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Thursday, October 31, 2002
BOSTON (MA)
Archdiocese Forced To Move Newspaper Offices
Sex Abuse Scandal Means Tough Economic Times
thebostonchannel.com
BOSTON -- The Archdiocese of Boston's newspaper has moved its offices from the
South End to chancery grounds as the church faces tight economic times in the
wake of the sex abuse scandal.
Staffers at The Pilot completed the move on Wednesday, the Boston Herald reported.
Donna Morrissey, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said the decision to move
was made a while ago, but the archdiocese's tough economic situation helped speed
it along.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
12:29:35 PM
IRELAND
Catholic Church is still not getting any of the messages
Irish
Independent
THE Church is still not getting its messages. They flood in upon it like the heavy
rains that have fallen during this dismal month of October.
And they have been like a perpetual downpour that in truth is a rain of retribution
from Heaven.
It has been a dismal time for all of us, as we witness the deaf ears and the dead
heart of an institution whose own message should be one of love.
But it is infinitely more dismal for the huge numbers of those who were abused
as children and are still struggling with the outcome of that inescapable past.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
10:21:37 AM
IRELAND
Tragedy and farce
Irish
Independent
CHILD sex abuse by Catholic priests has been the source of many tragedies. Now
the reaction of the Church to the flood of terrible disclosures bids to become
a farce.
Priests against whom allegations have been made are still practising in the diocese
of Raphoe. That goes directly contrary to the Church's own guidelines. These state
that the person concerned should be sent on administrative leave pending investigation
by the civil authorities.
Last weekend the Bishop of Killaloe removed a priest from his duties when the
Garda informed him of an allegation. One had thought that the same correct and
obvious course would be taken in every diocese. Evidently not. But why not?
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
10:19:27 AM
IRELAND
Priests accused of abuse still serving diocese
Irish
Independent
SEVERAL priests being investigated by the Catholic Church for alleged child sex
abuse are still serving in the Diocese of Raphoe, in breach of the Church's own
guidelines.
Bishop of Raphoe Dr Philip Boyce yesterday admitted that, despite the guidelines
introduced in 1996, several priests who are currently the subject of complaints
of child sexual abuse are continuing to practise in a rural diocese.
The Church's own procedures state that priests be asked to take leave as soon
as a complaint of this sort is made.
The director of the Child Protection Office for the Hierarchy, Paul Bailey, confirmed
that the guidelines also state clearly that "in all instances" where it is known
or suspected that child sexual abuse is taking place, the matter should be reported
to the civil authorities.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
10:17:05 AM
MANCHESTER (NH)
Diocese slams article
critical of McCormack
The
Union Leader
Union Leader News
The Catholic Diocese of Manchester said Bishop John McCormack was inaccurately
represented in an article in yesterday’s Boston Globe.
The article, written by Stephen Kurkjian, contained information from McCormack’s
Sept. 27 deposition provided by Rodney Ford, the father of an alleged victim of
Massachusetts Rev. Paul R. Shanley.
“The article by Mr. Kurkjian in the Boston Globe is based on unnamed sources and
the vague recollections of a witness at a closed deposition,” said diocese representative
Rev. Edward J. Arsenault.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
10:03:50 AM
KEENE (NH)
McCormack again under fire
at Keene task force hearing
The
Union Leader
By STEPHEN SEITZ
Union Leader Correspondent
KEENE — The Diocese of Manchester has a long way to go to rebuild trust among
the laity, judging from comments at a public hearing last night on sexual misconduct
by priests.
Led by former New Hampshire House Speaker Donna Sytek, the Diocesan Task Force
on Sexual Misconduct Policy held its first public hearing in Keene’s public library
with some 30 people attending.
Three other hearings are scheduled across the state.
