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TOP STORIES
Fugitive Fathers: Two priests have been suspended since GlobalPost’s investigation
“One month ago, GlobalPost published a lengthy investigation into Catholic clergy who have been accused of sexual abuse in the United States or Europe, yet continue to work as priests in remote South American dioceses … We still haven’t received any response from either the Vatican or Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who heads up the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.” By Will Carless, GlobalPost.com
Francis faces a balancing act on sexual abuse reform
“A member of Pope Francis’ Vatican commission to fight child sexual abuse said Monday (Oct. 12) that when the pontiff praised the ‘courage’ of the American bishops in handling abuse during his recent trip to the United States, he was engaged in a delicate balancing act. That line stirred controversy among abuse survivors and their advocates, who argued that some US prelates have a less than exemplary record in terms of making the Church’s ‘zero tolerance’ standard stick.” By John L. Allen, Jr., Cruxnow.com
Cardinals reportedly criticize synod in letter to Francis, but signatories disassociate
“Disagreement at the highest levels of the Catholic church about the worldwide meeting of bishops on the family seemed to come to the fore Monday (Oct. 12) with publication of a private letter from several cardinals to Pope Francis, before a number of the prelates disassociated themselves from the document.” By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter
— Cardinal Dolan reveals background to the letter of the thirteen cardinals, By Gerard O’Connell, America magazine
— Letter from Rome: Cardinals oppose Francis’ synod process, By Robert Mickens, Commonweal magazine
— Uncertainty surrounds cardinals’ letter voicing doubts about the synod, By Ines San Martin, Cruxnow.com
— Whose Synod is it, anyway? By Grant Gallicho, Commonweal
— The real Synod has yet to arrive, By Robert Mickens, National Catholic Reporter
Five reasons the synod is doomed to fail
“The synod on the family has created a lot of interest in the church and spilled a lot of ink (or electrons) in the media, but there are five reasons that it was doomed to fail before the bishops even gathered in Rome Oct. 4. Perhaps Pope Francis can perform a miracle and save it, but the odds are against him.” By Thomas Reese, National Catholic Reporter
Pope Francis reminds the synod that he has the last word
“The synod journey culminates in listening to the Bishop of Rome, (who is) called to speak authoritatively as ‘the Pastor and Teacher of all Christians,’ Pope Francis stated on October 17, on the eve of the final week of the synod on the family. In a keynote talk of the utmost importance delivered at the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the synod of bishops, Francis spoke about ‘synodality in the church,’ the synod’s place within this, the relation between the synod and the Successor of Peter, and reminded the synod fathers that he has the last word.” By Gerard O’Connell, America magazine
BISHOPS
Most Rev. Placido Rodriguez, CMF, writer Pope Francis to request retirement
“During a press conference this morning (Oct. 12) at Christ the King Cathedral, Most Rev. Plácido Rodríguez, CMF, read aloud the letter he sent to Pope Francis resigning his position as Bishop of Lubbock. As mandated by Canon Law, when a bishop reaches the age of 75, he must resign his office. Bishop Rodríguez celebrated his 75th birthday yesterday. The transition out of the role and into retirement could take as long as 14 months.” By KCBD-TV, Lubbock, Texas
Bishops get specific about what ‘new language’ on family means
“Much has been said during the 2015 Synod of Bishops on the family about finding ‘new language’ when it comes to the family; that is, rephrasing Church teaching so that it’s more positive and inclusive. But the argument often has been couched in general terms.” By Ines San Martin, Cruxnow.com
A synod conversation with Catholic Africa’s lion in winter
“Supposedly Pope Paul VI once flirted with the idea of naming patriarchs for each of the world’s continents, as a step towards greater local control. Although the concept never went anywhere, if it had a strong contender for Africa over the past couple of decades, it probably would have been Nigeria’s Cardinal Francis Arinze. Now 82 (he turns 83 on Nov. 1), Arinze incarnates many of the qualities typically associated with African Catholicism.” By John L. Allen, Jr., Cruxnow.com
Chicago’s Cupich on divorce: Pastor guides decisions, but person’s conscience is inviolable
“The Catholic church has to respect decisions divorced and remarried people make about their spiritual lives after they examine what their conscience is telling them to do, Chicago’s Archbishop Blasé Cupich said during a press briefing. Cupich — one of nine Americans attending the ongoing Oct. 4-25 Synod of Bishops and one of four personally appointed by Pope Francis — said that when he counsels divorced and remarried persons he always tries ‘in some way to understand them.” By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter
SYNOD OF BISHOPS ON THE FAMILY
U.S. sister-auditor: Synod shows cultural divide between bishops, laypeople
“The discussions at the ongoing Synod of Bishops have shown a clear difference in mindsets between the prelates considering issues of family life and ordinary Catholics looking to the gathering in hopes for changes in church pastoral practice, one of the non-voting participants in the event has said. U.S. Sacred Heart of Mary Sr. Maureen Kelleher — who is taking part in the Oct. 4-25 synod as one of 32 women serving in non-voting roles alongside the 270 prelate-members — said there is a clear cultural divide between bishops’ and laypersons’ points of view.” By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter
Synod fathers should relish the uncertainty
“Midway through the general assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the family, confusion, if not chaos, reigns, to paraphrase a synod father. And in that confusion is fear, fear of uncertainty and the unknown. Well, bishops, our brothers, welcome to family life. Seemingly without knowing it, you have stumbled upon a key experience of being in and raising a family: uncertainty. Don’t fear it, synod fathers. Relish it. This is how families live.” By National Catholic Reporter Editorial Staff
Synod hears call to re-examine teachings on sexuality, birth control
“The question of birth control, sometimes described as the ‘elephant in the room’ at the Synod of Bishops on the Family, was the focus of a bluntly worded talk by a lay auditor at the Vatican assembly. The auditor, Sharron Cole from New Zealand, told the synod that the teaching of the encyclical Humanae Vitae has been largely ignored by Catholic couples. This has led to a ‘paralyzed’ pastoral situation that requires a fresh discussion — not by clergy alone, who have shown inadequate understanding of sexuality and psychology in the way they have dealt with clerical sexual abuse, she said.” By John Thavis on JohnThavis.com
Archbishop Cupich lays out pathway for gay couples to receive Communion at Vatican press scrum
“Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago — who is participating in the Synod of the Family at Pope Francis’ personal invitation — said at a press scrum in the Vatican press office this afternoon (Oct.) 16) that the conscience is ‘inviolable’ and that he believes divorced and remarried couples could be permitted to receive the sacraments, if they have ‘come to a decision’ to do so ‘in good conscience’ – theological reasoning that he indicated in response to a follow-up question would also apply to gay couples.” By LifeSiteNews.com
— Marx’s plea for divorced, remarried Catholics: Eucharist ‘not a prize for the perfect,’ By Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, National Catholic Reporter
Cardinal Pell rejects conservative call for a walkout at the Synod of Bishops
“Despite an online petition calling on prelates ‘faithful to Christ’s teaching’ to abandon the 2015 Synod of Bishops on the family, due to perceptions of a ‘pre-determined outcome that is anything but orthodox,’ one of the summit’s most outspoken conservatives says ‘there’s no ground for anyone to walk out on anything.’” By John L. Allen, Jr., Cruxnow.com
Summarizing the Synod small group summaries
“On Wednesday (Oct. 14) synod organizers released the summaries of the four English language ‘circoli minori’(small groups) of the Ordinary Synod on the Family currently underway in the Vatican. The 5 major language groups represented at the Synod —English, French, German, Italian and Spanish —presented the results of their discussions at the morning General Congregation, i.e. a gathering of all of the participating bishops in the Synod Hall.” By Diane Montagna, Aleteia.org
— Synod small groups suggest much work remains in finding consensus, By Michael O’Loughlin, Cruxnow.com
‘Yes, we can!’ emerges as rallying cry at 2015 synod
“Given the blindingly obvious fact that there are deep divisions at the 2015 Synod of Bishops, various ways of analyzing those fault lines have been proposed. Some see them in terms of the difference between a deductive and inductive approach, some between meeting the world halfway versus not being swallowed up by it, and so on. As the synod rolls into its second week (week of Oct. 12), yet another way of understanding the fundamental divide is coming into focus.” By John L. Allen, Jr., Cruxnow.com
Australian archbishop: Synod must change church’s language, actions
“The ongoing worldwide meeting of Catholic bishops on family is being called to explore the ‘vast middle ground’ between never-changing church teaching and committing iconoclasm, an Australian archbishop who leads one of the meetings’ English-language groups has said.” By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter
Synod bishops may punt the tough issues to the local level
