Clergy Child Molesters (156) -- References / Archive / Blog

Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:58 AM

• Exposure of abuse 'helps victims'

- 60% family or neighbour.

   Press Association, ~ January 01, 2009
   IRELAND -- The exposure of widespread clerical abuse in the Catholic Church has given victims of sexual violence in the home the strength to speak out, activists have claimed.
   Six out of ten men and women attending the One in Four charity were assaulted as a child by a trusted family member or neighbour. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:17 AM]

• NM sect leader gets decade in prison, refuses food

[Bent]

   The Kansas City Star, The Associated Press, ~ January 01, 2009
   NEW MEXICO -- An apocalyptic religious sect leader has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexual misconduct with teenage female followers.
   Wayne Bent was sentenced to prison Tuesday for criminal sexual contact of a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
   New Mexico prison officials say the 67-year-old Bent has refused to eat since his arrival Tuesday at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility at Los Lunas.

• Leaked video of Alamo ministry child on Internet

- Alamo Ministries
   Pine Bluff Commercial, By JON GAMBRELL, 5:46 PM CST, Wednesday, December 31, 2008
   LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS -- A teenage follower of jailed evangelist Tony Alamo described a life devoted to mission work, passing out tracts on mass suicides and seeing signs of the end times in natural disasters during a videotaped state interview leaked to the Internet. Over nearly two hours, she told a child welfare official that Alamo never touched her or had sex with underage girls -- acts only a "backslider" outside of the church would commit. Instead, she said his hands and words toward Heaven worked miracles.
   "Someone with AIDS in the church, he prayed over them, they were healed," the teen said. "For him to get an answer like that from God, you know he's not going to be sinning. I trust him. I believe everything he says."
   A video of her interview, conducted a day after FBI agents and Arkansas State Police raided Alamo's ministry in Fouke, found its way to the Internet late last month. Now, the state Department of Human Services wants the video removed as officials still look for children associated with the ministries. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:11 AM]

• Legislature may rename Augusta's Curran bridge

- RCC.
   Morning Sentinel, BY MATTHEW STONE, Jan/01/2009
   [For background, see also Scholarships Named for Curran Focus of Abuse Victim Advocates, by Matthew Stone, Morning Sentinel, May 24, 2008; and an op-ed by Rep. Patsy Crockett in the Kennebec Journal on August 5, 2008.]
   AUGUSTA (ME) -- Legislators will take up a bill this winter proposing to rename the city's Father John J. Curran Bridge.
   Under a proposal recently submitted by Rep. Patsy Crockett, D-Augusta, the downtown span would become the Calumet Bridge at Old Fort Western.
   The bid to rename the bridge, which connects downtown with the city's east side, gained momentum in July when Augusta city councilors unanimously backed a resolution urging legislators to rename the bridge.
   The move comes after a year in which the names of two scholarships named for Curran were changed within weeks of each other.
   The span is named for the Rev. John J. Curran, a St. Augustine Church priest who died in 1976 and was accused posthumously of having abused children sexually. Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland officials have said they would bar Curran from ministering if he were alive today and would request that the Vatican remove him from the priesthood.

Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:08 AM

• Pahrump resident heads group for victims of clergy sex abuse

   Pahrump Valley Times, By MARK WAITE, Dec 31, 2008
   [See also Kay Ebeling's article with documents, Two sex predator priests honored in LA black Catholic evangelical award, while Cardinal Mahony looks the other way, and Sisters Go Public with Abuse Allegations at St. John's University, Minnesota Public Radio, September 25, 2006, with other links.]
   PAHRUMP (NV) -- In 2002, Pahrump resident Rita Prince heard some shocking news from her sister.
   Their 18-year-old brother Patrick Ryan, who hung [hanged] himself in a jail cell in 1969, had been undergoing psychiatric counseling after being drugged and raped by a Catholic priest at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn., a year before.
   Prince set out to find out more details about the incident that was almost an unmentionable subject until recently when news broke the Catholic Church began paying out huge sums to victims of sexual abuse by priests. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:04 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Thu January 01, 2009
• [Guess why W.A. doesn't command clergy to report child sex abuse.]

[Guess why W.A. doesn't command clergy to report child sex abuse]

Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse in Western Australia, online version of booklet, of the Department for Child Protection, Government of Western Australia, http://www. mandatory reporting. dcp.wa.gov.au/ Resource%20 Documents/ Information%20 booklet%20for%20 mandatory%20 reporters.pdf ; extract from page 4, sent in by "Amused Commentator", January 1, 2009
WESTERN AUSTRALIA – In Western Australia, mandatory reporters of child sexual abuse under the Children and Community Services Amendment (Reporting Sexual Abuse of Children) Act 2008 are:

doctors

nurses and midwives

teachers

police officers.

However, any person who has a belief that a child is being subjected to any form of abuse or neglect should report these concerns to the Department.

[COMMENT: Notice that CLERGY are not included in the list of people being COMPELLED to report, in spite of it becoming more obvious since the year 2002 that many clergy (4% admitted by one denomination in the U.S.A.) are child-seducting predators, whose religion leaders allow them to keep on sinning.
The answer to the question as to WHY the Government did not include clergy (remember, it was probably the previous State Labor Government), might be found in one of the books as http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/carnalbooks.htm . COMMENT ENDS.] http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm#guess_why_wa [Jan 01, 09]
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Fri January 02, 2009 edition:

• Extradition case held up by questions over Israel's jurisdiction

[2000s "Rabbi" Chen*] - Judaist (Ultra-Orthodox). Torture regime. 2 children.

   The Jerusalem Post, By ETGAR LEFKOVITS, ~ January 02, 2009
   ISRAEL -- A six-month long legal battle over the extradition of the suspected ringleader in one of the worst child abuse cases in Israeli history has taken an unexpected turn after a Brazilian court has asked Israel for clarifications about its judicial authority in the West Bank settlement where the suspect lives, Israeli officials said Thursday.
   The unusual political twist in the case of "Rabbi" Elior Chen, 28, who is under arrest in Brazil, came after his defense team claimed that Israel has no legal jurisdiction to demand his extradition since he lives in a West Bank settlement that is not within the judicial authority of the State of Israel.
   Chen, a resident of Beitar Ilit, was apprehended by Brazilian police on a residential street in Sao Paolo in June after fleeing Israel when the grisly abuse case first broke last year. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 2, 2009 11:21 AM]
   [LOOK BACK: ~ June 04, 2008 ]

• Cardinal Brady breaks his silence on Cloyne

[Centuries - RCC.]

   Irish Examiner, By Jennifer Hough, ~ January 02, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE head of the Catholic Church in Ireland has broken his silence on the mishandling of allegations of child sex abuse in the Diocese of Cloyne saying he realises people feel "let down, angry and bewildered".
   Cardinal Seán Brady last night said the report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC), which found the Cork diocese had failed to focus on the needs of vulnerable children, had brought further anxiety to victims of abuse.
   He said it brought into question the efforts of thousands of volunteers and personnel working to implement statutory guidelines and Church policies on safeguarding children throughout Ireland. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 2, 2009 7:57 PM]

• January 2, 2009 - Statement of the Archdiocese of Boston Regarding Father James Power

- Fr Power cases not substantiated.

   Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, January 2, 2009
   BOSTON, Massachusetts – The Archdiocese of Boston today made the following statement regarding Father James Power: "The Archdiocese of Boston today announced that two allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by Father James F. Power ('62) have been found to be unsubstantiated.
   Father Power was placed on administrative leave in February, 2002, after a review of his file revealed he had been the subject of an allegation in 1993. A second allegation was reported to the Archdiocese in October, 2002. Father Power has now been removed from administrative leave and has been assigned the status of Senior Priest.

• Archdiocese: Allegations against priest are unsubstantiated

   The Boston Globe, 06:38 PM, January 2, 2009
   BOSTON (MA) -- Two allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest have been found to be unsubstantiated, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston said today.
   In a statement posted on its website, the archdiocese said that Rev. James F. Power, 78, had been removed from administrative leave and assigned the status of senior priest.
   While the claims were found unsubstantiated, the statement said Power must seek permission from the archdiocese's vicar general to administer sacraments beyond his family. Archdiocese spokeswoman Ann Carter had no comment on the statement.

• Statement by Cardinal Seán Brady

- RCC's firm purpose of amendment.

   The Irish Times, ~ January 02, 2009
   Safeguarding Children in the Church: The full text of Cardinal Seán Brady's statement.
   IRELAND – The setting up of the independent National Board for Safeguarding Children in 2006 represented an important step in achieving a consistent child safeguarding policy throughout the Church in Ireland.
   The Board was set up to ensure that lessons already painfully learnt were translated into verifiable and accountable structures of best practice. It plays a critical role in giving public confidence to the commitment of every Bishop, Leader of a Religious Congregation and Missionary Society to put right the mistakes of the past. This includes fulfilling the moral and civic duty on everyone with responsibility for safeguarding children to implement all statutory guidelines on reporting allegations of abuse and working in full cooperation with the relevant statutory authorities. This principle has been at the heart of all agreed Church guidelines since 1996.
   The findings of the recent report of the National Board into the handling of allegations by the Diocese of Cloyne have brought further anxiety to victims of abuse. For many, these findings have brought into question the efforts of thousands of volunteers and trained personnel who are fully committed to implementing statutory guidelines and agreed Church policies on safeguarding children throughout the Dioceses and parishes of Ireland. I realise the extent to which so many people now feel let down, angry and bewildered by recent events.    [RECAPITULATION: … to put right the mistakes of the past. ENDS.]
   [COMMENT: Mistakes? But, didn't Jesus say that the spirit of truth would lead his disciples into all truth? (John 16:13). What has changed? COMMENT ENDS.]

• Clerics to take child commitment

- RCC wants written promises.
   BBC News, ~ January 02, 2009
   IRELAND -- Every cleric in Ireland must commit in writing that they will implement child protection guidelines, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland has said.
   Cardinal Sean Brady said a report into abuse allegations in the Diocese of Cloyne in County Cork had brought more "anxiety to victims of abuse".
   The report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NBS) was published last month. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 2, 2009 7:42 PM]
   [SCRIPTURE: [Jesus said:] All you need say is "Yes" if you mean yes, "No" if you mean no; anything more than this comes from the Evil One. (Matthew 5:37, NJB 1990, RC Imprimatur London 1989.) ENDS.]

• Archdiocese: MA priest accusations unsubstantiated

- Fr Power given limited faculties.

   The Boston Globe, January 2, 2009
   BOSTON (MA) – The Boston Archdiocese has announced that it found two allegations of child sex abuse against a former Wellesley priest to be unsubstantiated.
   The decision, announced Friday, comes nearly seven years after the Rev. James F. Power, was placed on administrative leave.
   The archdiocese said the 78-year-old Power has been assigned the status of "senior priest," which allows him to give sacramental celebrations only to family members without permission.

• Catholic primate talks of 'moral duty' in safeguarding children

- RCC. Cloyne has caused further anxiety.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, January 02, 2009
   IRELAND -- The Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady has spoken of "the moral and civic duty on everyone with responsibility for safeguarding children to implement all statutory guidelines" on reporting allegations of abuse and on working in full cooperation with the relevant statutory authorities.
   This principle "has been at the heart of all agreed Church guidelines since 1996", he said.
   In his first public comment since a damning report on child protection practices in Cloyne diocese was published on December 19th last by the Church's own independent watchdog, the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) in the Catholic Church in Ireland, he said that its findings had "brought further anxiety to victims of abuse."

• Clerics in child safety move

- RCC.
   Press Association, ~ January 02, 2009
   IRELAND -- Every cleric in the country must give a written commitment that they will implement guidelines to safeguard children from abuse, the head of the Catholic Church revealed.
   Cardinal Sean Brady said the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBS) will seek assurances from bishops, priests, brothers and nuns that the welfare of children remains paramount.

• NYC Meeting about Civil Window Bill

[Centuries - Various religions]

  Patrick J. Wall: Clergy Abuse and the Catholic Church, January 02, 2009
   NEW YORK -- I am thinking of attending in order to help answer questions people have about why civil windows are vital in the effort to expose the centuries-long cover-up of childhood sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and other religious organizations. I hope that as many NY State Survivors as possible can attend.
   WHEN: Tuesday, January 6 2009, 6 pm to 8 pm
   WHERE: 80 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NYC
   Survivors Meeting - NY Civil Window Bill Informational Meeting
   Many people who were sexually abused as children in the state of New York have questions about the pending civil window bill. While the vote is not yet final, we want to invite survivors of childhood sexual abuse to a special meeting to discuss this law and how it can help survivors seek justice and accountability.

• The most under-reported clergy sex abuse stories of 2008 - a baker's dozen

Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, ~ January 02, 2009

Despite the hype and nice words, papal visit changes nothing
UNITED STATES -- He won kudos for talking about clergy sex abuse during his spring trip to the US. (Catholic should "do everything possible" to heal wounds caused by pedophile priests, Benedict said. And bishops should "bind up the wounds," admitting that the crisis had been "badly handled.") But as best we can tell, that visit has been ignored, by bishops, who have changed nothing about how they handle abuse, and journalists, who haven't even asked "Did the Pope's words have any impact whatsoever."

Congressional chaplain oversaw predator priests & tried to get one out of jail
In the fall, a Washington DC newspaper, Roll Call, disclosed that US House of Representatives chaplain Fr. Daniel Coughlin spent ten years "at the center of the Chicago Archdiocese's efforts to manage priests who had been accused of sexual abuse." For five years, he ran "a Catholic facility where the archdiocese sent priests who were suspected of committing sexual offenses."

• Dr Martin in fresh apology to victims of sex abuse

- RCC sorry, again, still.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Religion Correspondent, Friday January 02 2009
   IRELAND -- ARCHBISHOP Diarmuid Martin yesterday apologised again for the failures of the Catholic Church to protect generations of children under its care from clerical sexual abuse.
   In a World Peace Day sermon during Mass at the Church of the Assumption in Booterstown, south Dublin, Dr Martin said: "I recognise the faults of the Church in this area (of child protection), and I ask for pardon at the beginning of a new year, especially where I personally have caused hurt."
   This is not the first time that the Archbishop of Dublin has apologised to victims, but his remarks take on added significance as he was speaking just weeks before the publication of a Government Commission of Inquiry into the country's biggest diocese. It is expected to contain shocking revelations that will rock Church and State to their foundations. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 2, 2009 7:45 AM]

• Martin: I'm sorry Church let you down

- RCC.
   Irish Examiner, By Claire O'Sullivan, ~ January 02, 2009
   IRELAND -- ARCHBISHOP of Dublin Diarmuid Martin admitted the Catholic Church has made mistakes in dealing with clerical sexual abuse of children and asked forgiveness for any hurt he had personally caused.
   Giving a homily on World Peace Day at Booterstown yesterday, the archbishop called for partnership in eliminating all forms of abuse of children wherever it exists around the world, and called for the Church to become "a model" of protection.
   His comments come just days after the archbishop said he was extremely concerned about the mishandling of child sexual abuse complaints in the diocese of Cloyne.
   [COMMENT: "Mistakes" ? Or systematic concealment by an "infallible" Church? ENDS. ]

• Archbishop acknowledges faults on child protection

- RCC.
   The Irish Times, By ELAINE EDWARDS, January 01, 2009
   IRELAND -- Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has acknowledged what he said were the faults of the Catholic Church in the area of child protection and has urged partnership in eliminating all forms of abuse of children in Ireland and throughout the world.
   In a homily at Mass in Dublin to mark World Day of Peace, Dr Martin said: "We need a Church which protects and we need a Church which becomes a model and a partner of protection.
   "I would hope for example that in the year to come it would be possible to take up the appeal made by Pope Benedict at his Christmas Mass and work on the basis of partnership to eliminate all the various forms of abuse of children wherever they exist in our nation and around the world. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 2, 2009 7:38 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Fri January 02, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sat January 03, 2009 edition:

• Editorial: Hits and Misses

[Katinas] - Greek Orthodox. Money paid. 5 plaintiffs. [2008 Bp Isaiah - NEW*] - Says complaints concocted.

   Pokrov, The Dallas Morning News (Dallas TX), Dec/24/2008
   Church owes an apology
  UNITED STATES -- In October, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America reached an out-of-court settlement with five plaintiffs who accused longtime priest Nicholas Katinas of molesting them at Holy Trinity parish in Dallas. The church headquarters in New York sent an emissary to Dallas to confirm the allegations. Later, officials defrocked the priest. But this month, Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, essentially Mr. Katinas' supervisor, sent a letter to his diocese protesting the settlement and alleging that the plaintiffs concocted the allegations.

• Shelbyville Pastor Jailed On Sex Abuse Charges

[? 2008 James Bell -NEW*] - Christian. Child.

   WLKY, with video, ~ January 03, 2009
   SHELBYVILLE, Ky. -- A Shelbyville pastor is jailed, charged with sodomy and sexual abuse of a child less than 16 years old.
   James Howard Bell was arrested earlier this week. Kentucky State Police said they were notified about the case after Bell went to the authorities himself. Police said they sat down with Bell and he admitted to several crimes.

• Even a bishop must answer to the people

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Not eradicating sex abuse.

   The Times (United Kingdom), ~ January 03, 2009
   IRELAND -- Bishop John Magee should listen to his own church leaders and resign over his diocese's failure to act on child abuse allegations.
   Hounding someone from office is never a dignified procedure. Indeed, the sight of the public, the media and lobby groups in full pursuit of a resignation can be so unseemly as to induce sympathy for their quarry.
   So it is possible to feel a certain compassion for Bishop John Magee of Cloyne, who is facing demands that he step down from his diocese. The combination of state and secular pressure on the bishop is almost unprecedented in recent Irish history, but so far he has resisted making himself a sacrificial lamb. Is he right to ignore the pressure? [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 3, 2009 7:43 PM]

• Bishops refused to give abuse case details

- RCC. Secrecy for 1.75 millennia?

   Sunday Business Post, By John Burke, for Sunday, January 04, 2009
   IRELAND -- Catholic bishops have refused to give the state details of specific cases of alleged clerical abuse that were requested as part of a major child protection audit. The bishops' refusal, which was based on legal advice, has resulted in a key section of the first-ever audit into the Church's handling of abuse claims being dropped. The Health Service Executive (HSE) audit was presented to Barry Andrews, the Minister for Children, last month and will be given to cabinet on Wednesday.
   The HSE audit was based on a review of questionnaires circulated to more than two dozen bishops nationwide. However, the bishops refused to fill in a questionnaire dealing with specific cases unless they received a guarantee that the state would assume liability in the event of lawsuits by alleged offenders who may have been named in the audit. As a result, the section was dropped from the audit. The Sunday Business Post understands the watered-down audit effectively gives a clean bill of health to all Catholic dioceses regarding their compliance with guidelines on reporting suspected abuse. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 3, 2009 7:40 PM]

• Archimandrite Gabriel Karambis has been suspended. A new scandal on the horizon

[Archimandrite Karambis*] - Greek Orthodox.

   Pokrov, Publication: The National Herald; Author: Theodore Kalmoukos; Date Published: Dec/29/2008
   BOSTON, Mass., UNITED STATES .- A new scandal is boiling at the Metropolis of Denver Colorado, involving Archimandrite Gabriel Karambis, chief priest at the Annunciation Cathedral of Huston Texas. According to a letter sent by Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver dated December 26th 2008, he informs the parish that Rev. Karambis was removed from his priestly duties, placed on suspension and sent to the Spiritual Court of the Denver Metropolis.
   "I am deeply saddened to inform you that your former proistamenos, Father Gabriel Karambis, was relieved of all his priestly duties by me by letter on December 12, 2008. A Spiritual Court of the Metropolis of Denver, convened on December 23, 2008, concurred with this action, and farther recommended that the case of Father Karambis be reviewed by the Spiritual Court of Second Instance (Eparchial Synod)."
   Isaiah who were [? was] very close friends with Karambis also wrote that "what I wish to share with you is that the reason for Father Karambi's suspension had nothing to do with the parish or the parishioners. His suspension does not pertain to any financial improprieties against the parish, nor to any misconduct involving minors or parishioners." He went on to say that "the reason I relieved him of his duties had to do with his own personal life and how it negatively reflected on the holy priesthood."

• Abhaya: KUWJ snubs HC observation

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Evidence burnt. Axe murder.

   Kerala Online, Saturday, January 03, 2009
   KOCHI, India -- The Kerala Union of Working Journalists today rebuffed the observations made by Kerala High Court on the role of media in the Sister Abhaya murder case.
   The Union general secretary N Padmanabhan opined that the Court's rule that media made judgments in the murder case was baseless, he said media has been playing the role of an informer, giving the latest development in the murder case to mass.
   [COMMENT: The REPORTERS didn't pretend that a nun suicided by hitting herself with an axe and tumbling into a well ! Neither did the honest members of the police. Nor do HONEST Christian clergy or laity. ENDS.]

• Bishops refuse to reveal all allegations of child abuse

- RCC keeps secrecy.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, January 03, 2009
   IRELAND -- NO CATHOLIC bishop in the State complied fully with a request by the HSE to supply all information received by his diocese on allegations of clerical child sex abuse.
   A spokeswoman for the Office of the Minister for Children, which has received the findings of a national audit of child protection practices, said the bishops "felt unable" to supply all the requested information, as this presented "insurmountable difficulties".
   The HSE request for such information, in October 2006, was made as it began preparing the national audit of the child protection practices of Catholic dioceses in the Republic, which is to be presented to the Cabinet on Wednesday.

• Calls for safeguarding of children to be removed from Catholic Church

- RCC.
   Belfast Telegraph, Saturday, January 3, 2009
   IRELAND -- The One in Four support group for victims of sexual abuse has called for all action regarding the safeguarding of children to be removed from the Catholic Church.
   It follows the first public response of the Catholic Primate Cardinal Sean Brady to a damning report into the mishandling of allegations of abuse in the Diocese of Cloyne.
   Cardinal Brady said there is a duty on those with responsibility for children to implement all guidelines on reporting allegations to the statutory authorities.

• Brady makes first comments on Cloyne

- RCC. 'Dangerous' practices.
   RTE News, 09:38, Saturday, 3 January 2009
   IRELAND -- Cardinal Sean Brady has made his first public comments on the handling of child sex abuse allegations by the Diocese of Cloyne.
   In a statement yesterday, Cardinal Brady acknowledged 'the extent to which people feel let down, angry and bewildered by recent events.' (Read the full statement)
   He was responding to a report published last month by the Catholic Church's child protection body, the National Board for Safeguarding Children, which found that practices in the Cloyne diocese were 'inadequate and in some respects dangerous'.

• Archdiocese closes case, reinstates priest

[Power] - RCC takes 7yrs to clear priest! ? US$35m settled?

   The Boston Globe, By Milton J. Valencia, Globe Staff / January 3, 2009
   BOSTON (MA) -- The Archdiocese of Boston yesterday reinstated a priest who had been placed on administrative leave for close to seven years while he was investigated on sexual abuse of children charges, ruling it could not substantiate the allegations.
   The Rev. James F. Power, 78, formerly of St. James the Great Church in Wellesley, was reinstated as a senior priest after an archdiocesan panel was unable to substantiate two allegations against him.
   The ruling came 12 years after the church had already settled a $35 million civil lawsuit brought in 1993 by an alleged victim of the priest.

• Catholic order aims to stem clergy shortage

[Legion of Christ] - RCC. Founder on penitential order.
   The Grand Rapids Press, by Juanita Westaby | 5:40 AM, Saturday January 03, 2009
   GRAND RAPIDS (MI) -- New Catholic religious orders come along at "really crucial times," and that's just how Father Jacob DuMont sees the Legion of Christ: An order that specializes in attracting young men to the priesthood is addressing a shortage of priests.
   Ordained just over two weeks ago in Rome, DuMont said he was drawn to the order 16 years ago as a West Catholic High School student. His teachers at his grade school, St. Jude's, had suggested the priesthood. …
   Its founder, the Rev. Marcial Maciel, died in February after being censured and ordered to a life of "prayer and penitence" following an investigation of sexual abuse allegations in 2006.
   DuMont said he wishes the Legionaries' hallmark charity could be applied to Maciel.
   "It's sad to see he has been so calumniated," he said. "We have to be careful as Catholics not to say something that we do not know is true."

• Voice of Pope behind a forceful intervention by Cardinal Brady

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Not eradicating sex abuse. Pope demanding cleanup.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Saturday January 03 2009
   IRELAND -- Cardinal Sean Brady's belated but forceful intervention reaffirming his support for the national child protection guidelines spells doom for the beleagured Bishop of Cloyne, John Magee.
   In the unequivocal statement issued last night by the Cardinal Primate of All Ireland is the quiet but insistent voice of Pope Benedict XVI, who has demanded that the Irish Church clean up all vestiges of an endemic, decades-long culture of cover-ups of priest rapes of children.
   It is a voice, too, which backs last month's warning by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin that the protection system, involving immediate referral of complaints to gardai [i.e., Irish police] and the HSE, was in danger of collapse.

• Cardinal abuse pledge puts bishop on brink

- RCC. Not eradicating sex abuse.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Religion Correspondent, Saturday January 03 2009
   IRELAND -- THE days of Bishop John Magee as head of the Cloyne diocese appeared to be numbered last night after a dramatic pledge by the leader of the Irish Catholic Church to eradicate clerical child sex abuse.
   In a strongly-worded statement, Cardinal Sean Brady pledged a root-and-branch reform of all 26 dioceses, as he desperately sought to restore public confidence in the Church's ability to protect children.
   Cardinal Brady announced he would personally require every bishop, congregation and missionary society in the country to give a written commitment to carry out all statutory guidelines to protect children. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 3, 2009 8:10 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Sat January 03, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sun January 04, 2009 edition:

• Child Molested in Crown Heights Mikvah

[2009 Jan. 2 - Unnamed suspect -NEW*] - Judaist. Child.

   CrownHeights.info (NEW YORK), http://www. crownheights. info/index. php?itemid= 15059 , ~ January 04, 2009
   CROWN HEIGHTS {CHI} – At 4:12pm, Friday, Erev Shabbos, a child called the Shomrim hotline asking for help. The child stated that he was just molested at the Empire Shtibel Mikvah and the perpetrator was still in the Mikvah.
   Numerous Shomrim members arrived on the scene within seconds. After speaking to the child, they requested for Police to further investigate. The members had the suspect, a 23 year old Israeli, wait for Police.
   The child told the Police what happened and the officers then walked suspect to precinct, for further questioning by detectives. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 4, 2009 5:49 PM]

• LICENTIOUS PRIEST RETURNS TO MINISTRY

- RCC. [≤ 2004 Fr. Wolfgang Rothe*, Fr Kuechl*] - Seduced trainee priests. 40,000 pictures of sex with minors and animals, and movies. Seminary. [2004 Bp Krenn*] - Said the pictures were "silly pranks." [~ 2004-08 Bp Kung -NEW*; Card. Schonborn -NEW*] - Reinstated, transferred seducer to Germany.

   Tradition in Action, http://www. tradition inaction. org/bev/105bev 12-29-2008.htm , Dec 29, 2008
   AUSTRIA – -- Still in Austria, under the jurisdiction of the same Card. Schonborn, the former vice-rector of Sankt Polten seminary who had been pictured kissing and fondling seminarians back in 2004 is now rehabilitated and has returned to ministry.
   Photos of Fr. Wolfgang Rothe and Fr. Ulrich Kuchl in immoral poses with seminarians at a Christmas party were widely spread throughout the world. Rothe was the vice-rector and Kuchl the rector of that seminary.
[Picture] Wolfgang Rothe kissing 01    Picture: Copied by Tradition In Action, Inc.
[Picture] Wolfgang Rothe kissing 02    Picture: Copied by Tradition In Action, Inc.
   [Caption] Fr. Rothe, left, at Sankt Polten seminary in 2004; now returned to ministry in Munich
   To save Card. Schonborn in that embarrassing situation, Bishop Kurt Krenn of Sankt Polten was blamed, the two priests were suspended, and an apostolic visitor, Klaus Kung, was named by the Vatican to clean up the situation. After Kung arrived at the seminary, he declared he had found the seminary operating "as a veritable brothel" (The Tablet, November 22, 2008, p. 31). Later, Kung became the Bishop of the Diocese, replacing Krenn.
   It was this Bishop Kung – the healing moralist sent by then-Card. Ratzinger – who authorized the scandalous Fr. Rothe to return to his priestly ministry. In late November the German magazine Der Spiegel discovered that Fr. Rothe had been transferred to Germany and is now working at St. Michael's Parish in Altperlach, Munich. The scoop was picked up by the media, and soon Bishop Kung was forced to give a public explanation. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 4, 2009 7:12 PM]
   [LOOK BACK: ~ July 7, 11, 12, 13, 2004, onwards. The scoop was by Profil news magazine. A summary of RC corruption in Austria and elsewhere is in Cruxnews, "The Catholic Church's Abu Ghraib," by Michael S. Rose, 16 July 2004, wwww.cruxnews. com/rose/rose- 16july04.html . ENDS.]
   [Check for -- DER SPIEGEL 47/2008 vom 17.11.2008, Seite 22. ENDS.]
   [GERMAN language RC ruling, that appears to be shortly after the exposure in 2004, seems to be at: http://presse. kirche.at/ newsinfo. php?link= 03042008 184932 . The last words of a machine-translation by AltaVista reads: "It remains priests of the Diözese pc. Pölten and - after a time of the meditation - in another Diözese an activity suitable for it. Both priests are first suspended of each priesterlichen service. With proof of the meditation the imposed suspension experiences a moderating. As soon as the conditions for a recent priesterlichen employment are given, the suspension is to be waived. Both - Prälat Küchl and Dr. Rothe - will be active no more in the range of the priest training." ENDS.]

• For Immediate Release

[Bp Malone*] - RCC. Sues supporter of survivors.

   National Survivor Advocates Coalition, http://nsacoalition. wordpress.com/ press-releases , Contact: Paul Kellen, 781-395-3628, December 28, 2008
   MAINE – Unprecedented legal action by a Roman Catholic bishop against a supporter of clergy abuse survivors has prompted a national coalition to form in solidarity with the advocate.
   Bishop Richard J. Malone of the Diocese of Portland, Maine initiated a Criminal Trespass Notice with threat of arrest, and a Notice to Discontinue Harassment from the Portland Police Department to activist Paul Kendrick on December 23. The legal move forbade Kendrick's attendance at Christmas Eve mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. In addition, Malone is reportedly pursuing excommunication of Kendrick from the Catholic Church, effectively barring him access to the sacraments.
   These harsh measures are being opposed by survivor advocates across the nation who formed a National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) to press their case. They are practicing Catholics alarmed at retaliatory action by a bishop that could set precedent elsewhere.

• Mondrowitz Case On Zev Brenner Monday Night

[1980+ Mondrowitz*] - Gur/Ger Hasidic Judaist. Dozens of children.

   Failed Messiah, ~ January 04, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- Details:
   Zev will be interviewing Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz about the Avrohom Mondrowitz extradition. He postponed the show until Monday night at 9 Eastern Time:
   Streaming Live Radio, Mon-Thurs 9-10 PM Eastern Time, WSNR 620 AM(NY), WKAT 1360 AM(Miami, FL).
   [LOOK BACK: Oct 02, 2008; Feb 11, 2008 Israel can extradite alleged N.Y. serial molester. ENDS.]

• Priest in abuse pilgrimage pays Gregory tribute

- Parliamentarian is praised.

   Irish Independent, By JEROME REILLY, Sunday January 04 2009
   IRELAND -- THE AUGUSTINIAN priest who has undertaken a walk from Cobh to Dublin in atonement for clerical child sex abuse and in solidarity with its victims has spoken of his sadness at the death of TD Tony Gregory.
   Fr Michael Mernagh said he worked with Tony Gregory in the 1970s before the independent politician was elected to the Dail.
   "I was in the south inner city and worked closely with Tony and his north city centre community action group promoting social inclusion.
   "The issues are the same. They were the forgotten people. I am walking today for issues which are the same now as those Tony and I fought for then -- health and housing and education. This is what I am marching for; the future and protection of children and the growth of children in an an environment that enables young people to grow as citizens of tomorrow. They must not have their lives crippled by those entrusted to care for them -- whether they be clergy or anyone else," he said.

• Survivor Advoate Group Seeks Truth

[Bp Malone] - Exposing truth said to be "harassment".

   WCSH, ~ January 04, 2009
   PORTLAND (ME), (NEWS CENTER) -- The National Survivor Advocate Coalition wants Bishop Richard Malone to share the truth about Priest Abuse in Maine.
   The group passed out information disputing statements made by the Bishop and Diocesan Spokeswoman Sue Bernard.
   Just last week Bernard said the actions by Paul Kendrick, a victim advocate, should be considered harassment toward the Bishop.

• For Immediate Release

[Bp Malone]
   National Survivor Advocates Coalition, ~ January 04, 2009
   PORTLAND, MAINE – The National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) pressed the case for getting to the truth about the actions of Bishop Richard J. Malone against a Maine survivor advocate by distributing a fact sheet outside the cathedral in Portland, ME today.
   On this first Sunday of the new year, the coalition called upon Catholics to resolve to cast off inertia and get the facts.
   The fact sheet is a point by point in depth analysis of Bishop Malone's and diocesan spokesperson Sue Bernard's recent statements and characterizations regarding Paul Kendrick and other survivor supporters.
   Mike Sweatt, a Maine member of the coalition said, "What we see Bishop Malone doing is dodging the real issues of confronting the clergy sexual abuse crisis and using heavy handed tactics against an advocate. It's a shell game to turn attention away from the bishop's lack of response to victims and their families."

• The National Survivor Advocate Coalition (NSAC) responds to statements by Bishop Richard Malone and Diocesan Spokeswoman Sue Bernard

[Bp Malone]
   National Survivor Advocates Coalition, Link to letters to Bishop Malone, ~ January 04, 2009
   Response to statements by Bishop Richard Malone:
   MAINE – In a statement posted on the Diocese of Portland website and in several interviews, Malone explains his reasons for initiating police action and canonical warnings against Paul Kendrick, a longtime survivor advocate.
   Unfortunately, those reasons contain misrepresen-tations that distort the truth, and therefore warrant correction. Here is the full record in response: […]
   MALONE: "He has picketed my residence …"
   FACT: On four occasions during the past five years (less than once per year), Kendrick has joined a small group of sex abuse victims and their supporters as they stood on the public sidewalk outside Malone's church owned residence. On each occasion, they stood in a peaceful vigil for the sole purpose of a) calling attention to the bishop's failure to protect children from priest abusers who live in unsuspecting neighborhoods or, b) recognizing and acknowledging the trauma, pain and suffering of those who were abused.
   Two of the vigils were held for the purpose of praying for the souls of victims of clergy sexual abuse who have died of suicide. On the other occasions, they held signs urging the bishop to make public the names and whereabouts of all credibly accused priests, religious and church workers. There was no picket, no protest. The vigils were held with the concurrence of local authorities.

• FR. Michael Mernagh - The Walking Priest

- RC Augustinian priest walks the penitential way.

   Youghal Online, January 02, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE AUGUSTINIAN priest who has undertaken a walk from Cobh to Dublin in atonement for clerical child sex abuse and in solidarity with its victims passed through Youghal last Tuesday.
   Fr Michael Mernagh left St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh, last Monday and hopes to arrive at Dublin's Pro-Cathedral next Tuesday.Supporters welcomed him as he walked through the town en route to Dungarvan and then on to Waterford City.He has been receiving "wonderful support" and commented on "the fascinating conversations" he has being having with so many supporters."A lot of people have spoken of the need for a new moral order in the country as a whole … people who don't normally talk about such things," he said. "They want a renewal of values."

• Adrift

- RCC. More perpetrators yet to come into the public forum.

   Off My Knees, by Michael, January 4, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- I was reading some of the blogs that come from others who share a similar experience. One in particular struck me with a word that I no longer wish to use in my search for answers. The word is adrift. Please excuse an old Navy man for taking exception with this term. Adrift implies that the vessel is no longer under command and is without direction.
   That word should not apply to those of us seeking some sort of truth and justice. We need direction and we need to be unified in our actions to force a change in the way the bishops deal with the issue of sexual abuse not only of children but of vulnerable adults as well.
   A simple review of the numbers of accused/convicted pedophiles and philanderers on Bishop Accountability show an alarming number of perps who have enjoyed the protection of the Church. The numbers are way too high and we all know that the list online is, by no means, a complete list. Please remember that list only has the names of those who have been identified in a public forum. There are many more who have not come on the radar yet.
   [DEFINITION: "Perps" is used by some campaigners as a contraction for "perpetrators." ENDS.]

• In Our Opinion: CPS report clearly shows FLDS abuse

- FLDS. "Marriage" forced on girls - two (12), three (13), seven (14-15).

   San Angelo Standard Times, January 04, 2009
   TEXAS -- It wasn't long after the April raid on a religious sect's compound focused attention on the Concho Valley that critics began blasting state child welfare officials as grossly overstepping their authority. The accusers felt vindicated when the Texas Supreme Court ordered that most of the 439 children taken into protective custody be returned to their families at the YFZ Ranch in Schleicher County.
   That's why all who followed the investigation should take note of the final report issued recently by Child Protective Services. It lays out the extent of the improprieties among members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and it is the people who defended them as victims of government excesses who must explain why FLDS children shouldn't have been protected.
   The investigation found that 274 girls were victims of neglect - and worse. Twelve girls age 15 or younger were forced into marriage, including two who were just 12 and three who were 13. In all, 124 adults in 91 families at the ranch were implicated. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 4, 2009 8:19 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Sun January 04, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Mon January 05, 2009 edition:

• Diocese did not tell law enforcement agencies about priest

[? 1994 Fr Joseph -NEW*] - RCC. Misconduct.

   Herald Tribune, By HALLE STOCKTON, Published 1:00 a.m., Monday, January 5, 2009
   FLORIDA -- The Diocese of Venice has suspended a priest at a Manatee County parish while it investigates an accusation of sexual misconduct but has not reported the accusation to any law enforcement agencies.
   The diocese says state laws and church policies do not require church officials to tell police about the accusation against the Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph, who was working at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach.
   But a national church watchdog group says the Venice Diocese has a moral responsibility to do whatever it can to protect children in the church.
   "Regardless of whether the law mandates it, they should report it to try and stop anyone else from getting hurt," said Barbara Dorris, the outreach director for SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 5, 2009 1:31 AM]

• New Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange Appointed

- RCC appoints Flores.

   NBC Los Angeles, ~ January 05, 2009
   ORANGE, Calif. -- A lawyer-turned-priest was appointed Monday as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange, whose former auxiliary bishop joined the Diocese of Sacramento in 2007.
   When the Rev. Cirilo Flores, pastor of St. Norbert's Church in Orange, is installed on March 19, he will become the diocese's second auxiliary bishop. His principal focus will be to assist the bishop in the administration of the diocese, spokesman Ryan Lilyengren said. …
   But Flores' name evoked disappointment on the part of advocates for victims of molestation by priests.
   Attorney John Manly said the appointment "is troubling, given Fr. Flores' deep and long-standing involvement with clergy personnel decisions in the Diocese of Orange."
   He said Flores has served on the Diocese Clergy Personnel Board since 1995. That board's function has been to recommend the appointment, transfer and removal of priests. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 5, 2009 7:45 PM]

• Married priest who ran off with his deputy questions life ban

[Tipp*, Northern*, Davies*]

   The Telegraph, By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent Last Updated: 12:18AM GMT, for Jan 06, 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM -- The Rev Canon James Tipp, 63, was banned for serving as a priest for life, while his partner, the Rev Elaine Northern, 54, was barred for 12 years, after they both left their spouses and abandoned their church duties.
   Last November, Rev Teresa Davies was barred for 12 years after she admitted at a similar disciplinary hearing that she and her husband had an open relationship and enjoyed wife-swapping holidays.
   She also admitted holding three church services while drunk, smelling of alcohol and swaying from side to side.
   Mr Tipp yesterday questioned what he claimed were discrepancies between the punishments. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 5, 2009 7:41 PM]

• Playground bones force Canada to face genocide of Indian children

[> 100yrs Catholic, Anglican, and United Churches, and Government] - 150,000 indigenous children deculturated.

   Scotsman (Scotland), By Lorraine Mallinder in Canada, Published Date: January 06 2009
   CANADA -- IN OVERGROWN deserted school playgrounds across Canada lie the bones of thousands of native Indian children who were stolen from their families.
   Historian John Milloy is helping to uncover their stories in official research on burial sites. "We know that children were buried in unmarked graves, children who disappeared and were never heard from again," he said. The research is part of Canada's attempts to face up to a disturbing legacy of its residential school system, an attempt to "assimilate" native children that resulted in thousands of deaths and ruined lives.
   From the late 19th century right up to the 1970s, an estimated 150,000 native children – First Nations, Inuit and Métis – were packed off to the schools, funded by the state and run by the Catholic, Anglican and United churches.
   [COMMENT: The funding by the Government was likely to be UNDER-funding. That is no excuse for sexual abuse and cruelty, but in fairness the low per capita payments ought to be remembered. ENDS.]

• Little woman, or big threat?

   Haaretz, By Tamar Rotem, ~ January 05, 2009
   ISRAEL -- "I cried for days. I couldn't get out of bed. My body shivered, my head ached and I was nauseous - it was a real psychotic fit. I was struck by the realization that I let a woman humiliate me, that I was dependent on her, that my life was nothing without her. A couple of times she shouted at me in class in front of everybody, and I told myself I was being brave. I was an abused woman" - a quote from a woman who belonged to the Megirot group for religious women
   It was late at night when I dared to knock on the door of the apartment in an ultra-Orthodox Jerusalem neighborhood. Inside the apartment I heard women chatting. A few long minutes later, someone came up the stairs and walked in self-assuredly, and we snuck in behind her. I thought we would be welcome there because of the black headscarf worn by my friend, an ultra-Orthodox woman from Mea Shearim.
   We were the only strangers among the apparently well-acquainted members of Megirot (Drawers), a spiritual group that has attracted hundreds of ultra-Orthodox women from various locales. They were all waiting for Sylvia Dahari, sitting at the head of the table, to speak. Last summer, after several of Dahari's followers quit Megirot, claiming it was a cult and accusing her of exploiting her followers, the remaining women became more hostile. For some reason, however, Dahari did not tell us to leave. …
   N. said Dahari instructed mothers to abuse their children by implementing a strict educational method that included removing rebellious children from the home and ignoring them until they repented. One woman said she locked her 12-year-old outside the house until 4 A.M. He cried the whole time. She would occasionally utter the mantras she was taught: "A Jewish boy does not cry. A Jewish boy does not talk."

• Peoria Catholic Bishop Target of Protest

   Central Illinois Proud, Reported by: Lori Obert - WMBD/WYZZ TV, 04:53pm CST, Monday, Jan 5, 2009
   PEORIA (IL), WMBD/WYZZ -- Protestors gather today demanding answers from Peoria Catholic Bishop Daniel Jenky.
   In front of the new Chancery office building in Peoria, members of SNAP, the Survivor Network of Those Abused by Priests, call on the Bishop to follow through on his commitment to pay for their therapy.
   Protestors say the bishop has refused to pay for counseling for 13 victims. To date, the bills total more than a half million dollars. "I want him to write a letter to the eight victims, to write them a letter saying they can attend a counselor of choice for the rest of their life if necessary," Peoria SNAP Director Jeff Jones said.

• Abuse Victims Want Counseling Reinbursement

   WEEK, ~ January 05, 2009
   PEORIA (IL) -- A spokesman for a group of victims sexually abused by area priests is demanding the Peoria Diocese pay for their counseling.
   Jeff Jones says he was abused by a priest as a young boy and now goes to counseling. Jones say Bishop Daniel Jenky has ordered the Diocese to reimburse him for the expense, but refuses to do so for eight other abuse victims.
   Jones says Jenky promised to pay for counseling for victims six years ago.
   "If we put it out there, and we put it on TV and in the newspaper, it almost embarrasses him (Jenky) into doing what he said he's going to do. This is the only way to do it. I've done this at least a dozen times on different issues with this guy. If you don't put it out there in the public he'll just renege on it and nothing will ever happen," said Jones.

• Police: Pastor Charged With Sexual Abuse Has HIV

[Bell]
   WLKY, By Stephanie Segretto / ~ January 05, 2009
   SHELBYVILLE, Ky. -- More information about the arrest of a Shelbyville pastor charged with sexual abuse has become public, including his HIV status.
   James Howard Bell, 47, is in custody in Shelby County, facing charges of sexual abuse, sodomy and wanton endangerment.
   State police said the case against Bell began when he turned himself in.

• Meet OC's New Pedo-Apologizing Bishop, Same as the Old Pedo-Apologizing Bishop

   Orange County Weekly, Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Ex Cathedra, 10:29 AM, January 5, 2009
   CALIFORNIA -- The Vatican announced today that the Rev. Cirilo Flores, currently at St. Anne's in SanTana, is now the new auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Orange, replacing homo-hating pedo-apologist Jaime Soto. It's obviously an affirmative action hire, not only because Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown needs a token Latino alongside his token Vietnamese, Bishop Dominic Luong, but because His Excellency needs to please the pedo-apologists in his flock, a significant constituency that includes most of the Mater Dei family and too many Republicans to list. No doubt this latter group will be pleased with the appointment of Flores--thrilled, even.
   Flores, at first glance, seems innocent of any ties to the Orange diocese sex-abuse scandal. St. Anne's has shockingly only had one pedo-priest in its 80-some-year-old history (Henry Perez), and he was long gone before Flores became head of the church. Flores also never worked alongside a boy-buggerer, at least none officially admitted to by Brown.
   No, Flores has an even worse legacy in regards to the rapes of innocents, one only bested by Brown, his brother bishops, the guilty, and a couple of other people in the Orange diocese. From 1995 until the present day, Flores has served on the Orange diocese clergy personnel board, which is in charge of investigating the actions of all priests and deacons--especially the sexy actions.

• Churches find need for safeguards against pedophiles

- Religions in general.

   News-Journal, By PATRICK MCCALLISTER, Correspondent, ~ January 05, 2009
   DELAND (FL) -- Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
   That Bible verse (Matthew 19:14) may help explain why many churches actively seek to build and operate youth ministries.
   But places where children and teens gather may also draw pedophiles. That possibility, however remote, increasingly leads church officials to require extensive background checks on workers and volunteers and take other steps to keep children safe.

• Priest to Immigrants Stands Accused

   The New York Times, By DIANA MARSZALEK, Published: January 2, 2009
   MAMARONECK (NY) -- WHEN the Rev. Richard Ordonez, a visiting Catholic priest from Ecuador, arrived at St. Vito's Church here in 2003, there was hope he would attract more parishioners from the growing Hispanic population, primarily new immigrants who came to America looking for jobs and opportunity.
   Advocates for Latinos said Mr. Ordonez's arrival was an opportunity to improve their working relationship with St. Vito's. For the immigrants, many of them in the country illegally, Father Ordonez not only spoke Spanish but also came from a country and community more like their own.
   "It was a big hope," said Harold Lasso, who was executive director of the Hispanic Resource Center of Larchmont and Mamaroneck at the time.
   That hope was crushed last month with Father Ordonez's arrest on felony sexual abuse charges as, the authorities said, he tried to leave the country. Father Ordonez, 37, was being held at the Westchester County jail awaiting a court appearance on Wednesday on charges that he touched a woman sexually against her will, said Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the Westchester district attorney. Father Ordonez pleaded not guilty; his bail was set at $50,000.
   [COMMENT: It is not surprising that a clergyperson who defies the text in the Bible that says God had set the boundaries of the nations, and the text to render to Caesar what is Caesar's, also defies the sexual teachings of the Bible. ENDS]

• DA: Priest violated probation

[1970s Murray*] - RCC.
   Star-Tribune, By Tom Morton, 7:44 AM MST, Monday, January 5, 2009
   CASPER (WO) -- A Catholic priest who pleaded guilty in 2006 to indecent liberties with a minor in the mid-1970s violated a term of his probation and spent a week in the Natrona County jail in October, an assistant district attorney said last week.
   The case of the Rev. John Murray, formerly of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Casper, also illustrates how the courts can exercise flexibility in sentencing old sex crimes -- including not registering as a sex offender -- and how law enforcement can deal with probation violations.
   Murray, contacted at his home in Cheyenne, said he could not comment on the request for the probation revocation, and referred questions to his attorney Mike Krampner, who also declined to comment.

• What made me laugh out loud in the Fact Sheet about Paul Kendrick and Bishop Malone. In 2009 watch for these stories coming soon at City of Angels

   City of Angels, By Kay Ebeling, ~ January 05, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- Veteran activist Steve Sheehan spoke and moved the group to tears, plus survivor Kathy Dwyer showed her most recent video, at a gathering Saturday for the seventh anniversary of the Boston Globe stories which sparked national attention to the pedophile priest epidemic in the Catholic Church. Sheehan who has "been in VOTF right from the start" and still edits their daily news digest, repeated over the phone to City of Angels what he said to the group in Boston.
   "People say doesn't it wear you down to work on this issue. How do you keep on going, they ask me," Sheehan said. "I hearken back to the first VOTF convention.
   "Three survivors spoke and when the convention closed we all marched down to cathedral in Boston and each survivor again told their story in front of our group. I said right then, if I can help these survivors to never feel alone again, I will."

• Sex abuse victims respond to new Detroit archbishop

- RCC hq appoints backward-looking prelate.
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, ~ January 05, 2009
DETROIT (MI) -- Vigneron fits the mold of recent papal appointees who tend to be extraordinarily conservative yet very media savvy. In public sometimes he says refreshing things but in private, he largely act in the same secretive, hurtful ways, especially regarding clergy sex crimes and cover ups.

Barely a year ago (November 2007), he quietly promoted a priest "who masturbated in front of an Oakland police officer at a park frequented by children" (according to news sources).

In 2004, he refused to run a paid ad in his diocesan paper about a university-sponsored Voice of the Faithful seminar.

He repeatedly did nothing while The Salesians of St. John Bosco played legal hardball and attacked victims in his diocese. (According to a victim's attorney in the Oakland area, the Salesians have been "the most aggressive church group fighting lawsuits against its priests.")

• Parish closures, John Paul II center, sex abuse scandals test Maida

- RCC.
   The Detroit News, by Gregg Krupa / January 05, 2009
   DETROIT (MI) -- Three crises tested Cardinal Adam Maida's ability to achieve the most important function of a bishop: shepherding the Archdiocese of Detroit.
   Maida's decision to appropriate significant funds to build a center dedicated to Pope John Paul II in Washington, D.C., led Catholics to question his ability to administer church finances. The joint impact of urban sprawl in Metro Detroit and the dire shortage of priests challenged his capacity to organize the churches and schools of the archdiocese to best serve the faithful.
   And the sexual abuse of Catholics by priests confronted Maida and the other American bishops who served at the same time with public issues about sexual predation and power that no prelates ever had faced, publicly.

• Pressure mounts on Irish bishop for mishandling sex-abuse inquiries

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Not eradicating sex abuse.

   Catholic Culture January 05, 2009
   IRELAND -- Ireland's two leading prelates have voiced their full support for uniform measures to protect children from sexual abuse, after the release of a report sharply criticizing the leadership of the Cloyne diocese for failing to respond properly to abuse reports.
   Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh says that he has called upon all Irish bishops to promise full implementation of recommendations from the National Board for Safeguarding Children, an autonomous group set up by the Irish bishops in 2006; the cardinal said that he would encourage the group to monitor compliance by every diocese and religious order.
   [COMMENT: How could a Church supposedly started by the Divine Friend of children, women, and men, be found to be sexually abusing children? What has gone wrong? ENDS.]

• Justice in India is a mirage

1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Evidence burnt. Axe murder.

   United Press International (Hong Kong, China), By Bijo Francis, January 05, 2009
   INDIA – The High Court in the Indian state of Kerala has granted a bail request from two priests and a nun who were arrested last November for the murder of a nun more than 16 years ago. The court's strangely worded statement is the latest twist in a case that has dragged on for years.
   The statement issued by a High Court judge said: "The courts can go only on the basis of the facts covered by the case records. But the public is still chasing a mirage. They fail to realize that the truth lies far away. I wish to state only these two lines: Forgive them, Father. They do not know what they are doing."
   The incident in question occurred on March 27, 1992, when the body of a young nun known as Sister Abhaya was found in a well at the convent where she lived. The case was investigated by the local police, the crime branch of the state police and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
   [GO TO the link to find out the rest.]

• Banned Church Member Update

- RCC. Mr Kendrick.

   WGME CBS 13, With video, By Jim Cyr and Ted Homer, ~ January 05, 2009
   PORTLAND (ME) -- A parishioner who is an open critic of the Portland Diocese in its handling of the sex abuse scandals rocking the church is getting support from a national organization.
   Last week, the Diocese banned Paul Kendrick from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception after Kendrick said he would show up at Mass on Christmas. Kendrick has been an open critic of how Bishop Richard Malone has been handling cases of sex abuse within the Church in Maine.
   Bishop Malone obtained two police notices, banning Kendrick from entering the Church and attending any future Masses, claiming Kendrick had taken his protests too far, and that his actions were beginning to amount to threats.

• Paul Kendrick's only goal is protecting children

- RCC.
   Portland Press Herald, January 5, 2009
   PORTLAND (ME) -- Letter to the Editor by Harvey Paul
   I have had the privilege of knowing Paul Kendrick for over four years. In that time I have found him to be a man of great integrity, compassion and courage.
   I stood with Paul outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for over a year in order to get Bishop Richard Malone to release the names of all living priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse.
   Within the first five minutes we were served with criminal trespass notices, though we were on a public sidewalk. Bishop Malone released the names after we conducted this vigil.

• OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

- RCC hq makes Flores a bishop.

   Vatican News Service, JAN 3, 2009
   VATICAN CITY, (VIS) - Today the Holy Father:
   - Appointed Fr. Cirilo Flores as auxiliary bishop of Orange in California (area 2,025, population 2,988,072, Catholics 1,165,826, priests 276, permanent deacons 93, religious 449) in the United States. The bishop-elect was born in Corona, California, U.S.A, in 1948 and was ordained a priest in 1991. He was previously pastor of St. Anne parish in Santa Ana, California.

• Pope names new Detroit archbishop

- RCC.

   The Associated Press, ~ January 05, 2009
   VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Benedict XVI has named a new archbishop for Detroit, Michigan, and made appointments for top Church posts in Canada and California.
   The Vatican said Monday that Bishop Allen H. Vigneron will replace Cardinal Adam Joseph Maida at the head of the Detroit archdiocese.

• Abhaya's father petitions CJM

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Malayalam language query. Axe murder.

   Kerala Online, Kochi, Monday, January 05, 2009
   KOCHI, India -- Sister Abhaya's father Thomas has moved another plea in the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court requesting the Court to direct the CBI to raid the office and residence of Forensic Lab Director, Malini to recover the real CDs containing the results of Narco Analysis Test on the suspects.
   Earlier, the Kerala High Court had ordered the to produce narco-analysis tests of two priests and a nun in connection with the mysterious death of Sister Abhaya in 1992. Justice V. Ramkumar who saw the CD, which the CBI had submitted July 23 2008, raised doubts about the narco-analysis and told the open court that the official who had conducted the test was not familiar with the Malayalam language.

• Court made Abhaya probe vulnerable: CBI

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Axe murder.
Kerala Online, Monday, January 05, 2009
KOCHI, India -- While hearing the plea submitted by Sister Abhaya's father Thomas Aikkarakunnel to bar the Church from criticising the investigating agency, the CBI councel MES Namboothiri has reportedly informed Court that the Court observations made by justice Hema and granting bail to the three accused have made the Abhaya murder case vulnerable. And for past two days no developments have taken place in the investigations. Meanwhile, Justice Basant has directed the CBI that the investigations at no cost should be stopped and the public has every right to know the progress of probe Imposing strict conditions, the Kerala High Court on Thursday had granted bail to three accused – two Christian priests and a nun – in the Sister Abhaya murder case.

• Diocese of Orange to announce new auxiliary bishop

- RCC. Auxiliary to "Tod".

   The Orange County Register , By EUGENE W. FIELDS, ~ January 05, 2009
   ORANGE (CA) -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange will announce Pope Benedict XVI's appointment of an auxiliary bishop for the diocese at 11 a.m. Monday
   The new auxiliary bishop will take up the position vacated by Bishop Jaime Soto, appointed as coadjutor bishop of Sacramento in 2007. The principal focus of an auxiliary bishop is to assist the Most Reverend Tod Brown, bishop of Orange, in the administration of the diocese.

• Inquiry should wrap on time: counsel

- General community.

   Standard Freeholder, By MICHAEL PEELING, ~ January 05, 2009
   CANADA -- With only 19 days remaining for scheduled testimony, and about a dozen witnesses waiting to take the stand, commission counsel for the Cornwall Public Inquiry feels confident the lawyers can plow through to completion by the Ministry of the Attorney Generalordered deadline of Jan. 30.
   "Certainly," responded commission counsel Pierre Dumais when asked if staff could keep to the schedule. "If we feel we can't, then we'll sit for longer days. It's very feasible we'll be able to finish now that we have the witness we expected to take the longest, (Crown attorney) Murray MacDonald, done."
   Dumais said there won't be any more witnesses who take as long to question as retired Ontario Provincial Police Det. Insp. Pat Hall, a case manager for Project Truth -- a long-term investigation which started in 1997 into allegations of sexual abuse of youths by prominentmembers of the S, D&G community. Hall was on the stand for several days. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 5, 2009 8:12 AM]

• Atonement priest nears end of walk

- RCC.

   The Irish Times, By RONAN McGREEVY, January 05, 2009
   IRELAND -- A PRIEST who has been walking for nine days to atone for clerical sex abuse will finish his walk tomorrow when he arrives at Dublin's Pro-Cathedral.
   Fr Michael Mernagh (70) began his trek in Cobh, Co Cork, on December 29th and has walked more than 150 miles to date.
   He held a vigil on Christmas Eve outside St Colman's Cathedral to protest against the Diocese of Cloyne's handling of sex abuse claims and the Church's other failings over clerical sex abuse. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 5, 2009 1:36 AM]

• D.4.12. - The Diocesan Playbook

- RCC.

   Western Massachusetts Catholics, ~ January 05, 2009
   "It would mean a great deal if [McDonnell] cleaned house. He needs to take the responsibility of showing he treats survivors who come forward as doing a service to the diocese and not as enemies." - SNAP member Peter Pollard, March 10, 2004.
   MASSACHUSETTS -- Bishop McDonnell has not exactly treated victims as enemies – but neither has he embraced them. Instead, he seems content to watch as the victims, their concerns now "settled", once again drift toward a shadowy past.
   For example, he has not responded to the non-monetary demands of the victims which Mr. Pollard presented in December. And, in the yearly review of important stories in the Catholic Observer, a story of some 3,000 words, the $8.5 million settlement rated only about 50 words – the same amount devoted to a supposed apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a damaged window at Mercy Hospital.

• Charity wants gardaí to deal with clerical abuse cases

- Christian Churches.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, January 05, 2009
   IRELAND -- ONE IN Four, the charity that provides support for people who have suffered sexual abuse, has said "all discretionary action regarding the safeguarding of children be removed from the church".
   Responding to the ongoing controversy about how allegations of clerical sex abuse were handled in Cloyne, the charity said at the weekend that all allegations of sexual abuse should be "referred immediately as a matter of course to the HSE and the gardaí, the only authorities who have the expertise and competence to investigate allegations".
   However, Catholic bishops have repeatedly called for changes in legislation to be made in the Republic so they can fully comply with State requests for all information they possess on child sex abuse allegations.

• Bishop Magee has lost the moral authority to remain in office

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Not eradicating sex abuse.

   The Irish Times, By GEOFFREY SHANNON, January 05, 2009
   IRELAND -- OPINION: The Bishop of Cloyne must take full responsibility for failing to implement safeguards agreed after the Ferns inquiry report
   I RECENTLY spent an uncomfortable part of a weekend reading cover to cover the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NSBC) report, which makes for disturbing reading. The NSBC is an independent body set up by the Catholic bishops to audit child protection practices in the church in the aftermath of the Ferns inquiry report. The NSBC report arose from two separate complaints of clerical child abuse in the Diocese of Cloyne and was published last month by the diocese.
   The NSBC report found child protection services in the Diocese of Cloyne "inadequate and in some respects dangerous" and has brought into question the capacity of the diocese to respond appropriately to information received regarding child protection concerns involving the clergy.

• People will be shocked by sex abuse report, says archbishop

- 400 victims in Dublin Diocese.

   The Irish Times, January 05, 2009
   IRELAND -- A 'staggering' 400 people are known or suspected to have suffered clerical sex abuse at the hands of priests in the Dublin diocese, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin tells Patsy McGarry
   IT WOULD be fair to say that few institutions face 2009 with such dread as the Catholic Church in Ireland. Not alone will it have to deal with the effects on its services of the economic downturn and its losses on the stock market, but it must also anticipate publication of four separate reports on clerical child sex abuse from among those in its ranks.
   It begins this week, on Wednesday, when Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews will present a HSE national audit on child protection practices in all the State's Catholic dioceses, including Cloyne, to the Cabinet.
   Later this month the church's own independent watchdog, its National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) in the Catholic Church in Ireland, will present its audit of such practices in all Catholic dioceses on the island.

• Cloyne scandal could scupper papal visit plan

- RCC.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Religion Correspondent, Monday January 05 2009
   IRELAND -- THE prospect of Pope Benedict XVI visiting Ireland later this year has been dramatically reduced by the continued refusal of Bishop John Magee to resign over the Cloyne controversy.
   Last night, informed Vatican sources revealed that Pope Benedict and his chief advisers may be forced to reconsider tentative plans to come to Ireland, because they are alarmed at the gravity of the abuse crisis in the Cloyne diocese.
   "We are monitoring closely developments in Cloyne which are putting at risk a visit by the Pontiff to Ireland in late summer or early autumn," a high-placed Vatican source told the Irish Independent.

• A priest who walks tall while the bishop lies low

- RCC.

   Irish Independent, Monday January 05 2009
   IRELAND -- Ordinary Catholics are stunned and outraged by the continuing scandal of clerical abuse allegations
   The courageous 'walking priest', Father Michael Mernagh is due to arrive at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin tomorrow at about 1.30pm, having walked from St Colman's Cathedral in Cork on his pilgrimage of conscience.
   I hope as many people as possible turn out to welcome him to Dublin and to show solidarity with his mission.
   Father Michael has been accompanied on parts of the route by victims of clerical abuse, including representatives from the pressure group One in Four, and by the South East Support Group in Youghal. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 5, 2009 1:04 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Mon January 05, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Tue January 06, 2009 edition:

• Ex-pastor gets 90 years for molestations

[1996-~2006 Raul Hernandez -NEW*] - "Faith in Action." 90yrs PRISON. 4 girls, 1 boy.

   Daily Breeze, with audio, From wire service reports, ~ January 06, 2009
   SANTA ANA (CA) -- A former pastor of Anaheim's Faith in Action Church was sentenced today to 90 years in prison after pleading guilty to molesting four girls and a boy who attended the church, an official said.
   Raul Rosas Hernandez, 44, of Stanton, pleaded guilty to 34 felony counts, said Farrah Emami of the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
   Hernandez pleaded guilty to 22 counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14; three counts of forcible lewd acts on a child under 14, four counts of lewd acts on a child; one count of unlawful sexual intercourse; one count of rape; two counts of distributing pornography to a minor, one count of failure to appear in court while out on bail and sentencing enhancements for substantial sexual conduct with a child and committing forcible lewd acts, Emami said. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 6, 2009 12:49 PM]

• N. Idaho case alleging priest abuse dismissed

[1973 Ferreti -NEW* (Jesuit)] - RCC. Girl.
   Local News 8, Associated Press, 11:44 AM ET, January 6, 2009
   LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) - Attorneys for a northern Idaho woman who filed a lawsuit claiming she was raped by a Catholic Jesuit priest when she was 7-years-old have filed a motion to dismiss the case.
   Kim "Mia" Sonneck, who is now 41, filed the lawsuit in 2nd District Court in October.
   Sonneck alleged the Rev. A.J. Ferreti started abusing her around 1973, when he served as a priest in and around Lapwai. Ferreti died on June 29, 1982, according to the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 6, 2009 12:32 PM]

• SALISBURY PARISH: Lawsuit alleges sex abuse by former St. Francis de Sales priest

[~ 1950s-60s Lind - NEW*] - RCC. Altar boy.
   The Daily Times, The Associated Press, January 6, 2009
   WILMINGTON (DE) – Attorneys have filed a priest sex abuse lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington and a parish in Salisbury, Md.
   Attorneys for a 62-year-old former altar boy identified only as John Loe No. 1 allege that the diocese and St. Francis de Sales parish failed to protect him from repeated abuse by the late Rev. Alfred J. Lind. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 6, 2009 9:09 PM]

• Sex offender may stay on probation for life

[? 2000s Mr Moore*] - Baptist. PROBATION ≥ 10yrs. Girl (15).
   The Gazette, By DENNIS HUSPENI, ~ January 06, 2009
   COLORADO -- Repeatedly calling the crime "reprehensible," a judge Monday sentenced a former church employee to possibly a lifetime on probation for sexually assaulting a then-15-year-old parishioner.
   Jon Moore, 52, had previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust as part of a plea agreement.
   Fourth Judicial District Judge Larry Schwartz accepted the plea agreement, then sentenced Moore to a minimum of 10 years' "sex offender intensive supervised" probation. Depending on probation officers' recommendations, Moore could remain on probation the rest of his life. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 6, 2009 3:46 AM]
   [LOOK BACK: October 24, 2008]

• Picot pleads not guilty

[1970s Picot*] - ? RCC. Boy.

   The Tribune, ~ January 06, 2009
   CAMPBELLTON, Canada -- A former priest from Dalhousie accused of indecent assault on minor over 30 years ago appeared in Campbellton Provincial Court Monday where he pleaded not guilty.
   Charles Picot, 62, told Judge Steven Hutchinson that he wished to have his trial heard before a judge and jury in Campbellton Court of Queen's Bench.
   He was formerly represented by local lawyer Raymond Dube who told the court he could not represent Picot due to a conflict of interest. Picot has since retained the services of a Montreal-based attorney. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 6, 2009 11:34 PM]
   [LOOK BACK: ~ December 03, 2008, ~ November 19, 2008.]

• One in Four says diocesan group's letter contemptible

- RCC committee says NBSC report is false.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, for January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- REACTION: A LETTER by a committee of the Diocese of Cloyne rejecting the findings of an independent board on child protection practices in the diocese was sharply criticised yesterday by the One in Four group.
   The letter, by an advisory committee to Bishop John Magee, said the findings of the National Board for Safeguarding Children were "seriously flawed", "false" and "defamatory" of its members.
   The letter was sent to the board, a body set up by but independent from the Catholic Church, after it completed an investigation last June into child protection practices in Cloyne. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 6, 2009 9:19 PM]

• Bishop wants girls taught self-defense

- General community.

   Inquirer, by Yolanda Sotelo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, for January 07, 2009
   DAGUPAN CITY, PHILIPPINES – Alarmed by reports of girls being molested or raped even by family members, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz ordered all high school girls studying in the 16 Catholic schools covered by his diocese to be taught self-defense.
   "I like the girls to learn self-defense – karate or whatever self-defense methods. They should also be taught to grab a stick or stone or others [sic] and to throw these at their attackers," Cruz said. "Girls who know self-defense can defend themselves against adults."

• Priest completes walk of atonement over child abuse

- RCC atonement walk 8 days.

   The Irish Times, By RONAN Mc CREEVEY, January 06, 2009
   IRELAND -- A priest who began a walk eight days ago to atone for the sins of clerical sex abuse has arrived at his final destination at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin. Fr Michael Mernagh has walked about 300 kilometres from Cobh Cathedral in Co Cork to Dublin since starting out on December 30th.
   Fr Mernagh (71) said his decision to undergo the walk of atonement was taken spontaneously just before Christmas as a result of the Cloyne Diocese's handling of allegations of sex abuse and particularly the role of Bishop John Magee.
   The Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin embraced Fr Mernagh as he arrived at the Pro-Cathedral at 1.19pm, 11 minutes before his scheduled arrival time of 1.30pm.
   Archbishop Martin said: "He's a man of principal. I respect anybody like that. I appreciate very much his gesture, but it's his day and it's a credit to him."

• Andrews may refer Cloyne to abuse inquiry

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Not eradicating sex abuse.

   The Irish Times, By HARRY McGEE, Political Staff, for January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE DIOCESE of Cloyne and possibly one or two other Catholic dioceses may today be referred to a commission of investigation into clerical sexual abuse.
   Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews will this afternoon publish the report of the Health Service Executive (HSE) audit of child-protection policies and protocols in every Catholic diocese in the State.
   His office said that at a press conference this afternoon Mr Andrews will outline a comprehensive series of actions and responses that will be taken on foot of the report's findings.

• All allegations shared with Garda and health board, says bishop

- RCC.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, for January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- FERNS: THE DIOCESE of Ferns has been "in receipt of no allegation of child sexual abuse involving any priest - or former priest - which it has not shared with the Garda and the health board," Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns has said.
   He also said that "all allegations of child sexual abuse involving priests - and former priests - of the Diocese of Ferns, have been handled in line with written guidelines as have issued from both State and church".
   But he appealed to the Government to introduce "the necessary legislation to facilitate inter -agency exchange of information necessary to assess and manage risk in co-operation with organisations which work with children and young people".

• CBI asked to continue probing Abhaya murder case

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. High Court intervenes. Axe murder.

   Thaindian News, ICT by IANS, 6:58 pm, January 6, 2009
   KOCHI, India, (IANS) -- The Kerala High Court Tuesday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team investigating the 1992 murder of Sister Abhaya to continue with the probe. A single bench of Justice R. Basanth said that the final decision would be taken Thursday on whether a division bench should hear the case.
   His observations come after the CBI filed a clarification petition on the manner in which Justice K. Hema had on Jan 1 made some remarks on the present CBI team and wanted a higher official to take over the case. She had granted bail to the three accused in the murder.
   The body of Sister Abhaya, a resident of Pius X Hostel, was found in the well of the Kottayam convent March 27, 1992.

• Archbishop's show of appreciation increases pressure on Magee to resign

- RCC. 300km atonement walk.

   Irish Examiner, By Juno McEnroe and Jennifer Hough, ~ January 06, 2009
   IRELAND -- A PUBLIC endorsement by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of a priest who marched almost 300km to protest at the mishandling of child sex abuse cases by Bishop John Magee has increased the pressure on the head of the Diocese of Cloyne to resign.
   Dr Martin said he respected Fr Michael Mernagh's nine-day protest walk over the handling of sex abuse allegations in Cloyne and "very much appreciated his gesture".
   He added: "I recognise what he did as a person, a man of principles and I respect anyone like that."

• Archbishop praises 'man of principle' as atonement priest ends epic walk

- RCC.
   The Irish Times, By RONAN McGREEVY, for January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- CHILD ABUSE MARCH: FATHER MICHAEL Mernagh ended his 300km walk of atonement yesterday afternoon with applause from a waiting crowd and an embrace from Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin.
   The archbishop was waiting on the steps of the Pro-Cathedral to welcome back a priest who has been calling for the resignation of the Bishop of Cloyne, Dr John Magee, since it emerged that the Catholic Church's own investigation had revealed serious flaws in the Cloyne diocese's handling of allegations of clerical sex abuse.
   Though he is 70, Fr Mernagh, a former marathon runner, began his walk from the seat of the diocese at Cobh Cathedral on December 30th without training or preparation and at a time when most people's minds were on festive matters.

• HSE exempted Dublin archdiocese from full disclosure of abuse

- RCC.
   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, for January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- CHILD PROTECTION AUDITS: DUBLIN'S CATHOLIC archdiocese was exempted by the Health Service Executive from filling out a section of a questionnaire on child abuse sent to all Catholic dioceses in the Republic in October 2006.
   Section 5 of the questionnaire sought detailed information on complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse against members of the clergy, and whether these allegations had or had not been brought to the attention of civil authorities.
   The bishops responded that Section 5 "presented insurmountable difficulties" in relation to confidentiality and constitutional issues, as appropriate legislation was not in place. A spokeswoman for the Office of the Minister for Children said "the HSE obtained legal advice and on this basis decided to proceed with the audit with the exception of Section 5".

• Video: New Orleans police clear church protestors

- RCC.

Times-Picayune, By G. Andrew Boyd, ~ January 06, 2009
NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- Parishioners keeping vigil at St. Henry and Our Lady of Good Counsel are ousted.

• Victims group: Diocese failed to pay for victims' counseling

- RCC.
   Pantagraph, By Edith Brady-Lunny, eblunny@pantagraph.com , 2:15 p.m., January 06, 2009
   PEORIA (IL) -- The Catholic Diocese of Peoria has failed to keep its commitment to pay for counseling for victims of sexual abuse by clergy, a victims support group said.
   In a press conference Monday in front of the new diocese chancery office, The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests accused Bishop Daniel Jenky of refusing to pay more than $438,000 in unpaid bills for nine alleged abuse victims.
   Peoria SNAP leader Jeff Jones accused the diocese of breaking a commitment Jenky made shortly after he came to the diocese in 2002.

• Abuse suit for the Catholic Diocese of Wilm.

[1950s-60s Lind*] - RCC. Altar boy.
   WDEL, By Carl Kanefsky, ~ January 06, 2009
   WILMINGTON (DE) -- The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington faces another law suit by a man claiming he was sexually abused by a former priest.
   The suit, filed by John Loe # 1 claims the Reverend Alfred Lind sexually abused him on numerous occasions in the late 1950s and early 60s.

• Police End Church Protests; 2 Arrested

- RC archdiocese exercises proprietorial rights.
   WDSU, ~ January 06, 2009
   {With two videos, links to previous articles and videos, and text of archdiocesan statement.}
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- Two church members were arrested and a third was issued a summons after they refused to leave two Catholic churches that had been closed by the archdiocese, police said.
   Parishioners had been conducting sit-ins at Our Lady of Good Counsel on Louisiana Avenue and St. Henry's on General Pershing since the parishes were closed in October.
   Representatives of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and police officers went to the churches to at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning to end the vigils.

• What is NSAC ?

- Survivors' advocates' group.
YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjTyqLDIy_k , video presentation, ~ January 06, 2009
UNITED STATES -- Robert Schwiderski offfers an introduction to the National Survivor Advocates Coalition.

• Accused priest will leave court when alleged victims testify

[2005-07 Broderick*] - RCC. 3 or 4 children.
   Daily Gazette, By Edward Munger Jr., January 06, 2009
   FONDA (NY) – The man headed for trial on child sex abuse charges will leave the courtroom when the alleged victims testify later this month, attorneys agreed this morning.
   John W. Broderick, 47, of Broome County, is facing three felony counts of second-degree sexual abuse and a misdemeanor count of unlawfully dealing with a child in an indictment handed up in September.
   The indictment alleges Broderick had sexual contact with three children while he served as the Palatine Bridge family's "spiritual advisor" between October 2005 and May 2007. Broderick is a Roman Catholic priest who worked in the Syracuse Diocese. [LOOK BACK: Oct 9, 2008; others; Mar 1, 2008; Feb 27, 2008.]

• The Sad State of Southern California Religion Reporting

- RCC. Paedo-protecting bishop.
   Orange County Weekly, Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Ex Cathedra, Gimme That OC Religion, 9:59 AM, January 6, 2009
   CALIFORNIA -- After reading the rewritten press releases offered by The Los Angeles Times, Daily Pilot and Orange County Register on the appointment of the Diocese of Orange's latest pedo-priest-protecting bishop, Cirilo Flores, it's become clear that the worst casualty in Southern California's dying newspaper industry is the religion beat.
   Not a single report mentioned Flores' role in the rapes of innocents, yet all of them gushed about how Flores has a law degree from Stanford University, mimicking almost sentiment-for-sentiment the Orange diocese's own press release. Well, lah-dee-bleepin'-dah! I don't blame too much the poor reporters assigned to cover the story for each paper for not knowing the dirty details, because none cover religion full-time. And that, dear readers, is both an insult and a threat to ustedes. [? ?]

• New Orleans police sent in to remove protesting parishioners

- RCC. Parishioners protecting sacred site.
   WWL-TV, By Dominic Massa, January 6, 2009
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- New Orleans Police are at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Uptown New Orleans, where parishioners are staging a vigil to protest their church's closure.
   Bill Capo reports two people have been taken away in handcuffs. One of them is author and parishioner Poppy Z. Brite.
   Officials with the Archdiocese of New Orleans are also on scene.
   Jill Hezeau reports that police are also at St. Henry's Church on General Pershing, a second church where parishioners have staged a vigil to protest the closure. Parishioner Alden Hagardon says his wife was arrested at the church.

• New Orleans police sent in to remove parishioners from Uptown vigil churches

- RCC. Sacred site patrols.
   Times-Picayune, By Bruce Nolan and Susan Finch, January 6, 2009
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- The Archdiocese of New Orleans today sent New Orleans police to two occupied Catholic churches to remove parishioners who for more than nine weeks have participated in a vigil in resistance to a closure plan.
   The archdiocese sent in police with instructions to arrest occupiers if they continue to resist, with Archbishop Alfred Hughes deciding "It's time to bring this to a close," spokeswoman Sarah Comiskey said.
   Police have entered St. Henry's Church on Gen. Pershing Street and Our Lady of Good Counsel on Louisiana Avenue.
   At St. Henry's, one resisting parishioner, Cindy Robidoux, was denied entry to the church after police arrived, and she worked frantically to negotiate a deal with a city attorney at the scene that would allow her to face police church in place of a few others who had been holding out inside the church.
   A police spokesman could offer no immediate elaboration on the operation.
   A similar episode is unfolding at nearby Good Counsel. There, one supporter of the vigil waiting outside the church, Arthurine Payton, said her elderly mother was inside the church this morning and told Payton by phone that men had arrived at the door and appeared to be breaking in.

• Pastor Gets 90 Years for Molesting Young Parishioners

[1990s-2000s Raul Hernandez*] - "Faith in Action." 90yrs prison. 4 girls, 1 boy.
   KTLA, KTLA News, January 6, 2009
   SANTA ANA (CA) -- The former pastor of an Anaheim church was sentenced Tuesday to 90 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to molesting four girls and a boy from his congregation.
   Raul Rosas Hernandez, 44, of Stanton, was the pastor at Anaheim's Faith in Action Church when the sexual assaults occurred.
   He pleaded guilty to 34 felony charges. Among those charges were: 22 counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14; three counts of forcible lewd acts on a child under 14; four counts of lewd acts on a child; one count of unlawful sexual intercourse; one count of rape; two counts of distributing pornography to a minor; and one count of failure to appear in court while out on bail.

• Hearing set on leak of video in Alamo case

[Alamo group]
   WXVT, Associated Press, 9:54 AM ET, January 6, 2009
   TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) - A judge has set a hearing for Thursday to address the leak of a confidential videotape of an interview of a girl taken into state custody after a raid on the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound in Fouke.
   The Arkansas Department of Human Services wants Circuit Judge Jim Hudson to order that the video be removed from an Internet site. The girl's parents posted the video, which was supposed to be kept confidential.

• Pastor gets 90 years for molestation

[1996-~2006 Raul Hernandez*] - "Faith in Action." Videotaped molestation. 90yrs prison. 4 girls, 1 boy.
   The Orange County Register, By LARRY WELBORN, ~ January 06, 2009
   SANTA ANA (CA) – An Anaheim pastor, who had videotaped himself molesting a 13-year-old parishioner in a church office, cried and clutched a Bible behind his back Monday as he was led from a courtroom in handcuffs after pleading guilty to 34 felony sex counts.
   Raul Rosas Hernandez, 44, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Francisco Briseno to 90 years in prison after he admitted molesting four girls and one boy over a 10-year span beginning in 1996.
   Briseno said the sentence is tantamount to a life term because Hernandez must serve 85 percent of the 90 years before he becomes eligible for parole.

• Priest completes 'walk of atonement' for abuse victims

- RCC.

   Belfast Telegraph, Tuesday, 6 January 2009
   IRELAND -- A Catholic priest has arrived at his destination in Dublin following an eight-day "walk of atonement" for the victims of clerical child sex abuse.
   Fr Michael Mernagh set out from St Coleman's Cathedral in Cobh on December 29th as part of his initiative to show solidarity with abuse victims.
   He began the walk following the publication of a highly critical report into the mishandling of abuse allegations in the diocese of Cloyne.

• In the name of God, go

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let suspect run free 1995-98.

   The Mayo News, by Fr Kevin Hegarty, ~ January 06, 2009
   IRELAND -- There is a more serious problem in Cork than whether its star hurlers will play this year under the management of Gerald McCarthy. Let's look at a report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children, an independent body set up by the Catholic Church as part of its response to the clerical and religious sexual abuse of children, which has deeply tainted the image of the Church in recent years.
   A few days before Christmas, Ian Elliott, the head of the board, presented a devastating critique of child protection policies in the diocese of Cloyne. According to the report, Bishop John Magee seriously mishandled two cases of alleged sexual abuse by priests in the last decade.
   In the first case the bishop learned of the alleged abuse in 1995. Further allegations about the priest came to the bishop's attention in 1996. Yet the priest, who was a career guidance teacher in a convent secondary school, remained at his post until 1998.
   In 2006 another serious allegation of the abuse of a young girl by this priest emerged. A Garda enquiry began, but Elliott's report asserts that 'the policy of the diocese in their contacts with the Gardaí was to give minimal information. In particular, it is indicated that no information was to be volunteered in respect of any previous complaints involving this priest.'

• Priest's atonement pilgrimage nears end

- RCC. Survivor also in pilgrimage.

   RTE News, 11:40, Tuesday, January 6, 2009
   IRELAND -- The priest who is walking from Cloyne to Dublin in atonement for clerical child sex abuse has begun the final leg of the pilgrimage.
   Fr Michael Mernagh was accompanied by a dozen supporters as he left the Augustinian Retreat Centre at Orlagh in Templeogue where he trained as a priest.
   The route will take them through Firhouse, Ballyboden, Templeogue, Terenure and the Liberties to the Pro Cathedral where they hope to arrive at 1.30pm. Among the walking is abuse survivor, Marie Collins.

• Diocese asks judge to reject $3.6 million ruling

[1977 Paquette] - RCC. US $3.6m. Altar boy, and previously others.
   Fox 44, Associated Press, 7:35 AM ET, January 6, 2009
   BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Vermont's Roman Catholic Diocese is asking a judge to throw out a $3.6 million jury verdict and order a new trial in the latest priest sex abuse case.
   Lawyers for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington argue the amount awarded last month to 43-year-old David Navari of Maryland was exorbitant and he didn't file suit until 2005. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 6, 2009 8:26 AM]
   [LOOK BACK: Judgement ~ Dec 17, 2008]

• Diocese seeks retrial in abuse case

[1977 Paquette] - RCC. US $3.6m. Altar boy, and previously others.
   Burlington Free Press, By Sam Hemingway, January 6, 2009
   VERMONT -- The state's Roman Catholic diocese is asking a Burlington judge to reject a December $3.6 million jury verdict and order a new trial in the case of a former altar boy molested twice by the Rev. Edward Paquette in the late 1970s.
   In papers filed late last week at Chittenden Superior Court, lawyers for the diocese said the $3.6 million figure was exorbitant and that the victim, David Navari of Takoma Park, Md., was partly to blame for his troubles by not suing the diocese until 2005.
   "Well before six years of filing suit, a reasonable person in Mr. Navari's position knew or should have known there was an issue with the adequacy of the diocese's oversight of Father Paquette," the church's court filing said in part.

• HC reserves order on clarification petition filed by CBI

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Evidence burnt. Axe murder.

   Indopia, ~ January 06, 2009
   KOCHI, India -- The Kerala High Court today reserved orders on the clarification sought by CBI as to who should monitor the investigation of the Sister Abhaya case in view of single judge's comments that an experienced, efficient and higher official of the agency should supervise the probe.
   Confusion cropped up when the single judge, Justice K Hema, while granting bail to the three accused in the case recently, ordered that the present investigation team would continue, but that the case should be supervised by an experienced, efficient higher official of the CBI.

• Ex-sect member to visit Hastings

- FLDS.

   San Angelo Standard Times Tuesday, January 6, 2009
   TEXAS -- Hastings Books, Music and Videos said Carolyn Jessop, author of "Escape," will be at the San Angelo store at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13.
   Jessop was a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the polygamist sect that was the focus of national attention when its ranch in Schleicher County was raided in April by state authorities, who removed hundreds of children thought to be at risk of sexual abuse.

• Archbishop appointed to Detroit diocese

- RCC appoints Abp Allen Vigneron.
   Toledo Blade, By DAVID YONKE, BLADE RELIGION EDITOR, January 06, 2009
   DETROIT (MI) -- Pope Benedict XVI announced yesterday the retirement of Cardinal Adam Maida and the appointment of his successor, Bishop Allen Henry Vigneron, as archbishop of Detroit.
   The new position marks a homecoming for Archbishop-elect Vigneron, 60, a native of Mount Clemens, Mich., who has been bishop of Oakland, Calif., since 2003. He will become the 10th bishop of Detroit and the first who was born in the six-county archdiocese. …
   Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, outreach director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, was critical of Archbishop-elect Vigneron's handling of the clerical sexual abuse crisis when he was bishop of Oakland.
   "Vigneron fits the mold of recent papal appointees who tend to be extraordinarily conservative yet very media savvy," Ms. Dorris said in a statement. "In public sometimes he says refreshing things, but in private he largely acts in the same secretive, hurtful ways, especially regarding clergy sex crimes and coverups."

• In a Quiet Rebellion, Parishioners Keep the Faith

- RCs protect holy precincts.
   New York Times, By Abby Goodnough, January 5, 2009
   Front page article with audio slide show by Goodnough and photographer Nicole Bengiveno.
   NEW YORK (NY) -- There are sleeping bags in the sacristy at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church and reclining chairs in the vestibule, but no one here gets too relaxed. "Please be ever vigilant!" a sign by the door warns, and the parishioners who have occupied the church since it closed more than four years ago take it as seriously as a commandment.
   Since the Boston Archdiocese closed St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church in 2004, women have assumed leadership roles, including distributing the Eucharist.
   St. Frances was among dozens of churches that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston decided to close and sell in 2004, not least because of financial turmoil made worse by the abuse scandal in the clergy. But while most churches closed without a fight, parishioners at St. Frances, a brick A-frame on a wooded hill, and at four other churches rebelled.
   For 1,533 days, the group at St. Frances has taken turns guarding the building around the clock so that the archdiocese cannot lock them out and put it up for sale. They call it a vigil, but by now it is more of a lifestyle.
   "It's much more of a living 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week faith," said Margy O'Brien, 78, a parishioner since St. Frances opened in 1960. "My generation of Catholics have paid, prayed and obeyed, but you get to a point where you've had it."

• Two dozen parishioners in church that Archdiocese thought was closed

- RC faithful screwed in, but open up to another parish.
   WWL-TV, By Maya Rodriguez, January 4, 2009
   {With video. See two articles by Jason Berry on the New Orleans parish resistance: The Mass Is Ended: But Some Parishioners Are Not Going in Peace (September 16, 2008); and Mass Protests (November 9, 2008).}
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- One day after the Archdiocese of New Orleans sealed shut the doors and windows of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, an open front door welcomed people to a prayer vigil Sunday morning. That vigil included parishioners from Saint Henry, another uptown church that is fighting to stay open.
   "We're both in the same boat," said Alden Hagardorn, a St. Henry parishioner. "We're very supportive of each other because we want to show the Archdiocese that we can work as a team."
   The prayer vigil comes on the heels of the Archdiocese believing parishioners had vacated the church, which led to them screwing the doors and windows shut.

• Church leaders want protest over: But parishioners say they will stick it out

- RC people hold on to 2 buildings.
   Times-Picayune, By Cindy Chang, January 4, 2009
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- Officials from the Archdiocese of New Orleans visited two Uptown Catholic churches in the pre-dawn hours Saturday to urge parishioners to abandon their around-the-clock occupation of the buildings.
   Although one of the churches was briefly closed, parishioners later managed to re-enter the building, and protesters continued to camp out at both churches Saturday evening in defiance of archdiocese orders to close them. […]
   At about 2 a.m. -- an hour chosen to minimize "fanfare," as Hughes put it -- archdiocese officials entered the two churches and woke the sleeping protesters.
   Two people spending the night at St. Henry rebuffed pleas to leave the property. The one person occupying Good Counsel initially left, and the officials changed the locks and nailed the windows closed. But protesters later got back into the building.
   "We did not know how people gained access after the fact," Bishop Roger Morin said. "Father (Michael) Jacques felt he had completely scoured the entire building before leaving."

• Parishioners in Good Counsel and St. Henry's, despite attempt to secure buildings

- RCC.
   WWL-TV, By Maya Rodriguez, January 3, 2009
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- Parishioners from St. Henry's and Good Counsel vow to stay in the churches for as long as it takes to get them reopened.
   It began with a morning announcement from New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes.
   "The archdiocese if putting an end to the occupations," he said.
   It was a statement that came on the heels of an earlier morning incident at the closed Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Uptown. That is when a group -- including a priest and members of the Archdiocese Property Management Office -- entered the church at around 2 a.m. They asked a man holding vigil there to leave and he did. Then, they began a thorough search of the church.
   "We checked every nook and cranny," said Father Michael Jacques with the Archdiocese of New Orleans. "We climbed up into the steeple and secured the doors in the steeple. We checked in all of the confessionals, all of the cupboards, all of the closets, all the entries above the sanctuary."
   The archdiocese says it then began securing all of the windows and doors by screwing them shut.
   "As far as we know, no one's there," said Archbishop Hughes.
   However, early Saturday afternoon, Eyewitness News saw several people inside Our Lady of Good Counsel, as others continued making their way in through a back door. Parishioners later came out, took no questions, but gave a brief statement.