Robin Duraths said he had been victimized by a priest while attending Camp Fatima,
a church summer camp in Gilmanton, at the age of 10.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
10:01:31 AM
WASHINGTON (DC)
Second Vatican Council reaffirmed papal rule
The Washington
Times
By Larry Witham
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
A Catholic cardinal said yesterday that the reformist Second Vatican Council upheld
the authority of the papacy, hierarchy and Rome as the "true church," rather than
liberalizing those beliefs, as commonly believed. Top Stories
"Movements of reform and liberalization have commonly appealed to Vatican II as
their justification, but many of their proposals have rested on misinterpretations,"
Cardinal Avery Dulles said in a speech to a full auditorium at Georgetown University
last night to mark the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, which opened
in 1962.
Cardinal Dulles was called "the dean of Catholic theologians" in an introduction
by John J. DeGioia, president of Georgetown, and last year became the first American
theologian who is not a bishop to be made a cardinal.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
09:44:55 AM
VATICAN
Panel of Bishops Completes Changes to Zero-Tolerance Policy
The
New York Times
By FRANK BRUNI with LAURIE GOODSTEIN
ROME, Oct. 30 — A committee of Vatican officials and American bishops announced
today that they had revised a zero-tolerance policy for dealing with sexually
abusive priests, bringing American bishops closer to Vatican approval for some
of the new rules they sought.
But it was unclear just how many of those rules and how much of that policy remained
intact. Committee members would not provide details about the revisions, which
followed the Vatican's rejection nearly two weeks ago of an initial draft of the
policy.
Americans on the committee and United States church leaders expressed confidence
that the revisions would meet the approval of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops, which is now expected to vote on them when it meets in Washington
Nov. 11-14.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
09:31:34 AM
KEENE (NH)
Church task force gets earful on sex scandals
Foster's
Daily Democrat
By J.M. Hirsch
Associated Press Writer
KEENE, N.H. (AP) — A task force evaluating the sexual abuse policy of the Roman
Catholic Diocese of Manchester got an earful from parishioners Wednesday night
about honest communications.
During the first of four so-called listening sessions being held around the state,
Catholics told the task force their trust in the church has been weakened by the
church’s failure to deal honestly with the abuse scandal.
Jim Preisendorfer complained that he is more likely to hear about the misdeeds
of corporate executives than about his parish priest.
"To what degree are we going to be notified? It’s known within a corporation.
Why shouldn’t we know in our church?" he said.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
09:16:46 AM
WORCESTER (MA)
Kerrigan, followers pleased
Telegram
& Gazette
By Kathleen A. Shaw
Telegram & Gazette Staff
Summoning the Rev. David Kerrigan under a little-known provision of canon law
to celebrate Mass was not an effort to start a new church, those behind the Mass
say.
“It was an attempt to fill a need that many people have,” said Elizabeth Blozie
of Charlton, who, with her husband, Robert Blozie, called the priest to celebrate
Mass last Sunday at the Ramada Inn, Route 12, in Auburn. The Mass was not sanctioned
by the bishop.
The Blozies and Rev. Kerrigan have agreed to have another Mass at 10 a.m. Sunday
at the Ramada Inn. Because 50 people attended last week, a decision was made to
continue holding the Masses for as long as people want them.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
09:07:46 AM
METHUEN (MA)
Church selling lakefront land
The Eagle Tribune
By Chris Markuns
Staff Writer
METHUEN -- The impending sale of 12 acres of pristine lakeshore land owned by
the Archdiocese of Boston has the Forest Lake neighborhood and town officials
nervous, with both waiting to see who buys it and for what use.
"It could be now, it could be in the spring," said Forest Lake Association President
Stephen Zanni, "but it's going to be sold."
Last night 40 people, including town officials met to discuss the archdiocese's
possible plans for the meeting hall and land on Francis Street. The archdiocese
took ownership of the parcels when it closed St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lawrence
this summer.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
09:01:03 AM
BOSTON (MA)
Altar boy: Law told me to stay quiet on abuse
Boston
Herald
by Robin Washington
A former Missouri altar boy said that in the early 1980s he told then-Bishop Bernard
Law that a parish priest was molesting him, only to be told by Law to keep quiet
about the abuse.
