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TOP STORIES
Former diocesan leader alleges Muller thwarted investigation of choir boy abuse
“A former chairman of the lay diocesan council in Regensburg, Germany, has alleged that Vatican Cardinal Gerhard Müller ‘systematically’ prevented the investigation of abuse in Germany’s famous ‘Regensburger Domspatzen’ boys’ choir during his time as Bishop of Regensburg. The allegations against Müller, who is now the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, coincided with 60 further alleged abuse victims …” By Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, National Catholic Reporter
Archbishop controversy shows blind spots remain in Catholic hierarchy
“What were they thinking? Did the officials in Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo really see it as no big deal to bring in John Nienstedt, the former St. Paul and Minneapolis archbishop, as a visiting priest at St. Philip parish in Battle Creek? They truly didn’t anticipate this would blow up into a big controversy, one likely to end badly? Nobody considered whether this would underscore — once again — the inexplicable obtuseness of Church officials in regards to issues around clergy sex abuse?” By Julie Mack, MLive.com
Sexual abuse at St. John’s Abbey revealed in 15,000-page disclosure
“St. John’s Abbey, one of the largest Benedictine monasteries in the U.S., released more than 15,000 pages of documents Tuesday (Jan. 19) related to 18 priests it said ‘likely offended’ sexually against minors dating back to the 1960s. The disclosure comes as the latest chapter in the jagged history for the Benedictine community in Collegeville, Minn., on the issue of clergy sexual abuse, one that at times has seen it attempt to lead in understanding the epidemic but at others fall ill to the plague of its horrors.” By Brian Roewe, National Catholic Reporter
Similarities between Boston, Seattle priest abuse are ‘striking’
“When the Seattle Archdiocese released names of 77 abusive clergy last week, many Catholics heralded a new era of transparency. But attorney Michael Pfau raised an eyebrow. He knew something that wasn’t noted in the press release – or the flurry of news stories that followed. A major trial for a notorious pedophile priest was scheduled for June, and Pfau was interviewing victims.” By Bill Radke and Matt Martin, KUOW.org
Tyrone priest was ‘frozen out by church for informing on colleague for child porn
“Father John A. Gallagher is living in a friend’s home after locks at his parochial house were changed and he was placed on medical leave by his bishop in the Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida. The 48-year-old claims he was told by a church official to put a pedophile priest on a plane rather than co-operate with police. A local police chief, so concerned at the Irish cleric’s treatment, wrote to church leaders to complain about how the whistleblower is being treated.” By Greg Harkin, Belfast Telegraph
— Whistleblower priest claims church ostracizing him, By Al Pefley, CBS12.com
— Palm Beach diocese denies demoting priest for reporting another priest’s abuse-related activities, By Sarah Mac Donald, National Catholic Reporter
ACCOUNTABILITY
Newsweek cover story adds to scrutiny of key witness in Msgr. Lynn trial
“Last week (Jan. 19) Newsweek published a cover story from veteran Philadelphia journalist Ralph Cipriano that dives even deeper into the credibility of an alleged victim of clergy sexual abuse that resulted in landing three priests and one teacher in prison (in 2012) … Flash forward to last week. Under the scathing headline ‘Catholic Guilt? The Lying, Scheming Altar Boy Behind a Lurid Rape Case’ Cipriano recaps for Newsweek the priests’ cases and the credibility of Billy Doe — whose actual name is Daniel Gallagher — in addition to revealing new information from recent reports …” By Brian Roewe, National Catholic Reporter
Prominent Catholics want Seattle Archdiocese to open all sex-abuse files
“Two prominent legal professionals and practicing Catholics want straight answers from the Seattle Archdiocese to questions about its recently published list of clergy members identified as admitted or credibly accused child-sex abusers. Terry Carroll, a retired King County Superior Court judge, and Mike McKay, former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, said they’re frustrated with what appears to be more of a public-relations move than a sincere effort at transparency and accountability.” By Lewis Kamb, The Seattle Times, in Yakima Herald
Nienstedt leaves Michigan diocese after presence causes stir
“A priest is leaving a Battle Creek parish as some members of the southwestern Michigan diocese became angered to learn that he led a Minnesota archdiocese during a clergy sex abuse scandal.” By Associated Press on Cruxnow.com