• Parishioners remain after archdiocese asks them to vacate two occupied Uptown churches

- RCs have a sense of hallowed walls.
   Times-Picayune, By Cindy Chang, January 3, 2009
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- Officials from the Archdiocese of New Orleans visited two Uptown Catholic churches in the pre-dawn hours Saturday to urge parishioners to abandon their around-the-clock occupation of the buildings.
   Although one of the churches was briefly closed, parishioners later managed to re-enter the building, and protesters continued to camp out at both churches Saturday evening in defiance of archdiocese orders to close them.
   Archbishop Alfred Hughes expressed hope at midday that the parishioners can still be talked into leaving, but representatives from the Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Henry congregations said they are determined to stick it out.
   "Our vigil is strong, and we will not be intimidated," said novelist Poppy Z. Brite, a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel, before announcing that a rosary will be said at the church today at 11 a.m.

• A Christmas with Fewer Churches

- Churches -- landscape, culture.
   New Orleans Magazine, By Errol Laborde, December 22, 2008
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- We know that Catholic Archdioceses throughout the country have had to close churches within their jurisdiction.
   We know that the reasons for the closings are related to shifting population patterns, financial troubles and a shortage of priests.
   We know that since [Hurricane] Katrina, other religions have seen some of their buildings closed locally because of a population loss.
   We know that to many people, a church is a place they want to avoid.
   Yet we also know this about churches, especially in post-Katrina New Orleans:
   They are an energy center for the neighborhoods, a part of the landscape and culture.

• Mt. Clemens-born Archbishop-elect Vigneron comes home to challenges

- RCC.
   Detroit Free Press, with video, BY NIRAJ WARIKOO and PATRICIA MONTEMURRI, January 6, 2009
   DETROIT (MI) -- As Archbishop-elect Allen Vigneron prepares to move back from California to take over one of the biggest Catholic dioceses in the United States, he faces challenges that might make his tenure a difficult one.
   The Archdiocese of Detroit -- where he grew up and was educated -- faces a crumbling economy coupled with demographic changes that have shrunk the Catholic Church's presence in southeastern Michigan. …
   Vigneron also has been praised for how he handled the priest abuse scandal. He visited many of the parishes in his Oakland diocese to apologize to families affected by abuse, and the cathedral has a prayer garden in memory of victims. But one activist group, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), said Vigneron hasn't adequately disclosed the names of priests involved.

• Abuse survivors fight Diocese

- RC bishop accused of shortchanging US $0.5m.
   Journal Star, By TERRY BIBO of the Journal Star, ~ January 06, 2009
   PEORIA (IL) – Sexual abuse survivors charge Bishop Daniel Jenky has reneged on a promise to provide counseling, leaving them with more than $500,000 in unpaid bills.
   "He is lying to the public and abusing these victims a second time," said Jeffery Jones, Peoria director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, at a Monday press conference in front of the Diocese of Peoria's new Chancery Office.
   The 55-year-old Rockford man and his brother, Joe Jones, 58, both say they were abused by the Rev. Walter A. Breuning during several years in the 1960s.

• Abhaya: CBI moves plea for more clarity

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Evidence burnt. Axe murder.

   Kerala Online, Tuesday, January 06, 2009
   KOCHI, India -- The CBI has moved another petition before Kerala High Court seeking more clarification in the Court orders made by a single judge recently. The CBI has asked the Court whether the investigation should progress under DySP Nandakumaran Nair. At present the CBI Joint Director and DIG is supervising the investigation.
   Uncertainty was caused after the order of the single judge K Hema, who severely criticised CBI on the course of the investigation and asked a high rank officer to probe the murder case. Yesterday, Justice R Basant observed that the investigation in the sister Abhaya case should continue as the CBI said that it stopped its probe following critical observations made by a single judge recently.

• Army of supporters to join priest on final leg of 'atonement' walk

- RCC. Fr Mernagh (Augustinian) 300km.
   Irish Independent, By Ralph Riegel, Tuesday January 06, 2009
   IRELAND -- HUNDREDS of supporters of a protesting priest will cheer his arrival in the Pro-Cathedral today on the final leg of his marathon 'atonement' walk from Cork to Dublin.
   Father Michael Mernagh last night reached Rathfarnham in Dublin on the penultimate leg of his trek, which he undertook as a gesture of atonement for the Church's handling of clerical child abuse cases over the past two decades.
   The Augustinian cleric launched the atonement walk after what he described as "the inexcusable" Diocese of Cloyne abuse allegations. He said he found these to be "the lowest ebb" of a sad, tragic story for the Church.

• 'Walk of atonement' priest to arrive in Dublin today

- RCC.
   Belfast Telegraph, Tuesday, January 6, 2009
   IRELAND -- A catholic priest engaging in a "walk of atonement" for the victims of clerical child sex abuse is expected to arrive at his destination in Dublin today.
   Fr Michael Mernagh set out from St Coleman's Cathedral in Cobh 10 days ago as part of his initiative to show solidarity with abuse victims.
   He began the walk following the publication of a highly critical report into the mishandling of abuse allegations in the diocese of Cloyne.

• Native son returns to lead Detroit archdiocese

- RCC.

   The Detroit News, By Francis X. Donnelly and Mike Wilkinson,
   DETROIT (MI) -- Even as an 8-year-old, Archbishop-elect Allen Vigneron had always wanted to be a priest and would pretend to celebrate Mass in the basement of his parents' southeast Michigan house.
   Now Vigneron (pronounced VIN-yer-on) is returning home but in a position much higher than the one he imagined as a boy. …
   After becoming bishop of Oakland in 2003, he immediately faced several daunting tasks. Among them was a stalled project for a downtown cathedral and dozens of lawsuits charging local priests with sexual abuse.
   He visited every parish where abuse complaints were made and publicly apologized to church members.
   The move drew kudos from some but one group would have liked to see him do much more.
   David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, said Vigneron allowed diocese attorneys to block the lawsuits on technical grounds. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 6, 2009 3:26 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Tue January 06, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Wed January 07, 2009 edition:

• Victims' Rights Group Wants Answers from La Crosse Diocese

[1971 Bornbach -? NEW*] - RCC. Girl, and previous.

   WKBT, http://www. wkbt.com/ Global/story. asp?S=9634495 , Reported by Sara Kronenberg, ~ January 07, 2009
   LACROSSE (WI) -- A victims' advocacy group is taking aim at the La Crosse Diocese, hoping to get more information about the priests the area has employed over the last several decades.
   The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) met Wednesday at the Diocese regarding a lawsuit filed this week about priests that may have been moved following complaints of sexual assault.
   The lawsuit alleges that Father Raymond Bornbach, who died in January 2006, raped and sexually assaulted children; he was also reported for sexually assaulting elderly and disabled patients in north central Wisconsin facilities where he served as chaplain.

• Priest to leave as children testify

[2005-07 Broderick*] - RCC. 3 or 4 children.
   Daily Gazette, By Edward Munger Jr., ~ January 07, 2009
   FONDA (NY) – A man headed for trial on child sex abuse charges will leave the courtroom when the alleged victims testify later this month, attorneys agreed Tuesday.
   The Rev. John W. Broderick, 47, of Broome County, is facing three felony counts of second-degree sexual abuse and a misdemeanor count of unlawfully dealing with a child in an indictment handed up in September.
   The indictment alleges that Broderick had sexual contact with three children while he served as a Palatine Bridge family's "spiritual adviser" between October 2005 and May 2007.

• Church leader accused of misusing trust funds

[1999-2006 Armstrong] - Episcopalian. And seceded. ? US$392,000.
   Examiner, ~ January 07, 2009
   COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Map, News) - Authorities say a pastor who is part of a theft investigation used money from a church trust fund to pay for his two children's college education.
   A Colorado Springs police detective said in an affidavit released Tuesday that the Rev. Donald Armstrong may have misappropriated $392,000 from a Grace Church trust fund. Police took financial documents and computers from the Grace and Episcopal Church in November after an 18-month investigation. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 8:07 AM]
   [LOOK BACK: August 1, 8, 10, 11, 2007; July 31, 2007. ]
   [ALSO SEE: "Church Court: Armstrong Guilty; Panel Says He Took Nearly $400,000." By Ed Sealover, Gazette, http://www. gazette.com/ articles/ armstrong_ 25813___ article.html/ court_church. html ; August 8, 2007; in Bishop Accountability, August 8, 2007 http://www.bishop- accountability. org/news 2007/07_08/ 2007_08_08 _Sealover_ ChurchCourt. htm ENDS.]

• Charges Against Church Members

- RCC. Charged for staying in church.

   WDSU, ~ January 07, 2009
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- Charges have been against two church members arrested for refusing to leave Our Lady of Good Counsel when police tried to end a months-long vigil.
   Poppy Z. Brite and Hunter Harris were taken from the church in handcuffs Tuesday after they wouldn't allow Archdiocese of New Orleans officials into the now-closed church.
   Brite and Harris were facing charges of criminal trespassing and resisting arrest. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 6:21 PM]

• Trial of Delray Beach priests accused of stealing set for Jan. 21

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Home unit fees. Gambling, holidays. Female companions.

   Sun-Sentinel, by Patty Pensa | 1:17 PM EST, January 7, 2009
   DELRAY BEACH (FL) -- The Rev. Francis Guinan appeared in court briefly today as state prosecutors tried to remove witnesses from the grand theft case against the former pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach.
   Palm Beach Circuit Judge Sandra McSorley denied the state's request to strike 20 witnesses submitted by defense attorneys on Dec. 16.
   Guinan and another former pastor, the Rev. John Skehan, are accused of stealing money from the church they once led. The scandal rocked the church community when charges were filed against the two men in 2006. An audit by the Diocese of Palm Beach showed the men took as much as $8.6 million over 20 years.

• Irish government widens sex-abuse probe

- RCC.

   Catholic Culture January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- The Irish government has announced plans to expand a probe into Church treatment of sex-abuse complaints against priests, following up on reports of gross mistreatment of complaints in the Cloyne diocese. The government will ask an existing commission, which is now concluding its investigation into sex-abuse problems in the Dublin archdiocese, to continue its probe in Cloyne.
   Barry Andrews, the government's minister for children's affairs, convinced the cabinet to approve the expanded investigation in light of public outrage over the handling of sex-abuse complaints in Cloyne, where an independent inquiry commissioned by the Church had found that the diocese failed to follow established guidelines for investigating complaints.

• New Orleans police clear parish vigils

   The Boston Globe, - Articles of Faith, By Michael Paulson, January 7, 2009
   {Blogging an article in the Times-Picayune.}
   BOSTON (MA) -- For more than four years, the Archdiocese of Boston has quietly (more or less) stood by as some Catholics have resisted the closings of their beloved parishes by refusing to leave the pews. Five parishes closed by the archdiocese are still occupied -- in East Boston, Everett, Framingham, Scituate and Wellesley -- while several other round-the-clock vigils have ended in response to concessions by the archdiocese. The archdiocese here is now waiting for the Vatican to rule on appeals of the closings filed by parishioners; church officials have not said what they will do if, as expected, the Vatican upholds the closings.
   But the New Orleans archdiocese -- headed by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, a West Roxbury native who served as vicar general of the Archdiocese of Boston under Cardinal Bernard F. Law --- has taken a decidedly different approach. Last night the New Orleans archdiocese allowed police to clear two occupied parishes.

• Plainfield pastor accused of molesting six girls rejects plea deal

[2001-08 "Bishop" Benbow*] - Gospel Church. 6 girls.
   Home News Tribune, By MARK SPIVEY, STAFF WRITER, January 7, 2009
   ELIZABETH (NJ) – A Plainfield pastor accused of molesting six girls over an eight-year span rejected a plea deal Wednesday that would have given him the possibility of parole after serving nine months in jail, sending his case to a grand jury.
   George C. Benbow, 56, is facing four counts of second-degree sexual assault on a minor and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
   Benbow declined comment through his attorney, Philip Nettl, who said he anticipated a grand jury indictment and that he and his client are preparing for trial. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 3:42 PM]
   [LOOK BACK: September 17-18, 2008]

• Plainfield pastor declines plea offer in sex assault case

[2001-08 "Bishop" Benbow*] - Gospel Church. 6 girls.
   The Star-Ledger, by Julie O'Connor/The Star-Ledger / 12:32 PM / Wednesday January 07, 2009
   NEW JERSEY -- Plainfield pastor George Benbow rejected a plea deal this morning that would have resulted in a three-year jail sentence with the possibility of parole after only nine months.
   Benbow, accused in September of inappropriately touching six girls over an eight-year period, insists that he is innocent. His case will now go before a grand jury.
   Benbow, 56, in a brown suit and glasses, politely told Superior Court Judge John Triarsi he understood the offer on the table. Benbow is facing four counts of sexual assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 3:39 PM]

• Polygamy charges in Bountiful

[? years - Oler, Blackmore] - Christian. Polygamy.

   Globe and Mail, By ROBERT MATAS AND WENDY STUECK, Globe and Mail Update and The Canadian Press, 3:27 PM EST, January 7, 2009
   VANCOUVER, CANADA – Leaders of the two factions in the polygamous community of Bountiful have been charged under the Criminal Code with practising polygamy.
   In a sensational turn in a 20-year-old debate over the issue of polygamy in Canada, police have charged Jim Oler and Winston Blackmore.
   The two men were charged each with one count on Tuesday and have not yet appeared in court. Mr. Oler is charged with "practising polygamy" on Nov. 4, 2004. Mr. Blackmore is charged with "practising polygamy" on May 1, 2005, according to documents at the provincial courthouse in Creston.
   The religious community has been the subject of several police probes since the late 1980s following allegations of incest, sexual abuse, fraud, and trafficking of teenage brides across the Canada-U.S. border. But police up to this point have refused to proceed with charges.

• Charges filed against Canadian polygamists: reports

   Reuters, Wed Jan 7, 2009
   VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada (Reuters) - Canadian authorities filed charges on Wednesday against the leader of a group that openly practices polygamy in British Columbia and has links to U.S. polygamist communities, local media reported.
   Winston Blackmore and another member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) were arrested for violating a little-used law against polygamy, the Vancouver Sun reported on its website, citing court documents.
   Prosecutors and police refused to comment on the reports, but have scheduled a news conference in Vancouver to discuss legal action involving two people from the religious community in Bountiful, British Columbia.

• 2 polygamous leaders arrested in Canada

   KSL By Ben Winslow
   CANADA Two leaders from the FLDS Church have been arrested in Canada.
   One of the wives of former FLDS leader Winston Blackmore told the Deseret News he was arrested for polygamy.
   She also told the newspaper that FLDS bishop Jimmy Oler was arrested as well.

• Ireland orders new probe into Catholic sex abuse

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.

   The Associated Press, ~ January 07, 2009
   DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) – The Irish government has ordered a new investigation into how a Roman Catholic bishop mishandled complaints against sexually abusive priests in his diocese.
   The decision by Children's Minister Barry Andrews is raising pressure on Bishop John Magee to resign. Magee has already apologized after a church-appointed investigator found that he failed to tell police promptly or fully about allegations against two priests since 1995.

• Briefly Reviewed

[Decades - Maciel Degollado] - RCC. Many seminarians. Book.

   New Oxford Review, ~ January 07, 2009
   Our Father, Who Art in Bed: A Naïve and Sentimental Dubliner in the Legion of Christ. By J. Paul Lennon. Book Surge Publishing. 379 pages. $15.
   Irishman J. Paul Lennon, author of this autobiographical work, was a priest of the now much-embattled Legion of Christ for 23 years. Having left it behind in 1984, he went on to found the ReGAIN Network ( www.regainnetwork.org ), which provides documentation about the Legion and Regnum Christi, its lay branch.
   The Mexican founder of the Legion, Fr. Marcial Maciel (1920-2008), was "invited" to retire to a life of prayer and penance by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 after years of being investigated for sexual abuse. Until that time, Fr. Maciel was convinced that he would one day be canonized.
   Through the aid of James Cardinal Hickey, former Archbishop of Washington, D.C., Lennon was able to function as a diocesan priest until 1989 when, a broken man, he left the priesthood to seek recovery from the wounds of his Legionary experience. He credits Cardinal Hickey with showing him kindness and understanding, in contrast to Fr. Maciel, who was known within the order as Nuestro Padre ("Our Father"). [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 2:32 PM]

• Ex-Lyman priest leaves bitter legacy

[Lee]

   KeepMECurrent, By Ann Fisher, Reporter – The Reporter, Jan 7, 2009
   LYMAN (ME) -- Parishioners who knew the Rev. Thomas Lee well when he was the priest at St. Philip Parish in Lyman remember him as a dedicated servant of God who celebrated Mass every day, never took a vacation, avoided close relationships and enjoyed the company of his cat.
   But more than five years after an investigation was opened into allegations of sex abuse, others are still pointing fingers at Lee, claiming he had multiple victims in both Boothbay Harbor and Lyman.
   St. Philip parishioners Elaine Lariviere and Gerry Alexandre said they are outraged that Bishop Richard Malone is appealing to the Vatican a ruling that accusations of sexual abuse against Lee are unproven.
   "I can't for the life of me figure out why he (the bishop) did what he did," said Alexandre. "The lawyers went through the whole case with a fine-toothed comb and the bishop overturned it."

• Reports on child protection published

   RTE News, with video and audio, January 07, 2009
   {Read the audit here}
   IRELAND -- Reports about child protection in the Catholic Church were published this afternoon.
   The main body of the Health Service Executive audit deals with all dioceses in the Republic, while a second part is specific to complaints made in the Diocese of Cloyne.
   Three years ago, the Ferns report showed how the Catholic Church in that diocese failed to deal properly with allegations of child abuse by its priests.
   The Government then started to look at how other dioceses dealt with child abuse.

• Broad welcome for Andrews' decision

   The Irish Times, January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- There was a broad welcome today for the decision of the Minister for Children to refer the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne to a commission investigating clerical abuse in the Dublin archdiocese.
   However, the Government also came under fire for failing to publish the report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSC).
   Fine Gael Children's Spokesperson, Alan Shatter, said Mr Andrews' decision to refer the Diocese to the Commission confirmed fears about the manner in which child sexual abuse allegations were dealt with by the Bishop of Cloyne.
   "It is appropriate that this should now be referred to the Commission of Investigation. However, the Minister's inaction and failure to publish the report of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church since July, despite its gravity, raises serious questions about his handling of this matter," he said.

• Clerical paedophilia probe to be widened

[Years - Cloyne Diocese] - RCC. Breaking anti-sex rules.
   96 FM, ~ January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- A marathon investigation into child sex abuse by Catholic priests in Ireland is to be widened after a bishop broke church rules on the handling of complaints.
   The Irish government has ordered a state inquiry into alleged paedophile clerics in the Archdiocese of Dublin to extend its two-year long probe to cover the Diocese of Cloyne, Co Cork.
   Rejecting the advice of health chiefs who said a further investigation was not needed, Children's Minister Barry Andrews demanded a re-examination of all complaints in the south-west.

• Bishops refused to give details

- RCC.
   Press Association, ~ January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- Irish bishops refused to hand over information on child sex abuse allegations to an official investigation by health chiefs, it has been revealed.
   Children's Minister Barry Andrews has vowed to pursue the Catholic Church for the details omitted from a Health Service Executive (HSE) national audit on compliance with child protection regulations two years ago.

• New Orleans police clear out two Uptown Catholic churches: Two arrested as archdiocese regains Archdiocese of New Orleans worship sites

- Police back archbishop's ownership, not people's.

   Times-Picayune By Bruce Nolan and Susan Finch, January 7, 2009
   {Includes photographs and PDF of Times-Picayune front page.}
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- New Orleans police evicted parishioners from two Uptown Catholic churches Tuesday and delivered the buildings back into the hands of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, apparently ending a 72-day standoff that began when parishioners moved into the churches and occupied them around the clock to save them from closure.
   Accompanied by lawyers from the city attorney's office, police arrived almost simultaneously at Our Lady of Good Counsel on Louisiana Avenue and at St. Henry Church, about a mile away on Gen. Pershing Street, around 10:30 a.m.
   People at St. Henry said police knocked at the locked door, were allowed entry and told three protesting parishioners to leave or face a civil summons or arrest. Among the three was Madeline Morris, the widow of former Police Superintendent Henry Morris, said Alden Hagardorn, a St. Henry leader.
   However, police and church officials had to force their way into Good Counsel, either battering down or sawing an opening in a side door, parishioners said.

• 2 Arrested as Police End New Orleans Church Protests

   New York Times, Includes photograph of arrest of Hunter Harris, By Adam Nossiter, January 6, 2009
   Related: In Quiet Rebellion, Parishioners Keep Faith (January 6, 2009)
   NEW YORK (NY) -- The police ended a months-old protest on Tuesday at two Roman Catholic churches slated to be closed by the local archdiocese, arresting two people who had locked themselves inside to keep the churches from being shuttered.
   The police on Tuesday removed a protester from Our Lady of Good Counsel, a Roman Catholic church slated to be closed.
   Since October, angry parishioners have defied the closing order, one of a wave of such plans across the nation that are prompted, church officials say, by a severe shortage of priests.
   Parishioners have taken turns occupying the two weathered brick churches in the Uptown neighborhood, living in the buildings several at a time. Similar vigils have been taking place in Boston and New York.

• Statement by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, TD on the National Audit of Catholic Church Dioceses

- RCC. Cloyne Diocese to be investigated.

   Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, January 7, 2009
   {download report}
   IRELAND -- Firstly, I would like to mention the victims of clerical sexual abuse and especially to pay tribute to those who have shown tremendous bravery in coming forward to highlight these heinous crimes. The breach of trust by a member of society in which so much faith has been placed is painful and traumatic. Society as a whole must have confidence that allegations of child abuse are dealt with speedily and professionally. Our children deserve nothing less.
   I wish to inform you that the Cabinet today, January 7th, has taken the decision to notify the Commission of Investigation into the Dublin Archdiocese of the need for that Commission to carry out, under its terms of reference, an examination of the operation of practices and policies in relation to child protection by the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne.
   As previously indicated, I have this afternoon published and am laying before the Houses of the Oireachtas the HSE's audit undertaken on foot of the recommendations of the Report of the Ferns Inquiry (October, 2005).
   The update on the audit process provided by the HSE to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on January 31st, 2008 stated, "I wish to advise that on the basis of analysis by Child Care Managers of the replies received (to an audit questionnaire sent to all Dioceses), there is no prima facie case of serious non-compliance with the Ferns Recommendations. On that basis, therefore, I would not recommend to the Minister that any particular diocese should be referred to the Dublin Commission at this point in time. The HSE has, however, concern in respect of one particular diocese on foot of a recent complaint alleging non-compliance with procedures, received from the Office of the Minister for Children, which is currently under investigation." The HSE stated that in the absence of information about actual practice, the HSE audit was unable to verify to what extent child protection policies and procedures are being implemented in the various dioceses.

• Confessions of a Concerned Catholic

   Times-Picayune, By Jeff Crouere, January 6, 2009
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- As a lifelong Catholic, I share a very similar background with many people in the New Orleans area. I attended Catholic elementary school, high school and graduate school (16 years of Catholic instruction). I received a tremendous education and sincerely appreciate the devotion of so many dedicated lay and religious instructors. I believe so much in the mission of the Catholic Church that I spent ten years after college working for a variety of Catholic institutions raising funds for important projects.
   Today, my wife works for a local Catholic institution and our children attend Catholic school. We had other, cheaper, educational alternatives for our children, but we believed in the importance and value of a strong Catholic education.
   Of course we are not alone for thousands of devout Catholics in our community strongly support the Church in a variety of ways. New Orleans is one of the most loyal Catholic communities in the country. The city's ties to the Catholic Church go back to the founding of New Orleans three hundred years ago. From the earliest days of New Orleans the Catholic Church has played a vital role in the growth and development of the city.
   The contributions from many Catholic religious orders to this community are too plentiful to enumerate. Yet, vital to the success of each and every Church initiative has been the cooperation and support of active lay Catholics.
   For many years, New Orleans residents have enthusiastically backed Catholic Church programs, supported Catholic charities and schools and donated to the retirement of priests, nuns and brothers. It has been a very successful partnership that has stood the test of centuries.
   Sadly, today, at least in some parts of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, cracks have been exposed in that relationship. Many active Church members, especially in several Uptown New Orleans parishes are quite angry with the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Their anger is not unwarranted.

• Govt. announces full inquiry into Cloyne child abuse allegations

   Belfast Telegraph, Wednesday, January 7, 2009
   IRELAND -- A full inquiry has been ordered into allegations of clerical child abuse at the Diocese of Cloyne in Cork.
   The Cabinet has decided to refer the matter to the commission investigating complaints of abuse at the Dublin Archdiocese.
   The Minister for Children announced the decision this afternoon at the publication of a nationwide audit into the Catholic Church's adherence to child protection measures.

• 2 arrested in New Orleans Catholic Church protest: Sit-ins protested closures planned by archdiocese

- RC Archdiocese owns the property.

   Washington Post, By Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press, January 6, 2009
   {Includes photograph of removal of Harold Baquet, who was issued a civil summons.}
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- Police on Tuesday cleared out two New Orleans Catholic churches occupied by former parishioners opposed to the archdiocese's decision to close them, breaking down a door at one.
   Two protesters were arrested and at least two more were issued citations, police said.
   "It's our property. It's our church. It belongs to the Archdiocese of New Orleans," said The Very Rev. Michael Jacques, a member of the archdiocese's Council of Deans. [Posted by Terry McKiernan on January 7, 2009 11:50 AM]

• 'I am a symbol of hope for the many who were abused'

- RCC.

   The Irish Independent, By Ciaran Byrne, Wednesday January 07 2009
   IRELAND -- WHEN he answered his mobile phone at noon, Fr Michael Mernagh happily declared himself ahead of schedule on his long walk of atonement.
   "I feel rejuvenated," said the surprisingly-perky 70-year-old, who was close to completing the 170 miles from Cobh in Co Cork to Dublin's city centre.
   And he came the hard way too.
   At times it was cold and windy and often dangerous, as cars flew past him on uncomfortably-tight bends.

• Eight recommendations from watchdog for better protection

- RCC.

   Irish Independent, By Ralph Riegel, Wednesday January 07 2009
   IRELAND -- THE report by Church watchdog body, the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC), was damning in its criticisms of how the Diocese of Cloyne handled abuse allegations against two unnamed clerics.
   The NBSC issued a total of eight recommendations about childcare practices within the Cork diocese -- and bluntly questioned the competence of personnel involved in diocesan childcare protection.
   The main findings were that:
   - Children were placed at risk of harm because the diocese did not respond appropriately to information about alleged abuse by two clerics.
   - The competence of those involved in childcare protection work in Cloyne was seriously questioned.

• CBI asked to continue probing Abhaya murder case

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Evidence burnt. Axe murder.

   Sify, 17:42, Tuesday, January 06, 2009
   KOCHI, India -- The Kerala High Court on Tuesday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team investigating the 1992 murder of Sister Abhaya to continue with the probe.
   A single bench of Justice R Basanth said that the final decision would be taken on Thursday on whether a division bench should hear the case.

• NEWS: Minister to publish HSE child-protection auditview list

- RCC.

   The Irish News, ~ January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- A HSE audit of child protection measures in Ireland's Catholic dioceses today is expected to be published later today by Children's Minister Barry Andrews.
   Mr Andrews is also expected to announce a special commission to investigate child protection in the diocese of Cloyne.
   A recent report by the Catholic Church's National Board for Safeguarding Children was highly critical of the handling of clerical sex abuse allegations in the diocese.

• Cloyne abuse scandal - Archbishop sends a clear message

   Irish Examiner, ~ January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- YESTERDAY, as Fr Michael Mernagh ended his "pilgrimage of atonement" at Dublin's Pro-Cathedral, where he was embraced by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, we got an indication of the great pressure put on the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) chief executive Ian Elliott.
   We also got a glimpse of the deepening divisions in the Catholic Church, divisions which have never been made so public before.
   Mr Elliott wrote a highly critical report on two child protection cases in Cloyne. Completed in June the report concluded that practices were "inadequate and in some respects dangerous".

• Report into clerical sex abuse to be published

- RCC.
   The Irish Times, By HARRY McGEE and CHARLIE TAYLOR, January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- An audit examining the child-protection policies and protocols in every Catholic diocese in the State will be published later today.
   The report, which has been compiled by the Health Service Executive (HSE) will be published by Minister for Children Barry Andrews at a press conference in Dublin this afternoon.
   The Minister is also expected to outline what actions will be taken on foot of the report's findings. Mr Andrews is expected to seek approval for the measures at this morning's meeting of the Cabinet.

• Government under pressure to widen abuse investigation

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.

   Irish Independent, By Ralph Riegel and John Cooney, Wednesday January 07 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Government will come under intense pressure today to instruct a State abuse probe to widen its investigation to include the sex abuse scandals in the diocese of Cloyne.
   After a series of revelations of horrendous abuse by the clergy, the Commission of Inquiry into the Archdiocese of Dublin -- headed by Judge Yvonne Murphy -- was set up. It is expected to report by the end of this month.
   That body could now be asked to scrutinise the handling of abuse allegations in Cloyne, where Bishop John Magee has come under increasing pressure to resign after a Catholic Church report found children had been left at risk of sex abuse.

• Single abuse complaint prompted HSE's probe

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.
   Irish Independent, By Ralph Riegel, Wednesday January 07 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Health Service Executive (HSE) report on the handling of clerical child abuse allegations by the Diocese of Cloyne was launched following the receipt of a specific complaint 17 months ago.
   Details of that allegation were passed to the Government and HSE by One-in-Four, the lobby group which acts to support the victims of child abuse.
   The information was passed to the HSE in October 2007 -- with the complaint involving 'Father A', one of the two unnamed clerics at the centre of the Church's own probe by the watchdog body, the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC).

• Many steps on route to justice

- RCC. From Cloyne to Dublin.

   Irish Independent, Wednesday January 07 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Dublin inner city priest who aired his views on clerical child sexual abuse -- and the hierarchy's handling of it -- by letting his feet do the talking, has done more to repair his church's reputation than all the encyclicals and expressions of regret that have flowed from his supposed superiors over the years.
   Father Michael Mernagh, who once worked closely with another man of integrity, the late Tony Gregory, in aid of the the poor and disadvantaged, walked from St Colman's Cathedral in Cork, where he had a rather cool discussion with the beleaguered Bishop of Cloyne, John Magee, to the Pro Cathedral in Dublin, where he was embraced by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
   For once, the Catholic bishops of Ireland do not appear to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

• Minister to publish HSE child-protection audit

- RCC.
   Irish Independent, Wednesday January 07 2009
   IRELAND -- A HSE audit of child protection measures in Ireland's Catholic dioceses today is expected to be published later today by Children's Minister Barry Andrews.
   Mr Andrews is also expected to announce a special commission to investigate child protection in the diocese of Cloyne.

• Bishop of Ferns denies failing to act

- RC Ferns Diocese back in the news.
   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Religion Correspondent, Wednesday January 07 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Bishop of Ferns has strongly rejected suggestions that he has not implemented robust child protection measures in response to a government inquiry that identified more than 100 allegations of child sexual abuse against 21 priests.
   Speaking in Wexford yesterday Dr Denis Brennan angrily dismissed claims that he was not compliant in the area of reporting clerical child sexual abuse.
   The claims appeared in media reports speculating on the contents of an audit prepared by the HSE of all Catholic dioceses which is to be studied by the Cabinet today.

• Latest abuse suit names former Salisbury priest

[1950s-60s Lind*] - RCC. Altar boy.

   The News Journal, By SEAN O'SULLIVAN, January 7, 2009
   WILMINGTON (DE) -- A former altar boy from the St. Francis de Sales parish in Salisbury, Md., is the latest plaintiff to file an anonymous lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by a priest from the Diocese of Wilmington seeking damages. Both the parish and the diocese are named as defendants.
   The plaintiff, now 62, alleges that the Rev. Alfred J. Lind, who was named by church officials as a priest who had either admitted or had substantiated allegations against him, sexually assaulted him on numerous occasions starting when he was 13 or 14.
   According to attorney Thomas Neuberger, who filed the suit Tuesday in New Castle County Superior Court, Lind took the plaintiff, called "John Loe," and other young boys on trips to Ocean City, Md., and Canada in 1959 or 1960 where he abused them. Some of the abuse occurred when the group was passing through Delaware, according to the suit. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 7:23 AM]

• Married priests have their say

- Priest serves different RCs.
   The Reporter, BY SHARON ROZNIK, January 7, 2009
   WISCONSIN -- Rev. Don Wright of Campbellsport likes to recite the adage "once a Roman Catholic priest always a Roman Catholic priest."
   The resigned priest lives in Campbellsport with his wife, Ann, and serves as one of the clergy at Jesus our Shepherd Community Church in Allenton.
   While Wright calls living the life of a married priest "beautiful" and "unbelievably fulfilling," he still feels the stigma the Catholic church has put on married priests for "breaking a promise and committing an unforgivable sin." The result is a shunning by "faithful" Catholics, and an inability to serve the church unless the ordination is annulled by being laicized.
   "What gives us great joy is to serve those people the official Roman Catholic Church has turned away or turned off," he said. "This includes people who are divorced and remarried, homosexuals, as well as those horrified by the Church's handling of sexual abuse by the ordained." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 7:18 AM]

• Unanswered audit questions

- RCC.

   The Irish Times, ~ January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- The section not filled out by the bishops
   5.1 Please provide, from your records, the number of complaints or allegations against individuals of child sexual abuse made to the Diocese and which have been brought to the attention of the civil authorities, that is, Health Boards/Health Service Executive and/or An Garda Síochána (*). (please note that this question only requires a numeric answer e.g. Allegations against A = 2, allegations against B = 3, allegations against C = 1)
   5.2 Have all complaints or allegations of child sexual abuse made to the Diocese been brought to the attention of the HSE and An Garda Síochána (*)?
   Yes No
   If no why not and who made the determination? [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 8:38 PM]

• Andrews refers Cloyne to Dublin abuse commission

- RCC.
   The Irish Times, with audio, By CHARLIE TAYLOR and HARRY McGEE, January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- Minister for Children Barry Andrews is to refer the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne to a commission investigating clerical abuse in the Dublin archdiocese.
   Mr Andrews was speaking at a press conference to mark the publication of a Health Service Executive (HSE) audit which examined the child-protection policies and protocols in every Catholic diocese in the State.
   The audit, which was based on a questionnaire, includes detailed information on complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse against members of the clergy. The Minister said he had decided to refer Cloyne to the commission even though the audit concluded that there was no need to refer any diocese.
   "I am not satisfied that Cloyne is operating procedures to the highest standards," said Mr Andrews. He added that the decision to refer Cloyne had been his political decision.

• Diocese of Cloyne failed to alert HSE to allegation of child sex abuse Bishop 'acknowledged his error' - report

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.

   The Irish Times, By CARL O'BRIEN, Social Affairs Correspondent, for January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- AUDIT REPORT: THE DIOCESE of Cloyne failed to alert health authorities to a child sex abuse allegation, in contravention of existing child protection guidelines, a Health Service Executive (HSE) report has found.
   The report of a HSE audit, examining the handling of child-protection policies in Catholic dioceses cited evidence that the diocese was in breach of the Ferns child protection guidelines.
   The audit report said the Bishop of Cloyne John Magee had "acknowledged his error in this respect". It said misunderstandings relating to the roles and responsibilities in this area led to the failure.

• Support groups welcome Minister's decision but criticise the HSE

- RCC.

   The Irish Times, for January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- REACTION: GROUPS REPRESENTING children and abuse victims welcomed the decision by the Government to refer the Diocese of Cloyne for investigation by the Dublin Archdiocese Commission, writes Carl O'Brien
   But most expressed anger that the Health Service Executive (HSE) saw no need in its audit report for the dioceses handling of child sex abuse allegations to be referred for further investigation.
   Maeve Lewis, executive director of One in Four - the group which helped bring the mishandling of the abuse cases to light in the first place - said: "We believe this may finally reveal the extent of the mishandling of allegations of child sexual abuse in the diocese." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 8:22 PM]

• Newry-born bishop shuns calls to quit post amid abuse inquiry

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.

   Belfast Telegraph, for Thursday, January 8, 2009
   IRELAND -- The Bishop of Cloyne, Dr John Magee, bluntly ignored mounting calls for his resignation last night as he vowed to "co-operate fully" with the new Irish Government-ordered probe into clerical abuse allegations in his diocese.
   In a statement released through his diocesan office, Newry-born Dr Magee also pointed to the fact a Health Service Executive (HSE) report published yesterday confirmed his diocese had "engaged fully" with their inquiry last year.
   The statement – which made no mention of calls for the bishop's retirement or resignation – also repeated Dr Magee's apology to the victims of clerical abuse.

• Dublin Archdiocese Commission: its role

-RCC.

   The Irish Times, for January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- The Government established the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation in March 2006 to investigate the handling of allegations of child sexual abuse made against clergy operating in the archdiocese.
   However, the commission may also investigate the position of any Catholic diocese in the State following notification from the Minister for Children that a diocese may not be properly handling child sex abuse allegations.

• Statement from the Diocese of Cloyne

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.

   Roman Catholic Diocese of Cloyne, ~ January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- We note the decision of the Cabinet to notify the Commission of Investigation into the Dublin Archdiocese of the need for that Commission to carry out, under its terms of reference, an examination of the operation of practices and policies in relation to child protection by the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne. Bishop Magee will give every possible cooperation to the Commission in carrying out its task.
   The Diocese of Cloyne has also viewed the HSE Report into the management of child sexual abuse issues in the diocese and we accept its findings.

• Bishop Magee to co-operate on protection policy inquiry

[Promises, promises!] [1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.
   The Irish Times, for January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- CHURCH REACTION: THE BISHOP of Cloyne, Dr John Magee, last night pledged to co-operate fully with a Government-established inquiry into the operation of child protection policies and practices in his diocese, writes Barry Roche , Southern Correspondent
   In a statement yesterday, the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne noted the decision of the Cabinet to ask the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation to examine the operation of practices and policies in relation to child protection.
   "Bishop Magee will give every possible co-operation to the commission in carrying out its task," the statement read.
   It added that the diocese accepted the findings of the HSE report into the management of child sex abuse issues in the diocese. "As has been outlined in the report, the diocese engaged fully with the HSE in the preparation of this report and we agreed action to be taken which would enhance the capacity of the diocese in the area of child protection," the statement said.

• Church cited legal issues in declining to answer questions, HSE confirms

- RCC.
   The Irish Times, By STEVEN CARROLL, for January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- BISHOP'S CONCERNS: THE CATHOLIC Church's hierarchy declined to answer a series of questions about child protection practices in their dioceses, the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed yesterday.
   The HSE issued a questionnaire on child sexual abuse to all dioceses in the Republic two years ago, but it went uncompleted.
   The bishops cited legal difficulties with reporting "soft information" on abuse allegations to the health authority.
   Section 5 of the questionnaire, issued in October 2006 as part of a HSE national audit, sought detailed information on complaints and allegations of child sexual abuse against members of the clergy.

• Bishop cannot be trusted to oversee proper child protection

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.

   The Irish Times, ~ January 07, 2009
   The Bishop of Cloyne misled the State about his diocese's safeguards on two occasions, writes Patsy McGarry
   IRELAND -- BISHOP JOHN Magee apologised last night to all those abused by priests in Cloyne diocese for the third time in as many weeks. Does it matter anymore?
   If anything his position is even more untenable following what we were told yesterday: how, on two occasions in recent years, he misled the State on child-protection practices in his diocese. As Minister for Children Barry Andrews put it: "I believe there is evidence that points to the fact that Bishop Magee, as the responsible person, did not faithfully report actual compliance with child-protection procedures and the manner in which clerical sexual abuse allegations have been dealt with."

• Inquiry on Cloyne to be concluded by July - Andrews

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.
   The Irish Times, for January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- REFERRAL TO COMMISSION: THE EXAMINATION of child protection practices in the Diocese of Cloyne by a judicial commission will be completed by early July, Minister for Children Barry Andrews has said, reports Harry McGee , Political Staff.
   Mr Andrews confirmed yesterday that the Government has referred the diocese covering most of rural Cork to the Commission of Investigation into the Dublin Archdiocese, chaired by Judge Yvonne Murphy.
   Speaking at a press conference in Dublin, Mr Andrews accepted that the decision went against a recommendation by a Health Service Executive (HSE) report. It concluded that a referral was "not warranted".

• Shatter criticises Andrews over 'inaction'

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.
   The Irish Times, By HARRY McGEE, for January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- POLITICAL REACTION: THE REFERRAL of the Diocese of Cloyne to a commission of investigation confirmed fears about the manner in which child sexual abuse allegations were dealt with by Bishop John Magee, Fine Gael said yesterday.
   However, party spokesman on children Alan Shatter criticised Minister for Children Barry Andrews over his "inaction and failure" to publish the report of the Catholic Church's National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) at a much earlier juncture.
   The Minister received a copy of the church-commissioned report in July 2009, and it was published by the Diocese of Cloyne last month.
   Mr Shatter said the gravity of that report's findings raised serious questions about Mr Andrews's handling of the matter. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 7, 2009 7:59 PM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Wed January 07, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Thu January 08, 2009 edition:

• Marion church: Former official stole more than $276,000

[2000s Mr Six -NEW*] - Wesleyan. > US $276,000.

   Indianapolis Star, http://www. indystar.com/ article/ 20090108/ NEWS02/9010 80410 , Associated Press, January 08, 2009
   MARION, Ind. -- A former church official has been charged with stealing more than $276,000 from church accounts and using some of the money to pay for a vasectomy, motorcycles and cars.
   William Jeremiah Six, 28, faces eight counts of theft and one count of fraud, Grant County Prosecutor Jim Luttrull said. Six was director of finances for Lakeview Wesleyan Church and Lakeview Christian School from June 2004 to July 2008. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 8, 2009 9:48 PM]

!!!: Former Teacher Charged With Sexual Battery

[1983 Mrs Smith -NEW*] - Christian. Married woman, to boy (11).
   News 13, ~ January 08, 2009
   ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA -- A former teacher is under arrest for having sex with a student who was 11 years old at the time.
   Wanda Smith, 57, is now in jail, charged with sexual battery on a child under 12 years old.
   According to sex crime investigators, Smith started having sex with the student back in 1983 when he was 11 years old. She was teaching at Rolling Hills Elementary School at the time. …
   Smith's husband at the time, a pastor at a local church, supposedly was the one videotaping the incident. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 8, 2009 9:45 PM]

• Accused claims priest made 'advances'

[? 2006 Mr Vale -NEW*] - Anglican. Sexual advances alleged. Clergyman dead.

   Go-Jamaica, ~ January 08, 2009
   JAMAICA -- The man who is accused of the murder of Anglican Priest Father Richard Johnson told the police during an interview that he stabbed the priest after he made sexual advances towards him.
   Twenty-five year old labourer Prince Vale, of Tommy Hill district, Stony Hill, St. Andrew has been on trial in the Home Circuit Court since yesterday.
   Deputy Superintendent Roy Boyd testified today that on November 15, 2006, he interviewed Vale. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 8, 2009 6:21 PM]

• Woman Wants Records Released

[1991 Zalenski*] - Roman Catholic. Girl, and ≥ 1 other.

   WHIZ, By Nichole Medaugh, ~ January 08, 2009
   OHIO --A former Guernsey County woman wants criminal investigation records released in the case of a Steubenville cleric, who at least two accusers says molested them.
   Beth Rocker, who now lives in Israel, filed the lawsuit today in the Guernsey County Court of Appeals.
   Rocker alleges that Father Gary Zalenski, a Steubenville Diocesan Priest, molested her in the early '90's. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 8, 2009 1:58 PM]
   ALSO SEE: January 8, 2009 http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/01_02/2008_01_08_Connors_CriminalComplaint.htm .]
   [LOOK BACK: ~ October 01, 2008, November 21, 2007 http://www. wtrf.com/story. cfm?func= viewstory& storyid=31663 .]

• Judge orders couple to rein in video

- Alamo Christian Ministries.

   WXVT, Associated Press, 4:34 PM ET, January 8, 2009
   TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) - A judge has ordered two followers of jailed evangelist Tony Alamo who released a video of their daughter's interview with a state caseworker to try to get it back, even though the footage is on the Internet and a copy was mailed to the White House.
   Circuit Judge Jim Hudson ruled Thursday that the man and woman, who are married, are to contact a man who posted the video online, Tom Friess, and try to recover the copy they sent to President George W. Bush. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 8, 2009 5:11 PM]

• Justice Basant to monitor Abhaya probe

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. New judge. Axe murder.

   Kerala Online, Thursday, January 08, 2009
   KOCHI, India -- Removing a major impasse created by the single bench order of Justice Hema, the Kerala High Court ruled that the Abhaya Murder case will now be monitored by Justice R Basant.
   Also the Court ruled that, the CBI team constituted by Kerala High Court will continue to investigate the case under the CBI Joint Director Ashok Kumar and DIG Kuntha Swamy.

• Church given three weeks to pass on complaint files

- Ultimatum to defiant RCC.

   Irish Independent, By Michael Brennan, Political Correspondent, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- CHILDREN'S Minister Barry Andrews has warned the Catholic Church he would consider "all options" if it failed to share information on clerical sex abuse allegations within three weeks.
   He also kept pressure on Bishop of Cloyne John Magee, who he said had failed to observe both Church and State guidelines on the handling of such allegations in his diocese.
   "It remains my position that he does have to reflect on the very serious consequences of failures that have patently taken place in his diocese," he said.

• Me and the Rev. Richard John Neuhaus

- RCC.

   The Dallas Morning News, by Jeffrey Weiss, ~ January 08, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- There can scarcely be a religion reporter who has worked over the past several decades who hasn't had occasion to talk to the Rev. Richard John Neuhaus once or thrice. He was smart, quotable and available -- an irresistible combination. And as we've posted earlier, he died today.
   Checking my clips, I see I talked to him about the accusations that the movie The Passion of the Christ was anti-Semitic, potential problems with the "zero tolerance" rule the American Catholic bishops passed concerning sexual abuse, and the profound crisis that the priestly abuse scandal posed to the church. I'll post excerpts from those stories at the jump. …
   On the predatory priest scandal:
   But conservatives such as the Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, editor of First Things magazine, victims' advocates including David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, and liberals such as Frances Kissling, president of Catholics for a Free Choice, and Linda Pieczynski of Call to Action challenged the draft for a variety of reasons.
   Father Neuhaus considered the draft proposal to be spiritually inadequate because it doesn't include provisions for ensuring that priests and bishops are faithful to the doctrine of the Catholic Church on issues including homosexuality and the bishops' leadership responsibilities.

• Catholic bishops speak in support of Magee

[1995 on - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Let 2 priests go unreported.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, ~ January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- A NUMBER of Catholic bishops have spoken out in support of Bishop John Magee staying on in Cloyne diocese after being contacted by The Irish Times yesterday.
   Responding to a query on whether Bishop Magee should resign, sent by e-mail to the bishops of all 26 Catholic dioceses on the island, Archbishop Dermot Clifford of Cashel said: "The key person to assist with the inquiry into the diocese of Cloyne, which was announced this week by Minister Barry Andrews, is Bishop John Magee."
   Bishop Magee, he said, "has publicly committed himself to implement best practice safeguarding children procedures with the guidance of the independent National Board (NBSC). His continuing role as bishop of the diocese underpins his accountability in this regard."
   Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam said: "What is more important is that each diocese continue to work towards providing a safe and secure environment for all children." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 8, 2009 9:39 PM]
   [MEDITATION: Matthew 7:21-22. ENDS.]

• Charges against two church vigil participants dropped in Municipal Court

- Police back down.

   Times-Picayune By Susan Finch, January 7, 2009
   {Parishioners keeping vigil have been been arrested, with charges subsequently dropped, in the Boston archdiocese on 11/6/04 (1 2 3), and 12/25/04 (4 5), and in the New York archdiocese on 2/12/07 (6 7 8). Numbers link to source articles.}
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) Two parishioners charged with criminal trespass and resisting arrest Tuesday at Our Lady of Good Counsel church in Uptown New Orleans as a result of their roles in a protest vigil saw the charges dropped today in Municipal Court.
   Attorneys for novelist Poppy Brite and businessman Hunter Harris Sr., participants in an effort to prevent the shuttering of their church, said the charges were dropped by the City Attorney's Office. If convicted, the pair could have faced as much as six months in jail.
   "According to the city attorney, they didn't want to arrest anyone, but they felt like they had no choice," said attorney Scott Shea, representing Brite. "They just decided in their best interest not to pursue these cases, and obviously we agree."

• Ten fresh sex abuse claims are uncovered in diocese

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. ≤ 10 new complaints.

   Irish Independent, By Shane Phelan, Investigative Correspondent, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- SEVERAL fresh allegations of child abuse by priests in the diocese of Cloyne have been made in the past month, the Irish Independent has learned.
   Victim support group One in Four last night confirmed it has received up to 10 new complaints of clerical abuse in the diocese in recent weeks.
   According to the group, many of the victims claimed they were fobbed off in the past when they attempted to report the abuse to church authorities.
   One in Four's executive director, Maeve Lewis, last night reiterated the group's call for the diocese's bishop, Dr John Magee, to resign, saying his credibility was in tatters and his position untenable.

• Claims of abuse by priests continue to mount

- Bankrupt RC diocese has double claims.

   Anchorage Daily News, The Associated Press, ~ January 08, 2009
   FAIRBANKS, ALASKA -- The Fairbanks Catholic Diocese says since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, the number of people alleging sexual abuse by priests and church workers has more than doubled.
   The diocese filed for bankruptcy last March. Officials say since then another 152 people have come forward and filed allegations with the court.

• Diocese Responds to Lawsuit, Victims' Group

- RCC.

   WIZM, ~ January 08, 2009
   LACROSSE (WI) -- Nothing to this lawsuit? That's what the La Crosse diocese claims in response to the suit filed by priests victims group, SNAP, the diocese, in a written statement, says it disputes claims made by the group of sex-abusing priests cover-ups.
   The diocese also denies that pedophile priests continue to work in the diocese and, since 2002, it says, all clergy, employees and volunteers are subjected to F-B-I background checks.

• Plover woman sues La Crosse diocese

[1960s Bornbach*] - RCC. Girl.
   Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, 8:08 AM CST, January 8, 2009
   LA CROSSE, Wis. - A Plover woman has filed a civil lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, claiming it knew a priest had a history of molesting children, yet let him continue to work with youngsters.
   Forty-six-year-old Brenda Varga claims in her lawsuit that church officials assigned the Rev. Raymond Bornbach to a parish in Hewitt in 1968, even though they knew he was abusing children. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 8, 2009 11:21 AM]

• Maine bishop appeals ecclesial tribunal's acquittal of priest

[≤ 2003 Lee*] - RCC. Minors

   Catholic Culture, January 08, 2009
   MAINE -- Bishop Richard Malone of Portland has appealed to the Vatican an ecclesiastical tribunal's decision that abuse allegations against Father Thomas Lee, now 81, were unproven. Father Lee was removed from ministry in 2003.
   The alleged incidents took place at a parish where Father Lee served between 1971 and 1985. The ecclesiastical tribunal, whose three members were from outside the diocese, was established in 2006 and ruled last year that while Father Lee's actions were "imprudent," abuse was not proven. [LOOK BACK: ~ December 19, 20, 2008]

• Abuse suit filed against Wisconsin diocese

[1971 Bornbach*] - RCC. Girl.

Catholic Culture January 08, 2009
WISCONSIN -- A woman who says she was molested by a priest in 1971 has filed a civil suit against the Diocese of La Crosse. When she brought the alleged incidents to then-Bishop Raymond Burke's attention in 2003, the priest was removed from ministry.

• New Orleans Archdiocese gets police help to end parish occupations

- RCC in New Orleans.
   Catholic News Service, By Christine Bordelon, January 7, 2009
   WASHINGTON (DC) -- The Archdiocese of New Orleans, with help from the New Orleans police, ended a 10-week occupation of two closed churches with the arrest of two people.
   Police gained entry into Our Lady of Good Counsel Church to ask parishioners to leave or face arrest Jan. 6. Two people were arrested and another, a cancer patient, was escorted home.
   About 12 blocks away at St. Henry Church, police charged one parishioner with criminal trespassing.

• Many questions still unanswered following probe

[Bp Magee*]

   Irish Independent, By Ralph Riegel, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- "IT IS a start -- but there are still a lot of questions still to be answered."
   That was the reaction of one abuse victim last night to the news that the escalating Diocese of Cloyne controversy will now be referred to the Archdiocese of Dublin's Abuse Commission.
   The victim acknowledged that the past few years have been "a nightmare" -- but expressed hope that, following the Government publication of the Health Service Executive (HSE) report, a start has been made in delivering answers.
   But victims raised serious questions over the HSE probe into the handling of abuse allegations against two clerics by the Diocese of Cloyne.

• Children's groups demand mandatory reporting

- RCC.

   Irish Independent, By Ralph Riegel and Michael Brennan, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- LEADING children's rights charities last night urged the Government to urgently pass legislation on the mandatory reporting of child abuse.
   Barnardos, the ISPCC and the Children's Rights Alliance all demanded that mandatory reporting of such abuse be put on a statutory footing.
   And the One-in-Four group also called on the Government to reach an agreement with the Catholic Church that would see all information on clerical sex abuse allegations handed over to the authorities.
   Barnardos called for legislation to be drafted to allow for the mandatory reporting of child abuse to the gardai and HSE.

• Bishop accused of lying

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Did not "faithfully report."

   Irish Examiner, By Mary Regan, ~ January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- BISHOP of Cloyne John Magee has been accused of lying about how the diocese dealt with allegations of child abuse.
   Adding further pressure on the bishop to resign, Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, said Bishop Magee "did not faithfully report" to a Health Service Executive (HSE) audit into child protection measures published yesterday.
   Because of the "discrepancies" between accounts given by Bishop Magee to the HSE and actual practices in the diocese, he said allegations of sex abuse in Cloyne will be referred to the Commission of Investigation into Clerical Abuse at the Dublin Archdiocese.

• Safeguarding children is 'a priority': Bishop

- RCC.

   Wexford People, By Maria PEPPER, Wednesday January 07, 2009
   IRELAND -- THERE IS no allegation of child sex abuse involving a priest or former priest in the Diocese of Ferns which has not been reported to the Garda and the HSE, Bishop Denis Brennan said this week.
   Speaking in Bride Street Church on Tuesday (the Feast of the Epiphany), Bishop Brennan told the congregation that all allegations of clerical sex abuse had been handled in line with written guidelines from both State and Church.
   He was responding to recent accusations nationally suggesting a lack of compliance by church authorities in the reporting of child sex abuse.
   [COMMENT: But, is he practising "mental reservation" while making this statement? Possibly, also, he is obeying the Vatican Instruction of March 16, 1962, Crimen Sollicitationis. ENDS. ]

• Magee no longer has any authority left

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. ≤ 10 new complaints.

   Herald, By Padraig O'Morain, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- John Magee, Bishop of Cloyne, is today more isolated than any Irish bishop in living memory.
   He finds himself in an extraordinary position in Irish society.
   First, newspaper headlines openly link him with lying. Even in our now-secular society, this is unprecedented given the still-important position of the Catholic Church, not to mention our harsh libel laws.
   Isolated
   Second, he has been isolated by his fellow bishops. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Bishop Willie Walsh may not have called on him to resign, in so many words. But there is no doubt that to be asked by fellow bishops to consider his position and to act in the best interests of children is the same as being asked to go.

• Does the approach to sexuality pose a question for the church?

[Years - Mons. O'Callaghan] RCC. Wanted predator back in ministry.

   Corkman, Comment: Trish O'Dea, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- MONSIGNOR Denis O'Callaghan, now retired, features strongly in the recently published Catholic Church's National Board for Safeguarding Children report into the handling of child abuse allegations in Cloyne.
   It emerges from the report that Mons O'Callaghan was aware of many of the claims but failed to act decisively and, in one notable case, sought the return of a priest - against whom numerous complaints had been made - to full ministry.
   It is interesting, in light of this, to review the contents of Monsignor O'Callaghan's memoir, 'Putting Hand to the Plough', published in 2007.

• A brief history of polygamy and the Mormon movement

- Latter Day Saints movement.

   The Province, Published: Thursday, January 08, 2009
   CANADA -- 1843: Through a "revelation," the Mormons' first prophet, Joseph Smith Jr., justifies polygamy. Some say the "revelation" was mainly to convince his wife Emma that he should take a second wife. Smith was killed in 1844 by a mob while awaiting trial for ordering the destruction of a local printing press, which was threatening to publicize his sexual misconduct..
   1890: Canada officially prohibits polygamy. Many polygamists in Canada begin living with one wife, leaving other wives in the U.S..
   1896: The main Mormon church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, renounces polygamy. Fundamentalists break away and set up underground groups.

• Polygamy play aims to change law

- Lattery Day Saints, and the Rights Charter.
   The Province, Published: Thursday, January 08, 2009
   CANADA -- On July 16, 2008, the B.C. Attorney General's office, in reply to a query on the legality of polygamous unions, wrote the following: "All reports of polygamy and sexual exploitation in Bountiful are taken seriously by the Ministry of Attorney General. As you may know, polygamy is classified as an offence under Section 293 of the Criminal Code of Canada. However, the Criminal Justice Branch of this ministry has received several opinions from legal experts indicating that Section 293 violates Section 2 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter) and is unconstitutional." Translated this means charging anyone in Bountiful, a patriarchal polygamous society that has thumbed its nose at the Criminal Code for more than 60 years, will not result in a conviction.
   So what changed between then and yesterday, when British Columbia Attorney General Wally Oppal announced that the rival bishops in Bountiful will be charged with having multiple wives? Apparently, nothing.
   Oppal believes that the current provisions against polygamy are primarily there to ensure the safety of women and children of these plural unions.

• 2 leaders charged with polygamy

- LDS.
   The Province, by Suzanne Fournier, Published: Thursday, January 08, 2009
   CANADA -- The two warring male leaders of the splintered polygamous community of Bountiful have been charged under the criminal code with the practice of polygamy.
   Winston Blackmore, 52, the self-styled "bishop of Bountiful," and his bitter rival, James Oler, 44, were each charged with one count that they "practised a form of polygamy … or conjugal union." RCMP Sgt. Tim Shields and Attorney-General Wally Oppal teamed up to announce in Vancouver that the two avowed polygamists were arrested "without incident" yesterday at the commune near Creston, handcuffed and taken to the RCMP lockup in Cranbrook.
   Both were released late yesterday on four bail conditions, including that they stay in B.C., surrender their passports, report to police regularly and not practise "celestial marriage" or polygamy.

• Polygamy charges in Bountiful

- LDS.
   Globe and Mail, By ROBERT MATAS, From Thursday's Globe and Mail, 4:07 AM EST January 8, 2009
   VANCOUVER, CANADA – In a legal showdown over Canada's polygamy law that has been 20 years in the making, B.C. Attorney-General Wally Oppal announced charges yesterday against religious leader Winston Blackmore, who has openly talked about having married several young brides, and a rival leader in the religious sect.
   The British Columbia government has been debating for years whether polygamy charges should be laid against members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a closely knit community in a remote valley in the southeast corner of the province that encourages multiple marriages as an article of faith.
   The Bountiful community has been the subject of several police probes since the late 1980s after allegations of polygamy, sexual abuse, exploitation of children and trafficking of teenage brides across the Canada-U.S. border.

• Alamo lawyer asks for more time before trial

- Alamo Ministries.

   Pine Bluff Commercial, By JON GAMBRELL, 2:45 AM CST, Thursday, January 8, 2009
   LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A lawyer for jailed evangelist Tony Alamo has asked a federal judge to delay the preacher's trial on charges he took underage girls across state lines for sex.
   Attorney John Wesley Hall Jr. said in a filing Wednesday that Alamo's defense team needs more time to prepare. Hall said state officials had been investigating Alamo since 2001 and likely had a trove of evidence they would present at the trial, scheduled for February.
   Meanwhile, the convicted tax felon's ministry claims the FBI has been pressuring uncooperative church members into seeking treatment for "cult deprogramming." A message on the ministry's Web site claims FBI officials have told members to seek "cult deprogramming so that they will then say what the FBI wants them to say."

• Ted Haggard Claims Molestation as Child

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". Drugs, male "lover". DOCUMOVIE 2008-09.
   ABC News, By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES, Jan. 8, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- Ted Haggard, the former evangelical megachurch leader who fell from grace in a 2006 sex and drugs scandal, is making efforts to redeem himself in an HBO documentary in which he reveals new details about sexual abuse he claims he suffered as a child.
   Haggard, the former president of the National Evangelical Association, who two years ago admitted to a relationship with a male prostitute, will meet with television critics in Los Angeles Friday to promote "The Trials of Ted Haggard." …
   In the new film, Haggard says he is angry with the New Life Church, but also begs forgiveness and blames his struggle with sexuality with being molested by his father as a 7-year-old.

• Diocese abuse claims double

- Accusers doubled. 23 previous (known) settlements.

   News Miner, By Mary Beth Smetzer, Published Thursday, January 8, 2009
   FAIRBANKS (AK) – Since the Fairbanks Catholic Diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy March 1, the number of people alleging sexual abuse by priests and church workers has more than doubled.
   In the nine months following the diocese's reorganization filing and a court imposed Dec. 2 deadline to file further abuse claims, another 152 people came forward filing similar allegations with the court. The latest tally is 292 claimants.
   Previous to filing for reorganization, the Fairbanks diocese had settled with 23 victims.

• Church abuse lawsuit 'shakes the faith'

[1950s-60s Lind*] - RCC. Altar boy.

   The Daily Times, By Sharahn D. Boykin, Staff Writer, January 8, 2009
   SALISBURY (MD) -- A Lower Shore diocese's policies and practices, instituted for at least six decades, led to the sexual abuse of a Salisbury teen and other young children, according to a lawsuit filed in New Castle County, Del., Superior Court this week.
   The 38-page complaint alleges the Rev. Alfred J. Lind, a former assistant pastor at St. Francis de Sales parish in Salisbury between 1960 and 1963, sexually abused the teenage altar boy who the lawsuit identifies as "John Loe" -- now a 62-year-old Salisbury resident.
   The most recent lawsuit is one of 27 filed against the Diocese of Wilmington stemming from allegations of sex abuse by its priests.
   "Things have happened that have tragically affected people's lives, and we can only try to help people that are victims," said the Rev. Edward M. Aigner Jr., a St. Francis de Sales pastor.

• I'll only quit if the Pope himself asks me -- Bishop Magee

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. ≤ 10 new complaints. RC bishop would "kill." Govt. dept. "No action."

   Herald, By Kevin Doyle, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- Bishop John Magee is determined to remain in place unless the Pope seeks his resignation.
   The people of Cloyne will now have to wait at least another six months before getting definitive answers about who is to blame for not adequately dealing with allegations of child sexual abuse.
   But it seems that at least one church leader has taken notice of public opinion with Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin saying he would "kill somebody" if they sexually abused a friend's child.
   Government Ministers yesterday rejected a HSE report into activities in the diocese of Cloyne, which controversially found no further action was warranted.

• Civil suits could leave Church with massive bill

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese] - RCC. ≤ 10 new complaints.
   Irish Independent, By Shane Phelan, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Diocese of Cloyne is facing the prospect of having to pay out hundreds of thousands of euro in compensation to victims of child sex abuse if a number of civil actions against it are successful.
   The diocese is already facing at least three civil suits as a result of alleged clerical child sex abuse in the '70s and '80s.
   Although a number of allegations have been investigated, none of the priests involved have faced prosecution.
   One of the suits is being taken against the estate of a dead priest. The action has also named Bishop John Magee as a defendant in his capacity as bishop of the diocese. If it goes to court, it could prove a major embarrassment for the embattled bishop, who is resisting calls for his resignation.

• 'Do us a favour and walk'

[Years - Bp Magee*] - "Step down" call from pilgrim priest.
   Irish Independent, By Ralph Riegel, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- THE priest who completed a nine-day trek over the Church's handling of clerical child abuse allegations last night appealed to Bishop John Magee to "do himself a favour" and step down.
   Father Michael Mernagh said he could see no logical way in which the Bishop of Cloyne could now remain at his post.
   "I'm afraid his position on this is really untenable," he told the Irish Independent. "I actually believe that he would be doing himself a favour by stepping down."

• Magee's failure to reveal allegation led to audit

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Broke State law.

   Irish Independent, By Eilish O'Regan, Health Correspondent, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Bishop of Cloyne John Magee told the Health Service Executive (HSE) his diocese was fully compliant with child-protection guidelines while he was blatantly breaching standards by failing to disclose one of its priests was under investigation for abuse.
   The Catholic Church's own guidelines state each diocese must directly inform the HSE and the gardai separately if an allegation has been made against a priest.
   The priest was being investigated at the time the Cloyne diocese completed an initial questionnaire for the HSE.

• Organization, Diocese Speak-Out About Lawsuit

[1971 Bornbach*] - RCC. Girl.

   WEAU, with video, ~ January 08, 2009
   LACROSSE (WI) -- A national organization is speaking out about its lawsuit against the La Crosse Diocese…and the Diocese is responding.
   Representatives from the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests – or SNAP – were in La Crosse Wednesday to present their accusations.
   SNAP claims the Diocese hid the fact that one of its priests was a threat to children and others. The Diocese removed Raymond Bornbach from the ministry in 2004. He passed away in early 2006.

• Lawsuit: Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse knew of abuse

[1971 Bornbach*] - RCC. Girl.
   LaCrosse Tribune, By CHRIS HUBBUCH | chubbuch@lacrossetribune.com , January 08, 2009
   LACROSSE (WI) -- A Plover, Wis., woman has sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, claiming it allowed a priest to remain active for nearly four decades despite knowing he had a history of molesting children.
   In a civil suit filed Dec. 31, Brenda Varga claims church officials assigned the Rev. Raymond Bornbach in 1968 to a parish in Hewitt and allowed him to work with children, even though they were aware he had abused others.
   Varga, now 46, claims the priest molested her when she was 9 years old.
   In 2004, the diocese confirmed her complaints and said Bornbach -- already retired -- no longer could act as a priest. He died in 2006 at age 90.

• Abuse row bishop to face new enquiry

[Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. New Govt. probe.

   Irish Independent, Thursday January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Bishop of Cloyne failed to tell health authorities one of his priests was under investigation for abuse despite claiming he was fully compliant with child-protection guidelines.
   The latest damning revelation emerged as the Government ordered a new probe into Dr John Magee's handling of abuse allegations in his diocese.
   Despite this, the embattled bishop issued a defiant third statement last night insisting he would not resign. Sources close to Bishop Magee indicated he would not step down unless pressure was applied directly from Rome.

• Bishop Magee must depart to repair the 'deficit of trust'

[Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. 2 priests, 5 complainants, "No action."
   Irish Independent, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- WHAT Barry Andrews describes euphemistically as "the deficit in trust" still existing in the notification and reporting of child sexual abuse allegations to the gardai and the HSE by Catholic Church authorities is personified in one bishop -- John Magee of Cloyne.
   The official State report published yesterday by the Minister for Children is even more damaging for the standing, credibility and integrity of the former secretary to three successive Popes than the previously damning investigation by the Church's own independent watchdog, the National Board for Safeguarding Children. (NBSC).
   Indeed, without the trenchant digging of the Board's chief executive, Ian Elliott, in exposing "significantly deficient" handling by Bishop Magee of complaints of sexual abuse made by five people against two priests in his diocese, the Government, the Church and the Irish public would not have had these breaches of trust confirmed in yesterday's report.

• Church given three weeks to pass on complaint files

- RCC. Cloyne Diocese defied Church and State guidelines.
   Irish Independent, By Michael Brennan, Political Correspondent, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- CHILDREN'S Minister Barry Andrews has warned the Catholic Church he would consider "all options" if it failed to share information on clerical sex abuse allegations within three weeks.
   He also kept pressure on Bishop of Cloyne John Magee, who he said had failed to observe both Church and State guidelines on the handling of such allegations in his diocese.
   "It remains my position that he does have to reflect on the very serious consequences of failures that have patently taken place in his diocese," he said.

• Shocking documentaries about paedophile priests led to probes

- TV documentaries.

   Irish Independent, http://www. independent. ie/national- news/shocking- documentaries- about-paedophile- priests-led-to- probes-1595180.html ; by John Cooney, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- THE controversy raging over the Church's handling of child sex abuse allegations has its roots in three powerful television documentaries broadcast more than a decade ago.
   'Dear Daughter', 'Sex in a Cold Climate' and 'States of Fear' caused huge public outrage in the early 1990s at the scale of cover-ups of child clerical abuse by bishops and religious superiors.
   The storm of public indignation at 'the sins of the Fathers and the Sisters' perpetrated behind the closed doors of parish houses, monasteries, seminaries and industrial schools led to the announcement in 1995 by the Government of its intention to set up a Commission of Inquiry.

• Church braced for revelations in other reports

[Decades - RCC]
   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Thursday January 08 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Irish Catholic Church is set to be rocked by further sex abuse revelations with the publication of further damning reports over the coming weeks.
   The report from the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation into how the archdiocese handled allegations of clerical child sex abuse between 1975 and April 2004 is expected to be published at the end of the month.
   In November, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin rang alarms bells with the revelation that as many as 400 children had been identified as possible victims of sex abuse by priests in the Dublin archdiocese.
   And further shock-waves are expected next month with the publication of the Ryan (formerly Laffoy) Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, on the abuse of children in reformatories, industrial schools and orphanages run by 18 Catholic religious congregations.

• Cardinal welcomes further inquiry into Cloyne

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Enabling offenders to keep offending.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, January 08, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE CATHOLIC primate, Cardinal Seán Brady, has welcomed a planned Government-backed inquiry into the handling of child abuse allegations in the Diocese of Cloyne.
   Accepting there was a "deficit of trust" in the Catholic Church, Cardinal Brady said he supported the Government's decision yesterday to extend the remit of the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation to include an inquiry into child protection practices in Cloyne.
   The commission is to report back its findings on Cloyne by July 7th, 2009, or "six months from today", as Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews said at a press conference yesterday. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 8, 2009 2:18 AM] [MEDITATIONS: "Welcomed"? Read 1 Corinthians 4:10, James 5:16. ENDS.]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Thu January 08, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Fri January 09, 2009 edition:

• Pastor arrested for sexual battery on 13 year old

[~ 1yr Kennedy -NEW*] - Christian. Girl (13-14).

   My Fox Orlando, ~ January 09, 2009
   LAKE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- A Lake County pastor was arrested Friday and charged with sexually battery on a girl of 13.
   Michael Kennedy, 53, allegedly committed the acts on the female victim when she was 13. The victim, who is now an adult, stated that Kennedy continued the abuse until she was 14.
   The victim told a relative about the incidents in December last year and the Lake County Sheriff's office was contacted. Detectives set up a phone call this week between the victim and Kennedy. During the conversation Kennedy admitted to her that the incidents occurred but said that God had forgiven him.

• Priest Suspended Over Sexual Abuse Allegations

[1940 or 1941 Alvin Adams -NEW*] - RCC. Minor.

   KDKA, ~ March 05, 2009
   PITTSBURGH (PA), (KDKA) -- A local Catholic priest has been suspended from the ministry after being accused of sexually abusing a minor 40 years ago.
   The alleged abuse happened at the now closed St. Canice Parish, located in the Knoxville section of Pittsburgh.
   "At the beginning of the week, an allegation came to us that someone had been abused by one of our priest, Fr. Al Adams, some 40 years ago - in that period, 40-41 - the victim wasn't quite sure," said Fr. Ron Lengwin. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on March 5, 2009 4:26 PM] During the hour-long proceeding, Reed's attorney, Everett Shockley, told the judge that juries can make mistakes. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:06 PM]
   [LOOK BACK: June 21, 24, 2008.]

• Former minister to serve 11 years in prison

[2000 Reed*] - Christian. 11yrs PRISON. Girl (8).
   Roanoke Times, By Shawna Morrison, 381-1665, ~ January 09, 2009
   RADFORD (VA) – A former minister will spend 11 years in prison for the sexual abuse of an 8-year-old girl, a judge ruled Thursday.
   In June, a jury found Hawthorne Reed Jr., 63, guilty of two counts of forcible sodomy and one count of aggravated sexual battery. Jurors recommended the 11-year sentence, which Circuit Court Judge Joey Showalter upheld after a hearing Thursday.

• Complaint asks for sheriff's files in alleged assault

[1991 Zalenski*] - RCC. Girl, and ≥1 other.

   The Daily Jeffersonian, by Rick Stillion / ~ January 09, 2009
   OHIO -- A former Guernsey County resident who alleges she was molested by a priest as a young girl has filed a complaint with the Fifth District Court of Appeals seeking to have the investigator's reports released as part of Ohio's Public Records Law.
   The alleged sexual assaults were investigated by the Guernsey County Sheriff's Office. The grand jury of the Common Pleas Court of Guernsey County on Oct. 1, 2008, declined to return an indictment against the alleged assailant.
   The complaint was filed by attorney Konrad Kircher of Mason on behalf of Beth Rocker, who currently resides in Israel.

• Amherst Businessman Accused of Ponzi Scheme

- High returns offered to RC leaders.

   WBFO, by Mark Scott, (2009-01-09), ~ January 09, 2009
   BUFFALO, NEW YORK STATE -- Federal prosecutors are accusing an Amherst man of running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded hundreds of local investors out of millions of dollars.
   Richard Piccoli, 82, is charged with a felony count of mail fraud. The US Attorney's office says Piccoli's business Gen-See Capital advertised in Catholic publications here and across the nation seeking investors, claiming high returns. Many of them were Catholic priests and parishes.

• Postcard: Adams

- RCs defending sacred sites.

   Time Magazine, for January 19, 2009
   {This essay includes a photo gallery.}
   NEW YORK (NY) -- On Friday evenings, Francis Hajdas takes his sleeping bag to church. He puts it down among the pews on the left side, close to the century-old carved-wood confessionals, before examining a folding table by a marble tomb of Jesus, which holds a spread of apples, candy canes, water and homemade cookies donated by supporters.
   "People come from near and far to drop off food and wish us good luck," says the retired Navy electronics specialist, 72. "Makes me feel good to know that should I go to jail for this, I did the right thing."
   On Dec. 26, Hajdas and about 50 other parishioners in this northern Berkshires town seized the church of St. Stanislaus Kostka to protest plans to shut it down. They say they'll keep their vigil until their appeal is heard by the Vatican--or until the Diocese of Springfield, which oversees Adams' churches, has them forcibly removed. [Posted by Terry McKiernan January 09, 2009 at 8:46 AM]

• It will be expensive, and guess who will foot much of the bill?

- Fundamentalist Mormons.

   Vancouver Sun, By Daphne Bramham, 2:05 AM, January 9, 2009
   CANADA -- With the arrest of two religious leaders from the fundamentalist Mormon community of Bountiful for practising polygamy, British Columbia began a long, complicated and expensive court battle that will almost certainly end up in the Supreme Court of Canada.
   Winston Blackmore -- the sometimes snarly, mostly cherubic face of Canadian polygamy -- issued a statement Thursday describing his arrest as religious persecution.
   Blackmore has long argued that practising polygamy is his religious right. Both he and James Oler are fundamentalist Mormons who follow all of the revelations of the religion's founder Joseph Smith including plural marriage, which was banned by the mainstream church in 1890.

• Father Richard John Neuhaus, 1936-2009

- RC eulogy to Fr Neuhaus.

   National Catholic Register, By Father Raymond J. de Souza, ~ January 09, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- With the death of Father Richard John Neuhaus on Jan. 8, the Catholic Church lost one of its greatest public intellectuals, a theologian who brought the light of the Gospel to the world of public life.
   More than that, though, Father Neuhaus made possible a new world of intellectual engagement with the culture. …
   Father Neuhaus' "The Public Square" was likely [= probably] the most popular religious commentary anywhere. In it, he championed the cause of cheerful orthodoxy, and the influence of the column was enormous. During the long sexual abuse scandals of this decade, Father Neuhaus repeatedly used his commentary to argue for the rights of the priests to due process and the failure of bishops to act as shepherds rather than managers. His was a lone voice at times.

• Ombudsman to investigate HSE and department

- RCC. Legal advice, too.

   The Irish Times, By MARK HENNESSY, Political Correspondent, for January 10, 2009
   IRELAND -- AN INVESTIGATION into how the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive handled the recent audit into child protection policies in the Catholic Church is to be carried out by Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan.
   She said her office would be looking at whether there had been any "maladministration" on the part of either the HSE or the department in the handling of the audit.
   Ms Logan said yesterday that legal advice given to the church and others barring the release of information about child abuse cases was now "an obstacle" to protecting children.

• Father claims accused priest was living near school and creche

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC lets predator wander 13yrs after. Teen girl.

   Irish Examiner, By Sean O'Riordan, ~ January 09, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE father of a teenage girl who was allegedly sexually abused for a number of years by a priest based in Co Cork has claimed the cleric is not being supervised as promised and still has access to young people.
   The family of the teenager believe there are many more victims of the priest who have not reported incidents to the gardaí and they are urging them to do so.
   Allegations made by the teenager's father emerged during an interview with RTÉ News yesterday.
   The father said that 13 years after reporting the matter to Bishop John Magee of the Diocese of Cloyne, the priest in question was often seen out on his own.

• 'That man was a pervert and they protected him all the way'

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Predator wants reinstatement.
   Irish Examiner, By Claire O'Sullivan, ~ January 09, 2009
   IRELAND -- SINEAD is a woman in her late forties. A professional person leading a normal life.
   Or so it seems.
   But every time she is out for a walk or driving around town and a certain model car in a particular colour whizzes past, she's freezes – unable to lift an arm or breathe – and is rendered speechless.
   It doesn't have to be his car. It doesn't have to be him. All it takes is the possibility that it could be that car.
   Her alleged abuser is without a parish but this hasn't stopped him pressing the Diocese of Cloyne for years to be re-instated. At one point, it is believed they considered taking him off restricted ministry and putting him back on a full one. Thankfully they didn't. But he still has a good life. He is still a man about town who likes a round of golf, the thunder of the hoof on the racetrack and a night playing cards with friends.

• Father claims Cloyne priest has access to children

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Predator chatting to very young woman. Teen girl.

   Irish Examiner, By Claire O'Sullivan and Sean O'Riordan, ~ January 09, 2009
   IRELAND -- A PRIEST alleged to be a serial sex abuser has not been properly supervised by the Diocese of Cloyne and since being removed from his ministry, and has lived less than half a mile from a school and creche.
   The claim has been made by the father of one of the priest's alleged victims, who says the cleric is often seen out and about on his own, and was recently spotted in a shop chatting to a very young woman.
   The victim's father said the family were promised the priest would be supervised, but he believed these assurances were "nonsense".

• Ombudsman to investigate abuse audit

- RCC.

   RTE News, with video, 20:39, Friday, January 9, 2009
   IRELAND -- The Ombudsman for Children is to investigate the official handling of the HSE's audit of child protection in Catholic dioceses outside Dublin, the results of which were published on Wednesday.
   Emily Logan announced that she will examine whether the safety of children or good public administration were compromised by the HSE's and the Department of Health's acceptance of the church's refusal to answer section five of the audit.
   Section five sought detailed information on complaints and allegations of clerical child sexual abuse, asking whether these had been notified to the civil authorities.

• Ombudsman to investigate child protection audit

- Risked their jobs, for what?
   The Irish Times, January 09, 2009
   IRELAND -- Health chiefs are to be investigated over the handling of clerical abuse allegations in the Catholic Church, it emerged tonight.
   Children's Ombudsman Emily Logan said her office will probe if there has been any maladministration by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Department of Health when it carried out an audit on child protection issues in Dioceses across the country, including Cork's scandal-hit Diocese of Cloyne.
   The beleaguered Bishop of Cloyne John Magee, a former Vatican aide, has faced down repeated calls to resign over his handling of child sex abuse allegations.

• 10 Irish bishops weigh in calls for Bishop Magee's resignation

[RCC 40% ostrich.]

Catholic Culture, ~ January 09, 2009
IRELAND -- The Irish Times sought comment yesterday from bishops of 26 Irish dioceses on whether Bishop John Magee should resign in light of a government report on the clerical abuse scandal in his Diocese of Cloyne. Four of the 10 bishops who responded to the query said Bishop Magee should not resign; the other six, including Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, offered more ambiguous comments.

• Diane Knight Named New Chair of The National Review Board

- RCC. Social worker gets post.

   United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, ~ January 09, 2009
   WASHINGTON (DC) -- Social worker Diane Knight of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has been appointed the next chair of the National Review Board (NRB) by Cardinal Francis George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
   The retired Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and member of the National Review Board since June of 2007, Ms. Knight will succeed its current chair, Judge Michael Merz, at the conclusion of his term following the June 2009 meeting of the USCCB. In making the appointment, Cardinal George stated that he is very grateful that Ms. Knight, with her dedication to the mission of the Church and her experience in the protection of children and young people, has agreed to serve as the chair of the NRB.
   Ms. Knight spent the first 20 years of her career in social work directly involved in child protection and related services for Milwaukee County. She currently serves on the Community Advisory Board, which, along with the Archdiocesan Review Board, advises the Milwaukee Archbishop on child and youth protection and victim outreach, and on the Milwaukee Area Review Board, which advises orders of Catholic religious men and brothers in the area of child and youth protection. She also served on the Code of Ethics Task Force of Catholic Charities USA. Ms. Knight holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

• US shuts 'Ponzi' scheme targetting priests

[Preyed on RCs]
   The Times (United Kingdom), by Robin Pagnamenta, ~ January 09, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- The US Government has shut-down two new Ponzi investment scams, including a scheme involving an 82-year old alleged fraudster who targetted Catholic priests, cemetery funds and religious orders.
   The closure of the two schemes emerged as the fallout from the alleged $50 billion swindle perpetrated by Bernard Madoff, the New York fund manager, intensified.
   A Ponzi scheme, named after the swindler Charles Ponzi, is a fraudulent investment operation that pays abnormally high returns to investors out of money put into the scheme by subsequent investors, rather than from real profits generated by share trading.

• Archbishop Locks Uptown Catholic Churches Out of Pride?

- RCC. "Our Lady of Good Counsel" prayer vigil - off, then on.
   Bayou Buzz, By Christopher Tidmore, ctidmore@louisianaweekly.com , ~ January 09, 2009
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- It is never a good idea to dumbfound an Archbishop.
   Journalists who trip up Roman Catholic prelates sometimes cause the police to be called. And, people at vigil prayer in the disputed suppressed parishes pay the price.
   Increasingly, it appears that the public timing of the police raids and arrests of two prominent New Orleanians on Tuesday engaging in a prayer vigil at two Uptown Catholic Churches, Our Lady of Good Counsel and St. Henry's, came in part as a result of the public embarrassment of announcing the end of a vigil protest that had not yet ended.
   The very news that caused Archbishop Alfred Hughes to stand dumbfounded before rolling television cameras on Saturday morning, January 3, 2009.
   At nine-thirty that morning, a press release from the Archdiocese announcing the conclusion of the nearly four month vigil at Our Lady of Good Counsel appeared in the author's email box. Ultimately, that press release would set in motion a change reaction of events that resulted in the arrests of two prominent New Orleanians, the forcible closure of two historic churches, a series of angry recriminations against the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and what promises to be an ugly court fight.
   At [COMMENT: Well, at least we know that bishops who took court action saying that the PARISHES owned the parish buildings (so the DIOCESE did not have to pay for its lax attitude to pervert priests) will not be quoting New Orleans, if they continue such court actions! ENDS]

• Sex Abuse Victims Challenge Catholic Bishop

[Murray] - RCC.
   Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, January 08, 2009
   WYOMING -- A national support group for clergy sex abuse victims is blasting Wyoming's Catholic bishop for staying silent about one of his priests who molested a child and was recently jailed for violating his probation.
   In 2006, Fr. John Murray pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a girl in 1976 and 1977 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Casper. Three months ago, Murray spent a week behind bars because his probation agent saw him with kids. According to his plea deal, Murray is required to get the approval of his probation agent and sex offender therapist before being around youngsters.
   That news became public this week then the Star Tribune newspaper reported it, which upsets leaders of a Chicago based self help group called SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests).

• Ponzi scheme targets Catholic investors, including three locally

[2000s Piccoli] - RCC. US $17m.
   Democrat and Chronicle, by Michael Zeigler, January 9, 2009
   NEW YORK -- An Erie County man is charged with running an illegal Ponzi scheme that allegedly defrauded 250 Roman Catholic investors – at least three in Monroe County – of $17 million.
   Richard S. Piccoli, 82, of Amherst, appeared Thursday in U.S. District Court in Buffalo on a felony charge of mail fraud.
   He also faces a civil complaint, brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, alleging that he committed securities fraud.

• HSE went ahead with audit despite lack of details

-RCC.

   Irish Independent, By Eilish O'Regan, Friday January 09 2009
   IRELAND -- The HSE yesterday admitted it decided to go ahead with its audit of child protection policies in Catholic Church dioceses even though it knew it could not receive all the information it needed.
   The audit of each diocese did not have details about cases of alleged child abuse or even the number of priests involved because the bishops refused to comply with this Section 5 part of the audit questionnaire on legal grounds.
   A spokesman for the HSE said yesterday: "The HSE did seek legal advice on this matter.
   [COMMENT: No legal advice necessary when dealing with RCC leaders and some lower down. Read Crimen Sollicitationis and wake up! ENDS.]

• Bishop clings to post as fresh abuse inquiry offers reprieve

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Govt. to "inquire" for months.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney and Ralph Riegel, Friday January 09 2009
   IRELAND -- BISHOP of Cloyne John Magee is expected to cling on to his post while a new report is prepared into clerical abuse controversies in his diocese.
   A July deadline is seen as giving the Bishop a six-month reprieve in which to salvage some of his badly bruised public image, and restore his pastoral authority.
   The Government has ordered the new probe by the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation, after the publication of a HSE audit earlier this week. [MEDITATION: What "pastoral authority" is left? Can the blind lead the blind? Physician, heal yourself. ENDS]

• Church and State failing our vulnerable children

[Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Did not report paedophiles. <
   Irish Independent, Friday January 09 2009
   IRELAND -- Commenting in this newspaper in the immediate aftermath of the publication of the Church's own Cloyne report I wrote that any set of child protection guidelines, no matter how comprehensive, are only as good as those implementing them. This is as true of the State as it is of the Church.
   The Church's guidelines, Our Children Our Church, are excellent. The State's guidelines, Children First, are also excellent.
   However, both sets of guidelines are not being implemented evenly. The failure of the Church we know about, courtesy of Bishop John Magee who is astoundingly resisting all calls to resign, included de facto calls from the two most senior Churchmen in the country, Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

• Letter warned of 'defamatory' attributions in abuse report

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Falsehoods.
   The Irish Times, January 06, 2009
   IRELAND -- THIS IS the full text of a letter from the chairman of the Interdiocesan Case Management Advisory Committee, representing the diocese of Cloyne, to Aidan Canavan, chairman of the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC).
   Dear Mr Canavan,
   Bishop John Magee of Cloyne has repeatedly advised you that he wishes to work in the closest collaboration with the National Safeguarding Board for Children.
   Bishop Magee made available to us a document entitled: Report on the Management of Two Child Protection Cases in the Diocese of Cloyne, signed by Ian Elliott, chief executive officer, National Safeguarding Board for Children, Catholic Church of Ireland. The report was written in the name of the members of the board. Bishop Magee made the report available to us because it makes reference to the Interdiocesan Case Management Advisory Committee of which we are members and in which we therefore have an interest. …
   Your report makes assertions and assumptions that are false and it makes attributions that are defamatory of the members of the Interdiocesan Case Management Advisory Committee. It also makes very serious omissions which further distort the truth.
   [COMMENT: See how breaking one of the Commandments leads to more Commandments being broken, by someone, somewhere, sometime? ENDS.]

• HEADS OF GALWAY DIOCESES BELIEVE BISHOP OF CLOYNE SHOULD STAY

- RC bishops stick together.

   Galway News, Fri January 9, 2009
   IRELAND -- The Archbishop of Tuam and Bishop of Clonfert, both believe Bishop John Magee should remain in his position in the diocese of Cloyne in Cork.
   Archbishop Michael Neary, says "it's important each diocese continues to work towards providing a safe and secure environment for children."
   According to today's Irish Times, Archbishop Neary says "it would not seem unreasonable" that Bishop John Magee remain in the diocese of Cloyne.
   [MEDITATE: "Not … unreasonable" A coyote caring for the sheep and lambs! Or have we reached Isaiah 11:6-7 ? ENDS.]

• Polygamy charges the best option

- Fundamentalist Mormons.

   Times Colonist, Published: Friday, January 09, 2009
   CANADA -- There is no point in having laws against polygamy that are never enforced. In fact, such laws are destructive. They offer the illusion that Canadians are protected from the harms that can result from the practice of multiple marriages; that in turn stands in the way of meaningful action to protect the vulnerable from abuse.
   On that basis, the charges against the rival leaders of two religious sects in southeastern B.C. are welcome. The legal process will, at least, bring need clarity to the status of Canada's 116-year-old prohibition of polygamy and help establish the need for some form of protection from potential exploitation as a result of the practice.