The alleged victim, who asked that his name be withheld, said he sought Law's
help a second time a few months later and was similarly rebuffed. ``He cut me
off. He didn't want to hear a lot of the details,'' he said of the alleged abuse
at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Branson, Mo., at the hands of the now-deceased
Rev. Paul McHugh in 1982. ``He told me I was obligated not to speak to anyone
else about it. He said we need to protect the church,'' the now-31-year-old Californian
added.
The accusation counters Law's sworn deposition in the Rev. Paul R. Shanley civil
case, in which Law reportedly claimed he dealt with only one abuser priest - the
Rev. Leonard Chambers - during his tenure as head of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape
Girardeau.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
08:55:00 AM
SALEM (MA)
Alleged Victims Say Bishop Witnessed Abuse
McCormack Allegedly Saw Priest With Boys
thebostonchannel.com
SALEM, Mass. -- Men who related their accounts of alleged abuse to Cardinal Bernard
Law are talking Wednesday of their dealings with New Hampshire Bishop John McCormack.
NewsCenter 5's David Boeri said that McCormack's handling of accused priests while
he was with the Boston Archdiocese, including the Rev. Joseph E. Birmingham, has
come under fire.
"He blew me away by saying that he believes that Father McCormack did nothing
to hide or was guilty of (anything), and I think I speak for everyone else. It
blew me away because we've seen all the documents. It's appalling," alleged victim
Michael Barros said.
McCormack was once a fellow priest in a parish for Birmingham.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
08:52:18 AM
VATICAN
Vatican, bishops agree on new rules
Boston
Globe
Policy will protect priests and children, say officials
By Michael Paulson, Globe Staff, 10/31/2002
Acting with surprising speed, the Vatican has reached an agreement with four US
bishops on proposed changes to a sexual abuse prevention policy that church officials
say will beef up priests' rights but also protect children.
Church officials in Rome and the United States yesterday declined to release details
of the changes, which were sought by the Vatican after top officials there expressed
concern about the nationwide policy overwhelmingly approved by the American bishops
in Dallas in June. The Vatican worried that the American bishops had endorsed
too broad a definition of sexual abuse, had ceded too much power to lay boards,
and had taken away too many due process rights from accused priests.
In a brief statement yesterday, the lead American negotiator said the proposed
changes will still protect children, but will respond to the widespread concern
about priests' rights voiced by critics of the bishops' policy over the last four
months.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/31/2002
08:43:50 AM BOSTON
Archdiocese reinstates Foster after 2d probe
Boston
Globe
By Michael Rezendes and Walter V. Robinson, Globe Staff
For a second time, the Archdiocese of Boston has reinstated Monsignor Michael
Smith Foster to active ministry after a two-month ordeal during which he twice
took a leave of absence, despite serious questions about the credibility of an
alleged sexual abuse victim.
In an unsigned statement released yesterday just before 10 p.m., the archdiocese
said it had completed a second investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct
made by one person against Foster and determined that the accusation is not credible.
posted by Bill Mitchell on 10/31/2002
08:12:13 AM
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
VATICAN
US-Vatican commission makes suggested revisions in US bishops' sex policy
Boston.com
By Associated Press, 10/30/02
VATICAN CITY -- An American-Vatican commission has completed work to revise the
U.S. bishops' sweeping discipline policy for priests who sexually abuse children,
the Vatican said Wednesday.
The "suggestions worked out" in two days of meetings will be put before the scheduled
fall meeting of all American bishops in Washington, D.C., Nov. 11-14, the Vatican
said. Action taken by the U.S. bishops would then be sent to the Vatican for approval.