“As bishops wrap up the first week of deliberations about family life, hints are emerging that complex pastoral challenges could ultimately be addressed not with sweeping changes in Rome, but at the local level. Could national bishops’ conferences come up with their own rules about annulments, Communion, and how to minister to gays and lesbians? Maybe. By Michael O’Loughlin, Cruxnow.com
Synod bishops express confusion in group reports, cardinal calls it healthy
“Catholic prelates attending the worldwide meeting of bishops on family have expressed confusion over what is expected from them in their deliberations, writing in their first public reports from the gathering that they do not understand how their discussions will be used by Catholics around the globe.” By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter
Synod Notebook: The dirty little secret about media coverage
“The dirty little secret is that we’re not really covering the synod at all. For the most part, we’re covering people telling us about the synod, which is an entirely different enterprise.” By John L. Allen, Jr., Cruxnow.com
Synod aside, marriage formation lives and dies in the parish
“While not discounting the gathering of bishops in Rome over the coming weeks, it is important to remember that the renewal of family life will most likely not be accomplished by the Apostolic Exhortation that follows the Synod. Rather, as John Allen once noted in a public address, ecclesial renewal begins at the local level, with individual charisms. How a parish does marriage formation might, in the end, be more important than any document the Synod releases.” By Timothy P. O’Malley, Aleteia.org
— Chicago prelate: Let gay and divorced Catholics take part, By Michael O’Loughlin, Cruxnow.com
CELIBACY
Organization believes ordaining married priests answer to closing churches
“Catholic parishes all over the U.S. are shutting their doors, partly due to a lack of priests to staff them. Organizations such as the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests (AUSCP) believe ordaining married priests, or viri probati, a Latin phrase for ‘proven men,’ is the answer.” By Elizabeth A. Elliott, National Catholic Reporter
VOICES
Parishioners vow to continue Massachusetts vigil despite trespass ruling
“Parishioners who have occupied their Massachusetts church for 11 years to prevent the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston from closing it vowed on Thursday (Oct. 16) to continue their vigil despite a ruling by the state’s top court that they are trespassing.” By Scott Malone, Reuters
— Church parishioners say vigil’s determination is tied to clergy sex abuse scandal, By Chris Burrell, The Patriot Ledger
— In Massachusetts, an 11-year vigil to redefine church, By Jessica Mendoza, Christian Science Monitor
The scandal of the Synod
“The Synod on the Family is now beginning its third and final week (week of Oct. 19) at the Vatican – does it matter … In all the synod’s waffly churchspeak, as Australian Archbishop Mark Coleridge calls it, one phrase remains unspoken – the sexual abuse of children by clergy. Why is this?” By Terry McKiernan, Hamilton-Griffin.com
The plot to change Catholicism
“The Vatican always seems to have the secrets and intrigues of a Renaissance court — which, in a way, is what it still remains. The ostentatious humility of Pope Francis, his scoldings of high-ranking prelates, have changed this not at all; if anything, the pontiff’s ambitions have encouraged plotters and counterplotters to work with greater vigor. And right now the chief plotter is the pope himself.” By Ross Douthat, The New York Times
Cardinal Wuerl calls out Pope’s opponents
“Cardinal Donald Wuerl has flatly denied the allegations by some of his fellow cardinals and bishops that the fathers attending the synod are ‘somehow’ being manipulated by the pope and the synod structure that Francis approved. He wonders whether the underlying reason why they are suggesting or saying such things is because ‘they just don’t like this pope,’ and find the church that he is calling for “somewhat threatening.” By Gerard O’Connell, America magazine
— Cardinal Wuerl: Bishops and synod should meet people where they are, By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter
The Catholic Church’s inclusion problem
“Bishops at the Synod on the Family are debating what to do to people about who feel shut out. How should the Catholic Church minister to those who feel excluded?” By James Martin, S.J., Editor-at-Large for America magazine, in Time magazine
Letter from Rome: Holy Spirit vs. ‘undue media pressure’
“Never has a gathering of the Synod of Bishops in Rome created such interest around the world. And not just among Catholics. Whether or not it was his intention, Pope Francis has involved the entire Christian community—and, in a sense, the whole human race—in an ongoing reflection, debate and conversation surrounding the “crisis” of marriage and the changing nature of the nuclear family.” By Robert Mickens, Global Pulse Editor-in-Chief, in Commonweal
Admitting divorced and remarried Catholics to Holy Communion: doctrine or discipline?