• In Alamo case, judge OKs plan to pull video

- Alamo Christian Ministries.

   Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, BY ANDY DAVIS, Posted on Friday, January 9, 2009
   TEXARKANA, Arkansas -- A judge Thursday approved an agreement requiring the mother of a 16-year-old member of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries to take steps to have a video recording of investigators' interview with the girl removed from an Internet site.
   Also, the Arkansas Department of Human Services is investigating to find out who provided recordings of interviews with five other girls to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, department spokesman Julie Munsell said.
   "Unlike the {video of the 16-year-old}, it's not clear who distributed this set of videos," Munsell said. "We don't really have anyone, at this point, to take any action against."

• Delay for Evangelist Sex Abuse Trial

- Alamo Ministries.
First Coast News, ~ January 09, 2009 TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) -- A federal judge on Thursday delayed the trial of jailed evangelist Tony Alamo on charges he took young girls across state lines for sex.
U.S. District Judge Harry F. Barnes reset Alamo's trial to begin on May 11. The trial had been scheduled to begin on Feb. 2, but Alamo's lawyer John Wesley Hall Jr. objected to the start date, saying he needed more time to prepare.

• Local pastor sex abuse case will go to trial

[2003-05 Budd] - Christian. Woman.
   Winona Daily News, By KEVIN BEHR / kbehr@winonadailynews.com , January 09, 2009
   MINNESOTA -- The jury trial for the Rev. Donald Dean Budd will be held as scheduled, Judge Jeff Thompson announced Thursday in court.
   Budd is accused of fondling a congregant several times in their respective homes and at church over several counseling sessions between summer 2003 and fall 2005. Police used a wire tap to obtain some information that led to the charges.
   The trial is set to begin with jury selection at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 9, with the first witnesses to be called in the morning Feb. 10.
   Thompson asked the attorneys on both sides of the case if there was "anything special" he needed to know ahead of trial.
   [LOOK BACK: ~ August 06, 2008.]

• When the perpetrator pretends to be the victim

- RCC.
   Examiner, By Kevin Masterson, LA Religion & Spirituality Examiner, January 8, 2009
   {This article references the author's important review, Having doubt about 'Doubt'.}
   MAINE -- Paul Kendrick is a long time advocate for victims of clergy sexual abuse in Maine. Last year, he stood with other advocates & survivors each Sunday in front of the Cathedral Parish in Portland leafleting, requesting that Bishop Richard J. Malone of the Diocese of Portland identify & release the names of all credibly accused perpetrators and remove them from ministry immediately. He sent the following letter to Bishop Malone, as he planned to attend the Christmas Midnight Mass at Cathedral Parish a few weeks ago. Surprisingly he was told he was not welcome. In turn, the Portland Diocese initiated civil legal action. Bishop Malone claimed he felt "threatened."

• Abuse claims against Catholic diocese still coming in

- Bankrupt RC diocese has double claims.

   KTUU, by Channel 2 News Staff, Thursday, January 8, 2009
   FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- Abuse claims against the Fairbanks Catholic Diocese continue to grow.
   The diocese said since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, the number of people charging sexual abuse by priests and church workers has more than doubled.
   Calls from victims are still coming in, and new offenders are being listed among the more recent claims of sexual abuse.

• Plover woman sues La Crosse diocese

[1971 Bornbach*] - RCC. Girl.

   Chippewa Herald, 2:47 PM CST, Thursday, January 8, 2009
   LA CROSSE, Wis. - A Plover woman has filed a civil lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse, claiming it knew a priest had a history of molesting children, yet let him continue to work with youngsters.
   Forty-six-year-old Brenda Varga claims in her lawsuit that church officials assigned the Rev. Raymond Bornbach to a parish in Hewitt in 1968, even though they knew he was abusing children.
   Varga says Bornbach molested her in 1971 when she was in third grade. Although The Associated Press does not usually name sexual assault victims, Varga has talked publicly about her case.

• Claims of abuse by priests double

- Bankrupt RC diocese has double claims.

   Anchorage Daily News, The Associated Press, ~ January 09, 2009
   FAIRBANKS, ALASKA -- Since The Fairbanks Catholic Diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, the number of people alleging sexual abuse by diocesan priests and church workers has more than doubled.
   The diocese filed for bankruptcy last March. Since then another 152 people have come forward and filed allegations with the court. That brings the latest tally to 292 people claiming they were sexually abused by Catholic clergy from the 1950s to 1980s, officials said.

• Prosecutor wanted to appeal acquittals

[≤ 2001 Fr. Lapierre] - ? RCC. ? male.

   Standard-Freeholder, By TREVOR PRITCHARD, ~ January 09, 2009
   CANADA -- The prosecutor for a number of Project Truth trials actively encouraged one sexual abuse victim to continue pursuing his allegations against a Catholic priest after the priest was acquitted in Ontario, the Cornwall Public Inquiry heard yesterday.
   Assistant Crown attorney Alain Godin said that Claude Marleau was "completely crushed" after an Ontario court acquitted Rev. Paul Lapierre in September 2001.
   "He was in shock," said Godin, who testified mostly in French. "I didn't even know if he wanted to talk to me." [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 8:02 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Fri January 09, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sat January 10, 2009 edition:

• Teen says he was sexually abused at church treatment facility

[2005 Bayles -NEW*] - Methodist. Boy inmate (16).

   The Record, By Kelly Holleran - Berkeley Bureau, 9:00 AM, Jan/9/2009
   MARTINSBURG (WV) -- A 16-year-old boy who alleges he was sexually abused while a resident in a juvenile treatment facility has filed suit against the Board of Child Care of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church and one of its employees.
   The teenager, who is only mentioned as John Doe throughout the suit, claims he was repeatedly sexually abused by David Bayles, an employee of the facility, during the summer of 2005, according to a complaint Mary Ritter filed on his behalf in Berkeley Circuit Court on Dec. 2.
   "The sexual abuse included repeated acts of touching and rubbing of the plaintiff's penis and buttocks and the performance of oral sex on the plaintiff by David Bayles," the suit states.

• Pastor accused of sexually assaulting teen

[? 2000s Kennedy -NEW*] - E.R. African Methodist Episcopal. Girl (13-14).
   Daily Commercial, By MILLARD K. IVES, January 10, 2009
   WILDWOOD (FL) -- A pastor was arrested Friday on accusations of repeatedly sexually assaulting a teenaged girl.
   Michael E. Kennedy, 51, of Mount Dora, was charged with two counts of sexual battery. He was being held at the Lake County jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.
   Kennedy is a pastor at the Ebenezer Royal African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wildwood, according to the sheriff's office.

• Teacher faces sexual abuse lawsuit

[Mr Vaillancourt -NEW*] - RCC. Schoolboy - rape, cruelty.
   The Herald News, By Will Richmond, 08:38 PM, Posted Jan 09, 2009
   FALL RIVER (MA) – An adult former student of the Notre Dame School is suing the Fall River Diocese and his former teacher amid allegations he was raped as a boy.
   The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Fall River Superior Court, alleges the teacher, identified as Albert J. Vaillancourt, would single out male students for discipline that would lead to inappropriate touching. The lawsuit also accuses Vaillancourt of having the former student come to his home to mow his lawn and then asking him to come inside where he raped the boy, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
   The accuser, who is identified in court documents as John Doe, states in the affidavit that Vaillancourt would call him up to his desk during class and would proceed to "grab my neck and push my head down on his desk with great force." Vaillancourt would then hold him in that position with his nose on his desk or tell him not to move.

• Gardaí didn't disclose Cloyne abuse complaint for two years

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Police didn't tell childcare 2005-07.

   Sunday Business Post, By John Burke, and Kieron Wood, Sunday, January 11, 2009
   IRELAND -- Gardaí failed to inform childcare authorities about a complaint of sexual abuse in the diocese of Cloyne for more than two years, it has emerged.
   New documents released with an audit of the management of abuse complaints in the diocese reveal that Bishop John Magee informed a senior Garda about the complaint in December 2005. However, when the victim asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) about the status of the case in August 2007,the HSE said it had never been informed about the matter.
   Gardaí held more than a dozen meetings with the bishop, the victim and representatives of the self-confessed abuser between December 6, 2005 and March 2007, but never contacted the HSE's childcare and protection team.

• Vigil at St. Stan's to be featured in Time magazine

- RCC. Laypeople protect holy site from leaders.

   Berkshire Eagle, By Scott Stafford, Saturday, January 10, 2009
   ADAMS (MA) -- The St. Stanislaus Kostka parishioners' vigil to keep their church open is featured in the next edition of Time magazine hitting newsstands Monday.
   In fact, the growing effort to prevent Catholic church closings is garnering growing media attention, including a front-page story that appeared last week in The New York Times about the ongoing vigils in Boston titled "Quiet Rebellion."
   And a news crew for WNYT, Albany television channel 13, stopped into St. Stan's Friday for interviews and footage. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:44 PM]

• Brenda Power: In the name of God, just go

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Lied to Govt. and threatened to stop Church's own report.

   The Sunday Times (United Kingdom), by Brenda Power, ~ January 10, 2009
   IRELAND -- Bishop John Magee was reckless and dangerous when it came to the protection of children. He didn't give a perceptible hoot for vulnerable young people at risk from alleged rapists and sexual predators.
   He lied to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to conceal a child-abuse allegation. He lied again when he claimed his diocese complied with all child-protection guidelines. And he did his level best, including legal sabre-rattling, to impede a report exposing this behaviour by a body set up by his own church.
   We've had to wade through acres of media coverage to figure that much out. Dell might think it has mastered the weaselly euphemism, with lines like "manufacturing migration", "release of employees" and "career outplacement" to avoid saying it has sacked 1,900 people in Limerick, but we heard far more impressive examples of dodgy double-speak in the official reaction to the Cloyne scandal last week.

• A cause for concern

- Fr Michael Higginbottom inquiry since 2004.

   Northern Echo, 9:22am, Saturday January 10, 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM -- WE welcome the appointment of a new Roman Catholic Bishop for Hexham and Newcastle.
   Canon Seamus Cunningham takes up his new job at a time when the pastoral work of the church has never been more important.
   While some folk yearn for the days when bishops kept their thoughts on social and political issues to themselves, the Church has a crucial role to play in these important topics.
   But before the new bishop can get to grips with the social issues of a recession, there is another urgent problem much closer to home that needs solving.
   This newspaper has highlighted the issue of Father Michael Higginbottom a number of times already.
   The well-loved parish priest was suspended from St Augustine's Church, in Darlington, in 2004. The Catholic Church said it was conducting an investigation into allegations made against him.
   Four years later, Fr Higginbottom remains suspended. No allegations of a sexual or violent nature have been laid against him and he has never been interviewed. His whereabouts are uncertain.

• The actions of the bishops are an absolute disgrace

[Decades - Cloyne Diocese; Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. All but 2 RC bishops back him, former confidant of Popes.

   Sunday Business Post, By Vincent Browne, Sunday, January 11, 2009
   IRELAND -- The continued conduct of the Catholic bishops over child abuse is unspeakable. Not just John Magee, the bishop of Cloyne, but all of them - with the notable exceptions of Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin and Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh.
   But first John Magee, the former private secretary and confidant of Pope Paul VI, the former private secretary of Pope John Paul I during his brief pontificate and, briefly, private secretary to the late Pope John Paul II. John Magee is now an episcopal embarrassment.
   Barry Andrews, the Minister for Children, gave the following account of official dealings with Magee and the Cloyne diocese. On November 23, 2005, Magee gave the assurance:
   "In our endeavour to ensure a safe environment for children in the diocese of Cloyne, we have initiated a process that is fully compliant with the Church and state guidelines and, specifically, the established guidelines for notifying the Gardaí and the HSE of allegations of clerical sexual abuse."

• Crisis deepens for Catholic Church

[Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. 4 seducers not reported to HSE.
   Sunday Business Post, By John Burke, Sunday, January 11, 2009
   IRELAND -- The Catholic Church in Ireland is facing a difficult year, if the past ten days are anything to go by. The decision last week by Minister for Children Barry Andrews to ask an inquiry team to examine the handling of clerical abuse complaints in the Cork diocese of Cloyne followed the revelation that the diocese had failed to report clerical abuse allegations to the HSE.
   Bishop John Magee told gardaí in December 2005 about a complaint of abuse dating back to the early 1980s against a priest dubbed 'Fr W'. He breached agreed childcare guidelines established after the 2005 Ferns Inquiry by failing separately to tell the HSE about the case.
   Magee told a team of HSE auditors that he made a genuine mistake. The long-awaited HSE audit into the handling of complaints made in each of the country's Catholic dioceses, published last Tuesday, showed there were four allegations of abuse against clerics in Cloyne diocese which Magee had also not told the HSE about.

• Embattled bishop still has support in Cloyne

[Years - Bp Magee] - RCC. Former confidant of Popes.

   Sunday Business Post, By Kieran Wood, Sunday, January 11, 2009
   IRELAND -- John Magee was marked out as a high flier from the time the 18-year-old Newry teenager joined the Kiltegan Fathers in 1954.
   Ordained in Rome on St Patrick's Day 1962, Magee spent six years in Nigeria before returning to Rome as Procurator General of the Kiltegan Fathers and, from 1969 to 1975, as an official of the Vatican's Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. …
   Magee sprang to public prominence when Pope John Paul I died after just a month in office. He was said to have found the pope dead in bed on the morning of September 28 1978, although subsequent reports suggested that the body had been found by a nun. In a radio interview in 1990, Magee told RTE that he had found the Pope's body - he just hadn't found it first.
   Last September, in an interview with the Italian weekly Diva e Donna, Magee claimed that John Paul I had died of exhaustion brought on by the stress of his election. Magee said he had been suspected of poisoning the pope, and was interviewed by Interpol. "I had a terrible time, and it was Wojtyla [John Paul II] who saved me: he had confidence in me and named me a bishop," he said.

• Board of Supes Invite Pedo-Priest Apologist To Give Invocation This Monday

- RCC "enabler" preferred.

   Orange County Weekly, Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Ex Cathedra, 2:34 PM, January 10, 2009
   CALIFORNIA -- What is it with the Orange County Board of Supervisors and their love of pedophile apologists? In 2006, Third District Supe Bill Campbell tried placing Monsignor John Urell, the right-hand man of Diocese of Orange bishops for a good decade of their sex-abuse scandal, on the county's human relations commission until molestation victims raised rightful holy hell. Now, an addendum to this Monday's BoS agenda currently lists Monsignor Lawrence Baird as giving the invocation at 9:30 in the morn.
   Baird is a notorious figure in the Orange diocese's sex-abuse scandal. As its longtime spokeshole, it was his job to deny any scandal to reporters and spin, spin, spin when confronted with reality. Most notoriously, he called Michael Harris, the former principal of Mater Dei and Santa Margarita high schools, an "icon to the priesthood" to reporters after Harris had quit the latter job in 1994 even though the Orange diocese already knew at that point that Harris--who was battling sex-abuse lawsuits--liked teenage boys.

• Rest up, Your Catholic Priest Abuse Story Fatigue may Soon be put to the Test

- Did RCC cover up in Tennessee?
   Nashville Scene, by Caleb Hannan, Posted 04:28:35 PM, January 07, 2009
   TENNESSEE -- At this point, there's a good chance that any combination of the words "Catholic priest", "sex" and/or "abuse" cause you to immediately turn the page (or scroll down, as it were). No matter how much we empathize with victims, especially kids, it's hard not to feel battered by the sheer volume of news stories that have been published, especially the onslaught since 2003's landmark settlement against the Boston Archdiocese.
   So, just a warning, there may be reason to steel yourself for further inundation.
   A Memphis law firm is waiting to see if they'll be able to sue the local diocese for knowingly covering up priest abuse. They've appealed with the Supreme Court and will find out, at an undetermined date in the near future, if their case will be heard.

• Bishop clings to post as fresh abuse inquiry offers reprieve

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Misled Irish authorities.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney and Ralph Riegel, Friday January 09 2009
   IRELAND -- BISHOP of Cloyne John Magee is expected to cling on to his post while a new report is prepared into clerical abuse controversies in his diocese.
   A July deadline is seen as giving the Bishop a six-month reprieve in which to salvage some of his badly bruised public image, and restore his pastoral authority.
   The Government has ordered the new probe by the Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation, after the publication of a HSE audit earlier this week.
   It emerged Bishop Magee had misled authorities when he told the HSE he was compliant with child protection guidelines, but had not informed authorities one of his priests was under investigation for abuse claims.

• Bishop warns activist to stay clear or face arrest, sanctions

- Stay clear, or expulsion.

   Catholic Review, Catholic News Service, ~ January 10, 2009
   PORTLAND, Maine – The bishop of Portland has warned an advocate for abuse victims to stay away from him and the cathedral or risk being arrested and losing the right to participate in the church's sacraments.
   Bishop Richard J. Malone said in an article posted on the diocesan Web site that after years of harassment by Paul Kendrick, he felt it necessary to seek the assistance and protection of the Portland Police Department, and as bishop to caution Mr. Kendrick about possible ecclesial repercussions.
   Bishop Malone's action came after Kendrick sent the bishop a letter saying he planned to attend Christmas Eve Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and would act in ways intended to remind him about a local case of sexual abuse by a priest.

• VOTF heeds 'Call to Action'

- VOTF still at the beginning.

   The Hour, By FRANCIS X. FAY JR., Hour Senior Staff Writer, ~ January 10, 2009
   NORWALK (CT) -- Voice of the Faithful members of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport took heart this week from an address by Paul Scarbrough of Norwalk, a member of the national board of "Call to Action," an organization that has been seeking church reform much longer than VOTF.
   They took heart because Scarbrough told them that they are in a typical stage in the development of social movements.
   "Your organization has reached a period after seven years where membership has plateaued, media interest has faded and a general feeling of powerlessness and hopelessness has raised the potential for burnout," he told the 38 members attending the session in the First Congregational Church on the Green in Norwalk.
   "The power structure and media claim your movement has failed and some of the public may be turned off by your rebelliousness. It seems like the end, but in fact, it is the just the beginning."
   [HISTORICAL NOTE: Wycliffe and other precursors of reform were pushed down by the RC authorities, until later reformers gave them a chance to repent and be conformed to true teaching, but many do not. ENDS.]

• Ombudsman orders inquiry into child protection audit

- Did public servants fail?

   Irish Independent, By Eilish O'Regan, Health Correspondent, Saturday January 10, 2009
   IRELAND -- The Children's Ombudsman is to investigate whether the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) failed to adequately demand key information from the Catholic bishops on sexual abuse during the child protection audit.
   Ombudsman Emily Logan wants to find out if any child was adversely affected in any way as a result of the way in which the audit, conducted by the HSE, was carried out and managed. Ms Logan's probe will focus in particular on her concerns the HSE and the Department of Health failed to properly pursue the Catholic Bishops for information on specific allegations and cases of child abuse -- without naming anyone -- and the number of priests under investigation.
   The refusal by bishops, on legal grounds, to complete Section 5 of the questionnaire sent to them by the HSE meant the final audit report had to acknowledge it could not confirm if child protection guidelines were being implemented on the ground.

• Cloyne to probe new claim

- RCC.
   Irish Independent, by Ralph Riegel, Saturday January 10 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Diocese of Cloyne last night said it would investigate claims that one of the clerics at the centre of child abuse allegations is still in contact with youngsters.
   The promise came as the father of a Cork girl, who complained that she was abused by the cleric, said he had information that the man was recently in contact with a youngster.
   He said he was very concerned to have heard from a friend who had spotted the cleric in a shop talking to a youngster.
   The teen was working in a retail outlet and was apparently approached and engaged in conversation by the priest. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:05 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Sat January 10, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sun January 11, 2009 edition:

• Victim tracks down perpetrator, speaks at a conference where ephebophile priest hiding out in Italy, now gets to see him laicized in New Jersey

[? 1990s Tully -NEW* (Xaverian)] - RCC. Living unsupervised. Transferred back and forth. Victim was male trainee priest.

   City of Angels, By Kay Ebeling, ~ January 11, 2009
   Six months from the day Bill Nash stood in front of the press in Springfield, Massachusetts and said the priest who raped him as a young seminarian should be punished, the Rev. James Tully has petitioned his religious order for laicization. Nash tracked down Tully (pictured above left) to the village of Vicenza, Italy, and became alarmed reading that the ephebophile priest was living somewhat unsupervised in a Xaverian Religious Order property.
   Last June, July, and November, Nash held press conferences, and handed out releases saying: "Local man learns that his Predator lives at facility where Youth Events are held." Nash went way past Google in his internet searches and made contact with an Italian organization that tracks pedophiles.
   As a result Nash got an "almost all expenses paid" trip to Vicenza, Italy, in December 2008, where he spoke to a conference on the issue of pedophilia. He hoped to confront Tully on the trip, but weeks before the conference, Nash found out Tully had been transfered back to New Jersey, to the town of Wayne, where the Xaverian Religious Order has its US headquarters.
   At the December conference in Vicenza, Italy, Nash even translated his speech so he could deliver it in Italian to the group. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 3:57 PM]

• Irish prelates welcome probe of Cloyne child-protection practices

- RCC.

   The Catholic Review (United States), By Cian Molloy, Catholic News Service, ~ January 11, 2009
   DUBLIN, Ireland – Two leading Irish Catholic churchmen welcomed news that a government commission will investigate the child-protection policy and practices in the Diocese of Cloyne.
   Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, Northern Ireland, and Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin welcomed the decision to extend to Cloyne a judicial inquiry already under way in the Archdiocese of Dublin.
   "I welcome the measures announced today" by Irish Children's Minister Barry Andrews "aimed at restoring full confidence in the church's work to safeguard children," Cardinal Brady said Jan. 7.

• Police called to church as bishop celebrates Mass

- RCC.

   WHDH, ~ January 11, 2009
   SCARBOROUGH, Maine -- Church officials called police Sunday when demonstrators showed up to support the mother of a clergy abuse victim, but there were no arrests.
   About 30 people upset with the bishop's failure to meet Marie Tupper in Boothbay Harbor attended St. Maximilian Kolbe parish, where Roman Catholic Bishop Richard Malone was installing a new pastor Sunday.
   The survivor advocates wore buttons and stickers that said, "Bishop Malone: Please Meet with Marie Tupper," said Michael Sweatt, one of demonstrators. About 25 of the participants, some from as far away as Boston, received communion but didn't address the bishop, he said.
   Scarborough Police Sgt. Steve Thibodeau confirmed officers were sent to the church. He said the officers were not needed and that there were no arrests. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 11, 2009 10:40 PM]

• Parents say Bishop Magee can no longer be trusted

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Female abused for several years.

   The Irish Times, By BARRY ROCHE, Southern Correspondent, ~ January 11, 2009
   IRELAND -- BISHOP OF Cloyne John Magee can no longer be trusted to handle allegations of clerical child sexual abuse and should step down, according to the parents of a young woman who alleges that she was sexually abused for several years by a priest in the diocese.
   The couple said they had no wish to engage in anything that would damage the Catholic Church but they believed people could no longer trust Dr Magee to handle any complaints of clerical child sexual abuse given the manner in which he had dealt with their daughter's complaint.
   "Who could trust our friend in Cobh to do the right thing now about anything. That's the bottom line – I don't want to get at him but as I said, his tenure is flawed … there's an obligation on him to stand down and let the new broom clean up the mess that's there.

• Andrews urged to fast-track legislation to protect children

- RCC.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, for January 12, 2009
   IRELAND -- MINISTER FOR Children Barry Andrews is being urged to fasttrack legislation aimed at protecting children from abuse amid continuing concern about the Catholic Church's response to allegations of abuse in the Diocese of Cloyne.
   Fine Gael Senate leader Frances Fitzgerald said urgent legislation was needed to ensure the protection of children following what she described as "gross mishandling in the Diocese of Cloyne of allegations of child sexual abuse".
   She said Mr Andrews should "bring before the Houses of the Oireachtas urgent legislation to ensure adequate protections for children."

• Vatican diplomat Cardinal Pio Laghi dead at 86

- RCC.

   The Associated Press, By NICOLE WINFIELD, ~ January 11, 2009
   VATICAN CITY (AP) – Cardinal Pio Laghi, a longtime Vatican diplomat who went to Washington to try to dissuade U.S. President George W. Bush from launching the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has died, the Vatican said Sunday. He was 86.
   Laghi died Saturday evening in Rome, said Vatican spokesman the Rev. Ciro Benedettini. He had been unwell in hospital for some time, news reports said.

• Police called to church as bishop celebrates Mass

- RC bishop won't meet victim's mother.

   Maine Today, The Associated Press wire report 02:39 PM, January 11, 2009
   SCARBOROUGH (ME) -- Church officials called Scarborough police when demonstrators showed up to support the mother of a clergy abuse victim, but there were no arrests.
   About 30 people upset with the bishop's failure to meet Marie Tupper of Boothbay Harbor attended St. Maximilian Kolbe parish, where Roman Catholic Bishop Richard Malone was installing a new pastor Sunday.

• Advocates Want Bishop's Attention

- RCC.
   WCSH Web Editor: Brian Yocono, ~ January 11, 2009
   SCARBOROUGH (ME), (NEWS CENTER) -- Advocates for those abused by Priests are looking for Bishop Richard Malone to take more action.
   Members of the National Survivors Advocate Coalition met for Mass Sunday morning at St. Maximilian Kolbe in Scarborough where Bishop Malone was presiding.
   They had stickers which read, "Bishop Malone, Please Meet With Marie Tupper" and they were worn throughout Mass.
   Tupper's Son was allegedly abused by a Priest. She claims her efforts to meet with Bishop Malone have come to a dead end.

• Oliva to retire as Christ the King basketball coach

[1970s Mr Oliva] - RCC. Boys.

   Five Boro Sports, By Dylan Butler, January 4, 2009
   NEW YORK -- Ending months of speculation, Bob Oliva will retire as Christ the King boys' basketball coach Monday, he told FiveBoroSports.com Sunday night in a phone interview.
   "I'm just done with it, physically and mentally," he said from his condo in South Carolina. …
   The stress was a result of, among other things, an accusation of child molestation levied against him by Jimmy Carlino, a former longtime family friend. In April, Carlino accused Oliva of sexually abusing him more than 30 years ago and reportedly demanded $750,000 and Oliva's resignation in a letter from a Florida law firm to make the case go away. Oliva, 63, denied the claim at the time and still does.

Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:43 PM

• Bob Oliva to resign at Christ the King

   New York Daily News, BY BRUCE DIAMOND and MICHAEL O'KEEFFE, DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS, 1:04 PM, Monday, January 5th 2009,
   NEW YORK -- Bob Oliva, the Christ the King boys' basketball coach who has been accused of sexual abuse, will resign this week from the perennial city basketball power he has led for 27 years.
   Oliva has been on a leave of absence since the Queens high school's basketball team began practicing on Nov.1 because of a heart ailment he believes was aggravated by the abuse allegations. He officially will retire this week.
   "I'm finished," Oliva, 64, told the the Daily News Sunday night. "I'm going to walk away from the program. It is a terrible way to go out."

• Christ the King mulls how to deal with former coach Bob Oliva

- RCC.
   New York Daily News, BY IAN BEGLEY, DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER, 8:40 PM, Monday, January 5th 2009
   NEW YORK -- Christ the King officials are trying to figure out whether to let Bob Oliva attend games.
   Christ the King's principal will huddle with the school's board of trustees to discuss whether former boys basketball coach Bob Oliva, who is stepping down amid allegations of sexual abuse, will be allowed to return to the school to watch basketball games.
   "I plan to speak to the board of trustees to see what the status is with this whole situation and what we do - if anything - from this point on," Peter Mannarino told the Daily News Monday.
   "We have to be fair to the students, but these are still unproven allegations, so you have to be fair to the man also," Mannarino added. "Whether he wants to come and watch games under these circumstances, I just don't know."

• Christ the King's Bob Oliva denies claims he violated a sacred trust

- RCC.
   New York Daily News, BY MICHAEL O'KEEFFE, DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER, 2:35 AM, Sunday, January 11, 2009
   NEW YORK -- Bob Oliva was a young coach in his 20s, running the youth basketball program at St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church. Jimmy Carlino was a 7-year-old kid who wanted to play hoops. Oliva seemed to know more about the game than anybody, and he could dunk a basketball. That made a mighty impression on a boy who wanted to become a basketball player.
   "He said I had potential but I needed the right equipment," remembers Carlino, who is now 46. "He told my dad to get me a pair of Converse sneakers. He gave me a pair of white tube socks. I will never forget that."
   They became close in the years that followed, at times inseparable, but they are now embroiled in a vicious public fight that has threatened the legacy of the most important high school basketball coach in New York City for nearly three decades and has seemingly left that boy's life in a shambles.
   Carlino still refers to Oliva as his godfather - even as he describes the coach as a sexual predator who abused Carlino's trust and stole his childhood. Oliva says he loved Carlino like a son - that is, when he's not calling Carlino a liar who is leading a conspiracy to smear his name and destroy his legacy.

• Richard John Neuhaus, Damon Linker and me

   Beliefnet, by Rod Dreher, Thursday January 8, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- I linked below to Damon Linker's remembrance of Father Neuhaus, and do so here again. I've been waiting all day to see what Damon would say. He was from 2001 to 2005 either the associate editor or editor of First Things, and then broke severely with Neuhaus and the magazine. His 2006 book, "The Theocons: Secular America Under Siege" attacked Neuhaus and his neoconservative Catholic cohorts for what he considered to be their agenda to turn America toward the religious right.
   Hearing of Father Neuhaus' death today brought to mind the one time I met Damon. It was at some point in the spring of 2002, during the height of the Catholic sex abuse scandal revelations. I was writing fiercely about them at National Review, and was getting angry calls from Fr. Neuhaus telling me to knock it off. In truth, I don't remember the rationales he offered, but I will never forget his telling me I had no business writing for NRO this story and this follow-up about the Society of St.John, a weird Catholic men's order in the Diocese of Scranton that had been credibly accused of sexual misconduct with minor males. Fr.Neuhaus was quite put out with me for having published it. I asked him why I ought not to report these things. He said that then-Bishop Timlin had told me that there was nothing to the story, and that was that.

• Dreher and Neuhaus

- RCC.
   The American Scene, January 09, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- Over at Rod Dreher's place, a few commenters are unhappy with Rod for his post in which he relates some unpleasant experiences he had with Richard John Neuhaus – in particular, an episode in which Neuhaus simply shouted at Rod in an attempt to dissuade him from writing about sexual abuse by Catholic priests and its coverup by Catholic bishops. "Don't speak ill of the dead" is the general view among this set of readers.
   Well, first of all, most of them are neglecting the many very positive things Rod says about Father Neuhaus. And second, I think it's okay to tell the truth about the dead, even when that truth is not so pleasant, as long as one is fair and balanced (to coin a phrase).

• Top Ten Lessons

- RCC.
Western Massachusetts Catholics, ~ January 11, 2009
MASSACHUSETTS -- 10. The Diocese cannot assert privacy and due process rights on behalf of priests - only the priests can do that. 9. The Diocese has a normal employer-employee relationship with priests. 8. Representatives of the state can't interfere with church decision-making - but, they may examine it.

• CALL TO ACTION: Abolishing the Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse

- Judaists speak, too.
Jewish Survivors of Sexual Abuse Speak Out, video presentation, ~ January 11, 2009
NEW YORK -- The following seven part series of videos were filmed at Cardozo School of Law on September 25, 2007. The event was organized by Prof. Marci Hamilton.

• Catholics brace for round of closings

- RCC.
   Albany Times Union, By MARC PARRY, First published in print: Sunday, January 11, 2009
   COHOES, NEW YORK – Al Rigney knows the pain of closing a church. A decade ago, Rigney performed the grim ritual of boarding up the windows of St. Agnes, the big-steepled Cohoes landmark where he was confirmed and married.
   He gave up after a few.
   "I can't do any more," Rigney told a fellow window-boarder. "It hurts too much." …
   The unprecedented restructuring in Albany is one domino in a cascade of consolidations that have shuttered Catholic churches across the Northeast.
   Hubbard told the Times Union he plans to close or merge roughly 20 percent of the diocese's 190 worship sites, which amounts to 38 buildings. That is comparable to the dioceses of Rochester (where 16 percent of parishes closed or merged), Buffalo (28 percent), Syracuse (20 percent) and Boston (18 percent), according to figures provided last year by the Albany Diocese.

• Transcript of interview with girl, 14, from Alamo compound

- Alamo.
   Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, January 11, 2009
   ARKANSAS --The following are transcripts of excerpts from interviews conducted by Arkansas Department of Human Services caseworkers with four of the six girls taken into custody during a Sept. 20, 2008, raid of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound in Fouke by Human Services and law enforcement officials. Videos of the interviews, conducted Sept. 21 at the Children's Advocacy Center in Texarkana, were sent anonymously to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Interview with a 14-year-old girl
   Interviewer: Um, tell me about some of your doc– I use the word doctrine. Do you know what doctrines refer to?
   Teen: (Yes).
   Interviewer: I've been learning about some of your doctrines over the past 24 hours, as you know. You've explained some to me. Um, and they intrigue me, you know. Tell me more about the marriage… I don't know what the right word would be, but more about the marriage procedure or marriage, um, what you'd have to go through in order to be married… in the church.
   Teen: Well I, personally, haven't gotten married…
   Interviewer: You haven't, you haven't, I know you haven't and that's not the point. But you one day… do you one day want to be married?
   Teen: As of right now I don't want to but…
   Interviewer: OK. Do you know anybody that wants to be married?
   Teen: (Shakes head no.)

• Transcript of interview with girl, 10, from Alamo compound

- Alamo Ministry.
   Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, January 11, 2009
   ARKANSAS -- The following are transcripts of excerpts from interviews conducted by Arkansas Department of Human Services caseworkers with four of the six girls taken into custody during a Sept. 20, 2008, raid of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound in Fouke by Human Services and law enforcement officials. Videos of the interviews, conducted Sept. 21 at the Children's Advocacy Center in Texarkana, were sent anonymously to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Interview with a 10-year-old girl
   Child: …Boys can't be around girls and girls can't be around boys.
   Interviewer: Ok, all right. Explain that to me.
   C: Because Tony [Alamo] said. With one of my friends, I asked him why I can't be around boys and he said because the devil can get in and tell us to like have, I forgot the word. It's … um … be bad or something like that, and that's why the pastor …. knows that the devil can get into us too, you know. Be bad and that's what some girls do in the world today, but not in (unintelligible) Christ though. But so, that's why.
   I: OK, and what do they mean by being bad?
   C: Flirting with each other.

• Transcript of interview with girl, 17, from Alamo compound

- Alamo Ministries.
   Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, {Video interviews with children from ministry}, {Alamo indictment (PDF)]}, {Alamo affidavit (PDF)}, ~ January 11, 2009
   ARKANSAS -- The following are transcripts of excerpts from interviews conducted by Arkansas Department of Human Services caseworkers with four of the six girls taken into custody during a Sept. 20, 2008, raid of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries compound in Fouke by Human Services and law enforcement officials. Videos of the interviews, conducted Sept. 21 at the Children's Advocacy Center in Texarkana, were sent anonymously to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Section: Tony Alamo
   Interviewer: Well I told you earlier, um, we're just going to talk in here today and, um, I just want to go over a couple things. OK? Um, first of all, what we talk about in here, I'm not gonna go tell, um, your friends or your brothers and sisters what we talk about. OK? And you're not gonna get in trouble with me for anything you say in here. I just want you to be yourself, um, and not be worried about getting in trouble or anything. OK? And, um, I'm going to need you to help me with a couple of things. OK? Can you tell me just like in your own words what it means to tell the truth?
   Teen: What it means to tell the truth?
   Interviewer: (Yes)
   Teen: … I don't know how to explain it… just tell the truth. I mean, not to lie 'cause, you know, if you lie you go to hell. I mean…
   Interviewer: Just tell the truth? Not to lie? If you lie you go to hell?
   Teen: (Yes).

• Church asset sales become an issue

- RCC.
   The Republican, By DAVID BERGENGREN and ANGELA CARBONE, Sunday, January 11, 2009
   MASSACHUSETTS -- The Jan. 1 closing of All Saints Parish in Agawam left the fate of St. Therese and St. Anthony churches, their two rectories, a parish center and a parking lot in the hands of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield.
   The same goes for church properties in neighboring West Springfield, where the diocese on Jan. 1 closed St. Ann and St. Louis de France parishes and merged them with Immaculate Conception to form a new parish, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. …
   In Agawam, some parishioners say they are concerned over what the diocese will do with the six former All Saints properties along a four-block stretch of Bridge Street and, if they are sold, how any proceeds will be divided.
   "An ambitious developer could look at that parking lot at St. Therese (as a good site) for a couple of triplexes," said William Euliano Jr., chairman of the Pastoral Council for All Saints.
   "What frightens me," said Shelia E. Byrne, the parish's youth ministry coordinator, "is the notion of St. Therese being demolished and replaced by duplexes."

• Magee buys time but his days in Cloyne now look numbered

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Ceremonial protocol master.

   Irish Independent, Sunday January 11 2009
   IRELAND -- WHEN in Rome, Bishop John Magee was "in his element". The Bishop of Cloyne was a master of protocol, a stickler for procedures and revelled in occasion, according to one senior cleric. He was private secretary to three popes in succession -- Paul VI, John Paul and John Paul II, arranging his visit to Ireland in 1979. When that privileged position ended, he became Master of Pontifical Ceremonies. Intellectual and meticulous, the role suited him, according to senior clerics.
   If he came across as aloof, then you had to consider his background, said one.
   "He was in the Vatican where enormous attention is given to protocol and formalities. There is enormous protocol. He would be in his element with that. He was very, very good at it. He was well-informed and well-briefed. He was also very helpful at all times. If he could do a good turn, he would do it," said the senior cleric. Then in 1987, this urbane man was appointed Bishop of Cloyne, a large rural diocese in Cork.

• Bishop must not become fall-guy for lax politicians

- RCC, and Government, let children down.

   Irish Independent, Sunday January 11 2009
   IRELAND -- Do not let the Government off the hook of child abuse. Bishop John Magee of Cloyne should step down. But he must not become a convenient fall-guy for the continuing failures of ministers and other bishops.
   You might think, by this stage, that the Government and hierarchy would have done everything possible to establish the extent of child abuse and to guard against it. But you would be wrong. And the Garda and Health Service Executive have questions to answer too.
   More than three years after an official report into child abuse in the diocese of Ferns was published, the Government has failed to pass new laws that were identified in that report as being necessary for the proper reporting of child abuse.

• Is the Catholic Church capable of doing the 'right' thing'?

- RCC.

   Examiner, by Kevin Masterson, LA Religion & Spirituality, Examiner, 6:20 AM, January 10, 2009
   MAINE -- With all the media coverage that has been given to clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church the past 7 years, I have seen little if anything about the effect this has had on the parents of abuse victims. Abuse victims have one thing in common: they are all from families that were extremely devout Roman Catholics, who trusted priests implicitly. Many times families are often torn apart when the abuse comes out, and some family members chose the church over the survivor. This is probably the most heartbreaking thing for the survivor.
   Marie Tupper chose to stand up for her son. Her first words to me were, "As a mother, I wish this would have happened to me, rather than my 3 year old son. Her son was abused in the rectory of Father Thomas Lee. In return for standing up for her son, she has been ostracized by the pastor & members of her own parish. She lives in the small town in Boothbay Harbor.
   Her parish priest, Rev. Raymond Picard stopped her from being a lector that she had been for years, as a punishment and called her a liar. Marie had called Paul Kendrick a year after the report was ignored and he saw to it that they listened to her son. Paul Kendrick supported and helped them in many ways, among contacting the bishop to allow her to lector again. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 8:18 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Sun January 11, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Mon January 12, 2009 edition:

• Teacher charged with sex assault of student

[2008 Oct-Dec - Mr Cheung -NEW*] - Private school. Girl student (16-17).
   Chicago Breaking News, ~ January 12, 2009
   CHICAGO (IL) -- A teacher at an all-girl Catholic high school has been charged with criminal sexual assault after a series of sexual encounters with one of his students, authorities said this morning.
   Eric Cheung, 24, a chemistry teacher at Maria High School on Chicago's Southwest Side, was arrested at 5 p.m. Friday at his home in the 900 block of North Paulina Street. His bail was set at $500,000 at a Sunday bond hearing.
   The sex charge against Cheung stems from encounters with a 16-year-old female student at the school between October and December, authorities said.

• Harney faces pressure for inquiry into Shine allegations

[- 2008 Mr Shine -NEW*] - RC hospital. 3 male patients.
   The Irish Times, January 12, 2009
   IRELAND -- Minister for Health Mary Harney today faced growing demands for an independent inquiry into the alleged abuse of former patients of shamed ex-surgeon Michael Shine.
   Patient Focus, which represents some of Mr Shine's patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, has also asked the Medical Council to publish details of its fitness to practice hearings against the ex-consultant.
   Mr Shine was struck off last November for professional misconduct over alleged inappropriate behaviour with three young male patients. …
   Patient Focus said it was prompted to act amid the fall-out from investigations into clerical child sex abuse in the Diocese of Cloyne and claims by the Minister for Children Barry Andrews that the public had to be satisfied the highest standards of child protection were being employed in Ireland.
   Mr Andrews made the call as Bishop of Cloyne John Magee continued to face down calls for his resignation over his mishandling of complaints of clerical abuse and his refusal to give investigators information on priests.

• Fall River Catholic teacher accused of sexual assault

[1980s Vaillancourt -NEW*] - RCC. Boy.

   Standard-Times, By Joe Cohenm, January 12, 2009
   FALL RIVER -- A SouthCoast man who says he was sexually assaulted as a Catholic school student in Fall River about 20 years ago has filed a lawsuit in Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River against the Catholic diocese and the lay teacher he accuses of attacking him.
   The Boston-based lawyer who filed the lawsuit said he hopes it will bring others forward who witnessed attacks or were victimized by the Catholic school teacher, Albert J. Vaillancourt of Fall River.
   All parties are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. The Bristol County District Attorney's Office also is conducting an investigation, according to an office spokesman.

• New chair of US bishops' National Review Board is Obama donor

- RCC.

   Catholic Culture, January 12, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has appointed Diane Knight, retired executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, as the new chair of the National Review Board. Knight has been a member of the National Review Board since 2007.
   Knight holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. A former member of the Code of Ethics Task Force of Catholic Charities USA, Knight serves on the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Community Advisory Board, which advises the archbishop and the archdiocesan victim assistance coordinator. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 12, 2009 8:42 PM]

• Parishioners hold vigil to save church

- RCs pray to save hallowed walls.
   Capital News 9, By Ryan Burgess, ~ January 12, 2009
   ADAMS, Mass. -- A group of people are praying the rosary Monday at St. Stanislaus Kostka church in Adams. But these aren't just parishioners. They're protesters.
   "We've had at least 100 people involved. I haven't added up lately, but last count there were 99 and still counting. We keep adding people every day," said protester Francis Hajdas.
   For eighteen days in a row, protesters have held a vigil here 24 hours a day. They're challenging a decision from the Springfield Diocese to close the church and merge with two others. As of Monday, parishioners have rotated shifts while staying in the church for more than 400 consecutive hours. It's been closed to the public since January 1. …
   The Diocese says the closing has nothing to do with any recent sexual abuse settlements. But no matter what the reason, these parishioners are praying for a new decision.

• Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault

[2008 Mr Cheung*] - Private school. Girl student.
   NBC Chicago, ~ January 12, 2009
   CHICAGO (IL) -- A male teacher at an all-girls private high school on the South Side was arrested Friday and charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a female student.
   Eric Cheung, 24, was arrested at his home in the 900 block of North Paulina Street and charged with criminal sexual assault, a felony, according to a Shakespeare District police lieutenant. The lieutenant said Cheung was being held in lockup as of Monday morning.
   Cheung is expected to appear in Violence Court for a noon bond hearing Monday.

• Teacher charged with sex assault of student

[2008 Mr Cheung*] - Private school. Girl student (16-17).
   Chicago Sun-Times, BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN, Criminal Courts Reporter / rhussain@suntimes.com , January 12, 2009
   CHICAGO (IL) -- A chemistry teacher at an all-girls Southwest Side Catholic high school has been charged with criminal sexual assault against a student with whom he allegedly started an inappropriate relationship.
   Eric Cheung, 24, a teacher at Maria High School, had given all students his e-mail address for homework questions and started corresponding with the victim, who is between 16 and 17.
   At first the communication between the two was a normal teacher-student relationship but soon the e-mail messages turned to a more "inappropriate romantic" nature," Cook County State's Attorney's spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said.

• Knoxville's new bishop

[Stika] - SNAP's view of RCC's choice.
   Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, ~ January 12, 2009
   KNOXVILLE (TN) -- We feel very sad for Knoxville Catholics. With the exception of proven, admitted or credibly accused pedophiles, there is perhaps no priest in the archdiocese less qualified, in our view, to be a bishop than Richard Stika. In his dealings with child sex abuse and cover up cases here, he has repeatedly shown a penchant for secrecy, reckless and half-truths.
   It's worth noting that on his official resume, Stika's administrative experience is three times longer than his pastoral work. He is, indeed, a bureaucrat more than a pastor.

• John Manly Writes to John Moorlach Regarding Pedo-Apologist Baird

- RCC.
   Orange County Weekly, Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Ex Cathedra, 11:28 AM, January 12, 2009
   ORANGE (CA) -- Perhaps no one has more moral weight in the Diocese of Orange sex-abuse scandal than Newport Beach lawyer John Manly, of Manly & Stewart. It's because of Manly's law offices that so many victims have found justice through civil courts, that the public knows about the pedo-protecting ways of Orange bishops and so many others through his release of once-confidential documents and depositions. Because of this, many county Catholics and GOP loudmouths despise him, even though Manly was enough of a GOP automaton to fly to Florida during the 2000 presidential election recount and help out the Bushies, according to a 2005 Orange County Register profile.
   Add five more GOP haters to Manly's list. On Friday, he sent a letter to the Orange County Board of Supervisors, addressing it specifically to chairman John Moorlach, over their invitation of pedo-apologist extraordinaire Lawrence Baird to give an invocation mañana.

• Diocese braces itself for flood of new claims

- RCC. More claims for Cloyne?

   Irish Independent, By Ralph Riegel, Monday January 12 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Diocese of Cloyne is braced for a flood of new civil claims as controversy over the handling of clerical abuse allegations persuades new complainants to come forward.
   Allegations of abuse have been made by up to three new individuals since the controversy erupted last December.
   The diocese is also now reviewing the strict supervisory regime imposed on the clerics at the centre of the claims.
   In one case, the father of an abuse victim claimed he had information the cleric involved had been in contact with another youngster and now lived close to a school.

• Transcript: Advocates Want Bishop's Attention

[Fr Lee] - RCC. Male.

   WCSH6-NBC, By Brian Yocono and Caroline Cornish, January 11, 2009
   [Transcript of a video report. Also includes photos and a statement by the Diocese of Portland.]
   PORTLAND (ME) – Caroline Cornish: In the middle of today's snowstorm, several people from Massachusetts drove to Scarborough to send a message to Roman Catholic Bishop Richard Malone. They joined other advocates for survivors of priest abuse in calling for more action by the bishop. News Center's Brian Yocono reports.
   Voiceover, Michael Sweatt: Your presence here sends a very strong message to others.
   Brian Yocono: Snow was not enough to keep this group of advocates and priest abuse survivors away. They are here for Marie Tupper, a mother from Boothbay Harbor whose son was allegedly abused by a priest [Rev. Thomas M. Lee]. She wants to meet with Bishop Richard Malone.
   Michael Sweatt [of the National Survivors Advocate Coalition]: She doesn't need to go to the bishop. I think now's the time for the bishop to go to her. She has repeatedly asked for meetings. Now it's time for him to be the pastoral shepherd that he should be and come forward and meet with her.
   Brian Yocono: John Vellante drove up from Massachusetts. He says he suffered abuse at the hands of a priest and thinks meeting with the bishop would facilitate healing.

• Vatican discussion of sins committed by clergy

- RC hq.

   The Times (United Kingdom), by Richard Owen, ~ January 12, 2009
   VATICAN CITY For the first time Vatican officials will this week discuss in public sins committed by clergy considered so deadly that they require forgiveness from the Pope himself, including sexual abuse by priests and the profanation of Holy Communion wafers in Satanic rituals.
   The Apostolic Penitentiary, currently headed by Cardinal James Stafford of the United States, the Major Penitentiary, was once described by Pope John XXIII as "the most secret" of Vatican departments. Starting tomorrow (Tuesday) however it will emerge from the shadows to hold a two day conference in Rome on the five "ultimate crimes" - abortion, using the Eucharistic host in Satanic rites, paedophile offences committed by the clergy, violation of the secrets of the confessional, and "offences against the person of the Pope".
   The Apostolic Penitentiary, founded in the thirteenth century by Pope Honorius III (reigned 1216-1227) is a Vatican tribunal responsible for matters relating to confession, absolution, indulgences and the forgiveness of sins, and is sometimes described as "the tribunal of the soul". For the "five worst sins" however confession is not enough, and a special dispensation from the Pope himself is needed for absolution. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 12, 2009 10:23 AM]
   [COMMENT: A secret group is not secret if everyone can hear about it.]

• Monsignor Richard Stika named bishop of Knoxville diocese

   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January/12/2009
   ST. LOUIS (MO) -- Monsignor Richard Stika of the Church of the Annunziata in Ladue has been tapped by the pope to be bishop-elect of the diocese in Knoxville, Tenn.
   He will ordained as bishop there and begin his duties March 19.
   Pope Benedict XVI made the announcement at 5 a.m. today St. Louis time (that's noon in Rome). …
   Recently, Stika has been director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection. [MEDITATION: "Suffer the little children to come unto me." What went wrong? END.]

• Former papal diplomat dies; He could have made a difference

  Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, January 11, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- In the mid-1980s, Pio Laghi, as the pope' envoy to the US, had direct access to the wise counsel of Fr. Thomas Doyle, who repeatedly and presciently warned Catholic officials to deal more honestly and compassionately with clergy sex abuse cases. Laghi instead, for the most part, continued the church's long-standing secrecy and passivity with consequences that can only be declared disastrous.
   In two crucial and early clergy sex abuse cases, Laghi should have acted more forcefully and forthrightly - Fr. Gilbert Gauthe in Louisiana and Bishop Joseph Ferrario in Hawaii. In each case, he could have taken stronger and swifter steps to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded.

• New bishop named for Diocese of Knoxville

   News Sentinel, January 12, 2009
   KNOXVILLE (TN) -- Pope Benedict XVI announced today that he has appointed the Reverend Monsignor Richard F. Stika, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, to lead the Diocese of Knoxville.
   Since his ordination to the priesthood in 1985, Bishop-elect Stika has served both in pastoral and archdiocesan leadership roles, including chancellor and vicar general for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He is currently the pastor of the Church of the Annunziata in Ladue, Mo.

• Broad welcome for Cloyne abuse referral

- RCC. OIF wants stringent audit.

   Irish Health, ~ January 12, 2009
   IRELAND -- The One in Four charity has welcomed the Government decision to refer the diocese of Cloyne for investigation by the Dublin Archdiocese Commission into clerical sex abuse.
   However, One in Four and other organisations have questioned what they feel are major deficiencies in a HSE audit of child protection procedures in all Catholic dioceses.
   One in Four says the referral move may finally reveal the extent of the mishandling of allegations of abuse in the Cloyne diocese.

• Fessing up

- Various religions, and general.

   The Christian Century, ~ January 12, 2009
   The Art of the Public Grovel: Sexual Sin and Public Confession in America, by Susan Wise Bauer; Princeton University Press, 352 pp., $26.95
   UNITED STATES -- What do Bill Clinton and Jimmy Swaggart have in common? Each made a spectacular public confession of sexual misconduct. And according to Susan Wise Bauer, a historian at the College of William and Mary, their mode of confession took the form that the American public wants–one rooted in evangelical practice. Evangelical culture is so deeply intertwined with American culture that it has provided the blueprint for public confessions, a fact that poses a challenge to those who are unfamiliar with the genre when they get caught with their pants down.
   The scandals may be sexual or financial, but when public figures follow the right script, they are more likely to be welcomed back. The current governor of Illinois may want to take notes….
   Four years after Clinton's confession, Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston offered his own confession–but this one did not do the trick. Law acknowledged his role in perpetuating the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in legalistic and frosty words: "I acknowledge my own responsibility for decisions which led to intense suffering." He didn't express personal regret and shame that were equal to the seriousness of the sins. Law never gave the American public what it wanted: an evangelical-style public confession in which he was visibly sorrowful and admitted his wrongdoing.
   [COMMENT: And the Vatican rewarded Law for his sins by promoting him to Rome. We might misuse the sacramental word, and say that Law had "satisfaction." But the victims of his transferred clergy don't think he got divine absolution. ENDS.]

• Child abuse 'wasn't a priority'

- RCC.

   Irish Independent, By Ralph Riegel, Monday January 12 2009
   IRELAND -- A MEMBER of the child protection service team in the under-fire diocese of Cloyne acknowledged that paedophilia had been totally underestimated by the Irish Church.
   The official, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also warned that a minority of solicitors "discovered a bonanza" in the State Abuse Redress Board.
   The critical comments were made in a document entitled 'Ministry in the Diocese' -- which has been seen by the Irish Independent -- by a senior member of the Cloyne Diocesan Child Protection Service.
   Each diocese has such a team to assist in the implementation of child protection policies and procedures, both in terms of prevention and in response to allegations. The revelation came as pressure continued to mount on the Bishop of Cloyne, Dr John Magee, to retire or resign following two critical reports on his diocese's handling of clerical abuse allegations.
   [COMMENT: "Underestimated" my foot! The RCC has been dealing with the results of the God-given urges of its "celibate" clergy, brothers, and sisters, for centuries. And that a minority of lawyers "discovered a bonanza" is standard weasel wording, "blaming the messenger," to avoid the reality that the clergy was rotten with child seduction. The Archbishop of Dublin's recent words of astonishment don't convince the Webmaster. Bottling up the sex urge, like bottling up one's urine, leads to strong outflows! The success rate of the sex urge is probably nearer 100 per cent, than the 4 or 5 per cent uncovered so far. ENDS.]

• We can no longer tolerate the clergy's intransigence

- Newspaper frank about the RCC - "horrors," "brutalised."
   Irish Independent, Monday January 12 2009
   IRELAND -- There seems to be a crushing inevitability to the continuing clerical sexual abuse scandals, a series of horrors culminating in the recent dark tidings from the diocese of Cloyne.
   How could we expect anything else from an institution that has consistently shirked its responsibilities towards those it brutalised, and only paid lip service to the desire to see offenders brought to justice?
   Church leaders offer apologies and assurances, yet the fact remains that information is still not being passed to the relevant authorities, and dangerous men -- individuals who pose a real threat to children -- are at large in the community.

• Cloyne diocese referred to abuse body

- RCC.

   Irish Health, ~ January 12, 2009
   IRELAND -- The Government is to ask the commission investigating clerical abuse in the Dublin archdiocese to examine how abuse allegations were dealt with in the diocese of Cloyne.
   This follows an audit drawn up by the HSE and published today by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews.
   The audit looked at child protection policies in all Catholic dioceses and had concluded that there was no need for the referral of any diocese to the commission investigating clerical abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 12, 2009 7:23 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Mon January 12, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Tue January 13, 2009 edition:

• Mexican Priest Accused of Sexually Abusing Boys

[~ - 2008-09 Sandoval Gonzalez -NEW*; Sr Zaragoza Barajas -NEW*] - Roman Catholic Church. 20 rescued. Institution boys.

   Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www. laht.com/ article.asp? ArticleId= 325309& CategoryId= 14091 , ~ January 13, 2009
   VERACRUZ, MEXICO -- Authorities in the eastern Mexican town of Boca del Rio rescued 20 boys from an institution run by the Catholic Church where allegedly they were the targets of sexual abuse by a priest.
   Mayor Miguel Angel Yunes Marquez told a press conference that they had received complaints and statements from boys who were mistreated and subjected to sexual abuse by the Rev. Jose de Jesus Sandoval Gonzalez with the connivance of Sister Maria Guadalupe Zaragoza Barajas.
   Yunes said that the mothers of two alleged victims complained that the nun accepted payments of 500 pesos ($36.20) to take boys to the house of the priest, where he then abused them.
   Any boys who dared to mention what happened at the house were punished by making them eat hot peppers or spoiled food, or they were forced to kneel in the yard for four hours in the sun or on top of metal bottle caps and sleep with dogs all night or out in the open air. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 13, 2009 8:15 AM]
   [COMMENT: Is this the land that the Spanish Conquistadores stole, supposedly to free the Amerinds from the wickedness and cruelty of the Aztec and similar religions? Or is the Webmaster's history a bit confused? ENDS.]

• Waynesburg pastor arrested on sex charge

[? 2008-09 Dietz (59) -NEW*] - New Life Christian Church.

   Canton Repository, By Lori Monsewicz, CantonRep.com staff report, ~ January 13, 2009
   WAYNESBURG (OH) – A local pastor was arrested Monday night at his church on a warrant charging him with gross sexual imposition, Stark County Jail records said.
   Eugene A. Dietz, 59, of 10 Kiowa Trail in Malvern, was arrested at 9:30 p.m. at the New Life Christian Church at 139 Roosevelt Ave. in Waynesburg on the charge, jail records said. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 13, 2009 10:13 AM]

• Accuser testifies on first day of Naugatuck priest's sex assault trial

[~ 2000s Grant -? NEW*] - RCC. 14 complainants.

   Republican-American, BY JONATHAN SHUGARTS | ~ January 13, 2009
   WATERBURY (CT) -- A Naugatuck teenager testified on Monday his relationship with Rev. Robert J. Grant, a Roman Catholic priest, began with back massages.
   But it turned into drinking wine from paper cups and, eventually, oral sex.
   Grant's trial on sexual assault and risk of injury charges began in Waterbury Superior Court with testimony from the teenager, who is now 18. Grant, 67, served as a priest at St. Mary's and St. Hedwig's churches in Naugatuck, but after his 2007 arrest was placed on administrative leave.
   Grant's attorney, William St. John, told the jury the teenager's claims against Grant were a search for money based on current and pending lawsuits filed against the embattled priest.

• Lawsuit accuses diocese of fraud

[1960s - 1984 Thoeness -NEW*] - RCC. Moved on and on. Children.
   St. Cloud Times, By David Unze, dunze@stcloudtimes.com , January 13, 2009
   MINNESOTA -- A lawsuit filed Monday in Stearns County District Court accuses the Diocese of St. Cloud of fraud for not telling parishioners about allegations of sexual abuse against one of its priests.
   The lawsuit, filed on behalf of an unidentified plaintiff, alleges that the diocese committed fraud for not disclosing to parishioners that James Thoennes had been accused of abusing children. The lawsuit accuses the diocese of moving Thoennes from parish to parish without notifying parishioners of previous complaints against Thoennes.
   The plaintiff was abused by Thoennes from 1982-1984, according to the lawsuit, nearly 20 years after allegations of sexual abuse against Thoennes first came to the attention of the diocese.
   The lawsuit names only the diocese and not Thoennes as defendant and makes two claims of fraud but no claims of personal injury, sexual battery or negligence.

• Sikh priest charged in sexual assault

[Lakhwinder Singh - ? NEW*] - Sikh. Girl (15).

   Vancouver Sun, Canwest News Service, with files from CHBC News; Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009
   CANADA -- RCMP have charged a Sikh priest with sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
   Kelowna RCMP Const. Steve Holmes said Monday that Lakhwinder Singh, 29, faces charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
   The girl, who was 15 at the time and is a practising Sikh, attended Gurdwara Guru Amardas Darbar temple in Kelowna, where Singh was a priest, Holmes said.

• Bishops who should resign: VOTF names names

[Law, George, Mahony, Murphy, McCormack, Pilarczyk] - RCC.

   Beliefnet, by David Gibson, Tuesday January 13, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- The leading national church reform group has issued a release calling on five U.S. bishops to step down from their job, and for former Boston archbishop, Cardinal Bernard Law, to resign his various ecclesial offices in Rome.
   The reform group Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) issued the list to mark the seventh anniversary of the first Boston Globe stories that led to the unmasking of the sexual abuse scandal that has continued to rock the church.
   The bishops named by VOTF are:
   Cardinal Francis George of Chicago; Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles; Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre (Long Island); Bishop John B. McCormack of Manchester (NH); Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati.
   VOTF bases its arguments for these five on "records from public documents, court testimony, and multiple survivor accounts [that] clearly indicate 'culpable negligence'." Given this evidence, the organization says, these five have "a clear obligation to the Body of Christ to resign." If they do not, "Pope Benedict XVI should request their resignations."
   [COMMENT: But, before B XVI became pope, he publicly stated that less than 1 per cent of US clergy were involved in child sex. RCC records showed 4%. So, he's an "enabler" and apologist, too! ENDS.]

!!!: Prosecutor remained on case despite conflict

- Prosecutor too busy to ask lawyer to stand aside!

   Standard-Freeholder, By TREVOR PRITCHARD, ~ January 13, 2009
   CANADA -- Time constraints kept a former senior Crown attorney from asking the lawyer prosecuting sex abuse allegations against a local priest to immediately step down over a conflict of interest, the Cornwall Public Inquiry heard yesterday.
   Peter Griffiths testified that "time was ticking" during the 1997 preliminary hearing into charges that Rev. Charles MacDonald had assaulted three men decades earlier -- and that was why he kept Robert Pelletier in charge of the retired priest's prosecution.
   "When that was completed, he would no longer be involved," Griffiths said.
   "That was my recollection."
   [SATIRE: Oh, if only I could believe this! What a wonderful world I would see through rose-coloured spectacles! How blissful my days! ENDS.]

• Dear Bishop: Stop hiding, start talking

[1980s Lee] - RCC. Multiple complaints.

   Portland Press Herald, By BILL NEMITZ, January 13, 2009
   PORTLAND (ME) – TO: The Most Rev. Richard J. Malone, Bishop of Portland.
   FROM: A Former Altar Boy
   I know, Your Excellency, that this is not the way we Catholics normally communicate with our bishop.
   But I'm at a crossroads here – not with my faith, but with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. And which way I turn depends a lot on what you decide to do about Marie Tupper.
   Tupper, as you know, is the mother from Boothbay Harbor who's spent the past several years requesting a meeting with you to talk about what the Rev. Thomas Lee allegedly did many years ago to her son.
   For what it's worth, Bishop Malone, the diocese got no argument from me when Lee, now 81, resigned his priesthood four years ago. When your spokeswoman, Sue Bernard, cited "multiple complaints" against Lee by victims at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Boothbay Harbor and St. Philip Parish in Lyman, I figured better late than never.
   And truth be told, I was pretty impressed with your response last month after a three-member church tribunal essentially cleared Lee of any wrongdoing. You announced you were "stunned and disappointed at the outcome of this case" and would appeal the tribunal's finding all the way to the Vatican.
   But here's what I don't get, Bishop Malone. I don't get why you keep calling the police.

• Cardinal rejects calls for Bishop John Magee to step down

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Primate sees hope.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY and ANNE LUCEY, for January 14, 2009
   IRELAND – CALLS FOR Bishop of Cloyne John Magee to resign in the wake of a damning report on child protection practices in his diocese were rejected yesterday by the Catholic primate, Cardinal Seán Brady.
   Speaking to reporters in Killarney, before an address to priests and people of the diocese of Kerry, Cardinal Brady said Bishop Magee had apologised and taken responsibility for what had happened.
   "The main concern here is child safeguarding. I have known John Magee for almost 50 years and I have always found him a reliable and dependable person," the cardinal said. "I know trust has been damaged, but trust can be restored and built up and even earned by genuine steps being taken to address the issues and the concerns of victims." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 13, 2009 8:00 PM]

• Cardinal: Magee should not resign

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Misled Irish authorities, but now to be "accountable."
   Irish Examiner, By Donal Hickey and Jennifer Hough, ~ January 13, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE head of the Catholic Church has said beleaguered Bishop John Magee should not resign despite the mishandling of allegations of child sex abuse in his Cloyne diocese.
   In a move seen by many as an attempt to draw a line under the controversy which has rocked the Church, Cardinal Sean Brady publicly backed Bishop Magee saying he "should stay in place and be held accountable".
   Despite numerous calls for his resignation, a damning report from the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) which found the Cork-based bishop, by his inaction, had put children in danger and accusations that he lied to a separate HSE probe, Dr Magee has refused to quit.

• Sentencing Set For Former Priest

[~ 1990s-2000s Rodis] - RCC. > 10,000,000 dimes. Mail fraud, money laundering. Has wife and children too.

WTVR, ~ January 13, 2009
LOUISA (VA) -- A priest convicted of embezzling over a million dollars from two Louisa County churches faces sentencing on Wednesday. A jury recommended 200 years for Rodney Rodis. He's already serving a 5 year prison sentence on federal charges.

• VOTF Names Bishops Who Should Resign

- VOTF "examination of conscience" call.

   Voice of the Faithful, {document detailing the VOTF position}, January 7, 2009
   BOSTON, MA, United States of America – Seven years after news of clergy sex abuse exploded in the United States, a new crisis looms in Ireland. Clearly the Church has not yet fully addressed such abuse and the culture that makes it possible. It is time for the leaders who enabled so much abuse to step aside.
   Voice of the Faithful calls for an examination of conscience by Church leaders worldwide–and the resignations of those whose actions have led to endangerment of children by sexual predators among the clergy.
   Catholic bishops and superiors of religious orders who hold or have held positions of authority should examine their consciences in light of Canon Law 1389 (§2): "A person who, through culpable negligence, unlawfully and with harm to another, performs or omits an act of ecclesiastical power or ministry of office, is to be punished with a just penalty."
   We call on those leaders who failed to protect the well-being of our children by knowingly and secretly transferring predator priests from parish to parish without informing the laity to resign their current office or position of authority on or before June 30th, 2009.

• Abhaya case plunges into judicial tug of war

[1992 Fr Kottur / Kottor*, Fr Puthrukkayil / Putarika*, Sr Sephi / Seffi*] - RCC. Murder. [India flag; www.edwardmooney.com/miniflags]

   The Times of India, ~ January 13, 2009
   THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA -- Investigation into the sister Abhaya murder case descended into a judicial tug of war on Monday with a judge of the Kerala High Court observing that only the Supreme Court had the final say on an order granting bail to the accused and that no other judge of the High Court was entitled to say anything on it.
   The remarks by Justice Hema come a few days after her colleague, Justice R Basant, who is the monitoring judge in the case, sought to interpret the bail order in a manner consistent with the probe. Justice Hema, it is felt, was giving vent to her anguish over Justice Basant interpreting her order.
   Ignoring the plea by CBI, the investigating agency, Justice Hema had granted bail to the three accused in the case - sister Sephy and priests Thomas Kottur and Jose Puthrikayil - early last week. The order drew much criticism as the court had sought to turn the tables on the CBI and even reignited the suicide theory. Experts differed on whether the court while granting bail should have gone into the finer aspects of the case when the trial had not even commenced. Even the statements recorded by some witnesses before a magistrate were discussed in the bail order.
   [COMMENT: From the actions of the police, magistrates, and courts, it would seem that being "priest-ridden" is not just confined to the island to the west of Britain. ENDS.]

• Paterson Diocese issues warning about suspended priest seen at Morris churches

[Costigan]

   The Star-Ledger, Continuous News Desk, 3:33 PM, Tuesday January 13, 2009
   PATERSON (NJ) -- Catholic Church officials are warning parishes about a priest accused of sexual abuse and placed on administrative leave 15 years ago passing himself off as a cleric in Morris County and elsewhere, according to a report in the Daily Record.
   At St. Matthew's parish in Randolph, George Costigan, 82, was seen wearing clerical attire, said Ken Mullaney, an attorney with the Paterson Roman Catholic Diocese. The diocese has informed local police and school officials as well as local parishes throughout Morris County.

• NEW Diocese of Yakima to lay off eight ministry directors

- RCC.
   Yakima Herald-Republic, ~ January 13, 2009
   YAKIMA, Wash. – The economic meltdown has reached the Roman Catholic Church.
   Citing a significant drop in investment income as well as the costs associated with caring for retired priests, the Diocese of Yakima announced a series of budget cutbacks today, including the layoffs of eight directors of diocesan ministries.
   Eight more support positions – both full-time and part-time – are also being eliminated or combined to reduce costs.

• Pedofilia e riti satanici crescono i reati dei preti

- RCC big sin "forgivery" very busy.

   la Repubblica, di ORAZIO LA ROCCA, January 12, 2009
   CITTÀ DEL VATICANO - Rubare ostie consacrate per usarle in riti satanici; violare il segreto della confessione; commettere peccati sessuali da parte di un ecclesiastico o di una religiosa, a partire dalla pedofilia; abortire o rendersi corresponsabile dell'interruzione volontaria della gravidanza; aggredire o offendere la persona del Papa. Sono i 5 "grandi" peccati per essere assolti dai quali non è sufficiente confessarsi, ma occorre una speciale dispensa papale emanata da un dicastero pontificio ad hoc, la Penitenzieria Apostolica, retta attualmente dal cardinale James Stafford. Peccati, dunque, gravissimi per la Chiesa, in forte crescita, specialmente - spiegano in Vaticano - attraverso l'aborto, la violazione del celibato sacerdotale e la profanazione delle ostie, un delitto, quest'ultimo, in aumento in particolare tra le sette dell'America Latina e in Europa.
   [translation]
They are overworked at "The Penitenzeria", the Tribunal which is competent to try the clergy accused of the 5 crimes that only the Pontiff can clear
Pedophilia and satanic rites, the crimes of the priests are increasing
   By RAZIO LA ROCCA, January 12, 2009
   VATICAN CITY - Stealing consecrated hosts to be used for satanic rites; the violation of the secret of confession; sexual sins committed by a priest or a nun, to begin with pedophilia; abortion or being responsible for voluntary interruption of a pregnancy; attack or offend the Pope. They are the 5 'big' sins that can't be absolved through the ordinary confession, but only through a special papal dispensation issued by an ad hoc pontifical ministry, the Penitenzeria Apostolica, run now by cardinal James Stafford. Those sins are therefore very grave for the church, heavily increasing, especially - they explain at the Vatican - through abortion, violation of priest celibacy and the profanation of hosts, a crime, the latter, particulary increasing among the sects in Latin America and Europe.
   Those sins are not by chance defined "Crimes only the Holy See can deal with", being the competent "ministry" - the most ancient founded in 1200 by Pope Onorio III - burdened by overwork in order to respond to the requests of "absolution and pardon" sent by priests and bishops all over the world.
   A delicate and confidential work, performed by a special body in the ministry called "Congresso" chaired by cardinal Stafford, helped by the Regent bishop Gianfranco Girotti and 10 members, performing their duty with discretion and no publicity to face the thousands of requests sent by those priests who ask for the papal absolution for those 5 'big' sins which only can be dealt with by the Holy See. "We can't be specific with the number, but I can assure you - the Regent says - that many sessions are required in order to better ascertain if the repenting is authentic, spontaneous and sincere". It's easy to imagine that among those cases a special position is occupied by those requests for pardon sent by those priests that committed the crime of pedophilia, as it recently happened in USA, and more in general for the violation of priest celibacy.
   Starting tomorrow a two-day-symposium will take place for the first time and organized by the Penitenzeria in its office situated in piazza della Cancelleria 1, in Rome. The Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, the bishops Gianfranco Ravasi and Rino Fisichella, professor Agostino Borromeo, a docent at Political Science at the University 'La Sapienza" in Rome, theologians and moralists will attend the event.. "It's the first time that our ministry organizes a public meeting", announces monsignor Girotti. "We are doing that - underlines the high prelate - not to make a show, but to demonstrate we don't run a bureaucratic ministry, but one of grace and mercy, which through the Holy Father's authorization is giving life and meaning to one of the most important sacraments, confession".

• Bishop: 11 complaints filed against Lee

[Lee*] - RCC. 14 survivors.

   KeepMEcurrent , By Ann Fisher, Jan 13, 2009
   LYMAN, MAINE -- A total of 11 complaints were reported against the Rev. Thomas Lee, the former pastor of St. Philip Parish in Lyman, according to the Diocese of Portland.
   Reacting to public pressure, the Diocese on Monday released the specific number of people believed to be victims of Lee. The information was released "to give the community perspective on the case and to support complainants who say they have been criticized by their community for making a report of sexual abuses," said Sue Bernard, communications director for the Diocese, in a news release Monday.
   Bernard said the Diocese of Portland had received nine direct and two second-hand reports involving a total of 14 individuals, all from the Boothbay Harbor area, where Lee served from 1971-1985. The reports involved issues of inappropriate touching or privacy violations, she said. There were no reports from Lyman, where Lee was priest from 1985-2003. Until Monday the diocese would only say that there were "more than two" reports of abuse that took place in the early 1980s in Boothbay Harbor.

• Diocese warns Morris parishes to be on lookout for suspended priest

[Costigan]
   Daily Record, BY ABBOTT KOLOFF, January 13, 2009
   NEW JERSEY -- A priest placed on administrative leave 15 years ago after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced has been passing himself off as a cleric in good standing in Morris County and elsewhere, Catholic Church authorities said Tuesday.
   George Costigan, 82, recently showed up at St. Matthew's parish in Randolph wearing clerical attire, even though he has been prohibited from doing so since 1994, said Ken Mullaney, an attorney with the Paterson Roman Catholic Diocese.
   Mullaney said local police and school officials are being notified as a precaution. The diocese also sent an e-mail, obtained by the Daily Record, to local priests to be on the lookout for Costigan.

• Cloyne bishop should not resign: Brady

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Serious failures, but will "ensure" safety.

   RTE News, 17:49, Tuesday, 13 January 2009
   IRELAND -- Cardinal Séan Brady has said he believes Bishop John Magee should not resign over his handling of clerical child sexual abuse allegations in the Diocese of Cloyne.
   Cardinal Brady accepted there had been serious failures in Cloyne, but he said Bishop Magee had learned a painful lesson and was determined to put in place proper procedures for dealing with abuse victims.
   He said Bishop Magee would do everything in his power to ensure that clerical sexual abuse did not happen in his diocese again.

• Cardinal rejects call for Bishop of Cloyne to resign

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Misled Irish authorities.
   The Irish Times, By CHARLIE TAYLOR and PADDY LOGUE,
   IRELAND -- Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady has this evening rejected calls for the Bishop of Cloyne John Magee to resign.
   In an interview broadcast on RTÉ Television, Cardinal Brady described Bishop Magee as a "dependable and reliable" person who would do everything in his power to ensure that clerical sexual abuse did not happen in his diocese again.
   Cardinal Brady's comments follow last week's decision by the Minister for Children Barry Andrews decision to refer the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne to a commission investigating clerical abuse in the Dublin archdiocese last week.
   Speaking this evening, Cardinal Brady said he believed that Bishop Magee had learned painful lessons.

• Details Released on Sexual Abuse Case of Accused Priest

[Lee] - RCC. 14 survivors.

   Diocese of Portland, January 13, 2009
   PORTLAND (ME) -- The Diocese of Portland is releasing details of the case against Thomas Lee, former pastor of St. Philip in Lyman. This information is being provided in this instance to give the community perspective on the case and to support complainants who say they have been criticized by their community for making a report of sexual abuse.
   Investigations are done confidentially out of respect for all concerned. The diocese has stated in the past that there were "more than two" or "multiple" reports of abuse that took place in the early 1980's. Specifically, the Diocese of Portland received nine direct and two second-hand reports relating to events involving a total of fourteen individuals, all from the Boothbay Harbor area, where Lee served from 1971-1985. The reports involved issues of inappropriate touching or privacy violations. There were no reports from Lyman, where Lee ministered from 1985-2003.
   Bishop Malone is supporting an appeal to the Vatican of the decision by a church court (tribunal) which found the accusations against Lee were not proven. Lee, age 81, was removed from ministry more than 5 years ago when an investigation opened regarding the complaints.

• War of words between HC Judges in Sr Abhaya case

[1992 Fr Kottur / Kottor*, Fr Puthrukkayil / Putarika*, Sr Sephi / Seffi*] - RCC. Murder.

   Indlaw News, Jan/13/2009
   INDIA -- Justice K Hema of the Kerala High Court orally observed that no judge in the High Court could clarify her observations in the order granting bail to the three accused in the Sister Abhaya murder case.
   She also observed that every Bench in the HC could invoke jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution and this was applicable to the bail court also.
   If the CBI had any complaints about her order it could have appealed in the Supreme Court and only the apex court could clarify her order.
   Justice Hema said she delivered the judgement on the basis of records and case diary and she was not worried about media reports.

• Milwaukee social worker to chair bishops' National Review Board

- RCC. Ms Knight to lead.

   Catholic News Service, ~ January 13, 2009
   WASHINGTON (DC), (CNS) -- The former director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has been appointed to chair the bishops' National Review Board by Chicago Cardinal Francis E. George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
   Diane Knight, a social worker from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, will succeed Judge Michael Merz as head of the USCCB's National Review Board at the conclusion of his term, following the bishops' spring meeting in June.
   Cardinal George made the announcement Jan. 8 and said Knight's dedication to the mission of the Catholic Church and her experience in the protection of children and young people made her a prime candidate for the post.

• Diocese provides more information about abuse cases

[1971-85 Lee*] - RCC. 14 survivors.
   Morning Sentinel, By Giselle Goodman, 09:31 AM, January 13, 2009
   PORTLAND (ME) -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland released new details last night, saying that 14 individuals reported abuse by Thomas Lee, a former priest at St. Philip in Lyman.
   A press release from the diocese stated that the information is being provided "to give community perspective on the case and to support complainants who say they have been criticized by the community for making a report of sexual abuse."
   Marie Tupper, a mother from Boothbay Harbor, has asked for a meeting with Bishop Richard J. Malone of the Diocese of Portland to discuss the abuse Lee allegedly inflicted on her son years ago.
   Columnist Bill Nemitz offers his take on that situation in today's Portland Press Herald, which can be read by clicking this link.
   On Monday evening, the diocese sent out a clarification of information regarding allegations of abuse against Lee. In the past, the diocese stated that there were more than two or multiple records of abuse that took place in the early 1980s.
   "Specifically, the Diocese of Portland received nine direct and two second-hand reports relating to events involving a total of fourteen individuals, all from the Boothbay Harbor area, where Lee served from 1971 - 1985," stated the press release. "The reports involved issues of inappropriate touching or privacy violations."

• A Pedo-Apolgist's Best Pal: OC Supervisor Bill Campbell

[Mons. Baird, Urell] - RCC.
   Orange County Weekly, Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Ex Cathedra, Politics, 7:11 AM, January 13, 2009
   ORANGE COUNTY (CA) -- So it turns out icky Monsignor Lawrence Baird won't give the invocation at the Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting today after all as originally planned; Baird now says he has to give Mass at St. John Vianney Chapel on Balboa Island at 9:30 a.m., and isn't that as bullshit an excuse as you'll ever hear, especially given that Mass at the picturesque chapel is said on weekdays at 7:45 a.m.? Whatever; let Larry the Louse sink back into his depraved multimillion-dollar Balboa home. Besides, the focus of this post is on the man who invited him in the first place--Third District Supervisor Bill Campbell.
   More than any Orange County politician since former GOP chair Tom Fuentes, Campbell has coddled protagonists of the Diocese of Orange sex-abuse scandal. He planned to not only have Baird give the invocation; he wanted Baird to swear him in! Last swearing-in ceremony around, he had pedo-apologist supreme John Urell do the honors. Doesn't Campbell read the papers?

• Decision Appealed in Sexual Abuse Case

[1980s Lee] - RCC. Reported in 2003, case appealed.

   Diocese of Portland, http://www. bishop-accountability. org/news5/ 2008_12_19_ DioceseOf Portland_ Decision Appealed.htm ; December 19, 2008
   {Includes assignment record of Rev. Thomas M. Lee. See also Church Gives Details of Accusations Against Priest: Allegations Made Against Rev. Thomas Lee (1/13/08) and Marie Tupper's Statement (11/16/05).}
   PORTLAND (ME) -- Bishop Richard J. Malone is supporting an appeal to the Vatican of the decision by a Church court (tribunal) of 81 year old Thomas Lee, a priest who has been out of ministry since September 2003. A tribunal (comprised of three priests from outside the Diocese of Portland who have special expertise in the area of Church law) determined the accusations against Lee regarding sexual abuse of minors were not proven. The tribunal acknowledged that his actions, which took place in the early 1980's, were imprudent.
   Bishop Joseph Gerry had forwarded the case to the Vatican in March of 2004 and requested a trial by a Church court. In 2006, the Vatican authorized the establishment of a tribunal in Portland. Testimony was presented during 2007 and the tribunal informed the bishop of its decision in August of this year. Bishop Malone made his request for an appeal in September.
   "While I respect the work of the tribunal, I support an appeal in this case because I want to be certain each piece of evidence was properly presented," explained the bishop. "I am stunned and disappointed at the outcome of this case and frustrated that the process has taken so long. It has undoubtedly been difficult for the families involved."
   [COPIED back to December 19, 2008. ENDS.

• Church Gives Details Of Accusations Against Priest

   WMTW, ~ January 13, 2009
   PORTLAND, Maine -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland is releasing more details of accusations against a priest accused of abusing children.
   Church officials said 14 victims from the Boothbay Harbor area were named in nine direct and two secondhand reports about the Rev. Thomas Lee, who was removed from the ministry five years ago. All the incidents allegedly happened in the 1980s while Lee was serving a parish in Boothbay Harbor.
   A church tribunal consisting of three priests determined last month that accusations against Lee were not proven, but Bishop Richard Malone has appealed to the Vatican.

• Woman, 3 men claim priest abused them in Collinsville, Edwardsville hotel rooms

[1979-82 Johnston*] - RCC. 3 boys, 1 girl.
   Belleville News-Democrat, BY BETH HUNDSDORFER, ~ January 13, 2009
   EAST ST. LOUIS (MO) -- Three central Illinois men and a woman want a federal jury to hear their lawsuits against a former priest who they claim molested them nearly 30 years ago in Collinsville and Edwardsville hotel rooms, as well as properties owned by the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
   Shane Perry, Matthew McCormick, William Goebel and Angela Ohl-Marsters filed suit against Rev. Robert Johnston and the St. Louis Archdiocese in Madison County last year, but the cases were recently moved to federal court.
   Attempts to reach Johnston and the archdiocese officials were not successful.
   They were introduced to Johnston by their parish priest, Rev. Norm Goodman, the suits stated.
   Perry, 38; Goebel, 35; Ohl-Marsters, 42; and McCormick, 39; allege in their suits that Johnston, now 71, molested them for three years, between 1979 and 1982, while they attended St. Maurice's Catholic Church and School in Morrisonville, near Taylorville.

• St. Louis priest Richard F. Stika named bishop of Knoxville

- RCC. SNAP objects to him.

   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, By Tim Townsend, Jan/13/2009
   ST. LOUIS (MO) -- Monsignor Richard Stika is a native St. Louisan and served as the director of the Archdiocese of St. Louis' Office of Child and Youth Protection.
   The Vatican announced Monday that Pope Benedict XVI has named a former chancellor and vicar general of the Archdiocese of St. Louis as the third bishop of Knoxville, Tenn. …
   In 2004, Burke named Stika to be the director of the archdiocese's Office of Child and Youth Protection and delegate to the archdiocese's review board and chairman of its Child Safety Committee.
   "With the exception of proven, admitted or credibly accused pedophiles, there is perhaps no priest in the archdiocese less qualified, in our view, to be a bishop than Richard Stika," the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said in a statement Monday. "In his dealings with child sex abuse and cover up cases here, he has repeatedly shown a penchant for secrecy, reckless and half-truths."
   Hermann said in his statement that Stika served "in an outstanding way" as the point-man of the archdiocese's child protection efforts.

• Dates set for trials of 12 FLDS men

- FLDS.
   Deseret News, By Ben Winslow, 4:58 p.m. MST, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009
   TEXAS -- Trial dates have been scheduled for a group of men from the Fundamentalist LDS Church charged in connection with underage marriages.
   The men all appeared before a judge in an Eldorado, Texas, court on Monday where a schedule was laid out for the dozen men facing grand jury indictments.
   Raymond Merril Jessop, 37, will be the first to go on trial Oct. 26 on a charge of sexual assault of a child. The rest will take place in a monthly succession based on the number of indictments, the Texas Attorney General's Office said Monday.

• Judge issues gag order in Alamo custody hearings

- Alamo Ministries.
   Pine Bluff Commercial, By JON GAMBRELL, 4:46 AM CST, Tuesday, January 13, 2009
   TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS - The judge overseeing a custody hearing for 23 children taken from the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries issued a gag order Monday, barring those involved from talking publicly about what is likely the largest child-custody case in Arkansas history.
   Miller County Circuit Judge Joe Griffin said lawyers for the state asked for the gag order at the start of what could be a two-week hearing. Griffin said the release of videotaped interviews with children seized from Alamo's Fouke church compound, as well as intense media interest, led him to put the order in place.
   Only a court reporter will be allowed to record future hearings about the children, Griffin said. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 13, 2009 7:49 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Tue January 13, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Wed January 14, 2009 edition:

!!!: Dowling Catholic teacher faces sex charge

[? 2008-09 Ms Rohwer -NEW*] - Roman Catholic Church. Woman to teen male (18).

   Des Moines Register, By L. LARS HULSEBUS, lhulsebu@dmreg.com, January 14, 2009
   DES MOINES (IA) -- A teacher at Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines faces possible prison time for an alleged sexual relationship with an 18-year-old male student.
   Erin Marie Rohwer, 27, was arrested Monday at her Des Moines home and charged with sexual exploitation by a school employee.
   Sexual contact between any school employee and student, regardless of age, is against the law in Iowa. A one-time encounter is an aggravated misdemeanor, while a pattern of sexual contact is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Rohwer faces the felony charge.

• Mexico Priest Arrested on Sex-Abuse Charges

[~ - 2008-09 Sandoval Gonzalez*; Sr Zaragoza Barajas*] - Roman Catholic Church. Prosecutors sat on complaint. Institution boys.

   Latin American Herald Tribune, ~ January 14, 2009
   VERACRUZ, MEXICO -- Police in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz arrested a Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing boys at a church-run residential facility.
   The Rev. Jose de Jesus Sandoval Gonzalez was detained in Veracruz city, the state Attorney General's Office said.
   Authorities said police were still looking for a nun accused of acting as Sandoval's accomplice.
   The priest's arrest came hours after the mayor of the town where the alleged crimes took place held a press conference to complain that prosecutors had failed to act on the criminal complaint the Boca del Rio municipal government filed in mid-December.

• Pastor Pleads Guilty To Child Porn Charge

[- 2008 Hayes*] - Lutheran. Child pornography. ADMISSION. Sex contact with minor.

   Keloland, ~ January 14, 2009
   WATERTOWN (SD) -- A Watertown pastor has pleaded guilty to having child pornography.
   Investigators found child porn on Dennis Hayes' computer after searching his home this summer. He also faces charges for sexual contact with a minor in Minnesota.
   Dennis Hayes was serving St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown when he was charged.
   "I just couldn't believe it because I'm his neighbor besides being a member of the church," Dell Philps said. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 14, 2009 9:24 PM]
   [LOOK BACK: July 5, 2008.]

• 'Cruel nuns stole my childhood'

- RCC. Book.

   EADT, < http://www. eadt.co.uk/ content/eadt/ features/story. aspx?brand= EADOnline& category= Features& tBrand= EADOnline& tCategory= features& itemid= IPED13% 20Jan%202009% 2010%3A17%3 A46%3A773 >; By STEVEN RUSSELL, ~ January 14, 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM -- At the age of two, Frances Reilly was abandoned by her mother and brought up in a convent where relentless mental and physical abuse drove her to the brink of despair. Now living in Essex, she's written a book about how her childhood innocence was destroyed. Steven Russell met her. These are her allegations and this is her story
   "WE have a pagan in the convent!" screams Sister X - not her real name - as she sweeps into the dormitory, waving a stick. "Where is she?" She points at a small girl. "Reilly! You are a heathen, a child of the Devil! Nobody is to come anywhere near you!" Frances Reilly's knees give way and she begins to tremble from head to toe. She doesn't know what "heathen" means and she doesn't know what she's done wrong, but she knows what's coming. "Please, Sister .." she starts to say.
   "Silence!" yells the nun, running towards her, face crimson with fury. "The Devil's in you, Reilly! We'll beat him out of you now!"
   She leaps at the child, bringing the stick down on her head and then chasing her down a corridor, shouting "Demon child! Devil spawn!" Sister X drives Frances into a room in the nuns' section of the convent, where she begins to beat her even more viciously. Two other nuns arrive and join in, raining blows. The girl lies hunched on the floor, while Sister X slaps her across the face and the others hit her all over her body. Soon, mercifully, Frances passes out. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 14, 2009 8:42 AM]

• Church of Ireland newspaper enters Cloyne controvers

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. C of I says resignation would be beneficial.

   Belfast Telegraph, By Alf McCreary, for Thursday, January 15, 2009
   IRELAND -- An influential Protestant newspaper has entered the controversy over the handling of child sex abuse allegations in Cloyne by stating it would be "beneficial" if the beleaguered Bishop John Magee were to resign.
   This week's edition of the Church of Ireland Gazette has also called the current controversy in the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne in Cork a "serious blow to the Church".
   Newry-born Bishop Magee is at the centre of the controversy over his mishandling of child sex allegations against two priests. Bishop Magee, who is a former assistant to three Popes, has so far resisted pressure in the Republic for him to resign.
   However, the editoral in the Gazette states his resignation would be beneficial in underlining the utmost importance of child protection measures.

