared-null-and-void/

Christchurch Cathedral could be stripped of bishops' and deans' photos after a child sexual abuse hearing

PHOTOS of Newcastle’s Anglican bishops and deans could be removed from Christchurch Cathedral after shocking evidence about church knowledge of child sex offenders in the Hunter region.
The Cathedral board will decide in February if photos, including of defrocked former Dean Graeme Lawrence and Archbishop Roger Herft – the highest-ranking Australian casualty of the church’s dark history of abuse - will be removed under a diocese renewal process.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4424150/church-to-remove-bishops-photos-from-cathedral/ 

Hero, villain and the school for scandal

A disturbing episode in the life of the former governor-general Sir William Slim is uncovered.

SIR WILLIAM SLIM, one of Australia's most revered governors-general, has been accused of attempting to sexually interfere with a young, impoverished English boy sent to an institution in western NSW.
David Hill, a former managing director of the ABC and staunch republican, claimed that the war hero and 13th governor-general of Australia had groped students at Fairbridge Farm School at Molong when he visited in 1955.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/hero-villain-and-the-school-for-scandal/2007/04/27/1177459984320.html 

Victims of paedophile bishop call for letters from Prince Charles to be made public

The victims of a paedophile bishop have called for the letters he received from Prince Charles to be made public. Peter Ball, the former Bishop of Gloucester, was found guilty of grooming and abusing 18 male victims at a trial in 2015.
Letters from the Prince have been given to an independent inquiry into the case. The inquiry, which was launched after Ball was convicted, is examining how the Church of England handled the case.

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Victims-of-paedophile-bishop-call-for-letters-from-Prince-Charles-to-be-made-public

Former youth pastor sentenced for exchanging explicit photos with a minor

Hillman will also have to register as a sex offender.  Prosecutors said a 14-year-old came to Hillman for counseling, and Hillman and the victim ended up sending each other naked pictures.
Hillman called the picture exchange a counseling technique, though he mentioned in his interview with police he knew the girl was underage and it was illegal.

http://wset.com/news/local/former-youth-pastor-sentenced-for-exchanging-explicit-photos-with-a-minor 

Concerned Catholics want action for seminary issue

The Concerned Catholics of Guam are asking the Presbyteral Council to put more pressure on the issues surrounding the formation of priests at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yona. The CCOG sent a letter to the Council on Thursday.

http://www.kuam.com/story/34360796/concerned-catholics-want-action-for-seminary-issue 

How secret church report led to rapist minister Bryan Gates being jailed for 15 years.

 Shamed Methodist minister Bryan Gates was arrested for historic sex offences - years after church leaders carried out their own investigation into his sordid past.
The 63-year-old retired in 1998 and had previously raped a woman in Stoke-on-Trent during his time at Longton's Central Hall. He was one of 1,885 people investigated by the Methodist Church after concerns were raised about their past.

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/revealed-how-secret-church-report-led-to-rapist-minister-bryan-gates-being-jailed-for-15-years/story-30083102-detail/story.html

Former silk took down gang boss, sex monster priest and crooked cops

The man in charge of reviewing Victoria's controversial bail system was responsible for flipping a murderous hitman who went on to testify against notorious Melbourne gangland boss Carl Williams.
Today, with his government under incredible pressure following the bloody Bourke Street massacre, Victoria's Premier turned to the cool, pragmatic head of Paul Coghlan, QC.

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/01/23/11/11/paul-coghlan-former-top-silk-took-down-underbelly-boss-pedophile-priest-and-crooked-cops

Duterte accuses Catholic Church of being ‘full of sh*t’

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has unleashed his colorfully-worded wrath on the Catholic Church again, saying the organization is corrupt, “full of sh*t,” and accusing priests of sexual abuse.

Duterte on Tuesday accused the Church and its bishops and priests of corruption, womanizing and said he was abused by a priest as a student of Ateneo de Davao University. He also said three Cabinet secretaries had been molested.

https://www.rt.com/news/374968-duterte-accuses-catholic-church/ 

Serbian Church Accused of Sex Abuse Cover-up

A powerful alliance of Orthodox clergy, judicial officials and politicians may have succeeded in shielding clerical child abusers from justice.

When Father Goran Arsic was finally asked to testify before a commission investigating allegations that a bishop had sexually abused children, he had high hopes the church would confront the scandal head-on. Until now, even the existence of the specially-convened commission, let alone its findings, has remained a closely-guarded secret. That the commission was led by the recently-enthroned Patriarch has also been kept from the public.

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbian-church-accused-of-sex-abuse-cover-up 

Historical child abuse inquiry judge Lady Smith asked to listen to evidence locally

THE chairwoman of Scotland’s historical child abuse inquiry is to be urged to hold public evidence sessions across the country when she announces how her work is progressing next week.
Alan Draper, of survivor organisation In Care Abuse Survivors (Incas) made the appeal to senior judge Lady Smith ahead of a key preliminary hearing of the inquiry on Tuesday at Parliament House in Edinburgh.

http://www.thenational.scot/news/15051627.Historical_child_abuse_inquiry_judge_Lady_Smith_asked_to_listen_to_evidence_locally/ 

CCOG proposes to shut down Redemptoris Mater Seminary

CCOG Vice President Andrew Camacho wrote to the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council urging them to bring the matter to the attention of Archbishop Byrnes.

Guam - Further attempts are being made to completely do away with the Redemptoris Mater Seminary. Earlier this week it was revealed that a lawsuit was filed against the organization for legal control over the property the RMS currently sits on and now the Concerned Catholics of Guam is urging the closure of the seminary for good.

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/local/12470 

Revealed: Charles' dozens of letters to 'calculating' paedophile bishop as victims demand they are made public.

Victims of a paedophile bishop last night called for dozens of letters he received from Prince Charles to be made public.

Extensive correspondence is understood to exist between the future king and Peter Ball, the 'calculating' former Bishop of Gloucester, who was jailed after admitting exploiting his position to groom and abuse 18 young men.

The prince's letters now have been handed to an independent inquiry into the case, launched after Ball was convicted two years ago.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4162372/Prince-Charles-wrote-padeophile-bishop.html 

5th Navajo sues Mormon church for alleged child sexual abuse

ALT LAKE CITY — A fifth person has filed a lawsuit against the Mormon church accusing religious officials of not doing enough to protect Navajo children from sexual abuse in a now defunct church-run foster program that placed thousands of American Indian children with Mormon families.

