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Exclusive: Marie Collins responds to Cardinal Muller’s allegations about abuse commission
“Marie Collins of Ireland is a clergy sexual abuse survivor who resigned March 1 from Pope Francis’ Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, gave an interview shortly following Collins’ resignation. Collins has written an open letter to Müller in response to that interview.” By Marie Collins, National Catholic Reporter
Five great achievements of Pope Francis’ first four years
“In four years, (PopeFrancis) has had a profound impact on the church. True, he has not changed the church’s position on birth control, celibacy, women priests and gay marriage, but he has fundamentally changed how we see the church in five ways.” By Thomas Reese, National Catholic Reporter
— A Crux rundown of memorable moments from Francis’ first four years, By Cruxnow.com
— Editorial: What we celebrate about this pontificate, By National Catholic Reporter Editorial Board
Pope Francis signals openness to ordaining married men in some cases
“Pope Francis this week (Mar. 10) signaled receptiveness to appeals from bishops in the remote and overwhelmed corners of the Roman Catholic Church to combat a deepening shortage of priests by ordaining married men who are already committed to the church. In an interview with a German newspaper, the pope made clear that he was not advocating an end to celibacy for current priests or those aspiring to join the clergy. But his seeming openness about the prospect of ordaining married men in places hardest hit by a dearth of priests was unusually explicit and brought the issue to the forefront.” By Jason Horowitz, The New York Times
— Pope Francis discusses ordination of married men in response to priest shortage, By Kevin Clarke, America: The Jesuit Review
— Pope Francis signals openness to ordaining married men, By Cruxnow.com Staff
— Pope signals he’s open to married Catholic men becoming priests, By Delia Gallagher, CNN Rome
— Svea Fraser, a VOTF founder, is interviewed on WGBH-TV’s ‘Greater Boston’ about Pope Francis’ comments on ordaining married Catholic men as priests, By WGBH-TV
Since 2013, Pope Francis has endeavored to shift church culture
“In January, the Vatican office that oversees Catholic priests, sisters and brothers in global religious orders had a plenary session … It was the first time in decades that women had been present at such a meeting, the result of a direct request to Pope Francis … Four years into this pontificate, many of the changes taking place at the upper echelons of the church echo the sisters’ experience: Transformations build slowly as a culture shifts.” By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter
Editorial: Clergy culture sustains sex abuse scandal
“The resignation of Marie Collins from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is a turning point in Pope Francis’ pontificate. It cannot be seen any other way. For all the hope and promise that we find in Francis and his vision for the church, we believe his pontificate teeters on the brink of failure on the issue of sexual abuse by the clergy.” By National Catholic Reporter Editorial Staff
ACCOUNTABILITY
Religious have ‘moral responsibility’ for half cost of redress scheme
“Religious orders have a ‘moral responsibility’ to honor a commitment to pay half the cost of compensating those who were abused in their institutions, Minister for Education Richard Bruton has said … A Comptroller and Auditor General report has revealed religious orders have contributed just €192 million of the €1.5 billion the redress scheme cost to the end of 2015.” By Michael O’Regan, The Irish Times
Church strives to apply abuse lessons globally
“Fifteen years after the clergy sexual abuse crisis shook the Catholic Church in the United States, survivors of sexual abuse and their advocates believe recent developments in Rome and elsewhere show that not all Church leaders have internalized the scandal’s gravity. In addition to several ongoing investigations into alleged abuse, observers who are concerned with the Church’s direction on the issue point to the sudden resignation of Marie Collins from the Vatican commission Pope Francis created in 2014 to protect minors.” By Brian Fraga, Our Sunday Visitor
The mysterious case of the missing Vatican tribunal