• YOU-TUBE TOPPER

- Prize for documovie about survivors.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, By Deb Peterso, Jan/14/2009
ST. LOUIS (MO) -- Local videographer Kim Fischer, 42, was a finalist in the first-ever Project: Report, a contest for aspiring, nonprofessional journalists sponsored by YouTube and the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting. And while she didn't win the $10,000 fellowship award, she was recognized in an awards ceremony in Washington on Sunday night as one of the five finalists. She was awarded a laptop computer and a videocamera for her efforts. Fischer's video tells the personal stories of four people – including her husband – whose lives were touched by priest abuse. Fischer had the cooperation of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests for her video. Fischer lives in Crystal City.

• MacDonald delays 'major concern': Crown

[Charges 1996, 1998, 2000 MacDonald] - Christian. 9 boys.

   Standard-Freeholder By TREVOR PRITCHARD, STANDARD-FREEHOLDER, ~ January 14, 2009
   CANADA -- It was "an uphill battle" to keep a Cornwall-area priest facing sexual abuse charges from having his charges stayed for taking too long to come to trial, the Crown attorney who prosecuted the case testified Tuesday.
   In April 2001, Lorne McConnery was assigned to handle the prosecution of Rev. Charles MacDonald, who was facing 19 sexual abuse charges involving nine complainants, some of them former altar boys.
   The first charges against MacDonald had been laid in 1996, with more charges tacked on in 1998 and 2000 during Project Truth, the Ontario Provincial Police's four-year investigation into allegations a pedophile ring had operated in Cornwall. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 14, 2009 8:12 AM]

• Judge rejects deal to let priest go home

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. Deal to let them go free. US$8.6m. Female companions.

   WPTV, Reported by: Tim Malloy, Email: tmalloy@wptv.com , Last Update 5:32 pm, ~ January 14, 2009
   PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA -- NewsChannel Five has learned that attorneys for one of the two priests accused of embezzling 8.6 million dollars from St Vincent Ferrer Church in Del Ray Beach were offered a deal from the State Attorney's office that would have allowed the priest to go home to Ireland 'without facing trial or imprisonment'.
   The Irish born Father John Skehan would not have been allowed to ever return to the United States.
   Skehan, according to a reliable source, wanted to accept the deal and go home.
   We have also learned that Judge Sandra McSorley, who was to try the case, was outraged by the offer and refused to accept the plea.

• Alaska natives sue Jesuits over abuse

- RCC. Jesuit Order. Decades. Indigenous children.

   United Press International, Jan. 14, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA), (UPI) -- The president of a Jesuit university in Washington State has been named in a lawsuit claiming he knowingly sent abusive priests to Alaska.
   The suit filed in Alaska says the Jesuit order used Native villages as a "dumping ground" for priests who had a history of sexual abuse of children or were otherwise disqualified from serving elsewhere, The Seattle Times reported.
   The Rev. Stephen Sundborg, who now heads Seattle University, was Jesuit provincial or regional director in the Northwest between 1990 and 1996. The suit claims that he had access to what was known as the "hell files," secret records on priests alleged to have been involved in misconduct.

• Bishop's resignation would benefit child protection - C of I

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. C of I: Cloyne not compliant with own Church's policies.
   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, for January 15, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE RESIGNATION of Most Rev John Magee as Bishop of Cloyne "would have the benefit of providing a very explicit recognition of the utmost importance of child protection procedures," the Church of Ireland Gazette has said.
   An editorial in its current edition continued: "It is clearly essential that actions should emphasise the uncompromising commitment of that church to its now well established and highly regarded child protection policies. From this controversy, there is for us in the Church of Ireland a salutary lesson to be learned about the vital nature of strict adherence at all times to our own 'Safeguarding Trust' provisions.
   "The findings of the Roman Catholic Church's National Board for Safeguarding Children that its Diocese of Cloyne has not been compliant with the church's own child protection policies, having failed to alert the authorities to child sexual abuse allegations, have come as a serious blow to a church that has put immense effort into formulating procedures that are of the highest standard."

• Priest accused of embezzling from Delray Beach parish may be seeking plea deal

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. Deal to let them go free. US$8.6m. Female companions.

   Palm Beach Post, By SUSAN SPENCER-WENDEL, Wednesday, January 14, 2009
   WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – An 81-year-old Catholic priest set to go to trial next week on a charge of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his Delray Beach parish appears to be trying to strike a last-minute plea deal.
   The Rev. John Skehan has reached an "amicable resolution" which will be presented to a judge on Jan. 21, the day his trial on a grand theft charge is scheduled to begin, his defense attorney wrote in a court filing. Attorney Scott Richardson did not return a call late this afternoon seeking comment.
   Skehan is set to be tried at the same time as the Rev. Francis Guinan, 66, who is also charged with one count of grand theft over $100,000. Guinan, though, is expected to proceed with his trial, resolute on proving his innocence to a jury, his defense attorney, Richard Barlow, has said.

• HC judge withdraws from Sister Abhaya case

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Evidence burnt. Axe murder.

   Times of India, ~ January 14, 2009
   THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA -- The Sister Abhaya murder case witnessed dramatic moments on Wednesday with the monitoring judge Justice R Basant taking himself out of the case after differences with a fellow judge. The High Court also initiated contempt proceedings against a daily that commented critically on its order granting bail to the accused.
   Justice Basant informed the two sides that the case would hereafter be supervised by a division bench. He said he was pained by the developments of the past few days and was acting so to preserve the image of the judiciary. His withdrawal comes after an unfortunate controversy that began with the granting of bail to the accused sister Sephy and priests Thomas Kottur and Jose Poothrukkayil by Justice K Hema.
   [COMMENT: It would take more than Justice Basant withdrawing to "preserve the image" of the court system, AND the police, in Kerala State. The evidence of a 1992 axe murder was gathered, then disappeared / was destroyed, and the system had claimed that Sister had committed suicide! In a report of approx. Dec 15, 2008 three CDs (computer compact discs) of evidence turned into only one disc in court! ENDS.]

• Protecting those who advocate for Jewish Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

- Ultra-Orthodox Judaism.

The Awareness Center, video presentation, ~ January 14, 2009
MARYLAND -- The Awareness Center, Inc. and Child Victims Voice of Maryland co-sponsored an event on November 26, 2008 in which Rabbi Nochem Rosenberg talked about his experiences of advocating for survivors of child sexual abuse in the ultra orthodox communities of Borough Park/Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY)

• Settlement reached in sex abuse case involving Brick Twp. pastor

[Slegel] - Lutheran. 22 boys.
   The Star-Ledger, by Jeff Diamant / 7:41 PM, Wednesday January 14, 2009
   BRICK TOWNSHIP (NJ) -- Twenty-two men who claimed they were molested by the same Lutheran pastor in Brick Township when they were boys in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s reached a financial settlement today with the estate of the pastor, Robert Slegel, and with other parties in their lawsuit, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs.
   The amount of the settlement was not made public, as the agreement forbids the parties from discussing the terms, said Robert Fuggi, a Toms River attorney representing the plaintiffs.
   Fuggi had been seeking $5 million per plaintiff in the suit, which was filed in 2005 against Slegel, St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Brick, and the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

• Catholic Church Challenged to Support Victims

- RCC.
   CBS News Channel 5, with video, Jan/14/2009
   CHEYENNE (WO -- The Denver director of The Survivor Network Abused by Employees of the Church, otherwise known as "SNAP" delivered a letter to the Cheyenne Catholic Dioceses petitioning them to be more open about the location of priests who have been abusers, to ensure the safety of Wyoming children.
   Jebb Barett, SNAP Director says, "That transparency would mean that they would let people know where these pedophile priests are, and other employees for the simple reason that our parents need to be able to keep children safe."

• Cardinal Brady speaks of hope on special visit

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. "Full support" now Cardinal's policy.

   The Kerryman, By KEVIN HUGHES, Wednesday January 14 2009
   IRELAND -- KERRY had a special visitor on Tuesday, with Archbishop of Armagh Cardinal Seán Brady visiting the county for the first time in an official capacity.
   The Primate of All Ireland was fulfilling an invitation, sent by Bishop Bill Murphy, to address this week's Kerry Diocesan clergy assembly. Held at The Malton in Killarney, the annual three-day event is an opportunity for upskilling and prayer for local clergy. …
   Asked about Bishop Magee, a former secretary to Pope John Paul II, who has refused to stand down following the findings of the controversial Cloyne Report, the cardinal said he had his full support.
   "I have known John Magee for almost 50 years," he stated.
   "I've always found him to be a reliable, dependable person and, at this stage, I know that trust has been damaged but trust can be restored. It can be built up, maybe earned by steps, by genuine steps that address the issue and address the concerns of victims who must always be our first concern."

• Cardinal lands Church back in Dark Ages

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Cardinal goes back centuries.
   Herald Wednesday January 14 2009
   IRELAND -- THERE'S an episode of Father Ted in which Dermot Morgan makes a painful attempt to put the Catholic Church's most serious problem in some sort of perspective.
   "We're not all like that," he explains. "Say there's 200 million priests in the world and 10 per cent of them are paedophiles. That's still only 20 million!"
   After the tragic and sickening revelations of the last few weeks, that joke suddenly seems a lot less funny.

• Irish primate backs embattled bishop against calls for resignation

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Primate acts like one.
Catholic Culture, January 14, 2009
IRELAND -- "There is no pastoral issue more critical for the Church in Ireland today than to ensure the right attitudes and the right procedures are in place to safeguard children," said that Primate of All Ireland in a January 13 address. But while he insisted that "there is absolutely no room for complacency" on the issue, Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh told reporters that he did not think Cloyne's Bishop John Magee should resign in the wake of revelations that his diocese mishandled sex-abuse reports. "I know trust has been damaged," the cardinal said; "but trust can be restored."

• Lawsuit: Seattle U. President knew of abuse

[Decades] - RCC. Jesuits "North, to Alaska". 43 lawsuits. Indigenous children.

   KIRO, with audio, By HEATHER BOSCH, KIRO Radio, ~ January 14, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- A major claim has been made against the Jesuit Order of the Catholic Church alleging that Alaska was used as a "dumping ground" for priests known to have been accused of molesting children.
   A group of people who say they were sexually abused by Catholic priests in Alaska villages called a news conference Wednesday outside of Seattle University.
   Attorney Ken Roosa announced 43 lawsuits against the Jesuit Order and accused Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg of concealing abusers.
   While he is not accused of any direct abuse, Roosa said Father Sundborg at one time headed up the Jesuit order in the Pacific Northwest and was "In charge during the time the abuse occurred."

• Assessor: Catholic Archdiocese owes millions

- RCC avoiding US $15m property taxes.

   San Francisco Chronicle, by Erin Allday, Chronicle Staff Writer, Wednesday, January 14, 2009
   SAN FRANCISCO (CA) -- (01-13) 20:49 PST -- San Francisco will try to collect up to $15 million in taxes from the Archdiocese of San Francisco, which is refusing to pay certain taxes on properties the church is transferring from one Catholic nonprofit organization to another.
   That tax bill would be the second largest of its kind in San Francisco history. But the archdiocese has appealed the charge, saying the church should be exempt from property transfer taxes for a variety of reasons - primarily because the properties are being moved among groups that all are a part of the same overarching organization: the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
   The written appeal, which will be heard before a review board in the coming weeks, suggests that the assessor's office is unfairly targeting the archdiocese by applying taxes to property transfers that have been tax-free for other religious nonprofit groups.
   [COMMENT: The Webmaster is no lawyer, but for the Archdiocese to claim that all the property of the various groups are part of the one "overarching" organisation seems to be contrary to what some OTHER archbishops and archbishops, both Catholic and otherwise, have been arguing in courts. Both contradictory positions are being taken to avoid paying out lawful payments, whether compensating ruined victims, or helping to support public facilities like roads, the justice system, the State congress expenses, etc., through taxation. "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." ENDS.]

• A statement from SU President Stephen Sundborg, S.J.

- RCC.
Seattle University, January 14, 2009
SEATTLE (WA) -- "The allegations brought against me are false. I firmly deny them. I want the victims and the entire community to know that. The complaint filed by the plaintiffs' lawyers represents an unprincipled and irresponsible attack on my reputation. Let me be clear--my commitment to justice and reconciliation for all victims remains steadfast. The sexual abuse by Catholic priests is one of the most shameful episodes in the history of our church. I will continue to work toward the goal of bringing healing to all victims."

• Disgraced Pinoy priest gets 13 more years in jail

[~ 1990s-2000s Rodis] - RCC. < US $600,000. 13yrs PRISON. Mail fraud, money laundering. Has wife and children too.

   ABS-CBN (Philippines), By RODNEY J. JALECO, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau | 3:32 AM, for Jan/15/2009
   LOUISA (VA) - Disgraced Filipino priest Rodney Rodis was sentenced Wednesday (Jan. 14) to 13 years in prison for defrauding hundreds of parishioners in Louisa County, Virginia.
   The new prison term is on top of the five-year sentence meted in February 2008 by a federal court in Richmond for money laundering and mail fraud.
   Rodis, a native of Cagayan de Oro City, was convicted of diverting almost $600,000 in church collections to support a family in Spotsylvania that he had successfully hidden from his parishioners for over a decade, and to reportedly help relatives in the Philippines.
   [LOOK BACK: Jury recommends 200yrs in prison, Oct 16, 2008; Oct 30, '08; Jun 16 '08.]

• Rodney Rodis Sentenced to Thirteen Years in Prison

[~ 1990s-2000s Rodis] - RCC. > US $400,000 gone. 13yrs prison. Mail fraud, money laundering. Has wife and children too.

   WCAV, January 14, 2009
   LOUISA (VA) -- A Louisa County priest found guilty of stealing money from his parishioners will spend thirteen years in prison.
   In shackles in the courtroom Wednesday, the judge asked Rodney Rodis if he wanted to say anything before he heard his sentence. He remained silent.
   Rodis is accused of stealing over $400,000 from his parishioners at the St. Jude and Immaculate Conception Churches in Louisa County.

• Priest accused in lawsuit of sex abuse in Alaska

- RCC.

   KGW, Associated Press, Jan/14/2009
   ALASKA -- A lawsuit has been filed by Alaska Natives who say they were sexually abused by Jesuit priests in remote communities, and the president of Seattle University is accused of covering up the offenses.
   The Seattle Times reported that the Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, president of the Jesuit school since July 1997, is among the defendants in the case because of his previous role as provincial, or head of the Oregon Province of the Jesuit order that covers Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana.
   Other defendants include six Jesuits or those supervised by Jesuits, accused of abuses ranging from fondling to rape, and the Jesuit order.

• For 830 years, Apostolic Penitentiary has focused on forgiveness

- RCC's hq.

   Catholic News Service, By Cindy Wooden, ~ January 14, 2009
   VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The crimes the Catholic Church considers to be most serious are investigated and punished by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, but the Vatican also has a specific office for helping the guilty find forgiveness and reconcile with God and the church.
   In matters related to the conscience of individual Catholics, the work of the Apostolic Penitentiary, headed by U.S. Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, is probably the most secret of any Vatican office.
   Even the tribunals dealing with delicate situations involving requests for the annulment of marriages publish annual reports giving the number of cases opened and resolved during the year.
   But the Apostolic Penitentiary does not release that kind of information because its work is covered under the sacramental seal of confession.

• UPDATE: Sundborg named defendant in alleged sexual abuse cover-up

[Sundborg (Jesuit)] - RCC. Held the "Hell Files." 43 Alaskan indigenes.

   The Spectator, Section: News, by Joshua Lynch, UPDATE, 5:41 A.M. WEDNESDAY, Issue: Dec/3/08
   SEATTLE (WA) -- Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed late Tuesday accusing him and other Jesuits of covering up the sexual abuse of 43 Native Alaskan children.
   Sundborg was the provincial of the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus from 1990 to 1996, during which time the complaint said his office held what is known as the "Hell Files," which may have included information on Jesuits accused of sexual abuse.
   Sundborg gave a deposition more than two years ago regarding the suit, according to John Manly, a California attorney who is representing the victims. Jesuits Henry G. Hargreaves and Anton Smario have also been named as defendants, as well as Father General Adolfo Nichol, leader of the Jesuits. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 14, 2009 1:04 PM]

• BOOK CORNER

- RCC "Pubianity" exposed. Book.

   Voice of the Faithful, Nov 5, 2008
   AN IRISH TRAGEDY: How Sex Abuse by Irish Priests Helped Cripple the Catholic Church, By Joe Rigert. Baltimore, Crossland Press, 2008, available at Amazon.com for $10.99. Reviewed by Thomas Doyle
   A number of books have been written about sexual abuse by Catholic clerics. Some are the gut-wrenching stories of victims themselves, told in their own words or through another. Some are polemical in that they confront the official Church for its hypocritical response while demanding both recognition and action to help solve the problem. Still others are scholarly ventures into the mysterious depths of this unique socio-cultural phenomenon by academics from a variety of disciplines. All are seeking answers as to "why." The answers are much more complex and elusive than simply saying "celibate priests are sexually dysfunctional" or "bishops only want to protect their turf." Both are statements but there are many more "whys."
   An Irish Tragedy is an apt title for this book because it describes precisely the end result of the continuum of excessive and superstitious piety, toxic clerical control and a twisted sexual morality which has all converged into too many cases of sexual abuse of minors and deceitful cover-up by bishops.
   Sex abuse by Catholic clergy is not limited to a "church" problem. It is a deeply rooted, complex flaw in society in general because the results impact so many aspects of our daily lives. Many have arrived at the conclusion that expecting the official Roman Catholic Church to accomplish anything like a basic change of attitude marked by an honest recognition of the problem followed by concrete and realistic steps to help bind the wounds and reduce the chances of future abuse is completely futile. It is left to writers like Joe Rigert to probe deeply into the dark, mysterious and malignant shadows of the Church to find more answers. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 14, 2009 10:21 AM; also now on webpage covering November 2008.]
   [RECAPITULATION: … excessive and superstitious piety, toxic clerical control and a twisted sexual morality which … all converged into too many cases of sexual abuse … Many have arrived at the conclusion that expecting the official Roman Catholic Church to … reduce the chances of future abuse is completely futile. ENDS.]
   [COMMENT: Unfortunately, nearly every other religion has the problem of sex abuse of children and/or women, sometimes men too. It is NOT just a Roman Catholic, or Anglo-Celt, problem. Cover-ups go on everywhere. ENDS.] [Nov 5, 2008]

• Bishop warns priests, not parents, about predator; Sex abuse victims respond

[Costigan]
   Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, ~ January 14, 2009
   {This statement is followed by an excerpt from at article on the Costigan case. The full article, with important additional information, is: Diocese warns Morris parishes to be on lookout for suspended priest: Priest's accuser says church officials haven't done enough to watch him, by Abbott Koloff, Daily Record (January 13, 2009).}
   NEW JERSEY – It's the same old scenario: the public and parishioners learn of a dangerous predator priest only because of the media. The bishop alerts priests, who have no kids, about a child molester, but refuses to warn parents.
   When will bishops learn, in the words of Martin Luther King, that 'no lie lives forever,' and that they just can't keep secrets about pedophiles like they once could?
   The bishop should personally go to every parish where Fr. Costigan has appeared and apologize for not notifying families sooner. He should also explain why he still insists on secrecy in child sex cases and post Costigan's photo on the diocesan website so that more people will be aware of this criminal and will keep their children away from him.

• Sex Abuse Victims Challenge Catholic Officials

-- RCC. A bishop also accused.
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, ~ January 14, 2009
CHEYENNE (WO) – WHAT -- At a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will blast Wyoming's Catholic officials for staying silent about a convicted pedophile priest who was recently jailed for violating his probation. They will also hand deliver a letter urging church staff to

apologize for and explain their secrecy,

warn citizens about the predator, and

investigate accusations that Wyoming's retired Catholic bishop molested at least one boy here and others in Missouri.
WHEN -- Wednesday, Jan. 14, 1:30 p.m.
WHERE -- Outside the Catholic Pastoral Center 2121 Capitol Avenue in Cheyenne

• Paterson Diocese issues alert for priest accused of sex abuse

[Costigan] - RCC.
   The Star-Ledger BY JEFF DIAMANT, Wednesday, January 14, 2009
   NEW JERSEY -- A priest on administrative leave over an allegation of sex abuse recently presented himself as a cleric in good standing, prompting Paterson Diocese officials to alert local clerics and law enforcement authorities, a diocese attorney said yesterday.
   The alert regards the Rev. George Costigan, 82, who allegedly appeared in priestly garb last week at St. Matthew's Parish in Randolph, said Kenneth Mullaney, a diocese attorney.
   On Friday, the diocese sent an e-mail warning its priests about Costigan and advising them to demand he leave any church he appears in, Mullaney said. The e-mail said the priests should then call the diocese, and they should alert police if Costigan does not leave.

• Dad's silence in Alamo case earns him jail

- Alamo Ministries.

   Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, BY ANDY DAVIS, Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009
   TEXARKANA (AR) -- The father of a boy who was removed from the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries was held in contempt of court and jailed Tuesday evening after he refused to say where his two other children are.
   Meanwhile, an Internet radio station talk-show host joined ministry members protesting outside the Juvenile Court Center in Texarkana on Tuesday and said he has no plans to take a recording of an investigator's interview with a 16-year-old ministry member off his Web site.

• Cardinal rejects calls for Bishop of Cloyne to resign

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Primate: Magee dependable, reliable.

   The Irish Times, By CHARLIE TAYLOR and PADDY LOGUE, January 13, 2009
   IRELAND -- Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady has this evening rejected calls for the Bishop of Cloyne John Magee to resign.
   In an interview broadcast on RTÉ Television, Cardinal Brady described Bishop Magee as a "dependable and reliable" person who would do everything in his power to ensure that clerical sexual abuse did not happen in his diocese again.
   Cardinal Brady's comments follow last week's decision by the Minister for Children Barry Andrews decision to refer the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne to a commission investigating clerical abuse in the Dublin archdiocese last week.

• Cardinal backs his bishop

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Lies to Govt. and Church.
   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Wednesday January 14 2009
   IRELAND -- CARDINAL Sean Brady sparked fury last night after he gave his backing to under-fire Bishop of Cloyne John Magee, writes John Cooney.
   Victims groups hit out after the cardinal said Dr Magee should stay in office despite many calls for his resignation over his handling of child clerical sexual abuse.
   Cardinal Brady said he believed the embattled bishop had learnt painful lessons from the Cloyne controversy.

• Backing bishop could be naive

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Backed by his fellows.
   Irish Independent, http://www. independent. ie/opinion/ editorial/ backing-bishop- could-be- naive- , Wednesday January 14 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Archbishop of Cloyne certainly has the support of his colleagues. Before Christmas, John Magee's handling of sex abuse of children in his diocese was criticised in the strongest terms by the Catholic Church's own watchdog, the National Board for Safeguarding Children.
   The septuagenarian has rejected calls for his retirement, or resignation, from victims groups, public representatives and priests; well, one priest.
   The minister with responsibility for children, Barry Andrews, has made it clear that he has no faith in the Bishop's assurances that all is now well in Cloyne and he has ordered yet another investigation.
   Dr Magee must have experienced a warm glow of satisfaction when he received the endorsement of the Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, yesterday.

• Victims furious as Cardinal urges Cloyne bishop to stay

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Survivors don't believe primate's views.
   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Religion Correspondent, Wednesday January 14 2009
   IRELAND -- Victims of child clerical sexual abuse reacted furiously yesterday after the leader of the Irish Catholic Church backed the embattled Bishop of Cloyne, John Magee, saying he should stay in office despite many calls for his resignation.
   Cardinal Sean Brady said the bishop should stay to ensure proper procedures were put in place.
   The cardinal did not believe that Bishop Magee should resign over his mishandling of allegations against two priests, but should be held accountable to a new State probe into child protection procedures in his diocese.
   Cardinal Brady's unexpected support appeared to have the approval of the Vatican, and it provided a major boost for the besieged bishop, who has also been given the blessing of five other bishops, including the Archbishop of Cashel, and Dermot Clifford, who is the leader of the Munster Church.

• Cardinal supports Cloyne bishop

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. O.I.F. says Cardinal shows lack of understanding.
   Herald, Wednesday January 14 2009
   IRELAND -- Catholic Primate Cardinal Sean Brady last night said under-fire Bishop of Cloyne John Magee should not resign.
   Bishop Magee, a former Vatican aide, has faced down repeated calls to quit over his mishandling of child sex abuse allegations, branded inadequate and dangerous by the church's own watchdog.
   But Cardinal Brady said he believes the embattled Bishop, who served as Private Secretary to three pontiffs, has learnt painful lessons from the Cloyne controversy.
   However, One in the Four, the sex abuse support group which sparked the landmark inquiry into paedophile priests in Co Wexford four years ago, said the cardinal was demonstrating a complete lack of understanding of the dynamics of sexual abuse.

• Jesuit head of Seattle U. knew of priest's abuse, lawsuit claims

- Jesuits of the RCC.

   Seattle Times, By Janet I. Tu and Nick Perry, ~ January 14, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- A lawsuit filed Tuesday accuses Seattle University President the Rev. Stephen Sundborg of knowing about an abusive Jesuit priest yet allowing that priest to remain in ministry when Sundborg served as provincial – or head – of the Jesuit order in the Northwest from about 1990 to 1996.
   Sundborg is one of several defendants named in the lawsuit, filed by more than 40 men and women who say they were sexually abused as children or teens in Alaska years ago by Jesuits or those supervised by Jesuits.
   The suit claims that as provincial, Sundborg had access to something called "hell files" – files containing information about Jesuit priests that was "not public," and "not good."

• Church officials warn suspended priest

[Costigan]

   Newsday January 14, 2009
   MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY -- Roman Catholic church officials are warning parishes in Morris County about a suspended priest who is passing himself off as a cleric.
   Church officials say George Costigan was placed on administrative leave 15 years ago following sexual abuse allegations. He was never prosecuted.
   The 82-year-old recently turned up at St. Matthew's parish in Randolph wearing clerical attire.
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Wed January 14, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Thu January 15, 2009 edition:

• Ex official nabbed in brothel probe

[- ? 2009 Mr McFadden -NEW*] - Head of Faith … Initiatives. WWW adviser on whores.

   The Columbus Dispatch, with WBNS video, By Theodore Decker, 7:13 AM, Thursday, January 15, 2009
   OHIO -- Columbus vice detectives monitoring online discussions among clients of prostitutes for years have noticed a man posting under the names "Sullivant Guy," "Broad Street Guy," "Toby" and "God O Thunder."
   The man, like many others on the sites, would trade information about street hookers and online escorts. He would recommend some prostitutes, issue warnings about others and give advice on ways to avoid law enforcement.
   Detectives said yesterday that they arrested the "go-to guy" behind those posts.
   Robert Eric McFadden, who was the director of Gov. Ted Strickland's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives until his transfer to another state job in fall 2007, was arrested in Dublin.

• Accused Minister Worked At Union & Owasso Schools

[? 2008-09 A youth minister -NEW*] - Christian. Teen boy.

   KTUL, with video, reporter: Burt Mummolo; producer: Kerri Gift; 6:16 pm; Jan/15/09
   OWASSO, Oklahoma -- Owasso Police continue to investigate allegations of sexual abuse by a 23-year-old youth minister.
   The alleged assault on a teenage boy did not take place on church property.
   NewsChannel 8 has learned the man had a part time job as a substitute teacher.
   At Union he had substituted six times this year from grades 6-12.
   In Owasso, he had substituted 19 times through grades 8 and under.
   So far, neither school has had any students come forward reporting any similar incidents.

!!!: Boy allegedly molested, then forced out of school

[2008 Ms Vail-Wesley (22) - NEW*] - Christian school. Female teacher to boy (17).

   Chicago Sun-Times, BY STEFANO ESPOSITO, sesposito@suntimes.com , January 15, 2009
   CHICAGO (IL) -- A victims' rights group is urging officials at a private Christian high school on the West Side to explain why they forced out a star football player after a female teacher allegedly molested him on campus late last year.
   "The child shouldn't have been forced to leave the school," said Barbara Blaine, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "The child should have been embraced by the school."
   Kathryn Vail-Wesley, 22, is accused of sexually assaulting the 17-year-old student last year, both at her home and in her classroom at Chicago Hope Academy, according to a Chicago Police report. Vail-Wesley was arrested last October and is awaiting trial.

• Former church music leader pleads guilty in sex case

[2008, Sep. - Mr Garitson (24) -NEW*] - Christian. ADMISSION. Internet "boy" (15).
   The Oxford Press, By Denise Callahan, Thursday, January 15, 2009
   LEBANON (OH) – A former Hamilton church music leader plead guilty today, Jan. 15, to charges related to an undercover online sex investigation in Hamilton Twp.
   Charles Andy Garitson, 24, of Monroe pleaded guilty in Warren County Common Pleas Court to importuning, a fifth-degree felony, in exchange for prosecutors dropping a charge of attempted unlawful sex with a minor.
   Garitson was arrested on Sept. 29 after allegedly arranging a meeting with Hamilton Twp. Police Department Lt. Jeff Braley, who posed as a 15-year-old male as part of an undercover investigation. According to the police report, Garitson contacted Braley via the Internet and asked to meet for sexual conduct. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 11:09 AM]

• Weleetka pastor faces lewdness charges

[~ 2000s Lowe -NEW*] - Apostolic Church. 15 charges. Girls (8-14).
   Tulsa World, By MANNY GAMALLO, January 15, 2009
   WELEETKA (OK) – A local minister charged with allegedly molesting young girls is not a suspect in the June 8 slayings of two girls along a county road not far from his church, authorities said Thursday.
   Marvin Lowe, 51, has been charged with 14 counts of lewd molestation, along with one count of lewd exhibition and another count of rape by instrumentation.
   Lowe, whose initial court appearance was held Wednesday at the Okfuskee County Courthouse in Okemah, is now being held at the county jail in lieu of $240,000 bail. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 4:51 PM]

• Former Youth Pastor Arrested in California

[? 2008-09 Mr Webb*] - "Word of Life." Minor.

   My Fox Birmingham, ~ January 15, 2009
   BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A former youth pastor at a church in Jefferson County has been indicted by a federal grand jury for charges alleging he transported a minor across state lines to engage in sexual activity. The Department of Justice issued the following press release about the arrest of William David Webb…
   William David Webb, 35, of Murrieta, California, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for transporting a minor across state lines for sexual activity. He was arrested on these charges in California on January 14, 2009 and given a bond on the federal charges. He remains in custody pending extradition from California to Alabama on outstanding state warrants.
   United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama, Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Mike Hale, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department announce that Webb was charged in the one-count indictment filed December 30, 2008 and unsealed today at U. S. District Court in Birmingham. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:58 PM]

• MacDonald lawyer focuses on notes

[MacDonald] - RCC.

   Standard-Freeholder, By TREVOR PRITCHARD, ~ January 16, 2009
   CANADA -- The attorney for Rev. Charles MacDonald defended his involvement in a 2002 decision to switch judges in the retired priest's sexual abuse trial Thursday.
   Michael Neville took former assistant Crown attorney Lorne McConnery through sections of his notes which suggested Neville never specifically asked for Justice Dan Chilcott to take the reins of his client's trial.
   MacDonald had first been charged in 1996 by the Ontario Provincial Police with sexually abusing three boys decades earlier. Additional charges involving six new complainants were tacked on in 1998 and 2000. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 7:41 AM]

• Op-Ed: A Tale of Two Archdioceses

- RCC. Police "will not be called" -- but they were.

   The Boston Globe, By Jason Berry, January 14, 2009
   BOSTON (MA) -- Cardinal Sean O'Malley may not win a popularity sweepstakes with parishioners occupying five Boston-area churches; but his restraint toward the vigil movement, which after four years is spreading to other dioceses, might well be a model for other bishops confronting parishioners who sit rather than vacate.
   O'Malley has tacitly acknowledged that sacred spaces carry a cultural memory of bonded loyalties in certain neighborhoods. Some closures make sense, as when an area changes drastically. So do negotiated consolidation plans. Still, O'Malley has wisely borne the expense of letting vigil occupants stay as he tries to reverse the financial mess inherited from Cardinal Bernard Law. O'Malley's patience underscores the cardinal law of politics: If you want money, make people like you.
   A worst-case scenario erupted last week in New Orleans. Police raided two churches that had been occupied 10 weeks, two days after Archbishop Alfred Hughes' spokeswoman said police would not be called. TV cameras showed cops bash in a door at Our Lady of Good Counsel, "the pearl of the Garden District," and arrest Poppy Z. Brite, a novelist, and Harold Baquet, a photographer. [Posted by Terry McKiernan on January 15, 2009 11:05 PM]

• Apostolic Visitation of Seminaries: Vatican Report Released

- RCC report on seminary inspections.

   America (A notable U.S. R.C. Jesuit publication), Author: James Martin, S.J.; Posted at 18:32:00.0, 2009-01-15 (i.e., Jan 15, 2009)
   UNITED STATES -- The USCCB has posted, apparently without fanfare, the Vatican's final report from the Apostolic Visitation of seminaries and houses of formation for religious orders, from 2006. The visitation received widespread interest, coming as it did after the sexual abuse crisis, and in response to Vatican concerns over the admission of gay men into seminaries and religious orders, and following the publication, in 2005, of the Vatican document barring men with "deep-seated" homosexual tendencies from the priesthood. The full text, in pdf form is here. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 9:00 PM]
   [MEDITATION: Will they not both fall into the ditch? (Matthew 15:14, Luke 6:39). ENDS.]

• Alleged victim criticises cardinal

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. Survivor says "almost predictable."

   The Irish Times, from BARRY ROCHE, Southern Correspondent, ~ January 15, 2009
   IRELAND -- A WOMAN who alleges that she was sexually abused for several years by a priest in Co Cork has strongly criticised Cardinal Seán Brady for his comments supporting Bishop of Cloyne John Magee in the controversy over his handling of complaints of clerical sexual abuse.
   The woman, who doesn't wish to be named, spoke of her frustration and anger over the Catholic Church's handling of her case and those of other complaints about the priest who ministered in the Diocese of Cloyne.
   "I'm angry but I'm not shocked or surprised – it's almost predictable," said the woman who alleges she was abused from the age of 13 for several years by the priest.

• National Survivor Advocates Coalition FACT CHECK of Diocese of Portland Maine details of sex abuse claims.

[Lee]
   National Survivor Advocates Coalition, January 15, 2009
   MAINE – Statement -- Diocesan spokeswoman Susan Bernard said Tuesday that the unprecedented release of information was intended to show that allegations against Lee were made by many people, not just one or two, as some parishioners have concluded." We felt the need to do it now, because we were told recently that the community in Boothbay Harbor was being critical of complainants," Bernard said.
   Fact – The decision by diocese officials to release information about the number of child sex abuse allegations made against Thomas Lee occurred for one reason, and one reason only - the persistence of survivor advocates. If it were not for the voices of those who spoke clearly and forcefully on behalf of Marie Tupper, Bishop Malone would have remained silent on this issue. Bernard neglects to mention that Malone kept secret the tribunal's decision about Lee for three months until Marie Tupper and survivor advocates applied intense pressure on Malone to tell the truth about the status of Lee's case.

• Former Word of Life youth pastor indicted on sex charge

[? 2008-09 Mr Webb*] - "Word of Life." Minor.
   Birmingham News, Posted by Greg Garrison, 5:19 PM, January 15, 2009
   ALABAMA -- A former youth minister and executive pastor at Word of Life Christian Center in Birmingham has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of transporting a minor across state lines for sex.
   William David Webb, the son of Word of Life Senior Pastor Scott Webb, was arrested by federal officials on Wednesday at his home in Murrieta, Calif.
   "There have been charges, accusations," the defendant's father said today. "I believe it is not true."

• Pedophile to stand trial again next week on more sex assault charges

[1999-2002 "Rev" Cormier*] - "Church of Downtown Montreal." Girl (10-13).

   CJAD, by Shuyee Lee, Thu, 2009-01-15 (= Jan 15, 2009)
   CANADA -- Wearing a grey windbreaker and sporting a scraggly salt-and-pepper beard, Daniel Cormier looked tired and sullen as he sat handcuffed in the glass-enclosed prisoner's dock, listening to the judge as he rejected a defence motion to submit evidence from his first sexual assault trial in his second trial on charges of sexually touching a minor. The judge ruled that each case would be judged on its own merits.
   The 57-year-old self-proclaimed pastor was already found guilty last October of sexual assault of a minor. He argued his sexual relations with the underaged girl were legal because he married her in his now defunct Church of Downtown Montreal and that it wasn't a crime to have sex with your wife. The relationship started when she was eight and he was 47. [LOOK BACK: October 15, 2008, ~ May 01, 2008. ENDS.]

• Jesuit denies predatory priests sent to Alaska

- RCC's Jesuit Order.

   Anchorage Daily News, By LISA DEMER, ldemer@adn.com , ~ January 15, 2009
   {PDF: Catholic abuse lawsuit}
   ALASKA -- The head of the Jesuit order for the Northwest today denied the allegation in a new lawsuit that Alaska became a magnet or hiding place for problem priests.
   The lawsuit filed this week in Bethel on behalf of 43 Alaska Natives accuses Catholic priests and volunteers of sexual abuse years or even decades ago, when they were children.
   It's the latest in a string of lawsuits over the years, most of them targeting priests who came to Alaska from the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province. The province includes Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho.

• Vatican report on US seminaries & SNAP's response

- SNAP says RCC let dozen be abused.

   Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP president, January 15, 2009
   Concern about seminaries misses the mark.
   UNITED STATES -- The central problem is, and always has been, chancery offices, not seminaries. Some predators will always 'slip through' educational institutions. The key is 'how does the church hierarchy respond when allegations are made or abuse is witnessed or whistleblowers express concerns?
   Sadly, in Catholic dioceses and religious orders, the short answer is usually: belatedly and deceptively. And since no bishop has suffered the slightest consequence for ignoring or concealing child molestation, such crimes and cover ups continue even now.
   Sure, many were ordained priests who shouldn't have been. But in the overwhelming majority of cases, the predators could and should have been removed after their first few victims, not after dozens were devastated. That recklessness, callousness and severe harm is the fault of bishops, current and past. It can't be ignored or minimized or shifted to seminary staff.

• Vatican: US Seminaries Sign of Hope for Nation

- RCC.

   Zenit (a Roman Catholic news agency), JAN. 15, 2009
   WASHINGTON, D.C., (Zenit.org).- Diocesan seminaries in the United States are generally healthy, concluded a letter from the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education after an apostolic visitation to review centers of priestly formation.
   The letter was released this week by the U.S. bishops' conference. It was directed to cardinals, bishops, major superiors, and all those responsible for diocesan seminaries and religious houses of priestly formation in the United States.
   It recognized a breakdown of seminaries in past decades, when a "false sense of freedom was sometimes cultivated, which led to the throwing off of centuries of acquired wisdom in priestly formation."
   [COMMENT: No, the case of the Austrian seminary chief who was kissing and fondling the young male seminarians, and just this year was foisted onto an area in Germany, suggests that the RCC has NOT learnt any lessons. Mind you, a Church led by a supposedly infallible leader ought to have no need to learn lessons! By the way, realistically, there are no "centuries of acquired wisdom" because each person is a new intellect. The way priests were transferred around, sinning and dragging others in to sin, proves that the bishops and other leaders don't have a sense of sin, AND don't have the common sense to listen to the warnings such as by Fr Tom Doyle and others that the COSTS would be enormous. In Austria the numbers formally leaving the RCC are culturally dangerous for national cohesion. ENDS.]

• Cirilo Flores Rarely Pursued Discipline of Molesting Priests While Serving on Important Church Board

- RCC. Flores followed the policy that is now ruinously costly.

   Orange County Weekly, By GUSTAVO ARELLANO, Published 12:45pm, January 14, 2009
   Meet the New Bishop ..
   Cirilo Flores rarely pursued discipline of molesting priests while serving on important Church board
   ORANGE COUNTY (CA) -- As expected, Catholic Diocese of Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown chose a Latino to replace his longtime auxiliary bishop, Jaime Soto, who left last year to become the Bishop of Sacramento. Cirilo Flores gets anointed to his new position March 19 at St. Columban's Church in Garden Grove, and church watchers expect the Corona native to succeed Brown when His Excellency retires. Local media coverage and the diocese's P.R. machine made much of Flores' Stanford Law School degree, his bilingualism and his experience serving in multiple church leadership positions, as well as being the longtime pastor of St. Anne's in Santa Ana.
   These reports only briefly mentioned Flores' stint on the Orange diocese clergy-personnel board. One of the most important councils in the church hierarchy, the board is in charge of helping clergy with personnel matters and advises the bishop about priests – and is thus privy to the day-to-day happenings of the Catholic Church. And like his predecessor Soto, who distinguished himself by personally advocating for leniency the few times the Orange County district attorney's office bothered to prosecute priests accused of sex crimes, Flores also played a major role in the Orange diocese's crippling sex-abuse scandal.
   Flores served on the board from 1995 until this year, a period that also happens to coincide with the Church learning about many cases of priestly sex abuse–but never bothering to discipline the offenders until the cases became public. The inaction of the clergy-personnel team wasn't surprising: Flores' peers on the board during this time include such sex-abuse-scandal luminaries as Michael McKiernan (Brown's longtime secretary, who once told a parishioner that a priest possessing child-pornography images didn't violate Brown's zero-tolerance sex-abuse policy), Daniel Murray (on whose behalf the Orange diocese settled a $500,000 sex-abuse lawsuit in 2004 without alerting parishioners) and John Urell, a man who was so knee-deep in covering for molesting priests as Brown's point man on the issue that he suffered a nervous breakdown during a deposition about his role (see "Bad Moves," Sept. 27, 2007). Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 6:16 PM

• Apostolic Visitation of Seminaries in the United States

- RCC analyses its own seminaries.
   United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, ~ January 15, 2009
   {Cover Letter from Sean Cardinal O'Malley}
   {Final Report}
   UNITED STATES – Conducted by: Congregation for Catholic Education of the Holy See.
   Context of Visitation: In their Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted in June, 2002, the U.S. Bishops pledged their "complete cooperation with the Apostolic Visitation of our diocesan/eparchial seminaries and religious houses of formation recommended in the Interdicasterial Meeting with the Cardinals of the United States and the Conference Officers in April 2002."
   Objectives: The Congregation has indicated the following objectives for the Visitation: 1) To examine the criteria for admission of candidates and the programs of human formation and spiritual formation aimed at ensuring that they can faithfully live chastely for the Kingdom; 2) To examine other aspects of priestly formation in the United States. Particular attention will be reserved for the intellectual formation of seminarians, to examine fidelity to the Magisterium, especially in the field of moral theology, in the light of Veritatis Splendor.
   Coordinator of the Visitation: Most Reverend Edwin F. O'Brien, Archbishop of Military Services, U.S.A.

• Apostolic visitation deems US seminaries generally healthy, notes numerous problems

- RCC.
   Catholic Culture, Jan. 15, 2009
   UNITED STATES (CWNews.com) -- A Vatican investigation into American seminarians, undertaken in a response to the sex-abuse scandal, has given the institutions a passing grade but taken note of many difficulties.
   The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has quietly posted on its web site the final report of the apostolic visitation of seminaries in the United States. Dated December 15, the report, issued by the prefect and secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, offers a generally positive assessment of US seminaries but notes numerous problems.

• Vatican: Gay 'behavior' in seminaries declines

- RCC.

   The Associated Press, By RACHEL ZOLL, ~ January 15, 2009
   NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (AP) – A Vatican evaluation of U.S. Roman Catholic seminaries in response to the clergy sex abuse scandal concluded that administrators have largely been effective in rooting out "homosexual behavior" in the schools, although the agency said it persists.
   The Congregation for Catholic Education sought a broad review of how the schools screen and educate prospective priests, but gave special attention to teachings on chastity and celibacy. The Vatican also directed evaluators to look for "evidence of homosexuality" in the schools.
   In a report U.S. bishops released this week, the Vatican agency noted past "difficulties in the area of morality" within seminaries that "usually but not exclusively" involved "homosexual behavior." The evaluators said the appointment of better administrators in diocesan seminaries "has ensured that such difficulties have been overcome." …
   The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said the focus on seminaries "misses the mark," since some predators inevitably will slip through any screening process.
   "The key is how does the church hierarchy respond when allegations are made or abuse is witnessed or whistleblowers express concerns?" the group said in a statement.

• Mexican priest arrested for sexually abusing boys

[~ - 2008-09 Sandoval Gonzalez*; Sr Zaragoza Barajas*] - Roman Catholic Church. Institution boys.

   Smash Hits (India), Posted: 12:57a.m. IST, January 14, 2009
   VERACRUZ (Mexico), Jan 14 (IANS) The police in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz arrested a Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing boys at a church-run residential facility, EFE news agency reported Wednesday.
   The Rev. Jose de Jesus Sandoval Gonzalez was detained in Veracruz city, the state Attorney General's Office said.
   Authorities said the police were still looking for a nun accused of acting as Gonzalez's accomplice.
   The priest's arrest came hours after the mayor of the town, where the alleged crimes took place, held a press conference to complain that prosecutors had failed to act on the criminal complaint of the Boca del Rio municipal government filed in mid-December.

• Pastor Arrested on Molestation Charge

[~ 2000s Mr Lowe*] - Apostolic Church. 15 charges. Girls (8-14).

   KJRH, ~ January 15, 2009
   OKLAHOMA -- A pastor in Weleetka is accused of molesting young girls at his church.
   Police arrested 51-year-old Marvin Lowe on a complaint of lewd molestation.
   OSBI officials said they had been investigating claims against Lowe since December.

• Judge postpones youth pastor's trial

[? 2000s Mr Timothy Edmonds*] - Apostolic Church. Girl (16).
   Charleston Daily Mail, January 14, 2009
   CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A judge has postponed the trial of a Chesapeake youth pastor accused of sexual abuse.
   Timothy Edmonds, 37, a former pastor at Chesapeake Apostolic Church, was to go on trial this week on charges he sexually abused a 16-year-old girl.
   Judge Irene Berger agreed to postpone Edmonds' trial until Jan. 26.
   [LOOK BACK: ~ Oct 22, 2008; August '08 ]

• Sundborg in a statement: Allegations are false

- RCC. More lawsuits coming re. Jesuits and Alaskan native children.

   The Spectator by Jessica Van Gilder, UPDATE, JAN. 14, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- After Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed late Tuesday accusing him and other Jesuits of covering up the sexual abuse of 43 Native Alaskan children, the victim's attorneys said there will be more lawsuits to come.
   A complaint has been filed against the Society of Jesus-Oregon Province, the Society of Jesus-Alaska as well as the Father General Adolfo Nicolas, S.J. Sundborg was named as a defendant among fellow Jesuits Henry G. Hargreaves and Anton Smario.
   In response to the allegations Sundborg gave the following statement Wed., Jan. 14: "The allegations brought against me are false. I firmly deny them. I want the victims and the entire community to know that. The complaint filed by the plaintiffs' lawyers represents an unprincipled and irresponsible attack on my reputation. Let me be clear – my commitment to justice and reconciliation for all victims remains steadfast. The sexual abuse by Catholic priests is one of the most shameful episodes in the history of our church. I will continue to work toward the goal of bringing healing to all victims."

• Exclusive: Sundborg calls lawsuit 'unfair'

- RCC and indigenous Alaskan kids.
   The Spectator by Joshua Lynch, THURS., JAN 15, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. called a lawsuit filed Tuesday against him and other Jesuits "unfair" and "unfortunate" while denying accusations that he covered-up sex abuse.
   "While respecting the victims of sexual abuse, the claims that are made in the statements in this suit are simply false," Sundborg told The Spectator Wednesday. "I deny them. I would never, ever, in any situation {…} leave young people in danger of abuse by Jesuits."
   Sundborg said he had never heard of documents the lawsuit complaint alleges he destroyed, including what the victims' lawyers call the "Hell Files."

• Ex-director of Ohio's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives linked to prostitution ring

[~ 2009 Mr McFadden (46)*] - Head of Faith … Initiatives. WWW adviser on whores.

   The Plain Dealer, Posted by Aaron Marshall and Reginald Fields / 04:30AM, January 15, 2009
   COLUMBUS, OHIO -- A man once hired by Gov. Ted Strickland to head a state office because of his ties to Ohio's religious community stands accused of being involved in an online prostitution ring.
   Robert Eric McFadden, former director of Strickland's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, was arrested Wednesday morning in the Columbus suburb of Dublin. He has been charged with seven felonies, including pandering obscenities involving a minor, promoting prostitution and compelling prostitution, according to a Columbus Police Department spokesman.
   Police spokesman Sgt. Richard Weiner confirmed that the 46-year-old is the same person who worked for Strickland.

• "A Pedophile's Paradise"

- RCC. 345 molestations known.

   The Stranger, Posted by Brendan Kiley, 11:42 AM, Wed, Jan 14, 2009
   ALASKA -- This morning, 43 Alaskan Natives filed a lawsuit against the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), claiming a widespread conspiracy to dump pedophile priests in small Alaskan towns and shelter them from exposure.
   The suit was filed in the Bethel, Alaska Superior Court.
   Reverend Father Stephen Sundborg–current president of Seattle University and head of the Northwest Jesuits from 1990 to 1996–is named as a co-conspirator.
   Attorney Ken Roosa announced the lawsuit at a chilly press conference outside Seattle University this morning and said, as of today, he knows of 345 cases of molestation, only two of them against non-natives.
   The Jesuits, he said, sent known pedophiles to isolated Alaskan villages–many of them only accessible by boat or plane–to let them abuse children with impunity. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 11:18 AM]

• Pastor Arrested, Charged with Sex Crimes

[~ 2000s Lowe*] - Apostolic Church. 15 charges. Girls (8-14).

KOKC, Jan/15/2009
WELEETKA, OKLAHOMA -- A sex crime case in Okfuskee County stirs suspicions about another unsolved crime. Marvin Lowe, a pastor, was arrested on 15 counts of lewd molestation. The reported victims are children ages 8 to 14 years old. The nature of the alleged crimes and the proximity of the church to a notorious murder scene are raising questions for some people.

• Ex-pastor accused of sex with teen to be in court today

[2008 July-Dec - Mr Pedroza*] - "Calvary Church." Girl (17).
   The Orange County Register By SERENA MARIA DANIELS, ~ January 15, 2009
   NEWPORT BEACH (CA) – A former Capo Beach Calvary Church youth minister accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl is scheduled to be arraigned today on six felony charges.
   Daniel Pedroza Jr., 28, of Dana Point is scheduled to appear at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach at 8:30 a.m. to answer to felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and other sex acts, as well as one misdemeanor charge of child annoyance, Orange County District Attorney's Office officials say.
   Pedroza, who was the junior high school youth group pastor until he was fired by the church in December, allegedly engaged in sexual relations with the girl from July to December 2008. The two reportedly engaged in sexual activity at his house and hers, while her parents were not home. [LOOK BACK: Dec 18, 2008]

• Vatican reveals secrets of worst sins

- RCC becoming "transparent."

   The Telegraph (United Kingdom), By Nick Squires in Rome, Last Updated: 3:42PM GMT, Jan 15, 2009
   VATICAN CITY -- The Apostolic Penitentiary, or "tribunal of conscience", has been shrouded in secrecy ever since it was established by Pope Alexander III in 1179 and until now has never provided details of the cases it scrutinises.
   They are considered so heinous by the Catholic Church that only the Pope can grant absolution to those who perpetrate them.
   But in an effort to present a more transparent image and to encourage more people to make confessions, the tribunal held a two-day conference in Rome in which it discussed its purpose and inner workings.

• Democratic Catholic leader arrested on prostitution-related charges

[- 2009 Mr McFadden(46)*] - Head of Faith … Initiatives. WWW adviser on whores.
   Catholic News Agency, 09:22 pm, Dublin, Jan 14, 2009
   OHIO (CNA)-- The former director of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives for the governor of Ohio was arrested Wednesday for his involvement in an online prostitution ring. Eric McFadden, who has also formerly served as the president of the organization Catholics for Faithful Citizenship and spokesperson for Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, will face seven prostitution-related charges tomorrow in court.
   Eric McFadden, 46, the former head of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives for Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland, was arrested this morning and faces two counts of promoting prostitution, two counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, two counts of pandering obscenity involving a nude minor and one count of compelling prostitution, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien told the Springfield News-Sun. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 10:01 AM]

• Naugatuck priest denies sex assault charges

   Hartford Courant, Associated Press, January 15, 2009
   WATERBURY, Conn. - A Roman Catholic priest in Naugatuck has taken the witness stand to defend himself, saying he never had sexual relations with a 15-year-old boy in 2006 and 2007.
   The Rev. Robert Grant testified Wednesday in Waterbury Superior Court. He's charged with sexual assaulting the teen, known only as "C.R." in the court proceedings.

• Split over Cloyne bishop casts Church into 'crisis'

[Years - Bp Magee*] - RCC. "Crisis" as Dublin Abp is let down.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Religion Correspondent, Thursday January 15 2009
   IRELAND -- ARCHBISHOP Diarmuid Martin remained tight-lipped last night as a leading Catholic activist described Cardinal Sean Brady's support for Bishop John Magee as creating "a most serious crisis of leadership for the Irish Catholic Church".
   Last night a spokesman for Archbishop Martin said that he had no comment to make in response to the Cardinal's support in Killarney on Tuesday for Bishop Magee to stay in office.
   But Sean O'Conaill, the national coordinator of the Voice of the Faithful, which campaigns for accountability by the leadership of the Irish Church, said that the Archbishop of Dublin must be feeling badly let down by the Cardinal, the Archbishop of Thurles, Dermot Clifford and the Archbishop of Tuam, Michael Neary. All three have expressed their confidence in Bishop Magee now implementing proper child protection practices in Cloyne.
   [COMMENT: A self-appointed leadership hardly every feels a "crisis." Once the major Eastern and Western Churches moved away from election of leaders by the people and/or the clergy, an increase in corruption was inevitable, and did occur, as ecclesiastical history books have shown for centuries. ENDS.]

• Emily should watch her back

- To investigate the bureaucracy PLUS the Church is hazardous.

   Herald, By Padraig O'Morain, Thursday January 15 2009
   IRELAND -- She is the country's first Ombudsman for Children. She has shown herself to be a fearless champion for the children whose interests she represents.
   But now Emily Logan has taken on the big battalions, and you have to wonder if the knives will soon be out for her.
   I hope she is entirely sane and that she has enough Machiavellian savvy to survive whatever will be thrown at her by those she has undoubtedly outraged.
   What will enrage the big guys is her decision to investigate the HSE and the Department of Health in relation to child protection in the Catholic dioceses.

• 'Progress made' in getting detail

- RCC supposed to hand over more details.
   Irish Independent, By Eilish O'Regan, Thursday January 15 2009
   IRELAND -- PROGRESS is being made in efforts by Children's Minister Barry Andrews to secure details on child abuse allegations from Catholic bishops, the junior minister's spokesman claimed yesterday.
   Last week Mr Andrews said he was giving the bishops three weeks to disclose details they refused to give to the Health Service Executive (HSE) during an audit of child protection practices in each diocese.
   He was speaking at the publication of the audit, which has been criticised for failing to provide proper evidence that child protection guidelines are being implemented on the ground.
   [COMMENTS: Would any Irish sportsman or woman care to wager that the details will be all released? Not while insurance policies, "mental reservation" and Crimen Sollicitationis are still operative, I'll bet! ENDS. ]

• "Unfair treatment?"

   California Catholic Daily, ~ January 15, 2009
   SAN FRANCISCO (CA) -- The Archdiocese of San Francisco is appealing a $15 million property tax bill levied against it by the City and County of San Francisco, which claims internal property transfers by the archdiocese constitute "sales."
   "San Francisco County Recorder, Phil Ting, has taken a step that is unprecedented in the history of the state of California," said archdiocesan spokesman Maurice Healy in an emailed statement to California Catholic Daily. "He has determined that an internal reorganization of church property, without consideration, within the family of corporations of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, constitutes a 'sale' and is subject to a property transfer tax. The Archdiocese, therefore, has filed a formal appeal to contest this determination."
   Healy cited a Dec. 7, 2007 statement by Archbishop George Niederauer regarding "certain corporate structure changes" published in the archdiocesan weekly Catholic San Francisco: "The goal here in San Francisco has been to allow the day to day operations of our parishes and schools to continue in a cohesive, efficient manner while at the same time establishing simple ownership models that clearly distinguish the canonical assets of the parishes and schools from those of the Archdiocese in general." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 9:18 AM

• Priest disputes accuser's testimony

   Republican-American, BY JONATHAN SHUGARTS, ~ January 15, 2009
   WATERBURY (CT) – The Rev. Robert J. Grant took the stand Wednesday in Waterbury Superior Court to defend himself against charges of sexually assaulting a teenager.
   The teenager, known as "C.R." in court proceedings, testified this week that the 65-year-old Grant told him to drink wine and paid him for massages and sex in 2006 and 2007 when the boy was 15. Grant is on administrative leave from his pastoral duties at St. Mary's and St. Hedwig's churches in Naugatuck.
   He denied on Wednesday that he had any sexual relations with the teenager, testifying that he offered to take a polygraph test when he was initially confronted by police with the teen's allegations. …
   Two rows of courtroom seats were packed with Grant's supporters, some of whom fingered rosary beads as they listened to their spiritual guide testify. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 9:10 AM

• This story makes me so angry it will take at least three posts to even begin to tell it. Here is part one of Peter Dunne, Flagrant Pedophile Priest

   City of Angels, By Kay Ebeling, ~ January 15, 2009
   PHILADELPHIA (PA) -- Peter J. Dunne could be yet another "worst pedophile priest ever," as his series of crimes stretches one's already over expanded capacity to absorb. Here yet another predator maneuvers himself into the role of priest so he can use the sacraments and other resources of the Catholic Church to gain access to children.
   In Philadelphia, Rev. Peter Dunne ran the Boy Scouts, St. Francis vocational school for troubled boys, he taught in several parish schools, he counseled at summer camps, he had his own cabin in the woods where he took his victims - I mean ..
   People criticize me for being too raw when I rage at the Catholic Church - I mean .. how much does it take?
   Reading about this perp, it begs logic and reason to think none of the priests who lived and worked with Dunne, no lay teachers, housekeepers, nuns, parent volunteers, NO ONE realized there was something wrong with Rev. Peter J. Dunne, with his bravo flagrante manner of manipulating the Roman Catholic Church heirarchy to give him ready access to little boys. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 9:00 AM

• Tim Giago: Cultural Genocide in the Land of the Free

   Native American Times, Written by Tiim Giago, ~ January 15, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- It would appear to me that most Americans know more about the "Stolen Generation" of Aboriginal children in Australia than they do about the "Stolen Generations" of Indian children in their own country.
   Why is that? Well, movies such as "Rabbit-proof Fence" and the newly released film "Australia" probably have something to do with it. In "Rabbit-proof Fence" two little aboriginal girls are taken from their homes to the Catholic mission boarding school without the consent of their parents. They run away from the school and follow the path of the rabbit-proof fence hundreds of miles knowing that the fence runs next to their land and will lead them home. The fence was designed to contain the proliferation of rabbits that had begun to overrun Australia. …
   A recent lawsuit against the Catholic Church by former students of the St. Francis Indian School on the Rosebud Indian Reservation is now in the courts. There are statutes in South Dakota that would consider a statute of limitations and also consider allegations other than sexual abuse as non-essential. If "cultural genocide" could be included in the number of reasons for the lawsuits in South Dakota, it would put an entirely new face on the process. Though many former students still sport the scars of the sexual, physical and psychological abuse of the Indian boarding schools, the attempts to destroy their cultural beliefs is just as damaging and just as significant. The collateral damage of "cultural genocide" is one of the intangibles that are not easily interpreted in a court of law. It has taken nearly a generation for the former students of the Indian boarding schools to finally step forward and openly speak of their sexual abuse. It is not in the culture, the very culture that the boarding schools attempted to erase, for these Indian people to do so.
   But after two or three generations, they are, at last, stepping forward and sadly, their courageous stand is drawing criticism from many of their own "converted" people. These are the converts that went through their entire boarding school experience apparently wearing blinders because they failed to see the abuse, whether it was physical, psychological, sexual, or cultural that was taking place all around them. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:52 AM

• FORT SMITH : Sex offender arrested at Alamo site

   Arkansas Democrat-Gazette BY DAVE HUGHES, Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009
   FORT SMITH (AR) -- A convicted sex offender who lived on property owned by Tony Alamo Christian Ministries went before a federal magistrate Wednesday, charged with failing to register as a sex offender.
   Jonathon Patrick Curry, 49, was arrested Tuesday on a warrant charging him with failing to register or update registration as a sex offender, a news release from the U.S. attorney's office in Fort Smith said.
   In an initial court appearance Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate James Marschewski appointed federal public defender Bruce Eddy to represent Curry. Eddy waived a probable cause hearing and a detention hearing for Curry, whom Marschewski ordered held in the Sebastian County jail pending indictment. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:49 AM

• Vatican report: Most U.S. seminaries are generally healthy

- RCC.
   Catholic News Service, By Chaz Muth, ~ January 15, 2009
   WASHINGTON (CNS) -- An apostolic visitation team concluded that U.S. Catholic seminaries and houses of priestly formation are generally healthy, but recommended a stronger focus on moral theology, increased oversight of seminarians and greater involvement of diocesan bishops in the formation process.
   "This visitation has demonstrated that, since the 1990s, a greater sense of stability now prevails in the U.S. seminaries," the report said. "The appointment, over time, of rectors who are wise and faithful to the church has meant a gradual improvement, at least in the diocesan seminaries."
   The report, sparked by the sexual abuse crisis that hit the U.S. church, concluded that seminaries appeared to have made improvements in the area of seminarian morality, most notably with regard to homosexual behavior.
   [COMMENT: "Healthy," when full of men who are "marriage-shy" ? Men who defy the injunctions that "it is not good for the man to be alone," "increase and multiply," and "every man should have his own wife" ? ENDS.]

• Lawsuit alleges president of Seattle U knew of sex abuse

   Seattle Post-Intelligencer, By AMY ROLPH, ~ January 15, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg is named in a lawsuit alleging that Jesuit leaders covered up the crimes of priests who sexually abused at least 43 Native Alaskan children during the span of four decades.
   The lawsuit, filed in Alaskan Superior Court in the city of Bethel, states that Sundborg had access to "Hell Files" -- private church documents detailing things priests had done that were "not good" -- when he was head of a Northwest order of Jesuits from 1990 to 1996.
   At a news conference Wednesday, an attorney representing victims of abuse said Sundborg knew a Jesuit priest had sexually abused children, yet allowed that priest to serve in Alaska. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:45 AM

• VIDEO: Priests accused of sexual abuse

Seattle Post-Intelligencer, video presentation, ~ January 15, 2009
SEATTLE (WA) -- The Jesuit order has been sued by 43 Alaska Natives who say they were sexually abused as children, and mounting evidence shows that priests known to be pedophiles were sent to the Fairbanks, Alaska, diocese for decades, a lawyer told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:43 AM

• On Solidarity

   Spectator Blog, by Cody Shepherd, Jan 14th, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- Dare I broach the subject of the recent allegations against Fr. Sundborg? Or will the topic prove too sticky to unravel? No doubt I invite flaming comments simply by mentioning the man's name in passing.
   There are plenty of things to say, of course, about this country's legal process and about the methods of its media apparatus. Suffice to say, whether or not Fr. Sundborg is guilty of the crime(s) alleged by John Manly, Kenneth Roosa and Pat Wall, his life will consist mainly of turmoil for the next several years. Trials take a long time to play out in this country, and sexual abuse trials in particular tend not to leave even the innocent unscathed.
   My question has two parts: what is this lawsuit about, and what should it be about?
   This lawsuit is, after all, not about sexual abuse, no matter how much the over-cosmeticized television reporters at the press conference today were interested in the dirty little details, no matter how much Mr. Roosa would have us focus on the pain of his defendants. This lawsuit is about neglect. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:39 AM

• Suit: Seattle U prez kept quiet about priest abuse

   KOMO, with video, By KOMO Staff & News Services, ~ January 15, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- Twenty eight Jesuit priests accused of sexual abuse were sent to remote villages in Alaska where they lived, unmonitored, and continued to abuse victims for decades, according to a lawsuit filed against the Jesuit order this week.
   Jesuit institutions named as defendants include the Society of Jesus in Rome; the Oregon Province of the Catholic order, which serves five Northwest states including Washington and Alaska. The suit alleges troubled priests from four different countries were sent to Alaska in order to hide them from the public eye.
   According to the suit, Jesuit leaders, including the current president of Seattle University, kept secret files called "hell files" about these priests, and these personnel files detailed special information that was "not good" and not to be made public.
   "The Jesuits knew, had to have known, could not possibly have not known what was going on in Alaska. Turned a blind eye to it," said Ken Roosa, the victims' attorney. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:36 AM

• Jesuit priests accused of sex abuse in Alaska

   Seattle Post-Intelligencer, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, ~ January 15, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- The Jesuit order has been sued by 43 Alaska Natives who say they were sexually abused as children, and mounting evidence shows that known pedophile priests were sent to the Fairbanks, Alaska, Diocese for decades, a lawyer said Wednesday.
   Jesuit institutions named as defendants include the Society of Jesus in Rome; the Oregon Province of the Catholic order, which covers Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho and Montana; the Pioneer Educational Society, the province's educational arm and parent institution of Seattle University and Gonzaga University in Spokane, and the Alaska branch of the order. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:34 AM

• Sundborg in a statement: Allegations are false

   The Spectator, by Jessica Van Gilder, 2:22 P.M., JAN. 14, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- After Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed late Tuesday accusing him and other Jesuits of covering up the sexual abuse of 43 Native Alaskan children, the victim's attorneys said there will be more lawsuits to come.
   A complaint has been filed against the Society of Jesus-Oregon Province, the Society of Jesus-Alaska as well as the Father General Adolfo Nicolas, S.J. Sundborg was named as a defendant among fellow Jesuits Henry G. Hargreaves and Anton Smario.
   In response to the allegations Sundborg gave the following statement Wed., Jan. 14: "The allegations brought against me are false. I firmly deny them. I want the victims and the entire community to know that. The complaint filed by the plaintiffs' lawyers represents an unprincipled and irresponsible attack on my reputation. Let me be clear-my commitment to justice and reconciliation for all victims remains steadfast. The sexual abuse by Catholic priests is one of the most shameful episodes in the history of our church. I will continue to work toward the goal of bringing healing to all victims." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:31 AM

• In wake of allegations, students worried over university reputation

   The Spectator, by Katie Farden, January 14, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- Senior nursing major Bessie Sycip was surprised to see a text message from her roommate early this morning. "Check your e-mail now," it said. Following her roommate's instruction, she opened her inbox and read a university-wide e-mail The Spectator sent all undergraduates late Tuesday night.
   The e-mail contained a link to Joshua Lynch's article, which reported that Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. was named a defendant in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in an Alaska superior court. Those filing the suit accuse Sundborg of covering up acts of sexual abuse against Native Alaskan youth.
   "I walked by Fr. Sundborg today, and it felt so strange," Sycip said. "Normally I would think 'oh it's Fr. Sundborg' and say 'hi,' but today I felt guarded." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:27 AM

• 43 more allege sex abuse by Catholics

- 40 accused. > 300 victims.
   Anchorage Daily News, By LISA DEMER, ldemer@adn.com , ~ January 15, 2009
   {PDF: the lawsuit}
   ALASKA -- A group of 43 Alaska Natives who say they were sexually abused by Catholic priests and church volunteers have sued the Jesuit order, alleging that remote Alaska villages became a worldwide dumping ground for clergy with histories of abuse.
   The 78-page lawsuit filed this week in Bethel Superior Court is the latest in an Alaska clergy scandal that involves more than 300 victims and about 40 accused perpetrators, according to Patrick Wall, a former monk and priest who works for a California law firm as an advocate for sex abuse victims.
   This week's lawsuit is on behalf of 35 men and eight women, and another one is in the works with another 60 or so victims, said Anchorage attorney Ken Roosa, who is one of the lawyers representing the group. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:23 AM

• Seattle U. president denies claims that he knew of abuse

   Seattle Times, By Nick Perry and Janet I. Tu, Seattle Times staff reporters, ~ January 15, 2009
   SEATTLE (WA) -- Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg went on the offensive Wednesday against the lawyers who this week named him as a defendant in a civil suit -- saying the complaint "represents an unprincipled and irresponsible attack on my reputation."
   In a statement, Sundborg disputed the allegations that in the 1990s, as head of the Jesuit order in the Northwest, he knew about at least one sexually abusive priest but did nothing: "I firmly deny them," Sundborg said of the claims. "I want the victims and the entire community to know that."
   But just how much damage the lawsuit might do to the decade long presidency of Sundborg, who has been praised for his steady leadership, remains to be seen. So, too, does the question of whether the private university might face financial claims in this or future legal action. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 15, 2009 8:19 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Thu January 15, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Fri January 16, 2009 edition:

• Victim recounts clergy abuse in Southington

[1999 A clergyman -NEW*] - ? Baptist. Girl.

   The Herald, By JAMES CRAVEN, January 16, 2009
   SOUTHINGTON (CT) – As a 17-year-old, Rebecca Maxfield was sure of three things: the love of her family, of God and of the security she felt as part of her church. By her 18th birthday the betrayal by one would leave her alone, confused and questioning many of the core beliefs that sustained her.
   Maxfield, a victim of sexual abuse by a clergyman she trusted, would have her religious convictions and ability to trust others shattered.
   "I don't consider myself religious anymore," Maxfield says. "But my faith is strong. It's what got me through the physical and emotional abuse."
   Now 27 years old with bachelor's degrees in ministry and psychology, Maxfield is working on a master's degree in marriage and family therapy and hopes to help others faced with abuse.
   A member, along with her parents and five siblings, of the town's Central Baptist Church, she also attended the church-owned Central Christian Academy. Founded in 1975 by the Rev. Jim Townsley, the church is an independent Baptist congregation with about 200 members. The school, also started by Townsley, opened in 1984. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 7:48 AM

• Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse of Natives

[Years - Sundborg* (Jesuit)] - RCC. Held the "Hell Files." Sent seducers. 43 Alaskan indigenes.

   ABC Alaskas Superstation, http://www. aksuperstation. com/news/local/ 37722139.html , with video, by Brian Malone, ~ January 16, 2009
   ALASKA -- Dozens of Alaska Natives have joined forces and filed a lawsuit accusing the president of Seattle University of trying to cover up sexual abuse crimes.
   In all 43 alleged victims have filed suit saying Stephen Sundborg knowingly sent sex offenders, or what they call predator priests to remote Alaska villages because it was believed that they had little access to law enforcement and would not report the crimes.
   The suit alleges the victims lived in Nulato, Hooper Bay, Stebbins, Chevak, Mountain Village, Nunam Iqua, and Saint Michael. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 4:22 PM]
   [LOOK BACK: Dec 3, 2008.]

• Ex-Bayley-Ellard principal admits abuse

[2003 Mattiace*] - Christian. ADMISSION. Male teen student - buttocks.

   Daily Record, By Peggy Wright, Daily Record, January 16, 2009
   MADISON (NJ) -- After nearly six years of fighting sexual abuse charges, the former principal of the now-defunct Bayley-Ellard High School in Madison admitted Thursday to touching a male student's buttocks during a hug and to shoving a male teacher and warning him not to report it.
   Montville resident Frank Mattiace, 72, pleaded guilty in state Superior Court, Morristown, to the fourth-degree charges of abuse and neglect of a child and criminal coercion. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office has recommended a sentence of five years probation and up to 364 days in the county jail but defense lawyer Gerard Hanlon said it's unlikely the ailing Mattiace will be ordered to serve any time behind bars.
   With his wife and son watching in the courtroom, Mattiace told Judge John B. Dangler that he hugged a 17-year-old student in May 2003 and touched his buttocks in the process. He pleaded guilty to this crime under a non-sexual statute and referred to Title 9, which generally encompasses offenses of abuse and neglect of children. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 10:48 AM

• Priest On Probation Gets New Assignment

- Stole US $83,000, but still a priest!
   Action 3 News, ~ January 16, 2009
   OMAHA (NE) -- The Omaha Archdiocese has reassigned a priest who is serving probation for stealing more than $83,000 from an Omaha parish.
   The Rev. Rodney Adams will now be the associate pastor at St. Patrick parish, assisting with Mass, funerals, weddings and other services. The archdiocese says he will not be involved in overseeing parish funds. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 8:30 AM

• Former Greene pastor charged with probation violation

[Heberlein] - Baptist. Arrested again.
   Journal-Courier, BY MAGGIE BORMAN, 5:34 PM, January 16, 2009
   CARROLLTON (IL) – A former Greene County Baptist minister was arrested Thursday for the second time for allegations of probation violation.
   Jeffrey D. Heberlein, 45, of Fowler, in Adams County, was arrested on a Greene County bench warrant alleging failure to report, failure to notify the court of a change of employment and failure to attend counseling. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 8:24 PM]
   [COMMENT: Reading about RC leaders who keep a thief in their ministry, some people might have hoped that the serious strictish Baptists, even a perpertrator, at least would be more sensible than to go looking for trouble. Nope! Well, not this one anyway! ENDS.]

• Church seeks to lift sex abuse claim time limit

- Anglicans and others.

   The Australian, by Michael McKenna | for January 17, 2009
   AUSTRALIA – AUSTRALIA'S church leaders are secretly lobbying for the removal of a time limit that blocks child sex victims from suing for compensation over institutional abuse.
   A multi-denominational push, led by Australia's Anglican leader, Brisbane Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, is pressuring Queensland's Bligh Government to set a nationwide precedent and exempt child victims from the laws, which normally require that they launch legal action by the time they turn 21.
   Hundreds of victims – including those openly acknowledged as being abused for years by some of the country's most notorious pedophiles – have been blocked by state and church lawyers from having their claims tested and compensated by the court by the "time-limit defence".
   The Bligh Government has so far rejected the proposal to change the personal injuries laws amid fears it may pave the way for a flood of compensation claims from victims.

• January 16, 2009 - Archdiocese of Boston Returns Reverend Eugene P. Sullivan to Active Ministry

[1977] - RCC's Fr Sullivan cleared, though RCC paid out.

   Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, January 16, 2009
   (Braintree, Massachusetts) …The Archdiocese of Boston today announced that the Reverend Eugene P. Sullivan has been returned to active ministry. In 2005, Father Sullivan began an administrative leave following the Archdiocese's receipt of a single complaint of sexual abuse of a minor in 1977.
   After careful review of the complaint, the Archdiocesan Review Board determined that the allegation was unsubstantiated. As a result of this finding, Cardinal O'Malley has lifted all restrictions on Father Sullivan's exercise of public ministry as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Weymouth. As noted in media reports at the time the allegation was received by the Archdiocese, a lawsuit relating to this allegation was brought in Superior Court. In that suit, allegations of abuse were also brought by the same plaintiff against two other Boston priests, as to whom the Archdiocese had received prior accusations.
   The Archdiocese has received no other complaints concerning Father Sullivan, either before or since the filing of this suit, and Father Sullivan has denied the single allegation that was made against him in this lawsuit. The Archdiocese and the plaintiff have now reached a settlement and the case has been dismissed as to all parties. Fr. Sullivan did not make a contribution to payment in achieving a resolution to this claim and payment made by the Archdiocese does not constitute an admission of liability upon the part of Fr. Sullivan.

• Priest removed over possible sex lawsuit

[1980s Freymuth*] - RCC. Removed from ministry. Caressed boy.
   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, By Tim Townsend, January/16/2009
   ST. LOUIS (MO) -- Bishop Robert Hermann, the interim leader of the St. Louis Archdiocese, has removed the Rev. Michael Freymuth from active ministry because of a possible lawsuit against the priest, according to a statement released by the archdiocese.
   In 2005, the man who may file the lawsuit accused Freymuth of sexual abuse occuring in the 1980s, but the archdiocese's review board cleared the priest of wrongdoing at the time. Freymuth is in residence at Visitation-St. Ann Catholic Church in north St. Louis. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 6:24 PM

• The church must consider change

- "Old boys'" network in RCC needs breaking up.

   Bennington Banner (Vermont), Editorial, Friday, January 16, 2009
   UNITED STATES – Once again, it seems a good time to ask the men who rule the Catholic Church today – as males have for more than two millennia – whether it could be time for another reformation.
   The signs of the church's current crises – among the most serious in its history – are not difficult to pinpoint. Declining parishioner enrollment and growing apathy is widespread in the United States and Europe, forcing the closure of hundreds of lovingly constructed churches and driving many frustrated Catholics to fight the changes through vigils and protests.
   Albany, N.Y., area Catholics will face new closures and consolidations following a review of parishes that will lead to an announcement by the bishop expected this weekend. Dioceses in New England, most recently in the Boston area and in western Massachusetts, are going through a similar, wrenching process.
   Sexual abuse by priests over several decades or longer, and the "old boys" network that prevented stern action to repress it – often merely transferring offenders to other parishes and exposing more victims to abuse – represents the church's other crisis.
   [RECAPITULATION: … the men who rule the Catholic Church today – as males have for more than two millennia … ENDS.]
   [HISTORICAL NOTE: Double OOPS!! 1. Many scholars believe that female bishops, ministers, and deacons (Deaconess Phoebe is noted in the Bible) regularly ministered for hundreds of years. 2. Many scholars do NOT believe that the Roman Catholic Church is more than 2000 years old, but date its actual foundation, as a breakaway from the main congregations centred in the East, from a long time after Constantine the Great. It was probably when Greek was abandoned, and Latin adopted in parts of the world, as a way of "massaging" doctrines and practices without being constantly told by the clergy and others who could read that "this is against the Bible." ENDS.]

• 'Hand of God'

- RC clergyman willing to exhibit "troubling" actuality movie.
   The Salem News, ~ January 16, 2009
   SALEM (MA) -- The Rev. John Sheridan, pastor of St. James Church, put an interesting note in the church bulletin after seeing "Hand of God," the award-winning documentary by Salem's Joe Cultrera about his brother's abuse in the 1960s by a Catholic priest at St. James.
   Sheridan said he has a copy of the "troubling" film if anyone wants to see it.
   "I think it was helpful to me to begin to understand this nightmare at St. James, St. Joseph and in other parishes," he wrote. " … I want to sit down with anyone in our parish or in our town to begin to listen. I have no answers, but I want to help …" Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 8:04 AM

• Seminary Visitation: Bishops, Si; Religious Superiors, No

- The Orders defy RC hq.
   Catholic Culture, by Dr. Jeff Mirus, January 16, 2009
   UNITED STATES – I can recall when the Vatican decided in the 1980's that it was going to have to do a visitation of American seminaries. Many of us hoped this would be the beginning of the end for both heterodoxy and the lavender mafia in the Church in the United States. As I recall, however, the results of the visitation were a closely guarded secret, so much so that, to those of us looking on, it appeared that nothing had come of it. It is possible that I missed something, but in any case we are living now in a very different era. In 2002 the Vatican decided to do another Apostolic Visitation and the general results of this one have been posted on the USCCB web site for all to see. Among other things, the results show that there really has been something going on during all these years.
   The mere availability of the report demonstrates the remarkable increase in openness and accountability within the whole Church since the close of the 20th century. I believe this in itself is a clear sign of the gradual restoration of Catholic health and confidence. It is that the results of the particular visitations to individual seminaries have not been made public; one could not reasonably expect them to be. But the overall assessment is public, and it reveals a great deal. In fact, the report refreshingly confirms what long-time observers already know: Despite some continuing problems, the dioceses of the United States have shown significant improvement in faithful and courageous seminary leadership over the past twenty years; but in contrast, many religious communities have refused to change. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 6:32 PM

• Allegations: Alaska is a dumping ground for predator priests

- RCC's Jesuit Order.

   Beliefnet, by David Gibson, Friday January 16, 2009
   ALASKA -- A long-simmering story has burst into the open with the filing of a lawsuit alleging that the Jesuit order used Alaska as a "dumping ground" for abusive priests. According to coverage in the Anchorage Daily News, this week's lawsuit is on behalf of 35 men and eight women, and another one is in the works with another 60 or so victims.
   Sex abuse lawsuits aren't new, but this case exposes one of the ugliest aspects of the scandal:
   The new suit contends that pedophile priests unsuited to serve anywhere else were dumped on Alaska and put in remote villages with little or no law enforcement, making it virtually impossible for anyone to report them. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 11:14 AM

• St. Louis priest cited by 3 removed from ministry

[1980s Freymuth*] - RCC. Caressed boy.

   Belleville News-Democrat, By CHERYL WITTENAUER - Associated Press Writer, ~ January 16, 2009
   ST. LOUIS (MO) -- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis said Friday that it was removing a priest from active ministry while it again reviews an allegation it had dismissed without merit.
   The announcement came after an unidentified man told the archdiocese Thursday of plans to sue over claims that the Rev. Michael Freymuth abused him in the 1980s while he was a student at a Catholic grade school in St. Louis. The man had originally complained to the archdiocese in 2005 about Freymuth, and the archdiocese had found that the man's allegation did not constitute sexual abuse. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 6:22 PM

• Reporting on Vatican reports

   GetReligion, ~ January 16, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- The Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education completed its report on the health of U.S. seminaries and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops posted the report this week. The in-depth look at seminaries was prompted by the sexual abuse crisis that received so much attention a few years ago. The report was generally positive and said that the situation at seminaries had improved in certain areas. The Catholic News Service sums it up this way:
   The trouble spots highlighted by the report include: an "incomplete grasp" of the difference between the ordained priesthood and the priesthood of the laity; faculty who subvert the Church's teachings; the need to screen seminary candidates for irregularities and impediments at the beginning of formation; a lack of supervision of seminarians by the rector and the bishop and a discouragement of traditional forms of piety. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 6:20 PM]
   [COMMENT: The discouragement of "traditional forms of piety," and subversion of the Vatican's teachings, are among seminary failures documented in books published in the past few years. Some seminarians were expelled for praying the Rosary and displaying a picture of the reigning Pope -- too inflexible, they were told! It would be good if the Vatican and other RC leaders did more READING. Some of the literature is "advertised" on this website at Ethics / Carnal Books. ENDS.]

• Plea Deal Likely Reached For Priest In Church Theft

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Home unit maintenance. Gambling. Female companions.

   MSNBC, WPBF-TV, updated 12:46 p.m. ET, Fri., Jan. 16, 2009
   PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- One of two priests accused of misusing millions of dollars from a Delray Beach church appears to have reached a plea deal with prosecutors.
   Authorities said former St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church Rev. John Skehan and his replacement, Rev. Francis Guinan, spent millions in church funds on gambling trips and fine dining.

• Archdiocese of Boston returns Father Eugene Sullivan to active ministry

[1977] - RCC's Fr Sullivan cleared.
   The Pilot (RC news medium), Posted: Jan/16/2009
   BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS -- The Archdiocese of Boston announced Jan. 16 that Father Eugene Sullivan has been returned to active ministry.
   In 2005, Father Sullivan began an administrative leave following the archdiocese's receipt of a single complaint of sexual abuse of a minor in 1977. After careful review of the complaint, the Archdiocesan Review Board determined that the allegation was unsubstantiated. As a result of this finding, Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley has lifted all restrictions on Father Sullivan's exercise of public ministry as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Weymouth.
   As noted in media reports at the time the allegation was received by the archdiocese, a lawsuit relating to this allegation was brought in Superior Court. In that suit, allegations of abuse were also brought by the same plaintiff against two other Boston priests, as to whom the archdiocese had received prior accusations. The archdiocese has received no other complaints concerning Father Sullivan, either before or since the filing of this suit, and Father Sullivan has denied the single allegation that was made against him in this lawsuit. The archdiocese and the plaintiff have now reached a settlement and the case has been dismissed as to all parties. Father Sullivan did not make a contribution to payment in achieving a resolution to this claim and payment made by the archdiocese does not constitute an admission of liability upon the part of Father Sullivan. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 4:29 PM

• Naugatuck priest acquitted of sex charges

- RC Fr Grant cleared.

   Republican-American, January 16, 2009
   WATERBURY (CT) -- The Rev. Robert J. Grant's shoulders sagged slightly in what seemed to be relief when the words "not guilty" were read Friday in Waterbury Superior Court.
   Grant, a 65-year-old Roman Catholic priest, was cleared of all criminal charges, including second-degree sexual assault.
   The priest of two Naugatuck churches, St. Mary's and St. Hedwig's, was charged with sexual assault after a teenager said he performed oral sex on Grant. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 4:20 PM]

• Mass priest in abuse case returns to ministry

[1977] - RCC's Fr Sullivan cleared.
   The Republican, By KAREN TESTA, The Associated Press, 7:06 p.m. EST, Jan/16/2009
   BOSTON (MA), (AP) – One of the priests accused in a sexual abuse case settled last month for nearly half-million dollars by the Boston Archdiocese has returned to active ministry, church leaders said Friday.
   The Rev. Eugene Sullivan had been on administrative leave since 2005, when he and two other priests were accused of sexually abusing a boy in the mid-1970s. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 8:14 PM

• Pinoy ex-priest in US appeals embezzlement conviction

[~ 1990s-2000s Rodis] - RCC. > US $400,000 gone. 13yrs prison. Mail fraud, money laundering. Has wife and children too.

   GMANews TV (Philippines), From JOSEPH G. LARIOSA, GMANews.TV, 02:23 PM, Jan/16/2009
   LOUISA (VA) – A former priest from the Philippines has appealed a decision by a US jury convicting him of embezzlement charges.
   Rodney Lee Rodis, who is said to be from Cagayan de Oro City in the southern Philippines, was spared 200 years of imprisonment after Louisa County Judge Timothy Sanner reduced the sentence to 13 years at the sentencing last Wednesday in Louisa, Virginia.
   The judge also ordered him to pay restitution in the amount of $432,000 to his victims.

• Diocese launches $22 million capital campaign

- RCC.

   Quad-City Times, By Deirdre Cox Baker, 10:22 PM CST, Thursday, January 15, 2009
   DAVENPORT (IA) -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport announced Thursday it will undertake a $22 million capital campaign beginning in January 2010.
   The campaign comes on the heels of the finalization of the diocese's bankruptcy, which included a $37 million settlement with victims of clergy sex abuse.
   "If these funds are raised, it will give us a firm foundation for our future and will strengthen our diocese," said Sister Laura Goedken, director of development for the diocese.
   [MEDITATION: Visualise the preaching band from Galilee saving themselves from debt by asking the government of their day for bankruptcy protection !!! ENDS.]

• Catholic group will hold Fort Myers rally in effort to have more say in church

- Lay Assembly to hold rally.
   The News-Press, By DAN WARNER, dwarner@news-press.com , January 16, 2009
   FLORIDA -- A group of Catholics who say they are "disappointed and increasingly angry" they have no say in how their church is run will hold a day-long rally in Fort Myers on Saturday.
   Called the first Southwest Florida Lay Assembly, the rally will feature a speech by a noted Catholic lay protester, worship and "an opportunity for people to sound off," said John Hushon of Naples, assembly chair and a national leader in the protest movement. …
   One of those who will attend the assembly is Janet Kennedy of Fort Myers, who describes herself as a devout Catholic and said she has "a lot of anger toward the church," mostly surrounding the issue of sexual abuse of children by priests.
   "The Church does not recognize the conscience of the people," she said. "They are forgetting the people have a right to their own conscience." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 7:58 AM

• Dumped In Alaska

- RCC transferred seducers to frozen north.

   The Daily Dish, by Andrew Sullivan, ~ January 16, 2009
   ALASKA -- No, not Palin: the Catholic church. The sex abuse crisis - in which the Vatican became the de facto hub of an interational sexual criminal conspiracy in the 1960s and 1970s - had a special brutality in the frozen north:
   The new suit contends that pedophile priests unsuited to serve anywhere else were dumped on Alaska and put in remote villages with little or no law enforcement, making it virtually impossible for anyone to report them. There was a calculated effort at the highest levels of the Jesuit order to "'dump' these 'problem priests' in a location in which the priests could avoid detection and continued to sexually abuse countless Native children," the suit says.

• Ex-Cloyne priest is 'dismayed' at support for Magee

- Fr Ring left in disgust.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Religion Correspondent, Friday January 16 2009
   IRELAND -- A former Cloyne priest, who has sought the resignation of Bishop John Magee, has expressed dismay at Cardinal Sean Brady's backing of his old friend of 50 years.
   Father Matt Ring, who is now working as a social worker in England, also spoke yesterday of his high regard for Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, who "must be feeling extremely isolated" after the Cardinal and two other archbishops backed Bishop Magee.
   Fr Ring, speaking from Southampton, said he quit his ministry in Cork in disgust at what he described as "a culture of bullying, harassment and intimidation" existing in Cloyne. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 16, 2009 7:52 AM

• "Time to step aside"

- VOTF speaks out.
   California Catholic Daily, ~ January 16, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- A lay Catholic group founded during the height of the Church's sexual abuse crisis -- but which critics say strays from magisterial teachings -- is calling for the resignation of Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony and five other American prelates.
   In a Jan. 7 press release issued from Boston, where the group was founded seven years ago, Voice of the Faithful said the Church had still not fully addressed the abuse crisis "and the culture that makes it possible."
   "It is time for the leaders who enabled so much abuse to step aside," said the press release. "We call on those leaders who failed to protect the well-being of our children by knowingly and secretly transferring predator priests from parish to parish without informing the laity to resign their current office or position of authority on or before June 30th, 2009. It is our position that in cases where bishops, despite the weight of evidence against them, refuse to resign their offices, Pope Benedict XVI should request their resignations."
   [COMMENT: Critics may say VOTF has strayed from "magisterial teachings" – but so has the Vatican. Until a certain ceremony that a Pope organised during the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, it was a mortal sin to take part in public worship with any clergyman of any other religion. It is now the fashion for bishops to attend the opening of temples at which muttiple gods are worshipped, or even Allah. Limbo, an invented place for unbaptised souls of the dead, which the Latin Church had writhed its way towards hundreds of years ago, was dropped in the 2000s. The list could go on. ENDS.]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Fri January 16, 2009
• Church seeks to lift ban; Sex abuse time limit push - Anglicans, and some other sects.