The new lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Navajo Nation court by a woman who says was sexually abused as a teenager over a three-year period from 1968-1971 by her foster father at a house in Spanish Fork, Utah. She says was 15-years-old when the abuse began.

http://www.capjournal.com/news/th-navajo-sues-mormon-church-for-alleged-child-sexual-abuse/article_0e748fe6-e462-11e6-a1b2-3bde01b41593.html 

Nonprofit took kickbacks instead of helping priests' sex abuse victims, lawsuit claims

 If SNAP has nothing to hide... why did they sack Gretchen Hammond??  Ann

=============================

A nonprofit established to help victims sexually abused by priests routinely gets financial payments for referring cases to attorneys seeking to sue the Catholic Church, a new lawsuit alleges.
A former employee of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, sounded the alarm — saying the group fired her in February 2013 after she complained to bosses about the collusion.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/group-cash-helping-priests-abuse-victims-suit-article-1.2954266 

3 convicted for child abuse at religious Alabama private school

Isloation rooms in the boys' barracks, where students would be kept for days or weeks at a time as punishment for infractions. The founder and two teachers at the Saving Youth Foundation were convicted in January 2017 on multiple counts of aggravated child abuse relating to punishments and conditions at the religious boot camp for troubled teens. (Courtesy of the Mobile County District Attorney's Office)

It was a case that almost didn't make it to trial.
"Everybody, from Alabama, Maine, Dallas, Houston, New York - it was a herculean task and it took a lot of people at the DA's office working hard to make it happen," said Keith Blackwood, Mobile County assistant district attorney, "to make sure I had what I needed to prove my case."
In the end, three leaders of a religious Alabama bootcamp for troubled teens were convicted on multiple counts of aggravated child abuse for what they did to the children in their care.

http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2017/01/three_convicted_for_child_abus.html 

Alleged church sex abuse victims take lawsuits to federal court

Out of the 15 lawsuits filed against the catholic church for sexual abuse, six have been filed in the District Court of Guam.

Guam - Six of the 15 lawsuits that have been filed by several former altar servers against various clergy members of the catholic church for sexual abuse have now been taken to the federal court and unlike the lawsuits that were filed in local court, the federal lawsuits all ask for $5 million in damages each.

http://pacificnewscenter.com/local/12439 

His house was always filled with children but as a teenager I shrugged it off'

It wasn’t just priests or politicians who kept Catholic Ireland alive. It was also us, the Irish people’. It is Christmas Eve Mass in St Monica’s Catholic Church in Edenmore, on Dublin’s northside. Around me are more memories than people. 

So much has changed since I was an altar boy here in the late 1980s: the dwindling, ageing congregation and the appearance of the long, functional building. It was built in 1966 as a temporary church, but by the 1990s it had become permanent. Inside, roof tiles were added and the carpet tiles removed, replaced by a more luxurious pink carpet and blond wood pews.

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/his-house-was-always-filled-with-children-but-as-a-teenager-i-shrugged-it-off-1.2926797?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Flife-and-style%2Fpeople%2Fhis-house-was-always-filled-with-children-but-as-a-teenager-i-shrugged-it-off-1.2926797

Philippines President Says He Was Abused by Catholic Priests, Church Is Full of Feces.

Sharp-tongued Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who once called former president Barack Obama the son of a whore, ripped into the Catholic Church Tuesday and dismissed its officials as corrupt and full of feces.

The 71-year-old Duterte, who unleashed a tirade against the Church for preaching against extrajudicial killings, according to Rappler, also accused Catholic priests of abusing him and several other members of his administration when they were teenagers.

 

http://www.christianpost.com/news/philippines-president-says-he-was-abused-by-catholic-priests-church-is-full-of-feces-173557/ 

French priest jailed over child abuse in Central Africa

A French court sentenced a priest yesterday to up to five years in jail after finding him guilty of sexually abusing two young boys in the Central African Republic.
The priest, whose sentence may be suspended after two years, has also been banned from carrying out any professional activity that puts him in contact with minors.

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/world/article/french-priest-jailed-over-child-abuse-in-central-africa 

Suit alleges anti-clergy sex abuse group got kickbacks from lawyers

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a leading voice in the campaign against clergy sexual abuse, is facing a wrongful-termination lawsuit from a former fund-raiser who says the group “accepts financial kickbacks” from lawyers who represent survivors they find through the organization.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/01/26/leading-opponent-clergy-sex-abuse-snap-faces-lawsuit-charging-financial-kickbacks/82NCrBvbSPt22lB5D3RtdI/story.html 

Remove the Catholic Church From Auschwitz

Friday is the 72nd anniversary of the liberation of the notorious death camp complex known as Auschwitz-Birkenau, where one million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. The complex included Auschwitz I and, two miles away, the much larger Auschwitz II, also known as Birkenau; that was where the Germans built four huge gas chambers, and where nearly all of the killings of Jews took place.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/26/opinion/remove-the-catholic-church-from-auschwitz.html?emc=edit_tnt_20170126&nlid=63876270&tntemail0=y&_r=0 

The Pope faces his adversaries

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the Grand Master of the Order of Malta with whom he had been in conflict for more than a month. This marks a new chapter in the opposition to the Argentine pontiff.
By obtaining the resignation on Wednesday of the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Pope Francis has made an important point to those who call into question the deep reforms he is undertaking in the Vatican and the Church. Not that Brother Matthew Festing is a personal enemy of the pope, but the conflict between Francis and the Knights of Malta represents the sum of all the opposition he is encountering in his will to reform.

https://international.la-croix.com/news/the-pope-faces-his-adversaries/4565 

Group of Catholics urges Yona seminary's closure

A group of Catholics is urging the church to consider closing the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yona and re-establishing a minor seminary that they said would be of greater benefit to the Archdiocese of Agana.
The Concerned Catholics of Guam cited recommendations by a church ad-hoc committee about four months ago, which stated the seminary should close if it does not clarify its purpose, does not seek formal accreditation to ensure the quality of its formation of priests and does not ensure its financial viability.

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2017/01/26/group-catholics-urges-yona-seminarys-closure/97074498/ 

Horror year of state care abuse justifies intervention

Allowing the Catholic Church to investigate itself was once described by an abuse victim as akin to 'putting Dracula in charge of a blood bank'.  The Church now largely accepts the value of outside scrutiny, and has even endorsed a national redress scheme that would subject it to independent examination of its complaint handling and treatment of victims.
But there is another institution — plagued by rampant child abuse in 2016 — where the vampires in charge are still trusted to mop up the haemorrhage.

https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=50532#.WIrY6VzKF9Z 

Zambia’s Catholic Bishops call for the protection of children

The ZCCB president further said that the cry of the Church is to mobilise everyone in the Church to fight the abuse of children. LUSAKA: Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) president Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu has called for the protection of children and minors.
Speaking on behalf of other Catholic Bishops of Zambia during the opening of a one-day workshop on Child Protection held at Lusaka’s Kapingila House Monday, Lusaka Archdiocese's Archbishop Mpundu described the statistics on reported cases of abused children as a tragedy.