“When abuse survivor Marie Collins resigned last week from the pope’s anti-abuse advisory board she cited the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s failure to implement a tribunal for trying bishops who cover up abuse. But was that idea actually scrapped, or simply modified to achieve the same result?” By Austen Ivereigh, Cruxnow.com
POPE FRANCIS
Pope Francis is pushing for change. Now it’s up to the Church to catch up
“There aren’t many jobs that can pluck a man in his late 70s out of obscurity and make him a global figure. That’s what happened four years ago, when a smiley Argentinian man appeared on a balcony in Rome and bade the world good evening. I was there in the crowd in St Peter’s Square, sandwiched between an Australian nun and a Canadian prelate. The nun and I had no idea who the man on the balcony was, but after a few minutes, the Canadian tumbled it. ‘That’s Bergoglio from Buenos Aires,’ he said. ‘What will he be like?’ the nun and I asked him. ‘No idea,’ said the bishop.” By Joanna Moorhead, The Guardian
Cardinal Cupich: Francis is giving new life to Vatican II reforms
“In his four years as the leader of the global Catholic Church, Pope Francis has been giving new life to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, says Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich. In an NCR interview in advance of the March 13 anniversary of Francis’ election, the cardinal said the pontiff is ‘reinvigorating that experience of the church’ that people had following the reforms of the 1962-65 council. ‘As I read the reaction of people to him I think back to how people were responding to the council with that same sense of hopefulness and joy, pride about the church that we saw at that time,’ said Cupich.” By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter
Cardinal Nichols: Pope Francis’ ‘toughness’ will see the Catholic Church through reforms
“The head of the Catholic Church in the United Kingdom, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, says one way to combat ‘a corruption of the democratic system’ that he believes can accompany this strain of politics is for politicians to model their rhetoric on that of another European leader, Pope Francis. ‘The biggest challenge in political leadership is not to play to people’s fear but to genuinely appeal to what is best in them and to lead from what is best, not from what is worst,’ the cardinal told ‘America.’” By Michael O’Loughlin, America: The Jesuit Review
Pope Francis has reconnected the church with Vatican II
“Reconnecting the church ‘with the energy of the Second Vatican Council,’ may be the pope’s greatest achievement, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington said in an exclusive interview with ‘America’ as the fourth anniversary of the pope’s election approaches on March 13.” By Gerard O’Connell, America: The Jesuit Review
Does Pope Francis need to rethink improvisational management?
“The resignation of the lone remaining survivor of clerical abuse from Pope Francis’s anti-abuse commission raises questions about the pontiff’s improvisational management style. If he really can’t get what he wants from the Vatican bureaucracy, is it maybe time to try a different way of getting it?” By Father Raymond J. De Souza, Cruxnow.com
Pope Francis’s American critics
“Catholic conservatives come in many colors across the world—traditionalists who love the old Mass and its trappings, nostalgic restorationists who opine for greater deference to the hierarchy and moral norms, fierce anti-communists who cozy up to oligarchs—and even, on some fringes, the last gasp of the blood-and-soil nationalists. But while the American opponents of Pope Francis certainly embrace some of these positions, their enmity seems to be motivated by something else entirely—an ideology of economic libertarianism that exalts free markets and puts “economic freedom” far ahead of solidarity.” By Anthony Annett, Commonweal
PRIESTS
Former Twin Cities vicar general leaves the priesthood
“A former vicar general of the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese who resigned early in the region’s three-year-plus clergy sexual abuse scandal, has now left the priesthood altogether. Peter Laird in January was granted by Pope Francis a ‘request for laicization,’ or dispensation from the obligations of the clerical state, according to a March 10 statement from Twin Cities Archbishop Bernard Hebda. Laird had made the request in January 2014. This May would have marked his 20th anniversary of his ordination.” By Brian Roewe, National Catholic Reporter
What does it actually mean for a priest to be ‘laicized’?