“Only three days into the Synod and, contrary to the wishes of Pope Francis, the question of admitting divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to Holy Communion continues to take center stage. Some observers are already expecting the German bishops, the majority of whom strongly favor a change in the Church’s practice, to push for relegating the matter to the local level.” By Diane Montagna, Aleteia.org
— Synod expresses differing thoughts on mercy, marriage indissolubility, By Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter
POPE FRANCIS
Pope calls for ‘synodal’ church that listens, learns, shares mission
“Marking the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis outlined his vision for a church that is ‘synodal’ at every level, with everyone listening to each other, learning from each other and taking responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel. ‘The journey of synodality is the journey that God wants from his church in the third millennium,’ the pope said Oct. 17. ‘A synodal church is a listening church, aware that listening is more than hearing. It is a reciprocal listening in which each one has something to learn.’” By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service in National Catholic Reporter
The Pope and the sex abuse scandal
The New York Times Op-Ed Page offers a debate between Rev. William Dailey, C.S.C., of Notre Dame Law School and Katherine Gallagher of the Center for Constitutional Rights on whether Pope Francis really understands the clergy sexual abuse scandal and is doing something about it.
Pope Francis issues apology for scandals at Vatican
“Amid a three-week conference of hundreds of bishops on family issues, Pope Francis issued an unusual and unexpected public apology on Wednesday (Oct. 14, 2015) for scandals that have bedeviled the church. ‘I would like to ask for forgiveness in the name of the church for the scandals that have happened in this last period both in Rome and at the Vatican,’ the pope told assembled faithful as he opened his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. ‘I ask for your forgiveness,’ he said humbly.” By Elisabetta Povoledo, The New York Times
Seeing Pope Francis as shock therapy for the Catholic Church
“For Catholics accustomed to traditional ways of doing things, Pope Francis is undeniably a shock to the system. A summit of bishops from around the world over which he’s currently presiding in Rome is a classic case in point, because Catholics just aren’t used to seeing differences among their leaders play out so publicly and, at times, with such a sharp edge.” By John L. Allen, Jr., Cruxnow.com
Francis defends bishop accused of concealing sex abuse
“On Oct. 2, a Chilean news channel brought to light a May 6 recording of Pope Francis defending Bishop Juan Barros, who was recently assigned to Osorno, Chile, despite allegations that the new bishop covered up clergy sex abuse by a priest in the 1980s and 1990s.” By Soli Salgado, National Catholic Reporter
— Calling protesters in Chile ‘dumb,’ Pope Francis sets off uproar, By Pascale Bonnefoy, The New York Times
CHURCH FUTURE
Showdown at the Bishops Synod
“Everyone interested in the future of the Catholic church is now focused on the Synod of Bishops on the Family – the showdown in Rome between progressive forces seeking to reanimate the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and conservatives anxious to maintain the ‘reform of the reform’ undertaken by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.” By Mark Silk, Religion in the News, Religion News Service
N.J. archbishop sets strict rules barring Catholics from the sacraments
“Even as Pope Francis and Catholic leaders from around the world debate ways to make the Catholic Church more inclusive, Newark Archbishop John Myers has given his priests strict guidelines on refusing Communion to Catholics who, for example, support gay marriage or join an organization that rejects Church teaching.” By David Gibson, Religion News Service, on Cruxnow.com
— Why bishops won’t approve Communion for the divorced and remarried, by Mark Silk, Religion News Service
WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
Violent marriages: A woman’s quest to help synod bishops grasp the issue
“Christauria Welland is a clinical psychologist who’s worked with both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence – and with one in three women worldwide suffering from abuse at the hands of a partner, her goal is to make sure bishops know about the problem.” By Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency
Married to an angry man: An open letter to the synod Fathers
“This is a guest post written by the friend of a friend. The writer goes by Monica More, which is a pseudonym. I have bolded some passages for emphasis. Priests, especially, please take heed. By Simcha Fisher, Patheos.com
Empowering women empowers us all