http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/zambias-catholic-bishops-call-for-the-protection-of-children/34416/2 

Washington Post Lives in a Time Warp

",On the most explosive and morally subversive challenge facing the Roman Catholic Church—clerical sexual abuse of children, and the bishops who tolerate it—Pope Francis has said the right things but done too little.”
This remarkable comment is the first sentence in an editorial in today’s Washington Post. The newspaper is living in a time warp. It cited not a single piece of new evidence, resting solely on a book by an Italian journalist that covers cases extending back over a half century ago. To make matters worse, Crux editor John Allen Jr. noted the author’s “sloppiness with facts,” about which the Washington Post is either unaware of or simply doesn’t care to mention.

http://satprnews.com/2017/01/23/washington-post-lives-in-a-time-warp/ 

How the Church in France is tackling sexual abuse

Over the past year the Catholic Church in France has stepped up its efforts to tackle cases of sexual abuse of minors by priests. Here, La Croix International looks at two examples of such crimes and their aftermath.
The wheels of justice turn in Le Mans   An alleged case of paedophilia is under investigation in the diocese of Le Mans, in the northwest of France. Fr Max de Guilbert, who has always denied any wrongdoing, was detained on remand in June 2015 accused of the crime of rape and sexual assault by a person in authority of a minor under the age of 15.

https://international.la-croix.com/news/how-the-church-in-france-is-tackling-sexual-abuse/4556?utm_source=UCAN&utm_campaign=From-our-partners&utm_medium=Referral 

Longtime leader of clergy victims group leaves as SNAP faces lawsuit

A fixture in the organization working for children sexually abused by Catholic priests has resigned his post, an announcement that coincides with a lawsuit from a former employee alleging the group colluded with lawyers to refer clients and profit from settlements.
David Clohessy, longtime executive director of SNAP, or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said Tuesday (Jan. 24) that he left in December and his departure had nothing to do with the lawsuit, which was filed in Illinois on Jan. 17.

http://religionnews.com/2017/01/24/longtime-leader-of-clergy-victims-group-leaves-as-snap-faces-lawsuit/ 

Lord have mercy! ...Pastors accused of abusing 12-year-old - Alleged victim vow to fight for justice

As far back as 2002, Pastor Jermaine Gibson had sexual relation with a young woman who was 12 years old at the time, the police Corporate Communications Unit alleged yesterday.
The communication arm of the police force said that two years after Gibson allegedly abused the teen, another pastor, Paul Gardner, allegedly had sexual relations with her.

http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20170124/lord-have-mercy-pastors-accused-abusing-12-year-old-alleged-victim-vow-fight 

Spies not blamed over Kincora in a ‘travesty’ of a child abuse inquiry

Children suffered decades of sexual, physical and emotional abuse in homes run by the state, charities and churches in Northern Ireland, an inquiry found last week.
Sir Anthony Hart chaired the four-year Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry. He said payouts of up to £100,000 should be made to those who suffered the worst abuse or were sent to Australia.

https://socialistworker.co.uk/art/43975/Spies+not+blamed+over+Kincora+in+a+travesty+of+a+child+abuse+inquiry 

Ex-church deacon pleads guilty to sexually assaulting girl

An ex-church deacon accused of sexually assaulting a young girl over a 10-year period pleaded guilty Friday in DuPage County court and waived his rights to a jury trial.

Timothy Peltz, 52, entered blind pleas of guilty to four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Nineteen other charges were dismissed. Peltz faces between 24 and 120 years in prison on the consecutive counts.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170120/news/170129879/ 

Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Bishop Bill Wright apologised to the community in September, and now he's acting

HUNTER Catholic Bishop Bill Wright has appointed a new body to advise him on protecting children and vulnerable adults after a public apology in September for the diocese’s “particularly troubled history” of failing to protect children from sexual abuse.
The nine-member diocese protection and safety council will help “rebuild a sense of trust within the community about Maitland-Newcastle diocese’s commitment to protect children and vulnerable adults”, said a statement released on Monday.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4422802/catholic-bishop-appoints-child-protection-council/ 

Apology from Anglican Church over legacy of Ralph Rowe is very important, Bennett says

It was determined during court proceedings that Rowe preyed upon hundreds of children, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says. A long-awaited public apology from the Anglican Church for the rampant sexual abuse perpetrated by former priest Ralph Rowe in the 1970s and 1980s will be vital in helping victims heal, Canada's indigenous affairs minister says.

The Anglican Church of Canada acknowledged last week the tragic legacy of Rowe, a former Boy Scout leader who abused countless children during the two decades he spent travelling between remote First Nations communities in northern Ontario.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/01/23/apology-from-anglican-church-over-legacy-of-ralph-rowe-is-very-important-bennett-says.html 

Assignment Record– Rev. James G. Kiffmeyer

Summary of Case: James Kiffmeyer was ordained for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1985. He taught at Fenwick High School in Middletown OH while assisted in two subsequent area parishes. In 1991 he was assigned to Elder High School in Cincinnati, residing for several years in a nearby parish.

http://www.bishopaccountability.org/Kiffmeyer_James_G.html

Father and Son Repeatedly Raped Teen Relative While Imprisoning Her for Years, Police Allege

An Ohio father and son accused of imprisoning and raping a 13-year-old relative in the basement of their North Toledo home for more than two years are representing themselves at trial, PEOPLE confirms.

Timothy Ciboro, 53, and Esten Ciboro, 28, are charged with kidnapping, rape and endangering a child in their care, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. Both have pleaded not guilty on all charges.

https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/father-son-repeatedly-raped-teen-222456574.html 

Claim Guam Catholic Church rewarded priest who protected Apuron

The Catholic Church in Guam is being accused of rewarding a priest who shielded its Archbishop from abuse allegations.
The Concerned Catholics of Guam has written a letter to the church questioning the decision to send Father Adrian Cristobal to study in Canada. Its President David Sablan told Jo O'Brien Father Cristobal is also a member of an alternative movement within the Church that has caused division and abused its resources.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201830256/claim-guam-catholic-church-rewarded-priest-who-protected-apuron 

House should reject 'pedophile protection act'

We are hopeful a New Hampshire House committee will do the right thing and reject a bill that would make it more difficult to prosecute people charged with sex assault.
The legislation calls for a higher level of proof than other crimes for a heinous offense that is already underreported because of the pain it causes victims to come forward and testify. House Bill 106 states "that a victim's testimony in a sexual assault case ... requires corroboration only in cases where the defendant has no prior convictions for sexual assault."

