Alleged historic child sex abuse victim fails in appeal over ‘time-barred’ claim

A man who claimed he was sexually abused as child in a Catholic school more than 50 years ago has failed in an appeal against a judge’s decision that the action was time-barred.
The Inner House of the Court of Session upheld the Lord Ordinary’s decision on the application of the long negative prescription, and on the issue of time-bar.

http://www.scottishlegal.com/2017/01/13/alleged-historic-child-sex-abuse-victim-fails-in-appeal-over-time-barred-claim/# 

Knights of Malta say leader’s dismissal ‘more complex’ than condoms

Rome, Italy, Jan 12, 2017 / 10:25 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After former Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Malta Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager was dismissed in early December, many have pinpointed the decision to a contraception scandal related to a project he was overseeing.
But a senior official of the Order has said that while the incident was a contributing factor in Boeselager’s resignation, the reasons – while confidential – are much broader.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/catholicnews/2017/01/knights-of-malta-say-leaders-dismissal-more-complex-than-condoms/ 

Boston lawyer who helped uncover Catholic church’s child sex scandal applauds Cuomo’s reform plans for New York victims

The attorney who helped break the bombshell story about abuse of children by Catholic priests in Boston hailed Gov. Cuomo's support of reform of the statute of limitations for New York victims.
Mitchell Garabedian said the announcement had changed the calculus for victims considering enrolling in a settlement program created by Timothy Cardinal Dolan that offers compensation to victims in exchange for their waving the right to sue. Participants in that program currently do not have a right to sue due to the statute of limitations

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/boston-lawyer-applauds-cuomo-child-victims-act-support-article-1.2945130 

Mutiny at the Vatican as Pope Francis faces dissent

IN A move that is unprecedented in the modern history of the Papacy, four cardinals have publicly challenged Pope Francis. In the words of his biographer, Paul Vallely, the four “have published ‘doubts’, virtually accusing him of heresy”.
The four are Cardinal Raymond Burke (USA), Cardinal Carlo Caffarra (former Archbishop of Bologna), Cardinal Joacim Meisner (former Archbishop of Cologne), and Cardinal Walter Brandmuller (Germany), former president of the Pontifical Commission for Historical Sciences.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/mutiny-at-the-vatican-as-pope-francis-faces-dissent-438885.html 

He didn’t murder any of our students—so it’s ok

Schools need to rethink how they handle cases of teachers who are busted with child pornography and/or who molest.  Imagine if you received a letter from your child’s school like this:
Dear Parents:
Today, Mr. John Doe, a long-term substitute teacher and math tutor at our school, was arrested for murder. We learned that he lured his victims from tutoring websites.

http://theworthyadversary.com/4363-but-he-didnt-murder-any-of-our-students-so-its-okay 

North West Survivors Group calls on First and Deputy First Minister to give HIA Inquiry Report 'the attention that it deserves'

Following the news that the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry Report has been presented to the First and Deputy First Ministers, the Survivors (North West) group have issued a statement calling on them to give the matter the attention it deserves.
A spokesperson for the group said: "As a result of the announcement, that the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry Report has been delivered to the First and Deputy First Ministers, we, Survivors (North West), hope that the First and Deputy First Ministers, will (notwithstanding other issues) give this report the attention that it deserves.

https://www.derrynow.com/news/north-west-survivors-group-calls-first-deputy-first-minister-give-hia-inquiry-report-attention-deserves/138434 

What the church owes: Making amends for years of abuse

In a morally important move, Timothy Cardinal Dolan in October handed famed mediator Ken Feinberg a blank check to make right by those victimized by clergy in the New York Archdiocese, covering Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island and points north.
The first round of victims who can apply for compensation are 150 people who had already lodged complaints to the church.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/church-owes-making-amends-years-abuse-article-1.2938266 

Judge OKs Lawsuit Against Disgraced Order Legion of Christ

A Rhode Island judge is allowing a lawsuit seeking millions of dollars to move forward against the disgraced Roman Catholic order the Legion of Christ.

The lawsuit, brought by the national anti-abortion group Americans United for Life, says the Legion interfered with an inheritance the group should have received from a wealthy widow. It says the Legion conspired to get Gabrielle Mee to cut the group out of her will and instead give her entire $60 million fortune to the Legion. Bernard Jackvony, a lawyer for Americans United for Life, said up to $6 million is at stake.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-oks-lawsuit-disgraced-order-legion-christ-44654915 

Hundreds of church sex abuse victims continue to come forward / The Boston Globe

Over the past 12 years, the (Boston) archdiocese has spent nearly $35 million on counseling, psychiatric medications, and other services for survivors. Since 2003, it has paid about $215 million to settle legal claims, church officials say.” 

Fifteen years after the clergy sex abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston broke into public view, hundreds of victims around the world continue to come forward, including some who say they were attacked as recently as 2001, advocates said Thursday (Jan. 5). Two victims’ support groups and a lawyer who has represented more than 2,000 survivors worldwide denounced church officials for doing too little to help those who were abused and to protect children from harm, despite ongoing revelations about the scope of the crisis.

https://voicefaithful.wordpress.com/2017/01/06/hundreds-of-church-sex-abuse-victims-continue-to-come-forward-the-boston-globe/ 

CCI Editor’s note: Why Canon 915 is not being enforced.

In the December issue, Father Regis Scanlon’s explained the wisdom of Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law (“Politicizing the Eucharist”).
The argument over the canon’s implementation is not going away. However, recent events have significantly affected the prospects for its implementation in the United States.
Canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law reads: “Those who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.”

http://catholiccitizens.org/views/69458/canon-fire/ 

Protesters resume weekly pickets calling for removal of Archbishop Apuron

The protesters took a two-week break in light of the holiday season. Guam - After a two week hiatus from their weekly protests, members of the Laity Forward Movement and the Concerned Catholics of Guam were back at it, picketing this past Sunday in front of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Hagatna.

Although the crowd continues at the steady dozens, the number of demands is gradually decreasing.

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/local/12176 

North Fort Myers daycare worker accused of child abuse

NORTH FORT MYERS - A child care worker was fired after being accused of child abuse at a North Fort Myers daycare.
Lee County deputies said Janet Crappse violently dropped a baby into a crib at Kings Kidz Academy. A spokesperson for the daycare said everything was caught on surveillance video.
Kings Kidz Academy is operated by North Shore Alliance Church on Mariana Avenue.

http://www.abc-7.com/story/34197496/daycare-worker-allegedly-hits-drops-child-into-crib 

Michael Abrahams | Our unhealthy attitude towards statutory rape

he recent case of a 64-year-old Moravian pastor charged with having sex with a minor is cause for great concern. According to police reports, about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, a motorised police patrol in the deep rural community of Austin in Myersville, south-east St Elizabeth, came upon a parked car in a secluded area.
It was reported that the pastor was found in a “compromising position” with a 15-year-old girl. They were taken to the Black River Police Station, where the pastor was charged with having sex with a girl under the age of 16 years.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20170109/michael-abrahams-our-unhealthy-attitude-towards-statutory-rape