— Scandal-plagued archbishop leaving Battle Creek, By Battle Creek Enquirer in Detroit Free Press
— Controversial archbishop leaves Michigan parish, By Rosemary Parker, Kalamazoo Gazette on MLive.com
— Archbishop Nienstedt exits early from Battle Creek, Mich., parish, By Brian Roewe, National Catholic Reporter
SYNOD OF BISHOPS ON THE FAMILY
Vatican official: Pope’s post-synod doc will be released in March
“Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on family life following last year’s synod will be published in March, says Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family. In an interview with the Portuguese Catholic agency Ecclesia, Archbishop Paglia said that the Pope will release the document in March 2016, and that it will ‘show that the Church is close to families in all stages of their lives.’ By Catholic News Agency
‘SPOTLIGHT’ THE MOVIE
SAG Awards 2016: Spotlight cast discusses Catholic Church sex abuse scandal
“The cast of ‘Spotlight’ used their SAG Awards win as a platform to talk about injustice, calling attention to the ‘powerless’ and ‘disenfranchised — including those affected by the water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan — and demanding more transparency from the Catholic Church.” By Marc Snetiker and Noeleene Clark, Entertainment Weekly
— ‘Spotlight’ takes top Screen Actors Guild award, By The New York Times
Cardinal O’Malley says ‘Spotlight’ is an ‘important film’
“Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley has seen ‘Spotlight,’ the movie about the Boston Globe’s investigation into clergy sex abuse that has been nominated for six Academy Awards, and considers it an important movie, a spokesman said. ‘The Cardinal found it a very powerful and important film,’ archdiocese spokesman Terry Donilon said. He said the cardinal saw the film before Christmas.” By Martin Finucane, The Boston Globe
— Bishops encourage Catholics to watch Spotlight, By Mark Brolly, The Tablet
Spotlight stars and director Tom McCarthy: ‘The Catholic Church can’t live this down’ – video interview
“Spotlight tells the true story of the Boston Globe journalists who revealed a cover-up of hundreds of paedophile priests by the city’s archdiocese. The film’s cast, director and two of the journalists who uncovered the story tell Henry Barnes what impact the film’s had, how it champions investigative journalism and why the church still needs systematic change.” By The Guardian
Catholic church child abuse scandals ‘tip of iceberg’ say real-life stars of Oscar-tipped film
“The child abuse scandals plaguing the Catholic Church are only the tip of the iceberg, the journalists who exposed one of the hierarchy’s biggest cover-ups said Wednesday (Jan. 20). Walter Robinson and Mike Rezendes, who won the Pulitzer Prize for uncovering how the Church had hushed up the activities of nearly 90 paedophile priests in Boston, said that thousands more have escaped justice in the United States alone.” By Agence France-Presse, Paris, in StraitsTimes.com
— Shining a Spotlight on a Catholic church more concerned with self-preservation, By Francine Stock, The Tablet
— Michael Keaton becomes emotional as he describes impact of church abuse movie Spotlight, By Irish Examiner
Journalists: ‘Priest abuse cover-up continued for too long’
“Two of the real-life journalists who inspired the film Spotlight have spoken about their experiences exposing the scandal of paedophile Catholic priests in the US. Walter Robinson and Mike Rezendes from the Boston Globe both won Pulitzer prizes for their work.” By BBC News
VOICES
New Jersey priest found the core of his calling, from the laity
“In the mid-1980s, St. Mary Parish in Colts Neck, N.J., had developed a reputation as a refuge for Catholics weary of lifeless communities, stale liturgies, and thoughtless, rambling sermons. It was one of those parishes that let you know, the moment you walked through the church doors, that something was different. Actually, lots of things were different at this central Jersey parish, and one of the first and most noticeable was a welcome. Someone almost always welcomed you, especially if you were new.” By Tom Roberts, National Catholic Reporter
Doctrine Air
“In the aftermath of last October’s Synod on the Family, we now have the opportunity to take stock of both what has been accomplished and the difficulties that remain. One difficulty concerns the way in which appeals have been made to the normative and unchanging character of church doctrine. As is well known, the synod offered a lively debate regarding church teaching on the ‘indissolubility’ of marriage and the possibility of extending eucharistic Communion to some divorced and remarried couples who have not received an annulment. The issue is certainly complex; however, a troubling refrain heard both inside and outside the synod was the simple assertion that ‘doctrine can’t change.’ By Stephen Pope and Richard R. Gaillardetz, Commonweal