“When reports came out recently about Pope Francis’ decision to modify the penalties for several priests found guilty of abusing minors, the question arose as to whether the Pope was being too merciful in his decision. Another concern was whether priests found guilty of abuse of minors would continue to be dismissed from the clerical state, or ‘laicized.’ To address these issues and clear up some of the grey area on this topic, CNA spoke with a canonist, Fr. Damián Astigueta, S.J.” By Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency
CHURCH REFORM
Guidance on Catholic church reform might not be from Rome
“This article was triggered by some interesting occasional reading about the Irish Catholic Church, the prolonged state of the deepening decline in practice and enthusiasm, along with the seemingly inept and ineffective efforts to stem the determined and ubiquitous tide … ‘Indeed, a thorough-going repudiation of clericalism in its various non-spiritual dimensions would seem to be a necessary requirement for an effective re-positioning of the institutional Catholic Church in Ireland at the beginning of the new millennium,’ writes James S Donnelly, Jr., in ‘Christianity in Ireland: Revisiting the Story.’” By Michael O. Murchu, The Irish Times
PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS
Additional media interest in Marie Collins’ resignation from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and Cardinal Gerhard Mueller’s comments —
— Abuse survivor Marie Collins: ‘Resistance’ from CDF led to my resignation from papal commission, By Gerard O’Connell, America: The Jesuit Review
— Problem with anti-abuse panel isn’t survivors, it’s the Roman Curia, By Marie Collins, Cruxnow.com
— Cardinal O’Malley says voices of clergy sexual abuse survivors are critical, By Lisa Wangsness, The Boston Globe
— Cardinal (Parolin) says abuse survivor quit to ‘shake the tree,’ By Ines San Martin, Cruxnow.com
— Pope should ditch top cardinal over abuse row, By Agence France-Presse on GMANetwork.com
— Cardinal Muller’s comments on Marie Collins resignation are rejected, By Greg Daly, The Irish Catholic
WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
Sister Simone Campbell: Women can bring about a ‘contemplative renewal’ in the church
“Sister Simone Campbell, a member of the Sisters of Social Service and executive director of Network, participated in the Voices of Faith conference in the Vatican on International Women’s Day, March 8. Afterwards, in an interview with ‘America,’ she shared her reflections on this experience, on the place of women in the church and on her lobbying work in Washington, D.C., for the pressing issues of health care and migrants.” By Gerard O’Connell, America: The Jesuit Review
— At Vatican, Sister Simone Campbell blasts ‘male power,’ By Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service
Here’s what the Vatican is doing for International Women’s Day
“‘Voices of Faith’ might be the most extraordinary event you’ve never heard of. Now in its fourth year, this annual gathering lives up to its name: It serves to amplify the voices of women from around the world who live out their faith through works of mercy and justice. Women from many countries, languages, cultures and sectors come forward in their shared mission—to protect the dignity and rights of women and children. They share their stories and speak to a shared vision, emphasizing that their work must not be in vain.” By Nicole Perone, America: The Jesuit Review
Voices of Faith: women and leadership
“The fourth annual Voices of Faith storytelling event takes place in the Vatican on Wednesday March 8th, which is also International Women’s Day. The initiative was started by Catholic philanthropist Chantal Goetz as she puts it, ‘to enhance the dignity, participation and leadership of women and girls through persistent and good storytelling.’ Voices of Faith is supported by the Fidel Goetz Foundation and partnered this year by the Jesuit Refugee Service.” By Vatican Radio
— Women gather at the heart of the Vatican to stir things up, By Inés San Martin, Cruxnow.com
VATICAN
Vatican ignores child protection proposals approved by pope
“It has been said of some senior civil servants, in Ireland as elsewhere, that they believe governments are elected to carry out their will. Such Sir Humphrey-like attitudes are not confined to civil societies. They also exist at the Vatican where, inevitably, similar senior bureaucrats go one better. They believe the pope has been chosen by God to carry out their will. Should a pope resist, though they prefer to think him misled, they will show him the way. He may propose, but they dispose. Or nothing happens.” By Patsy McGarry, The Irish Times
CELIBACY
Will Pope Francis allow married men to become priests
“In an interview with the German magazine ‘Die Zeit’ this week (Mar. 10), Pope Francis spoke about the Roman Catholic Church’s priest shortage, which has left Catholics in many rural areas without a clerical leader. The interviewer asked whether viri probati, or married men with a proven fidelity to the Church, might be able to join the priesthood. ‘We must think, yes, viri probati are a possibility,’ said Francis, according to a translation published by the Catholic News Agency. ‘But then we must also consider what tasks they could perform, for example in isolated communities.’” By Emma Green, Atlantic
— Married Catholic priests? There are about 120 in the United States already. Here’s how. By Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times