Sex abuse time limit push

Church seeks to lift ban

   The Weekend Australian, by Michael McKenna, pp 1 and 4, January 17-18, 2009
   AUSTRALIA'S church leaders are secretly lobbying for the removal of a time limit that blocks child sex-victims from suing for compensation over institutional abuse.
   A multi-denominational push, led by Australia's Anglican leader, Brisbane Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, is pressuring Queensland's Bligh Government to set a nationwide precedent and exempt child victims from the laws, which normally require that they launch legal action by the time they turn 21.
   Hundreds of victims – including those openly acknowledged as being abused for years by some of the country's most notorious pedophiles – have been blocked by state and church lawyers from having their claims tested and compensated by the court by the "time-limit defence".
   The Bligh Government has so far rejected the proposal to change the personal injuries laws amid fears it may pave the way for a flood of compensation claims from victims.
   Dr Aspinall, the primate of Australia's Anglican church, began the push in 2005 in Queensland after being pressured by victims and clergy within his diocese of Brisbane.
   But Dr Aspinall has been privately criticised by some of his own clergy because the church has adopted the stance while fighting ongoing compensation claims, by acknowledged victims, using the same statute of limitations provisions it wants dropped.
   In one case, Anglican lawyers last year moved to block a compensation action with the time-limit defence just two months after the church wrote to the victim acknowledging years of abuse at a Brisbane school and vowing not to use the provisions.
   Dr Aspinall and the Bligh Government confirmed the stand-off over the proposed legal changes after The Weekend Australian obtained correspondence and documents relating to the push and legal fights.
   In a statement, Dr Aspinall said he believed "these limitation periods harsh and inequitable".
   "The rights of child sexual abuse victims should not be undermined because they have not brought their case forward in a given time," Dr Aspinall said.
[Picture] Precedent: Dr Phillip Aspinall.
   "It can take victims many years before they confront the abuse that has happened to them and seek healing and justice.
   "I have spoken about this issue to my colleagues from the heads of churches and I believe I have their support in seeking changes to the act.
   "To date the (Queensland) state Government has not agreed to any changes in the law."
   Queensland law academic Ben Mathews, whose academic papers on the issue were used by Dr Aspinall in his submission to government, said the proposal would set a nationwide precedent and fix a legal system that was failing child-abuse victims.
   "This proposal would set a nationwide precedent in guaranteeing victims access to the justice system that these people deserve," he said.
   The provisions are similar across Australia and are only voluntarily invoked by defendants such as the church or states to attempt to block or delay the claims from going to court.
   But Dr Aspinall said insurance companies forced churches to use the time-limit defence.
   He said the proposed changes would guarantee a victim's right to go to court and allow the church to comply with insurance policies under law.
   "Insurers usually instruct their lawyers to use the statute of limitations in defence," he said.
   Church seeks to remove time limit
   "At times, this is directly contrary to the expressed wishes of the church. However, in order for our insurance policies to apply, and for abuse victims to be compensated through them, we need to comply with the legal provisions of insurance contracts.
   "Achieving a change in the law would address this issue and provide better opportunity for victims to secure redress."
   A victim does have the right to seek an extension of the time limit. But there have been very few cases in recent years where a victim has, after a costly legal battle, been able to win a court-ordered extension of the time limit to go to trial with their compensation claim.
   A spokesman for Queensland Attorney-General Kerry Shine yesterday confirmed the Government had rejected the proposal and that the Queensland Law Reform Commission had reviewed the matter.
   "The commission determined that the judicial discretion to allow an extension of time provided protection to victims of childhood sexual abuse to allow them to commence proceedings in appropriate cases," the statement said.
   It is believed there has only been a handful of cases in Queensland, where the victim beat the provisions.
   In September, a general practitioner overcame the provisions to win the right to sue the Anglican Church and South Australian Government over his sexual abuse at a Brisbane private school.
   The Queensland Supreme Court yesterday paved the way for the $3.7 million compensation claim, only after new evidence showed the headmaster was warned that the now-convicted pedophile teacher had been sacked from another school for improper behaviour.
   The Anglican Church is now appealing the decision.
   Senior lecturer in the School of Law at the Queensland University of Technology, Ben Mathews, said similar exemptions to those being proposed have been adopted in some jurisdictions in America and Canada. "This has not produced an intolerable flood of claims." #

   [RECAPITULATION: Dr Aspinall, the primate of Australia's Anglican church, began the push in 2005 in Queensland after being pressured by victims and clergy within his diocese of Brisbane. … In one case, Anglican lawyers last year moved to block a compensation action with the time-limit defence just two months after the church wrote to the victim acknowledging years of abuse at a Brisbane school and vowing not to use the provisions. … But Dr Aspinall said insurance companies forced churches to use the time-limit defence. ENDS.]
   [COMMENT: There is no surviving record that Jesus and his disciples and followers had any insurance policies. In fact, given the "take no thought for the morrow" kind of teachings, taking insurance cover was highly unlikely! (And, don't think the busy ancient world around the Mediterranean did not have insurance, banks, bills of exchange, and other business methods.) COMMENT ENDS.]
   [2nd RECAPITULATION: In September, a general practitioner overcame the provisions to win the right to sue the Anglican Church and South Australian Government over his sexual abuse at a Brisbane private school. ENDS.]
   [2nd COMMENT: A "general practitioner" is a medical doctor. Might we comment, "One law for the rich, and another for the poor."
   Regarding the Anglican Church, Archbishop Aspinall and the Premier of the time proved previously, in the Governor-General Hollingworth affair, that they DO UNDERSTAND, and are trying to help the survivors of clergy sex abuse.
   It would be interesting to follow up the reasons for why the South Australian government came into the court case. Possibly it might be for allowing known suspects to transfer to some other place. It is not just religious leaders who have shirked their duty in these matters. ENDS. http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm#church_seeks_to_lift [Jan 17-18, 09]
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sat January 17, 2009 edition:

• MINISTER ACCUSED OF SEX ABUSE

[? 2009 Jan -- Spears -NEW*] - Christian. Female.

   Pine Bluff Commercial, By Ray King, 12:32 AM CST, Saturday, January 17, 2009
   PINE BLUFF (AR) -- A Pine Bluff pastor accused of improperly touching a female member of his congregation will have to post a $2,500 bond to be released from the county detention center while prosecutors consider felony charges against him.
   At a court hearing Friday, Circuit Judge Jodi Dennis set the bond after ruling prosecutors had probable cause to charge Leroy Spears Jr., 56, with second-degree sexual assault.
   Reading from an affidavit from police Detective Michael Roberts, Deputy Prosecutor Cymber Gieringer said police were sent to a Pine Bluff home on Jan. 10 in response to a reported sexual assault. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 17, 2009 7:46 AM]

• Antioch sexual abuse suspects arraigned

[8yrs - Mr Z. Dutro -NEW*, Mrs G. Dutro -NEW*] - Open Bible Church. Own children.
   Contra Costa Times, By Robert Salonga and Malaika Fraley, ~ January 17, 2009
   ANTIOCH (CA) -- An Antioch couple were arraigned Friday on a multitude of sexual crimes against family members as details emerged about what authorities said was a pattern of abuse over the course of eight years.
   Zion Dutro, 47, and Glenda Dutro, 45, were known as friendly churchgoers who home-schooled their children. Investigators and family members now believe their public appearance masked a tightly controlled household that kept the alleged abuse from coming to light. …
   Neighbors and parishioners at Cavalry Open Bible Church in Antioch said the Dutros were always together and active in church activities, including missionary work in Mexico. Zion Dutro's criminal past was known, but enough time had passed that some either didn't believe it or thought that he had long been rehabilitated. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 17, 2009 7:54 AM]

!!!: Another jewel for the Ren 2010 crown

- "Christian" school expelled victim!

   Parents United for Responsible Education, ~ January 17, 2009
   CHICAGO (IL) -- Looks like CPS is about to add another jewel to the Renaissance 2010 crown.
   Today's papers report another Aspira-like scandal, this time rocking Chicago Hope Academy. Apparently a teacher was molesting a student and the school decided to expel .. the student.
   The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) has called the non-denomination Christian school out for trying to sweep the whole thing under the rug.
   And, to no one's real surprise, the school, famous for being on the receiving end of an Oprah's Big Give, is about to be welcomed into the Ren 2010 family.

• It's a miracle! Oh no,

[1976-2008 Vlasic* (Franciscan)] - Roman Catholic Church. 40,000 visions in Bosnia! Messages from Mary. Priest had child with nun.

   Irish Independent, Saturday January 17 2009
   As the recession deepens, religious observers are braced for an upturn in visions and apparitions of the Virgin Mary and other supernatural Catholic phenomena.
   Stigmata, the strange bodily marks resembling the wounds of the crucified Jesus, may again start to appear regularly.
   Statues and icons are expected to bleed, weep and move around, as the world faces its greatest economic crisis since the 1930s. …
   The most controversial shrine of the present era is the shrine at Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which has attracted tens of thousands of Irish pilgrims. The phenomenon began in 1981 after six children told a priest of their visions of the Virgin. Since then, there have been over 40,000 reports of sightings, but the Vatican has never given the shrine the green light.
   The claims of the Medjugorje Six were not helped when it was revealed that a priest who had acted as a "spiritual director" to the visionaries had fathered a child with a nun.
   Father Tomislav Vlasic has been suspended by the Church and is facing a raft of charges. These include "the diffusion of dubious doctrine, manipulation of consciences, suspicious mysticism, disobedience toward legitimately issued orders", and allegations that he breached the sixth commandment ("Thou shalt not commit adultery").
   As part of his new clampdown, the Pope reportedly plans to publish criteria to help investigators to distinguish between true and false claims of visions of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, messages, stigmata, weeping and bleeding statues and Eucharistic miracles.

• Jury clears priest of all sex charges

- RCC's Rev. Grant NOT GUILTY

   Republican-American, BY JONATHAN SHUGARTS, ~ January 17, 2009
   WATERBURY (CT) – The Rev. Robert J. Grant stood before a wooden table in Waterbury Superior Court on Friday, his shoulders sagging slightly in relief as he listened to the words he had waited a year and half to hear – "not guilty."
   Grant, a 65-year-old Roman Catholic priest, was cleared of all charges, including second-degree sexual assault. A priest for St. Mary's and St. Hedwig's churches in Naugatuck since 2005, he had been charged with sexual assault after a teenage boy said he performed oral sex on Grant in 2006.
   The jury deliberated for a few hours on Thursday and had a decision by late Friday morning. Grant, wearing a white shirt without his priest's collar, clasped his hands in front of him as he awaited the verdict. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 17, 2009 8:31 AM]

• Church may be indemnified against abuse legal action

- RCC. Taxpayer or pewfiller?

   Sunday Business Post, http://www. sbpost.ie/ post/pages/p/ story.aspx- qqqt=IRELAND- qqqs=news- qqqid=38891- qqqx=1.asp ; By John Burke and Keirn Wood, for Sunday, January 18, 2009
   IRELAND -- The state may agree to indemnify the Catholic Church against legal actions taken by clerics accused of child abuse, The Sunday Business Post has learned.
   Barry Andrews, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, is understood to be considering indemnifying non-state agencies to allow the sharing of information on alleged child abusers between his office, the Church, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and gardaí. The Church and the HSE have claimed that they cannot handle so-called 'soft' information, which is accusatory but unsupported by evidence, as they risk being exposed to legal action by those named. The 2005 report into child abuse in the Ferns diocese recommended that inter-agency committees involving the HSE, the Church and the gardaí should share such information.

• Rampant sexual abuse of native children in residential schools

[Decades] - Churches and Government. Indigenous children.

   The Canadian Press, ~ January 17, 2009
   OTTAWA, CANADA – Thousands of native children suffered sexual abuse in Indian residential schools, newly disclosed figures show - a human tragedy so pervasive it's being called "monstrous."
   The federal government has quietly paid out more than $350 million in abuse settlements over the last decade, the majority for sexual abuse, to 7,011 former students.
   Several thousand more claims for sexual abuse at the hands of church and school officials have been filed over the last year under a 2006 agreement to compensate surviving students, the government and victims' lawyers say.

• Bishops: Gay seminary problems 'overcome'

- Solved, after 1700 years! Whew!

   National Catholic Reporter, By DANIEL BURKE, Religion News Service, Published: January 17, 2009
   WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES -- A Vatican probe of U.S. Roman Catholic seminaries that was ordered after the clergy sex abuse scandal has concluded that "difficulties" related to "homosexual behavior" have been largely "overcome."
   "Of course, here and there some case or other of immorality -- again usually homosexual behavior -- continues to show up," reads the report, published Monday (Jan. 12) near the start of National Vocation Awareness Week. "However, in the main, the superiors now deal with these issues promptly and appropriately."
   Overseen by the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education with help from American bishops, the investigation was ordered in 2002 after the clergy sex abuse scandal exploded in the U.S. church.

• Father Barney takes fees, leaves a host of developers behind

- Confidence trickster in a reversed white collar.
   St. Petersburg Times, By James Thorner, Times Staff Writer, In Print: Sunday, January 18, 2009
   FLORIDA -- When the credit market locked up last year, Miami developer Paul Murphy stalked the netherworld of hard-money lenders in search of $150-million to build a luxury condo tower called Regalia. Enter the Very Rev. Father Barney Canada, who ran Providence Funding, a self-proclaimed faith-based commercial lender headquartered near the University of Notre Dame. In his black clerical garb and white collar, Canada claimed to be a priest from a shadowy 19th-century offshoot of the Roman Catholic Church. Murphy is a grizzled development veteran of 42 years, but he was taken in by the smooth-talking clergyman who assured Regalia principals he could quickly rustle up $150-million from his confidential investors.
   But first Canada would need $300,000 in application fees. Murphy wired over the money and personally delivered boxes of supporting documents to Canada's office in downtown South Bend, Ind.
   Within weeks he knew he'd never see the loan. Canada demanded obvious information that Murphy had already provided in his voluminous application. Then he stopped taking Murphy's calls. The $300,000 was never seen again. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 17, 2009 8:34 AM]

• Diocese orders church mergers in Greene, Columbia counties

- RCC. 6 more sacred sites to go.

   The Daily Freeman, http://www. dailyfreeman. com/articles/ 2009/01/17/ news/doc4972 433147f5d 196414606.txt , Saturday, January 17, 2009
   ALBANY, New York State – Mergers announced on Saturday by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany will affect six churches in Columbia County and two in Greene, and another two in Greene may be merged a year from now.
   Also, one church in Delaware County will close.
   The diocese, in a prepared statement, said the decisions about these and numerous other churches were the result of 600 meetings over 2-1/2 years that included input from more than 10,000 Catholics in a 13-county area. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 17, 2009 5:14 PM]

• Jury clears Naugatuck priest of abuse allegations

- Grant cleared.
   Hartford Courant, Associated Press, January 17, 2009
   WATERBURY, Conn. - A Roman Catholic priest from Naugatuck has been cleared of allegations that he sexually abused a teenage boy.
   The Rev. Robert J. Grant was acquitted by a Waterbury Superior Court jury on Friday of all charges against him in the case.

• Weymouth pastor cleared of sex abuse charge

[1977] - RCC's Fr Sullivan cleared, though RCC paid out.
   The Patriot Ledger, By Jack Encarnacao And John P. Kelly; 02:55 AM, Jan 17, 2009
   WEYMOUTH (MA) – The Archdiocese of Boston reinstated a St. Francis Xavier Church pastor on Friday after paying the alleged victim $475,000 to settle a lawsuit in which he accused three priests of sexually molesting him in the late 1970s.
   But the victim's attorney, Mitchell Garabedian, said his client was "outraged" that the Rev. Eugene P. Sullivan, 72, would be taken off administrative leave and permitted to publicly minister.
   "My client fears for the safety of children," said Garabedian, a Boston lawyer who said he has handled more than 500 claims of clergy sexual abuse.
   Kelly Lynch, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said the settlement "does not constitute admission of liability" but instead reflects the church's commitment to resolving claims and "furthering the healing process."

• A lot of people got angry after reading last post here, writing, My perp was a Scout leader too, and There is no justice in PA

- Scouts interwoven with RCC.

   City of Angels, ~ January 17, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- (The Jan. 14 post about Peter Dunne provoked a peppering of emails. Here are three letters from City of Angels readers, including an encounter with Dunne in the seminary, by author Tom Barnes.)
   What the hell, Kay, you think this makes you angry! What about my story where Fr. Cotter was the Boy Scout Leader as well and he went swimming nude with the Scouts and was in charge of the altar boys and the CYO.
   The Assistant Scoutmaster was also a pedophile. When my lawyers went to talk to them about Cotter the Scouts said they never even heard of him. But I have pictures of Cotter in his Scout uniform on the altar of my church. I have papers settling with the Scouts out of court. The Boy Scouts and the Catholic Church are so f**king embedded with each other it is enough to make you puke.
   The church scandal has given the Scouts enough time to burn their records. It is a huge story that needs to be told!!!!!!!!!!!!! It makes me so mad I cannot even begin to tell you how upset this has made me. I have been saying this for years but to no avail. All those people who know the truth about what Cotter did are getting old but I do not think they could ever forget.

• Albany Diocese to close 33 worship sites

- RC people losing 33 holy sites.
   Albany Times Union, By MARC PARRY, Last updated: 4:06 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2009 [14-county list of church closings in Albany Diocese]
  ALBANY, NEW YORK – Cities across the greater Capital Region will bear the brunt of a massive plan to close 33 worship sites throughout the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, Bishop Howard Hubbard announced today.
   Troy will be ground zero in an unprecedented consolidation the 14-county diocese is undertaking to cope with shifting demographics and a shortage of priests.
   Hubbard, despite lobbying to change the outcome, decided to close six of the Collar City's dozen Catholic churches. That is more than any other city. And the list of soon-to-be-shuttered Troy churches includes St. Peter's, the state's third-oldest Catholic parish.

• 17 local churches will close

- RCC losing 1/5 of churches.

   Troy Record, By Tom Caprood, 4:49 PM EST, Saturday, January 17, 2009
   NEW YORK -- Catholics throughout the Capital Region and beyond were given the news they had been waiting to receive for the past two years Saturday as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany disclosed the fate of local churches that will be closed or merged as part of the Called to BE Church initiative.
   A total of 33 worship sites, just under 20 percent of the diocese's churches, will be closed across the diocese over the next three years, according to a statement from Bishop Howard Hubbard.
   Across the Capital District, a total of 17 churches are scheduled to close including six in Troy, two that will merge with other churches in Albany, two that will merge with other churches in Schenectady, three in Cohoes, three in Amsterdam, and one in Glens Falls.

• Albany Diocese Announces Final Decisions of 2 ½-year Called to BE Church Process

- RCC "spin" for retrenchment!
   Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, {this includes the full list of churches to close}, ~ January 17, 2009
   {Decisions for Each of the 38 Local Planning Groups in County Order}
   NEW YORK -- After 2 ½ years, more than 600 meetings, input from more than 10,000 Catholics across the Albany Diocese, and prayerful consideration, the final decisions of the Diocese's planning process have been reached.
   The decisions are being announced to parishioners during Masses on Jan. 17 and 18, 2009.
   The grassroots planning process, known as Called to BE Church, involved thousands of Catholics across the Diocese in shaping the future of the church – specifically, aligning its physical, financial and personnel resources in a way that would serve the greatest number of Catholics now and in the future, while preserving the Church's commitment to inner cities, the poor, elderly and infirm, and other vulnerable populations. Thirty-eight local planning groups (comprised of parish leaders and lay parishioners-representatives from two or more neighboring parishes) studied issues on a neighborhood and regional level across the 14 counties of the Diocese.
   "There's no question that the closing of parishes is a difficult and painful process for the people of the parish, for which there is a great spiritual and emotional attachment. All of the people involved in this process empathize with the painful adjustments that will be required," said Bishop Howard J. Hubbard.

• Diocese announces church closings

- RCC.
   Schenectady Gazette, By Jason Subik, January 17, 2009
   CAPITAL REGION, – The Albany Diocese announced today it will close almost 20 percent of its churches over the next three years.
   The decision to close the churches was made after a two and half years of consideration under the diocese's "Called to BE Church" process aimed at addressing demographic shifts.
   The complete list may be found on the diocese Web site at www.rcda.org.

• Nikolai Sues OCA for $11 Million

- Orthodox Church in America.

   Pokrov, Publication: Orthodox Christians for Accountability, Author: Mark Stokoe, Date Published: Jan/16/2009
   UNITED STATES -- The Courthouse News Service reported yesterday, January 15th, that the former Bishop of Sitka, Nikolai (Soraich) filed papers on January 12th in the Nassau County Supreme Court for an $11 million "wrongful termination in breach of contract" lawsuit against the Orthodox Church in America. The summary of docket #09-00495 states:
   "The defendant forced plaintiff Nikolai to retire from his position as bishop without any cause. That position is supposed to last for life according to the defendant's statute. Nikolai was placed at the center of the defendant's politics and used as a scapegoat for its own already existing interior scandals and financial and leadership breakdown. Nikolai has sought exile in an Australian monastery and has no way of earning an income. $11 million."

• Dallas Parishioner Challenges Church Statements

[Katinas] - Greek Orthodox Church.

   Pokrov.org , Author: Stan Shinn, Jan/16/2009
   "The lies conceal everything; the lies embrace everything, but not with any help from me. Live Not By Lies." -- Alexander Solzhenitsyn
   DALLAS (TX) -- Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote these words only hours before the Secret Police broke in and arrested him. He was subsequently exiled. A defender of the Orthodox Faith, Solzhenitsyn stood unwaveringly for truth. Following his example and heeding the demands of my Christian conscience, I cannot be silent in the face of recent statements by the GOA and Metropolitan Isaiah.
   Our church officials are not telling the truth about the Nicholas Katinas lawsuit.
   I am a parishioner at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas Texas. I have talked personally to church officials, local witnesses, and victims both before and after the recent lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by (former) priest Nicholas Katinas. I am intimately aware of the details of this case.

• Lawyer claims priest's rights were trampled

- Fr Gerald Robinson appeals murder verdict.
   Toledo Blade, By DAVID YONKE, BLADE RELIGION EDITOR, January 17, 2009
   TOLEDO (OH) -- An attorney for Toledo Catholic priest Gerald Robinson filed a motion yesterday claiming that his client's constitutional rights were violated in the 2006 trial that led to Robinson's conviction for the 1980 murder of a nun.
   John Donahue of Perrysburg asserted in an amended petition for postconviction relief, filed in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, that Robinson's trial attorneys were ineffective, that the State of Ohio withheld key evidence, and that pervasive media coverage deprived the priest of a fair trial.
   "I believe he is innocent and the highest calling for me is to assist a wrongly convicted person," Mr. Donahue said.

• Ex-minister accused of violating probation again

[Heberlein] - Baptist. Arrested again.
   The Telegraph, By MAGGIE BORMAN, 9:37 PM, January 16, 2009
   CARROLLTON (IL) -- A former Baptist minister in Greene County who pleaded guilty two years ago to sexually abusing an underage girl was arrested Thursday for the second time for violating terms of his probation.
   Jeffrey D. Heberlein, 45, of Fowler in Adams County, was arrested on a Greene County bench warrant for failure to report, failure to notify the court of a change of employment and failure to attend counseling.
   Scott County Circuit Judge Lois Bell, who was assigned to Heberlein's case, issued the bench warrant Wednesday. A motion to revoke his probation also was filed in Greene County Circuit Court, with a court date set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 17, 2009 8:23 AM

• 'The Cloyne debacle is a dirty story and Cardinal Brady's intervention only muddies the waters

- RCC leader has "beam in his eye."

   Irish Independent, By Medb Ruane, Saturday January 17 2009
   IRELAND -- Accountability, what's that about? Ireland's Financial Regulator resigns, a senior executive or three also leave. But not in Ireland's biggest global corporation, whose national CEO found motes in everyone's eye except his own, this week.
   Cardinal Sean Brady condemned greed, corruption, the slaughter in Gaza and recommended "an economy of peace which confronts the unjust distribution of the goods of the earth and progresses a culture of global solidarity". He prayed for an economy that supports "authentic human development".
   Then he said that John Magee, Roman Catholic Bishop of Cloyne, shouldn't resign but should stay in his post to oversee new child protection procedures in his diocese. Magee's stewardship had been found seriously flawed, including his management of cases involving two particular priests. How authentic is that?

• Guest view: Appeal for healing in Belleville Diocese

[Roberts]
   Belleville News-Democrat, ~ January 17, 2009
   BELLEVILLE (IL) -- Even now, many Catholic bishops deal with the clergy sex abuse issue in a self-serving, destructive manner -- by doing as little as possible.
   In the case of Belleville's Bishop Edward Braxton, passivity might be an improvement over aggression. Braxton fights clergy abuse cases in his diocese tooth and nail in court. While clergy sex abuse victims often are connected with excessive legal claims, Braxton is on track to become one of America's most litigious prelates. He's never seen a clergy sex abuse case he hasn't appealed.
   In March, a three-judge panel in Mount Vernon ruled favorably for Chris Amenn of Fairview Heights. Now a firefighter, Amenn says he was repeatedly molested as a boy by the Rev. Kenneth Roberts. But Braxton says Amenn should be denied his due because of a legality called the statute of limitations. In October, the bishop appealed the ruling to the Illinois Supreme Court.

• CRYSTAL CITY: YouTube video award leads to Washington honors

- Videoed a SNAP advocate.
   Suburban Journals, By Chris Campbell, 3:12 AM CST, Saturday, January 17, 2009
   CRYSTAL CITY (MO) -- Kim Fischer started in Crystal City with a video camera and an idea.
   A few months later that idea led to her sharing dinner with television reporter Jon Sawyer at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
   A sometime wedding videographer without any journalism experience, Fischer stumbled across a national contest sponsored by YouTube and the Pulitzer Center.
   The contest asked for video entries from aspiring reporters detailing stories of critical importance.
   Fischer's first video, "You Are Not Alone," detailed the work of Barb Dorris, a tireless advocate working with the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP). Her video earned her a berth in the semifinals, narrowed down to just 10 applicants.

• Church seeks change to child abuse claim limits

- Anglican Primate trying to unblock justice.

   ABC News, January 17, 2009
   BRISBANE (Qld), Australia -- The Queensland Government says it is not planning to relax time limits on compensation claims for victims of child sexual abuse.
   In Queensland, child sexual abuse victims are required to launch legal action by the time they turn 21.
   But Australia's Anglican Primate is leading a push for changes.
   Brisbane Archbishop Phillip Aspinall says at the request of victims, he has been lobbying for that provision to be scrapped since 2005.

• 2nd person is jailed in church sex-abuse case

- Alamo Ministries.

   Deseret News, ~ January 17, 2009
   TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) – An Arkansas judge has jailed a second member of evangelist Tony Alamo's ministry for refusing to say where her three daughters are.
   Circuit Judge Joe Griffin in Texarkana said he had no other choice Thursday but to find the mother in contempt of court. A man in a separate case was jailed for the same reason earlier this week.

• Church leader wants child sex abuse laws changed

- Anglican Primate trying to unblock justice.

   Courier Mail, January 17, 2009
   AUSTRALIA -- A LEADING archbishop has launched a crusade to change child sex abuse laws, describing them as "unfair, inequitable and harsh".
   Brisbane's Anglican leader Archbishop Phillip Aspinall dismisses the laws, which normally require a victim to launch legal action by the time they turn 21.
   Archbishop Aspinall began lobbying the Queensland Government to change the laws in 2005 in response to requests from people who had been sexually abused as children.

• Bishops have again deserted their flock

- "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church" took out insurance.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, January 17, 2009
   IRELAND -- THERE APPEARS to be a view that Cardinal Seán Brady's words of support this week for the Bishop of Cloyne John Magee have drawn a line in the sand where this latest Catholic Church clerical child sex abuse controversy is concerned. They have not.
   Rather, they have added to a growing deficit in the moral authority of the Catholic Church in Ireland, a deficit now every bit as large as that in the State's finances, if deteriorating more rapidly. In this, the bishops have only themselves to blame.
   Their first instinct, when alerted in 1987 to the probability of clerical child sex abuse cases emerging in Ireland, was preservation of the institution at all costs. You might say it established what has become a consistent pattern.
   They took out insurance.

• St. Louis priest cited by 3 removed from ministry

[1980s Freymuth*] - RCC. Caressed boy.
   Chatanooga Times Free Press, January 17, 2009
   ST. LOUIS (MO), (AP) – The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis said Friday that it was removing a priest from active ministry while it again reviews an allegation it had dismissed without merit.
   The announcement came after an unidentified man told the archdiocese Thursday of plans to sue over claims that the Rev. Michael Freymuth abused him in the 1980s while he was a student at a Catholic grade school in St. Louis. The man had originally complained to the archdiocese in 2005 about Freymuth, and the archdiocese had found that the man's allegation did not constitute sexual abuse.

• St. Louis Archdiocese removes priest after threat of lawsuit

[1980s Freymuth*] - RCC. Caressed boy.
   St. Louis Post-Dispatch, By Tim Townsend, January/17/2009
   ST. LOUIS (MO) -- Bishop Robert Hermann, the interim leader of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, has removed one of its priests from active ministry because of a complaint filed against him alleging sexual abuse in the 1980s.
   In 2005, a man filed a complaint of sexual abuse against the priest, the Rev. Michael Freymuth. It is unclear if the archdiocese acted on that allegation, but the same man is now threatening to file a lawsuit.
   Previously in 2005, Timothy Bartin had accused Freymuth of giving him wine and caressing him while watching "Midnight Express" in the priest's bedroom at St. Joan of Arc's rectory when he was a teenager in the 1980s.

• Church child-protection cost $1.2M last year

- RCC. The cost of untrustworthiness.
   Cincinnati Enquirer, By Dan Horn, dhorn@enquirer.com , January 17, 2009
   CINCINNATI (OH) -- The Archdiocese of Cincinnati spent about $1.2 million last year on expenses related to child protection programs and sexual abuse by clergy, pushing the total cost since 2003 to more than $11 million.
   The archdiocese released the figures Friday as part of an annual reporting program instituted five years ago at the height of the clergy abuse scandal.
   About $600,000 covered legal fees, counseling for victims and salary and housing costs for priests who are suspended while allegations against them are investigated.
   Another $600,000 paid for child abuse prevention programs and the archdiocese's fingerprinting program for volunteers and employees.

• No evidence of role in drafting illegal settlement

[MacDonald]

   Standard-Freeholder, By TREVOR PRITCHARD, ~ January 17, 2009
   CANADA -- A former assistant Crown attorney told the Cornwall Public Inquiry he had no evidence to suggest Rev. Charles MacDonald had a role in crafting an illegal $32,000 settlement between the church and one of his alleged victims.
   "I don't recall seeing anything that made me think Father MacDonald had input into the contents of the agreement," said Lorne McConnery, who completed his fourth and final day on the stand yesterday.
   In 2001, McConnery was asked to provide opinions on a number of legal briefs compiled during Project Truth, the four-year investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police into allegations a pedophile clan had preyed on children in the Cornwall area. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 17, 2009 7:30 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Sat January 17, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sun January 18, 2009 edition:

• Paedophile groomed girl, 12, on church trips

[3yrs Mr Shakespeare -NEW*] - Christian. Girl.

   The Shields Gazette Published Date: 17 January 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM – A PAEDOPHILE who abused a schoolgirl he met at church has been locked up and will have to sign the sex offenders' register for life.
   David Shakespeare molested the 12-year-old, who he was "infatuated" with, on numerous occasions over three years.
   The 44-year-old subjected the girl to vile abuse, but held back from having full sex with her for "religious reasons".

• Archdiocese settles Nahant priest abuse case

[1970s Kelley - ? NEW*]

   Item, January 17, 2009
   MASSACHUSETTS -- The Boston Archdiocese has settled three sexual abuse cases with their roots in the 1970s, church leaders announced Friday, including one involving a former Nahant priest.
   The amount of the settlement in the case the the Rev. Edward Kelley, who was allowed to continue ministry for years after Nahant police found him in a state of undress with a 19-year-old man in his car in 1977, was unavailable. Kelley is now a senior priest restricted from ministry, the archdiocese said.

• Betrayed, video, released Jan. 17, 2009, by survivor of Fr. Jim McCarthy, active in the 1960s in South Carolina

[1960s McCarthy - ? NEW*] - RCC. Boy.
   City of Angels, ~ January 18, 2009
   New Video at City of Angels 6. Click this link to view: http://cityofangels6.blogspot.com/
   SOUTH CAROLINA -- McCarthy survivor says the priest gave him Kool-Aid spiked with alcohol, and described "Hell," where the the parents would go if the boy told. McCarthy died in 2008, now this man 40 years later seeks others who were sexually assaulted by this pedophile priest, active in South Carolina in the 1960s. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 18, 2009 8:27 AM]

• Churches support abuse law changes

- Anglican Church, Uniting Church, Roman Catholic Church.

   The Australian, by Michael McKenna | for January 19, 2009
   AUSTRALIA – AUSTRALIA'S Catholic and Uniting churches yesterday publicly backed a push for the removal of a time limit that blocks child sex victims from suing for compensation over institutional abuse.
   Australia's Anglican leader, Brisbane Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, is leading the campaign, lobbying Queensland's Bligh Government to set a nationwide precedent and exempt child victims from the laws.
   Dr Aspinall last week went public with his campaign, saying the laws, requiring victims across Australia to launch legal action by the time they turned 21, were "harsh and unequitable". [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 18, 2009 8:50 AM]

• Priest denies wrongdoing, seeks public forum

[? 1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Misconduct.

   The Anna Maria Islander, http://www. islander.org/ 1-14-09/ stb_priest. php , (letter from the Diocese of Venice), by Lisa Neff, Islander Reporter, January 14, 2009
   FLORIDA – The Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph offers a story of a life devoted to the Catholic Church, a false accusation against him, and a betrayal by men he considers his shepherds.
   Joseph, 44, who most recently served at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach, is facing an accusation of sexual misconduct, a recent claim stemming from an alleged incident 15 years ago.
   He denies the allegation, and he said he wants the opportunity to do so in a public forum, which is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 18, 2009 3:25 PM]

• Report: Priest accused of sex abuse to hold town hall meeting

[? 1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Misconduct.
   WINK News, ~ January 18, 2009
   FORT MYERS, Fla. & ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. - The Catholic Diocese of Venice is investigating claims of sexual misconduct by a priest in 1993. They announced the investigation in late December.
   The Priest, Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph denies the allegation. His lawyer has told a local Anna Maria Island newspaper that the Reverend wishes to hold a public forum to discuss the allegations.
   The forum is reportedly scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

• Abuse scandal still obscures the light

- RCC.

   Irish Independent, By Colum Kenny, Sunday January 18 2009
   IRELAND -- Bishop John Magee failed to enforce his own church's guidelines on child abuse. He failed to protect children promptly from at least one alleged abuser. He failed to co-operate fully with his own church's investigation into his earlier failures. But Cardinal Brady said last week that Magee should not resign.
   It does not matter what most people, even most Catholics, think. The Irish hierarchy's model of the church is old-fashioned, top-down, authoritarian, and paternalistic.
   Cardinal Seán Brady was in Kerry last Tuesday to deliver an address on contemporary Ireland and the church. In it, he referred to "the disturbing freshness of Christ". What was disturbing last week was his own protection of the stale status quo.
   [MEDITATION: (Perhaps the headline was inspired by) Matthew 6:22-23: … If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (NIV) ENDS.]

• Trial set for two Delray priests accused of stealing from parish

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Female companions.

   Palm Beach Post, By SUSAN SPENCER-WENDEL, Saturday, January 17, 2009
   WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – Into the dark-cushioned chairs by the defense table, where murderers and molesters, thugs and thieves have sat, the priests will come this week.
   The Revs. John Skehan, 81, and Francis "Frank" Guinan, 66, are scheduled for trial Wednesday, each charged with one count of grand theft over $100,000 - a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
   Each is accused of pilfering hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Roman Catholic parish they were tapped to grow and inspire, St. Vincent Ferrer in Delray Beach.
   Instead, they left the faithful reeling after their arrests by Delray Beach police in 2006. While accused of misappropriating more than $8 million, they are charged with outright stealing far less. Detective Thomas Whatley referred to them at the time as "professional money launderers."

• One in five students suffered sexual abuse at residential schools, figures indicate

   Globe and Mail, By TIM NAUMETZ The Canadian Press 7:57 PM EST, January 17, 2009
   OTTAWA, CANADA – Thousands of native children suffered sexual abuse in Indian residential schools, newly disclosed figures show – a human tragedy so pervasive it's being called "monstrous."
   The federal government has quietly paid out more than $350-million in abuse settlements over the last decade, the majority for sexual abuse, to 7,011 former students.
   Several thousand more claims for sexual abuse at the hands of church and school officials have been filed over the last year under a 2006 agreement to compensate surviving students, the government and victims' lawyers say. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 18, 2009 8:45 AM

• Limits on rape charges targeted

   Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, BY CHARLIE FRAGO, Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2009
   ARKANSAS -- Legislation to remove the statute of limitations on rape and first-degree sexual assault faces a stiff challenge when a House committee debates the measure, likely this week.
   Currently, murder is the only crime that can be prosecuted without any limit on the amount of time that has elapsed since the crime was committed.
   Rape and first-degree sexual assault now have a six-year limit under the state's statute of limitations, although there are exceptions for DNA evidence and minors.

• Cincinnati archdiocese says clergy abuse cost $11M

[Decades - Cincinnati Archdiocese] - RCC. US $11m in 6yrs. Children.
   Lancaster Eagle Gazette, January 17, 2009
   CINCINNATI (OH), (AP) – A clergy abuse scandal has cost the Archdiocese of Cincinnati more than $11 million in the past six years, church officials announced Friday.
   In 2008, the archdiocese spent nearly $1.2 million on costs related to clergy abuse, or less than 2 percent of its total expenses. Half of that was used for training, fingerprinting and other child protection programs.

• Ex-Fort Myers priest says he did not abuse boy

[1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Boy.

   The News-Press, news-press.com staff, January 18, 2009
   FLORIDA -- A priest accused of molesting a boy when the clergyman served at St. Francis Xavier Church in Fort Myers 15 years ago is denying the allegations, which became public last month.
   The denial was first published in The Islander, a community newspaper on Anna Maria Island in Manatee County.
   The Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph, 44, and his Bradenton attorney John P. Fleck say they had honored the Diocese of Venice's request the allegation and details of the investigation be kept confidential.
   But they say the diocese broke the confidentiality agreement, providing priests with a letter from the Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane, bishop of the Diocese of Venice, to read at Mass on Dec. 27-28, and then releasing a statement to the media Dec. 29.

• My Turn: What the Catholic Church is truly about

   Burlington Free Press, By Bernard Roque, January 18, 2009
   VERMONT -- In light of the recent sexual abuse cases filed against the Catholic Church, I think it is prudent to have a little Catholic Church 101 lesson.
   As people may be aware, within the Catholic Church there are seven sacraments. They are: baptism, reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, confirmation, holy orders, holy matrimony and anointing of the sick.
   The first four sacraments are received in the formation period, given as lifelong tools in pursuit of a life directed by the Holy Spirit. They are spiritual tools instituted by Jesus himself. It is a means of gaining a relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior, and it is Jesus' means to invite people into a relationship with him.
   [COMMENT: The heading ought to be "What the RCC OUGHT to be about." ENDS.]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Sun January 18, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Mon January 19, 2009 edition:

• Identity of pedophile Andrew William Dawson-Ryan revealed

[1970s-80s Mr Dawson-Ryan -NEW*] - Anglican. GUILTY. C.E.B.S. 19 charges. Boys.

   Adelaide Now, http://www. news.com.au/ adelaidenow/ story/0,27574, 24930925- 2682,00.html , By SEAN FEWSTER, COURT REPORTER, 11:05am, January 19, 2009
   ADELAIDE (S. Australia) – THE identity of an Anglican youth leader who sexually abused boys in his care over 16 years can finally be revealed.
   The District Court has lifted a suppression order on the identity of Andrew William Dawson-Ryan, 60, of Cumberland Park.
   The former Church of England Boys Society youth leader was last year found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault and five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse.
   A jury also convicted him of gross indecency and procuring an act of gross indecency. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 7:24 AM]
   [RECAPITULATION: … was last year found guilty … ENDS.]
   [COMMENT: Why wasn't the suppression order lifted at once? Doesn't the public have a right to know what occurs in our courts? And Anglicans to know what goes on in CEBS ? ENDS.]

• Jailed ex-bishop may face Church court too

[Bp Panteleimon -NEW*] - Greek Orthodox. €195,000.

   Pokrov, Publication: Kathimerini, Date Published: Jan/17/2009
   GREECE – An internal probe by the Church of Greece into the former bishop of Attica, Panteleimon, serving a six-year sentence for embezzlement in Korydallos jail, has proposed that the cleric be tried by a Church court on a new set of charges.
   According to a report compiled by Bishop Serapheim of Karystia after three years of research, Panteleimon should be tried on four counts: setting up an offshore company, having bank accounts with excessively large deposits, scandalizing the faithful and embezzling 195,000 euros from an Attica monastery. On the latter charge, Panteleimon was found guilty by an Athens court in 2006 and jailed. According to sources, Bishop Serapheim has said he carried out his research "responsibly and without any bias or hostility." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 9:19 AM]

• Columbus Bishop removes priest from all ministry

[1985 Lloyd -NEW*] - Roman Catholic Church. Minor.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus, ~ January 19, 2009
COLUMBUS (OH) -- Following a diocesan investigation of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor in 1985 and upon recommendation by the Diocesan Board of Review for the Protection of Children, the Most Reverend Fredrick F. Campbell, Bishop of Columbus, has removed Father Frederick A. Loyd from all ministry in the Catholic Church. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 3:48 PM]

• Abhaya case: HC drops contempt proceeding against daily

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Evidence burnt. Axe murder.

   The Hindu, ~ January 19, 2009
   KOCHI, India (PTI): Kerala High Court today dropped the suo motu contempt proceedings initiated against a Malayalam daily, 'Kerala Kaumudi' for publishing an editorial last month on the conduct of a judge hearing the sister Abhaya case.
   A Division Bench, comprising justices K Balakrishnan Nair and K Surendra Mohan, closed and dropped the proceedings on the ground that the proceedings adopted for placing the matter for preliminary hearing are "ultra vires" of Section 15 of the Contempt of Court act. Further proceedings in the matter are dropped, the Bench said.

• Come to: Brooklyn - Jewish Survivors of Sexual Abuse Speaking Out!

- Judaism.

   The Awareness Center, with video, ~ January 19, 2009
   NEW YORK -- The Awareness Center's Jewish Survivors Speak Out is scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2009.
   For more information about the Speak Out download the brochure at: http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/brooklynspeakout.pdf

• Sex abuse victim slams 'hypocrisy' of church and Archbishop

[Lynch] - Anglicans' move, versus court realities.

   The Australian, http://www. theaustralian. news.com.au/ story/0,25197, 24935533- 5006786,00.html , by Michael McKenna | for January 20, 2009
   AUSTRALIA -- A VICTIM of pedophile Kevin "Skippy" Lynch has slammed as hypocritical the push by Anglican primate Phillip Aspinall to remove the statute of limitations on child abuse compensation cases.
   Dr Aspinall last week confirmed he was leading a multi-denominational push to exempt child abuse victims from nationwide laws requiring they sue for compensation by the time they turn 21.
   While the campaign was welcomed by child protection advocates, it was seen by some, including the victim of Lynch, fighting for compensation in Queensland's Supreme Court, as hypocritical, given the church's use of the time limits. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 9:54 AM

• Why did Maine bishop need a police escort, and why was he meeting survivors in a bar in the first place?

- RCC.

   City of Angels, By Kay Ebeling, ~ January 19, 2009
   MAINE -- We also had a lot of response after the January 5th post: "What made me laugh out loud in the Fact Sheet about Paul Kendrick and Bishop Malone." People sent cartoons with inebriated Irish priests, and what I think is a legitimate question. On that night when the cleric called for a police escort, citing the threat of priest sex crime survivors and their advocates in the crowd, why was Bishop Malone meeting with survivors in a bar in the first place?
   "Oh you California people are such prudes," Paul Kellen of Boston answered me. "The bishop proclaimed a program Theology on Tap." I looked it up and it's true, for the last 20 years or so, priests all over the country have been going out to spread the word of the church in local bars and taverns. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 3:26 PM

• Maryland Catholic Conference urges Catholics to oppose statute of limitations bill

- RCC.
   Catholic Standard, By LAURA JAMISON, ~ January 19, 2009
   MARYLAND -- Civil suits involving decades old child-abuse allegations may be filed against the Catholic Church if legislation being introduced this year passes in the Maryland General Assembly, said Mary Ellen Russell, the Maryland Catholic Conference's executive director. The Maryland Catholic Conference is the public policy arm of the Maryland Catholic bishops.
   The MCC is urging local Catholics to oppose statute of limitations legislation that is expected to be introduced this session by State Senator Delores Goodwin Kelley (D- District 10, Baltimore County). The Maryland Catholic Conference's website notes that the bill "would make it easier for out-of-state trial lawyers to sue the Church," and the MCC also warns that "the legislation discourages early reporting of abuse."
   Russell said that if the legislation passes, it could lead to large lawsuits being brought against the Archdiocese of Washington and other dioceses in Maryland because the bill seeks to abandon Maryland's civil statute of limitations, which protects individuals or private institutions from being sued for money many years after an alleged incident occurred.
   [COMMENT: But, in Australia, Roman Catholic bishops, or some of them, have joined an inter-Church move TO SUPPORT the removal of time limits to prosecuting child sex abusers! As usual, the "one true Church" can't get itself organised, even about such a simple thing as the need for the courts to punish child seducers. ENDS.]

• Where do OC's Pedo-Priest Apologists Love To Eat?

- RCC.
   Orange County Weekly, Posted by Gustavo Arellano, in Local Eats, News; 9:20 AM January 19, 2009
   ORANGE COUNTY (CA) -- From a trusted source:
   "So I'm eating at {fancy restaurant} recently and am about to leave, when who do I see but John Urell! He's waiting outside with a bunch of priests. They're dressed super-fancy in suits, laughing, and seemingly ready to have a good time."
   I realize a lot of you foodies don't bother with the real world of news, so a primer: John Urell is a Catholic priest that for years helped run interference for Diocese of Orange bishops when it came to the local sex-abuse scandal. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 1:21 PM

• KOCE Diocese of Orange Docu Blind To Reality

   Orange County Weekly, Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Ex Cathedra, Naranja News 5:33 AM January 19, 2009
   ORANGE COUNTY (CA) – One of my favorite channels is KOCE-TV Channel 50's OC Channel, available only on digital antennas (and have you changed your analog TV yet to satisfy the NWO?). It airs nothing but Orange County-related material--not just reruns of KOCE's Real Orange and Inside OC with Rick Reiff, but also weird infomercials and Chapman University-produced programs. But my favorite shows are OC-related documentaries--some years old, others not as much. I'll write about them as I see fit, but one deserves immediate commentary: Matters of Faith.
   I wrote about this documentary on the Diocese of Orange last year but never got around to watching it until a couple of weeks ago. Produced by Maria Hall-Brown and with a credit to Diocese of Orange spokeshole Ryan Lilygren (though Hall-Brown swears the Orange diocese had no editorial control and says she gave Lilygren a producer title due to him providing so much archival footage and access for interviews), it's pretty enough. I didn't expect it to dwell much on the sex-abuse scandal, although I was astounded Matters of Faith actually included an interview with an abuse victim, even if it was for a couple of seconds, and even if Hall-Brown gave more air time to some rambling Mater Dei High School worker.
   The second time I watched it, I realized what is my main problem with Matters of Faith, the same problem I have now with almost every Orange County Catholic I meet. Talk to them about our pedo-priest problems, and out comes a company line seemingly written by Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown: so sad, we're human, in the past, move forward, blah, blah effin' blah. What they never want to touch on is the cover-up. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 10:53 AM
   [COMMENT: Plus, they presumably can't explain about how priests, with the long education in morality, and the indelible mark of Ordination and all those Sanctifying Graces, somehow get caught up in non-marital sex with under-age people. AND how they, and their leaders, can't see that this means they have NO VOCATION to Christian ministry, and ought to be helped to train for something else at once. ENDS.]

• Correction

[Costigan] - RCC.
Daily Record, ~ January 19, 2009
NEW JERSEY -- George Costigan, a priest suspended since 1994 because of abuse allegations, recently showed up at Dover's Sacred Heart parish, and not another parish as had been reported by church officials in Wednesday's Daily Record, said Paterson Roman Catholic Diocese attorney Ken Mullaney. Church officials said Costigan has been passing himself off as a priest in good standing, in violation of his suspension.

• A no-win situation for the bishop

   Times-Leader, by Mark Guydish, mguydish@timesleader.com , 07:02 AM, Monday January 19, 2009
   PENNSYLVANIA -- I'm willing to bet a lot of people had the same reaction I did to Bishop Joseph Martino's decision to announce diocesewide church closings via a recorded message during Masses the weekend of Jan 31. Great, another impersonal delivery of news that hits on a deeply personal level.
   After all, we're talking about closing churches steeped in decades of history; churches with distinctive art and architecture, churches with unique stories behind their construction. Many of these were built by immigrants in their spare time or with their spare dimes.

• Pittsburgh priest named bishop of Juneau, Alaska

- RCC.

   Post-Gazette, By Ann Rodgers, Monday, January 19, 2009
   PITTSBURGH (PA) -- Pope Benedict XVI has named a Pittsburgh priest, Msgr. Edward Burns, to be the next bishop of Juneau, Alaska.
   Msgr. Burns 51, is currently rector of St. Paul Seminary in E. Carnegie. However, prior to returning to Pittsburgh in August, he had been director of the U.S. bishops' office for clergy, consecrated life and vocations in Washington, DC, and is well known for his efforts to increase the number of men seeking ordination as Catholic priests.

• Pervert molested 12-year-old girl

[3yrs Mr Shakespeare] - Christian. Girl ~ 12.

   Sunderland Echo, Published Date: January 17, 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM -- A pervert who preyed on a schoolgirl he met at church has been jailed for four years.
   David Shakespeare, of Alverthorpe Street, South Shields, abused the 12-year-old, who he was "infatuated" with, on numerous occasions over three years.
   The 44-year-old subjected the girl to vile abuse, but held back from having full sex with her for "religious reasons."

• Suppression lifted on man convicted of child sex

[1970s-80s Mr Dawson-Ryan*] - Anglican. C.E.B.S. 19 charges. Boys.

   ABC News, January 19, 2009
   AUSTRALIA – A South Australian District Court judge has lifted a suppression order on the identity of a man who abused boys he met through an Anglican Church club.
   Andrew William Dawson-Ryan, 60, of Cumberland Park has been found guilty of 19 child sex charges dating back to the early 1970s.
   He met the victims while he was a volunteer with the Church of England Boys' Society in Plympton.

• Anglican Church apologises over youth leader abuse

[1970s-80s Mr Dawson-Ryan*] - Anglicans apologise. C.E.B.S. 19 charges. Boys.
   ABC News, January 19, 2009
   AUSTRALIA &ndash The Anglican Church has publicly apologised for the suffering caused by a former youth leader who abused three young boys in his care.
   A District Court jury convicted Andrew William Dawson-Ryan of 19 child sex charges including five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse.
   The court heard the 60-year-old from Cumberland Park was a youth leader with the Church of England Boys Society in the 1970s and 80s, and targeted his three victims through the group. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 7:26 AM]

• Identity of pedophile Andrew William Dawson-Ryan revealed

[1970s-80s Mr Dawson-Ryan*] - Anglican. GUILTY. C.E.B.S. 19 charges. Boys.

   Adelaide Now, By SEAN FEWSTER, COURT REPORTER, 11:05am, January 19, 2009
   ADELAIDE (S. Australia) – THE identity of an Anglican youth leader who sexually abused boys in his care over 16 years can finally be revealed.
   The District Court has lifted a suppression order on the identity of Andrew William Dawson-Ryan, 60, of Cumberland Park.
   The former Church of England Boys Society youth leader was last year found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault and five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse.
   A jury also convicted him of gross indecency and procuring an act of gross indecency. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 7:24 AM]
   [RECAPITULATION: … was last year found guilty … ENDS.]
   [COMMENT: Why wasn't the suppression order lifted at once? Doesn't the public have a right to know what occurs in our courts? ENDS.]

• Diocese seeks to lease Nome area mission

- RCC. Amerinds.

   News-Miner, By Mary Beth Smetzer, Published Monday, January 19, 2009
   FAIRBANKS (AK) – From the age of 3 to until he was 12 years old, Robert E. Lee lived, worked and was educated at Our Lady of Lourdes Mission at Pilgrim Hot Springs, an isolated oasis located in the midst of treeless tundra, 60 miles north of Nome.
   "That's my favorite spot on earth," said Lee, 80, who now resides in Delta Junction.
   Lee and others who lived at the mission and were cared for by Ursuline nuns and Jesuit priests and brothers, are carefully watching what the future holds for their childhood home.
   The site, all 320 acres of it, is part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization of the Fairbanks Catholic Diocese. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 19, 2009 7:18 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Mon January 19, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Tue January 20, 2009 edition:

• Law firm launching lawsuit against diocese claiming boys were abused by priest

[1940s-50s LeBlanc - ? NEW*] - Roman Catholic Church. Boys.

   The Yarmouth County Vanguard, http://www. novanewsnow. com/article- 293778-Law- firm-launching- lawsuit-against- diocese-claiming- boys-were- abused-by- priest.html ; ~ January 20, 2009
   CANADA -- An Ontario law firm, Ledroit Beckett Litigation Lawyers, which has a Canada-wide focus on representing victims of sexual abuse is holding a press conference in Halifax on Wednesday at which time it is expected the firm will outline allegations of sexual assault committed against boys by Father Adolphe LeBlanc who was parish priest in Wedgeport, Yarmouth County in the 1940s and 50s.
   The law firm placed advertisements in the Yarmouth Vanguard last year about the matter, after having been contacted by a man in Ontario, and heard from other men who claimed they were abused by LeBlanc, who is deceased, when they were young boys.
   It is alleged the abuse took place on church property, in the priest's car and at a cottage. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 20, 2009 7:38 AM]

• Allegations Of Sexual Abuse Leveled Against Priest

[1985 Lloyd*] - RCC. Minor

   WBNS, ~ January 20, 2009
   NEWARK, Ohio – The Catholic Diocese of Columbus has removed a priest from the ministry for allegedly sexually abusing a minor more than 23 years ago.
   Father Frederick Loyd allegedly sexually assaulted a minor in 1985 while serving as associate pastor at Saint Francis de Sales in Newark, 10TV's Andy Hirsch reported.
   According to the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, it was not until November when they learned about the allegations. They reported the claim to Newark police but investigators said that there is nothing they can do because the statute of limitations ran out on any possible charges. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 20, 2009 6:59 PM]

• Men: Priest abused us

[1940s-50s LeBlanc*] - Roman Catholic Church. Boys.

   The Chronicle Herald, By DAVENE JEFFREY, 5:40 AM, Tue. Jan 20, 2009
   CANADA – Rev. Adolphe LeBlanc has been dead for decades but men are coming forward to say he abused them when they were boys growing up in small Nova Scotia parishes.
   "Often, victims take years and even decades to talk about (sexual) abuse," Aaron Lealess said Monday.
   He is an articled clerk with Ledroit Beckett, a London, Ont., law firm that has sued about 100 Roman Catholic dioceses across the country on behalf of clients who say they were sexually abused. The law firm is now suing the Archdiocese of Halifax and the Diocese of Yarmouth. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 20, 2009 7:40 AM]

• Our Father, who art in bed: A Naive and Sentimental Dubliner in the Legion of Christ

[Decades Fr Marcial Maciel*] - RCC. Priest trainees. Book review.

   Good Books for Read, ~ January 20, 2009
   From age 17 to 41 I was a member of the Legion of Christ, a lesser known but important Catholic Religious Order. Led by its charismatic Mexican Spanish-speaking leader, Fr. Marcial Maciel, who would be praised and supported by the late pope John Paul II, the Legion of Christ and its lay branch, Regnum Christi (Christ's Kingdom) has made deep inroads into the Traditional Catholic woodlands of North and South America and Europe.
   This is the story of a member whose relevance may consist of being one of the very first eight Irish-born members during the foundation period, of quickly becoming bi-lingual and of knowing Fr. Maciel well – locking horns with him on a few occasions – and of being one of the handful of members who ever verbalized doubt or criticim of the Legion while still inside.
   Leaving this mind-controlling organization after more than 23 years was a devastating experience. But I am not the first or the last to leave and survive. Recovery and healing have followed those harrowing years and I am thankful to the kindness of friends and strangers.

• Minister urges bishop on report

[Bp Magee] - RCC. Government seeks serious consideration.

   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, ~ January 20, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE FINDING of the Catholic Church's National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSC) report into child protection practices in Cloyne diocese, "will have to be considered seriously by the Bishop [John Magee] and of course by the Catholic Church", Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe has said.
   He also said he had no powers to remove a bishop as patron of national schools in a diocese.
   The NBSC report, published by Cloyne diocese on December 19th last, found child protection practices there had been "inadequate and in some respects dangerous". It also found the diocese delayed for years in one instance and for months in another when it came to reporting allegations of clerical child sex abuse to civil authorities, and that it had a policy of providing "minimal" information to such authorities. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 20, 2009 8:10 AM

• Resources lacking: Hallett

- Authorities let prosecutor down.

   Standard-Freeholder, By TREVOR PRITCHARD, January 20, 2009
   CANADA -- The Toronto Crown attorney who handled four Project Truth prosecutions from 1998 until 2001 criticized the scant resources she was given while in Cornwall.
   Shelley Hallett described her office at the city courthouse as little more than a "cloak room" and told the Cornwall Public Inquiry she needed assistants who had more experience - especially in the 2001 sexual abuse trial of local lawyer Jacques Leduc.
   Three years earlier, Hallett was pulled away from her duties to carry out special prosecutions involving three men charged during Project Truth: Leduc, former Crown attorney Malcolm MacDonald, and retired coroner Arthur Peachey.

• Diocese removes ex-St. Francis pastor after sexual-abuse claim

[1985 Lloyd*] - RCC. Minor.

   Newark Advocate, NewarkAdvocate.com staff report, January 20, 2009
   NEWARK (IL) – A former clergyman has been removed from the ministry because a "credible allegation of sexual abuse" during his time in Newark more than 20 years ago, according to an announcement by Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
   The Rev. Frederick A. Loyd was an associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales Church on Granville Street from 1983 to 1987, the Sunday bulletin addressed to St. Francis parishioners states.
   An active priest, Loyd was removed from the diocese after church officials learned of the allegation, following diocesan policy. The bulletin does not say when that occurred.

• Local Priest Accused Of Sexual Abuse

[1985 Lloyd*] - RCC. Minor.
   NBC4i by Jason Mays Published: January 20, 2009
   CENTRAL OHIO – For more than 30 years, Father Frederick Loyd had a clean record of service in the eyes of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. He taught at local high schools, was chaplain at several Central Ohio hospitals and served in many different churches.
   But when an accusation of sexual abuse surfaced two months ago, his entire history came under question.
   Father Loyd joined the Catholic Diocese of Columbus in 1970. According to the diocese, the alleged abuse happened in 1985.
   Father Loyd retired from active ministry in 2006.

• Catholic priest accused of abusing child in 1985

[1985 Lloyd*] - RCC. Minor.
   The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday, By Randy Ludlow, 10:52 AM, January 20, 2009
   OHIO -- A Catholic priest has been removed from the ministry over an allegation he sexually abused a child while serving at a Newark church in 1985.
   Father Frederick A. Loyd was removed from active ministry after officials of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus investigated a complaint and found the abuse allegation was credible.
   The sexual abuse allegedly occurred while Loyd served at St. Francis de Sales Church in Newark, where he was associate pastor from 1983 to 1987.

• Exonerated Q-C priest withdraws from Holy Family assignment

- RCC.

   Quad-City Times By Ann McGlynn | Monday, January 19, 2009
   IOWA -- A former high-ranking Diocese of Davenport official cleared by a Catholic court of sex abuse and then assigned to help lead a Davenport parish will not be at that church after all, diocesan officials said.
   Monsignor Drake Shafer was to be the temporary parochial vicar at Holy Family Church in Davenport

• Pittsburgh priest to become new Alaskan bishop

- RCC. Burns for bishop.

   Times Leader, By STEVE QUINN, (AP), ~ January 20, 2009
   JUNEAU (AK) -- Monsignor Edward J. Burns, a rector from Pittsburgh, was introduced Monday as the next bishop of the Diocese of Juneau.
   Burns succeeds Bishop Michael W. Warfel, who left Juneau just over a year ago for a similar assignment in Montana. …
   But Burns also brings a no nonsense approach, unafraid to speak of tough issues facing the church such as the recent allegations of child sexual abuse by priests.
   "In light of the some of the issues facing the church, you face them head on, and absolutely with a level of responsibility," Burns said. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 20, 2009 7:47 AM

• Ruling could reinstate lawsuits against Peoria's Catholic Diocese

   Pantagraph By Edith Brady-Lunny eblunny@pantagraph.com , January 20, 2009
   OTTAWA (IL) -- A ruling by the 3rd District Appellate Court could reinstate at least 10 lawsuits filed against the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and several priests by victims of alleged sexual abuse.
   The opinion from the court in Ottawa reverses a June 2007 ruling by a Peoria County court that dismissed lawsuits on the grounds that victims waited too long to level the abuse charges.
   Springfield attorney Fred Nessler, the attorney who represents the accusers in the lawsuits, said Monday that "obviously we are pleased with the 3rd District Court's ruling in that the court's opinion very closely followed the plaintiff's position." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 20, 2009 7:43 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Tue January 20, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Wed January 21, 2009 edition:

• Indian Head Pastor Charged with Multiple Counts of Sexual Child Abuse

[? 2000s Malbrough -NEW*] - Church of God. Children.

   Southern Maryland Online, http://somd. com/news/ headlines/ 2009/9174. shtml , Jan. 20, 2009
   LA PLATA, Md. -- The Charles County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit arrested Tony Ray Malbrough, 44, of Indian Head, on Sunday and charged him with multiple counts of sexual child abuse and sex offenses in connection with incidents that allegedly occurred at his residence. At the time of the alleged abuse, Malbrough was a pastor at a church in Charles County. As of Dec. 2008, various websites indicate Malbrough was affiliated with Safe Haven Ministries, Church of God in Christ (COGIC), in Indian Head.
   On Jan. 18, at 10:20 a.m., Charles County Sheriff's officers received a call in which a 14-year-old male reported he had been sexually abused by the suspect while receiving music lessons at the suspect's residence. Detectives learned the abuse occurred on multiple occasions over a period of years and involved other children known to the victim. Those victims were contacted and confirmed they, too, had been abused, say police. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 21, 2009 8:02 AM]

• Allegation of '85 abuse leads to Columbus priest's removal

[1980s Loyd -NEW*] - RCC. Sexual abuse.
   The Columbus Dispatch, with WBNS video, By Randy Ludlow, January 21, 2009
   OHIO -- A Catholic priest has been removed from the ministry over an allegation that he sexually abused a child while serving at a Newark church in 1985.
   The Rev. Frederick A. Loyd was removed from active ministry after officials of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus investigated a complaint and found that the abuse allegation was credible.
   The sexual abuse allegedly occurred while Loyd served at St. Francis de Sales Church in Newark, where he was associate pastor from 1983 to 1987, the diocese said in a news release. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 21, 2009 7:51 AM]

• Lapwai women: the pain is still there

[1980s Ferretti - ? NEW* (Jesuit)] - RCC. Girl (7).
   KLEW, with video, By Matt Loveless, ~ January 21, 2009
   LAPWAI (ID) -- A lawsuit against a Lapwai woman's former church gains support, and a new defendant.
   It's a pain that's three decades old, a case that's three month's old, and now three are standing up for the fight.
   In October, Mia Sonneck and her Coeur d'Alene attorney Lee James filed a lawsuit against the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, the legal entity that oversees Lapwai's Catholic Church. In the suit, Sonneck said she was violently sexually abused by Father A.J. Ferretti, also known as "Father Freddy," when she was 7-years-old.
   James chose to dismiss the case without prejudice two weeks ago, after the church removed the case to federal court, since it was between entities from different states. James re-filed late Tuesday morning, now also targeting the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 21, 2009 7:57 AM]

• Finance director at St. Paul church charged with embezzling $37,000

[- 2008 Ms Thompson -NEW*] - ? RCC. US $37,000.

   Pioneer Press, http://www. twincities.com/ allheadlines/ ci_11507316 , By Emily Gurnon, egurnon§pioneerpress.com , ~ January 21, 2009
   ST PAUL (MN) -- A former finance director for the Church of St. Bernard in St. Paul has been charged with embezzling $37,000 from church deposits and covering her tracks by moving money from church reserve accounts.
   Debra Ann Thompson, 44, of St. Paul, was hired in 2006 as a bookkeeper and was promoted the following year to director of business and finance, according to a complaint filed Thursday by the Ramsey County attorney's office. Among her duties: delivering church deposits to the bank.
   Church officials got wind of a problem in April 2008, when a trustee informed the priest that the church could not make its payroll because it didn't have enough money in its account.

• Priest denies sexual abuse allegations

[1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Boy.

   MSNBC, WBBH-TV, ~ January 21, 2009
   LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA – A former Fort Myers priest accused of sexual abuse against a child offered a defiant denial of those charges. Father Ronald Jean Joseph says the allegations are false and Wednesday, he told his side of the story for the first time.
   Father Ronald Joseph was greeted with overwhelming support from friends, family and parishioners as he walked into Holmes Beach City Hall.
   Supporters held white roses as a symbol of solidarity and the belief in Father Joseph's innocence. …
   "Molesters aren't black and white. They're not all good, they're not all bad. That doesn't mean he didn't molest a child," said Barbara Dorris of SNAP – Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
   SNAP members handed out fliers telling people to have an open mind. But supporters and Father Joseph say their mind is made up and that the allegations are false. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 21, 2009 8:40 PM]

• Churches suffer from collection meltdown

- RCC.

   Manila Standard Today, By Arlie Calalo, ~ January 21, 2009
   PHILIPPINES -- EVEN the Catholic Church is smarting from the global financial crisis, said a top Vatican official who arrived in Manila Monday.
   Cardinal Paul Joseph Cordes, who heads the papal council that helps the needy and disaster victims, acknowledged that the economic crisis has hurt charitable work around the world.
   "This is a serious concern for the Church, and we try to get wealthy people to get money for the poor," the Vatican official said after he was met by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edwards Joseph Adams, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo.

• Judge upholds taking of Alamo church kids

- Alamo Ministries. REMOVAL UPHELD. 18 children.

   Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, BY ANDY DAVIS, Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009
   TEXARKANA (AR) -- A judge on Tuesday upheld the removal of 18 children from the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, saying the children were endangered by the ministry's history of punishing misbehavior with beatings and of allowing underage marriages.
   Miller County Circuit Judge Joe Griffin also ordered a member of the ministry jailed for contempt after she refused to answer questions about images of ministry children that were posted on a Web site.
   Griffin issued his ruling on the removal of the children at the end of the seventh day of a hearing on 23 ministry children who were taken into protective custody and placed in foster care in November and December. On Jan. 14, Griffin upheld the removal of five children, all boys who have sisters who were taken into custody in September. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 21, 2009 8:06 AM]

• Correction: Church Theft story

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Luxury living, female companions.

The Associated Press, ~ January 21, 2009
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA (AP) – In a Jan. 20 story about two priests accused of stealing from their Florida church, The Associated Press reported erroneously the title of one of the men. He is the Rev. John Skehan, not monsignor. The incorrect title was also used in stories published Sept. 28 and Oct. 2, 2006.

• Priest accused of sexual misconduct speaks

[1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Boy.

   WINK News, with video, By Christina Hernandez, ~ January 21, 2009
   FORT MYERS, Fla. - A former Fort Myers priest spoke to the public for the first time after being accused of sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old boy. It's a very unusual thing to see - a priest speaking openly and holding nothing back. He says he did it because he has nothing to hide.
   It was standing room only inside Holmes Beach City Hall in Manatee County. Over 100 people held white flowers to show their support for Father Ron. He denied the claim of inappropriate touching that allegedly occurred at St. Francis Xavier in Fort Myers about 15 years ago.

• Priest defends accusations of sexual misconduct

[1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Boy.
   WWSB, with video, ~ January 21, 2009
   HOLMES BEACH (FL) -- A Manatee County priest is defending himself after facing accusations that he fondled a teenage boy.
   The accuser says it happened 15 years ago, when Father Jean Ronald Joseph served in Fort Myers. The accuser says Father Ron invited him to spend the night alone in the rectory.
   Wednesday, Father Ron had strong words for his employer, the Diocese of Venice, and the bishop who leads it. In front of a packed room of supporters at Holmes Beach City Hall, Father Jean Ronald Joseph talked in detail about coming from his native country of Haiti, devoting his life to serving the Catholic church and its young people. …
   Members of SNAP, a support group for people who have been abused by priests, wants anyone who thinks they've been abused to report it to law enforcement, not the Diocese.
   They have also asked the bishop to urge Father Ron to turn over his passport.

• Priest denies sex abuse allegation

[1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Boy.
   Bradenton Herald, By NATALIE NEYSA ALUND, nalund@bradenton.com , ~ January 21, 2009
   HOLMES BEACH (FL) – A local priest being investigated by the Catholic church for alleged sexual misconduct more than 15 years ago denied the accusation publicly this afternoon.
   "I did not do anything to anyone," said Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph, a priest at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach who is on leave until the investigation concludes.
   With a thick Haitian accent Joseph, 44, spoke about the allegation to about 150 parishioners and community members during a public forum at Holmes Beach City Hall. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 21, 2009 7:00 PM]

• Pilfering Florida priest stole donations for gambling trips

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Luxury homes, gambling, rare coins. Female companions.

   AFP, ~ January 21, 2009
   DELRAY BEACH, Florida (AFP) – In what could be the biggest embezzlement case to hit the US Catholic Church, a Florida priest pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling 800,000 dollars of donations to fund a very unholy lifestyle.
   John Skehan pleaded guilty to taking the money placed every Sunday into the collection plates to use instead on buying luxury homes, gambling trips to Las Vegas and buying rare coins.
   His pleas came in a last minute twist as he and fellow priest Francis Guinan of the St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach were about to go on trial. He now faces up to 31 years behind bars. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 21, 2009 6:56 PM

• Florida Catholic priests 'stole millions from collection plate'

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Offshore bank accounts. Female companions.
   Telegraph (United Kingdom), ~ January 21, 2009
   FLORIDA -- Monsignor John Skehan, 81, originally from Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, pleaded guilty just hours before the start of his trial to taking money from his church over the course of several years in what authorities say could be the one of the biggest embezzlement scandals to hit the American Catholic Church.
   Skehan faces charges with fellow priest, the Rev Francis Guinan, originally from Birr, Co Offaly, who has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors say the pair took cash from the offering plate at St Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, in West Palm Beach, and stashed it in the church ceiling and in offshore bank accounts.
   They then spent the money on expensive homes, gambling trips to Las Vegas with a mistress, even a $275,000 (£200,000) rare coin collection, authorities say.

• Delray Beach Priest pleads guilty to theft - runs down the hall

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Female companions.
   CBS 12, 8:40 AM, January 21, 2009
   WEST PALM BEACH (FL) -- Rev. John Skehan pleaded guilty and ran down the hall Wednesday morning in court. The Rev. Francis Guinan appeared in court briefly on Wednesday as state prosecutors tried to remove witnesses from the grand theft case against the former pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach.
   Palm Beach Circuit Judge Sandra McSorley denied the state's request to strike 20 witnesses submitted by defense attorneys on Dec. 16.
   Guinan and another former pastor, the Rev. John Skehan, are accused of stealing money from the church they once led. The scandal rocked the church when charges were filed against the two men in 2006. An audit by the Diocese of Palm Beach showed the men took as much as $8.6 million over 20 years.

• Delray Beach priest pleads guilty to stealing from parish

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Female companions.
   Palm Beach Post, By SUSAN SPENCER-WENDEL, Wednesday, January 21, 2009
   WEST PALM BEACH (FL) – The Rev. John Skehan, for decades the leader of St. Vincent Ferrer in Delray Beach, stood this morning before a judge, pleading guilty to grand theft over $100,000 and now faces possible prison time.
   At a specially-set early morning appearance, the 81-year-old priest, in sportcoat and open collar, appeared in front of Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath before the shackled prisoners were brought in.
   With few words, Skehan acknowledged stealing from the parish.
   Free on bond, Skehan sprinted down a courthouse hallway afterward, dodging a gaggle of television cameras and reporters.

• Fla. priest accused of theft pleads guilty

[~ 40yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Female companions.
   The Associated Press, By BRIAN SKOLOFF, ~ January 21, 2009
   WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – One of two Florida priests accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from church pleaded guilty on Wednesday, the same day jury selection was set to begin in the case.
   Authorities accuse Monsignor John Skehan and the Rev. Francis Guinan of bilking parishioners at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach for years.

• Accused priest set to speak out

[1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Boy.

   Bradenton Herald (HOLMES BEACH, FL), By NATALIE NEYSA ALUND - nalund@bradenton.com , ~ January 21, 2009
   MANATEE – A local priest being investigated by the Catholic church for alleged sexual misconduct more than a decade ago will speak out on his own behalf this afternoon.
   Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph, a priest at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach, is set to talk about the allegations at 1:30 p.m. at Holmes Beach City Hall on Marina Drive, said his attorney, John Fleck.
   The reported molestation occurred in 1993 between a minor and Joseph when Joseph was assigned to St. Frances Xavier Catholic Church in Fort Myers, said Adela Gonzales White, communications director with the Diocese of Venice.

• Clergy sex abuse victims reach out

- SNAP to leaflet meeting where suspect will speak.

   Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, January 21, 2009
   [letter to Bishop Duane]
   HOLMES BEACH (FL) – WHAT -- On the sidewalk outside a meeting called by an accused predator priest, clergy sex abuse victims will hand out fliers. The leaflets urge
• anyone who saw, suspected or suffered misdeeds by the clerics to come forward, and
• Catholics to support the accused sex offender privately, so they won't intimidate other victims and witnesses into staying silent.
   The victims will also
• criticize Catholic officials for refusing to give information to police about the alleged predator, and
• urge the Venice diocese to yank the cleric's passport so that he can't flee the US.
   Officials say that it's possible the priest could be criminally prosecuted.
   WHEN -- Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1:00 p.m.
   WHERE -- Outside the Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL

• Release of LA Clergy Case documents to begin, with 30 to 40 bankers boxes to be made public within days, interview w/Tony DeMarco

   City of Angels, By Kay Ebeling, ~ January 21, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- After hearings in LA Superior Court the day of Obama's inauguration, the release of LA Clergy Case documents was set in motion, with some stacks of files to be sent to the referee, boxes to be released to the public, and attorneys continuing to battle over the remainder.
   "Probably the most important information in these cases will be made public now," Tony DeMarco said Tuesday. "There's probably 30 to 40 bankers boxes worth of filings" ready to be sent to public archives. When? It sounds like as soon as the court musters the manpower to bring the documents over to the downtown archives," DeMarco (pictured) said, adding, "They are the heart of the cases."
   We interviewed Tony DeMarco (pictured) after the hearings in Superior Court Tuesday. You can watch interview video at http://cityofangels6.blogspot.com plus here is a transcript of the interview.

• Plaintiff happy to proceed with suit

[1960s Unnamed person] - RCC. Male.
   Journal Star By ANDY KRAVETZ 12:21 AM Posted Jan 21, 2009
   PEORIA (IL) – "Ecstatic" is the word a Rockford man used to describe how he felt after hearing his lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Peoria was reinstated by an appellate court earlier this month.
   Jeffrey Jones, 55, heads the Peoria chapter of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and has long demanded accountability for allegedly being assaulted by a priest more than 40 years ago.
   The 2-1 decision by the 3rd District Court of Appeals in Ottawa means 10 lawsuits tossed out in mid-to-late 2007 are now back in the mix. Two Peoria County judges, Joe Vespa and Kevin Galley, had dismissed the suits, saying they were filed too late.

• Trial of Delray Beach priests on theft charges could begin today

[? 20-40yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Gambling, houses, holidays, female companions.

   South Florida Sun-Sentinel, By Brian Haas | January 21, 2009
   FLORIDA -- A trial three years in the making could begin today in the case of two former Delray Beach priests accused of raiding church collection plates to finance girlfriends, gambling and a lavish lifestyle.
   The Rev. John Skehan, 81, and the Rev. Francis Guinan, 66, were charged in 2006 with stealing more than $800,000 from St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach over a six-year period.
   Skehan, who was pastor at the church for more than 40 years, is accused of paying for homes in Florida and Ireland and for vacations abroad, and of giving money to his girlfriend – all with collection money. Guinan, who succeeded Skehan as head of the church in 2003, faces similar accusations that he skimmed church funds to give money to a girlfriend and to support his gambling habit.

• Union County grand jury indicts Plainfield pastor on 12 counts of sexual abuse, involving children

[9yrs Benbow] - "CFGC." 6 children
   Home News Tribune, By MARK SPIVEY, January 21, 2009
   ELIZABETH (NJ) – A Union County grand jury has returned a 12-count indictment against city pastor George C. Benbow, charging him with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow announced Tuesday, Jan. 20.
   Benbow, 56, is charged with four counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of second-degree attempted sexual assault and six counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, stemming from incidents involving six victims taking place during a span of nine years, authorities said.
   Benbow, the founding pastor of Plainfield's Christian Fellowship Gospel Church, is free on bail after posting $150,000 bond shortly after his September 2008 arrest. Prosecutors have said they launched an investigation of Benbow last summer after several city residents contacted police with allegations of abuse by the pastor.

• Former priest from St. Francis accused of abuse

[1980s Loyd*] - RCC. Sexual abuse.
   Newark Advocate, By RUSS ZIMMER, January 21, 2009
   NEWARK (OH) -- A former clergyman has been removed from the ministry because of a "credible allegation of sexual abuse" during his time in Newark more than 20 years ago, according to an announcement from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
   Despite the plausibility of the claim, the Rev. Frederick A. Loyd will not face any criminal charges in connection with the allegation because of the time lapse between when the incidents allegedly occurred and when they were reported, according to local law enforcement officials.
   Loyd was an associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales Church on Granville Street from 1983 to 1987, states the Sunday bulletin addressed to St. Francis parishioners.
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Wed January 21, 2009
• Priests on trial for $1.3m church theft. [~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Home unit fees, gambling, holidays, female companions.

Priests on trial for $1.3m church theft

   The West Australian, www.thewest.com.au , p 35, Thursday, January 22, 2009
   MIAMI – Two priests who allegedly stole $US858,000 ($1.3 million) in cash from their church's offering plate for years and hid it in the church ceiling and offshore bank accounts to pay for lavish lifestyles were due to go on trial yesterday.
   Authorities say the embezzlement case could be one of the biggest to hit the US Catholic Church.
   Father Francis Guinan, 66, is accused of stealing $US488,000 during the 19 months after he became parish priest of St Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Florida in September 2003.
   Monsignor John Skehan, 81, who had been at the church for 40 years, is accused of taking $US370,000 only between 2001 and 2006 because of the statute of limitations. Auditors think he stole more than $US8 million over 20 years. Both have pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
   Prosecutors say they spent money from the offering plate on expensive homes, gambling trips to Las Vegas with a mistress, even a $US275,000 rare coin collection.
   They fled from the US, abandoning their parishioners amid an international scandal, before prosecutors could charge them.
   Monsignor Skehan's lawyer, Scott Richardson, has lodged a submission to the court that an "amicable resolution" had been reached in his client's case that would be presented when the trial began, indicating a plea deal.
   The accusations shocked parishioners, who said they never suspected anything. They said Monsignor Skehan was kindly and loved to read to their children. Some credit him with increasing the church's flock from a few hundred to several thousand.
   Some parishioners celebrating Mass last weekend said the church was not focusing on the trial.
   Others still felt the scandal.
   "You feel betrayed by people that you trust," Laura Beck, whose three children attend the church's school, said. "People were not expecting that."
   The priests' lawyers have said previously that the theft was closer to a few hundred thousand dollars.
   Court documents show that Monsignor Skehan told authorities after he returned from his native Ireland when charges were announced in September 2006 how he set up slush fund accounts, which remained when Father Guinan took over as parish priest.
   Father Guinan has said little since his arrest after returning from Australia a month later.
   Police reports say Monsignor Skehan used $US 134,075 to pay for his alleged lover's expenses, gave $US11,688 to relatives and used $US268,630 for car payments, dental work, property taxes, credit card payments and home unit body corporate fees.
   Authorities said Father Guinan had an "intimate relationship" with a former bookkeeper at a church where he previously had worked and paid her credit card bills and her child's school tuition with money that was not recorded on the church books. They also went on holidays together.
   An anonymous parishioner tipped off police in April 2005. The church already was investigating. #

http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm#priests_on_trial [Jan 22, 09]
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Thu January 22, 2009 edition:

• Mother from Hell is guilty of incest

[1998-2004 Unnamed mother -NEW*] - RC group opposed rescue - in High Court. 6 children.

   Irish Independent, By Brian McDonald, Thursday January 22 2009
   IRELAND -- HARROWING details of how a "mother from hell" abused her children were laid bare yesterday.
   Six young children were forced to endure years of depravity at the family home, described in court as a "house of horrors". The court yesterday heard that:
• One of the children, a 13-year-old boy, was forced to have sex with his mother on four occasions.
• He and his brothers and sisters were dirty, smelly, hungry, cold and lived alongside rats and mice.
   Their mother admitted a total of 10 charges, including two of incest, two of sexual abuse and six of neglect and wilful ill-treatment and neglect of the children.
   The 40-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is the first woman in the state to be convicted of incest against one of her children and is due to be sentenced today.
   The offences took place at the family's three-bedroom bungalow in Co Roscommon between 1998 and 2004. Childcare staff told Roscommon Circuit Court yesterday that a right-wing Catholic organisation was behind a High Court move to prevent the children being taken into care. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 6:01 AM]

• Pastor faces sex abuse charges

[~ 2000s Kidd -NEW*] - Apostolic Church. Teen boys.

   The Star Press, http://www. thestarpress. com/article/ 20090122/ NEWS01/ 901220380 , By RICK YENCER, ryencer@muncie.gannett.com, January 22, 2009
   MUNCIE (IN) -- A local pastor accused of sexually abusing teenage boys in his congregation surrendered Wednesday night at the Delaware County jail.
   Matthew A. Kidd, 52 -- pastor at Freedom Point Apostolic Church, 6460 E. Jackson St. -- initially eluded Delaware County sheriff's deputies who were waiting at the church and his home late Wednesday afternoon to serve a warrant that Circuit Court 3 Judge Linda Ralu Wolf issued Tuesday.
   Kidd never returned home or for a Wednesday-night church service that apparently was canceled. The pastor -- accompanied by his attorney, Steven Bruce -- showed up at the jail shortly after 8 p.m., where he was preparing to post a $25,000 bond. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 5:45 AM]

• Palm Beach private school puts teacher on leave after civil lawsuit filed

[1998-2001 Mr Evans -NEW*] - Judaist. Boy (10 -13)
   South Florida Sun Sentinel, http://www. sun-sentinel. com/news/local/ breakingnews/ sfl-0122-bn- flpallegations, 0,7113956.story ; by Brian Haas | 4:34 PM EST, January 22, 2009
   BOCA RATON (FL) -- A Palm Beach County private school has put a teacher on administrative leave after he was accused in a lawsuit of molesting a boy at a camp in upstate New York a decade ago.
   Peter Evans, a middle school teacher at Donna Klein Jewish Academy, west of Boca Raton, is on leave while the school investigates the allegations.
   Today, in Supreme Court in New York in Nassau County, Cory Legnetti, 21, filed suit accusing Evans, who was a counselor at Camp Chipinaw, of molesting him at the camp from 1998 to 2001. Legnetti, who is stationed in San Diego with the U.S. Coast Guard, is seeking unspecified damages from Evans, the camp and a camp affiliate.

• Ex-Atlanta, Lincoln priest removed from ministry due to sexual misconduct allegations

[1990s Pilon -NEW*] - RCC. Minor.
   Pantagraph, By Edith Brady-Lunny, eblunny@pantagraph.com , January 22, 2009
   PEORIA (IL) – A priest whose assignments included churches in Lincoln and Atlanta has been removed from public ministry because of allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.
   Rev. Jerry Pilon, pastor at St. Mary Church in Moline since 1998, is accused of misconduct dating back nearly 12 years, according to a statement Thursday from the Diocese of Peoria.
   Bishop Daniel R. Jenky has asked Pilon not to wear clerical garb or the roman collar and to refrain from using the titles "reverend" or "father." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 8:43 PM]

• Three men claim abuse, file suit against Roman Catholic Church in N.S.

[1950s + Adolphe LeBlanc -NEW*] - RCC. 2 boys.

   CBC News, ~ January 22, 2009
   HALIFAX, N.S., CANADA - Three men who allege they were sexually abused as children by a Roman Catholic priest in two small Nova Scotia parishes five decades ago are suing the church.
   Ken Boudreau and Raymond Boudreau, who are not related, allege in separate statements of claim filed with the Nova Scotia Supreme Court that they were abused by Rev. Adolphe LeBlanc, who died 35 years ago.
   The men contend that the abuse began in their small village of Wedgeport in the Yarmouth area in the 1950s. Their lawyer, Paul LeDroit of London, Ont., alleged at a news conference on Wednesday that the abuse was known to church officials at the time.

• Noi vittime dei preti pedofili

[~ 1954-84 - 25 priests -NEW*] - RCC. RCC not answering complaints. 67 deaf and mute inmates.