POPE FRANCIS
Doctrinal congregation must work collegially, Pope Francis says
“Diversity in the Catholic Church springs from its reality as a communion of different people with different gifts, and a collegial approach to facing challenges ensures that those differences strengthen communion rather than harm it, Pope Francis told members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. ‘On all levels of church life, a correct synodality must be promoted,’ the pope said Jan. 29, referring to a process of discernment and decision making based on listening with respect to differing opinions and experiences and discussing them in an atmosphere of prayer.” By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service, in National Catholic Reporter
FUTURE OF THE CHURCH
‘Spiritual disaster’ as ‘70% of U.S. Catholics avoid Mass’
“Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron on Tuesday, January 26, warned about a ‘spiritual disaster’ as 70% of US Catholics reportedly ‘stay away’ from the Eucharist, better known as the Mass.” By CathNews.com
POPE FRANCIS & THE CHURCH
Pope Francis changes Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual to include women
“Pope Francis has declared that women should be included in foot-washing ceremonies on Holy Thursday during Easter week, a move long awaited by Western women. The Vatican announced the change Thursday (Jan. 21), saying it will now be part of the Roman Missal, the book that guides Catholic liturgy throughout the world. It will take effect on Holy Thursday, March 24.” By Daniel Burke, CNN
CHURCH FINANCES
From the collection basket to the bank: Lax practices mean lost money
“Sin and the Trinity. These are two elementary points of Catholic theology in the work of Michael W. Ryan, a retired U.S. Postal security specialist, who has spent more than two decades alerting church authorities to fixing accounting lapses in parish collections … ‘It only takes a second to scoop up a bunch of twenties,’ warns Ryan.” By Peter Feuerherd, National Catholic Reporter
Secured collection systems protect parish funds, integrity against theft
“Some, but not all, dioceses and parishes are taking a new look at securing offertory collections, and that’s a good thing, say critics of how the church has handled money. ‘The bishops are finally recognizing that embezzlement doesn’t help their moral standing,’ Charles Zech, the director of the Center for Church Management and Business Ethics at Villanova University, told NCR.” By Peter Feuerherd, National Catholic Reporter
Cardinal Pell lectures bishops over finances as ‘dishonesty is not unknown’ in church
“Lack of control over a diocese’s money can be an encouragement to would-be thieves, Vatican’s moneyman says … In September last year Cardinal George Pell addressed recently ordained bishops attending an annual training course in Rome designed to help them deal with their myriad of new responsibilities. The text of what he said has just been released by the Vatican in a book of all the talks.” By Christopher Lamb, The Tablet
Ex-manager of Catholic parish to be sentenced for scam
“The former manager of a Catholic church in Troy is returning to court for her sentence in a case that brought scandal to the prosperous parish. Janice Verschuren kept her divorced husband on health insurance at St. Thomas More Church at a cost of $26,000. She’ll get her sentence Monday in Detroit federal court.” By Associated Press in Detroit Free Press
— Probation for ex-manager who scammed Catholic parish, By Associated Press on Cruxnow.com
WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
Washing feet: now all People of God are invited
“I woke up this morning to the very welcome news that Pope Francis has revised the Holy Thursday rite to include women as well as men in the ritual of the washing of the feet. Or, as the Vatican Radio headline so wonderfully puts it: ‘Pope changes Holy Thursday decree to include all people of God.’” By Mollie Wilson O’Reilly, Commonweal
CLERGY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Abusive priests on Indian reservations leave ‘profound wound’
“Until the 1960s, Catholic boarding schools forcibly took Native American children from their families. And often at those boarding schools were priests and nuns with histories of sexually abusing children – they were sent to those boarding schools because of their remoteness and isolation.” By Allie Ferguson and Bill Radke, KUOW-FM
What about disciplining others involved in priest abuse
A recent Independent Record article discussed ways to prevent clergy sex crimes and cover ups in the Catholic church (‘Attorneys, author, bishop weigh in on how to prevent sex abuse by clergy’). But one obvious and crucial step was not mentioned. How about defrocking, demoting or disciplining church staff who ignore or conceal known or suspected child sex crimes? In our view, that’s the quickest and easiest way to catch predator priests after victim one or two, instead of after victim 22 or 33.” By David Clohessy, SNAP, in Independent Record