“The language that Pope Francis used to describe women Religious during his visit to the United States last week was very welcome. They are ‘women of strength, fighters, with that spirit of courage that puts you in the front line,’ he told them during Vespers at St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. The Pope’s comments sent out a clear message, given that American women Religious have undergone inspections by the Vatican and US bishops in recent years into their alleged lack of orthodoxy. Instead, Francis voiced his deep appreciation of their work with the most deprived in society, reflecting a solidarity that he shares so strongly.” By Editorial Staff at The Tablet
— Ordain women? Vatican synod gets an unexpected proposal, By David Gibson, Religion News Service, in The Kansas City Star
CHURCH FINANCES
Watchdog: Catholic Church transfers property worth $100 million
“The Catholic Diocese of Orange has transferred ownership of properties worth some $100 million to individual churches over recent years. Church officials say the move aligns the laws of God’s church with the laws of man, but critics denounce it as an attempt to insulate the diocese from big payouts if it’s sued.” By Teri Sforza, Orange County Register
CLERGY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Collins says abuse survivor not blocked from Vatican body
“Dublin abuse survivor Marie Collins has said she is satisfied that attempts by Chilean Catholic Church leaders to prevent another survivor becoming a member of the Vatican’s commission for the protection of minors was not a factor in him not being appointed. The commission met at the Vatican last week (week of Oct. 5).” By Patsy McGarry, The Irish Times
‘Mistake’ to overlook abuse
“The leader of the Church in Ireland has said it would be a ‘mistake’ for the Synod of Bishops to overlook the ‘shattering’ effects of clerical child sex abuse on families. Archbishop Eamon Martin criticized the synod’s working document which he claimed had ‘failed to recognize the awful shattering of family life that can be caused by abuse.’” By Cathal Barry, The Irish Catholic
Part of the family: Abuse survivors need special care, Australian says
“As the Synod of Bishops on the family discussed ways to shepherd the Catholic flock, one participant was urging extra special care for Catholics who are either too angry, disillusioned or afraid to return to the fold because of clerical sexual abuse.” By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
As you were saying: clergy sex abuse in ‘Spotlight’
“Through the film ‘Spotlight,’ Boston will soon re-live the discovery here of clerical sexual abuse in 2001-2002. The movie opens in the wake of Pope Francis’ meeting with survivors of such abuse during his visit to Philadelphia and his promise to give careful oversight to child protection and to hold all responsible accountable. The question remains whether, as a community of faith, a society, a world, we can articulate a new human story regarding child abuse, and how the global Catholic Church can help that happen.” By M.J. Doherty, Boston Herald
Vatican aims for child protection norms to be custom-fitted per culture
“When it comes to protection against abuse, guidelines need to be implemented according to the customs of each country if they are to be effective, said one official of the Vatican’s commission for the protection of minors, which met in Rome over the weekend (Oct. 10-11). ‘The important thing about guidelines is that they’ve got to fit the country that they’re in, and the culture that they’re in,’ said commission member Bill Kilgallon, director of the National Office for Professional Standards of the Catholic Church in New Zealand.” By Catholic News Agency on Patheos.com
Pope’s sex abuse commission taking advice on the road
“Pope Francis’ sex abuse commission has begun an important new phase of its work: Bringing the expertise of its members to the developing world where bishops’ conferences have lagged behind their English-speaking counterparts in crafting guidelines to prevent abuse and care for survivors.” By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press, on Kentucky.com
Pontifical abuse commission holds meeting
“The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors gathered in Plenary Assembly, October 9-11, 2015, in Rome. It is the second time that the full Commission has gathered together. The Plenary Assembly began with Mass with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in Santa Marta. Members then focused their sessions on listening to and discussing progress reports presented by the Working Groups formed in the February 2015 Plenary.” Press release from the Commission for the Protection of Minors
Priest sex abuse survivors promote hope, healing
“Four years ago, James Richter — a childhood clergy sexual abuse survivor — couldn’t look at the faces of those who sat in the pews of Holy Family Parish for a Mass promoting healing for victims of sexual abuse.” By Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times