   L'espresso, di Paolo Tessadri, January 22, 2009
   ITALIA -- Decine di bambini e ragazzi sordi violentati e molestati in un istituto di Verona fino al 1984. E dopo decenni di tormenti, gli ex allievi trovano la forza di denunciare gli orrori. Ma molti dei sacerdoti sono ancora lì Per oltre un secolo è stato un simbolo della carità della Chiesa: una scuola specializzata per garantire un futuro migliore ai bambini sordi e muti, sostenendoli negli studi e nell'inserimento al lavoro. L'Istituto Antonio Provolo di Verona ospitava i piccoli delle famiglie povere, figli di un Nord-est contadino dove il boom economico doveva ancora arrivare. Fino alla metà degli anni Ottanta è stato un modello internazionale, ma nel tetro edificio di Chievo, una costruzione a metà strada tra il seminario e il carcere, sarebbero avvenuti episodi terribili.
   [translation]
   We victims of pedophile priests By Paolo Tessadri, January 22, 2009
   ITALY – Tens of deaf children and boys were abused and molested sexually in a catholic school in Verona until 1984. And after decades of torments, the former students find the force [? strength] to denounce those horrors. But many of those priests are still there.
   For more than a century it has been a symbol of the charity of the church: an Institution specialized to guarantee a better future for deaf and mute children, helping them for their education and the possibility to find a job. The Antonio Provolo's Instituion in Verona gave hospitality to the children of poor families, sons of the peasants in the north east, where the economic development hadn't arrived yet. Until the middle of the 1980s, it represented an international model, but in the gloomy building at Chievo, half way between a seminary and a jail, terrible episodes have allegedly happened.
   Only now, heartened by the words of condemnation pronounced by pope Ratzinger against pedophile priests, tens of former guests have found the force to come out in the open and denounce their dramatic experience: "Priests and religious brothers have sexually abused us". An accusation was underwritten by more than 60 persons, children of both sexes, who lived in the Instituion, and who now write: "We have overcome our fear and reticence".
   The alleged abuses they are referring to went on for 30 years, until 1984. They are ready to make a long list of victims and witnesses, but because of the statute of limitations those who committed those crimes can't anymore be tried in a court. The deaf mute people who are bearing this drama affirm however of not being interested in the trials or in compensation money. In their writing they say they want to avoid other persons being put at the same risk of being subjected to the same violence: about ten of the priests they are accusing are now old, but still active in the Institution, in the offices of Verona and Chievo. For such a reason, after having informed the bishop of Verona and the higher ups of the Institution, 15 former students sent this magazine their testimony – filmed and in writing – about their experience. The documents are upsetting, and they could give a glimpse about one of the gravest cases of pedophilia in Italy: they refer to 25 priests and the victims could be about one hundred.
   The charges
   The former students, notwithstanding their impairments, were able to find a way to go on with their lives, keeping within themselves the traces of the horror. After the explosion of the scandals in USA which forced the church to face the problems of pedophilia, and the severe stand by Pope Benedict XVI, they, too, decided not to hide anything. They met in the premises of the Association Antonio Provolo and then they went to the curia and to the people who are responsible for the Institution. One of their last letters was addressed to monsignor Giampietro Mazzono, the judicial vicary, that's the magistrate of the ecclesiastical tribunal of the dioceses of Verona. It was November 20th, 2008. The deaf people decided to inform His Eminence the Bishop what had happened. In the room serving as a confessional in the church of Santa Maria del Pianto in the Institution of Provolo, some priests took the opportunity to touch and be masturbated by the female deaf children and boys (the door was then always locked up).
   The sodomite acts happened in the dormitory, in the priests' rooms and in the lavatories both in the Institute Provolo in Verona and at Chievo. Besides that, during the summer camps, the episodes occurred in Villa Cervi di San Zeno di Montagna. In addition to that: "As it wasn't enough, the deaf children and boys were mistreated and beaten up, sometimes even using a stick. The deaf persons can name the priests and the lay brothers involved in those actions and offer their testimony". There follow the signatures of 67 former students.
   The stories
   The authors of the charges cite a list of episodes even longer, which starts in the 1950s. They describe half a century of tortures, even under the altar, in the confessional, inside the most sacred places.
   Those children are now in the average between 50 and 70 years old: the youngest will be 41 years old in a few days. Someone says he was subjected to the mistreatments even before he was 18. The abuses, they recount, happened even when they were in a group, under the shower. The scenes were horrifying, impressed in their memory.
   Giuseppe recalls: "Three little boys and three priests were masturbating each other under the shower". But the most upsetting story is the one narrated by Bruno, now sixty-years-old, who at the end of the 1950s was considered the handsomest in the class. And only now he is able to speak about the nightmare which has been tormenting him: "I became deaf when I was eight, the year after I started attending the Provolo Institution until I was fifteen. After three months from my entering the school and until I quit I was the object of sexual attention, sodomized and forced to have all kinds of sexual intercourse by the following priests and brothers." There follows a list of 16 names. Among which, a high prelate, very famous in Verona: two priests of the Provolo allegedly accompanied Bruno in the ecclesiastical building. "It was the year 1959, I was 11. He sodomized me and asked for other sexual plays. It was a terrible experience which in my adulthood created serious psychological problems."
   The drama
   Another former pupil. Guido, declares having been sexually molested by a priest: "It happened in his room at the top of the building. And he forced me to do the same things at Villa Cervi, during the summer camps, and at the camping over the Lake of Garda". Carlo remained in that Institution until he was between 7 and 18 and he also refers to another priest: "He often punished me by making me kneel for hours in a corner and beat me up (violent slaps in the face and being beaten with a stick ) and have sexual intercourse with him". Sometimes he hit my hands with a stick, while during the night "in the big dormitory where I was with the other deaf boys often he woke me up to fetch me in the bathroom, where he sodomized me or forced me to masturbate him. I have never forgotten".
   The storie are all similar. Tragedies lived by children of poor families, hit by deafness and the ending up in the walls of that Institution; dramas kept secret for decades. Ermanno recounts: "The violence happened in the bathrooms and in the rooms of the Provolo Institution and the adjacent church, too." "If I refused, then I was threatened to get a bad mark in behavior, these episodes are always coming to my mind" writes another former student.
   Sometimes Giuseppe has met in Verona the priest who made violence to him. "Even now, when I see him I'm am very agitated. I was never able to forget". According to the charges, the victims are above all little boys. But there are also episodes witnessed by the girls. Lina is now fifty, and she was in "the deaf and mute Institution between the age of 6 and 17. When she was 13, in the church, during confession face to face (there was no railing), the priest touched my breasts many times. I remember his name very well. I was very frightened and I didn't confess since then". Giovanna writes that another priest "took out his member and asked me to touch him". For many girls those things took place in the church of the Istitution, under the altar. Some of the girls, however, made [? had] even a worse experience.
   The reports
   Today the Institution Antonio Provolo has changed completely its structure and mission. The initiatives for the supporting of the deaf and mute have been diminished and the Veneto region government is sharing the financing. Now the main activity is the educational and vocational schools, run entirely by lay teachers, which also offers courses for the unemployed. At the highest level there are the priests of the Congregazione della Compagnia di Maria for the education of the deaf mute students, which respond directly to the Holy See. The former students asked the Congregazione to get rid of those priests responsible of the abuses. According to their Association, "Some of those priests have already admitted their responsibility". The most important was made in 2006 when the Rev. Danilo Corradi, superior general of the Provolo Institution, met with more than 50 former students. According to the former students association, the superior asked for twelve times the pardon on behalf of the institution for the sexual abuses committed by the clergy. Those who witnessed the meeting say it was very dramatic: the Rev. Corradi shrinking his head in his hands, sweating, asking for pardon, kneels down. But the deaf mute former students asked for the firing of the accused priests, to no avail. The Rev. Danilo Corradi gives us a different account: "I heard some rumors, but I only came in 2003 and I have no idea of what happened before. I can't answer for those accusations, I don't know who is making them: we'll answer after having read your article".
   The Curia
   The former students have also made their appeal to the Verona Curia two years ago, giving the information during some meetings. The Chairman of the Association for the deaf Antonio Provolo, Giorgio Dalla Bernardina, says there were three meetings, one of which was attended by 52 people. He writes to the bishop: "Notwithstanding our meetings in the Curia, during which we above all brought the attention to the pedophilic acts and sexual abuses upon the deaf and mute former students in the years in which they were in the Institution, we didn't receive any answer to our requests". The last letter was sent on December 8, 2008. A few months before, in September, they had made one of the many attempts, sending a certified letter to the bishop of Verona, monsignor Giuseppe Zenti. There was no answer, "notwithstanding his assurances for his intervention". The letter had been signed by three associations for the deaf: The Association for the deaf Antonio Provolo, the Association for the hearing impaired Provolo, the Association for the deaf Basso Veronese-Legnago. (January 22, 2009) [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 2:18 PM]

• Former youth worker pleads guilty to molestation charge

[~ 1990s-2000s Mr Seymour*] - Baptist; Assembly of God. GUILTY PLEA 3 boys; 1 boy.

   Associated Baptist Press, By Bob Allen, Thursday, January 22, 2009
   LAKELAND, Fla. (ABP) -- A former volunteer youth worker at a Florida Southern Baptist megachurch pleaded guilty Jan. 21 to molesting three boys, putting his fate in the hands of a judge instead of a jury.
   After jury selection and with opening statements set to begin, 41-year-old Marshal Seymour pleaded guilty and no contest to five felony charges. A sentencing hearing is scheduled March 12, where he could receive up to 65 years in prison, according to the Lakeland, Fla., Ledger.
   Seymour was arrested in November 2007 on charges he molested three teenage boys he met through First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland. At the time Senior Pastor Jay Dennis called the scandal a "Category 5 storm" for the 8,000-member congregation active in the Florida Baptist Convention.
   [LOOK BACK: Nov 4, 5, 2007]

• Irish bishops schedule special session on sex-abuse scandal

- RCC leaders to "lock the stable door … "

   Catholic Culture, ~ January 22, 2009
   IRELAND -- Ireland's Catholic bishops have scheduled a special meeting on January 23 to discuss their response to a growing controversy over their handling of sex-abuse allegations. Informed sources indicate that the bishops' meeting, to take place at Maynooth, will concentrate on designing a uniform policy rather than on the problems of any particular diocese.
   [MEDITATION: There is no record that Jesus, Peter, James, John, etc. ever held a meeting about child sex abuse in their own ranks. However, this is evidence that Jesus thought of children as so pure that his followers ought to become as one of them. And one of the New Testament authors wrote that fornication ought not be even mentioned among the congregation, "as becometh saints." Where the RCC gots its policies, ceremonies, practices, and its secrecy methods is a matter for learned treatises -- but they don't seem to have come from Judea and Galillee! ENDS.]

• Lapwai woman refiles abuse claim against church

[1980s Ferretti* (Jesuit)] - RCC. Girl (7 or 8).

   Idaho Statesman, The Associated Press, Edition Date: Jan/21/09
   LEWISTON, Idaho – A Lapwai woman has refiled a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise and the Jesuit order, alleging she was abused by her priest, but this time two more women have joined the case.
   Mia Sonneck first filed a lawsuit in federal court last fall against the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus, saying she was abused by the now-deceased Rev. A.J. Ferretti when she was about 8 years old.
   Her attorneys asked the federal court to dismiss that lawsuit in December. On Tuesday, Sonneck and two other women filed the lawsuit in Idaho's 2nd District Court, the Lewiston Tribune reported. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 5:56 AM]

• Church holds crisis meeting over Cloyne

- RCC.

   Irish Examiner, By Juno McEnroe, ~ January 22, 2009
   IRELAND -- THE Catholic Church is to hold an emergency meeting today to address the continuing fallout following the mishandling of child abuse claims in the Diocese of Cloyne.
   Cardinal Seán Brady, as president of the bishops' conference, called the meeting following discussions in his own diocese this week.
   The move comes amid speculation the Vatican asked him to take immediate action.
   Cardinal Brady is expected to ask bishops to give a written commitment that they will implement all statutory child protection guidelines as well as policies agreed by the Catholic Bishops.

• Money Missing From Brookfield Church

[≤ 2008 Van Vlaenderen*] - RCC. > US $120,000. And crack cocaine.

   WISN, ~ January 22, 2009
   BROOKFIELD, Wis. -- More than $120,000 is missing from a Brookfield church and evidence suggests a former priest may be involved.
   The Rev. Lenonard Van Vlaenderen first made headlines a year ago when he was arrested on charges of possessing crack cocaine. His arrest prompted a look at the parish books.
   Now, parishioners are receiving a letter telling them police are investigating the theft of more than $100,000 during the priest's tenure.
   Van Vlaenderen was once the right-hand man to former Archbishop Rembert Weakland. In 2002, he went to St. John Vianney in Brookfield after Weakland retired.

• Suit: I was molested by my Camp Chipinaw counselor -- and he's still teaching kids

[1998-2001 Mr Evans*] - Judaist. Boy (10 +)
   New York Daily News, BY CORKY SIEMASZKO, 1:45 PM, Thursday, January 22nd 2009
   NEW YORK -- A New Yorker serving in the U.S. Coast Guard filed a lawsuit Thursday claiming he was molested repeatedly by a counselor at a popular Catskills summer camp.
   Now 21, Cory Legnetti said Peter Evans began preying on him in 1998 when he was 10 at Camp Chipinaw in Swan Lake, N.Y., according to a lawsuit filed in Manhattan.

• Jean Jadot, Papal Envoy, Dies at 99

- RCC.

   The New York Times, By DOUGLAS MARTIN, Published: January 22, 2009
   BELGIUM -- Archbishop Jean Jadot, the chief papal representative to the United States in the 1970s, who drew fire from conservative clergymen for pushing liberal reforms in the American church, died Wednesday in Brussels. He was 99.
   John A. Dick, his friend and biographer, announced the death. …
   With time, conservative bishops appointed under the papacy of John Paul II largely replaced "Jadot's boys." But some critics still say that the church's sex scandals are linked to appointments made by Archbishop Jadot, saying they were ill advised.
   Dr. Dick, who discussed the subject with Archbishop Jadot, responded in the interview that the scandals surprised and saddened the archbishop but that he accepted no blame for them.
   [COMMENT: The words "no blame" give the game away! Enjoy the pomp and revenue, but don't know what is going on. ENDS.]

• Top FLDS member, spokesman subpoenaed

[Jessop]

   CNN, January 22, 2009
   TEXAS (CNN) -- A top member of a Texas polygamist sect and the group's spokesman have been subpoenaed and are scheduled for court depositions Friday and Monday, according to court officials.
   Merrill Jessop, an elder in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and leader of the sect's Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, Texas, will be deposed at 9 a.m. Friday (10 a.m. ET), according to Vicki Vines of the Schleicher County District Court clerk's office. Willie Jessop, a sect member who has served as its spokesman, is set for deposition at 9 a.m. Monday, Vines told CNN.
   The San Angelo, Texas, Standard-Times newspaper reported the subpoenas were issued in a case involving a now-17-year-old daughter of imprisoned FLDS leader and "prophet" Warren Jeffs. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 6:58 PM

• Brookfield church says it lost $128,000 to theft

[≤ 2008 Van Vlaenderen*] - RCC. < US $128,000. And crack cocaine.
   Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, By Annysa Johnson, Posted 4:00 p.m., Jan. 22, 2009
   BROOKFIELD (WI) -- St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Brookfield lost nearly $128,000 over three years in thefts from its weekly collection, the church said today.
   Though a criminal investigation is ongoing, an outside audit found a correlation between the missing funds and the tenure of former pastor Father Leonard Van Vlaenderen, who was arrested in December 2007 on a misdemeanor charge of possessing cocaine. He later pleaded guilty and is on probation.
   Van Vlaenderen's successor, the Rev. Kenneth P. Knippel, divulged the findings of the audit in a letter to parishioners this month. Knippel said today that it was intended to provide transparency and restore confidence in the church as it embarks on a major capital campaign with the Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

• Moline pastor asked to step down

[1990s Pilon*] - RCC. Minor.
   Quad-City Times, By Times staff | 3:37 PM CST, Thursday, January 22, 2009
   MOLINE (IL) -- The Rev. Jerry Pilon, pastor of St. Mary Church, Moline, has been asked to step down because of allegations of sexual misconduct, according to a news released issued this afternoon by the Diocese of Peoria.
   Bishop Daniel R. Jenky asked Pilon to step down from public ministry. The allegations involve a minor and date back to nearly 12 years ago. The news release says the alleged abuse did not take place in the Diocese of Peoria.

• Former Hoopeston priest asked to step down over sexual misconduct allegations

[1990s Pilon*] - RCC. Minor.
   The News-Gazette 2:37 PM CDT Thursday, January 22, 2009
   CHAMPAIGN (IL) – A former Hoopeston priest has been asked to leave the ministry following allegations of sexual misconduct.
   Father Jerry Pilon, pastor of St. Mary Church in Moline, was asked to step down from public ministry by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria.
   Pilon faces allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor dating back to nearly 12 years, according to a release from the Peoria diocese.

• Court told of support for incest mother by Catholic group

- Religious group backed incest mother.

   The Irish Times By MARESE McDONAGH in Roscommon, January 22, 2009
   IRELAND -- SOCIAL WORKERS believe that a mother who subjected her children to incest and serious neglect received support from "a Catholic right-wing organisation" when she got a High Court injunction in 2000 to stop the children from being placed in the care of relatives.
   Roscommon Circuit Court yesterday heard horrific details about the plight of the six children who, despite coming to the notice of social workers in 1996, were not into taken into care until 2004.
   One of the children was sexually abused by his mother, while all of the family were forced to live in filthy conditions without adequate food, clothing or heating.
   Judge Miriam Reynolds asked why eight years elapsed during which social workers and home helps regularly visited the home before the children were removed from "what seems to have been an awful household".
   Tadgh Guider, a social work team leader, said there was concern about the family but the mother became involved with "a Catholic right-wing organisation" which provided her with financial support in her successful bid to get a High Court injunction. He said after this court case there was a certain amount of caution about how to approach the family.

• Call for inquiry into Roscommon abuse case

   The Irish Times, By CHARLIE TAYLOR, January 22, 2009
   IRELAND -- Opposition parties and care organisations have called for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the abuse of six children by their mother in Roscommon over a prolonged period.
   A 40-year old woman was sentenced to seven years in prison today after pleading guilty to incest, sexual assault and neglect of her children.
   Roscommon Circuit Court yesterday heard details about the plight of the six children who, despite coming to the notice of social workers in 1996, were not into taken into care until 2004. …
   The Irish Times reports today that social workers connected to the case believe the woman received support from "a Catholic right-wing organisation" when she got a High Court injunction in 2000 to stop the children from being placed in the care of relatives.

• Has Bishop McMahon been 'summoned to Rome' to be offered Westminster?

   The Telegraph, by Damian Thompson, Jan 22, 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM -- If you don't like rumours, look away now. A source tells me that Bishop Malcolm McMahon of Nottingham - a Left-wing Dominican with a taste for traddie liturgy - has been "summoned to Rome" to discuss succeeding Cormac at Westminster.
   When I asked my contact how sure he was that Malcolm would get the top job, he said "I reckon it's a two thirds chance". Which, given that he is on the terna along with Vin Nichols and Peter Smith, makes him a strong front runner.

• News conference outside school west of Boca Raton

- Jew.
   South Florida Sun-Sentinel by Brian Haas | 1:43 PM EST, January 22, 2009
   WEST OF BOCA RATON (FL) -- The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, held a 1 p.m. news conference outside a private school west of Boca Raton.
   The group alleges that a current school employee molested a young boy at a summer camp in the Catskills region of upstate New York between 1998 and 2000.

• Alleged child molester teaching at Boca Raton school

- Judaist.
   CBS 12, 1:58 PM, January 22, 2009
   BOCA RATON (FL) -- The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, planned a 1 p.m. protest outside a private school west of Boca Raton on Thursday.
   They allege a teacher at Donna Klein Jewish Academy is a child molester. He is currently being investigated by the NYPD for molesting a boy from 1998-2000 at a camp in New York. He is now teaching at Donna Klein Jewish Academy.

• Judge: Sever Alamo ties to regain children

   KFSM Associated Press, 11:44 AM ET, January 22, 2009
   TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) - An 8-day hearing in Texarkana to decide the fate of 23 children taken from families associated with the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries has ended with all 23 juveniles remaining in foster care. Miller County Circuit Judge Joe Griffin says the parents must sever their ties to the church before regaining custody of their children.
   Griffin cited a history of underage marriages and beatings in the ministry for his decision. The judge also said children in the ministry received substandard schooling and had not received required childhood vaccinations. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 1:57 PM

• Fairbank judge urges lawyers to close church abuse cases

   News-Miner, By Mary Beth Smetzer, Published Thursday, January 22, 2009
   FAIRBANKS (AK) – At a status hearing Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Niesje Steinkruger took up her managerial reins again, telling attorneys on both sides of the multiple, unsettled clerical child sex abuse cases to focus on the goal of clearing court dockets.
   "Put these cases on the front burner and get them resolved," she said at several points in the two-hour proceeding.
   Steinkruger was assigned the task of managing the litigation of hundreds of abuse cases more than a year ago for the Alaska court system. Since then, a few new lawyers are involved, and bankruptcy proceedings slowed as claimants continue to come forward. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 12:41 PM

• Judge says cases must be resolved

   Fort Mill Times, Published January 22, 2009
   FAIRBANKS, Alaska – A Superior Court judge in Fairbanks has told lawyers that they must resolve cases in which priest and church workers are accused of sexually abusing children.
   A two-hour status hearing was held Wednesday on hundreds of cases.
   Niesje Steinkruger told lawyers on both sides to make the cases a top priority. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 12:31 PM

• Bishops to discuss abuse controversy

- RCC, more talk.

   RTE News, 14:12, Thursday, 22 January 2009
   IRELAND -- The country's Catholic Bishops have been called to a special meeting in Maynooth tomorrow to discuss the fallout from the child abuse controversy in Cloyne.
   Their spokesman confirmed that they would discuss safeguarding children, but mentioned no particular diocese.
   The official confirmation of the meeting follows a report in today's 'Irish Catholic' newspaper that the hierarchy has been summoned to find a co-ordinated response to the current crisis of confidence in Church child protection policies. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 9:35 AM

• Cloyne: Confidence in Church must be revitalised - Michael Kelly

- RCC.
   The Irish Catholic, by Michael Kelly, ~ January 22, 2009
   Events in Cloyne have dealt a body-blow to a Church still struggling to come to terms with clerical sexual abuse, but the reaction of senior Churchmen will be key to restoring public confidence, writes Michael Kelly
   IRELAND -- The year 2009 was always going to be a difficult one for the Church in Ireland. As well as the report in to the horrific abuse suffered by children in Church-run industrial schools due out later this year, the Judicial Commission investigating the handling of clerical sexual abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese is expected to be presented to the Government before the end of the month. But events in Cloyne have, unnecessarily, added to the Church's pain over the abuse of children by priests and religious.
   It's now more than 20 years since the Irish Bishops' Conference first began discussing clerical sexual abuse. The Church's first reaction, now acknowledged by many to be wrong, was to seek insurance against claims of sexual abuse against priests. The growing awareness among many bishops that the sexual abuse of children by priests and religious was more than a couple of isolated cases led to a desire to introduce guidelines that would, the bishops hoped, ensure that this sort of abuse would not happen in the future. Or, in the event of such abuse, it would be handled properly and swiftly.
   [COMMENT: Insurance is surer than relying on the Church's "treasury of divine graces." Real money beats man-made doctrines any day! ENDS.] Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 9:32 AM

• State fails to live up to its own child protection standards. David Quinn

- RCC.
   The Irish Catholic, by David Quinn, ~ January 22, 2009
   Three recent reports by the HSE show that the State isn't implementing its own child protection standards properly and is demanding a higher standard of the Church than of itself, writes David Quinn
   IRELAND -- The Church has rightly been back in the firing line in recent weeks over child sexual abuse due to the failure of Cloyne diocese to properly implement child protection guidelines in two cases. However, the State is also failing to properly implement child protection guidelines and this has received far less publicity.
   Last July three HSE reports were published that investigated how well, or how badly, the HSE has been implementing the requirements of Children First, which is the State's child protection policy since 1999. The Church's own policy, Our Children Our Church, is based on it. It turns out that the Government is not implementing them very well at all.
   [COMMENT: The pot calling the kettle black! END.] Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 9:30 AM

• Dublin diocese holds more abuse meetings

- RCC.
   The Irish Catholic, Michael Kelly, ~ January 22, 2009
   IRELAND -- Dublin's Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has embarked on a number of meetings this week to consult with parish pastoral councils in anticipation of the report of the Dublin Inquiry. The report, prepared by Ms Justice Yvonne Murphy, is expected to be published later this month and is investigating the handling of a "representative sample" of allegations of abuse by priests of the archdiocese from 1940, made between January 1975 and May 2004.
   In a letter to all parishes, Dr Martin invited the Chairman of each parish pastoral council to attend a series of meetings over the next two weeks in anticipation of the report. The move follows a similar series of meetings held before Christmas to brief priests on the diocese's preparation for the publication of the report.

• Catholic Bishops to hold crisis meeting

- RCC.
   Belfast Telegraph Thursday, January 22, 2009
   IRELAND -- Catholic Bishops are to hold a crisis meeting tomorrow to discuss the fall-out from the Bishop of Cloyne's handling of clerical child sexual abuse allegations in his diocese.
   The "Irish Catholic" newspaper says the meeting has been called as bishops try to find a coordinated response to the current crisis of confidence in Church child protection policies.

• Sex Offender House Getting National Attention

- Home for the rudderless.

   WKYT, {with video}, Reporter: Andy Cunningham, Email Address: andy.cunningham@wkyt.com , ~ January 22, 2009
   LEXINGTON (KY) -- We brought you a controversial story this week about a house being set up in Lexington that would be home to convicted sex offenders and allow them to get back on their feet.
   Many people have spoken out against the home including a national organization that says its concerned for the people who live nearby and is trying to stop the home from opening.
   The organization is Snap, the Survivor's Network of those Abused by Priests. The group says the move is, "a reckless, deceitful move by a discredited institution that we fear will put other children at risk."
   The institution the group is referring to is the Catholic Action Center, which is sponsoring the home where it plans to move sex offenders into as early as this weekend.

• Friar believes more revelations to come

- RC friar sees more.

   Drogheda Independent, Wednesday January 21 2009
   IRELAND -- DROGHEDA'S outspoken cleric Fr Iggy O'Donovan believes the Catholic Church is facing more damning revelations relating to child sex abuse.
   At Sunday mass in the Augustinian Church Fr O'Donovan questioned why Bishop John Magee had not resigned over his 'failure to adequately deal' with clerical sex abuse allegations in the diocese of Cloyne.
   Speaking to the Drogheda Independent, Fr O'Donovan said he believes the reason Cardinal Brady supported Bishop Magee's decision not to resign is that 'there is more to come'. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 9:02 AM

• Priest stole from US church to go on gambling binge

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Home unit fees, gambling, holidays, coin collection, female companions.

   The Times (United Kingdom), by Anne Barrowclough, ~ January 22, 2009
   FLORIDA -- Every Sunday, the parishioners of St Vincent Ferrer Catholic church in Florida dropped their dollar notes into the collection plate, confident that the money would go straight into the church.
   And so it did - but not in quite the way they might have expected.
   First, it went into a hiding place in the ceiling tiles of the Delray Beach Church. Then it found its way into an offshore account from where it was used to fund gambling trips to Las Vegas, lavish homes and even a mistress. Over a quarter of a million dollars was spent on a rare coin collection.

• Irish priest admits stealing $100,000 from parish in US

[~ 20yrs - Skehan*, Guinan*] - RCC. US$8.6m. Home unit fees, gambling, holidays, female companions.
   Irish Independent, By Stephen O'Farrell, Thursday January 22 2009
   UNITED STATES -- ONE of the two Irish priests accused of stealing vast sums of money from a Florida parish dramatically changed his plea to guilty yesterday on the first day of trial.
   Fr John Skehan (81), from Johnstown in Kilkenny, admitted the charge of grand theft of over $100,000 (€77,000) yesterday but showed no remorse for his actions and did not specify the amount he acknowledged stealing.
   He and Fr Francis Guinan (68) from outside Birr, Co Offaly, who is continuing to deny the charges, are accused of using the funds of St Vincent's Church in Delray Beach to keep girlfriends, take gambling holidays, buy property and set up a failed mortgage scheme company called SHAG.

• US Catholics want bishop to resign

- RCC.

   Irish Independent, ~ January 22, 2009
   IRELAND -- A group of influential American Catholics have appealed to Pope Benedict to supports calls from Irish lay people for the resignation or removal of Bishop John Magee over his failure to implement proper child protection procedures in his Cloyne diocese.
   In a statement issued in Boston, the Voice of the Faithful in the United States said it was joining its branch in Ireland in seeking accountability. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 6:06 AM

• Two men suing N.S. church for alleged abuse by priest

[1950s + Adolphe LeBlanc*] - RCC. 2 boys.

   Globe and Mail, The Canadian Press, January 22, 2009
   Halifax, Canada -- Two men who allege they were sexually abused by a Roman Catholic priest in a small Nova Scotia parish more than 50 years ago are suing the church.
   Ken Boudreau and Raymond Boudreau, who are not related, allege they were abused by Father Adolphe LeBlanc, who died more than 20 years ago.
   Details of their lawsuits filed with the Nova Scotia Supreme Court by the law firm LeDroit Beckett, based in London, Ont., were released yesterday at a news conference.

• Seymour Pleads Guilty to Molestation, Avoids Trial

[~ 1990s-2000s Mr Seymour*] - Baptist; Assembly of God. Guilty Plea. 3 boys, 1 boy.

   The Ledger, By Jason Geary, January 21, 2009
   BARTOW (FL) | A former volunteer of First Baptist Church at the Mall accused of molesting three boys decided Wednesday to place his future in the hands of a judge rather than risk going to trial.
   Jurors had been picked and opening statements were expected to begin.
   Instead, former Lakeland church volunteer Marshal Seymour pleaded guilty and no contest to five felony charges. He faces up to 65 years in prison at his March 12 sentencing hearing. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 5:51 AM]

• Suspended priest addresses sexual abuse allegations

[1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Boy.

   My Fox Tampa Bay, ~ January 22, 2009
   HOLMES BEACH (FL) – A priest facing allegations of sexual abuse went before members of his congregation today to defend himself.
   Father Ron Joseph was suspended from St. Bernard Catholic Church last summer.
   Today, he and his lawyer presented the accusations to a crowd at the Holmes Beach City Hall.
   The accuser is a 31-year-old man who says Fr. Joseph touched him inappropriately 15 years ago.

• Low enrollment, money woes doom some S. Florida Catholic schools

- RCC. 1000 schools gone in 10yrs.

   Miami Herald, BY JAWEED KALEEM, jkaleem@MiamiHerald.com , ~ January 22, 2009
   MIAMI (FL) -- When the Archdiocese of Miami announces Thursday the closure of struggling schools, it will echo a national trend that has engulfed the Catholic education system. Schools are shutting by the dozens each year, with a thousand gone in a decade.
   Reasons include tens of millions of dollars lost in the falling stock market, declining donations and tithes and the cost of settling hundreds of priest sexual abuse cases, scholars of Catholic education say. Increased insurance and operation costs have hurt, as well.
   National Catholic school enrollment has plunged from a peak of 5.2 million in 1960 to 2.2 million in 2008. Enrollment in South Florida schools has held steady at 36,000 to 38,000 since 2000 -- about where it was in the '70s. But a population shift toward the Everglades has filled up westward schools and left some closer to the east with insufficient enrollment to survive. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 5:38 AM

• Priest rejects sex allegations

[1994 Fr Joseph*] - RCC. Boy.

   Herald-Tribune, By HALLE STOCKTON, January 22, 2009
   MHOLMES BEACH (FL) -- The Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph is on a mission to regain his priesthood.
   The Holmes Beach priest's ministerial rights were revoked after allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor surfaced in recent months.
   At a public forum Wednesday, Joseph, 44, stood at a podium at Holmes Beach City Hall and spoke to more than 100 parishioners about the accusations and about his feelings of abandonment by the Diocese of Venice.
   "I did not do this," he said. "If I had done it, I would tell you."
   The public declaration by Joseph was encouraged by people in Fort Myers and Holmes Beach who signed petitions in his support.

• Old hurts, a new quest for justice

[1950s + Adolphe LeBlanc*] - RCC. 2 boys.

   The Chronicle Herald, By PATRICIA BROOKS ARENBURG, Staff Reporter, 6:10 AM, Thu. Jan 22, 2009
   CANADA – He performed their marriage ceremony and baptized their three daughters in the village church.
   But Elizabeth Anne Boudreau didn't know the dark secret between this man of God and her husband.
   "It devastated me. I couldn't believe it," she said about the day some 20 years ago when her husband confided in her that their priest had sexually abused him as a boy.
   Her husband, Raymond H. Boudreau, told her that he was just 11 in 1955 when Rev. Adolphe LeBlanc began to take a special interest in him. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 22, 2009 5:28 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Thu January 22, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Fri January 23, 2009 edition:

• Catholic school dean charged in grope of student

[2009 Jan 13 - Mr James West -NEW*, very new] - RCC. Teen boy (19).

   New York Daily News, http://www. nydailynews. com/news/ny_ crime/ 2009/01/22/ 2009-01-22_ catholic_ school_dean_ charged_in_ grope_of.html ; BY DORIAN BLOCK, 9:03 PM, Thursday, January 22, 2009.
   NEW YORK -- A dean at a Bronx all-boys Catholic school was arrested and placed on leave for allegedly unzipping a student's pants and groping the teen in his office.
   James West, 55, the dean of discipline at Cardinal Hayes High School, was charged with forcible touching and sexual abuse after the alleged Jan. 13 incident. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment three days later and was released without bail pending a Feb. 10 court date.
   According to court documents, a 19-year-old student said West, of upstate Highland Mills, called him out of class and into his office shortly after 1 p.m. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 8:12 AM]
   [COMMENT: Is the dean a shingle short? Did he really think he would get away with this "try-on" of a 19-yr-old? Home-schooling is looking more of an option! How "dumb" are the dean and teachers? ENDS.]

• Police expand ex-pastor sex abuse probe

[? 2008 - 2009 to Jan 13 - Tony Malbrough -NEW*, very new] - Church of God. Took movies of himself committing crimes. Children.

   Southern Maryland Newspapers, By BETHANY RODGERS, ~ January 23, 2009
   MARYLAND -- The former minister charged this week with molesting a music student admitted to police that he had "sexual contact" with the child and recorded some of the encounters on camera, according to court documents.
   The 14-year-old boy told police that Tony Ray Malbrough, 44, of Indian Head sexually abused him multiple times, most recently on Jan. 13. The victim said he took keyboard lessons at Malbrough's home, where the 44-year-old would allegedly molest him, court papers show. Malbrough filmed some of the incidents on a digital camera, the victim reported.
   While the victim said the sexual touching happened against his will, he felt he couldn't make Malbrough stop for fear the man would get angry, the court records report. The charging document states that Malbrough was a minister at the victim's church and was also a family friend.
   [COMMENT: Shouldn't there be an intelligence test before one gets a ticket to be a pastor? Why make movie evidence of yourself committing crimes? ENDS.]

• Volunteer accused of stealing more than $300,000 from church

[- 2009 Mr August Santillo -NEW*] - ? RCC. > US #337,000.
   Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, By Sadie Gurman, Friday, January 23, 2009
   NEW CASTLE (PA) -- A longtime volunteer who led school fundraising efforts for St. Vitus Parish in New Castle stole more than $337,000 in church cash and gift cards to buy diamond rings, Rolex watches, a Mercedes-Benz and other lavish items, state police said yesterday.
   August Santillo, 50, of New Castle, is accused of taking parish money and Giant Eagle gift cards during the seven years he worked as a program coordinator for the parish.
   Mr. Santillo is charged with stealing $255,081 in cash, and police said he redeemed $84,906 in Giant Eagle gift cards for Visa and American Express gift cards, which he used to make extravagant purchases. Troopers seized loose diamonds, gold bracelets and rings, designer watches, a 2007 Nissan Murano and other items during a search of Mr. Santillo's home. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 8:20 AM]

!!!: Suit Claims NKY Girl Sexually Assaulted By Classmate

[2008 Jan-May 9 - Unnamed student/s -NEW*] - ? RC school. Classmates to classmate.

   WLWT, ~ January 23, 2009
   COVINGTON, KENTUCKY -- A lawsuit alleges a female student at a Catholic elementary school was sexually assaulted last year by a classmate.
   The suit, filed Tuesday in Kenton Circuit Court, alleges the girl was bullied from January 2008 until she was sexually assaulted May 9.
   It alleges all the incidents occurred during school hours and on school grounds or at school-sponsored events.
   The suit asks for $250,000 in damages from St. Joseph Elementary School in Crescent Springs and the Covington Diocese to pay for educational and psychological services for the girl, who was not named. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:19 PM]

• Threesome assault pastor defrocked

[~ 2000s Unnamed male and female pastors -?NEW*] - Church of Sweden. Three-way sex.

   The Local, January 22, 2009
   SWEDEN -- A pastor convicted of assaulting his ex-wife following sex games involving another man has been relieved of his duties by his employer, the Church of Sweden.
   The man's ex-wife, who is also a pastor, has also received a written warning - the mildest form of disciplinary measure in the church's arsenal. A warning may be issued to employees guilty of one-off transgressions or for engaging in actions that may constitute an "unacceptable lifestyle" in the eyes of the church.
   The church's internal investigation revealed that the couple, "in conjunction with alcohol consumption, entered into so-called threesome intercourse involving themselves and another person with whom they were previously unacquainted." [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:00 PM]
   [COMMENT: Purge out the old leaven. … Remove the wicked from among yourselves. (1 Cor 5:7; 1 Cor 5:13), ENDS.]

• Muncie pastor accused of sex abuse

[? 2000s Kidd -NEW*] - Christian. 3 teen boys.

   Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette Associated Press, ~ January 23, 2009
   MUNCIE (IN) -- A minister is accused of sexually abusing three teenage boys in his Muncie congregation.
   The Rev. Matthew A. Kidd was released on $25,000 bond from Delaware County Jail on Wednesday. Kidd surrendered at the jail about 8 p.m. after sheriff's deputies were unable to locate him to serve an arrest warrant. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:49 AM]

• Isle man sues in church sex abuse

[1980s Robert Burkholder - ? NEW*] - RCC. Boy.

   Honolulu Advertiser, By Curtis Lum, January 23, 2009
   HAWAII -- A Hawai'i man has filed a lawsuit against a former priest and the Roman Catholic Church of Hawai'i, alleging the priest attempted to sexually assault the man when he was a minor more than 20 years ago.
   The plaintiff, listed only as "John Doe" in the complaint, is accusing convicted child molester Robert Burkholder of "forcibly" attempting to assault him in March 1984. The lawsuit, which was filed in state Circuit Court by attorney David Gierlach, alleges that the incident led to drug and alcohol abuse, as well as criminal conduct by the plaintiff.
   The lawsuit also alleges that the Roman Catholic Church knew Burkholder was a sexual predator, but allowed him to work in Hawai'i. The church, the lawsuit alleges, "concealed its knowledge of Burkholder's proclivity to molest youngsters and continued to place Burkholder in positions where he would have contact with youngsters, including the plaintiff." Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:42 AM

• Ex-Trumbull priest, diocese in abuse suit

[1980s Castaldo -NEW*] - RCC. Boy.

   Connecticut Post, By John Burgeson, January/23/2009
   TRUMBULL (CT) -- A Trumbull man, identified in court papers only as "David Doe," is suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport and one of its defrocked priests, John Castaldo, for allegedly molesting the plaintiff a number of times in the 1980s.
   Also named as defendants are the estate of the late Walter W. Curtis, bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport from September 1961 through June 1988, and Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop of New York, who was the Bridgeport bishop from November 1988 through May 2000.
   The suit, filed on Friday in New Haven Superior Court, states that Doe, now 33, "suffered severe and emotional and bodily pain" when Castaldo "repeatedly forced Doe to perform oral sex." It also states that the Trumbull priest "attacked Doe for his own deviant sexual gratification." [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 3:54 PM]

• Upcoming NEWSCHANNEL 13 Investigation Reveals New Life Church Scandal

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male "lover".

   KRDO, By Tak Landrock, t.landrock@krdo.com , ~ January 23, 2009
   COLORADO SPRINGS (CO) -- New accusations surface against former New Life Pastor, Ted Haggard, after a NEWSCHANNEL 13 investigation.
   A member of New Life Church tells NEWSCHANNEL 13 that Haggard took advantage of him sexually one night. The man, in his early 20's, claims he was paid a large sum of money by New Life Church to keep the abuse quiet. Under an agreement with the church he was not supposed to speak of the allegations with anyone outside the church. If he did, he would violate the agreement and would forfeit the money and could be sued by the church.
   He provided NEWSCHANNEL 13 an audio recording of conversations between himself and Haggard. In those conversations Haggard is heard saying the relationship is 'inappropriate' and asked for forgiveness. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:57 PM]

• Church furor over 'racist' religious group

- Traditional SSPX Catholics back in the fold, complete with traditional anti-Jewishness.

   The Local, January 22, 2009
   SWEDEN -- The Church of Sweden on Thursday cited lax internal oversight for why a conservative religious group that wants to convert Sweden to Catholicism and has leaders who deny the Holocaust was given permission to hold meetings in Swedish churches.
   The move comes on the heels of a report by Sveriges Television (SVT) investigative news programme Uppdrag Granskning which revealed that the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), an ultra-conservative breakaway faction of the Catholic Church, had been holding meetings in Swedish churches.
   In the programme, SSPX bishop Richard Williamson openly denied the Holocaust, adding that he did not believe Hitler purposefully gassed Jews to death or that any gas chambers existed. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:02 PM]

• Fallen pastor faces new gay-sex allegation

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male "lover".
   Live 5 News, Associated Press, 10:33 PM ET, January 23, 2009
   DENVER, COLORADO (AP) - Fallen preacher Ted Haggard has run into another bump on the road to restoring his public image.
   Two years ago, the 52-year-old Haggard lost his job as pastor of a Colorado megachurch and his position as an evangelical leader after a male prostitute claimed to have had a long-term relationship with him.
   Now, Haggard's ex-church, the 10,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, says a young church volunteer also reports he had a sexual relationship with Haggard. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:54 PM

• Disgraced pastor faces more gay sex accusations

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd MALE "lover".
   The Associated Press, By ERIC GORSKI, ~ January 23, 2009
   DENVER, COLORADO (AP) – Disgraced evangelical leader Ted Haggard's former church disclosed Friday that the gay sex scandal that caused his downfall extends to a young male church volunteer who reported having a sexual relationship with Haggard – a revelation that comes as Haggard tries to repair his public image.
   Brady Boyd, who succeeded Haggard as senior pastor of the 10,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, told The Associated Press that the man came forward to church officials in late 2006 shortly after a Denver male prostitute claimed to have had a three-year cash-for-sex relationship with Haggard. …
   David Clohessy, national director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests – which has largely focused on the Catholic sexual abuse scandal but also speaks out on cases involving Protestant clergy – said the new disclosures about Haggard are more disturbing because they involves a church volunteer.
   "Technically, legally, they were both adults," Clohessy said. "Psychologically and emotionally, Haggard was dramatically more powerful. … By definition, any sexual contact between a congregant and minister is inherently abusive and manipulative." [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:51 PM]

• Day-long special meeting fails to clarify matters

- RCC.

   The Irish Times, for January 24, 2009
   IRELAND -- ANALYSIS: THERE WAS little new contained in a statement issued last night by the Irish Episcopal Conference following their day-long special meeting on safeguarding children, writes Patsy McGarry
   On January 2nd, Cardinal Brady said the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church would "seek a written commitment from every Bishop, every Religious Congregation and Missionary Society to implement all statutory guidelines and the agreed policy of the Bishops' Conference, the Irish Missionary Union and the Conference of Religious of Ireland."
   According to last night's statement the bishops agreed to sign such a commitment yesterday.
   On January 2nd also, the cardinal said he suggested to the board "that it might explore the possibility of conducting a review of current child safeguarding practice in every diocese across the island in co-operation with the relevant statutory authorities." Posted by Kathy Shaw at 8:23 PM
   [MEDITATION: … Surely both will fall into the ditch. (Luke 6:39)] ENDS.

• Bishops' statement highlights reservations of Archbishop Martin

- RCC.
   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, for January 24, 2009
   IRELAND -- FURTHER EVIDENCE of a difference of opinion between the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, and other Catholic bishops over the handling of child protection procedures emerged last night.
   A statement issued on behalf of the bishops said they had agreed "to invite the NBSCCC {National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church} to undertake a review of current practice and risk in the safeguarding of children within their dioceses".
   The bishops emphasised "that in order to restore confidence and credibility in the church's commitment to safeguarding children, every Bishop, every religious congregation and every missionary society must implement all statutory guidelines in this area, as well as the agreed policy of the Bishops' Conference, Conference of Religious of Ireland and the Irish Missionary Union". Posted by Kathy Shaw at 8:19 PM

• All bishops commit to new rules on child safety

- RCC promises, again.
   Irish Examiner, By Dan Buckley and Garry O'Sullivan, ~ January 23, 2009
   IRELAND -- EVERY Irish Catholic bishop has agreed to give a written commitment to implement new guidelines for safeguarding children.
   Following an emergency meeting of the Irish Bishops Conference in Maynooth, the bishops also asked the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church to conduct an audit of present practice in each diocese.
   The meeting followed damning reports by the board and the HSE on the handling of clerical child abuse cases in Cloyne.
   The Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin last night insisted that he will only support a review of practices if it includes a system of verifying that all other bishops and religious superiors are implementing the new guidelines.

• Diocesan financial report released

   Rhode Island Catholic, BY EMILY DONOHUE, Staff Reporter, ~ January 23, 2009
   {read the full financial report}
   {Accounting & Internal Control Procedures for the Diocese of Providence.}
   PROVIDENCE (RI) – The diocese experienced a "fairly break-even year" during the fiscal year from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, said Msgr. Raymond B. Bastia, Secretary for Planning and Financial Services and diocesan Chief Finance Officer Michael F. Sabatino in a recent interview. An independent firm of accountants and consultants, Tofias PC, completed an audit of the diocese's annual financial report and gave a "clean opinion," Sabatino said.
   The report, prepared by the Diocesan Fiscal Office under the direction of Diocesan Comptroller J. Timothy Kocab shows that, despite the current economic difficulties facing most Americans, the diocese is faring reasonably well financially.
   Overall, the diocese's net assets increased by approximately $900,000 last year, Sabatino said. That number includes an estimated $4 million gain from the sale of the former Cluny Sisters' Newport residence and approximately $5 million of endowed gifts and bequests that helped to counterbalance approximately $8.6 million of unrealized losses in the value of investments due to the declining stock market. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 8:07 PM

• BREAKING NEWS: Sect leader's Fifth pleadings to be reviewed

[Jessop] - FLDS.
   San Angelo Standard-Times, By Paul A. Anthony, Friday, January 23, 2009
   TEXAS -- Even after eight hours in a Schleicher County courtroom, the deposition of YFZ Ranch leader Merril Jessop may not be over.
   Attorneys for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints elder and his alleged teenage daughter-in-law will argue in court Monday over whether Jessop should be able to plead Fifth Amendment protection to a series of questions regarding the polygamous sect's financial structure.
   "There are quite a few (answers) that are in controversy," said Natalie Malonis, the Denton attorney representing a 17-year-old daughter of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs. "He answered some of it. I hope that on Monday when we have our hearing, (the judge) will compel answers."

• School And Church Sued Over Alleged Abuse

[2008 Jan-May 9 - Unnamed student/s*] - ? RC school. Classmates to classmate.

   KyPost, ~ January 23, 2009
   KENTUCKY -- A suit has been filed against officials with St. Joseph Elementary School in Crescent Springs and the Covington Diocese, accusing them of failing to stop abuse against a student.
   The allegations in the suit are that a female student was bullied by other students last school year on school property and at school functions.
   There are also allegations of a sexual assault.
   A friend of the girl's family filed the suit in order to protect her identity.

• Irish bishops back new effort to restore credibility after sex-abuse scandal

- RCC "celibates" can't understand those God-given urges.

Catholic Culture January 23, 2009
IRELAND -- At a special January 23 meeting, the Irish bishops' conference approved a new joint initiative to restore credibility after a damaging series of reports about the bishops' reactions to sex-abuse allegations. Bishop John Magee of Cloyne, whose diocese has been at the center of recent scandals, apologized to his colleagues as well as to victims of sexual abuse.

• Full text of Bishops' statement

- RCC.
   The Irish Times, January 23, 2009
   IRELAND -- The following is the full text of a statement issued on behalf of the Irish Bishops' Conference, following an emergency meeting at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co Kildare, to discuss Church practice and policy on safeguarding children.
   Bishops hold special meeting on Safeguarding Children
   The Irish Bishops' Conference today held a special meeting on the subject of safeguarding children. The meeting took place in St Patrick's College, Maynooth. Representatives of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church (NBSCCC) addressed the meeting on policies and procedures for best practice in safeguarding children.
   Bishops discussed their pastoral responsibilities towards safeguarding children in the Church. Issues arising from the NBSCCC's Report on the Management of Two Child Protection Cases in the Diocese of Cloyne, published by the Diocese on 19 December last, the Reports of the HSE Audit of Catholic Church Dioceses and the statement by the Minister for Children, Mr Barry Andrews TD, both published on 7 January, were discussed in detail.
   [COMMENT: There are OLDER reports, that set out the rules for Christian sex. The Webmaster recommends the New Testament for preference, with a nod to such older texts as "It is not good for the man to be alone," "Adam knew his wife Eve," and "Increase and multiply." ENDS.]

• Bishops agree to 'written commitments' on child protection

- The un-united RCC.

   The Irish Times, By ELAINE EDWARDS, January 23, 2009
   IRELAND -- Irish Bishops said tonight they would sign a written commitment to implementing guidelines on safeguarding children within their dioceses, and they said they would ask the Church's independent child-protection body to carry out a review of current practices and risks.
   But in an apparent difference of opinion between senior church leaders, a statement issued following a special meeting of Irish Bishops' Conference said: "Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, while in favour of the review initiative, said that he would only be able to accept a review if it contained specific protocols to verify that the superiors of priests other than those of the Archdiocese of Dublin working in Dublin subscribe to and sustain the same norms and guidelines as those of the Archdiocese."
   The emergency meeting was held in Maynooth today to discuss the fallout from the recent report of the Church's independent body on safeguarding children, the National Board for Safeguarding Children (NBSCCC) in the Catholic Church.

• Cardinal surprised people offended

- RC "celibate" leader seems unable to see.

   The Press Association, ~ January 23, 2009
   IRELAND -- Cardinal Sean Brady was surprised people were offended over his backing of Bishop John Magee, found to have mishandled child sex abuse allegations, he said.
   The Catholic Primate also said he was sorry people were upset by his insistence that the Bishop of Cloyne should not resign because of the scandal.
   [COMMENT: For an argument that the lack of emotional understanding is likely under the RCC's long-term anti-scriptural recruitment policies, click "Fathers would make the best 'Fathers' ". Then read "Non-marital carnal activity of Church workers". ENDS.]

• Here is what happened at hearing last Tuesday, in fact, here is what is happening in release of documents from Clergy Cases settled in LA in July 2007

- RCC.

   City of Angels, By Kay Ebeling, ~ January 23, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- Steier: I won't accept this. There are particular realities of the situation. I am going to ask for a hearing date and then determine if an appellate (filing?) would be appropriate. (He's already planning to appeal the decision that will be made next hearing.)
   DeMarco turns around to Steier and says, "It's been fully briefed. Do you still want to formulate arguments? There's no need to extend more and more delays."
   Steier: The delay is not mine. I'm not a total idiot. The issue is different from Clergy Two. Now we're going forward with a new discussion and I'm going to argue it.
   But then here's where it gets murky. Steier needs everyone to coordinate their calendars around this trip he's taking. I sense others in the court have been impatient with him for a long time. It's in the body language. An ephemeral slouch comes over the attorneys as Steier jumps up yet again and asks for more time to file more briefs, more hearings, more ways to stretch this thing out so long that the Los Angeles news media has long forgotten the clergy cases, even some of the plaintiffs seem to have forgotten. (January 21 post here about release of documents finally starting got less than average number of clicks.)
   [COMMENT: The longer the cases take, the more fees the lawyers make. ENDS.]

• Final church audit to be released on Monday

- RCC.
   Fox 44 Associated Press, January 23, 2009
   CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte is releasing the results of the fourth and final audit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester on Monday.
   The audit was conducted as part of the 2002 agreement regarding how the Diocese handled allegations of sexual abuse of children by priests.

• Coalition wants rabbi to warn community of sex offender

[Friedman] - Judaists. He comes to pray.
   The Examiner, January/23/09
   BALTIMORE (MD) -- The Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse is calling on a Baltimore rabbi to warn parents that a convicted sex offender who served time in federal prison for possessing child porn is now living in their community and praying at their synagogue.
   The international coalition, based out of the Awareness Center in Baltimore, is demanding that Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer develop a public safety plan to protect members of his Glenn Avenue Shul from Cantor Stuart Friedman, 54, of 6016 Clover Road, a registered sex offender who regularly prays at the synagogue.

• CBI to dramatize Abhaya murder today

[1992 Fr Kottur* / Kottoor, Fr Puthrukkayil* / Poothrikkayil, Sr Sephi* / Sephy] - RCC. Evidence burnt. Axe murder.

   Kerala Online, ~ January 23, 2009
   KOTTAYAM, India, Friday, January 23, 2009: All eyes will be focused at the Pious X convent in Kottyam today, as CBI is likely to repeat the occurrences of March 27th, 1992. The three accused Father Thomas Kottoor, Father Jose Putarikail, Sister Sepphy who are on bail have been bought to PWD rest house in Kottayam. The three have been under the scanner for a long time and were even subjected to a narco analysis and polygraph tests last year.
   The interrogation is taking place after special consent from Court.

• Judge pushes to resolve priest sex-abuse cases

- Hundreds of cases.

   Anchorage Daily News, By MARY BETH SETZER, ~ January 23, 2009
   FAIRBANKS (AK) -- At a status hearing Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Niesje Steinkruger told attorneys on both sides of the multiple, unsettled priest sex-abuse cases to focus on clearing court dockets.
   "Put these cases on the front burner and get them resolved," she said at several points in the two-hour proceeding, the latest in the ongoing scandal.
   Steinkruger was assigned the task of managing the litigation of hundreds of abuse cases more than a year ago. Since then some new lawyers have been involved, and bankruptcy proceedings bogged down as claimants continue to come forward. [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:59 AM]

• Judge urges lawyers to settle church sex abuse cases

   KTUU by Lori Tipton Thursday, January 22, 2009
   ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- In Fairbanks, a Superior Court judge told lawyers involved in cases of priest and church workers accused of child sex abuse to focus on getting the cases finished.
   The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said it is grateful the judge understands that the victims need help soon, but those victims need the chance to expose dangerous predators and corrupt supervisors as a part of their healing.
   SNAP said it hopes the judge will allow these victims that opportunity. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:57 AM

• Parishioners To Ask Vatican To Appoint Coadjutor Bishop

- RCC.

   WRNO, Friday, January 23, 2009
   NEW ORLEANS (LA) -- The Vatican will be asked next week to speed up the process of replacing Archbishop Alfred Hughes as leader of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
   Members of two Uptown churches that were closed last fall under a post-Katrina restructuring plan will send a letter to the Vatican seeking the appointment of a Coadjutor Bishop. The letter contends Archbishop Hughes has displayed "complete failure of pastoral stewardship."
   For 72 consecutive days, parishioners of St. Henry and Our Lady of Good Counsel staged prayer vigils at the churches after they were closed. On January 6th, the Archdiocese asked the NOPD to remove the parishioners and then changed the locks on the buildings.

• Bishops to hold crisis meeting on child abuse

- RCC.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Religion Correspondent, Friday January 23 2009
   IRELAND -- The Catholic bishops will hold a crisis meeting today on clerical child abuse, amidst the fallout from revelations that Bishop of Cloyne John Magee failed to apply proper safeguards for children.
   The one-day emergency gathering has been summoned by the chairman of the Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Sean Brady, to ensure full implementation of national and statutory child protection procedures in all 26 dioceses.
   Last night, Church sources said that Cardinal Brady would demand a written commitment from every bishop, including Bishop Magee -- as well as every Religious Congregation and Missionary Society -- that they would implement all statutory guidelines and enforce the agreed policy of the Bishops' Conference.
   [COMMENT: The "unchanging" Church reversing its own "forgive, forget, forbear" dogmas? ENDS. ]

• Priest asked to step down amid sex allegations

[1990s Pilon*] - RCC. Minor.

   Journal Star, Posted 11:18 PM Jan 22, 2009
   PEORIA (IL) – A Catholic priest who formerly served parishes in Lincoln, Atlanta and Mason City has been asked to step down from public ministry after being accused of sexual misconduct with a minor.
   Father Jerry Pilon allegedly participated in sexual acts with a minor nearly 12 years ago, according to a news release from the Catholic Diocese of Peoria.
   The release did not indicate when the allegations were made. No one from the diocese returned a phone call Thursday seeking additional information. It was unclear whether Pilon faces any criminal charges.

• Bishop asks priest to step down

[1990s Pilon*] - RCC. Minor.
   The Times, 12:36 am Jan/23/2009,
   MOLINE (IL) – The Rev. Jerry Pilon, pastor of St. Mary Church, has been asked to step down from public ministry by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria.
   According to a press release issued Thursday afternoon by the Diocese of Peoria, allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor were made against Pilon "dating back to nearly 12 years ago."
   The release stated the alleged abuse did not take place in the Diocese of Peoria and the alleged victim was "not a minor with whom (Pilon) had served in any ministerial capacity."

• Catholic bishops holding summit on child protection

- RCC.

   The Irish Times January 23, 2009
   IRELAND -- Catholic bishops will today gather to discuss child protection as the crisis deepens after the report on child protection practices in the Cloyne diocese.
   The hierarchy from both sides of the Border have been summoned to the meeting at Maynooth, Co Kildare, in the wake of the fall-out over allegations in the Diocese of Cloyne, Co Cork.
   A spokesman for the Catholic Church said the talks at St Patrick's College seminary would deal with child welfare within the Church.
   "It's a special meeting, addressing the safeguarding of children, obviously in the context of recent developments," he said. "This is a core pastoral area for individual bishops and collectively." [Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:33 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Fri January 23, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sat January 24, 2009 edition:

• School Dean Is Suspended Over Charge of Groping

- RCC. [2009 Jan 13 Mr James West*] - Cardinal Hayes High School. Groping, propositioning male (19). [2008 Feb - Principal Mr Chris Keogan -? NEW*] - Not charged. Nude men pics on school computer.

   The New York Times, By PAUL VITELLO, Published: January 24, 2009
   NEW YORK -- The dean of discipline at an all-boys Roman Catholic high school in the Bronx has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested last week on charges of propositioning and groping a 19-year-old student in his office.
   The dean, James West, is the second top administrator in less than a year to be removed from his duties at the school, Cardinal Hayes High, in connection with sex-related allegations. Last February, the diocese fired the school's principal, Christopher Keogan, after photographs of nude men were found on the computer in his school office. No criminal charges were filed in that case.
   Among students and alumni, the arrest last week of Mr. West, 55, was met with disbelief and a chorus of support for the dean, who was also chairman of the math department and a Hayes graduate himself, class of 1972. His arrest was reported on Friday in New York newspapers. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 24, 2009 7:30 AM]

• Church's youth mentor held on sex crimes

[~ 2000s Mr Little -NEW*] - Assembly of God. 3 teen boys.

   The News-Star, http://www. thenewsstar. com/article/ 20090124/ NEWS01/90124 0311 , By Matthew Hamilton, mhamilton@monroe.gannett.com, January 24, 2009
   LOUISIANA -- A Sterlington youth mentor accused of molesting three teenage boys remained in custody at Ouachita Correctional Center on Friday.
   On Wednesday, Sterlington police arrested Jeremy Little, 23, on two charges of molestation of a juvenile, sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Little, a youth mentor at the Assembly of God Church at Sterlington, was booked at OCC on a bond of $90,750. Probation and parole officers also placed a detainer on Little.
   Sterlington Police Chief Barry Bonner said a stepmother of a 17-year-old boy told police her stepson may have been molested during a sleepover at a churchgoer's house. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 24, 2009 7:39 AM]

• Diocese Of Covington Issues Statement On Lawsuit

[2008 Unnamed perpetrator/s of unknown age/s -NEW*] - RCC. Child/ren (2nd graders).
   KyPost, ~ January 24, 2009
   KENTUCKY -- The following is an official statement from the Diocese of Covington.
   DIOCESE OF COVINGTON'S STATEMENT REGARDING LAWSUIT FILED IN KENTON CIRCUIT COURT
   The Diocese has just received a copy of the lawsuit that was apparently filed on January 20 in the Kenton Circuit Court against the principal, pastor, and a teacher at St. Joseph Crescent Springs, Bishop Foys, and several members of the Diocese's administrative staff. The complaint is based on a situation last year involving two second-grade students at the parish school. From what we have been able to determine thus far, the school handled the matter responsibly and with sensitivity to the children's young age and circumstances. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 24, 2009 2:21 PM]

• Australian Primate attacks time-limit on sex claims

- Anglican leader sees the light again.

   Religious Intelligence, By George Conger, 7:17am, Saturday, January 24, 2009
   AUSTRALIA -- Laws that block victims of childhood sexual abuse from bringing their claims to court after they turn 21 are "harsh and inequitable" the Primate of Australia, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall of Brisbane has charged.
   Copies of correspondence between Dr Aspinall and the Queensland government obtained by the Weekend Australian, show the Anglican leader has sought for several years to overturn the law of laches, or "time defence" in sexual abuse cases. Under Australian law a claim of abuse incurred as a child must be made before the victim turns 21, otherwise it can be barred by the doctrine of laches --- the failure to assert a claim in a timely manner.
   The Australian Church's insurance companies have relied upon the "time defence" rule in fighting claims of compensation for abuse suffered by children at the hands of pedophiles employed by the church. Churches were bound by contract with their insurance companies to use the time defence rule in contesting abuse claims, Dr Aspinall noted. However, a change in the law would now guarantee abuse victims their right to a day in court, he said.

• Constant Scandals and Secrecy Weaken our Church

- Greek Orthodox Christians. [≤ 2008 Fr Gabriel Karambis*] - Cover-up similar to Roman Catholics, Reformed, etc. Churches. [Professors of seminary] - Similar to Austrian RC seminar behaviour.

   Pokrov, Author: Theodore Kalmoukos; Publication: The National Herald; Date Published: Jan/24/2009
   UNITED STATES -- It was really sad for our Church in America to say farewell to the old year and to welcome the new one with another scandal involving one of its clergy, specifically that of Archimandrite Gabriel Karambis.
   The speed with which Metropolitan Isaiah and Archbishop Demetrios removed him during the holy period of Christmas, marks the seriousness of the problem. Metropolitan Isaiah's clarification in his letter to the congregants of the Annunciation Cathedral of Houston, Texas is really of great interest. He wrote:
   "His suspension (Fr. Karambis') does not pertain to any financial improprieties against the parish or to any misconduct involving minors or parishioners. The reason I relieved him of his duties had to do with his own personal life and how it negatively reflected on the holy priesthood." The innuendos that Metropolitan Isaiah left flowing with his above statement are truly remarkable. …
   Let us not forget either that former Archbishop Spyridon was the one who had tucked [? meaning ?] Karambis to the Archdiocese using him as some kind of "executor" as in the case of the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral of New York, and also for the cover up of the homosexual incident of that tragic Tsiknopempti party at the men's dormitory of Holy Cross Theological School, which ended up with the dismissal of the professors.

• Sex abuse inquiry finds evidence of repeat offences

[1975-2004 - 46 priests] - RCC. A systematic seduction system. Repeat offences widespread. Children mainly.

   Sunday Business Post, By John Burke and Keirn Wood, Sunday, January 25, 2009
   IRELAND -- The inquiry into the handling of clerical sex abuse claims in the Dublin archdiocese has found widespread evidence of repeat offences by members of the clergy.
   The inquiry team has begun to distribute its provisional findings and large sections of its draft report have been passed to Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, in recent days. The former archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, has also received some sections.
   Draft findings are also being circulated to those who allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of diocesan priests, as well as to alleged perpetrators, senior Church managers, gardaí and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The report covers alleged claims of abuse by 46 priests who were based in the diocese between 1975 and 2004, mostly during Connell's stewardship.

• Ted Haggard: A Tortured Gay Man

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male "lover". Plea by writer to remove Bible's ban on homosexuality.

   The Daily Dish, by Andrew Sullivan, ~ January 24, 2009
   UNITED STATES – More sad details here. At some point, surely evangelical Christians will have to ask themselves: are we going to continue to demonize homosexuality to such an extent that even our ablest preachers and leaders are led into destructive, secret and often abusive relationships because we cannot allow them to pursue open and honest and loving ones?
   The countless gay men who are currently running many of the world's leading Christian denominations are threats to themselves, to other gay men, to their wives and their churches because ancient doctrine forces them into twisted shells of human beings. In the Catholic church, this led to a horrifying epidemic of child abuse, protected and enabled by the last two Popes. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 24, 2009 9:01 PM]

• Church tried to avoid latest Haggard gay sex scandal

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church" asks for delay of Documovie. 2nd male "lover".
   Rocky Mountain News, By Mark Barna, The Gazette, January 24, 2009
   COLORADO -- New Life Church tried to head off the fallout that has embroiled the congregation in its second sex scandal involving Ted Haggard, the Rev. Brady Boyd said Saturday.
   Boyd asked the church's disgraced former pastor in December to postpone the release of the HBO documentary "The Trials of Ted Haggard," telling him that it could lead to a second gay sex partner coming forward with allegations against him.
   Three weeks ago, Boyd told the New Life volunteer not to go public about his sexual relationship with Haggard during the evangelical leader's reign as pastor that ended in 2006.

• Pope reprieves Holocaust-denying priest

- RCC.

   Jerusalem Post (Israel), By MATTHEW WAGNER, AP AND JTA, ~ January 24, 2009
   VATICAN CITY – In an attempt to heal a two-decade old schism, Pope Benedict XVI has lifted the excommunications of four bishops, including one who is a Holocaust denier.
   Richard Williamson, a British bishop, was shown in a Swedish state TV interview this week saying that historical evidence "is hugely against 6 million Jews having been deliberately gassed."
   Williamson has said that only 200,000-300,000 Jews died during World War II and that gas chambers were a fiction.
   He has also endorsed the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a notorious anti-Semitic forgery used since the late 19th century to fuel anti-Jewish violence, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
   [COMMENT: The Nazis murdered millions, not just hundreds of thousands, of civilians of various categories, mainly Jews, in camps, and in other ways. The Nazis and their allies also tried to conquer other lands, causing millions more of combatants and civilians to die. The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion is a clumsy piece of writing, and is a plagiarism of earlier similar books blaming OTHER GROUPS for world disorder, for example, Napoleon III. It is so unlikely to have been written by any of the groups supposedly plotting the downfall of Christianity and/or civilisation, that it is a wonder any educated person could be fooled by it. But I was forgetting – anyone who is running a group following a person who said He would come back in the lifetime of some of the men "standing here," (Bible, Matthew 16:28, Luke 9:27, and see Luke 21:27 and 32, John 1:49-51, and other texts at Prophecies of a Quick Return) might have an intellectual deficit. ENDS.]

• Cardinal must put children first

[Magee]

   Irish Independent, Saturday January 24 2009
   IRELAND -- CARDINAL Brady's inability to understand people's dismay at Bishop Magee's continuing command of the diocese of Cloyne is understandable. He is merely expressing, openly and honestly, a traditional approach which sits comfortably with respected society.
   The Cardinal said yesterday that it had come as a surprise to him that people were offended by his backing for Bishop Magee. In truth, most people would have been surprised if the Cardinal had not been surprised.
   Most people would have been surprised if the Cardinal, having deplored the abuse of children by priests (which he did), had gone on to acknowledge Bishop Magee's failings, thanked him for his good work over the years, and regretfully announced the septuagenarian's retirement.

• Verona, scandalo pedofilia

[Years - 25 priests*] - RCC. 67 deaf and mute inmates.

   La Repubblica, video presentation, January 24, 2009
   {Read the original story}
   {Rread the Italian-language story in L'espresso}
   Verona, scandalo pedofilia, 24 gennaio 2009
   ITALIA – 67 ex allievi di un istituto religioso per sordomuti denunciano molestie all'Espresso Sarebbero stati violentati e molestati negli anni all'interno dell'istituto Antonio Provolo. Gli episodi citati riguardano 25 religiosi; le vittime potrebbero essere un centinaio. di Simone Bianchin e Lorenzo Maria Falco
   [translation]
   Verona, the pedophilia scandal, January 24, 2009
   ITALY – Sixty-seven former students of a religious Institute for deaf and mute young people have told the newspaper Espresso that they were sexually molested.
   The were allegedly molested and abused sexually during the years spent at the Institution Antonio Provolo. The reported cases are related to 25 priests; the victims could be about 100.
   Here is the transcript of what some citizens of Verona say in this video about the story.
   An elderly couple. The woman: "It's frightening, for me it's frightening. I'm 83 and I have never heard such a thing, I don't know how we can go on in such a way…."
   The man: "the fact is it was the clergy responsible….."
   The woman interrupts: "We always trusted the nuns and the priests in their contacts with our sons and daughters and our nephews. We always came here (Looking at the church…)" The man: "On Christmas, too, we came here …
   A second woman: "I wouldn't really know what to say… I read it in the newspaper Arena of Verona … . I don't believe in it…"
   The reporter "You doubt what it's being said …." The woman: "Yes, I doubt it … The reporter: "You doubt ….." The woman: "Yes, really … I can't really believe it." The reporter: "And if the allegations were found ?" The woman: "Then really a lot will fall down."
   A priest: "I'm a priest of the Diocese and I don't know anything about that Institution and I find myself in such a painful situation and to think that such a thing could occur, thinking that in that Institution there are also inmates who are suffering …. Therefore I think there is a necessity to clarify what happened, using patience and determination. Being the Institution is a place where the inmates are being educated, it's necessary to examine the facts and when everything will be ascertained there will be the need to make the due steps, contemplating even a suspension a divinis of those who will be found responsible.

• Papal reconciliation move will stir controversy

- Defiance, now received back.

   National Catholic Reporter, By JOHN L. ALLEN JR., NCR Staff, Published: Jan. 24, 2009
   VATICAN CITY -- In a gesture billed as an "act of peace," but one destined both to fire intra-Catholic debate about the meaning of the Second Vatican Council and to open a new front in Jewish/Catholic tensions, the Vatican today formally lifted a twenty-year-old excommunication imposed on four bishops who broke with Rome in protest over the liberalizing reforms of Vatican II (1962-65).
   Ironically, news of the move came just one day before the 50th anniversary of the announcement by Pope John XXIII of his intention to call Vatican II.
   The four bishops had been ordained in defiance of the late Pope John Paul II in 1988 by Swiss Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, whose Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X clung to the old Latin Mass after Vatican II and also expressed deep reservations about both ecumenism and religious freedom. Lefebvre died in 1991. …
   While Catholics will likely see the decree as a victory for a conservative reading of Vatican II, it has also sparked protest in Jewish quarters for a different reason: One of the four Lefebvrite prelates, Richard Williamson of Great Britain, recently made comments that appeared to cast doubt on the historical truth of the Holocaust.
   In an interview with Swedish television recorded in November but aired in January, Williamson said that he did not believe the Nazis had used gas chambers. "Between 200,000 and 300,000 Jews perished in Nazi concentration camps, but not one of them by gassing in a gas chamber," Williamson said, according to a transcript of the program.
   Speaking to reporters today in Rome, a Vatican spokesperson insisted that the Vatican does not share Williamson's views, and that his recent comments had "nothing to do" with the decree from the Congregation for Bishops.

• NY rector names new bishop of SC Catholic diocese

- RCC.

   The Times and Democrat, Saturday, January 24, 2009
   CHARLESTON, S.C. - A rector from New York will be the new bishop for South Carolina's statewide Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, the Vatican announced Saturday.
   Robert E. Guglielmone, 63, will lead the 183,000 Roman Catholics in the state. He has spent the past two years as rector at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Center, N.Y.
   Guglielmone will be ordained and installed as bishop March 25 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston.

• "E' solo una vendetta"

[Years - 25 priests*] - RCC. 67 deaf and mute inmates.

   La Repubblica, video presentation 24 gennaio 2009 (January 24, 2009)
   ITALIA -- Il vescovo di Verona Giuseppe Zenti non crede alle denunce e accusa il presidente dell'Associazione Sordi Giorgio Della Bernardina di aver montato tutta la vicenda per vecchi dissapori di Simone Bianchin e Lorenzo Maria Falco
   [translation]
   "It's only a revenge" (January 24, 2009)
   ITALY -- The bishop of Verona, Giuseppe Zenti, doesn't believe in the charges of pedophilia and accuses the President of The Association for the Deaf, Giorgio della Bernardina, to have made a scheme in revenge of past controversies.
   Here is the transcript of what the bishops say in the video:
   "The real reasons of this revenge starts from the fact that he, Giorgio della Bernardina, firstly, hadn't been elected in the past as the President of the Association for the Deaf; secondly, he wanted to use the offices of the Association, which were never denied to him, without paying the money we requested for the electricity and the heating; thirdly, we expected a practical help for the Foundation which was denied by him. Just as a revenge he is now trying to play the card of pedophilia, thinking he can win. He already said that to me in the past, that he would also be willing to use that weapon. And reading the article I couldn't but have the confirmation of this fabrication, some of the pieces must have been written directly by him. This is the last act of revenge he committed: for me imprudently."

• SNAP Press Release: Bishop Warns Priests, Not Parents, About Predator - Jan. 13, 2009

- RCC. Failed to warn parents.

   Religion 888, For immediate release: Tuesday, January 13, 2009
   NEW JERSEY -- Bishop warns priests, not parents, about predator; Sex abuse victims respond
   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)
   It's the same old scenario: the public and parishioners learn of a dangerous predator priest only because of the media. The bishop alerts priests, who have no kids, about a child molester, but refuses to warn parents.
   When will bishops learn, in the words of Martin Luther King, that 'no lie lives forever,' and that they just can't keep secrets about pedophiles like they once could?

• "Sia fatta chiarezza"

[30 yrs to 1984 - 25 priests*] - RCC. 67 deaf and mute inmates.

   La Repubblica, video presentation, 24 gennaio 2009, (January 24 2009)
   ITALY -- La replica di don Danilo Corradi, superiore generale dell'istituto Provolo. Vuole che sia fatta chiarezza, ma non giudica necessaria un'indagine, perché molti dei sacerdoti accusati sono già morti. Ammette però che
   [translation]
   "Things must be made clear," (January 24 2009)
   The answer is by the Rev. Danilo Corradi, Superior General of the Provolo Institution. He wants things to be clarified , but he doesn't deem an investigation is necessary, for many priests have already passed away. He admits however that in the '70s there happened a case of pedophilia in his Institution.
   Here is the transcript of the video conversation:
   The Rev. Danilo Corradi: "I would like to say with great force and clearness that above all it's the interest of our Institution that the truth could come out in its entirety, avoiding suspicions and also generalizations and that never in the past I was never warned about real and concrete facts happened in the past in order to be put in the condition to make an investigation about these facts of pedophilia."
   Reporter: "But even rumors, like … they say that?……."
   The Rev. Danilo Corradi : "I have been here since 1949 and I can say only one case was reported : it concerned a young man who was sent back to his family immediately. He was a student who was about to follow the religious and consecrated path and we sent him away at once for we can't tolerate these cases in our Institution. When such things happen….."
   Reporter: "Do you think an investigation is needed?"
   The Reverend Danilo Corradi : "I think so, I don't know. I don't think it would be necessary to investigate about these cases…for the Fathers have passed away. They can't answer, they can't speak anymore."

• Head of SSPX 'refuses to condemn Bishop Williamson for Holocaust denial'

- RCC.

   Telegraph (United Kingdom) Posted By: Damian Thompson, Jan 23, 2009
   {The letter}
   A letter has appeared on the internet attributed to Bishop Bernard Fellay, head of the Lefebvrist Society of St Pius X. In it, the bishop (or someone pretending to be him) pointedly fails to criticise his fellow SSPX bishop, Richard Williamson, for denying the existence of Nazi gas chambers in a television interview.
   Instead, the letter attacks the "vile" behaviour of the Swedish TV company for daring to ask Williamson "secular" questions. "Although it had been understood that the interview would deal with religious issues only, the reporter asked the bishop's opinion concerning historical matters … It is shameful to use an interview on religious matters to introduce secular and controversial issues with the obvious intention of misrepresenting and maligning the activity of our religious Society. Such [a] vile attempt will not reach its goal."

• Bishop Fellay salutes 'benevolent and courageous' Pope Benedict

   Telegraph (United Kingdom) Posted By Damian Thompson, Jan 24, 2009
   Bishop Bernard Fellay, head of the Society of St Pius X and, as of today, no longer excommunicated, has responded to the Pope's gesture in the following letter. In it, he describes Benedict XVI as "benevolent" and "courageous".
   I'm beginning to think that the Pope's gamble will pay off. Sources close to the SSPX tell me that Bishop Williamson has infuriated his episcopal colleagues with his venomous and stupid rant about the Holocaust - but when will they condemn him publicly? Surely they cannot hope to have their suspensions lifted until they have done so. Anyway, here's the letter:
   Letter of the Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X
   Dear faithful,
   As I announce in the attached press release, "the excommunication of the bishops consecrated by His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, on June 30, 1988, which had been declared by the Congregation for Bishops in a decree dated July 1, 1988, and which we had always contested, has been withdrawn by another decree mandated by Benedict XVI and issued by the same Congregation on January 21, 2009."

• Fort Worth Roman Catholic Diocese settles sexual harassment lawsuit

- RCC. Settlement. RC school leader's "buxom blonde" demeaning remarks.

   Fort Worth Star-Telegram By DARREN BARBEE dbarbee@star-telegram.com , ~ January 24, 2009
   FORT WORTH (TX) -- The Fort Worth Roman Catholic Diocese settled a sexual harassment lawsuit this week accusing its superintendent of schools of making inappropriate remarks and creating a "sexually hostile working environment."
   Former diocese employee Laura Judd said that Superintendent Don Miller made demeaning comments about her and said her success was based on her being a "buxom blonde" with "good looks." The diocese, but not Miller, was named as a party to the lawsuit.
   Terms of the settlement were not disclosed because of a confidentiality agreement. A trial was in progress when the settlement was announced.

• 'Trials of Ted Haggard': documentary of a fall

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". Documovie. Man.
   San Francisco Chronicle by Joe Garofoli, Saturday, January 24, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- It will be impossible for many not to feel at least some schadenfreude watching the new HBO documentary "The Trials of Ted Haggard" that premieres Thursday, and Haggard knows it. It is a portrait of the disgraced conservative evangelical Christian leader and friend of the Bush White House in exile, and a pathetic exile at that.
   After admitting in 2006 to buying methamphetamine from a male prostitute and confessing to "sexual immorality" amid accusations that he had a sexual relationship with the man, the Colorado pastor who once led the 30 million-member National Association of Evangelicals was banished from the state by church leaders and told not to publicly discuss his story. He resigned from the NAE and was stripped of his pastorship of the 12,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Haggard once was a staple of cable news shows, but for the past two years his large-toothed, wide, ever-smiling mouth has been silent.

• New gay sex scandal embroils New Life and Ted Haggard

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male.

   Colorado Independent, By Wendy Norris, 9:49 PM, Jan/23/09
   COLORADO -- Fresh revelations have emerged that disgraced evangelical leader Ted Haggard had a previously undisclosed sex-for-cash relationship with a young male New Life Church volunteer.
   An Associated Press report claims that Haggard was involved in an "inappropriate, consensual sexual relationship" that "went on for a long period of time … it wasn't a one-time act," according to Brady Boyd, the pastor who succeeded the embattled former leader of the 10,000 member New Life Church in Colorado Springs.

• Haggard had another lover

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male "lover".
   Deep Thoughts, ~ January 24, 2009
   COLORADO -- News has just broke that Ted Haggard had another lover at the time of his gay sex scandal in 2006. Who knew? The story is interesting too. It seems his church covered up the affair with a young church volunteer. They paid the young man off with college tuition and counseling. I can only guess that the counseling was to "fix him". What a deal… I'm sure it was done in the best interest of truth.
   "It wasn't at all a settlement to make him be quiet or not tell his story," Boyd said. "Our desire was to help him. Here was a young man who wanted to get on with his life. We considered it more compassionate assistance – certainly not hush money. I know what's what everyone will want to say because that's the most salacious thing to say, but that's not at all what it was."

• NEW LOCAL: St. Vitus members shocked by arrests

[- 2009 Mr Santillo*] - ? RCC. > US #337,000.
   New Castle News, ~ January 24, 2009
   NEW CASTLE (PA) -- Parishioners were surprised yesterday upon learning that a St. Vitus Church fundraiser was charged with diverting money for personal gain.
   State police on Thursday charged August Santillo, 50, of 404 W. Clayton St. with theft after he allegedly diverted more than $337,000 in gift cards and cash donations to support his lavish lifestyle. He posted $55,000 bond and was released the same day from the Lawrence County jail.
   The arrest followed an investigation covering a seven-year period of May 1, 2001, to Aug. 26, 2008.

• Pope rehabilitates Holocaust denier, angering Jews

- RCC. "No gas chambers" says "Bishop" Williamson.

   Reuters, 6:28am, Sat Jan 24, 2009
   VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -- Pope Benedict Saturday rehabilitated a traditionalist bishop who denies the Holocaust, despite warnings from Jewish leaders that it would seriously harm Catholic-Jewish relations and foment anti-Semitism.
   The Vatican said the pope issued a decree lifting the excommunication of four traditionalist bishops who were thrown out of the Roman Catholic Church in 1988 for being ordained without Vatican permission.
   One of the four bishops, the British-born Richard Williamson, has made a number of statements denying the full extent of the Nazi Holocaust of European Jews, as accepted by mainstream historians.
   In comments to Swedish television broadcast Wednesday, he said "I believe there were no gas chambers" and only up to 300,000 Jews perished in Nazi concentration camps, instead of six million.

• Senior clergy fail to agree at emergency abuse summit

- The "Holy" "Catholic" "Apostolic" Church, but not "One."

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Religion Correspondent, Saturday January 24 2009
   IRELAND -- An emergency summit of Catholic bishops ended in confusion last night after Archbishop Diarmuid Martin held out for definite commitments from other bishops and religious superiors that they apply the same high standards of child protection that operate in Dublin.
   In a joint statement issued several hours after Archbishop Martin left the Maynooth meeting, bishops invited their own independent National Board to undertake a new review of current practice and risk in the safeguarding of children in all 26 dioceses.
   But in a dissenting note, Archbishop Martin, said that while he was in favour of the review initiative, he would only be able to accept this "if it contained specific protocols to verify that the superiors of priests other than those of the Archdiocese of Dublin working in Dublin subscribe to and sustain the same norms and guidelines as those of the Archdiocese". [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 24, 2009 7:25 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Sat January 24, 2009
• Were you in a children's home, orphanage or foster care in WA?

The Sunday Times (Perth, W. Australia), Advertisement from Ryan Carlisle Thomas (lawyers), p 22, Sunday, January 25, 2009

Were you in a children’s home, orphanage or foster care in WA?

If you were abused or neglected as a child in state care, you can now apply for a government apology and compensation of up to $80,000 from Redress WA.
Child migrants and members of the stolen generation may be eligible. Claims must be lodged before 30 April.

For further advice contact Angela Sdrinis
1800 654 741
Experts in institutional abuse compensation

RYAN
CARLISLE
THOMAS
LAWYERS

   [LOOK BACK: Redress WA www.redress.wa.gov.au (W. Australian Government) advertisement, February 9, 2008. ENDS.]
   [MORE FACTS: The Government has been advertising ever since.) ENDS.]
   The law firm seems to be based in Melbourne and suburbs, Ballarat and Geelong, in Victoria.
   [MEMO: The ad. says claims will close on April 30. ENDS.] http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm#were_you_in [Jan 25, 09]
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sun January 25, 2009 edition:

• It's wrong to ban publishing names

- Judaism, etc.

   Haaretz, By Ze'ev Segal, ~ January 25, 2009
   ISRAEL -- The law, as amended in 2002, allows a court to forbid publishing a suspect's name, even if the ban goes against the public interest. The amended law is an exception to the principle that the public has a right to know.
   Until the amendment the publishing of a suspect's name could be blocked almost solely for fear of obstructing police investigation. The courts don't often make use of their power to prevent publication of a suspect's name after he or she is brought to court for arrest or remand extension.
   The Supreme Court weighed the damage that could be done to a suspect by releasing his name and the public interest in releasing it in a case of a person suspected of severe sexual abuse of minors. This is similar in principle to the affair now being debated.

• 'Child Protection Bill to be legislated soon'

- General community.

   The International News, ~ January 25, 2009
   PAKISTAN -- The Child Protection Bill will be legislated soon in order to end violence against children and domestic servants, Sindh Human Rights Minister Nadia Gabol said on Saturday.
   She was presiding over a meeting to review the report on violence against street children and domestic child servants. Nadia noted that the proposed Child Protection Bill will help stop the sexual abuse of street children and domestic child servants. She stressed the need to evolve a comprehensive strategy for the welfare of street children and domestic servants.

• SoCal street named for clergy sex suspect renamed

- RCC. "Thompson" being axed.

   San Jose Mercury News, http://www. mercurynews.com/ breakingnews/ ci_11552750 , The Associated Press, 07:49:55 PM PST, Posted: Jan/25/2009
   CORONA, Calif. – Officials in a Southern California city are rebranding a street that had been named after a clergyman accused of sexual abuse.
   Corona City Council approved a request this month by officials with the San Bernardino diocese to strip Monsignor Matthew J. Thompson's name from a cul-de-sac near St. Edward Catholic Church, where he served as pastor from 1943 to 1975. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 25, 2009 10:50 PM]
   [COMMENT: New Testament policies, proper supervision, and firm action by bishops and other superiours could have saved such disgraces, AND the loss of congregations. ENDS.]

• Bizarre secret cult ripping families apart

- Meinck New Age cult.

   Perth Now (i.e., The Sunday Times Online), with audio, by Colleen Egan, 05:00pm, January 17, 2009
   AUSTRALIA -- SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: WA families are being ripped apart by a self-styled cult leader whose followers believe they have repressed memories of rape.
   About 20 people have become devotees of a New Age "healer", Matthew Meinck, who owns a retreat property in Chittering Valley.
   Meinck, an Australian-born former monk, believes that people retain in their bodies memories of abuse that can be retrieved during intense deep-tissue massage, regressive therapy and gruelling meditation sessions lasting up to two weeks.

• Catholic Church Could Go To Court Over Alleged Abuses

- Plea to RCC to stop wasting money in court appeals.

   WEEK, ~ January 25, 2009
   ILLINOIS -- Alleged victims of clergy sex abuse say they hope to get closure through the court system.
   Just as church ended Sunday morning at the downtown Cathedral, members of Central Illinois' Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests or SNAP passed out pamphlets to parishioners.
   They were notifying them of a recent appellate court ruling that reversed a decision that said victims waited too long to allege their abuse.
   "All we won here was a day in court. We haven't won anything yet, and we're asking Bishop Jenky to please not take this to the Supreme Court. If he just lets us have our day in court if we win, we win, if we lose we lose," SNAP Leader Jeffrey Jones says.

• Corona street name honoring accused priest being changed

- RCC. "Thompson" going.
   The Press-Enterprise, ~ January 25, 2009
   CORONA (CA) -- More than 30 years ago, Corona honored Monsignor Matthew J. Thompson by naming a street after him.
   Now the signs marking Monsignor Thompson Circle are coming down as an acknowledgement by the Diocese of San Bernardino that "credible allegations" of sexual abuse were made against Thompson.
   It's something that Avery D. Ensley Jr. has pushed for since around 2002, when he first saw one of the street signs on his way to meet a diocesan official about his allegation that he was molested by Thompson, who was the pastor at St. Edward Catholic Church from 1943 to 1975.

• New Life Addresses NEWSCHANNEL 13 Investigation

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male "lover".
   KRDO, By Tak Landrock, t.landrock@krdo.com , ~ January 25, 2009
   COLORADO SPRINGS (CO) -- Pastor Brady Boyd for the first time addressed his congregation at New Life Church to talk about new allegations uncovered by NEWSCHANNEL 13.
   He told the media, this would be the only time he would talk about the young man who claims former New Life Leader Ted Haggard sexually abused him. "A wound has been reopened," says Boyd. "While scandal and tragedy has been part of our past, it will not be our future."
   He told members who attended the 9 a.m. service that he has known about the victim who's come forward since he became senior pastor at New Life. "We gave him the counseling and help he needed in his life." He adds in 2007, the young man decided to sue the church.

• New Life Pastor Talks About Recent Sex Scandal Allegations Surrounding Former Leader

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male "lover".
   KKTV, with video, Reporter: Lauri Martin, lmartin@kktv.com , ~ January 25, 2009
   COLORADO SPRINGS (CO) -- New Life Pastor Brady Boyd addressed the congregation on Sunday about another scandal surrounding the church. Allegations have surfaced that the former church leader, Ted Haggard, reportedly had a sexual relationship with a volunteer at New Life.
   "In 2007, he hired an attorney who negotiated with our insurance company for a settlement. I want to clarify that tithe money wasn't used," said Pastor Brady Boyd.
   While this relationship just came to light, the church says they knew about it for a few years.
   "From my pastor's heart to yours, I'm sorry for the wound that's reopened for you," said Boyd.
   [COMMENT: Re-read the last sentence. Can a wolf bleat? -- yes, like a "judas-sheep"! ENDS.]

• Insurance paid for latest New Life scandal

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male "lover".
   The Gazette, By MARK BARNA, 5:50 PM January 25, 2009
   COLORADO SPRINGS (CO) -- New Life Church used insurance money, not tithes or donations, to pay for a legal settlement to the man alleging a sexual relationship with Ted Haggard, the Rev. Brady Boyd told congregants Sunday.
   The settlement, Boyd said, was kept quiet to honor the confidentiality rules observed by clergy.
   "While scandal and tragedy have been part of our past, it will not define our future," Boyd told about 5,000 in attendance.
   Boyd's sermon on forgiveness, a theme chosen weeks ago, added special meaning given the circumstances. "This past week might have stirred up wounds," Boyd said, "but that doesn't mean you haven't forgiven."

• Roscommon incest scandal: probe team has few powers

- ? RCC. Family incest, gross neglect.

   Belfast Telegraph, for Monday, January 26, 2009
   IRELAND -- Fears grew last night that the inquiry into the Roscommon "house of horrors" will fail to uncover the full truth of the scandal due to a lack of legal powers.
   The four-person team – which, in a surprise choice, includes two senior Health Service Executive (HSE) officials – will have no powers to compel people to give evidence or demand documents.
   Its terms of reference are confined to how the health service alone managed the case and will not extend to the decisions taken by teachers, doctors or even the mysterious right-wing Catholic group which allegedly funded a High Court action to prevent the six children, who suffered severe neglect and one of whom was sexually abused by the mother, being put in care.

• Andrews pledges laws for full disclosure of abuse data

- RC leaders say they agree to hand over facts.
   Irish Examiner, By Caroline O'Doherty, ~ January 25, 2009
   IRELAND -- CHILDREN'S Minister Barry Andrews has repeated his pledge to move within months to have laws allowing the disclosure of "soft information" about child sex abuse, amid concerns vital intelligence is being shelved.
   The minister reached agreement with the Catholic bishops at the weekend on a temporary way to enable the senior churchmen filter the information they provide to the Health Service Executive (HSE) about abuse allegations against religious in their dioceses. The arrangement allows them hand over proven facts and figures about incidents without having to include details of unproven allegations, until laws are enacted to allow the exchange of such soft information without fear of being pursued for slander.