Report: Key witness in Philadelphia abuse case lied to investigators
“Did a Philadelphia priest die in prison, falsely accused of sexual abuse by an unreliable witness who was desperate to please overzealous prosecutors? That’s the suggestion of a Newsweek cover story whose author obtained a psychiatric evaluation of Daniel Gallagher, who in 2011 said two priests and a Catholic schoolteacher had raped him in the late 1990s.” By Michael O’Loughlin, Cruxnow.com
HAWAII
Catholic Church settles 30 of 40 priest sex abuse lawsuits
“The Roman Catholic Church has reached settlements in 30 lawsuits filed by people in Hawaii who claim they were sexually abused by priests decades ago when they were children. They are among 63 people who have made abuse allegations against priests in 40 lawsuits, according to legal documents obtained by Hawaii News Now.” By Keoki Kerr, Hawaii News Now
— Hawaii priest abuse settlements could cost $20 million, but insurance company refuses to pay, By Keoki Kerr, Hawaii News Now
ILLINOIS
Lake Bluff man says priest abused him
“Dave Ohlmuller is well-known on the North Shore as a Platform Tennis Hall of Famer, coach and father. He also said he is a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of a Roman Catholic priest and is fighting to prevent what happened to him from happening to others.” By Steve Sadin, Daily North Shore
Archdiocese appoints Chicago Heights native to child-protection post
“The Archdiocese of Chicago announced Friday that Chicago Heights native and Marian Catholic High School graduate Mary Jane Doerr has been named director of its Office for the Protection of Children and Youth. Her predecessor, Jan Slattery, held the position for a decade before retiring late last year. According to a news release from the archdiocese, Doerr comes to the job with more than 20 years of experience in Catholic education, having taught at the elementary and college levels, and also having served as a school principal.” By Angela Denk, Chicago Tribune
INDIANA
Police investigating alleged child molestation at St. Casimir School
“Police said Thursday (Jan. 28) they are investigating an allegation a child was molested at St. Casimir Catholic School. The alleged molestation occurred during regular school hours Monday and was reported by the child’s mother, Lt. Richard Hoyda said. St. Casimir School representatives are cooperating with the investigation, he said.” By Northwest Indiana Times
KENTUCKY
Meade County priest sex abuse trial delayed
“The Meade County trial of a Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing a young boy decades ago has been delayed. The trial date is now set for an area Catholic priest accused of sexual abuse. A pastor with the Archdiocese of Louisville faces criminal charges. Joseph Hemmerle is accused of sexually abusing a boy decades ago. It’s the second time Father Joseph Hemmerle has faced sexual abuse allegations. Joseph Hemmerle was set to stand trial Monday (Jan. 24) on six counts of sodomy and three counts of sexual abuse.” By WLKY-TV
LOUISIANA
Former priest Mark Broussard on trial
“A jury in a former priest’s sex abuse trial heard graphic testimony Monday (Feb. 1) from a man who said he was sexually assaulted by Mark Broussard. The witness’s testimony portrayed Broussard as a predator who groomed the boy for sexual activity, eventually accelerating to rape.” By Theresa Schmidt, KPLC-TV
MICHIGAN
Members of Michigan diocese angered at priest’s arrival
“Some members of a Michigan Catholic diocese have expressed concerns that a priest who led a Minnesota archdiocese during a clergy sex abuse scandal is helping out in a Battle Creek church. John Nienstedt is celebrating masses at St. Philip while its pastor recovers from an illness, The Kalamazoo Gazette reported Tuesday (Jan. 19).” By Associated Press in Detroit Free Press
— Catholics, community react to priest’s arrival amid sex abuse backdrop, By Rosemary Parker on MLive.com
NEBRASKA
Group speaks out against Lincoln Catholic bishop
“A group that speaks on behalf of survivors abused by priests when they were young protested Wednesday (Jan. 27) morning in front of the Catholic chancery in Lincoln. The group voiced frustration over the first bishop in the U.S. who was criminally convicted of sheltering a priest suspected of child sex abuse and is now in the Lincoln diocese.” By Andrew Ozaki, KETV-TV
NEW JERSEY
Tennis pro says priest abused him in New Jersey
“David Ohlmuller, a Lake Bluff man who has become known around the North Shore for teaching platform tennis and is a hall of famer in the sport, recently came forward with allegations of sexual abuse against a Roman Catholic priest in New Jersey. Ohlmuller, 46, says he was abused on several occasions in 1982 in a confessional while he was a student at St. Cassian School in Montclair, N.J.” By Tim Moran, Patch.com