The three-paragraph statement included no details on any changes. Sister Mary
Ann Walsh, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington,
said no further information would be released Wednesday.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/30/2002
12:54:02 PM
BOSTON (MA)
Group Formed Over Scandal Wins Meeting With Cardinal
The
New York Times
By PAM BELLUCK
BOSTON, Oct. 29 — After months of distancing himself and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese
of Boston from Voice of the Faithful, an increasingly popular lay group formed
in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis, Cardinal Bernard F. Law agreed
today to meet with the group.
The decision came after Voice of the Faithful leaders met today with a senior
archdiocese official, Bishop Walter Edyvean. It was the group's third meeting
with Bishop Edyvean, but the first the group had been granted since June, despite
months of seeking to talk with church leaders about Voice of the Faithful's goals
of giving lay people more influence in the Roman Catholic church.
The cardinal had been under tremendous public pressure to soften his stance toward
Voice of the Faithful, which claims 25,000 members from 40 states. It has grown
from a group of about 40 people who convened in a suburban Boston church basement
in February to address the problems raised by the sex abuse scandal.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/30/2002
09:51:11 AM WALLA WALLA (Wa)
Bishop's list of alleged child abusers includes ex-WW priest
Walla
Walla Union-Bulletin
Oct 24 2002
By Cathy Grimes of the Union-Bulletin
Arthur Mertens, a priest in Walla Walla from 1981-89, is included on a list released
Wednesday.
A former pastor of St. Patrick Church in Walla Walla was among five priests whose
names were released by the Spokane Diocese Wednesday for alleged sexual abuse
of children.
A statement by Spokane Bishop William Skylstad names Arthur Mertens, then a monsignor
and senior priest at St. Patrick from 1981-89, as a priest ``accused of sexual
abuse of minors.''
No priest-related cases of sex abuse from WW
Walla
Walla Union-Bulletin
Oct 27
By Cathy Grimes of the Union-Bulletin
Two days after releasing the names of six priests who were removed or resigned
from the priesthood after allegations of sexual abuse of minors, Bishop William
Skylstad said no allegations came from Walla Walla.
Three of the six priests identified Wednesday had ties to the region. Arthur Mertens
served as pastor of St. Patrick Church from 1981-1989, when he retired and then
was removed from ministry. Theodore Bradley, removed from ministry in 2002, served
as assistant pastor at St. Patrick prior to 1961. Reinard Beaver, a Walla Walla
native ordained at St. Patrick, was removed from ministry in 1983. None of his
ministerial assignments were in Walla Walla.
posted by Bill Mitchell on 10/30/2002
07:43:23 AM
Conflicts between canon law and the sexual abuse policy of the U.S. bishops
Religion
& Ethics NewsWeekly
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly correspondent Kim Lawton interviews Catholic University
canon lawyer the Rev. John Beal, Voice of the Faithful president Jim Post, and
Commonweal editor Margaret O’Brien Steinfels about conflicts between canon law
and the sexual abuse policy of the U.S. bishops.
posted by Bill Mitchell on 10/30/2002
07:41:53 AM
MANCHESTER (NH)
McLaughlin modifies
church crimes claim
The
Union Leader
Union Leader News
Four months ago, the New Hampshire Sunday News reported that Attorney General
Philip McLaughlin was “absolutely convinced” that crimes were committed by Catholic
Church leaders who knowingly moved abusive priests from one parish to another.
The attorney general now claims that he was not referring to church leaders in
this state.
McLaughlin had said in June, “I think it is absolutely self-evident that that’s
the case. There’s no ambiguity about it. The question is, can we get the kind
of evidence to bring prosecutions within the statute of limitations?”
But last week, McLaughlin said his statement — although reported accurately —
was “a generic response with respect to what I thought was a matter of public
safety” given the U.S. bishops’ failure to address their responsibility to protect
children from abusive priests in the sexual abuse charter they adopted in Dallas
in June.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/30/2002
07:41:29 AM 'We are the church'
'Listening sessions' let parishioners and Catholic officials tell each other what
they think about abusive priests.