That is outrageous.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20170122/house-should-reject-pedophile-protection-act 

Why the celibate priesthood is in crisis? Being caught in raping children

N RECENT days, a group of 11 distinguished veterans of the Catholic priesthood in the German city of Cologne, a stronghold of the church, issued an open letter to mark the 50th anniversary of their ordination. Did they use the occasion to ponder aloud the mysteries of their creed, or the wisdom gained in decades of service to the faithful? No. They simply issued a heart-felt cry of pain over their own solitude, a condition they would not wish on future cohorts of clerics. Imploring the pope to allow priests to marry, they wrote:

http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2017/01/fewer-and-lonelier 

UTH Records 120 Cases Of Abused Children Under 8 – Bishop Mpundu

Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu has revealed that there are 120 cases recorded at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka related to abuse of children below 8.

Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu has called for a change in attitude saying the numbers shows that this was a tragedy.  Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu called the church and Zambians at large to come together and protect children.

https://zambiareports.com/2017/01/23/uth-records-120-cases-abused-children-8-bishop-mpundu/ 

Monk accused of Fort Augustus Abbey abuse arrested in Sydney

A former Catholic monk accused of child abuse at a Scottish school has been arrested in Australia.

Father Denis "Chrysostom" Alexander was one of several monks accused of abusing boys at the former Fort Augustus Abbey boarding school in the Highlands.  The BBC has learned he has been remanded in custody in Sydney pending his extradition back to Scotland to face trial.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-38718554?post_id=10204672433356106_10208650002992861#_=_ 

SNAP faces lawsuit claiming it colluded with clergy sex abuse victim attorneys

ST. LOUIS • The advocacy group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has for decades pressured Catholic church officials and helped expose clergy sex abuse cases that resulted in large payouts to victims and their attorneys.
Now the table is being turned on SNAP.  A former development director for the nonprofit organization claims that SNAP fired her in retaliation for confronting the organization for “colluding with survivors’ attorneys.”

http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/snap-faces-lawsuit-claiming-it-colluded-with-clergy-sex-abuse/article_3cb3e4fa-dc82-50f0-be56-f7232bd971da.html 

Jehovah's Witnesses charity drops attempts to block abuse inquiry

Watch Tower’s legal challenges have held up UK investigation into alleged sexual abuse for more their attackers.
 The UK’s main Jehovah’s Witnesses charity has dropped efforts to block an investigation into how it handled allegations of sexual abuse, including of children, after a legal fight lasting more than two years.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/23/jehovahs-witnesses-charity-drops-attempts-to-block-abuse-inquiry 

Kickbacks for suing the Church? Lawsuit claims major misbehavior at SNAP

          A former employee of the controversial Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests has filed a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination for challenging the organization’s misbehavior, including alleged kickbacks from attorneys who were suing the Church on behalf of sexual abuse victims.
In the lawsuit, Gretchen Rachel Hammond, a past development director of SNAP, claimed to have been fired after coming to learn “SNAP does not focus on protecting or helping survivors – it exploits them.” Although the plaintiff “had explicitly stated to potential donors that SNAP did not engage in kickback schemes,” Hammond’s discoveries while employed there allegedly showed otherwise – and the reputed proof is on an external hard drive.

http://www.angelusnews.com/articles/kickbacks-for-suing-the-church-lawsuit-claims-major-misbehavior-at-snap 

Lussuria' gives paedophilia figures

Rome, January 18 - Despite a crackdown announced by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, some 518 reports of 'graviora delicta' were made in 2015, "the vast majority of which involving sexual abuse of minors", according to a document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Catholic Church department that deals with priestly sex abuse. Sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, long covered up by ecclesiastical authorities, is the subject of Emiliano Fittipaldi's new book 'Lussuria' (Lust), which will be in Italian bookshops from Thursday.

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/vatican/2017/01/18/lussuria-gives-paedophilia-figures_a3bea5a8-86ab-4d36-a2ef-8cdc9c13fd52.html 

Boston’s Archbishop Joins Vatican Office on Clergy Sex Abuse

Boston’s archbishop has been appointed to a top Vatican office that handles cases of clergy sex abuse.
The Vatican’s press office announced Saturday that Pope Francis named Cardinal Sean O’Malley the newest member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which enforces church teachings and also judges sex abuse cases. O’Malley will remain the archbishop of Boston.

http://www.capecod.com/newscenter/bostons-archbishop-joins-vatican-office-on-clergy-sex-abuse/ 

The Buried Abuse of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese

On the phone, the former Houston priest didn’t recognize the name of the 13-year-old boy he molested in 1978.

So much time has passed since that third encounter with the boy, in the Town & Country Village movie theater in Memorial City, where the priest slid his hand into the boy’s jeans and masturbated him. It’s hard to keep track of these things, and besides, the priest says, it’s old news.

http://www.houstonpress.com/news/the-buried-abuse-of-the-galveston-houston-archdiocese-9116388 

Duterte to Catholic churches: 'When we were making confessions to you, we were being molested'

Continuing his anti-Catholic Church rhetoric, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte questioned their "ascendancy" to criticise his drug war, a day after he challenged Catholic priests to try crystal meth to understand the problem of narcotic addiction.
In response to criticism by some churches in the country over the drug killings, the self-confessed foul-mouthed leader hurled abuses at them, citing cases of alleged sexual molestation and corruption involving priests.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/duterte-catholic-churches-when-we-were-making-confessions-you-we-were-being-molested-1602324 

Did SNAP Receive Kickbacks for Suing the Church?

A former employee of the controversial Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has filed a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination for challenging the organization’s misbehavior, including alleged kickbacks from attorneys who were suing the Church on behalf of sexual-abuse victims.
In the lawsuit, Gretchen Rachel Hammond, a past development director of SNAP, claimed to have been fired after coming to learn “SNAP does not focus on protecting or helping survivors — it exploits them.”

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/did-snap-receive-kickbacks-for-suing-the-church 

“We Are Trying To Fix Our Policy On Sexual Harassment”

Why does the Catholic church appear to protect its clergy accused of murder and rape? CBCI secretary general Bishop Mascarenhas talks on church's position on such matters...
Why does the Catholic church appear to protect its clergy accused of murder and rape? For instance, in the case of Sister Abhaya’s murder, why does the Church go out of its way to defend, protect and rehabilitate the accused, ridiculing the due process of law? Palanivel Jeyapaul, who pleaded guilty of molestation in the US, was even reinstated and is back as a priest in India. 

http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/we-are-trying-to-fix-our-policy-on-sexual-harassment/298389

Anglican Church admits it 'helped to create' conditions for suicide crisis in Wapekeka First Nation

The Anglican Church of Canada says it will continue working with First Nations in northern Ontario to confront the "legacy of brokenness" created by a pedophile priest who worked in remote communities in the 1970s and 80s.
Ralph Rowe worked as a priest and boy scout leader and flew a plane with the Anglican Church logo into remote First Nations in northern Ontario where his "abuse was massive in its scope and horrendous in its impact," said a statement on Friday from Michael Thompson, general secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/anglican-church-wapekeka-1.3945253 

Gary Adshead: Child sex abuse victims deserve much better

EVEN after the ups and downs, which inevitably come with eight years in power, the Barnett Government hopefully learnt a lesson the hard way this week.