NEW YORK
Priest accused of sexual abuse of minors in Westchester
“A Catholic Priest has been accused of sexual abuse of minors in Westchester County, according to multiple reports. Father Richard Gorman, the director of prison chaplains for the archdiocese, allegedly committed the acts 30 years ago. The archdiocese immediately reported the allegations to law enforcement official, Catholic New York reported.” By Joe Jenkins, White Plains, White Plains Daily Voice
Bronx priest suspended in abuse case
“A Roman Catholic priest also active in Bronx politics has been suspended from priestly duties because of allegations that he sexually abused minors three decades ago, church officials said on Thursday (Jan. 21). The priest, the Rev. Richard Gorman, is the director of prison chaplains for the Archdiocese of New York, with an office at the archdiocese’s headquarters in Manhattan.” By Sharon Otterman, The New York Times
PENNSYLVANIA
Judge replaces Pennsylvania priest’s sentencing with new trial hearing
“A federal judge has delayed next week’s sentencing for a priest convicted of having sex with poor street children during missionary trips to Honduras. The judge will hold a hearing Tuesday (Feb. 2) on whether to grant a new trial for the Rev. Joseph Maurizio instead of sentencing the 70-year-old priest that day in Johnstown, about 60 miles east of Pittsburgh.” By Joe Mandak, Associated Press, in The Morning Call
SOUTH CAROLINA
Abuse victims renew call to publish names of abusive priests in Charleston
“Two victims of childhood sexual abuse renewed calls Tuesday (Jan. 26) for the Catholic Diocese of Charleston to publish a list of priests accused of misconduct with minors. The local call came on the heels of recent litigation alleging that a man was left out of a 2007 class-action suit against the diocese and the release earlier this month of 77 names by the Archdiocese of Seattle.” By Christina Elmore, The Post and Courier
WASHINGTON
Seattle archdiocese publishes list of clergy accused of sexual abuse of minors
“The Seattle archdiocese published Jan. 15 a list of clergy and religious ‘accused of sexual abuse of a minor who have served or resided in Western Washington,’ according to an archdiocesan press release. ‘The individuals named on the list posted to the archdiocesan website have allegations that are either admitted, established or determined to be credible,’ the release said. According to the release, ‘Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain apologized for the actions of those who abused minors’ and said publishing the list builds on the archdiocese’s efforts at transparency, accountability and urging victims to come forward.” By Dan Morris-Young, National Catholic Reporter
— Archdiocese to assess, potentially add names to list of sexual abusers, By Bellevue Reporter
— Few clergy on Catholic child sex list ever prosecuted, By Lewis Kamb, Seattle Times
— Names of Yakima Valley clergy accused of sexual abuse may go online, By Jane Gargas, Yakima Herald
— History of abuse by Catholic clergy still felt in native communities, By Bill Radke and Allie Ferguson, KUOW-FM
AUSTRALIA
Parents boycott mass in protest of priest involved in sex abuse allegations
“Concerned parents and students at a Melbourne Catholic school have boycotted mass after calling for their priest to resign over abuse allegations. A group of parents at St Patrick’s School in Mentone and St John Vianney’s School in Parkdale have been demanding that parish priest Father John Walshe stand down. The Catholic priest defended Cardinal George Pell at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and has been accused of sexually abusing an 18-year-old seminarian in 1982.” By Henrietta Cook, The Age
Ex-Catholic priest on trial for allegedly abusing young altar boys in regional NSW
“A Catholic priest repeatedly sexually abused three young altar boys in regional NSW in the 1980s, including raping one child at the church’s altar, a court has heard. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is being tried for 17 offences allegedly committed against the boys, aged 11 and 12, between 1980 and 1984.” By Paul Bibby, The Sydney Morning Herald
George Pell too unwell to fly, days before decision on royal commission appearance
“Australia’s most senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, is still too unwell to fly and will address a philanthropic Catholic organization in the U.S. on Thursday (Jan. 28) via video link from Rome. It comes days before Australia’s royal commission into institutional responses into child sexual abuse is due to hear from Pell’s lawyers about whether he will be well enough to appear in person before the commission in February, when hearings are due to continue in Ballarat.” By Melissa Davey, The Guardian