Baltimore
Sun
By Patricia Meisol
Sun Staff
October 29, 2002
The schedule for the "listening sessions" set up by Baltimore's Cardinal William
H. Keeler arrived too late to be included in the Sunday bulletin distributed to
parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Essex. Mary Rose Mueller, 46, found
out about it by reading the Catholic Review.
She wanted the cardinal to know how she felt about the church that linked her
to the ages, the church she had been brought to as an infant and to which she
had returned every Sunday since. It was, after all, her church, too. But up until
now, communication had been one way. This was her chance to speak about something
that for so long had been hushed up: sex abuse of children by priests in the Roman
Catholic Church.
posted by Bill Mitchell on 10/30/2002
07:40:03 AM
A Priest's story
Memoir reveals both saint and sinner
Evansville
Courier & Press
By MAUREEN HAYDEN Courier & Press staff writer 464-7433 or maureenh@evansville.net
October 19, 2002
Ann Ennis remembers an early summer afternoon about a decade ago, when she and
an old family friend were picking cherries in a small orchard near her home.
The friend was the Rev. James Lex, a retired Roman Catholic priest whom she'd
known since she was a child attending a West Side parish. As an adult, Ennis had
come to admire Lex, who had a reputation as a friendly rebel, an irreverent priest
who irritated church authority but endeared himself to parishioners.
Lex had spent the winter in the Bahamas, recovering from emergency heart surgery
and a brush with death. He was ready to confide in his young friend. "I have a
girlfriend," said the 65-year-old Lex.
It was a startling revelation, but not the only one Lex would make in candid conversations
with Ennis over the next 10 years.
Conversations that became part of Lex's memoirs have now been published in the
book "Fifty Years in a Jealous Marriage" (Fairway Press, $12.95). The book's subtitle,
"Seeking a Healthy Sexuality in a World of Power and Control," offers readers
a glimpse of what's inside. In the book, Lex confesses to romantic relationships
with women, breaking his vows of celibacy, contemplating suicide, binge drinking,
cursing his church and battling with leaders who covered up scandal and dissension.
posted by Bill Mitchell on 10/30/2002
07:36:50 AM
DRACUT (MA)
Law meets with abuse survivors, family
Boston
Herald
by Eric Convey and Tom Mashberg
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
In an extraordinary session at an undisclosed Lowell location last night, a sometimes
moist-eyed Bernard Cardinal Law heard the anguished stories of dozens of men,
who say they were molested by the late Rev. Joseph E. Birmingham, and their relatives
who were affected by the abuse.
``It was very emotional, a lot of tears from both priests and parents and survivors,''
organizer Bernie McDaid said after the two-hour meeting.
Law has met face-to-face with many victims in recent months, but last night's
was the first gathering involving a large group.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/30/2002
07:22:25 AM
JAFFREY (NH)
N.H. bishop reportedly coached priest on abuse reply
Boston
Globe
By Stephen Kurkjian, Globe Staff, 10/30/2002
JAFFREY, N.H. - Before becoming bishop of the Manchester Diocese, John B. McCormack
spent much of the 1980s and 1990s as the aide to Cardinal Bernard F. Law who dealt
with - and according to records, often coddled - priests accused of molesting
children.
In April, a flood tide of documents showed how McCormack threw a protective blanket
over the Rev. Paul R. Shanley when others complained about Shanley's public support
for men having sex with boys. Two weeks after the Shanley disclosures, McCormack
resigned as chairman of a US bishops' committee on sexual abuse.