It managed to turn an immensely worthy cause – something it could have taken the lead on to have enshrined in law – and relegated it to just another election promise.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/opinion/gary-adshead-child-sex-abuse-victims-deserve-much-better/news-story/7caf57e7922caeb004c6c2ea23e4ea8f 

Priest Gerald Ridsdale faces packed courtroom on fresh child-sex charges

Notorious priest Gerald Ridsdale has fronted a Melbourne court charged with historical sex offences against nine boys and two girls over a 20-year period.
The 82-year-old was charged on December 28 with 36 offences against 11 alleged victims from 1969 to 1989 when he was a priest in the Ballarat diocese.

http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/priest-gerald-ridsdale-faces-packed-court-room-on-fresh-childsex-charges-20170119-gtv37m.html

The Sins Of Our Fathers

Sex crimes come with a tinge of holy terror when clergymen prey on the laity. An institutional response can’t be different from a Christian one. Why then does India’s Catholic Church not walk its pious talk?

We hear these children and their cries of pain; we also hear the cry of the Church our Mother, who weeps not only for the pain caused to her youngest sons and daughters, but also because she recognizes the sins of some of her members: the sufferings, the experiences and the pain of minors who were abused sexually by priests. It is a sin that shames us. Persons responsible for the protection of those children destroyed their dignity.  

http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/the-sins-of-our-fathers/298386 

Two missed opportunities for real reform on sex abuse

Two stories this week, one in Italy and the other in the States, both highlight missed opportunities for real reform on clerical sexual abuse, born of trafficking in stereotypes and straw men rather than engaging the nitty-gritty of reality in the Catholic Church.
Two stories broke this week regarding the Church’s clerical sexual abuse scandals, one in Italy and the other in the States, and in different ways, each speaks to a missed opportunity.

https://cruxnow.com/analysis/2017/01/21/two-missed-opportunities-real-reform-sex-abuse/ 

The pope has acted to speed up abuse cases

In no way do I defend the indefensible (Letters, 21 January). The abuse of children and vulnerable adults is a crime and one which is taking far too long for both civil and church authorities to address with rigour and understanding. The members of the pontifical commission for the protection of minors welcome constructive criticism and evidence to inform its advice to the pope, and are acutely aware of how long it could take to implement adequate protection measures and responses to suspicions of abuse to protect children throughout the world.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/22/the-pope-has-acted-to-speed-up-abuse-cases 

Claim Guam Catholic Church rewarded priest who protected Apuron

The Catholic Church in Guam is being accused of rewarding a priest who shielded its Archbishop from abuse allegations.
The Concerned Catholics of Guam has written a letter to the church questioning the decision to send Father Adrian Cristobal to study in Canada. Its President David Sablan told Jo O'Brien Father Cristobal is also a member of an alternative movement within the Church that has caused division and abused its resources.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201830256/claim-guam-catholic-church-rewarded-priest-who-protected-apuron 

Still waiting on the pope’s promises

ON THE MOST explosive and morally subversive challenge facing the Roman Catholic Church — clerical sexual abuse of children, and the bishops who tolerate it — Pope Francis has said the right things but done too little. Even now, 15 years after the explosive revelations of church complicity in enabling and covering up the predations of American priests who damaged so many young lives, not a single bishop has been explicitly held accountable and stripped of his title.

The pope’s sluggish, inadequate and compromised stance in the face of this outrage is the subject of a new book, “Lust,” by a respected Italian journalist, Emiliano Fittipaldi. The book, published last week, is an indictment not just of a papal policy that has failed to live up to its ringing promises about “zero tolerance” for clerical sexual abuse, but of Francis’s papacy.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/still-waiting-on-the-popes-promises/2017/01/22/35975784-de95-11e6-918c-99ede3c8cafa_story.html?utm_term=.93c6d3a750bf 

Freedom fighters for victims of child abuse

2016 was an important year in our history. It has been one of the most successful in shaping how we respond to reports of child sexual abuse, writes Lisa Flynn.

As we usher in 2017, it is important that we reflect on the lessons we have learnt and resolve to keep doing better to stop child abuse and continue to respond to survivors of abuse positively and compassionately.

http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/opinion/20381-freedom-fighters-for-victims-of-child-abuse 

Survivor: warning signs about paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale were ignored

Gabrielle Short can conjure no fond memories of this place, the old orphanage once known as the Nazareth House Girls' Home, once her home.
Sitting opposite Lake Wendouree, the structure is grandiose and beautiful but it seemed swallowed by a sickness in 1963, when Short was just seven.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/survivor-warning-signs-about-paedophile-priest-gerald-ridsdale-were-ignored-20150521-gh6teo.html 

Pope has done 'close to nothing' to stop clerical sex abuse, author claims

An Italian author has lashed out at Pope Francis, claiming the Catholic leader has not followed through on his promise to have a zero tolerance approach on clerical sex abuse.

Emiliano Fittipaldi makes the accusations against the Pope in his new book Lussuria ('Lust') which will be released in Italy on Thursday.

http://www.premier.org.uk/News/Church/Pope-has-done-close-to-nothing-to-stop-clerical-sex-abuse-author-claims 

Joliet priest says diocese failed to follow protocol to protect children

Standing before parishioners in his historic Joliet church, the Rev. Peter Jankowski said years of internal conflict had brought him to this difficult moment. In an emotional homily, the parish priest publicly blew the whistle on his diocese for alleged past failures that he said put children at potential risk.
Jankowski delivered the homily three times two Sundays ago, including once in Spanish for his multicultural congregation. Before he left the pulpit, he asked members at St. Patrick's Catholic Church to pray for him as he embarks on a public crusade — including a direct appeal to Pope Francis.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/joliet-romeoville/ct-joliet-priest-met-20170117-story.html 

Church allowed abuse by priest for years

This article was prepared by the Globe Spotlight Team: reporters Matt Carroll, Sacha Pfeiffer, and Michael Rezendes; and editor Walter V. Robinson. It was written by Rezendes.
Since the mid-1990s, more than 130 people have come forward with horrific childhood tales about how former priest John J. Geoghan allegedly fondled or raped them during a three-decade spree through a half-dozen Greater Boston parishes.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/special-reports/2002/01/06/church-allowed-abuse-priest-for-years/cSHfGkTIrAT25qKGvBuDNM/story.html 

Cardinal Pell’s office dismisses attack over sex abuse handling as opposition to reform

VATICAN CITY – In reaction to a new book claiming that Pope Francis has in fact done little to combat clerical sex abuse, and that Cardinal George Pell is implicated, the Australian cardinal's office has dismissed the claims as motivated by opposition to reform.
“These most recent attacks on the Vatican, economic reforms and Cardinal George Pell are not only regurgitating false claims but appear to have a more sinister intent,” read a Jan. 15 statement from the office of Cardinal Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy.

http://www.catholicregister.org/home/international/item/24089-cardinal-pell-s-office-dismisses-attack-over-sex-abuse-handling-as-opposition-to-reform 

Unspoken abuse: Mothers who rape their sons

TRIGGER WARNING: This story discusses experiences of childhood sexual abuse, incest and suicide.