MINNESOTA
Church sex abuse lawsuit heads to court
“One of the several lawsuits filed in connection with sexual abuse in the Catholic Church began Monday (Oct. 19) morning in St. Paul. The lawsuit, that is filed by Jeff Anderson and Associates, involves the Diocese of Duluth. The lawsuit claims that Father J. Vincent Fitzgerald abused a teenage altar boy in 1978. The lawsuit claims the now deceased priest molested the boy ‘on a daily basis.’” By Nick Minock, NorthlandNewsCenter.com
— Duluth priest’s abuse trial likely a first under Child Victims Act, By Elizabeth Mohr, Pioneer Press, TwinCities.com
MISSOURI
Alleged abuse by Church of the Immacolata priest Leroy Valentine
“The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis was sued Friday (Oct. 16) over sex abuse allegedly suffered by a young boy who attended school at the Church of the Immacolata in Richmond Heights. The suit, filed by a pair of anonymous parents on behalf of their son, alleges that Fr. Leroy Valentine began abusing the boy when he was eleven — eventually sodomizing him in the rectory. The abuse allegedly continued for four years, from 1977 to 1981.” By Sarah Fenske, Riverfront Times
Kansas City Catholic diocese settles lawsuit involving convicted priest
“The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has agreed to settle claims involving a pedophile priest for a total of $200,000.” By Associated Press on Mid-Missouri Public Radio, KBIA-FM
— New settlement brings K.C. priest abuse cost to nearly $4 million, By Kansas City Business Journal
NEW YORK
Markey pushes for child victims bill
“As Pope Francis concluded his historic trip to the United States, he told a group of sexual abuse victims in Philadelphia that ‘God weeps for the sexual abuse of children.’ For Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth), who has spent nearly a decade trying to pass a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for sex crimes against children, his remarks didn’t go nearly far enough in addressing the church’s role in perpetrating and enabling child abuse.” By Gabriel Rom, Queens Times Ledger
AUSTRALIA
Pell to be at ‘confronting’ abuse inquiry
“The Catholic Church’s handling of two decades of abuse by pedophile priests in a Melbourne parish will be the focus of a royal commission hearing featuring Cardinal George Pell. Cardinal Pell, now the Vatican’s finance chief, will give evidence to the commission’s public hearing into the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne’s response to child abuse as well as its continuing inquiry into widespread abuse by clergy in the Ballarat diocese.” By Agence France-Press on 9News Victoria
Court hears Catholic teen molested by priest at Wollongong school
“The victim in an alleged Wollongong historic child abuse case has repeatedly rejected claims in court he made up the allegations. The alleged abuse involved former priest Father Patrick Kervin at Holy Spirit College in Bellambi. The student was aged 15 when the alleged abuse occurred in the 1980s.” By Nick McLaren, ABC News Australia
CANADA
Ex-priest facing historic sexual assault charges in southern Ontario
“Police have charged a former Catholic priest with a historical sexual assault investigation in southern Ontario. Ontario Provincial police say they have been investigating an alleged sexual assault in 1975 involving a boy who was 13 years old at the time.” By The Canadian Press on CTVNews.com
GREAT BRITAIN, SCOTLAND & WALES
Roman Catholic priest gave £10,000 to alleged abuse victim
“A retired Catholic priest accused of child sex abuse gave one of his alleged victims a cheque for £10,000, a BBC Scotland investigation has revealed. Fr Paul Moore has denied that the cheque to the former altar boy was intended as ‘hush money.’ The former Ayrshire priest says it was ‘a loan’ and a ‘private matter.’” By Mark Daly, BBC News
— Former Irvine priest denies that £10,000 payment to alleged victim was “hush money”, By Irvine Herald, Daily Record
HOLLAND
Catholic Church pays compensation to 250 more abuse victims
“The Dutch Catholic church is to pay financial compensation to 250 victims of sexual abuse whose cases were earlier dismissed. The committee investigating the abuse determined earlier that 250 cases are not proven, mainly because there were no other complaints about the priest concerned. The decision to pay compensation follows concerns by commission members that rejected complaints were also true, despite the lack of evidence.” By DutchNews.nl
MALTA
Catholic priest in Malta accused of sexually abusing boys
“A Catholic priest in the largely Catholic country was officially accused on Wednesday (Oct. 14) of sexually abusing three teenage boys between 2010 and 2013. The 44-year-old, Donald Bellizzi, the current chaplain of the airport chapel, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court rejected his lawyer’s request for bail.” By DW.com