Pope Francis has some ideas on how to fix the priest shortage
“In a newly-released interview Pope Francis discussed the shortage of vocations to the priesthood, saying the first response must be prayer. He also mentioned working with youth, the low birthrate, and the ordination of married men … He called the lack of priests, to the point that some parishes are cared for by female ‘community leaders’ in Switzerland, ‘a problem that the Church must resolve.’ By Catholic News Agency
Why does the Catholic Church require its priests to be celibate and is this going to change
“Pope Francis has given a wide-ranging interview to the German publication Die Zeit, where his comments on the issue of married clergy are generating conversation and questions about the Catholic practice of requiring priests to refrain from marriage.” By Zac Davis, America: The Jesuit Review
VOICES
Drop the ‘cliché’ of a reforming pope v. Vatican foes, cardinal says
“German Cardinal Gerhard Muller, whose Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was cited by abuse survivor Marie Collins as part of the reason for her resignation from Pope Francis’s anti-abuse commission, has fired back, saying it’s time to drop the ‘cliché’ of a reforming pope being hobbled by internal opposition in the Vatican.” By Inés San Martin, Cruxnow.com
CHURCH FINANCES
Guam’s Catholic Church embraces financial transparency
“The Archdiocese of Agana, which last year spent about $213,000 more than it collected, is trying to restore public confidence in its leadership as it asks residents to donate to the archdiocese and its programs during the current Lenten season. The archdiocese has embraced financial transparency and accountability to help rebuild that trust, Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes and other officials said as the church deals with a deficit and at least $125 million in clergy sex abuse lawsuits.” By Haidee Eugenio, Pacific Daily News
Despite 2015 deficit, progress made in implementing reforms, Vatican says
“Although the Holy See reported a deficit of 12.4 million euros ($13.1 million) in 2015, significant progress has been made in the budgeting process and carrying out economic reform, the Vatican said. Vatican City State, on the other hand, which has a separate budget, reported a surplus of 59.9 million euros ($63.4 million) ‘largely due to continued revenue from cultural activities, especially those linked to the museums,’ a statement from the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy said March 4.” By Junno Arocho Esteves, Cruxnow.com
New Ulm diocese third in Minnesota to file for bankruptcy
“A third Catholic diocese in Minnesota facing clergy sexual abuse lawsuits has declared bankruptcy, as New Ulm filed on March 3 for financial reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In announcing the decision, the diocese cited the 101 lawsuits brought against it during the three-year window into the state’s statutes of limitations on civil cases involving sexual abuse of minors, which was opened by the 2013 Minnesota Child Victims Act. That window closed May 25, 2016.” By Brian Roewe, National Catholic Reporter
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS REFORM
Victims, Roman Catholic Church spar over N.Y. sex abuse bill
“New York legislation to relax one of the nation’s most restrictive statutes of limitations on child molestation victims continues to stall under pressure from the Roman Catholic Church and other opponents. The bill has circled the drain in Albany for a decade, but victims and advocates are optimistic this year because they’ve gained a key supporter, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The fate of the Child Victims Act could rest with Senate Leader John Flanagan, a Long Island Republican, who supporters say has refused to meet to discuss the bill.” By David Klepper, Associated Press, in Minneapolis Star Tribune
CLERGY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
The Vatican drags its feet on accountability for clergy sex abuse
“When Pope Francis established a commission in 2014 to address sexual abuse by clergy members, he picked two survivors, victims themselves, to serve on the 17-member panel. Now, three years later, both are gone, having denounced foot-dragging and official intransigence inside the Vatican.” By The Washington Post Editorial Board
Reflections from the frontline in the war on Catholic child sex abuse
“The presentation of victim impact statements is one of the most powerful and revealing parts of a child sexual abuse trial. Each one is different, a unique voice speaking out, usually after decades of painful, secretive silence. But there is a terrible consistency in the effect the abuse had on these people’s lives.” By Jonathan Flynn, ABC News Australia
Hear no evil: How culture of resistance may hinder child protection
“When a child-protection advocate resigned from a papal advisory board in early March, she did so because of growing frustration with persistent resistance and a ‘toxic’ sense of superiority from some in the Roman Curia. A number of church leaders on the front lines promoting child protection policies have also long noted the biggest challenge they face is a cultural one — an aversion to the unknown, playing it safe rather than speaking up, and denial and defensiveness to protect an institution over a possible victim.” By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
The end of Pope Francis’ zero tolerance?