• Law to allow agencies to share files in suspected abuse cases

- Religions.
   The Irish Times, By PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent, for January 26, 2009
   IRELAND -- PROPOSALS TO change the law so State and civic agencies, including the churches, can exchange "soft information" on child sex abuse allegations are expected to be published today by Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews.
   They will form part of the legislative programme to be addressed by the new Dáil session. So-called "soft information" in the context has to do with suspicions and concerns that child sex abuse may be taking place rather than there being concrete proof.
   A spokesman for Mr Andrews said last night preparation of heads of Bills on the issue had been brought forward by the Government due to its importance. It was necessary to act in a speedy fashion, he said.
   On Saturday, Mr Andrews met the Catholic primate of All-Ireland, Cardinal Seán Brady, and the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, and their officials "to discuss the issue of safeguarding children and the whole of society's responsibility to this critically important issue", as a joint statement said later. Officials from the Minister's office also attended what was later described as "a cordial meeting with a determination to move forward".

• Dale Fushek's alleged sexual abuse victim reaches out

[Fushek] - Accused RCC rebel still in good favour at his new Church.

   12 News, by Melissa Gonzalo, 03:46 PM, Jan. 25, 2009
   MESA (AZ) -- One of Dale Fushek's alleged victims is coming forward, asking members of the Praise and Worship Center to hear his story and heed his warning. This comes on the heels of Fushek's excommunication from the Catholic Church for continuing to preach at the non-denominational service while facing 10 misdemeanor counts of sexual misconduct.
   Carl Mawhinney lives right between the center where Fushek now preaches in Mesa and the church where he used to give Catholic mass, St. Timothy's, the same parish where Mawhinney attended as a little boy and met Fushek. "I don't have an option of where I can live right now," said Mawhinney. "He does have an option of where he ministers…he's been to my family's house and he knows I'm still here, and it has truly affected my life." …
   Those going into the Praise and Worship Center didn't want to comment. Neither did Fushek, but Jenny Diaz used to work as the youth protection advocate for the Diocese and said she supports Fushek and his center. "I find it to be a very godly place, and a holy place and I appreciate having been the victim's advocate," said Diaz. "I totally appreciate where the victims are coming from, but it doesn't have any place here." Mawhinney disagrees.

• For former nun, the truth is sadder than fiction

- Nun's life similar to movie "Doubt."
   Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, by Jim Stingl | In My Opinion, ~ January 25, 2009
   MILWAUKEE (WI) -- When people ask Mary Grace Cano why she's no longer a nun, she usually sidesteps the question by replying, "It's a long story."
   And it's a story that bears similarities to a film that's in theaters now and has grabbed some key Oscar nominations - "Doubt."
   We went to the movie together last week and talked about art imitating her life, though "Doubt" is a fictional tale and not an exact match to her ordeal.
   On the big screen, Meryl Streep as a nun and rigid school principal confronts Philip Seymour Hoffman as a priest. Cano found herself in a similar situation when it came out that a priest was molesting children at a Catholic elementary school in Shreveport, La., in 1967.

• Records say church knew of priest's abuse

[1969 - ~ 1981 Harry Monroe*] - RCC. Transfer after transfer. Child.
   United Press International, Jan. 25, 2009
   INDIANAPOLIS (IN), (UPI) -- Court documents allege the Archdiocese of Indianapolis reassigned a known child-molesting priest to new parishes where he preyed on other children.
   At least two archbishops allegedly knew the Rev. Harry Monroe had molested children and had ordered psychiatric treatment for him in 1976 and 1981, reported The Indianapolis Star, which obtained the documents through a court petition.
   The documents allege the diocese was concerned about Monroe, who left the priesthood in the 1980s, as far back as 1969 when he was in seminary but let him continue as a parish priest until the early 80s while never reporting the accusations of abuse to police, the Star reported. [LOOK BACK: Oct 8, 2008.]

• More Silence From Ner Israel

[Shapiro] - Judaists. It isn't only the RCC that tries to evade or smother truth.
   Jewish Times, ~ January 25, 2009
  BALTIMORE (MD) -- Ner Israel President Sheftel Neuberger left a voice mail to our managing editor Alan Feiler telling him that he would not talk to the Jewish Times anymore since we wrote articles about the dead child molester Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro.
   Times like these make me miss his late father, Rabbi Herman Neuberger, even more.
   The reason Neuberger won't talk is because he sees it is a violation of Jewish law for us to write the truth about a dead person. In this case, the truth is that Ephraim Shapiro molested on occasions too numerous to count, both boys and girls. It wasn't until years after his death that the truth started emerging like ooze from a waste dump that this man had ruined the lives of many innocent people.

• More lives ruined by cult's bizarre control

- Meinck New Age cult. "Repressed memories" created.

   Perth Now powered by The Sunday Times (Perth, W. Australia), by Colleen Egan, 06:00pm, January 24, 2009
   AUSTRALIA -- THE response to The Sunday Times story last week on New Age cult leader Matthew Meinck has been overwhelming.
   I have been inundated with phone calls and emails from people who have had dealings with the Chittering Valley retreat owner, who has convinced a core group of about 20 followers that they have repressed memories of being raped and raping others.
   Eight of Mr Meinck's former devotees, who left his group in the past year or so, gave a fascinating insight last week into the charismatic former monk's bizarre world.

• Jewish coalition want abuse victims to speak out

- Judaists move to expose offenders.

   Examiner, By Carolyn Peirce, Examiner Staff Writer, Jan/25/09
   BALTIMORE (MD) -- A Baltimore survivors coalition is starting a public awareness campaign this week to break the silence about the sexual abuse of children within Jewish communities.
   The Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse, an international network based out of the Awareness Center in Baltimore, is organizing a series of "speak outs," that are aimed at allowing suppressed survivors of sexual abuse to educate others through their stories. The speak outs start Monday in Brooklyn, N.Y., and will begin in Baltimore Feb. 8.
   The coalition also wants local rabbis to implement "safety plans" to protect children from registered sex offenders who are attending services at their synagogues unbeknownst to parents. However, some community members said outing a convicted sex offender is unjust to the offender who already has been punished through the court system.

• Sex and religion--strange bedfellows?

- Philosophical article.
   Examiner, by Robert V. Thompson, Chicago Spirituality, Examiner, 6:41 PM, January 24, 2009
   Susan Sontag once wrote: Religion is probably, after sex, the second oldest resource which human beings have available to them for blowing their minds.
   When these two combustibles are combined heaven or hell can break loose.
   Some practitioners of the eastern spiritual path known as Tantra understand the sexual connection as a vehicle of self transcendence. It's about the unity of body, mind and spirit. Tantric practitioners say this yoga, this boundary free whole person yoking, is heavenly.
   The flip side of intimacy through shared vulnerability is the use of power as a defense mechanism against true intimacy. When these two innate human impulses, sex and religion are used as a way of having power over rather than intimacy with – inevitably somebody gets hurt.

• Bishops seem content to hide behind their lawyers

- RC bishops keep legal advice secret about statistics.

   Irish Independent, By Colum Kenny, Sunday January 25 2009
   IRELAND -- The Catholic bishops have refused point blank to explain publicly their refusal to publish legal advice that they claim has prevented them from sharing with the Health Service Executive (HSE) statistical information about child abuse that occurred in their dioceses.
   At a special meeting of the hierarchy's Episcopal Conference last Friday, held as usual behind closed doors, bishops disagreed on the extent to which new measures were needed to protect children. My own efforts to understand their thinking have been frustrated by a one sentence statement from their spokesman.
   It emerged this month that a major HSE audit of child protection practices in Catholic dioceses has been stymied by bishops refusing to fill in the audit's crucial fifth section. After their meeting last Friday, the bishops promised "to renew their commitment to providing all of the information requested in Section 5 of the HSE audit". But their promise is ambiguous and could still mean that they will only provide the information if and when the government changes current law.

• Bishops agree to seek way around audit difficulties

- RCC.
   The Irish Times, ~ January 25, 2009
   IRELAND --Ireland's Catholic bishops have agreed during a meeting with the Minister for Children to try to find a way around legal difficulties that they say have prevented them from divulging to the HSE whether all cases of clerical child sex abuse have been reported to the authorities.
   The commitment follows a meeting yesterday in Dublin between Minister Barry Andrews, Archbishop of Armagh Cardinal Seán Brady and the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin.
   The Irish Bishop's Conference held a meeting in St Patrick's College, Maynooth on Friday following which they said they would sign a written commitment to implementing guidelines on safeguarding children within their dioceses.

• Catholic diocese gets new bishop

- RCC.

   The Post and Courier, By Adam Parker, Sunday, January 25, 2009
   CHARLESTON (SC) -- Fifteen months after the Most Rev. Robert J. Baker left the Catholic Diocese of Charleston for Birmingham, Ala., the Vatican has announced a new bishop for the state of South Carolina. [sic]
   Monsignor Robert E. Guglielmone, a native New Yorker who has served since August 2007 as rector of St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre on Long Island, the See city of the Rockville Centre diocese, will be ordained and installed as bishop on March 25. He will take the helm of the Charleston diocese during a rocky period in the history of the church. …
   Bishop-elect Guglielmone will face several challenges, including an unresolved local sexual abuse settlement case; changing demographics in the Catholic community, uncertainty about parochial school funding and enrollment; economic crisis and poverty; and changing political sentiment nationwide that has prompted the church to assert its position on ethical issues such as abortion and stem-cell research.

• Documents: Church knew of abuse

[1969 - 1984 Harry Monroe*] - RCC. Treatment and Transfers. Children.
   Indianapolis Star, By Robert King, January 25, 2009
   {letter from the House of Affirmation releasing Monroe}
   {House of Affirmation accepts Monroe}
   {letter from a child alleging abuse}
   {letter from House of Affirmation about its evaluation of Monroe}
   {letter from House of Affirmtion to Monroe}
   INDIANAPOLIS (IN) -- The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has admitted that one of its former priests, Harry Monroe, was a child molester.
   But church officials have never acknowledged they knew anything about the abuse while it was happening.
   Now, a host of new documents obtained through a court petition by The Indianapolis Star reveal that church officials knew about allegations against Monroe by 1976 -- early in an era of sex abuse that lasted from 1974 to 1984.
   The documents also make it clear that two former Indianapolis archbishops -- the Most Rev. George J. Biskup and the Most Rev. Edward T. O'Meara -- were aware of abuse allegations at the time, never reported them to police and continued to assign Monroe to new parish positions, where he preyed on other children.

• Bishops to divulge all information to HSE

- RC bishops promise transparency, again.

   RTE News, 07:15, Sunday, 25 January 2009
   IRELAND -- The country's Catholic bishops have committed to telling the HSE whether all allegations of clerical child sexual abuse in their dioceses have been reported to the civil authorities.
   The hierarchy had said that, for legal reasons, it could not divulge a wide range of similar information to the HSE's national audit on church child protection practices.
   This breakthrough follows yesterday's meeting between Minister for Children Barry Andrews and the Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 25, 2009 8:08 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Sun January 25, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Mon January 26, 2009 edition:

• Teen sex rap for principal of Bensonhurst private school

[~ 1999-2006 - Mr Yegutkin -NEW*] - Judaist. 2 boys.

   New York Daily News, http://www. nydailynews. com/news/ny_ crime/ 2009/01/25/ 2009-01-25 _teen_sex_rap_ for_principal_ of_bensonhurs. html ; BY SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM, DAILY NEWS POLICE BUREAU, 12:46 AM, Monday, January 26, 2009
   NEW YORK -- Two teenage boys told cops they endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of a Brooklyn high school principal who was arrested over the weekend, police said.
   Emanuel Yegutkin, 30, was suspended Sunday from Elite High School, a private Jewish school in Bensonhurst with mainly Russian-American students.
   Yegutkin forced a 17-year-old into lewd sex acts from the age of 7 to 14, cops said.

• Why top judge threw out libel case involving Tolkien family

- RCC. Tolkien relative versus complainant, defamation law, etc.

   Birmingham Post, by Tom Scotney, Jan 27 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM -- The country's top libel judge has stepped into a bizarre case involving alleged child abuse, a Midland man, and the family of legendary fantasy author JRR Tolkien.
   Sir David Eady, possibly the most famous high court judge in the UK, was brought in to rule on the case of Christopher Carrie, who claims he was abused as a child by John Tolkien, a priest and scoutmaster, and son of the Lord of the Rings author.
   Mr Carrie was trying to sue Royd Tolkien, one of the writer's great-grandsons and a bit-part actor in one of the massively successful Lord of the Rings films, over comments made on a website.
   Mr Carrie had set up the website under an anonymous name to promote the book he had written about his boyhood experiences. But comments were later made on the site under the name of Royd Tolkien. The comments allegedly made defamatory allegations about Mr Carrie, and he responded under his own name saying he would take legal action. …
   Mr Justice Eady said he did not see how someone could be libelled on their own website if they had the power to remove comments – and that leaving them up, as Mr Carrie did, was tantamount to agreeing to the comments being published.

• Ex-Montreal pastor gets five years in prison for sex with 10-year-old girl

[1999 ?+ "Pastor" Cormier*] - Evangelical. 5yrs PRISON. Girl (10).

   The Canadian Press, ~ January 26, 2009
   MONTREAL, CANADA – A Montreal man who described himself as a pastor has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl he claims was his wife.
   Daniel Cormier, 57, received the sentence today after a judge convicted him last October. The leader of the now-defunct Church of Downtown Montreal claimed the pair were married during a 1999 ceremony at his obscure evangelical church.

• SSPX Update

- RCC and Leffebvrists.

   America, Author: James Martin, S.J.; Posted at 09:10:00.0, 2009-01-26 = Jan 26, 2009
   Dave Gibson, at his blog Pontifications, has a good roundup of the controversy over the lifting of the ban of excommunication of four bishops from the Society of St. Pius X, which erupted on the anniversary of the 50th anniversary of the announcement, by John XXIII, of the Second Vatican Council. Here's Gibson: "Benedict XVI seems to be acting on his own, even though he often chides the rest of us to sentire cum ecclesia, "to think (and act) with the church."
   Sources say he took this step--as he did the restoration of the Latin Mass--against the strong and express advice of some of his closest collaborators." …
   Also, the four SSPX bishops were consecrated in an "illicit" ordination by the breakaway Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, a move that sparked the original excommunication. Yet just a few months ago, the Vatican threatened the excommunication of Roy Bourgeous, who participated in the (also illicit) ordination of a woman priest. In other words, the excommunication of both sprang from the same illicit action. One could even argue that the consecration of bishops was a greater threat to church unity.
   [COMMENT: Oh, dear, if this is correct about him taking his own views above advice received, it seems that Pope Benedict XVI believes that if you forgive everyone (except women and their supporters!), it will all come out right! Hence his silliness in continuing the Vatican tradition of having conferences with leaders of a religion whose scriptures teach that Christian clergy lord it over others, hoard money, and will be branded with precious metals in hell forever. And their followers persecute all other religions! Their scripture tells them to. ENDS.]

• Residential school compensation leads to tragedy for some

- Some Amerinds used the payments the wrong way.

   The Star Phoenix, By Jack Branswell and Ken Meaney, Canwest News Service, January 26, 2009
   CANADA -- Payments to Indian residential school survivors meant to compensate them for mistreatment have led to suicides, substance abuse and depression across the country, documents obtained by Canwest News Service show.
   In B.C. alone, according to a member of one survivor's group, two dozen deaths have been attributed to the payments.
   The Common Experience Payment (CEP) for Natives who attended residential schools was launched with much fanfare in the fall of 2007, after years of lawsuits and negotiations.

• Andrews pledges laws for full disclosure of abuse data

- RCC agrees to obey the laws.

   Irish Examiner, By Caroline O'Doherty, ~ January 26, 2009
   IRELAND – CHILDREN'S Minister Barry Andrews has repeated his pledge to move within months to have laws allowing the disclosure of "soft information" about child sex abuse, amid concerns vital intelligence is being shelved.
   The minister reached agreement with the Catholic bishops at the weekend on a temporary way to enable the senior churchmen filter the information they provide to the Health Service Executive (HSE) about abuse allegations against religious in their dioceses. The arrangement allows them hand over proven facts and figures about incidents without having to include details of unproven allegations, until laws are enacted to allow the exchange of such soft information without fear of being pursued for slander.
   Lack of legal protection was cited as the reason many bishops failed to complete a HSE audit form distributed two years ago, Section 5 of which required them to give details of allegations and the actions taken as a result. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 26, 2009 8:36 PM]

• Haggard: 'Inappropriate' relationship not physical

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male "lover".

   The Associated Press, ~ January 26, 2009
   DENVER, COLORADO (AP) – Fallen evangelical pastor Ted Haggard says he had an "inappropriate relationship" with a young male church volunteer, but it did not involve physical contact.
   Haggard's successor at Colorado Springs' New Life Church, Brady Boyd, has said evidence pointed to an "inappropriate, consensual sexual relationship" between Haggard and the man, who was in his early 20s. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 26, 2009 8:10 PM]

• Collection agency's bankruptcy leaves 5 N.J. Catholic schools $1.1M short

- RCC.
   The Star-Ledger, by Kristen Alloway / 6:17 PM, Monday January 26, 2009
   NEW JERSEY -- Five Catholic schools in New Jersey are scrambling to make up $1.1 million in missing payments after the agency that collects their tuition [? fees] filed a bankruptcy petition earlier this month.
   Tuition Program Inc. (TPI) filed a bankruptcy petition Jan. 12 claiming that it owed $3.6 million to 14 Catholic schools -- including three schools in Morris, one in Somerset and one in Middlesex counties -- and $867,000 to Wachovia, according to the document. The Livingston-based company had assets between $500,000 to $1 million, according to the filing.
   The schools affected in New Jersey include Our Lady of Magnificat in Kinnelon, Holy Family Academy in Bound Brook, and Sacred Heart schools in Dover, Rockaway and South Plainfield.
   The remaining schools are in New York and one is in Texas, according to the petition.
   [AMAZED COMMENT: Parents sending children to learn Christian religion, but the schools not able to collect the fees off them, and have to hire an outsider? ENDS.]

• Disgraced pastor Haggard facing new sex allegations

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". 2nd male "lover".
   CNN, By Eric Marrapodi and Jim Spellman, January 26, 2009
   COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (CNN) -- A megachurch paid a 20-year-old man to keep silent about a sexual relationship he had with disgraced evangelical pastor Ted Haggard, a senior church pastor said.
   Haggard, who was fired amid allegations that he used drugs and patronized a male prostitute in 2006, had a sexual relationship with a second man -- a 20-year-old volunteer at his megachurch, the Rev. Brady Boyd, a senior pastor at the church, said Monday.
   The church agreed to pay the man in exchange for his pledges not to talk publicly about the relationship, Boyd said, referring to a settlement reached by the man's lawyer and the church's insurance company. Under the settlement, the church provided the man money to pay his college tuition, moving expenses and counseling, Boyd said.

• High Court Agrees To Hear Shanley Appeal

- RC Paul Shanley, again.
   TheBostonChannel , with video, ~ January 26, 2009
   BOSTON (MA) -- Convicted of child rape in 2005, former priest Paul Shanley's motion for a new trial was denied by the trial judge last November. But now, in agreeing to hear Shanley's appeal, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has indicated the issues in the case are important enough to bypass the Appeals Court. Activists who have worked at exposing and stopping child sexual abuse say it is an upsetting development, especially for the survivors.
   "It must be so upsetting that they would have to, once again, go over all of this in their mind, remember all of this. It has to make them extremely cynical about whether or not it's possible to get justice," said Robert Ott, president of the Boston Council of Voice of the Faithful. [COMMENT: Who is paying his legal fees? Shanley's sexual escapades have been thoroughly exposed, haven't they? Are funds donated for worship and charity being wasted on appeal after appeal?]

• VOTF STRATEGIC PLAN

- Voice of the Faithful.
   Voice of the Faithful, ~ January 26, 2009
   UNITED STATES -- Last month Voice of the Faithful President Dan Bartley described the Strategic Plan at a meeting of the Boston Area Council VOTF in Wellesley MA. The experience inspired many in attendance to become active leaders for the new platforms.
   Mr. Bartley's speech is now available to view online. (Or you can listen to an audio file of the presentation.) You can also share it with your friends or add it to your affiliate website.

• Mass. high court to hear convicted priest's appeal

[1980s Shanley] - RCC.

   The Associated Press, ~ January 26, 2009
   BOSTON (MA), (AP) – The highest court in Massachusetts has agreed to hear an appeal from a convicted priest who was a key figure in Boston's clergy sex abuse scandal.
   Paul Shanley is serving a 12- to 15-year prison sentence for repeatedly raping and fondling a boy at a Newton parish in the 1980s.
   A Superior Court judge rejected his bid for a new trial in November.

• Diocese makes "dramatic" progress to protect children

- RCC.
   New Hampshire Union Leader, By KATHRYN MARCHOCKI, ~ January 26, 2009
   CONCORD (NH) – An independent audit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester shows it has made "significant and dramatic" progress in adhering to child protection policies set down in a 2002 agreement with the state, according to state Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte.
   The results, announced today at a press conference, are part of the fourth and final audit of the diocese done by international forensic firm KMPG.
   [COMMENT: The "agreement" was forced onto the diocese, to avoid harsher compensation and penalties that would have bankrupted the diocese. ENDS.]

• Ayotte: Final NH diocese audit shows improvement

- RCC after 4yrs putting some clauses into effect (for now).
   WCAX, Associated Press, 12:05 PM ET, January 26, 2009
   CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Attorney General Kelly Ayotte says the latest audit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester shows the church has made dramatic policy changes to prevent sexual abuse of children by clergy.
   In this fourth and final audit, the diocese addressed a number of problems it had been asked to fix, such as putting in writing its policy of immediately removing people accused of abuse.

• 10-plus counts of deviance do not stop believers from attending pedophile ex-priest Dale Fushek Praise and Worship Center on Sundays in Phoenix

[Fushek] - RCC.
   City of Angels, By Kay Ebeling, ~ January 26, 2009
   MESA (AZ) -- I asked about allegations six victims will make against Dale Fushek, when he finally goes on trial in Phoenix, and survivor Carl Mawhinney said "There's graphic misuse of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).
   "Fushek would listen and not care if you had robbed the local grocery, then say, when do you masturbate and what do you think about, ask for all the details. He would be the one to bring it up." Mawhinney (pictured) was 15 years old at the time. "He asked about heavy petting and I'm like, I'm not even sure what that is, but he was the priest."
   Later Mawhinney went to a different priest and started confessing in the manner Fushek taught him, and the new priest "talked to me shocked, said, that's too much information."
   I dropped the phone and slammed the table so hard it made that little green line go down the middle of the screen and I had to jiggle the monitor to reconnect the circuitry, then screamed, "What? Oh my god, That happened to me, too."

• Region's Catholic leader prepares to step aside

[Seattle Archdiocese] - RCC. 1987-2007 US $31m paid. 250 complainants.

   The News-Tribune, by Steve Maynard, steve.maynard@thenewstribune.com , ~ January 26, 2009
   WASHINGTON -- Western Washington's foremost Catholic leader has sent his letter of resignation to the pope upon turning 75, kicking off what could be a two-year wait for the appointment of a new archbishop to serve more than a half-million Catholics in the region.
   Archbishop Alex J. Brunett is one of 27 active U.S. bishops who by the end of this year will have reached 75 – the age when they must turn in their resignation and are eligible for retirement. …
   And he has led the archdiocese through the crisis of sex abuse claims against priests without having to file for bankruptcy, as the dioceses in Spokane and Portland did.
   From 1987 to 2007, the Seattle archdiocese paid $31 million for settlements, counseling and attorneys fees for about 250 sex abuse victims. That total includes $4 million in 2007 alone.
   Brunett called the abuse of victims "a terrible thing."

• Group asks diocese not to appeal lawsuit ruling

- SNAP asks RCC to let court case proceed.
   Journal Star, Posted 11:53 PM, Jan 25, 2009
   PEORIA (IL) – The local chapter of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is asking the Catholic Diocese of Peoria not to appeal a recent court ruling reinstating 10 sex abuse lawsuits.
   Members of SNAP held a news conference and distributed fliers supporting the group's cause Sunday morning outside the Cathedral of Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 607 NE Madison Ave. Earlier this week, the 3rd District Court of Appeals in Ottawa reinstated the cases, which had been tossed out in 2007 because two Peoria County judges said they were filed to late.
   Jeff Jones, 55, of Rockford heads the Peoria chapter of SNAP and said the ruling could help other childhood victims of priest abuse expose their predators in court. Jones said he was abused in the late 1960s and early 1970s by the Rev. Walter Breuning while he was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pekin. He cited repressed memories as the reason he didn't act sooner.

• Statute Of Limitations On Lawsuits Could Change For Reardon Victims

[Reardon] - RCC. Massive child pornography.
   Hartford Courant, By ARIELLE LEVIN BECKER | January 26, 2009
   HARTFORD (CT) -- The pool of victims eligible to sue St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center over alleged abuse at the hands of Dr. George Reardon could grow under a proposal now before the state legislature.
   The measure – which would extend the statute of limitations in the Reardon case until 2010 – could increase the damages St. Francis would have to pay if the plaintiffs prevail in their negligence lawsuits against the hospital.
   Under current state law, victims of childhood sexual abuse can bring civil claims until they are 48 years old, 30 years after they turn 18. But the proposed bill would give victims three years from the discovery of new evidence to sue, regardless of their age.
   Staggering evidence of Reardon's actions surfaced in 2007, five decades after it is suspected he began abusing children. More than 100 movie reels and 50,000 slides of child pornography were discovered hidden in a wall in Reardon's former West Hartford home.

• Pool of abuse victims may increase

[Reardon]
   WTNH, January 26, 2009
   HARTFORD (CT), (AP) - Connecticut legislators are considering a plan that may allow more people to sue St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford over alleged child sex abuse by a prominent doctor.
   The measure would extend a statute of limitations to 2010 in the case of Dr. George Reardon, who began working at St. Francis in 1963.

• OUR VIEW: Priest's fall from grace now complete

[~ 1990s-2000s Rodis] - RCC. < US $600,000. 13yrs PRISON. Mail fraud, money laundering. Has wife and children too.

   Culpeper Star-Exponent, Staff Editorial, Published: January 26, 2009
   VIRGINIA -- The sad tale of suspended Roman Catholic priest Rodney Rodis has seen its climax, or perhaps nader, [? nadir] as the disgraced reverend from Louisa was recently sentenced to 13 years in prison for embezzling $432,000 from two parishes.
   Rodis, in something straight out of a crime novel, was living a double life – taking donations intended for the church and investing them in an upscale waterfront property in his native Philippines. In addition, he was hiding a real family from his church family; the reverend had a wife and three children, something that's generally frowned upon for priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond.
   To paraphrase the Bible, we are all sinners. We all fall short. Yet those in positions of spiritual authority are called to a higher standard of accountability. At the least, a man of the cloth must be able to be trusted to obey the law.

• Court dismisses lawsuit against diocese

[1970s Unnamed priest] - RCC. SETTLED for money (so, "dismissed"). Female.
   Star-Tribune, By TOM MORTON, 2:05 AM MST, Monday, January 26, 2009
   WYOMING -- A woman has settled her civil lawsuit against a Catholic priest who molested her in the mid 1970s in Casper, according to an attorney for the Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne.
   "There was a settlement," Paul Hickey of Cheyenne said Friday.
   "It was essentially the same as to what was offered to her a year ago," Hickey said.
   The woman, now in her 40s and living in Albany County, was in her teens when her family moved to Casper and joined St. Anthony's Catholic Church, according to the complaint she filed in November through her attorney John Reese of Green River.

• State starts talks with clergy over reporting of child abuse

- RCC information still under discussion.

   Irish Independent, By John Cooney, Monday January 26 2009
   IRELAND -- Top-level talks have begun between the Government and the Catholic bishops to find a legal formula that will enable the Health Service Executive to discover the full scale of clerical child sexual abuse in the Republic.
   A compromise is being worked out absolving the bishops from informing the gardai and the HSE about unsubstantiated rumours or "soft information" about suspected abuse, while providing the State with details of reported cases and the reasons for the Church's withholding of other complaints.
   In exchange for greater accountability from the bishops, the Government is understood to be ready to speed up the introduction of promised legislation covering questions of confidentiality and constitutional issues that will allow full Church disclosure in future.
   The Irish Independent has also learned that the question remains unresolved as to whether the State will provide financial indemnity to Church authorities if they provide information about complaints which are later legally challenged and proven to be un by accused priests or ex-clerics.

• Molestation complaint filed against late Detroit priest

[1984 Burkholder] - RCC. Boy.

   Detroit Free Press STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS, January 25, 2009
   HONOLULU, HAWAII -- A complaint has been filed against the Catholic Church involving convicted child molester priest Robert Burkholder. Burkholder, who is deceased, was formerly with the Archdiocese of Detroit.
   The latest complainant, who is listed only as "John Doe," says Burkholder forcibly attempted to assault him in 1984 when he was a minor.
   The suit filed in state Circuit Court by attorney David Gierlach alleges that Burkholder's actions led to drug and alcohol abuse, as well as criminal conduct by the victim.

• Thomas A. Tschoepe: Former Catholic bishop of Dallas Diocese was tirelessly devoted to church

[Kos, Peebles, Shanley] - RCC.

   The Dallas Morning News, By MICHAEL E. YOUNG and BROOKS EGERTON / myoung§dallasnews.com and begerton§dallasnews.com
   {See also Former Bishop Who Didn't Testify in Kos Trial Still Active in Church: Plaintiffs Were Told Ex-Head of Diocese Has Alzheimer's, by Ed Housewright and Brooks Egerton, Dallas Morning News, August 1, 1997; Memorandum on Does v. Diocese of Dallas et al., by Thomas P. Doyle, O.P., May 16, 1996, and the section on Rev. Robert R. Peebles; letter from Bishop Tschoepe to Cardinal Law about a presentation by Rev. Paul R. Shanley, February 12, 1985; and a different assessment of that presentation in The Enemy Within, by Father Joseph Wilson, Catholic World News, July 4, 2002.}
   TEXAS -- Thomas A. Tschoepe, a North Texas farm boy who spent more than 20 often turbulent years as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, never really wanted that job.
   After his retirement as bishop in 1990, he asked for a job as a parish priest and was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Waxahachie at age 75. He didn't see it as a step down. …
   But his dedication to his fellow priests led the Diocese of Dallas into a sexual-abuse cover-up that cost more than $45 million in legal settlements and left lives in tatters.
   Bishop Tschoepe twice moved pedophile priest Rudolph "Rudy" Kos to new parishes in the 1980s after complaints about his behavior with boys and transferred other priests accused of molesting boys as well.
   One, Robert Peebles, admitted to molesting boys in the early 1980s, and Bishop Tschoepe had him transferred to a job as an Army chaplain in Georgia. There, according to court records, Peebles tried to rape a visiting Dallas boy and was spared a court-martial "after weeks of intense negotiations involving myself, the parents of the boy and the military authorities," Bishop Tschoepe wrote in church papers. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 26, 2009 7:11 AM]
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Tue January 27, 2009 edition:

• Child pornography ring broken in Greece

[- 2009 Unnamed priest -NEW* + 23 others] - Greek Orthodox. Child pornography ring.

   ANA, ~ January 27, 2009
   GREECE -- Greek police broke a child pornography ring, part of a global network, and charged 24 people across the country with possessing and trafficking hard-core material on the internet following an investigation that lasted roughly three months, it was announced on Tuesday.
   Eleven men were arrested, among them an Archimandrite, aged 44, who is a priest in the Peloponnese but was taken into custody in Attica prefecture.
   Police tracked 137 electronic traces on the Internet that belonged to a total of 35 users in Greece who in fact were the 24 suspects indicted as some of them used more than one electronic address.

• Former youth minister pleads guilty to sending explicit emails to teen

[? 2008 Mr David Esarey -NEW*] - Baptist. Explicit e-mails. Girl (15).

   Associated Baptist Press, By Bob Allen, Tuesday, January 27, 2009
   BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (ABP) -- A former American Baptist youth minister has pleaded guilty to sending sexually explicit emails and photos to a 15-year-old girl he was counseling.
   At his arraignment Nov. 5, David Esarey, 30, denied sending photos to the girl and claimed teenagers must have used his computer at Stepney Baptist Church in Bridgeport, Conn., without his knowledge.
   Pleading guilty to reduced charges Jan. 22, however, Esarey admitted sending the emails to a child he knew was younger than 16, according to the Connecticut Post.

• Former pastor pleads guilty in sex abuse cases

[&le: 2008 - Powell -? NEW*] - Baptist. GUILTY. 2 girls.
   WREX, By Dani Maxwell, ~ January 27, 2009
   ROCKFORD (IL), (WREX) - A former pastor pleads guilty to sexually abusing two underage girls.
   Jonathon C. Powell, 40, used to work at New Hope Baptist Church in Machesney Park. He was arrested in May of last year.
   Monday Powell plead guilty to criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The first case involved a teenage girl. The second case was also a female. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 12:55 PM]

• Priest with ties to Manville church gets year in prison for fondling teen on plane

[2008 July - Zielinski*] - RCC. 1yr PRISON. Fondled teen girl.

   Home News Tribune, STAFF REPORT, January 27, 2009
   MANVILLE (NJ) –A Polish priest with ties to a borough church was sentenced Tuesday to a year in federal prison for fondling a 16-year-old girl on a plane bound for Newark Liberty International Airport, authorities said.
   Tomasz Adam Zielinski, 33, was immediately detained to begin serving the sentence, according to an order issued by U.S. District Judge Jose L. Linares.
   Zielinski, a Polish national who was in America on a religious visa, pleaded guilty last October to a felony charge of abusive sexual contact for the encounter with the teenager, who was sitting next to him on a flight from Warsaw, Poland, to Newark.

• SJC to hear appeal by ex-priest in abuse case

- RCC's Shanley again.

   The Boston Globe, By Shelley Murphy, Globe Staff / January 27, 2009
   BOSTON (MA) -- Nearly four years after defrocked priest Paul R. Shanley was convicted of repeatedly raping and fondling a young boy while working at a Newton parish in the 1980s, the state's highest court agreed yesterday to hear an appeal that challenges the reliability of the victim's "repressed memories."
   The Supreme Judicial Court granted a petition from Shanley's lawyer to consider a direct appeal of his motion for a new trial, which had been rejected by the trial judge in November. No date has been set for the hearing.
   "This case involves a very difficult issue, which concerns repressed memory and I think that is at the center of why they have taken it," said Robert F. Shaw Jr., a Cambridge lawyer who represents Shanley on appeal and has argued that repressed memory is a "hypothesized phenomenon that has been rejected by the relevant scientific community."
   [COMMENT: But, without FAITH it is impossible to please God. Why won't Fr Shanley and his supporters let the courts have faith in the suppressed memories theory? ENDS.]

• Blogger who didn't delete comment cannot sue over it, says High Court

[John Tolkien*] - RCC. Male.

   Out-Law, ~ January 27, 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM -- A man who was criticised in the comments section of his own blog cannot sue for defamation because he did not delete the comment when he discovered it, the High Court has said. The Court said that the man consented to the comment's publication.
   Christopher Carrie is the author of a self-published book in which he claims to have been sexually abused by the son of writer JRR Tolkien, Father John Tolkien. John Tolkien, who was a priest, died in 2003.
   Carrie set up a blog on 5th February 2007 and published a post under a pseudonym on 6th February, promoting his website and his book, which could be downloaded from there for free.
   [COMMENT: A priest son of Tolkien DID commit some sex abuse, according to a news source of some years ago. ENDS.]

• 25 charged over child porn downloads in Greece

[- 2008 or 2009 Unnamed priest*] - ? Orthodox. Child pornography.

   International Herald Tribune, The Associated Press, Published: January 27, 2009
   ATHENS, Greece: Greek police say they have charged 25 people including a priest and a neurosurgeon for allegedly downloading child pornography from the internet.
   Police say they acted on a tip from Interpol to detain the suspects in Athens, Thessaloniki and another three Greek cities, as well as on the islands of Mykonos and Mytilini. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 1:18 PM]

• Groups ask Archdiocese not to seal abuse documents

- RCC.

   Chicago Tribune, http://www. chicagotribune. com/news/chi- ap-il-priest abuse,0,522 8044.story , Associated Press, 5:30 PM CST, January 27, 2009
   CHICAGO (IL) – Five Illinois groups that advocate for victims of sexual abuse by priests are asking the Archdiocese of Chicago to stop efforts to seal documents related to a convicted pedophile priest.
   The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, along with other groups, sent a letter Tuesday to Cardinal Francis George.
   A hearing on the protective order sought by the Archdiocese is scheduled for Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 7:46 PM]

• Secrecy allegations in priest sex abuse case

[Daniel McCormack] - RCC.
   WLS, January 27, 2009
   CHICAGO (IL), (WLS) -- There are new allegations on Tuesday that the Chicago archdiocese is seeking secrecy in a child molestation case.
   The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests today tried to hand deliver a letter to Francis Cardinal George. They renewed their calls for the archdiocese and the cardinal to stop legal attempts to seal documents in the molestation case against Fr. Daniel McCormack. They're also demanding the archdiocese not help McCormack get out of prison when he comes up for parole in September on a separate case.

• Earlier verdict could impact diocese's ability to appeal verdict

- RCC might be forced to help victims, not fund lawyers.
   News-Democrat, BY GEORGE PAWLACZYK, ~ January 27, 2009
   BELLEVILLE (IL) -- A recent appellate court decision in the Catholic Diocese of Peoria will undermine efforts to appeal a $5 million verdict brought against the Catholic Diocese of Belleville for sexual abuse of a minor by a priest, a lawyer who helped win the award said Tuesday.
   Belleville attorney Mike Weilmuenster said the Peoria decision coupled with a similar earlier opinion in another case by the 5th Appellate Court in Mount Vernon "hopefully will force the Belleville Diocese and other dioceses throughout the state to use their financial resources to compensate legitimate victims of childhood sexual abuse instead of paying lawyers to try to get the claims dismissed on legal technicalities."
   St. Louis attorney David Wells, who has filed a notice of appeal in the $5 million case on behalf of the Belleville Diocese, could not be reached for comment. Belleville Bishop Edward Braxton does not comment to the media.

• Bishop McCormack Reaffirms Catholic Church's Continued Commitment To Child Safety

- RCC.
   Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, ~ January 27, 2009
   [letter from Bishop McCormack to Attorney General Kelly Ayotte]
   MANCHESTER (NEW HAMPSHIRE) -- Bishop John B. McCormack said he is grateful that the assessment released by the Attorney General's office today confirms that the Catholic Church in New Hampshire is committed to child safety and that its safe environment programs are effective. He also said that Diocesan personnel will continue to follow the now well-established safe environment policies, procedures, and programs in dealing with matters pertaining to the safety of minors.
   [COMMENT: "Will continue"! These are only recent policies -- the well-established and long-term policies were to hide the seductions and transferr the seducers! With a Papal Instruction to obey on such matters, too! ENDS.]

• Ayotte: Final NH diocese audit shows improvement

- RCC.
   Foster's Daily Democrat, By BETH LaMONTAGNE HALL, Associated Press Writer, Monday, January 26, 2009
   CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE (AP) – The latest audit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester shows the church has made dramatic policy changes to prevent sexual abuse of children by clergy, New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said Monday.
   Although there has been remarkable progress, Ayotte said, there are still areas that need improvement.
   This fourth and final audit is part of the state's December 2002 agreement with the diocese as to how it should handle allegations of sexual misconduct by priests and other church personnel. Under the agreement, the diocese was to undergo four annual audits that looked at how new abuse cases were reported and what kinds of safeguards were set up to prevent further abuse. The Attorney General's Office reviews the audits, conducted by KPMG Forensic, and lists recommendations for further improvement.
   [COMMENT: So the Diocese has moved out of its pit, has it! When will it be "the pillar and ground of the truth," and "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" ? ENDS.]

• Church Employee Fired After Blowing Whistle on Porn Watching Priest

- Bishop let the virtuous man who uncovered priest porn be dismissed.
   WPIX, BY ROB HOELL, January 27, 2009
   SOUND BEACH, N.Y. (WPIX) -- Bishop William Murphy, the leader of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, found himself answering questions in a deposition Tuesday on why he allowed a disgraced priest to fire the business manager that outed him for having pornography on his church computer.
   Connell Friel, the former business manager of St. Louis de Montfort Roman Catholic Church in Sound Beach is suing Reverend Charles Papa and the Diocese of Rockville Centre for $10 million, charging they slandered him and fired him for being a whistleblower.
   Friel went to police and the diocese in December 2002 after he found porn on Papa's computer.
   "I followed exactly the published procedures the diocese enacted," Friel told PIX News, "I found hardcore pornography and indications [that] it might have been child pornography," he said.
   [COMMENT: Is the RCC being led by the Holy Spirit, or by the Lord of Misrule? ENDS.]

• Sex Abuse Suit Against Former Fire Chaplain Settled For $750,000

[Years - Stephen Foley] - RCC. 6yrs to give evidence. US $750,000 SETTLEMENT (for one lawsuit). 13 lawsuits known.
   Hartford Courant, By ELIZABETH HAMILTON, 4:42 PM EST, January 27, 2009
   HARTFORD (CT) -- It took more than six years and the intervention of a Superior Court judge to get the Rev. Stephen Foley to show up for a deposition, but a molestation lawsuit involving the former fire chaplain has finally settled on the eve of a trial for $750,000.
   The settlement in the case also came with a stipulation by the plaintiff William Noll that a videotape of the priest being questioned during his deposition be available to victims of clergy sexual abuse.
   The Archdiocese of Hartford has now settled at least 13 lawsuits involving Foley, who was both a parish priest and a fire and police chaplain before he was removed from his parish in 1993. He was ordered not to wear his Roman collar or act as a priest in public in 2002.
   [COMMENT: Other newsitems say he was a POLICE chaplain, and had a car mimicking a police car, complete with siren and medallion identifying him as the police chaplain.]

• Archdiocese Settles Molestation Lawsuit

[Years, inc. 1978 - Stephen Foley] - RCC. 6yrs to give evidence. US $750,000 settlement (for one lawsuit). Pseudo police car with siren. 13 lawsuits known.
   Hartford Courant, Associated Press, 1:42 PM EST, January 27, 2009
   HARTFORD (CT) -- A man who alleged he was sexually abused by a priest who was the state police chaplain says the Archdiocese of Hartford has agreed to settle his lawsuit for $750,000.
   William Noll of Florida alleged in his 2005 lawsuit that the Rev. Stephen Foley repeatedly molested him in 1978 while Foley was associate pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church in Windsor Locks. He said the molestations took place in Foley's car which he had set up as a police cruiser with strobe lights, a siren and a medallion identifying him as the state police chaplain.

• Breaking News: Holocaust denier bishop gagged

[Williamson] - PFSPX --> RCC.

   National Catholic Reporter, By John Allen, Jr., Published: Jan. 27, 2009
   VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican today released a statement from Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X and one of the four traditionalist bishops whose excommunication was rescinded in a Jan. 21 decree from the Congregation for Bishops.
   The statement is in response to the uproar created by a recent interview on Swedish television in which another of the traditionalist bishops, Richard Williamson, asserted that the Nazis had not used gas chambers and that only 200,000 to 300,000 Jews had died in the Second World War.
   The statement was released in Italian and French; the following is an NCR translation from the Italian.
   Statement of His Excellency Bernard Fellay, Superior of the Fraternity of St. Pius X
   We have become aware of an interview released by Bishop Richard Williamson, a member of our Fraternity of St. Pius X, to Swedish television. In this interview, he expressed himself on historical questions, and in particular on the question of the genocide against the Jews carried out by the Nazis.
   [COMMENT: "Only" 200,000 to 300,000 Jews "died" -- or would a genuine Jesus person say that a horribly high number of Jewish and other civilians were MURDERED in cold blood by the Nazis, PLUS millions more in warfare that Nazism helped cause? ENDS.]

• State audit gives diocese high marks

- RCC.

   The Keene Sentinel, By DANIEL BARRICK, Concord Monitor, Published: Tuesday, January 27, 2009
   MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester has made "significant and dramatic improvements" in its efforts to prevent and report cases of sexual assault against children, Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said Monday.
   Ayotte's assessment came with the release of the last of four audits required in a 2002 settlement between the state and the diocese over allegations of clergy sex abuse.
   The diocese agreed to the settlement – and the annual audits – to avoid charges of covering up for priests accused of abusing children for decades. While the relationship between church officials and the attorney general's office was strained in the years immediately after the settlement, Ayotte said she and other state officials were confident that the diocese was now serious about improving its child protection policies.

• Hartford archdiocese settles priest molestation lawsuit

[Years, inc. 1978 - Stephen Foley] - RCC. 6yrs to give evidence. US $750,000 settlement (for one lawsuit). Pseudo police car with siren. 13 lawsuits known.

   The Day, By Karen Florin, Published on Jan/27/2009
   HARTFORD (CT) -- The Archdiocese of Hartford has agreed to pay $750,000 to a man who was molested as a boy by Father Stephen Foley, the former state police chaplain, according to attorney Robert I. Reardon Jr.
   The case was scheduled to go to trial next month.
   William Noll, the victim, alleged in a 2005 lawsuit that Foley repeatedly molested him while Foley was serving as associate pastor of the St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church in Windsor Locks. Noll, who was 14 at the time, said the molestations took place in Foley's car, which he had set up as a police cruiser with strobe lights, a siren and a medallion identifying him as the state police chaplain.

• Priest sentenced to 1 year for fondling on plane

[2008 July - Zielinski*] - RCC. 1yr prison. Fondled teen girl.

   Newsday, January 27, 2009
   NEWARK, N.J. - A Roman Catholic priest from Poland who admitted fondling a 16-year-old girl during a flight to the U.S. has been sentenced to a year in prison.
   A federal judge in Newark ordered Tomasz Zielinski to begin serving his sentence immediately.
   The incident occurred last July on a LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Newark Liberty International Airport.

• Teacher Accused Of Sex Abuse Put On Leave

[1998-2001 Mr Peter Evans*] - Judaist. Boy (10 -13).

   WPBF, with video, ~ January 27, 2009
   BOCA RATON, Fla. -- There is one less teacher at the head of the class at the Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton.
   Peter Evans, 38, was put on administrative leave Thursday after school leaders learned he is accused in a civil lawsuit of sexually abusing a young boy, they said.
   Cory Legnetti, now 21, filed the suit against Evans in New York.
   In the suit, Legnetti alleges Evans abused him for three consecutive summers at a sleep-away camp in the Castkill Mountains. The suit claims the molestation began in 1998 and continued in the summers of 1999 and 2000.

• Judge sentences Somerset County priest to one year for sexual abuse on plane

[2008 July - Zielinski*] - RCC. 1yr prison. Fondled teen girl.

   The Star-Ledger, by Joe Ryan / 11:41 AM, Tuesday January 27, 2009
   NEW JERSEY -- A Roman Catholic priest from Poland was sentenced today to one year in federal prison for groping a 16-year-old girl in the dimmed cabin of a trans-Atlantic jet bound for Newark.
   The Rev. Tomasz Adam Zielinski, 33, had admitted to reaching under a blanket during the 2008 flight to grab the thigh and groin of the girl, who was traveling alone from Belarus for medical care in Pennsylvania.
   "It is a very serious crime," said U.S. District Judge Jose Linares . "The fact that he is a priest makes his actions all the more reprehensible."

• Act of Faith: Church Congregants Hold Vigil: Parishioners Risk Arrest to Prevent Churches from Closing

- RCs refuse to leave. 4yrs "vigiling".

   ABC World News Tonight, By Charles Gibson and Dan Harris, With video, January 26, 2009
   NEW YORK (NY) – As the sun rises outside St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church, faithful Catholics have already filled the pews. But instead of gathering in their Sunday best, these congregants are waking up inside their church.
   When a Mass. church was going to close, parishioners refused to leave.The friendly suburbanites of Scituate, Mass., are engaged in a faith-based occupation to protect their church, a movement they call "vigiling" that began more than four years ago. […]
   Beneath the good cheer and passion, church members holding the vigil are angry at the archdiocese. They believe the real reason behind shutting down their churches was to sell them and raise money to settle lawsuits from the priest sexual abuse scandals.
   "All the money that was spent … it had to come from the parishes," said Lillian Goreham, mother of two from Everett, Mass. "At the time the real estate market was high, and I think that they thought, 'Oh, well, we can sell this parcel next door … and they would make money." Posted by Terry McKiernan on January 27, 2009 10:01 AM

• Ex-church leader jailed

[Cormier]

   The Chronicle Herald, By TOBI COHEN, The Canadian Press, ~ January 27, 2009
   MONTREAL, Canada – A self-described pastor who hoped his "marriage" to a 10-year-old girl he took to bed would convince a judge to acquit him on a sexual assault charge was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday.
   Daniel Cormier, who was convicted last October following a lengthy trial, has a maximum of 49 months left behind bars because of time already served.
   "I would say that there's no remorse," Crown prosecutor Anne-Andree Charette said outside the courtroom. "He just tried to find justifications."

• Greek police arrest 11 as child porn ring is busted

[- 2009 Unnamed priest* + 23 others] - Greek Orthodox. Child pornography ring.

   Earthtimes, ~ January 27, 2009
   ATHENS, Greece -- Greek police said Monday they had arrested 11 people, among them an Orthodox priest, for alleged participation in an international child pornography ring that distributed images of children as young as six months. Authorities said they began infiltrating the group, whose members number 24, after being notified by Interpol. British authorities said they had been following the international ring that offered more than 200 sites to "VIP" members.
   Greek police said they were looking at 13 more people suspected of involement in trading pornography, which involved some victims who had been chained, and some as young as six months.

• Keeping parents out of the loop

- Judaists.

The Baltimore Examiner, Jan/27/09
BALTIMORE (MD) – WHO: Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer of Glenn Avenue Shul WHAT: The Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse has asked Hopfer to inform members of the shul that there is a registered sex offender who regularly prays with his community. So far, he has refused. WHY IT'S A BAD IDEA: Have Jews learned nothing from Catholics? No one is asking Hopfer to condemn the man or force him out of the shul. The coalition is only asking that he allow parents to look out for their children. Cantor Stuart Friedman, 54, was convicted of possessing pornographic images of young boys. By all means the rabbi should ask the community not to shun the offender, but simply to exercise caution by not leaving children alone with him. WHERE TO SUPPORT THE COALITION: 443-857-5560

• Lawmakers may look at sentences for child abusers

   The Idaho Statesman The Associated Press Edition Date: 01/26/09
   BOISE, Idaho – Idaho lawmakers might consider setting mandatory minimum sentences for people convicted of lewd conduct with a minor younger than 16 and sexual abuse of a child younger than 16.
   A bill that has yet to be sponsored calls for a minimum of seven years in prison for a lewd conduct conviction, and five years for a sexual abuse of a child conviction. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 8:39 AM

• Belleville church janitor faces sexual abuse charges

   News-Democrat
   BELLEVILLE (IL) -- A church janitor has been charged with two counts of felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 9-year-old victim.
   Cartavas P. Weatherall, 31, of 222 E. Garfield St. Apt. F, is being held in the St.Clair County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. Weatherall serves as a janitor at Deliverance Mission Christian Church, 215 S. Jackson St. in Belleville.
   Police said they began an investigation and took Weatherall into custody after the victim's mother reported the incident on Thursday, according to a Belleville Police Department news release. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 8:23 AM

• Teen claims he was sexually abused in treatment facility

   The West Virginia Record By Kelly Holleran -Berkeley Bureau Jan/26/2009 10:40 AM
   MARTINSBURG (WV) -- A 16-year-old boy who alleges he was sexually abused while a resident in a juvenile treatment facility has filed suit against the Board of Child Care of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church and one of its employees.
   The teenager, who is only mentioned as John Doe throughout the suit, claims he was repeatedly sexually abused by David Bayles, an employee of the facility, during the summer of 2005, according to a complaint Mary Ritter filed on his behalf in Berkeley Circuit Court on Dec. 2.
   "The sexual abuse included repeated acts of touching and rubbing of the plaintiff's penis and buttocks and the performance of oral sex on the plaintiff by David Bayles," the suit states. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 8:19 AM

• Cormier sentenced to 5 years in jail

   CTV ctvmontreal.ca
   CANADA -- A man calling himself a pastor who married a 10-year-old girl has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor.
   Daniel Cormier was convicted in October. He has served the equivalent of 11 months in jail and has four years and one month left to serve.
   He married the girl in 1999. She is now 19.
   Crown prosecutor Anne-Andree Charette was looking for the maximum sentence of 10 years.
   The defence was seeking a sentence of three-to-four years. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 8:16 AM

• Ex-pastor gets prison for sex with 'wife,' age 10

   CANADA -- International Herald Tribune The Associated Press Published: January 27, 2009
   MONTREAL: A Canadian man who described himself as a pastor was sentenced Monday to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl he claims was his wife.
   Daniel Cormier, 57, was convicted in October after members of the now-defunct Church of Downtown Montreal became suspicious of his relationship with the girl.
   Cormier, who led the church, has maintained he did nothing wrong when he married the girl, then 10 years old, in 1999 during a ceremony at his church. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 8:14 AM

• Sexual misconduct by ex-youth pastor cited in lawsuit

   The Charleston Gazette,
   WEST VIRGINIA -- A former youth pastor at Chesapeake Apostolic Church lured a 16-year-old student into an empty house he was renovating and rubbed himself against her, the alleged victim testified in Kanawha Circuit Court Monday.
   The alleged victim, now 19, said Timothy Charles Edmonds, 37, told her not to tell anyone about the encounters or he might not be able to preach anymore.
   "He started rubbing on my bottom when we were standing up," she said. "I felt something, and I turned around, and he was zipping his pants back up."
   Edmonds "rubbed his private part" against her crotch and rear end on four different occasions in March 2006, she said. These included once in a storage room at the church and once in a basement room at the Upper Kanawha Valley Christian School, where she was a student, she said. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 8:11 AM

• Teen testifies about sex abuse

   Charleston Daily Mail by Cheryl Caswell Daily Mail staff
   CHARLESTON (WV) -- A teenaged girl testified in court Monday that an adult leader at her church rubbed her in a sexual way and took suggestive photographs of her nearly three years ago.
   The teen, now 19, said Timothy C. Edmonds, 37, son-in-law of the pastor of the Chesapeake Apostolic Church, sexually abused her several times in the church basement and at a house nearby that he was remodeling.
   Edmonds was arrested two months after the girl's parents notified police that they had found a letter written by their daughter detailing some of the incidents. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 8:08 AM

• Ex-Mobile pastor Marshall Seymour pleads guilty in Florida molestation case

[~ 1990s-2000s Mr Seymour*] - Baptist; Assembly of God. 3 boys, 1 boy.
   Press-Register, By DAN MURTAUGH Tuesday, January 27, 2009
   MOBILE (AL) -- A pastor who once worked in both Mobile and Biloxi pleaded guilty or no contest last week to five felony charges in a child molestation case in Florida, according to news reports.
   Marshall Seymour faces as many as 65 years in prison at his March 12 sentencing hearing.
   Seymour worked as a youth pastor at the Parkway Assembly of God church in Mobile from 1995 to 1999.

• Audit shows improvement in church policy

   NECN, with video, by Lauren Collins, Manchester, NH;
   CONCORD (NH) -- New Hampshire's attorney general released the results of its fourth and final audit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester. The state has been performing audits as part of an agreement with the diocese related to its handling of sexual misconduct cases by priests.
   New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte is cautiously congratulatory as she releases the fourth and final audit of the Diocese of Manchester and its safe environment program.
   The diocese now has a formal policy to immediately remove anyone accused of sexual abuse from their ministry. It has also established a compliance database and testing procedures for anyone who works with children. And, it has hired a full time compliance coordinator and placed safe environment coordinators in all parishes and schools. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 8:03 AM

• Diocese praised in final audit

   CONCORD (NH) New Hampshire Union Leader
   By KATHRYN MARCHOCKI New Hampshire Union Leader Staff
   CONCORD – An independent audit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester shows the church made such dramatic progress in enacting child protection policies and practices that more than six years of court-ordered state oversight may come to an end, the state's top law enforcer said yesterday.
   "I'm pleased to announce in this final audit that there have been significant and dramatic improvements by the diocese since the agreement was signed in December of 2002," state Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte said.
   Ayotte released results of the fourth and final audit that international auditing firm KPMG LLP has done of the diocese. Annual audits are mandated as part of the agreement the diocese struck with the state to avoid criminal prosecution for its handling of alleged child sexual abuse by priests from the 1940s through the 1980s. The audits measure the diocese's compliance with its child protection policies and procedures and those set down in the agreement. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 8:01 AM

• Ex-Dallas bishop, criticized for abuse cover-up, dies

[Kos, Bp Tschoppe] - RCC.
   DALLAS (TX) Houston Chronicle
   Associated Press Jan. 26, 2009, 11:41PM
   DALLAS – Thomas A. Tschoepe, whose more than 20 years as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas included accusations that he covered up sexual abuse claims involving priests, has died. He was 93.
   Tschoepe twice moved pedophile priest Rudolph "Rudy" Kos to new parishes in the 1980s after complaints about his behavior with boys and transferred other priests accused of molesting boys as well. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 7:58 AM

• Church policy shows change, Ayotte says

   CONCORD (NH) Nashua Telegraph
   By BETH LaMONTAGNE HALL, The Associated Press CONCORD – The latest audit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester shows the church has made dramatic policy changes to prevent sexual abuse of children by clergy, New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said Monday.
   Although there has been remarkable progress, Ayotte said, there are still areas that need improvement.
   This fourth and final audit is part of the state's December 2002 agreement with the diocese as to how it should handle allegations of sexual misconduct by priests and other church personnel. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 7:55 AM

• Rockville Centre bishop to be deposed in firing lawsuit

   NEW YORK Newsday
   BY ANN GIVENS | ann.givens@newsday.com; Newsday Staff January 27, 2009 Bishop William Murphy will be asked today to answer questions about his role in an incident in which a church business manager was fired after accusing a priest of looking at child pornography on the parish computer, a Garden City attorney said.
   Bruce Barket, who represents Connell Friel, the former business manager at St. Louis de Montfort Roman Catholic Church in Sound Beach, said he will depose Bishop Murphy today and Thursday at a Williston Park law office.
   Friel has sued the priest, Charles Papa, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre, charging that they slandered him and fired him for being a whistle-blower.
   Barket says he will ask Murphy not only about his role in Friel's dismissal but also about his handling of sexual abuse cases in Boston, where Murphy was second in command for eight years during much of the priest abuse scandal. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 7:53 AM

• Mass. High Court To Hear Former Priest's Appeal

   BOSTON (MA) WBUR
   By Monica Brady-Myerov
   BOSTON - January 27, 2009 - One of the most notorious priests in the clergy sexual abuse crisis -- Paul Shanley -- could get a new trial. Massachusetts' highest court has agreed to hear an appeal to look at whether or not he was fairly represented.
   Shanley is three years into a 12-15 year prison sentence for raping and molesting a boy from Newton.
   WBUR's Monica Brady-Myerov reports on his appeal before the Supreme Judicial Court.
   Paul Shanley, now a defrocked priest, was convicted in 2005 of repeatedly raping and molesting a boy in the 1980s at St. Jean's parish in Newton. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 7:50 AM

• One trial for MacDonald

   Standard-Freeholder By TREVOR PRITCHARD,
   CANADA -- It was always the plan to proceed with one trial involving eight alleged victims of Rev. Charles MacDonald, a former eastern Ontario Crown attorney told the Cornwall Public Inquiry Monday.
   Justice Robert Pelletier said he took a "calculated risk" in deciding to join two different sets of charges because he felt that would bolster the prosecution's case.
   "As soon as I found out there were five other complainants, my mind was made up," Pelletier testified.
   "In my view, it was a calculated risk, and one that favoured the prosecution, ultimately." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 27, 2009 7:47 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Tue January 27, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Wed January 28, 2009 edition:

• Minister Accused Of Molesting Boy

[Jimmie Robinson (47) -? NEW*] - Christian. 2 boys.

   News 10, with video, ~ January 28, 2009
   SAN DIEGO (CA) -- A Los Angeles man who served as a minister and music teacher at five churches in San Diego and Riverside counties pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of molesting two boys he mentored.
   During his arraignment at the East County Regional Center in El Cajon, Jimmie Xray Robinson Jr., 47, denied multiple accusations of lewd and lascivious acts with minors. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 8:55 AM]

• CHURCH SUES FOR 'PERV' INSURANCE

[James Smith -NEW*] - RCC. Girl (11-14).
   New York Post, By ALEX GINSBERG, January 28, 2009
   BROOKLYN (NY) -- Insurance giant AIG is short-changing the Catholic Church by refusing to pay on a policy the Brooklyn Diocese took out for claims against pervert priests, the church claims in a lawsuit.
   According to the suit filed in Brooklyn Supreme Court, AIG has refused to cover a settlement the diocese negotiated with the parents of a girl allegedly abused between the ages of 11 and 14 by the Rev. James Smith at St. Kevin's Roman Catholic Church in Flushing.
   [COMMENT: Can the Mafia insure its members and families against gunshot wounds or death by murder? Or a burglar against being caught? Insurance is for accidents, not for long-term crime! ENDS.] [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 9:02 AM]

• L.A. Cardinal Under Federal Probe Over Abusive Priests

- RCC.
   Fox News, Wednesday, January 28, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) – Federal prosecutors are investigating Cardinal Roger M. Mahony and other officials of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles over their handling of alleged clergy child molestation cases, according to reports published Wednesday.
   The Los Angeles Times, citing two unidentified law enforcement persons familiar with the case, reported on its Web site that Mahony is among those being investigated by a federal grand jury to determine if he failed to keep children safe from predatory priests. The Wall Street Journal, citing an unnamed source, said authorities are looking to see if church officials tried to cover up the sexual abuse of minors by priests.
   The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation. …
   David Clohessy, director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said he was stunned by the report but also gladdened.
   "From our perspective, it's crystal clear that parishioners were deceived and defrauded. It's simply common sense," he told the AP by phone. "You can't have hundreds of priests molest thousands of kids and have there not be fraud and deception." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 11:27 PM]

• Priest linked to child porn ring

[2009 Unnamed priest* + 23 others] - Greek Orthodox. Child pornography ring.

   Kathimerini, http://www. ekathimerini. com/4dcgi/_w_ articles_ politics_ 100010_ 28/01/2009_ 104189 , January 28, 2009
   GREECE – An Orthodox priest, two doctors and several businessmen are among 11 people charged yesterday as suspected members of a child pornography ring using the Internet to trade in hardcore videos and photographs.
   A prosecutor brought criminal charges of trading in child pornography against five of the suspects, including the 44-year-old priest, with the rank of Archimandrite, and the two doctors – a neurosurgeon and a gynecologist – following raids on their homes in Athens, Thessaloniki and other parts of the country yesterday.
   According to officers, the raids resulted in the confiscation of 28 computer hard drives and hundreds of DVDs containing photographs and videos of children as young as 6 months old being sexually abused by adults. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 9:34 AM]

• Feds Investigating Cardinal Mahony Over Abusive Priests

[Years - L.A. Archdiocese] - RCC. Transferring, not reporting seducers.

   My Fox Los Angeles, ~ January 28, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- Federal authorities are investigating Cardinal Roger M. Mahony's response to allegations of child molestation against Catholic priests in the Los Angeles Archdiocese to determine if he committed fraud, The Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday.
   The report on the The Times Web site, which cites unnamed sources law enforcement sources, prompted an angry response from an archdiocese attorney, who blasted federal authorities for leaking information about the probe.
   "The leak by the government is unprofessional and violates Department of Justice guidelines concerning ongoing investigations," diocese attorney Michael Hennigan said.
   Hennigan confirmed that the diocese has received requests for information from the U.S. Attorney's Office about a number of priests, "two of whom are deceased and none of whom are known to be in ministry." …
   In a statement, diocese officials said they were not aware of any facts that would support a responsible federal probe of the archdiocese or Mahony.
   "While the history of clergy sexual abuse in the church is regrettable, it served as the foundation for broad reforms in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles," according to the statement. "Under Cardinal Mahony's leadership, the archdiocese has become a model for organizations nationwide in the education, training and detection of every aspect of abuse."
   The archdiocese also called for an investigation of the leak of information "to determine the extent and depth of misconduct by those who were responsible for the leak."

• New grand jury probe of LA archdiocese; Sex abuse victims respond

- RCC.
   Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests,
   Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, national president member of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747)
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- Even the launching of this probe is a vindication and validation for thousands of deeply wounded victims and betrayed Catholics. While dozens of pedophile priests have been criminally convicted, hundreds of complicit church officials have ignored or concealed known or suspected clergy sex crimes and experienced no consequences whatsoever. Morally, that's wrong. Practically, that's reckless.
   More than 250 Los Angeles archdiocesan priests are proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesters. Most were repeatedly moved to unsuspecting parishes time and again despite suspicions and reports of their crimes. Some in the hierarchy must be held accountable for the devastation caused by this deceit and callousness.
   If employers can enable child molesters and escape punishment, more employers will do just that. Justice must be done so that future wrong-doing is deterred and future sex crimes prevented. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 11:18 PM

• Media blitz today reveals new US Attorneys will investigate national Catholic priest pedophile epidemic. Here are more names to contact in the new DOJ

   LOS ANGELES (CA) City of Angels
   By Kay Ebeling
   As the US Senate confirmed Eric Holder as the new Attorney General, Barack Obama's Justice Department in LA went to work getting the story in the media of an investigation of Cardinal Roger Mahony and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
   What outrageous crime emerged in city after city across the country beginning in Boston in the last eight years, and yet was almost ignored by law enforcement, Federal Law Enforcement? Who is in charge now of the US Justice Department as of January 20th and so able to open investigations of criminal bishops across the country, and the great scam the Catholic Church pulled off, convincing America they employed priests who were safe to have around children.
   Crimes committed by almost every archbishop in the nation, crimes of fraud, negligence, reckless endangerment - require federal attention, federal investigation and prosecution. Looks like it is finally going to happen with Barack Obama in office. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 11:16 PM

• Sexual abuse victims want to sue the Vatican

- RCC.

Alaska Nightly News by Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks;
FAIRBANKS (AK) -- Sex abuse claimants suing the Fairbanks Catholic Diocese want to go after the Vatican. A motion filed on behalf of 285 victims asks the judge presiding over the Fairbanks Diocese bankruptcy case, to make the Bishop sue the Vatican for money to compensate them. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 11:12 PM

• Man sues Seattle Archdiocese

   SEATTLE (WA) -- Seattle Post-Intelligencer By CLAUDIA ROWE P-I REPORTER
   A 28-year-old man is suing the Seattle Archdiocese, saying that a priest at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle took sexual advantage of him when he sought therapy and spiritual guidance in 2004.
   The priest, Jeffrey Sarkies, had a history of inappropriate relationships with parishioners, said Rebecca Roe, the attorney representing the 28-year-old man, David Johns. And for that reason she believes the archdiocese acted negligently by leaving Sarkies at his post.
   In 2006 when Johns first aired his concerns, Sarkies abruptly resigned. The archdiocese said he had violated professional ethics in the area of sexual misconduct and harassment by engaging in "improper professional behavior." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 10:02 PM

• Cardinal Mahony under federal fraud probe over abusive priests, sources say

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Los Angeles Times
   By Scott Glover and Jack Leonard 4:44 PM PST, January 28, 2009
   The U.S. attorney in Los Angeles has launched a federal grand jury investigation into Cardinal Roger M. Mahony in connection with his response to the alleged molestation of children by priests in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the case.
   The probe, in which U.S. Atty. Thomas P. O'Brien is personally involved, is aimed at determining whether Mahony, and possibly other church leaders, committed "honest services fraud" by failing to adequately deal with priests accused of sexually abusing children, said the sources, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.
   One federal law enforcement source said such a prosecution could be brought under a federal statute that makes it illegal to "scheme … to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services."
   In this case, the victims would be parishioners who relied on Mahony and other church leaders to keep their children safe from predatory priests, the source said. To convict on such a charge, prosecutors would have to prove that Mahony used the U.S. mail or some form of electronic communication in committing the alleged fraud, the source said. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 9:52 PM

• Report: LA cardinal subject of federal probe

   LOS ANGELES (CA) The Associated Pres
   LOS ANGELES (AP) – Federal prosecutors reportedly are investigating top officials of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles over their handling of alleged clergy child molestation cases.
   Citing two unidentified law enforcement officials familiar with the case, The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that Cardinal Roger M. Mahony is among those being investigated by a federal grand jury to determine if he failed to keep children safe from predatory priests. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 9:48 PM

• Grand jury targets Cardinal Mahony

   LOS ANGELES (CA) KABC
   LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien launched a federal grand jury investigation of Cardinal Roger Mahony, The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday afternoon. The Wall Street Journal also reported the story.
   The investigation targets Cardinal Mahony's involvement in cases of alleged child molestation by L.A. Diocese priests. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 9:45 PM

• Greek Orthodox church settles sex abuse case

   JACKSONVILLE (FL) Times-Union
   By Paul Pinkham
   A Jacksonville church has settled claims with a former parishioner who said he was sexually assaulted by a priest who later tried to adopt him.
   But his lawsuit continues against the archdiocese that oversees St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church.
   The confidential settlement between the Atlantic Boulevard church and the 23-year-old man was reached during mediation, according to a report filed in court Friday by the mediator. The report also announced a complete settlement with the retired priest, the Very Rev. Nicholas T. Graff, though Graff's lawyer said the priest didn't participate in any settlement. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 7:54 PM

• U.S. Investigates L.A. Archdiocese

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Wall Street Journal
   By JOHN R. EMSHWILLER LOS ANGELES -- Federal authorities are investigating the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles to see whether top church officials tried to cover up the sexual abuse of minors by priests, said a person familiar with the matter.
   A federal grand jury has issued subpoenas and begun calling witnesses in the probe, which began late last year, said this person. The investigation is still in its early, fact-gathering stage, and it isn't known whether any criminal charges will result.
   Thomas O'Brien, the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, declined to comment on the investigation.
   J. Michael Hennigan, a lawyer for the archdiocese, said in an email on behalf of church officials: "The Archdiocese has received requests from the U.S. Attorney's office for information about a number of individual priests, two of whom are deceased; none of whom remain in ministry. We have been and will continue to be fully cooperative with the investigation." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 7:38 PM

• Obama pardon sought by Filipino priest

   PHILIPPINES Global Nation
   By Tetch Torres INQUIRER.net First Posted 13:21:00 01/28/2009
   MANILA, Philippines -- US President Barack Obama has been asked by a convicted Filipino priest to grant him clemency, the Public Attorney's Office said.
   "Father Jose Superiaso requested me to be of assistance to him so that he may be given the chance by His Excellency to be awarded the benefit of Presidential Clemency and Parole under the US State Laws and Systems," said PAO Chief Persida Ruada-Acosta who relayed the priest's message in a letter to Obama.
   Superiaso, a former priest at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Daly City, was found guilty of molesting a 12-year-old girl in 1995. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 5:45 PM

• Ex NM & CA pedophile priest wants pardon from Obama

   UNITED STATES Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
   Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 503 0003 cell, 314 862 7688 home)
   For the safety of children, we strenuously object to any pardon for this predatory priest.
   Fr. Superiaso admitted his crimes, both to a church official and in court.
   It's a particularly disturbing request since only a tiny percentage of pedophile priests ever face criminal charges, largely because church officials are so successful at concealing their crimes until the archaic, arbitrary and predator-friendly statute of limitations have expired. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 5:41 PM

• SNAP on Ted Haggard's ex-church & evangelicals

- Tell police, not religious HQ.
   Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, Jan/28/09
   COLORADO -- Statement by Jeb Barrett of Denver, SNAP Denver Director -- We're here to discuss two of the most fundamental lessons to be learned form the Catholic church's on-going, horrific clergy sex abuse and cover up crisis.
   For victims, the lesson is that clergy sex victims should be go to police officials, not church officials.
   We're at the police station today because this is where ministerial misconduct should be reported – at police headquarters, not at denominational headquarters. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 5:39 PM

• Archdiocese Allowed To Seal McCormack Documents

   CHICAGO (IL) CBS 2
   CHICAGO (AP) ?
   A judge has given the Archdiocese of Chicago the power to seal portions of documents related to convicted pedophile priest Daniel McCormack.
   Attorney William Martin represents the victim in the case against the diocese. He says a Cook County Circuit Court judge granted the archdiocese's request to seal portions of case files that the church deems highly sensitive.
   Archdiocesan spokeswoman Colleen Dolan says the order protects the identity of the minors involved. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 5:27 PM

• HISTORIC MOVE FOR VOTF AND U.S. CATHOLICS

   UNITED STATES Voice of the Faithful
   January 25, 2009 – Boston –
   In a move to unite U.S. Catholics, the newly formed American Catholic Council (ACC) called today for an historic assembly of the Catholic Church in the United States. Voice of the Faithful joins this call, spurred by evidence of serious deterioration in the life of the U.S. Church today.
   "The way the Church is now is not the way it was meant to be," says John Hushon, a VOTF board member who serves as the ACC co-chair. "The Gospels make it abundantly clear that Jesus envisioned a community that welcomes and encourages the gifts of all. The two-tiered clerical system that separates the ordained from the non-ordained was never meant to be, and it has caused enormous harm. Vatican II attempted to recapture the universal call to ministry, but this promise has not been fulfilled."
   The idea of a lay-convened gathering to recapture this promise has been championed for several years by VOTF president Dan Bartley and was formally endorsed by VOTF after consultation with its own members and member representatives. In addition, Board member Hushon and VOTF Vice President Janet Hauter are serving as the first co-chairs for the ACC. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 3:58 PM

• Critiquing a recent priest story, and more

   MAINE Morning Sentinel
   From the Editor Executive Editor Eric Conrad sheds light on our newspapers and our Web sites, on the role of community journalists, sharing news and perspective about the challenges facing the media industry, and offering insight into the frequent comments and contact we have with readers, government leaders and the business community. …
   Folks: It's been a while since I've done an in-depth critique. Today, I'll look at the past four days' newspapers, with mostly compliments and a few coulda-been-betters. I'll start by saying we've had a very "newsy" stretch of days again. On balance, we're covering a lot of "hard" local news, covering it well, presenting it well.
   Ben Sturtevant and I just talked about our Web numbers and why they're up again, and probably will set a record for the KJ site. Our conclusion was simple: There's been a lot of breaking local news lately, and we're not missing it. Good job.
   Before going into the details about the various papers, I want to review Amy Calder's recent, excellent two-story package on a local woman who wrote a book about the priest who fathered her son and then returned to the priesthood in central Maine, where he served for years.
   Amy worked on this story off and on for several weeks, basically ever since the woman's self-published book came out. In the book, the woman does not name the priest. However, I felt like we needed a name so as not to cast suspicion over the other priests in our area. So we waited. The woman called Amy about three weeks ago and said she wanted to name him and give details. That's where Amy's new reporting began. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 3:35 PM

• Church acknowledges Dumoulin fatherhood, but takes issue with other details

   MAINE Morning Sentinel
   BY AMY CALDER Staff Writer
   The Rev. Marcel Dumoulin never denied that he fathered Judy Soucier's child, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland said last week.
   "We have a fair amount of documentation on this," Diocese spokeswoman Susan Bernard said Tuesday.
   But Bernard said the Diocese has no information in its files that would indicate Dumoulin ever tried to convince Soucier get an abortion, nor that other priests urged her to go out-of-state to have the baby and give it up for adoption.
   Soucier says her book about her love affair with the priest is ; only the names are fictional. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 3:33 PM

• In self-published book, Fairfield woman tells of priest who fathered her son

   FAIRFIELD (ME) Morning Sentinel
   BY AMY CALDER Staff Writer 01/25/2009 FAIRFIELD -- Judy Soucier sits in her Fairfield living room and talks tenderly about the Roman Catholic priest who fathered her child 36 years ago, but who would not commit to a lifelong relationship.
   "He still was the man I loved," she says. "He still is, to this day."
   Soucier, 65, wrote a book about her love affair with the priest called "Perfect: A Love Story."
   Self-published in 2008 as an autobiographical work, but with characters that have fictional names, it describes the priest's alleged, but futile, attempts to convince Soucier to abort her child and the church's alleged insistence that she go out-of-state to have the baby and then give it up for adoption. She was 28 at the time; he was 36.
   Soucier now identifies the priest as the Rev. Marcel Dumoulin, who until 2004 served as pastor at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Fairfield. He also served at parishes in Augusta and Winthrop. Dumoulin, 73, lives at a nursing-care facility in Lewiston, where he has Alzheimer's disease. Their son, Christian Soucier, is 36 and lives in New York City. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 3:26 PM

• California Senate Leader Urges Action to Eliminate Statute of Limitations in Sexual Abuse Cases

   Market Watch
   SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan 28, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg welcomed other legislators and social service activists to a showing of the documentary "Boyhood Shadows" as part of his support of legislation to increase prosecution in sexual abuse cases.
   Commenting on SB 46, authored by State Senator Elaine Alquist, D-San Jose, Steinberg called the documentary "a great public service" and said that as a result of heightened awareness, "More people won't suffer."
   The event, held in a Senate conference room, was attended by legislators, including Assembly members Tom Torlakson (D-Martinez) and Bill Monning (D-Monterey) and Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 3:15 PM

• Some Tips for Servite High Fans Today As Their School's Boys Basketball Teams Faces Mater Dei

   Orange County Weekly Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Ex Cathedra, Sports, 3:56 AM, January 28, 2009
   ORANGE COUNTY (CA) -- Dear Servite High students:
   You boys disappoint met. For years, I've sung your praises as a school that doesn't tolerate teen rapists like your eternal rivals, Mater Dei High School. But a couple of weeks ago, you earned worldwide notoriety for making racist chants again an African-American Mater Dei boys' basketball player. That's horrible, and you should never do that again. Almost as bad, however, was learning that ustedes have jeered Mater Dei's coach, the portly Gary McKnight, in the past by sending an empty pizza box down his way.
   Fat jokes? Typical teenage idiocy. Tonight, your team plays Mater Dei again, this time in their home court? Want to really get under Mater Dei's skin? Leave the players alone, and focus on Mater Dei's many pedophile cover-ups over the years, especially those committed on behalf of Mater Dei boys' basketball. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 10:38 AM

• Archdiocese settles molestation lawsuit

[Years, inc. 1978 - Stephen Foley] - RCC. 6yrs to give evidence. US $750,000 settlement (for one lawsuit). Pseudo police car with siren. 13 lawsuits known.
   WWLP, with video, Story by Alan Cohn,
   HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) - The Archdiocese, of Hartford, settles two more lawsuits alleging sexual molestation. The suits involve two priests, Father Stephen Foley and Father Daniel McSheffery.
   What's unique about the settlement in the Foley case is the priest agreed to a condition allowing his video taped deposition to be made public.
   The victim, 45-year old William Noll, required this stipulation to assist others who might be pursuing molestation cases against priests. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 10:17 AM

• Archdiocese seeks lid on abuse-case documents

- RCC's secrecy policy still on top in its thinking.

   Chicago Breaking News, 12:23 AM, January 28, 2009
   CHICAGO (IL) -- In the only remaining civil suit filed by the family of a child abused by a former Catholic priest, lawyers for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago have asked a Cook County judge to keep witnesses' names and other documents confidential until the case goes to trial.
   Church lawyers say the motion for a protective order, which will be reviewed by a judge Wednesday, is a routine measure to shield children from more harm or embarrassment. But lawyers for the victim argue the best way to protect children is to expose the truth before a jury.
   "This case has a different value if it's before a jury," said William Martin, a lawyer for the boy who was abused by Daniel McCormack multiple times at St. Agatha Catholic Church and elsewhere. "We're going to get to the bottom of the half-truths, and a jury won't be impressed."

• 8 N.Y. Catholic schools lose $2.1M

   The Journal News, By Gary Stern and Randi Weiner, January 28, 2009
   NEW YORK -- At a time when Catholic education is struggling financially, the bankruptcy of a New Jersey company that collects private school tuition has left eight New York Catholic schools in a $2.1 million hole.
   Three of the schools are in Rockland County and two in Westchester.
   But the Archdiocese of New York has promised to cover the losses.
   "Parents at these schools should know that they will not be asked to pay tuition again," said Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the archdiocese. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 8:59 AM]
   [COMMENT: A so-called Church that can't even collect its own school fees itself, can't even staff its parishes and schools with native-born US citizens, and is paying billions for gross indecency and gross managerial negligence, cannot be the real Church of the Lord. It's moribund! ENDS.]

• Former pastor sentenced to 8 years

[Powell*] - Baptist. 8YRS PRISON. 2 girls.
   Rockford Register Star, RRSTAR.COM STAFF REPORTS, ~ January 28, 2009
   MACHESNEY PARK (IL) – A pastor who pleaded guilty to sex charges involving two female minors has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
   Jonathon Christopher Powell, 40, former senior pastor at New Hope Baptist Church, pleaded guilty Monday to criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, for which he received a five-year and three-year sentence, respectively.
   The sentences will be served consecutively, said Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 8:49 AM

• NH Roman Catholic diocese official resigns

   WCAX Associated Press - January 28, 2009 8:05 AM ET
   MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - The Rev. Edward Arsenault is resigning his leadership posts with New Hampshire's Roman Catholic Diocese.
   Arsenault has been Bishop John McCormack's top lieutenant, handling the clergy sexual abuse crisis and being responsible for the church's new child protection policies.
   Arsenault, who is 46, says the resignation is voluntary. He will take a sabbatical before getting a new assignment from the bishop. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 8:45 AM

• Hartford diocese coughs up $750,000 to settle abuse case

[Years, inc. 1978 - Stephen Foley] - RCC. 6yrs to give evidence. US $750,000 settlement (for one lawsuit). Pseudo police car with siren. 13 lawsuits known.
Journal Inquirer, Compiled from news service reports, Published 8:11 AM EST, Wednesday, January 28, 2009
CONNECTICUT -- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford will pay a man who says he was sexually abused by a former Windsor Locks priest $750,000 to settle the case. William Noll of Florida says in his 2005 lawsuit that the Rev. Stephen Foley repeatedly molested him in 1978 while Foley was associate pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Windsor Locks. He said the molestations took place in Foley's car, which he had set up as a cruiser with strobe lights, a siren, and a medallion identifying him as the state police chaplain. As a result of the molestations, Noll, now 45, said he has undergone years of counseling for depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts, and continues to receive counseling.

• Group: Diocese didn't inform public about 2 accused abusers

   The Arizona Republic by Michael Clancy - Jan. 28, 2009
   PHOENIX (AZ) -- A group of priest-abuse survivors says the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix did not adequately report on two alleged sexual predators.
   SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said the diocese was too quiet about allegations against the Rev. Loren Riebe and Brother Richard Suttle.
   Reports on both men were posted on the diocese Web site last year, but SNAP leaders said neither parishioners, the public nor authorities were informed. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 8:39 AM

• Archdiocese seeks to put lid on abuse-case documents before trial

   CHICAGO (IL) Chicago Tribune
   By Manya A. Brachear | Tribune reporter January 28, 2009 In the only remaining civil suit filed by the family of a child abused by a former Catholic priest, lawyers for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago have asked a Cook County judge to keep witnesses' names and other documents confidential until the case goes to trial.
   Church lawyers say the motion for a protective order, which will be reviewed by a judge Wednesday, is a routine measure to shield children from more harm or embarrassment. But lawyers for the victim argue the best way to protect children is to expose the truth before a jury.
   "This case has a different value if it's before a jury," said William Martin, a lawyer for the boy who was abused by Daniel McCormack multiple times at St. Agatha Catholic Church and elsewhere. "We're going to get to the bottom of the half-truths, and a jury won't be impressed." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 8:36 AM

• Disruption of Mass raises tough issues

   WASHINGTON Herald
   By Julie Muhlstein Herald Columnist
   No one was hurt. The peace of a Sunday morning was shattered and parishioners were stunned when a man walked boldly to the lectern at my church and began shouting.
   I can't say that this is a full eyewitness report. For a few seconds I shut my eyes. Yelling -- whatever the message being delivered -- doesn't register with me. So I shut my eyes, held my breath and prayed that everyone there would be safe.
   The disruption Sunday at Everett's Immaculate Conception Church ended quickly when men got up from their pews and removed the speaker from the church. There was quite a scuffle. It took several men to grab the man's arms and walk him outside.
   No one was hurt. And for all that racket, no one was heard. …
   The man had a point to make -- a couple points, actually. He began by shouting that what we should be praying about is sex abuse by clergy, as though no one in the church had ever prayed about that. He had some personal rant about money, too. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 8:28 AM

• Church Settles For $750,000 In Priest Molestation Case

[Years, inc. 1978 - Stephen Foley] - RCC. 6yrs to give evidence. US $750,000 settlement (for one lawsuit). Pseudo police car with siren. 13 lawsuits known.
   The Day, By Karen Florin, Published on Jan/28/2009
   CONNECTICUT -- The Archdiocese of Hartford has agreed to pay $750,000 to a man who says he was molested as a boy by the Rev. Stephen Foley, a former state police chaplain, according to New London attorney Robert I. Reardon Jr.
   As a condition of the settlement, the archdiocese and Foley agreed to make available to the public a videotaped deposition of Foley, Reardon said.
   Reardon said his client, William Noll, required this condition to assist victims in their pending priest molestation cases. Copies of the videotape are available, upon request, from Reardon's office at (860) 442-0444.
   Noll alleged in a 2005 lawsuit that Foley repeatedly molested him while serving as associate pastor of the St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church in Windsor Locks. Noll, who was 14 at the time, said the molestations took place in Foley's car, which he had set up as a police cruiser with strobe lights, a siren and a medallion identifying him as the state police chaplain. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 28, 2009 8:23 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Wed January 28, 2009
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Thu January 29, 2009 edition:

• Former Owasso church staff member arrested on sex abuse charge

[2009, Jan 10 - Mr Whisenhunt -NEW*, quite new] - Christian. Boy (16).

   Tulsa World, http://www. tulsaworld. com/news/ article.aspx? subjectid=298& articleid= 20090129_ 298_0_OWASS O688802 ; Staff Reports, Jan/29/2009
   OWASSO (OK) – Police on Thursday arrested a former Owasso church staffer who is charged with inappropriately touching a 16-year-old boy, records show.
   Sean David Whisenhunt, 23, is charged with one count of sexual abuse in Tulsa County District Court. He is accused of rubbing and touching the stomach, inner thighs and crotch area of a teenager on Jan. 10, documents indicate. Bail was set at $2,000. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 5:26 PM]

• Child pornography ring members face felony charges

[- 2009 Fotis Makrystathis -NEW* (44) + 23 others] - Greek Orthodox. Child pornography ring.

   Pokrov, Athens News Agency, Date Published: Jan/28/2009
   GREECE -- Four of the eleven men arrested for involvement in a big child pornography ring broken by the Greek police have been charged with felonies, authorities announced on Tuesday.
   The four are Spyros Symeonidis, Charalambos Charalambidis, Phaedon Hasiotis and Giorgos Iliopoulos. Their names were made public by the prosecutor, based on legislation that allows such a move in the case of crimes against minors.
   A total of 24 people across the country were accused of possessing and trafficking hard-core child porn on the internet following an investigation that lasted roughly three months, it was announced on Tuesday.
   Eleven men were arrested, among them Archimandrite Fotis Makrystathis, aged 44, who is a priest in the Peloponnese but was taken into custody in Attica prefecture. He was charged by a Piraeus prosecutor with repeated criminal counts of habitually using and distributing child pornography over the Internet.

• Another Chapter In Priest Scandal

[Years, inc. 1978 - Stephen Foley] - RCC. 6yrs to give evidence. US $750,000 settlement (for one lawsuit). Pseudo police car with siren. 13 lawsuits known.

   Hartford Courant, for January 30, 2009
   HARTFORD (CT) – Settlement of the latest sexual molestation lawsuit against the Rev. Stephen Foley – and there have been at least 13 – is a mixed blessing.
   The $750,000 award to be paid by the Archdiocese of Hartford puts an official end to the ordeal of the victim, William Noll, who has waited many years for justice. It also makes public, at Mr. Noll's request, the deposition of the accused priest, but the taped interview may infuriate rather than ease the pain of other victims.
   In the video deposition, Mr. Foley did not admit guilt in the repeated molestation of Mr. Noll starting in 1978 when he was 14. He did not admit luring young boys into his pseudo police cruiser loaded with lights and sirens as described by his accusers. Mr. Foley also denied taking any boys to a cottage on Cape Cod and said he did not remember the names of any of a long list of youths with whom he is alleged to have spent the night with there. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 10:05 PM]

• Grand Jury Investigates Los Angeles Priest Cases

[Archdiocese of Los Angeles] - Federal Grand Jury probing.
   The New York Times, By LAURIE GOODSTEIN, Published: January 29, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Los Angeles, confirmed Thursday that a federal grand jury is investigating whether the archdiocese mishandled priests who had sexually abused children.
   Cardinal Mahony told KNX radio news in Los Angeles that he was "mystified and puzzled by the whole thing" because the grand jury had subpoenaed files on 22 priests, of whom two are dead and the rest have been removed from the priesthood. …
   Nicholas P. Cafardi, dean emeritus at Duquesne University School of Law, who served on the American bishops' first review board on sexual abuse, said, "This appears to be a real stretch," and called it an intrusion into the church's First Amendment rights.
   "It involves the government in determining what services a bishop should provide," Professor Cafardi said.
   He added: "It's time for this to be over. L.A. has settled with all of their claimants."
   But John C. Manly, a plaintiffs lawyer in Newport Beach who has been bringing cases against the archdiocese and Cardinal Mahony for more than 10 years, disagreed, saying: "My experience is, if they get this to trial and any jury sees the documents and finds out what he did, he's finished. The documents tell the tale." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 9:59 PM

• Judgment Day for Cardinal Mahony?