In June, McCormack decided it was appropriate to reassign the Rev. Ronald P. Cote,
57, to St. Patrick's Church here, even though Cote had admitted to McCormack that
he'd had sex with a teenage boy and that the diocese was arranging a secret and
pricey settlement of a legal claim against the priest.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/30/2002
07:18:17 AM I
DRACUT (MA)
In meeting with victims, Law begs forgiveness
Private talk marked by tears and anger
Boston
Globe
By Erica Noonan and Sacha Pfeiffer, Globe Staff, 10/30/2002
DRACUT - Cardinal Bernard F. Law, in an emotional encounter with men and women
whose lives were shattered by a priest accused of being a serial child molester,
last night begged forgiveness from about 75 alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse
and their supporters.
Some of the victims cried as they told Law how their lives had been affected by
the Rev. Joseph E. Birmingham, who is alleged to have molested at least 50 boys
over a 29-year career as a priest in the Boston archdiocese. Others expressed
anger that the church had failed to oust Birmingham even after parents complained
about his behavior.
At one point, when organizers of the session sought to honor people who had lost
family members to suicide as a result of abuse by Birmingham, six people stood
up.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/30/2002
07:15:40 AM
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
WORCESTER (MA)
Writers pontificate on the next pope
Telegram
& Gazette
By Mark Melady
Telegram & Gazette Staff
WORCESTER-- Two veteran Vatican observers cited a brilliant theologian, a social
justice Brazilian and an affable Englishman as cardinals with a chance to succeed
Pope John Paul II.
John Allen, Rome bureau chief for the National Catholic Reporter, speaking at
the College of the Holy Cross last night, said Cardinal Claudio Hunnes, the 68-year-old
prelate of Sao Paulo, Brazil, meets the criteria.
He is old enough. After 24 years of Pope John Paul II, Mr. Allen said, the cardinals
do not want another long reign. Cardinal Hunnes is from South America, home to
half the world's Catholics, and he's concerned about social justice.
“After the human rights of Pope John Paul II, it's time for a social rights papacy,”
he said.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/29/2002
09:40:04 AM
BOSTON (MA)
Daily's Boston Troubles Grow
Admits he knew Shanley had advocated man-boy sex
Newsday
By Carol Eisenberg
STAFF WRITER; This story was supplemented with wire reports.
Brooklyn Bishop Thomas Daily, a former top official in the Archdiocese of Boston,
said he promoted the Rev. Paul Shanley to head a parish although he knew the priest
had advocated sex between men and boys, according to a deposition released yesterday.
Offering an often chilling glimpse into the workings of the Boston chancery where
complaints were often disregarded or seemed to fall through the cracks, Daily,
a top church official there from 1977 to 1984, gave the sworn testimony in August
in connection with lawsuits brought by three men who say they were sexually abused
by Shanley at a now-defunct parish in suburban Newton.
Those allegations are also the basis of criminal complaints against the retired
priest, 71, once a well-known street preacher to Boston's alienated youth. Shanley
was charged in June with 10 counts of child rape and six counts of indecent assault
and battery in the case. He pleaded not guilty.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/29/2002
07:06:44 AM
BOSTON (MA)
Hub ex-vicar: Police gave church leeway on abuse
Boston
Herald
by Tom Mashberg
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
The Archdiocese of Boston had a longtime understanding with local law enforcement
that church officials rather than the police would ``take care of'' priests implicated
in sex abuse cases, according to sworn testimony by the archdiocese's former No.
2 man.
``Let's put it this way: It was not automatic that we had to notify the police,''
Brooklyn Bishop Thomas V. Daily, who was Boston's vicar general from 1976 to 1984,
said in a deposition released yesterday.
``We were to take care of it ourselves,'' Daily added. ``As a matter of fact,
we were told that in some instances, by the police themselves, that they treated
us that way. If it came back to us, we were presumably to take care of it.''
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/29/2002
06:55:09 AM
BOSTON (MA)
Bishop Daily testifies of regret on Shanley
Boston
Globe
By Michael Rezendes and Sacha Pfeiffer, Globe Staff, 10/29/2002
Bishop Thomas V. Daily, the official in charge of investigating allegations of
clergy sexual misconduct in the Boston Archdiocese from 1977 to 1984, said he
''regrets'' that he appointed the Rev. Paul R. Shanley administrator of a Newton
parish after receiving complaints that Shanley had spoken favorably of sex between
men and boys and might pose a threat to children.