“Sexual abuse victim Marie Collins has resigned from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. CDF prefect, Cardinal Gerhard Müller has contested her accusations.” By Nicolas Senèze, La Croix International
OREGON
Judge sentences Eugene priest to 90 days in jail
“A Eugene priest was sentenced to three years of probation and 90 days in jail Thursday (Mar. 9) for hiring a teenage girl for sex, according to the Lane County District Attorney’s Office. Erik Hasselman, chief deputy district attorney, said Daniel MacKay was sentenced to 30 days in jail for each of his three counts of prostitution behavior, totaling 90 days.” By KVAL-TV
PENNSYLVANIA
Catholic priest pleads guilty to child porn charges in Wayne County
“A Roman Catholic priest from New Jersey pleaded guilty Friday (Mar. 10) to child pornography charges in Wayne County. In an orange jumpsuit, Father Kevin Gugliotta went into court ready to plead guilty. ‘Whenever you have a person who is in a position of faith, respect, it’s upsetting to the public to know that person abused that position by doing what he did,’ Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards said.” By Wayne Deabill, WYOU-TV
Editorial: Bishop’s plan good first step in long journey toward justice for victims
“The Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown this past week (Mar. 10) pledged to tighten guidelines for dealing with priests accused of sexual abuse, and to have an outside committee provide oversight for the welfare of children. How tragic that the church – any church – must take steps to protect innocent children from the clutches of pedophiles disguised as men of God.” By Tribune-Democrat Editorial Board
Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown details sweeping changes for child sex abuse
“The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown announced sweeping changes Monday (Mar. 6) aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and ensuring that all allegations are immediately reported to law enforcement. The diocese also will provide sexual abuse victims with access to counseling and support services. ‘One case of sexual abuse is too many,’ Bishop Mark L. Bartchak said during an afternoon news conference. ‘We need to repent in that and make sure it doesn’t happen again.’” By Ron Musselman, WJAC-TV
Abuse survivors: Church leaders failing victims
“Survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of local Roman Catholic clergy don’t believe much has changed since last year when a statewide grand jury revealed that about 50 religious leaders abused hundreds of children over the past 40 years in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese. About 10 members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests gathered Wednesday for a demonstration in front of the diocese administration building on Logan Boulevard.” By Russ O’Reilly, Altoona Mirror
WISCONSIN
Court finds probable cause in case against former St. Pius priest
“The case against Robert Marsicek will continue after a Milwaukee County judge ruled that there is probable cause to move the proceedings forward. The former St. Pius Church and School priest known as ‘Father Bob’ is accused of three counts of felony first-degree sexual assault of a child. He appeared before a judge as part of a preliminary hearing at the Milwaukee County Courthouse March 6.” By Chris Barlow, Wauwatosa Now
AUSTRALIA
Research finds lack of coordination in child sexual abuse prevention
“The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has released a new research report that finds there are limited programs and services to help prevent child sexual abuse and those that do exist are not well coordinated. The Royal Commission contracted researchers from the Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, to examine the potential service needs of a range of target groups, with a focus on individuals concerned that they or someone they know may sexually harm or abuse a child.” By Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
TJHC head warns Vatican may be “backsliding” on abuse reform
“The Catholic Church in Australia could end up as a ‘marginalized rump’ unless there is real change to an institutional culture hell-bent on self-protection and self-preservation, Truth Justice and Healing Council CEO Francis Sullivan says.” By CathNews.com
Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale likely to plead guilty to child sex charges
“Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale looks set to plead guilty to dozens of child sex charges, a court has heard. The 82-year-old was charged with 36 child sex offences in January, and police have since served him with two additional charges.” By Shannon Deery, Herald Sun
Catholic Church seeks to rebuild after pain and scandal of child sex abuse
“The leader of nearly 160,000 Catholics in the Canberra region sees light among the darkness of child sexual abuse revelations and hopes to heal and console. Archbishop Christopher Prowse, who recently appeared before the Royal Commission and last week faced calls to resign, likened himself to biblical figure Job in the ash heap and conceded he had needed emotional support to deal with the unfolding tragedy.” By Michael Corey, The Canberra Times