“I AM very sorry I brought you so much pain,” Marcus* wrote in his final letter, “Thank you for caring for me. I know I didn’t deserve it.”
Marcus died by suicide two years ago and when he did, he left University of Canberra researcher Lucetta Thomas a message.  The sentence that stayed with her was this one: “The only course of action is for you to do something positive, like finish the PhD.”

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/unspoken-abuse-mothers-who-rape-their-sons/news-story/25ad244866c90d0bceac6094e2523a7e 

Whistleblower Peter Fox says police should apologise now to abuse victims

The former detective chief inspector whose whistleblowing sparked the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse says the police force should apologise now to the victims it failed.

Australia's police commissioners are currently considering making an apology to victims of child sex abuse, but they say any apology wouldn't be made until the royal commission's final report, due mid December 2017.  Peter Fox says there's no reason to delay, and if police commissioners are sincere the apology should be made now.

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2016/s4605225.htm 

Australia's oldest Catholic boys' boarding school to formally apologise to sex abuse victims

Australia's oldest Catholic boys' boarding school is set to apologise to students who were sexually abused by staff during their time there.

St Stanislaus College in Bathurst has been at the centre of child abuse investigations for almost a decade, and a number of priests, chaplains and teachers have been convicted.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-20/bathurst-catholic-school-to-formally-apologise-over-sexual-abuse/8197290 

Bozell & Graham: Snoozing at teachers who abuse children

On Jan. 13, a judge in Houston, Texas, sentenced Alexandria Vera to 10 years in prison. Her crime? The 25-year-old teacher at Stovall Middle School struck up a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student — having sex almost every day, she said, for nine months — but with the parents' approval. She could be eligible for parole in five years.
Prosecutors alleged Vera groomed the child and his family, moving the teen and his father into her home and pretending she was dating the father. She also bought groceries for the boy's family and paid the phone bills. She even became pregnant by the boy. When child-protection workers closed in, she got an abortion. Unsurprisingly, the boy is now in foster care.

https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2017/01/snoozing-at-teachers-who-abuse-children 

Catholic and Protestant abuses still need redress

Having been appointed to the papal commission on child protection, I can confirm that Emiliano Fittipaldi is broadly correct that the pope has done little on child abuse. I might argue that Francis has done more than his predecessor, but it still is not enough. I made the same point publicly last year. Damian Thompson recently wrote in the Spectator of the pope reversing a defrocking of “an Italian priest with a passion for expensive cars and underage boys”, who has since been jailed by the civil courts . As long as such outrages continue, it is hard to take the pope’s commitment seriously.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/20/catholic-and-protestant-abuses-still-need-redress 

Ex-worker sues priest sex-abuse victims advocacy group, says it exploited survivors

A former employee of the Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has sued the victims advocacy group, alleging that SNAP exploited victims of sexual abuse by clergy in return for financial kickbacks from attorneys.
According to a lawsuit filed this week in Cook County Circuit Court, Gretchen Rachel Hammond worked as a director of development from July 2011 until she said she was fired in February 2013, shortly after asking superiors whether SNAP was referring potential clients to attorneys in exchange for donations.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-snap-lawsuit-met-20170119-story.html 

When your beloved pastor/priest turns into your betrayer

Ever wondered what happens when people who are supposed to offer spiritual guidance turn out to be defilers?   Growing up in Nigeria, the only person that offers the type of peace, security that you should expect from parents is your priest in my case, pastors in other cases.
In fact, some children/young adults would often run to the church for refuge when the home fails to provide the safety they need

http://pulse.ng/religion/rape-culture-in-church-when-your-beloved-pastor-priest-turns-into-your-betrayer-id6077682.html 

Philippine president challenges Catholic church to 'showdown'

The president of the Philippines has launched a tirade at priests and bishops critical of his crackdown on illegal drugs, accusing them of homosexuality, corruption and child abuse.
Rodrigo Duterte was furious about concerns by the Catholic church of alleged extrajudicial killings during his war on drugs, and lambasted clergymen for denouncing him instead of using their influence to help end addiction.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/19/philippine-president-rodrigo-duterte-challenges-catholic-church-showdown 

Police may apologise to child sex victims

I think that the police need to apologize... to their own first... The police officer Mr. FOX... who dare to tell the truth... the catholic church also turn their backs... on any priest or nuns... who comes forward with the truth... and who also dare to stand for the... innocent children... boys... girls and teens alike... who were raped and abused... by her priest... nuns and their workers...
I am not from Australia... but I know what a good apology is like... well to tell you the truth I don't know... as long as these words... are not said or written after the apology... NO WRONGDOING... from this order of nuns... those words still hurt me... it was the words... which the nazareth house nuns lawyers told the world... on TV... as well as in the papers...

the apology has to come from their Heart... and it has to mean more for them... than it does for the victims / survivors... only that way... we know it is real... too often we have heard so many apologizes... with a smile on their face... what they use to say to us if they saw us smiling... I will give you something... to wipe that smile from your face... then a whack across the face we got... see... not matter what I talk about... there is always some thing that reminds me... of the abuse of my childhood.

This is the word I want to hear the most... I have not heard it yet... acknowledgement to the abuse and rape... that one word means so much to me... but I don't think... that I will ever hear it... from the Nazareth house nuns... they promised that they would put it into my apology... and they never did... you see all I have heard from these nuns... is lies... which they know how to tell... they put on this act of holiness and purity... when all they are interested in... is in their MONEY... which is their god... Ann

==================================

Police chiefs will consider a national apology to victims who were ignored by officers and sometimes beaten when they reported institutional child sex abuse.
They will wait until after Australia's child sexual abuse royal commission hands down a final report before "comprehensively" examining the need for an apology and what it might look like.