Daily, in pretrial testimony in a clergy sexual abuse suit filed by alleged victims
of Shanley, also said he could not recall making any attempt to investigate the
complaints against Shanley or to inform Cardinal Bernard F. Law of Shanley's public
endorsement of sex between adults and children when Law was named archbishop in
1984.
Daily's deposition, given in August and made public yesterday, points to the central
role he played in Shanley's career under the late Cardinal Humberto S. Medeiros
and, to a lesser extent, Law. A second deposition given by a former Nahant police
officer in connection with a suit filed by an alleged victim of the Rev. Edward
T. Kelley, also released yesterday, underscores the larger role Daily played as
the top official assigned to overseeing priests accused of sexual misconduct.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/29/2002
06:50:55 AM
IRELAND
Gallery shocked to find sex abuse priest on staff
Irish
Independent
THE board of management of an arts centre has been forced to revise its recruitment
procedures following the revelation that a former priest who had served a jail
sentence for sex offences against minors was a member of its staff.
The former priest, who was laicised during a five-year prison sentence, did not
reveal his past when he began working as a member of the catering staff in the
Model Arts and Niland Gallery in Sligo two years ago.
Members of the board of management first became aware of his criminal past last
Wednesday. When he was confronted by the board he immediately tendered his resignation,
which was accepted.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/29/2002
06:44:07 AM
ORANGE COUNTY (CA)
OC officials issue arrest warrant for missing priest
San
Francisco Chronicle
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- An arrest warrant has been issued for a Roman Catholic
priest who is now a fugitive and accused of molesting boys from 1978 to 1985.
Sigfried Widera, 61, who once served in Orange County, is charged with 33 felony
counts of child molestation. He has been missing since May and faces similar sexual
abuse charges in Wisconsin where he also once lived.
Authorities said the Orange County molestations took place when Widera was a priest
at St. Justin Martyr Church in Anaheim and St. Martin de Porres Church in Yorba
Linda.
posted by Bill Mitchell on 10/29/2002
06:39:51 AM
BOSTON (MA)
Roman Catholic Bishop Knew Boston Priest Had Praised Man-Boy Sex
The
New York Times
By PAM BELLUCK
BOSTON, Oct. 28 — When he was a top official in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese
of Boston, Bishop Thomas V. Daily, who now heads the Diocese of Brooklyn, promoted
a priest to lead a suburban parish in 1983 even though he had received numerous
complaints that the priest was advocating sex between men and boys, according
to a deposition released today.
The priest, the Rev. Paul R. Shanley, has since become a central figure in Boston's
clergy sexual-abuse scandal, and is accused of molesting at least 25 people, six
of whom say they were abused as young children at that suburban parish.
In the deposition, taken in August in lawsuits filed by three of Father Shanley's
accusers, Bishop Daily became the most senior church official to admit knowledge
of complaints against Father Shanley years before he was placed in a parish.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/29/2002
06:36:38 AM
Monday, October 28, 2002
BOSTON (MA)
Deposition of Bishop Thomas V. Daily
Boston
Globe
On August 21, 2002, Bishop Thomas V. Daily of Brooklyn, N.Y., a former top-ranking
official in the Archdiocese of Boston, was deposed by lawyers for three men who
claim they were sexually abused by the Rev. Paul Shanley at St. Jean's parish
in Newton.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/28/2002
04:08:09 PM
BOSTON (MA)
Church official considered Shanley 'troubled'
Boston
Herald
Associated Press
Monday, October 28, 2002
BOSTON - Bishop Thomas V. Daily of Brooklyn, N.Y., formerly a top-ranking official
in the Archdiocese of Boston, knew the Rev. Paul Shanley endorsed sex between
men and boys, but promoted him to head a parish in Newton, according to a deposition
made public Monday.