CANADA
Retired Ottawa priest Barry McGrory faces new abuse charges
“Rev. Barry McGrory, 82, has been charged with two counts of indecent assault on a male, and two counts of gross indecency. The incidents — two complainants are involved — are alleged to have occurred at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Alta Vista Drive, and St. Philip Parish in Richmond.” By Andrew Duffy, Ottawa Citizen
West-end priest accused of molesting minors
“Following his third arrest on assorted sex charges that are alleged to have been committed between 1994 and 2011, police investigators now believe 56 year-old Brian Boucher – a Catholic priest – may have assaulted several more boys (minors) over the past decade and they want to hear about it.” By P.A. Sexigny, The Suburban
Canadian files lawsuit, says Pius X Secular Institute ignored abuse
“A $367,000 (US$274,000) lawsuit filed in Quebec Superior Court charged the Pius X Secular Institute and its officials of ignoring abuse that occurred on the institute grounds in Quebec City in the 1970s and 1980s. Andre Lachance, 48, filed the suit claiming he was sexually abused by his uncle, Jean-Paul Lachance, a lay missionary and member of the institute. Andre Lachance, then a boy, claimed the abuse occurred when he was visiting his uncle, who committed suicide in 2014, after having been accused by two different plaintiffs of indecent exposure.” By Philippe Vaillancourt, Catholic News Service, in National Catholic Reporter
GUAM
Nude photos alleged in latest clergy sex abuse lawsuit
“One of two additional clergy sex abuse lawsuits filed Wednesday (Mar. 8) said a now-deceased priest kept nude photos of ‘numerous altar boys’ and priests ‘committing sexual acts on minors.’ Tomas Afaisen De Plata and Richard Daniel Scroggs’ separate complaints bring to 26 the total number of clergy sexual abuse lawsuits filed thus far against the Archdiocese of Agana and Catholic clergy.” By Haidee Eugenio, Pacific Daily News
Catholic Church of Guam sets up $1 million abuse settlement fund
“The Roman Catholic Church of Guam has established a $1 million settlement fund for victims of child sexual abuse. In a news conference with his nine-member archdiocese finance council, Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes said the funds will become available as soon as the archdiocese has put in place an administrator who will be supported by an independent third party. After these are in place, Byrnes said victims can contact the administrator directly. He added victims’ confidentiality will be respected.” By Grace Garces Bordallo, Associated Press, on ABCNews.go.com
INDIA
Indian Catholic priest arrested for raping minor
“Roman Catholic diocese in southern India is considering using security cameras and other measures to contain sexual abuse by priests after a vicar was arrested on charges of raping a teenage girl, a spokesman said.” By The Standard
Church will not protect priests guilty of sexual abuse
“In a sign that ecclesiastical authorities are finally ready to admit the magnitude of the problem, Cardinal George Mar Alencherry, head of the Syro Malabar church, said on Saturday (Mar. 4) that the church unequivocally condemns clergy members involved in sexual abuse and child molestation cases and will under no circumstance protect the accused.” By The Times of India
‘Wayward priests’ accused of sexual crimes trouble Kerala’s Catholic churches
“A string of sexual assault allegations involving clergymen is turning out to be a major embarrassment for the Catholic Church in Kerala. What is more worrying is that such incidents are popping up even after Pope Francis’s call to enforce ‘zero tolerance’ towards sexual crimes. The latest in the series is the rape of a 16-year-old girl allegedly by a 48-year-old priest who was active in social circles in north Kerala. Shockingly, there was a systemic attempt to cover up the whole incident and bail out the priest involved in the crime.” By Ramesh Babu, Hindustan Times
IRELAND
Pressure mounts on Church to ‘pay up’ on sexual abuse redress as Taoiseach says ‘get on with it’
“Taoiseach Enda Kenny is the latest political figure to weigh in and tell the Catholic Church that they have an obligation to pay the compensation they owe to survivors of abuse.” By The Journal
Ex-priest loses appeal to pope on dismissal for ‘abusing minors’
“A former priest in the Diocese of Cloyne in Co Cork has lost a personal appeal to Pope Francis against his dismissal from the priesthood after the pontiff found a canonical court was right to defrock him for ‘the crime of abusing minors.’ Dan Duane (78) had already lost two appeals against a decision by the Canonical Court in Ireland to dismiss him from the priesthood after it found he had abused five girls while serving as a priest in north Cork in the 1970s and 1980s.” By Barry Roche, The Irish Times