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/01/17/12/49/police-may-apologise-to-child-sex-victims#QZgB199AqLK52ZOh.99 

Former North Richland Hills church nursery worker accused in child sex abuse case

God the rape of children under 5years old... is still bloody happening... why do I hate all churches... this is why... RAPE of helpless children... who no one believed us years ago... WHEN WILL THIS EVER STOP... NEVER... while they have this power and control over children... with no one keeping an eye on them... because they know how to put on the act of purity... and goodness... rape of innocent children... will go on unnoticed...

most of us who were raped under 5years old... still carry that shame into our older years... and it gets worst as we get older... I will never forget how they made me silent... to forever hide the shame of child abuse and child rape... by women workers... older girls... nuns and a priest... how the hell do you forget... this crime of rape... which I knew nothing about... until many... many years later...

this shame... pain and the worst sin which these people of god... put onto my soul... torments me each and ever day and night... my nightmares each night has never left me... the scars of my childhood rape and abuse... I wish on no one...

I can never forget... or forgive my abusers... they took everything away from me... the first night that they stripped my of my clothes... and raped me at 18months old... to 5years of age... 4years of terror... and it went on for years after that as well...

WHY!... WHY!... DO THEY POISON LITTLE CHILDREN'S MINDS... WITH THEIR SINS... IT WAS NOT OUR SIN... BUT WE HAVE CARRIED THEIR SINS WITHIN US... FOR YEARS AND YEARS... NO AMOUNT OF COUNSELING CAN HELP ME... IT IS THE CURSE THAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH PUT ONTO OUR SOULS... Ann

===============================

A former volunteer at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in North Richland Hills was arrested Wednesday, accused of sexually abusing children while working in the church nursery.
Francisco Guevara, 65, of Colleyville faces two charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child and one charge of indecency with a child, police said.  The allegations stem from incidents that happened up to seven years ago when the victims were between 4 and 7 years old, police said.

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article127288214.html

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article127288214.html#storylink=cpy

Ottawa priest convicted of molesting boys back in jail after allegedly visiting kids pool 96 times

A disgraced Ottawa priest convicted of molesting altar boys in the 1960s and 1970s has been re-arrested after he allegedly visited a Lowertown swimming pool frequented by children – a breach of his release conditions – nearly 100 times.
Gatineau police arrested Jacques Faucher, 80, on Monday, nine days before he was scheduled to be sentenced on historical sex crimes involving three children. Faucher was free on bail while awaiting sentencing.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-priest-convicted-of-molesting-boys-back-in-jail-after-allegedly-visiting-kids-pool-96-times

Ridsdale in Vic court over child sex abuse

Former Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale will face court over dozens of fresh historical sexual abuse offences.  The 82-year-old has been charged with more than 36 offences including rape, buggery, indecent assault and assault.
It's alleged the offences occurred at various locations in the western region of Victoria between the 1960s to the 1980s.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/01/20/ridsdale-vic-court-over-child-sex-abuse 

Lawsuit by Ex-SNAP Insider Exposes Lawyer Kickback Schemes, Exploitation of Victims, and Corruption of SNAP

A callous disregard for victims. Financial kickbacks from Church-suing tort lawyers. Retaliation.
A stunning new civil lawsuit filed in Illinois by a former insider at SNAP confirms what many of us have known all along: SNAP is not an organization designed to help victims of clergy sex abuse but a gang hellbent on shaking down the Catholic Church through a seedy web of lawyer kickback schemes, lawsuits, and bigotry.

http://www.themediareport.com/2017/01/19/lawsuit-against-snap/ 

Opposition parties table motion on HIA Inquiry

Opposition parties in Northern Ireland have requested the Speaker allow the Assembly to discuss the recommendations of the report from the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Inquiry next week.
The motion, signed by the Ulster Unionist Party, SDLP, Alliance Party, Green Party, People Before Profit and TUV, would see the Assembly have the opportunity to discuss the report by the inquiry before dissolution.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/opposition-parties-table-motion-on-hia-inquiry-1-7780035 

After Pope blessing, Duterte challenges abusive priests to 'showdown'

MANILA, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Undeterred by a blessing from Pope Francis, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched an angry rebuke on Thursday of priests and bishops critical of his drugs war, accusing them of homosexuality, corruption and of abusing children.
Duterte was furious over concerns by the Catholic Church of alleged extrajudicial killings during his crackdown and lambasted clergymen for denouncing him instead of using their influence to get people off drugs.

http://news.trust.org/item/20170119112651-uzlhs 

Child sex abuse victim's identity accidentally revealed by royal commission

The royal commission into child sex abuse has broken its own non-publication order, revealing the identity of the victim of a notorious paedophile.
The former Brisbane Grammar School student was among many victims who gave statements or fronted the commission under a pseudonym to protect them.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/child-sex-abuse-victims-identity-accidentally-revealed-by-royal-commission-20170118-gtu3af.html 

Cardinal O’Malley appointed to Vatican office for Doctrine of the Faith

On Saturday it was announced that Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston has yet another reason to come to Rome, with his appointment as the newest member of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Already a member of the Pope’s Council of Cardinals and President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, O’Malley’s appointment to the CDF, announced in a Jan. 14 communique from the Vatican, adds yet another major role to the list of duties he is accumulating.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-omalley-appointed-to-vatican-office-for-doctrine-of-the-faith-46798/

Fr. Luke Melackrinos Suspended from St. Paul’s Cathedral in Hempstead

Rev. Luke Melackrinos was placed on suspension from all his liturgical and administrative duties as presiding priest at the prestigious St. Paul’s Cathedral in Hempstead, NY for his alleged inappropriate contact electronically with an adult female parishioner.

https://www.thenationalherald.com/147039/fr-luke-melackrinos-suspended-st-pauls-cathedral-hempstead/ 

Trial date for former priest accused of brutal assaults against pupils at Highland school

A former priest who taught at a Highland school will go on trial in May accused of a string of brutal assaults against his pupils with weapons including a spiked golf shoe and a hockey stick.
Father Benedict Seed, 83, was due to go before a jury later this month at Inverness Sheriff Court. But yesterday, his lawyer Clare Russell told Sheriff Margaret Neilson that she was not yet prepared for trial.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1140638/trial-date-for-former-priest-accused-of-brutal-assaults-against-pupils-at-highland-school/ 

Winnipeg Oblate priest charged with historic sexual assault

It is a secret he's kept for 28 years. Now Joe is ready to talk about the sexual abuse he said he endured at the hand of a Winnipeg priest.
It was October 1988 when Joe first met Father Omer Desjardins. He was working as the night caregiver at Credo Home, a Winnipeg group home run by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, a Roman Catholic religious community of priests and brothers commonly referred to as the Oblates.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/oblate-priest-sexual-assault-charged-1.3929677 

Victims Still Healing From Child Sex Abuse Scars Could Soon Find Justice

A proposal which would waive the statute of limitations on prosecutions of people who've abused children, and allow victims to sue abusers up to 50 years after the attack took place, is long overdue, say advocates for victims of child sexual abuse, like Jill Knittle.
Knittle was abused for six years as a child, until she was 13. She didn't tell friends until she was in her 20s, and didnt talk openly about it until her 40s. That's often the case, as victims struggle internally every day.

http://www.twcnews.com/nys/rochester/news/2017/01/13/rochester-sex-abuse-victims-statute-limitations.html 

Middle-aged man claims young priest he met through gay dating site sexually assaulted him

A middle-aged man has claimed he was sexually assaulted on Catholic church property by a young cleric he met through a gay dating site. It is understood that Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has been made aware of the allegations.
The gardaí's sexual assault unit has reportedly also been informed but cannot launch an investigation until the alleged victim comes forward to them.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/middleaged-man-claims-young-priest-he-met-through-gay-dating-site-sexually-assaulted-him-35367203.html 

Too many men preying on young girls

The case of Heather Murray, the beleaguered principal of Hampton High School for Girls, is a perfect example of how we Jamaicans can get so easily distracted from the more important issues.