Church lawyer demands child sex abuse victim repay compensation after speaking to media
“The Catholic Church is in damage control after one of its lawyers demanded that a child sex abuse survivor repay an out-of-court settlement because she spoke to the media about her case. Lawyers for the Diocese of Wagga Wagga also sought a public apology from the woman for ‘untruths’ she told to the local newspaper. But after being contacted by the ABC on Wednesday (Jan. 20), the Bishop of Wagga Wagga said he did not instruct the lawyer to make the demands and he would not be pursuing abuse survivor Gina Swannell for the money.” By Lorna Knowles, ABC News Australia
CANADA
Man alleges sexual abuse from Catholic priest
“A central-Alberta man has filed a $4-million lawsuit against the Catholic church claiming decades old sexual abuse at the hands of a Calgary priest has left him permanently scarred. The 52-year-old plaintiff, whom Postmedia is not naming as a result of the sexual nature of the lawsuit, says he was victimized by convicted child molester Fr. Robert Joseph Whyte.” By Kevin Martin, Calgary Herald
GREAT BRITAIN, SCOTLAND & WALES
Catholic church pays compensation over alleged abuse at UK school
The Catholic church continues to quietly pay out compensation to victims of alleged sex abuse at Catholic schools in Britain while refusing to accept liability. Leslie Turner, a retired primary headteacher, was paid £17,000 in compensation by the Irish Christian Brothers in 2014, after claiming two members of the Catholic order sexually abused him at school in Sunderland in the 1960s.” By Jenny Kleeman and Helen Pidd, The Guardian
Child abuse survivors take their former Catholic diocese to court
“Survivors of child abuse within the Catholic Church are taking their former diocese to court after allegations of an institutional cover-up going back decades. The claims – dating back to the 1950s and featuring pupils at a church school in the north west of England – mirror those in the recent Spotlight film, tipped for Oscars success for its real-life depiction of similar allegations in the Catholic Church in Boston, US, in the 1980s.” By Belfast Telegraph
Child abuse survivors give harrowing statements to police
“Harrowing testimony from three survivors of historical child abuse at St Bede’s Catholic school describe in gruesome details the level of torment they suffered from those they trusted. They spoke of the constant recurring nightmares and the ‘burden’ of carrying the secrets with them for more than half a century, prompting one to make a failed suicide attempt several decades after the abuse ended.” By Lancashire Evening Post
INDIA
Minor molestation: Catholic priest denied bail by HC
“The Kerala High Court on Monday declined to grant bail to a Catholic priest who is accused of molesting a minor girl from the community. Justice Sunil Thomas considered the bail plea of 41-year-old Edwin Figarez, who was the priest of a church at Puthenvelikkara under Kottappuram diocese. He had gone into hiding since April last year after Ernakulam rural police registered a case against him. He was arrested in December.” By Mahir Haneef, The Times of India
IRELAND
Homily on abuse by bishop of Kilmore angers victims
“Two clerical abuse victims have criticized a homily by the Bishop of Kilmore in which he described the abuse at the hands of the clergy as an ‘aberration.’ Bishop Leo O’Reilly said the religious of Ireland have experienced ‘the prophet’s rejection in recent times in a very painful way.’” By Stephen Rogers, Irish Examiner
Catholic priest investigated for child abuse to retire after review by the church
“Concerns about Fr Paul Symonds date back to the 1970s, when he worked in England. The priest, who comes from England, was working as a curate in Ballymena when concerns about him were brought to the attention of the authorities. In 2009, he was arrested in London by officers from the Metropolitan Police Force’s child abuse investigation team. Both Fr Symonds and the Catholic Church authorities cooperated fully with the police during their investigation.” By Belfast Telegraph
MEXICO
Catholic Church accused of shielding priest who abused some 100 children in Mexico
“The Oaxaca Children’s Forum was joined Tuesday ((Jan. 26) by several priests and activists in accusing Mexico’s Catholic hierarchy of protecting a priest who may have abused around 100 children. The accusation was made at a press conference at which a letter was read from the mother of one of the victims directed to Pope Francis, who will visit Mexico next month, in which she asks the pontiff for justice for the victims and action to ensure that ‘this doesn’t happen again.’” By Inside Costa Rica News
— Activists demand justice for victims of pedophile priests, By TelesurTV.net