   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- William Lobdell January 29th, 2009
   It took way, way too long, but the U.S. attorney has finally launched a grand jury investigation into the actions of Cardinal Roger M. Mahony when dealing with rapist priests in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Here's the breaking news in The Los Angeles Times. The lead by Scott Glover and Jack Leonard:
   The U.S. attorney in Los Angeles has launched a federal grand jury investigation into Cardinal Roger M. Mahony in connection with his response to the alleged molestation of children by priests in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the case.
   The probe, in which U.S. Atty. Thomas P. O'Brien is personally involved, is aimed at determining whether Mahony, and possibly other church leaders, committed "honest services fraud" by failing to adequately deal with priests accused of sexually abusing children, said the sources, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.
   [snip]
   As the Catholic Church's highest-ranking official in Southern California, Mahony was dogged for years by allegations of covering up the sexual misconduct of priests. The district attorney's office launched a grand jury investigation into the archdiocese several years ago, but no charges were filed. Two years ago, the archdiocese agreed to pay $660 million to 508 people who accused priests of sexual abuse. The payout was the largest settlement in a scandal that rocked the Roman Catholic Church nationwide.
   Reading the initial story, the legal tactic seems a bit of a long shot, but why not try – especially if it can be used to punish other bishops, archbishops and cardinals who covered up and hid rapist priests, many of whom went on to commit sex crimes on other children?
   To review just a few of Mahony's sins (click here to see them all), he quietly kept two convicted child molesters in ministry. A priest who admitted to Mahony that he had molested two boys was allowed to keep his job, the authorities weren't told, parishioners weren't warned, and (you guessed it), the priest went on to molest others. Mahony's handling of serial rapist of little children, Oliver O'Grady, was laid out with sickening beauty in the Oscar-nominated documentary, "Deliver Us From Evil." As late as 2002, Mahony had at least eight known molesting priests working in his diocese, and only removed them when forced to do so by a legal settlement. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:26 PM

• $14.2M for sex abuse victims in WA orphanage case

   SEATTLE (WA) Seattle Times
   By GENE JOHNSON AP Legal Affairs Writer
   SEATTLE – The Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle and a New York-based Catholic order have agreed to pay $14.2 million to two dozen men who were sexually abused at an orphanage in the 1950s and '60s.
   The men attended the Briscoe Memorial School for Boys, an orphanage owned by the archdiocese and run by the Christian Brothers order in Kent, a Seattle suburb. Of the $14.2 million, the order is paying more than $8 million, and the archdiocese is paying nearly $4 million. An insurance company that insured both entities is paying more than $2 million.
   "Finally, after 40 years, it means there is an acknowledgment on the part of these two Catholic entities that these children were hurt," said Michael Pfau, a lawyer for the victims. "Because the abuse occurred at an orphanage, a lot of them felt forgotten. There's a sense of justice and closure." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:18 PM

• Former Bedford County minister faces child sex abuse charges

   VIRGINIA WSLS
   Lynchburg News & Advance Published: January 29, 2009
   A former Bedford County minister is facing child sexual abuse charges, according to Bedford County Commonwealth's Attorney Randy Krantz.
   Krantz said Charles Langley, 72, former pastor of Forest United Methodist Church, is charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery against a child under the age of 13.
   The charges, Krantz said, are related to incidents said to have taken place between April and December of 2007. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:14 PM

• US Attorney launches grand jury investigation of Catholic cardinal

   LOS ANGELES (CA) KPCC
   The U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles has reportedly launched a federal grand jury investigation into Roman Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony. But a spokesman for the L.A. Archdiocese is denying that Mahony is the target.
   Two law enforcement sources told The Los Angeles Times that the investigation focuses on whether Mahony committed fraud by failing to adequately deal with priests who were accused of sexual abuse.
   KPCC's Larry Mantle asked Archdiocese spokesman Tod Tamberg about Mahony's reaction to the report.
   Tod Tamberg: "Well, the cardinal has said he's puzzled and I think I would add to that, there's a sense of frustration here in the way that this investigation has been brought to light." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:06 PM

• Corona renames street that honored accused priest

   CORONA (CA) Los Angeles Times
   By David Kelly January 30, 2009 Long after allegations first surfaced that he had molested children, Msgr. Matthew J. Thompson's name graced a street sign near St. Edward Catholic Church and school in Corona.
   For those who say they were his victims, the sign's presence for more than 30 years was both an insult and a glaring act of insensitivity.
   This week, they won a small but significant victory when the city ordered a public works crew to remove it. In minutes, Msgr. Thompson Circle became Saint Edwards Circle. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:59 PM

• Mahony Under Investigation for Clergy Sex Scandal Cover-Up

   LOS ANGELES (CA) LifeSite News
   By Kathleen Gilbert
   LOS ANGELES, January 29, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Federal investigators have launched a probe against Cardinal Roger Mahony and other officials of the L.A. Archdiocese to determine whether he was guilty of fraud by covering up clerical sex abuse, according to a Los Angeles Times report yesterday.
   Unnamed sources told the Times that Cardinal Mahony is under investigation for his role in allowing the continued abuse of children and young men by known sex offenders among the clergy. Specifically, the inquiry is intended to determine whether Mahony and other church officials committed fraud by failing to deal properly with such clergy.
   If charged, the cardinal could be tried for violating a federal statute that forbids "[scheming] to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services." It is as yet uncertain whether criminal charges are likely to be pursued, as the inquiry is still in its beginning stages. The probe, the Times was told, has been underway since at least late last year. …
   Through it all Mahony, the diocese's chief administrator - who has become notorious as a symbol of dissidence among leading Church officials for glibly supporting homosexuality and liberal political causes - managed to escape questioning on his role in the affair. Mahony received the ire of both Catholics and non-Catholics for refusing to cooperate fully in the investigations. Yet Mahony and those who might have implicated him were spared the witness box by hundreds of millions in settlement money the diocese has paid out since the outset in 2002. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:53 PM

• The Cardinal Is Mystified

   LOS ANGELES (CA) LA Weekly
   by Steven Mikulan January 29, 2009 1:37 PM KNX Radio reporters Dick Helton and Vicky Moore today interviewed L.A. Archdiocese Cardinal Roger Mahony (audio file) about the L.A. Times reporting he is the target of a federal grand jury investigation. The Scott Glover-Jack Leonard piece said that the Cardinal faces felony "denial of honest services" charges, because he adopted a priests-will-be-priests attitude to predatory pastors under his authority.
   In the KNX interview, Mahony tells Helton and Moore that no one knows if he or anyone in the archdiocese is a target of the investigation. (His lawyer, J. Michael Hennigan, claimed in the Times feature that Mahony was not.)
   "We were basically mystified and puzzled by the whole thing," Mahony says. "We have been through these investigations for years now." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:47 PM

• Archdiocese responds to report of government investigation

   LOS ANGELES (CA) The Tidings
   The following statement was issued Jan. 28 by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles:
   Today the Wall Street Journal and The Los Angeles Times posted stories from unnamed Government sources describing an investigation of the Archdiocese's handling of old sexual abuse cases.
   "The leak by the Government is unprofessional and violates Department of Justice guidelines concerning on-going investigations," said Michael Hennigan, Counsel for the Archdiocese. "The Archdiocese has received requests from the United States Attorney's Office for information about a number of individual priests, two of whom are deceased and none of whom are known to be in ministry. We have been and will continue to be fully cooperative with the investigation." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:45 PM

• Legal experts question LA priest probe

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Press-Enterprise
   By LINDA DEUTSCH The Associated Press
   LOS ANGELES
   A U. S. Attorney with a penchant for applying the law creatively is taking on the biggest target of his career the nation's largest Roman Catholic Archdiocese in a child molestation case that could break ground for prosecuting high-ranking church officials nationwide if it succeeds.
   But legal experts were questioning Thursday whether U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien has a chance of persuading a jury that Cardinal Roger M. Mahony and other leaders of the Los Angeles Roman Catholic Archdiocese violated the federal "honest services" fraud law by allowing the molestation of hundreds of children by Catholic priests.
   It was revealed Thursday that a federal grand jury is investigating how Archdiocese officials handled their internal investigation of child-molest allegations brought against Catholic priests. The Archdiocese reached a record $660 million settlement in 2007 with more than 500 alleged victims of child abuse. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:39 PM

• What the Ted Haggard Scandal Is Really About

[≤ 2006 Haggard*] - "New Life Church". Pastoral abuse and cover-up. 2nd male "lover".
   Ethics Daily, by Christa Brown, Jan-28-09
   UNITED STATES -- (RNS) The headline was an eye-catcher: "Pastor Ted Haggard faces more gay sex accusations."
   But the more I delved into the recent Associated Press story, the more I knew it wasn't really about "gay sex."
   It was about pastoral abuse and exploitation. It was about a megachurch cover-up.
   This story was different from the one back in 2006 that brought down Colorado Springs celebrity pastor Ted Haggard after an affair with a male escort. That story elicited little more than a yawn from me. Another religious leader caught with a prostitute? Ho-hum.
   Sure, Haggard showed hypocrisy to the hilt, but in the work I do, I see such an endless stream of evangelical leaders' hypocrisy that I get inured to it. So I try to concern myself with the more egregious stuff, like clergy sex abuse and child molestation. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 6:56 PM

• LA Archdiocese puts out statement that makes them sound even more like criminals than they did before.

- RCC.
   City of Angels,
{a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cgCG8UXsPGs/SYIzSX9s3gI/AAAAAAAABBA/tfQbKauyEOg/s1600-h/scan0004.jpg">press release purported to be from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles}
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- ABOVE - as crime victims of pedophile priests spoke to the press today in LA, a piece of paper, on Archdiocese letterhead, emerged, saying SNAP "runs to every investigation and rumor with pitchforks," then the press release tries to turn attention away from the crimes being investigated.
   Above is the entire press release scanned in for you to click and enlarge and read for yourselves.
   For the record it argues with SNAP saying, "There is no priest currently in ministry in the Archdiocese," a phrase that might have been crafted by an attorney to divert public attention.
   The question is not current priests.
   We have seen these crimes committed by bishops over and over again: negligence, aiding and abetting pedophiles, flagrant disregard for permanent damage being done to thousands of people. FRAUD. Telling people you are giving their children spiritual guidance when you are actually sodomizing them is a Fraud so serious and heinous there is no current law in effect to describe it. So we have "creative lawyering" going into effect in the US Justice Department. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 6:51 PM

• Former pastor pleads guilty to molestations

   REDDING (CA) Record Searchlight
   By Jim Schultz Originally published 01:09 p.m., January 29, 2009 Updated 01:09 p.m., January 29, 2009
   The former senior pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church in Redding today pleaded guilty to five felony counts of child molestation in exchange for a 16-year prison sentence.
   David Leon Bishop, 65, who remains free of custody on $100,000 bail, is scheduled for sentencing on March 12, said Shasta County Deputy District Attorney Ben Hanna, who prosecuted the case.
   Bishop was arrested in early October and charged with 47 felony counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 14, as well as 47 related enhancements. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 5:35 PM

• Ada man in court on molestation charges

   ADA (OK) KWII
   ADA, OK -- A church pastor accused of molesting two boys appeared in court to face charges Thursday. Kenneth Wayne Honeycutt faces four counts of lewd molestation. Authorities say Honeycutt blamed blood pressure medication for how he may have behaved related to the alleged incident.
   The 60 year old man is pastor of New Hope Baptist Church.
   Authorities say Honeycutt told Pontotoc County Undersheriff Joe Glover that the molestations began in the spring and occurred at least 15 times when the 10-year-old boy frequently would spend the night at his house and at least once when the 6-year-old stayed over. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 5:32 PM

• Feds probe L.A. cardinal over priest cases-reports

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Reuters
   By Dan Whitcomb
   LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Cardinal Roger Mahony and the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles are being investigated by federal authorities over accusations of covering up the sexual abuse of minors by priests, two newspapers reported on Thursday.
   The probe is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles through a federal grand jury, according to The Los Angeles Times and Wall Street Journal. If Mahony were charged he would be one of the highest-ranking Catholic church officials to face prosecution in U.S. clergy sex scandals.
   A spokesman for the Attorney's office, Thom Mrozek, declined to comment on the reports. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 3:32 PM

• New Info on Catholic Priest Pedophile Relocated to Nashville

[1969 - 1984 Harry Monroe*] - RCC. Treatment and Transfers. Children.
   Nashville Scene, By Caleb Hannan,
   NASHVILLE (TN) -- It's not everyday that an article from the Indianapolis Star is a must-read for those in Music City. But this piece on former Catholic priest Harry Monroe, long since relocated to Nashville, certainly fits the bill.
   For a decade starting in the mid-'70s, Monroe allegedly abused dozens of young boys in Indianapolis. The Archdiocese responded by shuttling him back and forth to a dubious, Catholics-only treatment center that declared Monroe not to be a threat to young children. In 1984, after more parents came forward to church officials claiming their kids had been abused, the Archdiocese removed Monroe from the ministry.

• L.A. diocese investigated for sexual abuse

[Years - Card. Mahony and others] - RCC. Enablers.
   WBIR, with video, by Beverly White, KNBC,
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- Federal prosecutors in California are reportedly investigating Cardinal Roger Mahony and other officials at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
   They are reportedly looking into allegations of sexual abuse committed by priests and whether enough was done to prevent them. …
   This man says he was abused by church workers as a teenager and applauds efforts to seek justice now.
   James Robertson of "Survivors of Silence" says "sadness as always, there's always sadness. But better late than never, that's how I really feel about this. Better late than never." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 1:20 PM

• Cardinal Mahony Reportedly Under Fed Fraud Probe

   LOS ANGELES (CA) KNX
   [audio presentation]
   Los Angeles Times staff writer Scott Glover discusses the issue with KNX 1070's Jim Thornton and Ron Kilgore. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 1:12 PM

• Cardinal Mahony Responds to Fed Fraud Probe

   LOS ANGELES (CA) KNX
   [audio presentation]
   Cardinal Mahony talks with KNX 1070's Dick Helton and Vicky Moore. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 1:10 PM

• LA cardinal says he's 'mystified' by federal probe

   LOS ANGELES (CA) The Associated Pres
   By THOMAS WATKINS
   LOS ANGELES (AP) – Cardinal Roger M. Mahony said Thursday he was "mystified and puzzled" by a federal grand jury investigation into the handling of alleged clergy child molestation cases by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
   Mahony told KNX radio that he would gladly testify before a grand jury, but that he believed investigators were looking into issues that have been thoroughly dealt with. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 1:06 PM

• Hey, Federales: Don't Forget the Pedo-Priest Protectors from the Diocese of Orange!

   ORANGE COUNTY (CA) Orange County Weekly
   Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Ex Cathedra January 29, 2009 6:52 AM When I heard late that the United States Attorney's office is investigating Archdiocese of Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony for his role in covering up the rapes committed by his priest, I attributed it to a hallucination brought on by last night's episode of Lost. But here's The Los Angeles Times story that proves it, and all I can say is: what about the Diocese of Orange?
   According to Times reporters Scott Glover and Jack Leonard, the feds are accusing Mahony and perhaps other L.A. Archdiocese officials of fraud, and "to gain a conviction on such a charge, prosecutors would have to prove that Mahony used the U.S. mail or some form of electronic communication in committing the alleged fraud" and thus depriving parishioners "of the intangible right of honest services" by knowingly harboring, accepting, and protecting pedo-priests without letting the faithful know. I don't know too much about cases in Los Angeles, but I do know the sordid details Diocese of Orange scandal like I know great Orange County restaurants. And, if the feds are using such a litmus test of mail fraud to get Mahony, then all of O.C.'s bishops, past and present (with the curious exception of Dominic Luong) belong in the slammer. To wit after the jump! Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 11:17 AM

• Seven Years On, Enter the Feds

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Whispers in the Loggia
   In a first since the US clergy sex-abuse scandals began their major eruption in 2002, the nation's largest local church -- the 4.2 million-member archdiocese of Los Angeles and its head, Cardinal Roger Mahony -- is under Federal investigation over its response to reports of abusive clergy:
   The probe, in which U.S. Atty. Thomas P. O'Brien is personally involved, is aimed at determining whether Mahony, and possibly other church leaders, committed fraud by failing to adequately deal with priests accused of sexually abusing children, said [two law-enforcement] sources, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 11:14 AM

• Investigan a cardenal de Los ángeles por respuesta indolente a casos de abusos

   Mundial (Venezuela), Prensa Web YVKE, Agencias, 10:12 am, Jueves, 29 de Ene de 2009.
   UNITED STATES – El trámite "apunta a determinar si Mahony, y posiblemente otros jerarcas eclesiásticos, cometieron fraude cuando no trataron adecuadamente a los sacerdotes acusados de abuso sexual de menores", según el diario.
   Los fiscales emplean una ley federal según la cual es "ilegal la concertación con otras personas para privar a alguien del derecho intangible de un servicio honesto".
   Las víctimas, añadió el diario, serían los católicos que contaron con que Mahony y otros altos cargos de la Iglesia Católica protegerían a sus niños de los sacerdotes abusadores. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 11:09 AM

• Investigating a cardinal?

   Blogging Religiously
   UNITED STATES -- One question I still hear asked about the Catholic Church's sex-abuse scandal is how bishops who left abusive priests in ministry have gotten off more or less unscathed.
   The question was most asked about Cardinal Bernard Law, in particular. He resigned under pressure, but has made out reasonably well within the church.
   But now the U.S. attorney in LA has launched a federal grand jury investigation into Cardinal Roger Mahony, the LA Times is reporting. The investigation is said to be in connection with Mahony's response to the abuse of minors by priests.
   The implications here, one would think, could be great. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 10:48 AM

• Italian Lefebvrite priest questions Holocaust

- RCC's anti-Jewishness reinvigorated.

   National Catholic Reporter, By JOHN L. ALLEN JR., NCR Staff, Published: Jan. 29, 2009
   ITALY -- In the wake of a global furor triggered by Pope Benedict XVI's decision to lift the excommunication of four traditionalist Catholic bishops, including one who cast doubt on the Holocaust, another leader in the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X has questioned whether the Nazis used gas chambers for anything other than "disinfection," and said that people who hold revisionist views on the Holocaust are not anti-Semites.
   Fr. Floriano Abrahamowicz, a pastor and spokesperson for the Society of St. Pius X in northeastern Italy, also referred to Jews as "a people of deicide," referring to the death of Christ, and suggested that the Jewish Holocaust has been "exalted" over what he called "other genocides," such as the Allied bombing of German cities and the Israeli occupation of the Gaza strip. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 10:43 AM

• Jailed vicar is stripped of role

   BBC News, January 29, 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM -- A vicar jailed for making, taking and possessing more than 56,000 indecent images of children has been removed from Holy Orders.
   Richard Hart, from Beguildy, near Knighton, Powys was imprisoned for three-and-a-half years at Cardiff Crown Court last September.
   Hart, 59, has now been deposed from Holy Orders by a Church in Wales disciplinary tribunal.
   He has also been expelled as a cleric of the Church in Wales. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 10:41 AM

• Unholy act? Cardinal Mahony investigated

   LOS ANGELES (CA) NECN
   [with video]
   (NECN/KABC) - According to unnamed sources in the LA Times and the Wall Street Journal, a federal investigation will determine whether Cardinal Roger Mahony, and possibly other church leaders, committed "honest services fraud" against parishioners by failing to keep children safe from predatory priests.
   "That's interesting; it raises the question: what are the fair and honest services of a cardinal and exactly what did he do or not do to deprive them of that?" Loyola Law professor Laurie Levenson said.
   Levenson said the allegation falls under a broad federal statute usually used against corporate executives accused of wrongdoing.
   "What we're really saying here is the church is like one of those corporations and Cardinal Mahony is like a bad CEO who's on the take," Levenson said. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 9:42 AM

• Suspects remanded in custody

[- 2009 Fotis Makrystathis* (44) + 23 others] - Greek Orthodox. Child pornography ring.

Kathimerini,
GREECE -- A 44-year-old Orthodox priest allegedly linked to a ring trading in hardcore child porn was remanded in custody yesterday after defending himself before an investigating magistrate. A 52-year-old Athens metro worker and a 30-year-old electrical engineer were also remanded. A total of 11 people have been charged in connection with the ring and police are seeking dozens more. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:35 AM

• LA Cardinal faces probe over abusive priests: report

- RC's Mahony facing inquiry.

   AFP,
   LOS ANGELES (CA), (AFP) – The head of the Catholic church in Los Angeles is being investigated in connection with his response to allegations of sex abuse by priests in the region, US media reported.
   The Los Angeles Times cited sources familiar with the case as saying federal prosecutors were probing Cardinal Roger M. Mahony to see whether he committed "fraud" by failing to adequately deal with priests suspected of sex abuse.
   A Justice Department spokesman in Los Angeles declined to comment on the report when contacted by AFP Wednesday. Mahony's lawyer J. Michael Hennigan could not be immediately contacted for comment. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:29 AM

• Honest Services Theory Used in Priest Abuse Cover-up Probe

   LOS ANGELES (CA) ABA Journal
   By Debra Cassens Weiss
   A U.S. attorney is applying a criminal statute in a novel way as part of a grand jury investigation into the Los Angeles archdiocese and its response to pedophile priests, according to a newspaper report.
   The theory is that a cover-up of priest abuse by church leaders, if proven, violates a federal statute that bars conspiracies to deprive others of honest services, The Los Angeles Times reports. The victims would be parishioners who entrusted the safety of their children to church leaders.
   U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien is personally involved in the probe, two anonymous law enforcement sources told the newspaper. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:25 AM

• Archdiocese responds to reports of federal sex abuse probe

   LOS ANGELES (CA) CNN
   LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Federal prosecutors have launched an investigation into whether leaders of the Los Angeles archdiocese committed fraud by failing to properly deal with charges of priests molesting children, two law-enforcement sources told CNN.
   The Los Angeles Times and Wall Street Journal on Wednesday reported that Cardinal Roger M. Mahony is specifically targeted in a grand jury investigation -- citing unnamed government sources.
   U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien is personally involved in the probe, according to the reports.
   In a written statement, the Catholic archdiocese on Wednesday defended its actions. It said the archdiocese has been contacted by the U.S. attorney's office for "information about a number of individual priests" -- two who are dead and none of whom are active in the clergy. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:18 AM

• Cops never contacted about abuse

   Standard-Freeholder By DAVID NESSETH,
   CANADA -- A retired superintendent of education for the Prescott and Russell Separate School Board said he and his staff never contacted police after sexual abuse allegations surfaced against a teacher at La Citadelle Catholic Secondary School in 1976.
   Jean-Paul Scott, who served as the school board's superintendent from 1972 to 1980, passed on the voluntary resignation of teacher Robert Sabourin to the school board, but said he didn't include to the board the allegation or circumstances surrounding Sabourin's sudden departure.
   "Is this now a trial for me, or what?" Scott asked Inquiry commissioner Normand Glaude while he was questioned by a lawyer at the Cornwall Public Inquiry Wednesday. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:04 AM

• Former Preacher Found Guilty of Sexual Abuse

   WSAZ
   CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A former preacher accused of sexual abusing a teenager was found guilty on three counts Wednesday night.
   Timothy Edmonds was arrested back in 2006. Police say he sexaully assaulted a 16-year-old girl.
   Edmonds was a youth preacher at the Chesapeake Apostolic Church in Kanawha County. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 8:01 AM

• Jury convicts man in student's sexual abuse case

   CHARLESTON (WV) Daily Mail
   by Cheryl Caswell Daily Mail staff CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A jury found a Chesapeake man guilty on three of seven counts of sexually abusing a teenage girl at his church.
   Timothy C. Edmonds, 37, had been charged with sexual abuse by a custodian or a person in a position of trust. His alleged victim was a 16-year-old student who was enrolled at a private school run by Chesapeake Apostolic Church. Edmond's father-in-law is pastor there and his mother-in-law is principal of the church school.
   Jurors began deliberating the case Wednesday afternoon and reached a verdict after several hours. Edmonds was taken later to South Central Regional Jail. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:57 AM

• Court Declines to Hear Clergy-Abuse Lawyer's Suspension Appeal

   NEW YORK The National Law Journal
   New York Law Journal Joel Stashenko
   January 29, 2009
   The New York Court of Appeals has declined to hear the appeal of attorney John A. Aretakis' one-year suspension for engaging in "undignified and discourteous conduct" toward courts.
   Without elaboration, the court denied Aretakis' motions for an automatic appeal of an Appellate Division, 3rd Department, ruling upholding his recommended suspension on the grounds that there is no substantial constitutional question to review.
   The judges also denied his motion for leave to appeal. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:54 AM

• Seattle Archdiocese, Christian Brothers reach $7M settlement with ex-students

   SEATTLE (WA) The Seattle Times
   By Janet I. Tu Seattle Times staff reporter
   Some 40 years after they attended Briscoe Memorial School in Kent, 13 men who said they were abused as students there have reached a $7 million settlement with the Seattle Roman Catholic Archdiocese, which owned the school, and the Congregation of Christian Brothers, the religious order that ran it.
   The settlement marks an end to most of the lawsuits filed to date alleging physical and sexual abuse over the decades by authority figures at the now-defunct boarding school.
   The 13 men said they were abused at Briscoe in the 1960s. Of the $7 million, the Seattle Archdiocese agreed to pay $1.25 million, the Christian Brothers about $3.63 million, and an insurance company that jointly covered both institutions about $2.13 million. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:49 AM

• Cardinal Mahony under federal investigation over abusive priests, sources say

   Los Angeles Times By Scott Glover and Jack Leonard January 29, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- The U.S. attorney in Los Angeles has launched a federal grand jury investigation into Cardinal Roger M. Mahony in connection with his response to the molestation of children by priests in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the case.
   The probe, in which U.S. Atty. Thomas P. O'Brien is personally involved, is aimed at determining whether Mahony, and possibly other church leaders, committed fraud by failing to adequately deal with priests accused of sexually abusing children, said the sources, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.
   Authorities are applying a legal theory in an apparently novel way. One federal law enforcement source said prosecutors are seeking to use a federal statute that makes it illegal to "scheme … to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services." …
   Rebecca Lonergan, a professor of law at USC and a former federal prosecutor, said she was unaware of the law's ever being used to charge a member of the clergy.
   "They would have to show some intentional wrongdoing rather than just after-the-fact cover-up," she said. "I think it would be a creative, new and different way of using the statute." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:46 AM

• Judge OKs keeping documents sealed–for now–in civil suit involving abusive priest

   CHICAGO (IL) Chicago Tribune
   Tribune staff report January 29, 2009 A Cook County judge on Wednesday affirmed a request from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago to protect witnesses' names and other documents in the only remaining civil suit filed by the family of a child abused by a former priest on Chicago's West Side.
   "The protective order in this case is intended to allow the exchange of information between the parties to the lawsuit while ensuring that the privacy interests of victims of child sexual abuse and their families are respected while the case is pending," church officials said in a statement. The protective order only applies until the case goes to trial.
   William Martin, a lawyer for the boy who was abused by Daniel McCormack multiple times at St. Agatha Catholic Church and elsewhere, argued that the church's motion was vague enough to shield church secrets from the public eye and potentially protect priests who protected McCormack. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:42 AM

• "After all the stuff he did"

   California Catholic Daily, ~ January 29, 2009
   CORONA (CA) -- At the request of the San Bernardino diocese, the Corona City Council has renamed a short cul-de-sac that runs in front of St. Edward Catholic Church, removing street signs honoring a longtime and now dead pastor later accused of sexual molestation.
   Formerly known as Monsignor Thompson Circle, the city council voted earlier this month to rename the block-long street St. Edward Circle. The diocese had requested the name change in December.
   Avery D. Ensley Jr., 62, who no longer lives in California, had pressed for the name change for nearly seven years. Ensley was among the plaintiffs who settled a nearly $200 million lawsuit with the diocese in 2007. He says Msgr. Matthew J. Thompson had molested him as a child when he attended St. Edward's School and served as an altar boy. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 7:38 AM]

• U.S. attorney adds Mahony to his file

   Los Angeles Times
   By Scott Glover and David Savage 8:00 PM PST, January 29, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- In the 16 months since he was sworn in as U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, Thomas P. O'Brien charged a former U.S. Marine with manslaughter for combat killings in Iraq, tried a Missouri woman whose alleged crime, many would argue, was committed halfway across the country and sought to strip a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang of its very identity.
   Now he's immersed himself in a grand jury investigation into Cardinal Roger Mahony's handling of sexually predatory priests in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
   In each of these cases, O'Brien, a former Navy Top Gun instructor and gang prosecutor in the district attorney's office, has either taken on battles that others may have shied away from or employed novel -- some would say shaky -- legal strategies to make his case.
   Mahony said in a radio interview Thursday that he was "mystified and puzzled" by news of the probe. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 11:22 PM]

• Angry mob? Would you call US attorneys angry mobs? Video: Reporter hands SNAP leader Mahony statement in middle of press conference today

   City of Angels, ~ January 29, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- Video: Reporter hands SNAP leader Mary Grant the LA Archdiocese statement today, just as the press conference in front of the downtown cathedral winds down.
   Transcript of the video, which is playing at http://cityofangels6.blogspot.com follows:
   Grant: - this accuses SNAP of being an angry rob running after rumors with pitchforks.
   Grant: This is a classic perpetrator behavior and that is blaming the victims for crimes. Cardinal Mahony claims that the church has reformed. Hmm. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 29, 2009 11:17 PM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Thu January 29, 2009
• Cardinal faces fraud probe over Catholic child abuse. [Decades - Los Angeles Archdiocese] - RCC. US $660m. 508 complainants. [50yrs+ - Roman Catholic Church (RCC) in USA] - US $ 2,000,000,000 so far. 5000 clergy, and rising.

Cardinal faces fraud probe over Catholic child abuse

   The West Australian, p 28, Friday, January 30, 2009
   LOS ANGELES – The US Federal prosecutor in Los Angeles has launched a grand jury investigation into whether Cardinal Roger Mahony and possibly other Catholic Church leaders committed fraud by not dealing adequately with priests accused of sexually abusing children.
   A law enforcement source said prosecutors were seeking to use a Federal statute that made it illegal to "scheme to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services".
   In this case, the victims would be parishioners who relied on Cardinal Mahony and other Church leaders to keep their children safe from predatory priests, the source said.
   Cardinal Mahony's lawyer, J. Michael Hennigan, confirmed that Federal prosecutors had contacted the archdiocese and requested "information about a number of individual priests, at least two of whom are deceased".
   Mr Hennigan was aware that some witnesses had testified before the grand jury.
   "We have been and will continue to be fully co-operative with the investigation," he said.
   Cardinal Mahony had repeatedly apologised for the Church sex scandal and asked for forgiveness for not acting sooner to remove priests who abused minors.
   He said that the archdiocese handled abuse allegations seriously, notifying police when complaints were made and removing priests from active ministry when allegations were deemed credible.
   Cardinal Mahony, the Church's highest-ranking official in Southern California, has been dogged for years by claims of covering up the sexual misconduct of priests.
   He was accused of transferring priests who sexually abused children to other parishes rather than removing them from the priesthood and alerting authorities.
   Two years ago, the archdiocese agreed to pay $US660 million ($986 million) to 508 people who accused priests of sexual abuse. The payout was the biggest settlement in a scandal that has involved an estimated 5000 priests nationwide and cost the Church more than $US2 billion.
   David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, welcomed the new scrutiny. #

   [DOCTRINE: (Read and/or find on the Internet the millstone statement by Jesus: Bible, Matthew 18:6, 7; and see Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2)
   Purge out therefore the old yeast, that you may become new dough. (Bible, 1 Corinthians 5:7)
   In my letter I [Paul] wrote to you to stop mixing in company with fornicators. I was not including everyone in this world who is a fornicator, or everybody who is greedy, or dishonest, or worships false gods -- that would mean that you would have to cut yourselves off completely from the world. In fact what I meant was that you were not to keep company, not even eating with such a person, if any person who is called a brother be a person who has unmarried sex, or is covetous, or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner. … Remove the wicked from among yourselves. (1 Cor. 5:9-13)
   "Shake the dust from your feet" is reported in Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11, Luke 9:5, 10:11, and The Acts of the Apostles 13:51. St Peter had even announced that God would strike Ananias and Sapphira dead for telling a lie! (The Acts, 5:3-10). Read a paper at Ethics / Fathers. DOCTRINE ENDS.]
   [COMMENT: Regarding the scriptural teachings around the words "a millstone," "purging," and "removing," it would seem that the RCC has been running true to form -- doing the opposite. ENDS.]
   [LEGAL QUESTION: If an organisation offers the keys of an eternal life of happiness and goodness, but then its agents seduce a child or children into sexually-perverse activities, is that a fraud? Remembering that the officially-admitted 4 per cent of US priest offenders is accepted as being well below the real percentage, would the managers of the organisation be fraudsters if they transferred such priests without telling the police and the new congregations? And five of the "managers" have been recently accused of child-seducing, but THEIR superior officer, the Pope, has not suspended them pro tem, nor did he dismiss Cardinal Law from his service at St Mary Major's Basilica, Rome. ENDS.]
   [LOOK BACK: In these Webpages, the first mention of Card. Mahony seems to be June 7, 2002, on ethicscontents4.htm . ENDS.] http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm#cardinal_faces_fraud [Jan 30, 09]
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Fri January 30, 2009 edition:

• Women to pope: Un-excommunicate us!

[RC women's advocates asks boys' club to let them play too!]

   The Boston Globe, http://www. boston.com/ news/local/ articles_of_ faith/ 2009/01/ women_to_pope_ u.html ; Posted by Michael Paulson 04:44 PM, January 30, 2009
  UNITED STATES – The main group advocating for the ordination of women as Catholic priests, taking note of Pope Benedict XVI's decision to lift the excommunication of four conservative Lefebvrist bishops (one of whom denies the Holocaust) who were ordained without papal sanction in 1988, is asking the pope to also lift the excommunications of women who participated in ceremonies that they call "ordinations," in violation of Catholic church teaching prohibiting the ordination of women. The statement from Roman Catholic WomenPriests, an organization that church officials say is not Catholic:
   "Roman Catholic Womenpriests call on Pope Benedict to lift the decree of automatic excommunication issued on May 29, 2008 against all in our movement as a gesture of reconciliation and justice toward women in the church. …
   No priest pedophiles have been excommunicated. No bishops who were responsible for their continued placement in parishes after their pedophile history was known have been excommunicated. Theologians who teach and support Vatican II teachings and who support women's ordination are silenced and/or excommunicated. Women ordained as priests are excommunicated. Priests and laity who support women priests are excommunicated. But, priests who reject Vatican II and who deny the holocaust and who openly deny the full equality of women are "rehabilitated" after earlier excommunication?
   What's wrong with this picture?" [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:54 PM]

• Catholic Bishops Snub 'Doubt'

- RCC.
   New York Post
   UNITED STATES -- Lay reviewers for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops -- known as the "Legion of Decency" during my childhood, when we scanned lists posted in the back of Immaculate Conception in Astoria to see which "Morally Offensive" movies we really wanted to see --- have left "Doubt" off their annual list of top 10 films, which includes two Best Picture contenders, "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."
   Both of those were rated "A-III (adults) by the Catholic group. As was "Doubt," a drama about a priest suspected of pedophilia the USCCB's unsigned reviewer said was "engrossing" and "should resonate with Catholic viewers." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:51 PM

• Former Priest Sentenced for Molesting 9-Year-Old

   SAN FERNANDO (CA) NBC Los Angeles
   [with video]
   A former Catholic priest was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for molesting a 9-year-old boy about two decades ago while he was assigned to a Pacoima church.
   George Miller, 70, pleaded guilty in December to a single count of committing a lewd act on the boy between March 1988 and March 1989.
   As part of his plea, the former priest -- who had once been assigned to Guardian Angel Church in Pacoima -- acknowledged molesting the boy's older brother and two other boys. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:48 PM

• Former priest arrested on child pornography charges

   HOLLYWOOD (FL) Sun-Sentinel
   By Joel Marino | SunSentinel.com 7:47 PM EST, January 30, 2009
   HOLLYWOOD - A former Catholic priest living in Hollywood was arrested and indicted Friday on charges of possession of child pornography. If convicted, Kenneth Hasselbach, 68, faces up to 10 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
   FBI agents found out Hasselbach had been receiving child pornography through e-mails during an internet child pornography investigation, officials said. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:40 PM

• Former priest gets 3 years for abuse

   LOS ANGELES (CA) United Press International
   LOS ANGELES, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- A former Los Angeles priest was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for molesting a boy in 1988 and 1989.
   George Miller, 70, was a central figure in the controversial efforts by Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony to deny prosecutors access to archdiocesan personnel files, the Los Angeles Times reported.
   Miller pleaded guilty last month to molesting the boy, and also admitted he sexually abused at least three other boys, the newspaper said. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:37 PM

• Bishop Offers Meeting To Victim's Mother

   MAINE WCSH
   PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER)--The Roman Catholic diocese of Portland has announced that Bishop Richard Malone has agreed to meet with a woman whose son was allegedly abused by a priest in the 1980's.
   Marie Tupper has repeatedly looked for an audience with Bishop Malone, but the bishop has refused citing a previous meeting she had with Bishop Joseph Gerry a few years ago. Friday diocese spokesperson Sue Bernard said that Bishop Malone has changed his mind after hearing from trusted advisers and Catholic parishioners, and will meet with Tupper. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:34 PM

• Parents Fear Priest Stole School's Money

   ASTORIA (OR) Fox 12
   ASTORIA, Ore. -- Parents of children who attend a catholic school in Astoria said their school is broke and they fear money was stolen.
   The Clatsop County District Attorneys Office confirms it launched a formal investigation into possible missing money at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School in Astoria.
   Parents said the archdiocese sent a letter to the priest overseeing the school and parish that said he no longer can sign checks or have control over the school's money. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:31 PM

• Former LA priest gets prison for molesting boy

   SAN FERNANDO (CA) Press-Enterprise
   By LINDA DEUTSCH The Associated Press
   SAN FERNANDO
   In a courtroom where victims denounced him and still-devoted parishioners embraced him, a former Roman Catholic priest was sentenced to three years in prison for molesting a boy in the late 1980s.
   George Miller, 70, of Oxnard, had earlier pleaded guilty to molesting the boy starting when the youth was 9, and admitted to sexually assaulting four other boys whose cases couldn't be prosecuted because of statute of limitations problems.
   Arriving at court, he was hugged by a half-dozen former parishioners who watched the sentencing with tears in their eyes. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:28 PM

• Prosecutor on witch-hunt, says Catholic leader

LOS ANGELES (CA) Spero News
U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien has launched a federal grand jury investigation against the Los Angeles Archdiocese claiming it violated the federal "honest services" fraud law when dealing with clergy abuse. In response, William Donohue of the Catholic League said "Eighteen months ago Los Angeles Archbishop Roger M. Mahony reached a settlement with alleged victims of priestly misconduct, thinking the issue was over. But now it has been resurrected by the Houdini-like tactics of U.S. Attorney O'Brien. He has subpoenaed 22 priests, notwithstanding the fact that two of them are dead and the other 20 were kicked out of the priesthood a long time ago. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 7:41 PM

• "At Long Last": LA Bishop under Federal Investigation Regarding Sexual Abuse

LOS ANGELES (CA) Call To Action
The LA Times broke the story today that there is a federal grand jury investigation into Cardinal Roger Mahony and his response to the sexual abuse of children by clergy. Call To Action is grateful that the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles is taking seriously the crimes of this bishop who harbored and transferred pedophile priets, protecting the sexual abusers rather than the children suffering abuse. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 7:31 PM

• Clergy Reporting Bill Passes out of Committee

IOWA The Prevention Advocate
On Jan. 28, a bill (HF 8) to add clergy to the list of professionals who are mandatory reporters passed out of the House Human Resources Committee with one dissenting vote. Mandatory reporters are those required to advise authorities when they suspect child abuse. The list of mandatory reporters is a long one, including almost every other professional who comes into contact with a potentially abused child. Clergy is the one major group of counseling professionals notably absent from the list of mandatory reporters, and Iowa is one of only seven states that do not require clergy to report suspected child abuse. In the process of voting on the bill, the committee approved an amendment replacing the original bill language with new provisions. The amended bill, which is not yet available, adds a definition of "clergy" and excludes clergy from being required to report abuse that is suspected solely because of information received from "penitential communications." The amended bill also excludes clergy from the requirement to attend mandatory reporter training. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 7:26 PM

• Truth And Reconcilliation Commissioners Resign

   CKOM, Reported By Brendan Wagner, 5:21pm Posted January 30, 2009
   CANADA -- The frustration around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission continues, as its two commissioners have announced that they will resign as of June 1st.
   The TRC, which is supposed to bring closure to Canada's residential schools legacy, has been without a chair since late October. And now the commissioners have also decided to step aside. All parties involved say it's for the best to allow the TRC a fresh start.
   Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl has laid out the next steps in the selection of a new Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 7:22 PM

• Mahony asks, Why now? then admits to a subpoena on 22 priests for US Attorney, and even the Cardinal wonders why there was no investigation earlier

   LOS ANGELES (CA) City of Angels
   By Kay Ebeling
   Cardinal Mahony has been wondering when someone would start an investigation himself: "Why now does this come up when we said that years ago?" he said in a KNX radio interview yesterday. "We said in our Report to the People of God that, yes, this way of dealing with these issues has evolved, and during those early years it was not handled right, we've said that over and over again so that's why it puzzles me Why now."
   I finally heard it, just after posting a story this afternoon saying, "Persons like me who are in this crime victim community have walked around with our mouths hanging open for years wondering where is law enforcement" at the other site where I write, LA City Buzz Examiner.
   The victims want to know too, Why now? Why not sometime during the last eight years or so, as stories of rampant sex crimes against children in the Church broke across the country?
   "In those years ago, decades ago, people didn't realize how serious this was and so rather than pulling people out of ministry directly and fully they were moved." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 7:18 PM

• STATEMENT BY TOD TAMBERG, DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS, ON THE SENTENCING OF GEORGE MILLER

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Archdiocese of Los Angeles
   We hope that today's sentencing brings some measure of comfort to George Miller's victims.
   Thirty-two years ago, the mother of a minor son asked church authorities to deal with the allegation she brought against Miller. Miller denied the allegation and Cardinal Timothy Manning allowed Miller to remain in ministry.
   In 1989, a report of "boundary violations" was made against Miller. A boundary violation is not sexual abuse, nor is it a euphemism for sexual abuse.
   In 1996, Cardinal Roger Mahony removed Miller from ministry upon receiving a complaint of sexual abuse that occurred in the 1970s. Miller was sent to treatment, then permanently removed from ministry. Subsequently, Cardinal Mahony successfully worked to have Miller removed from the priesthood.
   Critics of the Archdiocese have falsely suggested that the Archdiocese fought to have Miller's file kept secret. On the contrary, the Archdiocese only contested the release of certain categories of documents -- like medical records -- across the entire range of clergy personnel files, regardless of whose name was on the file. The Archdiocese promptly turned over Miller's file to the authorities when it was requested.
   In 2002, additional reports of abuse by Miller in the 1970s were made to the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese reported these claims to the Los Angeles Police Department. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 7:15 PM

• In LA, "Mystified and Puzzled"

   Whispers in the Loggia,
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- As word of a Federal investigation into his archdiocese's policies on transferring abusive priests leaked out, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles took to the airwaves yesterday to defend his handling of accused clergy, seeking to underscore that any malpractice in personnel decisions took place "years ago, decades ago."
   Calling into a local talk-radio station for an extended chat, the head of the nation's largest local church said he "didn't know" what the goverment was looking for.
   "Basically, we were mystified and puzzled by the whole thing" the cardinal said, noting that of the 22 priests whose records were subpoenaed by Federal prosecutors, two are dead and the other twenty laicized "and long gone."
   Asked whether he was a target of the probe, Mahony said he didn't know. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 5:35 PM

• Let the Federal Search Warrants Flow…

   Off My Knees,
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- Yesterday's news, chronicled in the Abuse Tracker by Kathy Shaw, was full of stories about the Federal Grand Jury Investigation of the Diocese of Los Angeles and Cardinal Roger M. Mahony for his alleged role in covering up child molestation by priests. The grounds on which the grand jury's work is to be based centers on whether Mahony or other church officials violated a law prohibiting schemes to "deprive another of the intangible right of honest services."
   I am sure that this news has shaken Chancery buildings across the country. Even as we speak I have little doubt of the quaking cassocks that are turning to their shredders to purge Diocesesan records of proof of the continued policy of hiding and enabling pedophile priests.
   I fully support any crusading U.S. Attorney, especially the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, to get a warrant and raid Chancery Buildings before the Bishops obstruct justice (again) to hide their complicity in the scandal that will not go away. May I suggest that they start with the Diocese of Scranton on Wyoming Avenue in Scranton. Hey, it is a short walk from the William J. Nealon Federal Building and Courthouse on North Washington Avenue, where the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania is located. If Cardinal Mahony and the Diocese of Los Angeles can be investigated, then lets afford the same legal courtesy to victims of pedophile priests in Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) and investigate Bishop Timlin, Bishop Martino and the Diocese of Scranton's handling of the sexual assaults and abuses by priests in NEPA. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 5:30 PM

• Out of control idiots at the Department of Justice

   Mark's Soap Box
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- So Thomas P. O'Brien is at it again. This time he is going after Cardinal Roger Mahoney using the law as his own personal publicity machine. And you thought it was about Justice? *LMAO* Dream on.
   O'Brien is the blowhard publicity hound who brought us such infamous trials as:
   O'Brien v Nazario – Nazario was a Marine who O'Brien decided needed to be held accountable for Murder, even though the Marines who understood the case, did not.
   O'Brien v Lori Drew – Drew was accused of hacking into computers. How did she do this? She opened a MySpace account and did not use her real name.
   O'Brien v Mongols – The Mongols a notorious biker gang so incensed the publicity seeking O'Brien that he went to court to get the rights to their name and logo. The idea, allegedly was that by taking their "uniform" they would fall apart. The logo and the Group's name were not accused of any wrong doing, just the owners of the jackets which they adorned. For some reason O'Brien has not done this to the Hell's Angels. Hmmm.
   All failures, all wasted taxpayers money, and none were anything more than headline fodder for O'Brien. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 5:26 PM

• Cardinal 'mystified' at reported federal probe into abuse cases

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Catholic News Service By Catholic News Service
   LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles said he is "mystified and puzzled" at reports that a federal prosecutor is investigating whether he and the archdiocese violated a federal law against scheming "to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services."
   The Los Angeles Times and the New York-based Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 29 that U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien is personally involved in the investigation.
   The similar stories cited anonymous sources who said a grand jury convened by O'Brien is looking into whether Cardinal Mahony and other church leaders committed fraud by inadequately handling cases of priests who sexually abused minors. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 5:20 PM

• Maine bishop to meet with mother of abuse victim

   MAINE Maine Today
   By The Associated Press wire report January 30, 2009 03:55 PM
   PORTLAND -- Maine's Roman Catholic bishop has reversed his previous stance and agreed to meet with a Boothbay Harbor woman who reported that her son was sexually abused by a priest more than a quarter century ago.
   Bishop Richard Malone has come under criticism for his refusal to meet with Marie Tupper. Malone noted at the time that his predecessor, Bishop Joseph Gerry, had met with Tupper a few years ago and she was offered a meeting with other diocesan officials to respond to specific questions. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 5:15 PM

• Creative lawyering is what it takes with crimes so heinous no current law exists, re LA Archdiocese

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Examiner
   January 30, 1:11 PM by Kay Ebeling, LA City Buzz Examiner
   Insert photo caption or credit hereWe now know of 250 Catholic priests child molesters in California alone, based on crimes that resulted in lawsuits such as the record $660 million in the 508 civil cases settled in Los Angeles in July 2007. We victims applaud a federal investigation because the size of the organization, the Roman Catholic Church, that allowed - aided and abetted - the crimes, is so large, it will take something the size of the United States government to counter it. Attorneys representing archdioceses and priests in cases that have gone on across the country in the past years operate as if they had a bottomless bank account full of cash. They file motion after motion, finally wearing down civil servant prosecuting attorneys or civil lawyers trying to file lawsuits using their own credit lines. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 5:12 PM

• Ex-L.A. Priest Gets Prison Time For Molesting Boy

   CALIFORNIA CBS 2
   SAN FERNANDO (AP) ?
   A former Roman Catholic priest has been sentenced to three years in prison for molesting a 9-year-old boy in Los Angeles. George Miller, 70, sentenced Friday by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Ulfig.
   Miller was accused of molesting several boys but pleaded guilty to one count of committing a lewd act on one boy. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 3:27 PM

• Former L.A. priest get 3 years in prison in molestation case

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Los Angeles Times
   A former Los Angeles priest at the center of Cardinal Roger Mahony's unsuccessful attempts to keep archdiocese personnel files from county prosecutors was sentenced today to three years in prison for molesting a young boy two decades ago.
   George Miller, 70, pleaded guilty in December to molesting the child between 1988 and 1989 and admitted sexually abusing at least three other boys after the archdiocese received its first complaint in 1977 about Miller molesting a child. "My family trusted you to teach me the ways of the Lord, not the ways of hell," one of the victims, now in his 30s, told Miller in a trembling voice in a San Fernando courtroom.
   Miller, gray-haired and spectacled, sat silently with his fist covering his mouth. A handful of supporters sat behind him in the courtroom audience. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 3:23 PM

• Sex, lies and legal theory: Feds probe LA archdiocese

- RCC.
   DotCommonweal, Posted by Paul Moses, 11:24 am, January 30, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- According to news reports, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is enveloped in a federal grand jury investigation involving its handling of priests who sexually abused minors. Other prosecutors have conducted similar investigations and brought no charges. But in this case, the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, Thomas O'Brien, has come up with a novel use of a federal criminal law as the basis for a possible case, according to sources quoted in various reports.
   The prosecutor is looking to see whether church officials violated the federal "honest services" fraud law, reports the AP's veteran LA legal writer Linda Deutsch. She adds:
   The law, which makes it illegal to scheme to deprive others of their right to honest services, has most often been used to prosecute politicians and chief executive officers of corporations. It has never been used against a church.
   What it means is that the federal government is investigating whether church leaders such as Cardinal Roger Mahony committed a crime by being dishonest in their dealings with the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 11:56 AM

• Cardinal law

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Los Angeles Times
   January 30, 2009
   Our initial response to reports in The Times that a federal grand jury is investigating Cardinal Roger M. Mahony for his alleged role in covering up child molestation by priests is to applaud prosecutors for their sustained interest in the long-suffering victims. The grounds on which those efforts are said to be based, however, give us pause. Sources told reporters Scott Glover and Jack Leonard that the grand jury's work centers on whether Mahony or other church officials violated a law prohibiting schemes to "deprive another of the intangible right of honest services."
   The "honest services" doctrine has been used to help convict the likes of Jack Abramoff, Randy "Duke" Cunningham and Jeff Skilling; in these cases, juries concluded that misdeeds denied the public or shareholders of their right to the honest work of government or businesses. That's the intended use of the section, which was added to federal law after a 1987 ruling by the Supreme Court made it harder to prosecute public officials for mail fraud. Appropriately, the section sits in a chapter of the code devoted to fraud -- healthcare fraud, securities fraud and so on. Its application against a cardinal in the oversight of an archdiocese is another matter. Laurie Levenson, a law professor at Loyola Law School, aptly called it "creative lawyering." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:47 AM

• LAT Minimizes School Sex Scandals But Trumpets Flimsy Story on Cardinal Mahony

   NewsBusters By Dave Pierre 02:00 ET January 30, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- When a veteran middle-school teacher in nearby Santa Monica pleaded guilty last month to "multiple counts of illegal sex acts" and molesting nine young girls, the Los Angeles Times didn't feel the story warranted their newspaper. Although the Times had reported the teacher's original arrest and some follow-up last May and June, the news of teacher's guilty plea only went as far as the paper's blog.
   Last November, a coordinator for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) filed a lawsuit that included the astonishing charge that he had objected to a principal being assigned to a middle school because of a molestation-related investigation against him. Yet the principal was assigned, and within months he was arrested and charged with molesting four students. Again, although the paper had reported other episodes of this particular narrative, the Times jettisoned the news of this stunning lawsuit to the paper's blog and never reported it in their actual paper.
   Cut to the front page of Thursday's Los Angeles Times (1/29/09). Above the fold, with an accompanying color photo, is the headline, "Mahony investigated over abusive priests." It's a serious and eye-opening headline, indeed. The article begins, "The U.S. attorney in Los Angeles has launched a federal grand jury investigation into Cardinal Roger M. Mahony in connection with his response to the molestation of children by priests in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, according to two law enforcement sources familiar with the case." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:45 AM

• SNAP applauds US attorney investigation in LA, including creative lawyering, hopes church witnesses will cooperate

   LOS ANGELES (CA) City of Angels
   Video is at City of Angels 6, below is a transcript of the two-minute byte.
   (Victims of pedophile priests met in front of the LA cathedral Thursday in response to news stories that the US Attorney is investigating Cardinal Roger Mahony for mishandling of the pedophile priest crisis. SNAP leader Joelle Casteix said, "We are cautiously optimistic" and "encouraged law enforcement is using creative methods.")
   ************************
   I am Joelle Casteix making this statement for the advocacy group SNAP -- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
   I'm the Southwest Regional Director of SNAP.
   As you know we also have survivors and family members here who do speak Spanish.
   With me are survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Los Angeles and across California, as well as their family members and we are here today for a very - very important reason.
   We are cautiously optimistic about the announcement yesterday that the US Attorney will be investigating the coverup of child sex abuse crimes here in the diocese of Los Angeles. For the first time we are very-very encouraged that law enforcement is using creative methods to make sure that men who allow children to be abused and for their families and parishioners to suffer unnecessary pain, that these people will be punished. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 9:00 AM

• Church in Wales expels child porn vicar

[Hart]

   Wales Online by Steffan Rhys, Western Mail, Jan 30 2009
   UNITED KINGDOM -- DISGRACED vicar Richard Hart has yet to express any regret or apology over the depraved images of child pornography found in his possession.
   A disciplinary tribunal of the Church in Wales heard that the former vicar of Beguildy still lacked "an understanding of the gravity of his conduct".
   The tribunal ordered Hart be deposed from holy orders and expelled as a cleric of the Church in Wales. He now has leave to appeal the order. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 8:58 AM

• Feds Investigating Cardinal Mahony Over Abusive Priests

   My Fox Los Angeles,
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- Cardinal Roger Mahony said Thursday he was "mystified" as to why a federal investigation was looking into alleged cover- ups of sexual abuse of children by priests in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
   A federal grand jury is looking into Mahony's response to allegations of child molestation against Catholic priests in the archdiocese to determine if he committed fraud, the Los Angeles Times reported.
   "Well, basically, we were mystified and puzzled by the whole thing," Mahony told KNX radio this morning.
   He said a federal subpoena is seeking church documents on 22 priests, none of whom are still in ministry. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 8:53 AM

• Lynn Super Bowl ring thief linked to false priest sexual-abuse claim

   The Daily Item By Dan O'Brien /
   LYNN (MA) -- Sean Murphy, the Lynn man who allegedly masterminded the theft of 27 New York Giants Super Bowl rings, is the same person who fraudulently claimed in 2000 to be molested by a Catholic priest as part of a long history of theft and fraud, the Item has learned.
   Murphy, 44, of 407 Walnut St., was ordered held on $3 million bail at his arraignment Thursday in Attleboro District Court on breaking and entering and larceny charges after the rings were recovered from a Saugus safe deposit box on Tuesday. The rings were among $2.5 million worth of items stolen from E.A. Dion manufacturing company of Attleboro last June.
   The Item has learned Murphy is connected to a long list of thefts, robberies and scams allegedly committed over the past 30 years. His most notable claim to shame came when he, his brother, a former jail cell mate and Murphy's mother filed false claims that defrocked Rev. John Geoghan sexually abused the men as children. Geoghan was charged with molesting nearly 80 children over a 30-year period and was later murdered in prison. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 8:51 AM

• THAT'S A WRAP

   Standard-Freeholder By TREVOR PRITCHARD,
   CANADA – It will surely go down in Canadian history as one of the most comprehensive public commissions ever held.
   Thursday, the final witness left the stand at the Cornwall Public Inquiry, a $40-million endeavour that heard nearly 170 people over the past three years testify about their experience with historical sexual abuse allegations in eastern Ontario.
   Some were victims, many of whom were coming forward publicly for the first time. Others were members of institutions the victims dealt with. Those included, among others, the Cornwall Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Children's Aid Society, and the Ministry of the Attorney General. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 8:47 AM

• Crime victims applaud US Attorney investigation of LA Archdiocese, including 'creative lawyering'

   Examiner with video, by Kay Ebeling, LA City Buzz Examiner, 11:04 PM January 29, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- Victims of pedophile priests met in front of the LA cathedral Thursday in response to news stories that the US Attorney is investigating Cardinal Roger Mahony for mishandling of the pedophile priest crisis. SNAP leader Joelle Casteix said, "We are cautiously optimistic" and "encouraged law enforcement is using creative methods."
   TRANSCRIPT OF 2 MINUTE BYTE:
   I am Joelle Casteix making this statement for the advocacy group SNAP Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
   I'm the Southwest Regional Director of SNAP.
   As you know we also have survivors and family members here who do speak Spanish.
   With me are survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Los Angeles and across California, as well as their family members and we are here today for a very - very important reason.
   We are cautiously optimistic about the announcement yesterday that the US Attorney will be investigating the coverup of child sex abuse crimes here in the diocese of Los Angeles. For the first time we are very-very encouraged that law enforcement is using creative methods to make sure that men who allow children to be abused and for their families and parishioners to suffer unnecessary pain, that these people will be punished. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 30, 2009 8:40 AM]
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Fri January 30, 2009
• School inaction 'protected alleged abuser'. [- 2008 Unnamed teacher -NEW*] Roman Catholic Church. 13 girls so far.

School inaction ‘protected alleged abuser’

   The Weekend Australian, by Michael McKenna, p 7, January 31 - February 1, 2009
   QUEENSLAND, Australia – THE nightmare should have ended when the little girl, just nine years bid, spilled her secret to the school principal.
   After enduring months of alleged abuse by her Year Four teacher – the defendant in a child sex case involving 46 charges and 13 allegedly abused girls – she found the courage to fight back.
   Her teacher, a well-liked, genial, 60-year-old veteran of the Catholic education system, was the school's child protection officer – the adult all the kids were told to confide in if there was even a hint of improper behaviour at the well-heeled Catholic primary school in Toowoomba.
   In the third term of 2007, the girl told her parents and then the school principal of the "touching" that, on one occasion, she later alleged in a police statement, drew laughs from "some of the boys in her class".
   The parents, who took her out of the school and moved away soon after the complaint, are understood to have been assured that action would be taken. But it appears nothing was done.
   The Weekend Australian can find no evidence that the school or the Catholic diocese called outside authorities over the young girl's complaint to the principal.
   Outraged parents suspect a continuation of the cover-up mentality of church institutions from decades ago, despite laws dictating the mandatory reporting of any suspicions of abuse at schools to the police.
   The children allegedly paid for it with their innocence.
   "The complainant child states about a week after telling her principal, the defendant started to touch her again for a week," police reported in a brief obtained by The Weekend Australian.
   Over the next year, at least 12 other girls, some who naively tried at times to disguise themselves to avoid the teacher's attention, allegedly suffered an onslaught of abuse. This involved vaginal and anal digital penetration and oral sex, as they were each called to the teacher's desk or held back after class.
   It came to light only when another girl went directly to police with her allegations of abuse, 14 months after the first girl made her complaint to the school.

   Director of Catholic Education for the Toowoomba diocese John Borserio yesterday confirmed the meeting between the school's principal and the parents of the first girl in September 2007.
   Mr Borserio said privacy laws prevented him from detailing the discussions. "Actions were taken following that meeting between those parents and the principal," he said.
   Mr Borserio declined to reveal what was done, confirming only that police were not told.
   Again, he cited privacy laws as to why the complaint did not go outside the diocese.
   After the complaint, the teacher, a father who police allege confessed to abusing some of the girls, remained at the school.
   He finished the 2007 year and then suddenly retired in the middle of last year, leaving with a gift, glowing testimonials and a farewell mass.
   The reason for his departure, he later explained, was that he could not bear to defend himself against a separate allegation of verbal intimidation by the parent of a student.
   Weeks later, he was re-hired as a relief teacher, taking Year Four and Year Five classes until his arrest on November 14. The arrest followed the complaint made to police by the second girl, 10, of her abuse, and that of several of her friends.
   It is understood she made the complaint after a Queensland Government sex education unit had visited the school.
He has committed almost all these offences during class time at his desk Toowoomba police
   The teacher, who cannot be named, was immediately interviewed and, according to police, made admissions on tape to the abuse of the child and five other girls. Since then, other children have come forward with allegations and he is facing 46 charges, involving 13 girls, including multiple counts of rape and indecent treatment of a child.
   Police suspect more victims will come forward when his identity is eventually revealed in court.
   "It is unknown how many other complainant children there are in the community as the defendant has had a long … teaching career," police said in a statement, tendered to the Queensland Supreme Court to oppose his unsuccessful bid for' bail last month.
   Some parents have voiced their concern that the diocese has not been open enough with the school community about the arrest to encourage other possible victims to come forward. Mr Borserio said three small group meetings with parents were held, and that they were alerted by way of an insert in the school newsletter.
   He conceded there was no specific mention of the arrest of the school teacher for the offences in the newsletter.
   "I think people were aware of what was going on because of the publicity surrounding the arrest," he said.
   In line with child sex cases, the media have been prevented from naming the teacher or the school, other than to state it was a Catholic primary school in Toowoomba. The case against the man, who is in protective custody, is still at the magistrate's level.
   Police allege the teacher, who originally trained as a Christian brother but did not take vows, was brazen with his abuse.
   "He has committed almost all these offences during class time at his desk, which is situated at the front of the class in view of all his students," police told the bail hearing.
   They allege he used his position as the school's child protection officer to manipulate the children into not reporting the abuse.
   "The defendant has utilised guilt over the complainant children, allowing them to think that if they told anyone, he would get into trouble for what he had done to them," police alleged.
   Police say he would apologise to one alleged victim and the next day move on to another student. Some of the children were allegedly unable to say how many times they were abused.
   The teacher has no criminal record and according to a psychiatrist's report, denies being a child abuse victim himself. #

   [RECAPITULATION: … about a week after telling her principal, the defendant started to touch her again for a week … ENDS.]
   [COMMENT: And re-read it all. Perhaps the RCC authorities in Toowoomba ought to face a similar court case as the grand jury probe in California, evidenced in the January 30, 2009 newsitem "Cardinal faces fraud probe over Catholic child abuse". Surely it is fraud to offer "eternal life" but to allow serial seducers loose on the children? Regarding children, Jesus is reported to have said "For of such is the kingdom of heaven." From whence come the sins of seduction and lying by the leaders, reported in religious surroundings in Australia, America, Italy, Greece, Germany, Serbia, Ireland, England, etc., etc.? Heaven -- or the other place? COMMENT ENDS.]
   [TOOWOOMBA's Downlands College was part of the territory of a sex abuser, Rev. Michael Francis Reis (RCC), who also did touching, according to a November 06, 2008 report. Prison sentence The Chronicle, http://www. thechronicle. com.au/story/ 2008/11/10/ priest-jailed- for-sexual- abuse-of- two-girls , November 10, 2008. ENDS.] http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm#school_inaction_protected [Jan 31 - Feb 1, 2009]
• Toowoomba RC school a wake-up call.

Toowoomba RC school a wake-up call

   Letter SENT TO The Editor, The Australian, letters§theaustralian.com.au , Saturday, January 31, 2009
   Might I protest strongly about the Toowoomba Catholic school that kept an alleged sex-abusing teacher on staff (School inaction "protected alleged abuser," 31/1).
   Even though the lay teacher was unmasked in the third term of 2007, he was retained, resumed molesting the brave schoolgirl, and later retired with a congratulatory worship service, but was rehired part-time in 2008. The school continued to defy the law compelling people to report child sex abuse to the police. The modus operandi of that school as alleged is exactly the same as most religions' reactions to this crime by their staff -- hide it, cover it up, tell lies.
   Every week at least one new seducer/corrupter is unmasked from one religion or another, according to newsitems itemised by the Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker http://www. bishop- accountability. org/abusetracker collected by freelance journalist Kathy Shaw in America.
   Sadly, many religions are being uncovered as being heartless in relation to the right of every child to mature psychologically and sexually in a steady natural way.
   The secrecy and deception is revealed yet again by current court activities in Kerala State, India, where a sex-related murder in an RC convent, successfully covered up since 1992, is being opened up, with revelations that evidence was destroyed then, yet the attempted suppression of evidence is still going on with the connivance of deluded officials. The court was recently amazed when three CDs of evidence turned into only one disc in court! See http://www. organiser.org/ dynamic/modules. php?name= Content&pa= showpage&pid= 268&page=13 of approx. December 15.
   Pope Benedict XVI's apologies in Sydney and America are empty words, because previously as a Cardinal he had told the world that less than 1 per cent of priests were involved in paedophilia and the like, whereas an audit of the United States Catholic records showed that 4 per cent were known to bishops. The percentage in 2009 is still slowly rising. The Pope still allows Boston's paedophile-transferring Cardinal Law to be on Vatican advisory bodies.
   The huge compensation payments in America have led RC leaders there to sell church properties. But some Catholics resist physically. For example, more than four years ago some parishioners of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church, at Scituate, Massachussets, began occupying the building night and day to prevent any sale. See http://abcnews. go.com/US/story? id=6734027 &page=1 of January 26.
   Perhaps such actions and reactions have helped awaken the US Federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, who has launched a grand jury investigation into whether that city's Cardinal Roger Mahony ought to be indicted for committing fraud by not dealing adequately with priests accused of sexually abusing children. (reported January 28 http://www. foxnews.com/ story/0,2933,484 824,00.html ). Evidently there is a US federal law that people are entitled to have "honest services." (see January 30, The West Australian, p 28.) Australians need such a law too.
   Meanwhile, Anglican parsons in Australia have been caught running a boy sex ring using the CEBS. On the positive side, the Anglican Church has actually defrocked a bishop who enabled child sex abuse, which is more than the Vatican has done. Clergy and agents of the Orthodox Christians, reformed Churches, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims have all been caught sexually abusing children put into their care by over-trusting parents.
   Churchgoers who won't vote with their feet, as a first stop ought to use the Internet to inform themselves. My own Internet pages such as http://www. multiline.com.au/ ~johnm/ethics/ ethcont156.htm give collected newsitems, plus comment articles on the subject.
   Religious people, please be absolutely ruthless about reporting to the police and removing sex seducers from their positions. The hypocrites who pretend to be saving souls are instead imperilling souls. Follow the example of Jesus, who expelled the traders and moneychangers from the Jerusalem temple, and stridently criticised the religious humbugs of his time who were labelled as scribes, Pharisees, priests, Levites, and lawyers. #

[Regarding ANGLICANS and CEBS (Church of England Boys' Society), e.g., see "Former priest pleads guilty to child sex," The Herald Sun, May 02, 2005, re Louis Victor Daniels, http://www. heraldsun.news. com.au/common/ story_page/0,5478, 15156523%255 E1702,00.html . ENDS.] http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm#toowoomba_rc_school [Jan 31, 09]
Abuse Chronology: http://www.multiline.com.au/~johnm/ethics/ethcont156.htm
For good teachings to be heeded, a big clean-up is needed.

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sat January 31, 2009 edition:

• Police: Pa. pastor offered woman money for sex

[? 2009 Wenrich -NEW*] - Lutheran. Woman.

   Fort Mill Times, Published January 31, 2009
   HARRISBURG, Pa. – A central Pennsylvania pastor is accused of offering to pay one of his parishioners for sex.
   Court records show police have charged 62-year-old Alan C. Wenrich, of Hummelstown, with misdemeanor counts of patronizing prostitution and soliciting.
   Wenrich is senior pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 11:51 AM

• Former director gets no jail time

[1995-97 Schildknecht -? NEW*] - RCC. Girl (16-17).

   Daily Pilot, http://www. dailypilot.com/ articles/ 2009/01/30/ topstory/dpt- schildknecht 013109.txt ; By Joseph Serna, Updated 8:41 PM PST, Friday, January 30, 2009
   CALIFORNIA -- It was around the time of her 16th birthday, making it 14 years ago this month, that Elaina Kroll said her Laguna Niguel choir director sexually abused her.
   Albert Lee Schildknecht, then the music director at St. Timothy Catholic Church, was a married man and 44 years old, nearly three times Kroll's age.
   "He was a father figure," Kroll said. "Like a good girl, I obeyed."
   For nearly two years from that day, Schildknecht sexually abused her. There were sexual encounters in his car, in the parking lot outside The Gypsy Den in Costa Mesa and even at a local park. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:11 AM]

• Top school's record sex abuse claim payout tops $500,000

[Mountford] - Anglican. St Peter's College. SETTLEMENT > AUD $500,000. Male.

   Adelaide Now, By NIGEL HUNT, 12:30am, for February 01, 2009
   AUSTRALIA -- THE sex abuse compensation case involving St Peter's College and its former priest, John Mountford, has been settled for a record amount.
   While the settlement terms are confidential, the Sunday Mail understands the school and its insurer paid the male victim – a former student – more than $500,000 in an out-of-court deal.
   The settlement eclipses the previous highest payout in South Australia of $200,000 made to a victim of notorious pedophile Robert Brandenberg – a figure negotiated recognising evidentiary difficulties with some aspects of the claim.
   The long-running St Peter's College case was settled in an out-of-court mediation between the victim, his lawyers and lawyers acting for the college and its insurer. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:41 AM]

• Unrealized losses from investments hurt bottom line

- RCC.

   Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, JANUARY 29, 2009
   [annual report for FY2008]
   [consolidated financial statement]
   [supplemental reports by agency, ministry or department]
   , WORCESTER, MA -- Following a complete audit of its financial accounting, the Diocese of Worcester this weekend will issue an online and printed edition of the annual report detailing activities for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2008.
   Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, S.T.D., Bishop of Worcester, noted in his letter that despite the overall numbers, the report contained many hopeful signs. "The Annual Partners in Charity Appeal raised $4,893,100, the highest amount ever, for the 2009 fiscal year… Many of our parishes have seen increases in Mass attendance and in donations as well."
   Bishop McManus wrote that the diversified portfolio of the DEF is a great help during these tough economic times. He also noted that central administration has taken steps to diminish its debt service to the DEF in order to reduce the impact of interest on indebtedness in its operating budget. Additionally, many of the reported deficits were attributed to unrealized losses on investments, not deficit spending in operational budgets. This was also the first year that depreciation was applied.
   The Annual Report with its associated Financial Reports on Operating Activities is being distributed as a supplement in this weekend's parish bulletinsand is posted online at www.worcesterdiocese.org. A complete copy of the auditor's report is also available online. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:30 AM]

• Wall Street bears down on Worcester Diocese

   Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, MA), By Bronislaus B. Kush, bkush@telegram.com ,
   WORCESTER (MA) – The woes of secular Wall Street have resulted in significant investment losses for the Diocese of Worcester.
   However, chancery officials said the losses are manageable and shouldn't result, at least in the immediate future, in layoffs or program cuts.
   An audit by O'Connor, Maloney & Co. P.C., along with other financial information released yesterday by diocesan officials, showed that unrealized losses on investments – combined to a degree with a decision to begin factoring in depreciation expenses on church property – produced a deficit of $615,670 for the fiscal year that ended Aug. 31.

• Vatican orders study of women religious institutes in United States

   Catholic News Service By Chaz Muth,
   WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES (CNS) -- The Vatican has initiated an apostolic visitation of institutes for women religious in the United States to find out why the numbers of their members have decreased during the past 40 years and to look at the quality of life in the communities.
   The announcement was made Jan. 30 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington by Sister Eva-Maria Ackerman, a member of the American province of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George. …
   The study -- which is expected to be completed by 2011 -- is in no way connected to the apostolic visitation of more than 200 U.S. seminaries and formation houses in 2005 and 2006, which was ordered in response to the sexual abuse crisis that hit the U.S. church, Sister Eva-Maria said. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:21 AM

• Vatican orders review of women's religious orders

- RCC.

   Washington Post By ERIC GORSKI The Associated Press 9:12 PM Friday, January 30, 2009;
   UNITED STATES -- The Vatican has begun a first-ever comprehensive study of women's religious orders in the United States, four decades into a steep decline in the number of Roman Catholic sisters and nuns in the country.
   The study, ordered by a Vatican congregation in December and announced Friday in Washington, will examine "the quality of the life" of 59,000 members in more than 400 Catholic women's religious institutes, said Sister Eva-Maria Ackerman, a spokeswoman for the study, which is called an apostolic visitation. …
   The Vatican released results of a similar canvass of U.S. seminaries earlier this month in light of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. That review gave special attention to chastity and celibacy, and the Vatican found seminaries had largely been successful in rooting out "homosexual behavior." [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:16 AM]
   [MEDITATION: [Yehovah God said to the woman, Eve:] I shall give you intense pain in chilbearibng, you will give birth to your children in pain. Your yearning will be for your husband, and he will dominate you. (Bible, Genesis 3:16, NJB.)
   "… to avoid fornication, every man ought to have his own wife and every woman her own husband." (1 Corinthians 7:2)
   And read: (1 Corinthians 9:5) and (1 Timothy 4:1-3). ENDS.]
   [CONCLUSION: It would be wonderful if the steep decline in women being encouraged to forbid themselves to marry was a sign of a return to Biblical standards -- but that is not so. ENDS.]

• L.A. has more serious things to worry about than Billy and the cardinal

- RCC.

   Los Angeles Times by Tim Rutten January 31, 2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) -- What do Billy the elephant and Cardinal Roger M. Mahony have in common? Both are the subject of frivolous, pointlessly distracting governmental deliberations at a time of actual civic crisis.
   Billy, of course, is the city zoo's single remaining pachyderm. For three months, the L.A. City Council has been sporadically consumed by hearings, motions, debates and votes about whether to contribute its $14.5-million share of the $42-million cost of the new elephant enclosure at the L.A. Zoo. The idea is that a bigger, more natural environment will make the wretched Billy happier and healthier and allow the reintroduction of other elephants, which are -- in nature -- social creatures.
   Seems simple enough, but for months, the smoking ruin that masquerades as the legislative branch of city government has worried endlessly over whether there should be any elephants in zoos, whether Billy's head bobbing is a sign of psychological distress or whether the new enclosure will allow the exercise elephants need to maintain healthy feet. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:07 AM

• Ex-priest gets three years in prison in molestation case

   SAN FERNANDO (CA) Contra Costa Times
   By Brandon Lowrey, Staff Writer Posted: 01/31/2009 12:01:00 AM PST
   SAN FERNANDO - A former Roman Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to molesting one boy and confessed to abusing at least four others was sentenced Friday to three years in prison.
   George Miller, 70, was convicted of repeatedly molesting a boy from 1988 to 1991 while Miller was a priest at Guardian Angel Church in Pacoima. Prosecutors said he admitted to molesting four others and is suspected of abusing at least one more, but that charges couldn't be brought because the statute of limitations had passed.
   Before Superior Court Judge Cynthia Ulfig read Miller's sentence, two of his other victims, now in their 30 s and 40 s, addressed the man who destroyed their lives. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:04 AM

• Former L.A. priest is sentenced to three years in prison for sex crime

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Los Angeles Times
   By Jack Leonard January 31, 2009 A former Los Angeles priest at the center of Cardinal Roger Mahony's unsuccessful attempts to keep archdiocese personnel records from county prosecutors was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for molesting a young boy two decades ago.
   George Miller, 70, pleaded guilty in December to molesting the child between 1988 and 1989 and admitted to sexually abusing at least three other boys after the archdiocese received its first complaint about him in 1977.
   "My family trusted you to teach me the ways of the Lord, not the ways of hell," one of the victims, now in his 30s, told Miller in a trembling voice in a San Fernando courtroom. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:01 AM

• Facing up to Canada's dark history

   BBC News By Lorraine Mallinder Kahnewake, Canada
   CANADA -- From the late 19th Century up to the 1970s, an estimated 150,000 native children in Canada were seized from their parents and sent far away to state-funded, church-run schools to learn how to think, speak and act like white people. The country is still coming to terms with the disastrous results.
   Maybe I picked a bad day to visit. The place is a ghost town.
   I came here with the idea of taking a mental snapshot of life in Kahnewake, exclusively populated by members of the Mohawk nation, at the beginning of an important year for Canada's relations with its native peoples. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 7:56 AM]

• Pope promotes cleric who called Katrina God's punishment for sin in New Orleans

- RCC promotes superstitious cleric.

   BBC News, By David Willey, BBC News, Rome,
   VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict has made a controversial appointment, days after revoking the excommunication of a bishop who is a Holocaust denier.
   He promoted ultra-conservative cleric Fr Gerhard Maria Wagner to assistant bishop of the Austrian city of Linz. …
   Fr Wagner is also notorious for his extreme views - he has accused the popular Harry Potter novels of spreading Satanism, and described Hurricane Katrina as God's punishment for the sinners of New Orleans.
   He wrote in a parish newsletter that the death and destruction caused by the hurricane in New Orleans was divine retribution for the city's tolerance of homosexuals and permissive sexual attitudes. [Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 6:37 PM]

• Of Priest and Prosecutor Abuse

   Catholic Online By Douglas W. Kmiec Jan/31/2009
   LOS ANGELES (CA) ,(Catholic Online) - Recently, the Los Angeles Times and other national papers ran news stories to the effect that a federal grand jury was investigating whether the LA archdiocese had engaged in federal criminal wrongdoing for the way in which the archdiocese has handled the discipline of priests in the tragic sexual abuse scandal. The report was at once disappointing and puzzling.
   The disappointment was not the fact of the scandal. Like most Catholics, the scandal to me was far more disgusting, than disappointing. For those who formally stand-in for Christ to have engaged in behavior that destroyed the trust, if not the faith, of so many innocents and their families is the deepest wound of the modern church.
   Nowhere perhaps is this better understood than in Los Angeles. In 2007, Cardinal Roger Mahony and the archdiocese paid $660 million to settle civil lawsuits with 508 people alleged to be the victims of this unspeakable evil. Like most monetary awards, even that very substantial sum which practically must diminish the resources available for the charitable work of the church, could not possibly remedy the victims' injuries – only God can do that.

• Pastor charged with prostitution resigns from church

   PENNSYLVANIA PennLive
   by LARA BRENCKLE, Of The Patriot-News Saturday January 31, 2009, 3:38 PM
   A Hummelstown pastor charged with misdemeanor solicitation and prostitution charges resigned Saturday as senior pastor of the Zion Lutheran Church.
   A statement posted on the church's Web site moments ago reads:
   "It is with sadness that Zion Lutheran Church accepts the resignation of Alan Wenrich as Senior Pastor, effective immediately. Dr. Wenrich, his family and the individuals affected by recent events, as well as the healing of our church, will be among the prayers of our congregation." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 6:07 PM

• New challenge for Catholic parishes: Property taxes

   NEW YORK The Buffalo News
   By Jay Tokasz News Staff Reporter
   It's a tab most churches never would expect, but some area Catholic parishes are now paying property taxes on buildings they no longer use.
   Five church properties in the city are currently being taxed. Four others were recently added to the city's tax rolls and will get their first bills in July, in accordance with the city's fiscal calendar. Other municipalities say they will follow suit.
   The parcels previously were exempt from property taxes because of their religious purposes. Since they are no longer being used by a church or nonprofit entity, the properties lose their exemptions. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 3:56 PM

• Priest who reportedly called Hurricane Katrina God's punishment is promoted to bishop

- RCC.

   Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, 12:13 PM CST, January 31, 2009
   VATICAN CITY (AP) – An Austrian pastor who has been quoted as calling Hurricane Katrina God's punishment for sin in New Orleans is being promoted to the rank of bishop.
   The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Benedict XVI has tapped the Rev. Gerhard Wagner, 54, to be auxiliary bishop in Linz, Austria. It made no mention of the reported remarks about Hurricane Katrina. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 2:21 PM

• Thy Neighbor's Strife

- Judaist.
   Baltimore Jewish Times, by Phil Jacobs, Executive Editor
   MARYLAND -- Stuart Friedman, at 54, is compliant.
   Compliant in this case means that the Upper Park Heights resident is on the State of Maryland's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services sex offender registry.
   In a Sunday Baltimore Examiner article, it was reported that the Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse, in connection with the Awareness Center, has made his presence known within the Jewish community.
   The Examiner reported that Mr. Friedman, a cantor, came to Baltimore in May of 2007 after serving a 15-month sentence in federal prison for sending pornography through the mail to an undercover FBI agent in California. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 10:26 AM

• The federal prosecutor and his strategy

   LOS ANGELES (CA) L.A. Catholic
   The print edition of today's L.A. Times has an editorial that criticizes the unusual legal strategy being pursued by the federal prosecutor who is behind the current federal grand jury probe of Cardinal Roger Mahony and other officials of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
   The prosecutor's name is Thomas P. O'Brien. The same edition of the Times also has a news article (click on this post's title) about previous cases O'Brien has pursued. The news story says:
   "In each of these cases, O'Brien, a former Navy Top Gun instructor and gang prosecutor in the district attorney's office, has either taken on battles that others may have shied away from or employed novel -- some would say shaky -- legal strategies to make his case." Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 9:46 AM

• First, the Seminaries… Now, the Convents: The Visitation Returns

   UNITED STATES Whispers in the Loggia
   Months after the Holy See's top official for religious life rapped some US communities for "accept[ing] the present situation of decline [as] the sign of the Spirit on the church," plans were revealed this morning for an Apostolic Visitation of the nation's orders of women.
   Beginning immediately by decree of the Congregation for Religious Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the examination of the "quality of life" of the 400 or so Stateside institutes will focus exclusively on "apostolic" communities -- namely, "those actively engaged in service to church and society," as a release announcing the initiative put it.
   To coordinate its work, the Congregation has named Connecticut-born Mother Mary Clare Millea, superior-general of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as sole Apostolic Visitor. At the three-stage process' expected end in 2010, Millea will be required to submit a report detailing her observations to the dicastery overseeing religious life, along with recommendations on areas where action should be taken. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 9:06 AM

• …mainstream media file copy-pasted reports

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Examiner
   January 30, 9:27 PM by Kay Ebeling, LA City Buzz Examiner
   There was a storm of stories, but look closer. Almost every one of the articles run in media about the investigation of Cardinal Roger Mahony and the LA Archdiocese are just copy and pasted from the original LA Times story, and the Associated press story about it. Wall Street Journal, CNN, copy and pasted from the LA Times story. For example, notice how many of them mention that US Attorney Tom O'Brien is "personally involved" in the investigation. One reporter after another quotes Cardinal Roger Mahony as being "mystified" and "puzzled" each one writing what the other writer wrote.
   What started it all: On its Web site Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times quoted two anonymous law enforcement sources as saying Mahony is among those being investigated by the grand jury to determine if he failed to keep children safe from predatory priests.
   Several reporters in the storm of stories did a little bit research on the -- law that was part of the leaked story . They then phoned an unrelated pundit such as a law professor somewhere to comment on the law. Then other reporters copy and pasted the quotes from law professors and called that a story. Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:59 AM

• Predators should have gone to prison decades ago …

   LOS ANGELES (CA) Examiner
   [with video]
   January 30, 6:56 PM by Kay Ebeling, LA City Buzz Examiner
   Video: We hope that other US Attorneys across the United States will begin to take the types of steps taken by Calif US Attorney Tom O'Brien, investigating the Los Angeles Archdiocese. says Mary Grant, a regional leader of SNAP. .
   'Cardinal Mahony was not acting alone,'
   Grant says in above video "A pedophile priest like Michael Baker would have been in prison long ago, if Mahony had not just transfered him to a new parish in the 1980s."
   Ongoing coverage of the pedophile epidemic in the Catholic Church at City of Angels
   (Above video is exclusive to Examiner Dot Com through LA City Buzz Examiner.) Posted by Kathy Shaw on January 31, 2009 8:56 AM
////////// End of Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker Sat January 31, 2009

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FOR GOOD TEACHINGS TO BE HEEDED, A BIG CLEAN-UP IS NEEDED
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• Cardinal faces fraud probe over Catholic child abuse. LOS ANGELES, California, USA: Prosecutor gathering evidence about Card. Roger Mahony and others transferred seducing priests, under anti-fraud laws. Jan 30, 09
• Church seeks to lift ban; Sex abuse time limit push. QUEENSLAND, Australia: Brisbane Anglican Abp Aspinall, with help from some other sects. Jan 17-18, 09
• [Guess why W.A. doesn't command clergy to report child sex abuse.] W. AUSTRALIA. Jan 01, 09
• Priests on trial for $1.3m church theft. MIAMI, U.S.A. Skehan, Guinan US$8.6m Jan 22, 09
• School inaction 'protected alleged abuser'. TOOWOOMBA, Australia. In front of the class! Jan31 - Feb 1, 2009
• Toowoomba RC school a wake-up call. AUSTRALIA. Letter. Jan 31, 09
• Were you in a children's home, orphanage or foster care in WA? WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Lawyer's advert. Jan 25, 09

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Clergy Child Molesters (156) — References/Archive/Blog

• Article

• Woman says she was sexually assaulted by priest

• Former pastor imprisoned for touching young girl

• 'Investigation going off the track, had derailed': HC

• Priests, nun accused in Abhaya murder case given bail

• Sister Abhaya murder: Kerala HC grants bail to accused

• Courts: Lawsuit accuses diocese of hiding sex abuse

• Reardon accuses Norwich diocese of racketeering in sex-abuse case

• Robinson's appeal plea turned down

• Exposure of abuse 'helps victims'

• NM sect leader gets decade in prison, refuses food

• Leaked video of Alamo ministry child on Internet

• Legislature may rename Augusta's Curran bridge

• Pahrump resident heads group for victims of clergy sex abuse

[Guess why W.A. doesn't command clergy to report child sex abuse]

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Fri January 02, 2009 edition:

• Extradition case held up by questions over Israel's jurisdiction

• Cardinal Brady breaks his silence on Cloyne

• January 2, 2009 - Statement of the Archdiocese of Boston Regarding Father James Power

• Archdiocese: Allegations against priest are unsubstantiated

• Statement by Cardinal Seán Brady

• Clerics to take child commitment

• Archdiocese: MA priest accusations unsubstantiated

• Catholic primate talks of 'moral duty' in safeguarding children

• Clerics in child safety move

• NYC Meeting about Civil Window Bill

• The most under-reported clergy sex abuse stories of 2008 - a baker's dozen

• Dr Martin in fresh apology to victims of sex abuse

• Martin: I'm sorry Church let you down

• Archbishop acknowledges faults on child protection

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sat January 03, 2009 edition:

• Editorial: Hits and Misses

• Shelbyville Pastor Jailed On Sex Abuse Charges

• Even a bishop must answer to the people

• Bishops refused to give abuse case details

• Archimandrite Gabriel Karambis has been suspended. A new scandal on the horizon

• Abhaya: KUWJ snubs HC observation

• Bishops refuse to reveal all allegations of child abuse

• Calls for safeguarding of children to be removed from Catholic Church

• Brady makes first comments on Cloyne

• Archdiocese closes case, reinstates priest

• Catholic order aims to stem clergy shortage

• Voice of Pope behind a forceful intervention by Cardinal Brady

• Cardinal abuse pledge puts bishop on brink

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Sun January 04, 2009 edition:

• Child Molested in Crown Heights Mikvah

• LICENTIOUS PRIEST RETURNS TO MINISTRY

• For Immediate Release

• Mondrowitz Case On Zev Brenner Monday Night

• Priest in abuse pilgrimage pays Gregory tribute

• Survivor Advoate Group Seeks Truth

• For Immediate Release

• The National Survivor Advocate Coalition (NSAC) responds to statements by Bishop Richard Malone and Diocesan Spokeswoman Sue Bernard

• FR. Michael Mernagh - The Walking Priest

• Adrift

• In Our Opinion: CPS report clearly shows FLDS abuse

#### Clergy Sex Abuse Tracker, www.bishop- accountability. org/ abuse tracker , Mon January 05, 2009 edition:

• Diocese did not tell law enforcement agencies about priest

• New Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange Appointed

• Married priest who ran off with his deputy questions life ban

• Playground bones force Canada to face genocide of Indian children

• Little woman, or big threat?

• Peoria Catholic Bishop Target of Protest

• Abuse Victims Want Counseling Reinbursement

• Police: Pastor Charged With Sexual Abuse Has HIV

• Meet OC's New Pedo-Apologizing Bishop, Same as the Old Pedo-Apologizing Bishop

• Churches find need for safeguards against pedophiles

• Priest to Immigrants Stands Accused

• DA: Priest violated probation

• What made me laugh out loud in the Fact Sheet about Paul Kendrick and Bishop Malone. In 2009 watch for these stories coming soon at City of Angels

• Sex abuse victims respond to new Detroit archbishop

• Parish closures, John Paul II center, sex abuse scandals test Maida

• Pressure mounts on Irish bishop for mishandling sex-abuse inquiries

• Justice in India is a mirage

• Banned Church Member Update

• Paul Kendrick's only goal is protecting children

• OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

• Pope names new Detroit archbishop

• Abhaya's father petitions CJM