It is also another example of how religion turns intelligent people into idiots.

http://jamaica-star.com/article/commentary/20170113/too-many-men-preying-young-girls 

Two juicy ironies in the current saga featuring the Knights of Malta

For anyone familiar with the Vatican over a long stretch of time, there are a couple of truly juicy ironies involved in its current probe of the Knights of Malta, and understanding those ironies may help explain both the defiant reaction the Knights have displayed publicly and the vertigo they may be feeling privately.

ROME - Just to be clear from the beginning, I have no insider information regarding the news now making the rounds about the Knights of Malta, either in terms of the factors that led to the ouster of Albrecht von Boeselager, the group’s chancellor, or Pope Francis’s decision to create a committee to look into the situation.

https://cruxnow.com/analysis/2017/01/13/two-juicy-ironies-current-saga-featuring-knights-malta/ 

'Victims of sexual abuse can still turn to church'

Go to the police first... not to the church... always take a support person with you and take down what they say to you... it is the only way you will have prof of what is said to you... and you to them... Ann

===============================

Amid the Moravian Sex Scandal, one group is appealing for victims of abuse to seek refuge in the church despite the immense backlash after a senior Moravian pastor was charged with a sex charge.

The Christian Brethren Assemblies Jamaica says it notes that the incident has caused many citizens to be experiencing deep feelings of hurt, distrust and betrayal toward the church community. 

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170113/victims-sexual-abuse-can-still-turn-church

Church requests part of lawsuit to be dismissed

VANCEBURG – Attorneys for Vanceburg Christian Church have filed a motion for dismissal, in a lawsuit filed against the church for alleging not take measures to prevent the abuse by a former pastor of an unnamed victim.

In the motion, filed Friday, attorney Michael E. Nitardy requested four parts of the claim to be dismissed, “… for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.”

http://www.maysville-online.com/news/local/church-requests-part-of-lawsuit-to-be-dismissed/article_ed6b8f13-f622-51f6-8308-c84d97663bd6.html 

The year of truth-telling

For a culture that prizes secrecy, Jamaica is shaping up to be a different place in 2017 because of the growing nationwide clamour for openness, transparency and accountability.
Rocked by recent allegations of a pastor of the Moravian Church having sex with a 15-year-old girl in his car, the Church and other long-established institutions are being forced to drill deep and confront the difficult issue of sexual abuse and sexual violence.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20170114/editorial-year-truth-telling 

Concerns raised over delays in extraditing Catholic priest accused of abuse

A man who says he was abused by an Australian Catholic priest has expressed concerns about perceived delays in the investigation.
The abuse is said to have been committed in the UK, and the Crown Office there had announced plans to extradite the man from Sydney more than a year ago.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-12/concerns-raised-about-delays-in-extraditing-catholic-priest/8177664 

Pat Perriello: Should we forgo married priests until we can have women priests? NO

(NCR Online) It seems that married priests are on the horizon in the Catholic church. Word is that an experiment will soon take place in Brazil to address the severe shortage of priests in that country.

We know, of course, that married priests are already active even in the United States. Episcopal clergymen and even some Lutheran clergyman who have entered the church have been allowed to serve as clerics and remain married. As is to be expected, things will go slowly. Pope Francis could simply make an announcement that henceforth priests can get married within the church and that would be that. Of course, that is not the way we do things in our church.

http://www.cathnewsusa.com/2017/01/pat-perriello-forgo-married-priests-can-women-priests/?newsletter=1 

Rolf Harris accused of groping 'blind and disabled woman'

 She was a 14year old CHILD... not a women at the time... This evil vile man RAPED her... Ann

 ===================================

Rolf Harris has a propensity for "unwanted groping" of young females and allegedly assaulted a blind and disabled woman at a hospital, a London jury has heard.

A woman has told a London court that Rolf Harris pulled her onto his lap and put his hand up her skirt to touch "where he shouldn't" at a music festival in 1971 when she was aged 14.

https://nz.news.yahoo.com/world/a/33823419/rolf-harris-accused-of-groping-blind-and-disabled-woman/#page1 

Electroshock Therapy for Internet Addicts? China Vows to End It

HONG KONG — At the Addiction Treatment Center in eastern China, more than 6,000 internet addicts — most of them teenagers — not only had their web access taken away, they were also treated with electroshock therapy.

The center, in Shandong Province, made headlines in September after one of its patients killed her mother in retribution for abuse she had purportedly suffered at the camp during a forced detox regimen.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/13/world/asia/china-internet-addiction-electroshock-therapy.html?emc=edit_tnt_20170113&nlid=63876270&tntemail0=y&_r=1 

With book on sex abuse, author hopes to help himself, others heal

Shrinking the Monster: Healing the Wounds of Our Abuse,”  by Norbert Krapf.  In Extenso Press (Munhall, Pennsylvania, 2016).  236 pp. $14.95.
In the 1950s, Norbert Krapf was sexually abused — along with scores of other boys — by a priest of the Diocese of Evansville, Indiana, who was loved and respected by the community.
After five decades of silence, Krapf — a retired professor, author and award-winning former Indiana Poet Laureate — confronted the monster of his past both by outing the then-deceased priest to the bishop and, in 2012, publishing a book of poems called “Catholic Boy Blues” to help himself and other victims heal.

http://catholicphilly.com/2017/01/us-world-news/culture/with-book-on-sex-abuse-author-hopes-to-help-himself-others-heal/ 

"You're Killing My Case"

On the witness stand today, retired Detective Joe Walsh detailed numerous inconsistencies in the many contrary stories told by Danny Gallagher, the former altar boy who claimed he was raped by two priests and a Catholic schoolteacher.
And when Walsh told Assistant District Attorney Mariana Sorensen about those inconsistencies, her reply, according to Walsh was, "You're killing my case."

 

http://www.bigtrial.net/2017/01/youre-killing-my-case.html