Daily, who served as chancellor, vicar general and auxiliary bishop in the Boston
archdiocese from 1977 to 1984, promoted Shanley to administrator and acting pastor
at St. Jean's parish in Newton, where he allegedly went on to molest and rape
a number of boys.
Shanley, 71, was indicted in June on 10 counts of child rape and six counts of
indecent assault and battery for allegedly sexually abusing boys from 1979 to
1989 while he was at St. Jean's. The boys were between the ages of 6 and 15.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/28/2002
03:48:31 PM
VATICAN
What Signal is the Vatican Sending to the American Bishops?
Catholic Exchange
Two weeks ago, the Vatican officially reacted to the American bishops’ plan for
dealing with pedophile priests. But much debate ensued over what message the Holy
See was trying to send, not only about sex abuse but also the role of laity in
the church and the authority of bishops.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/28/2002
12:35:03 PM
AUBURN (MA)
Estranged Catholics drawn to rogue Mass
Telegram
& Gazette
By Marc C. Sanguinetti
CORRESPONDENT
AUBURN-- Attendees of a Mass celebrated by the Rev. David Kerrigan at the Ramada
Inn yesterday probably were not expecting the dismissed priest's homily to begin
with the words, “I don't care.”
Yet those were Rev. Kerrigan's exact words to the 50 or so people who chose to
attend the Catholics for Christ ceremony: “I don't care.”
While at first eliciting a chuckle from the crowd in the small banquet room, Rev.
Kerrigan elaborated on a list of things he does not care about. He does not care
what religion people practice, what race or ethnicity they are, whether they are
divorced. He does not care that his robes aren't “color-coordinated,” or if his
parishioners think he sings off-key. He is not even bitter about the late Bishop
Timothy J. Harrington's decision to remove him from active duty 17 years ago.
All Rev. Kerrigan cares about, he said, is shifting the focus from religion back
to God.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/28/2002
09:18:34 AM
BOSTON (MA)
Groups want debate to address scandal
Telegram
& Gazette
By Kathleen A. Shaw
Telegram & Gazette Staff
Gubernatorial candidates Shannon P. O'Brien and Mitt Romney so far have not had
to answer many questions on the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, but
in the waning days of the campaign, groups supporting the victims are asking that
they be questioned at tomorrow night's debate.
Leaders of six groups who support victims of clergy sexual abuse last night asked
debate sponsor the Boston Herald and debate moderator Tim Russert to ask about
the candidates' positions on keeping nonprofit organizations, including the Roman
Catholic Church, safe for children.
The debate, to start at 7:30 p.m. at Suffolk University in Boston, will be broadcast
on WHDH Channel 7.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/28/2002
07:38:54 AM
Vatican seeks to refine clergy sex-abuse policy
Telegram
& Gazette
By Kathleen A. Shaw
Telegram & Gazette Staff
The Vatican decision to seek refinement of the American bishops' new sexual-abuse
policy comes as no surprise to canon lawyers and those who understand administration
of the Roman Catholic Church.
This is the opinion of the Rev. Thomas Doyle, a canon lawyer, who in the 1980s
wrote the first report to the American bishops identifying the huge problem they
had with clergy who were abusing children and teenagers. The bishops did not act
at that time.
The victims of clergy abuse, who lobbied heavily for the new policy the bishops
adopted in June, were disappointed and even angry, Rev. Doyle said. Their reaction
is understandable, he said.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/28/2002
07:33:26 AM
NORTH ANDOVER (MA)
Church begins to heal rift
The Eagle Tribune
By John Basilesco
Staff Writer
NORTH ANDOVER -- Representatives of two opposing church groups within St. Michael's
Parish will meet with a church mediator next week to discuss their differences.
At the invitation of the church's Parish Pastoral Council, three members each
from Voice of the Faithful and Faithful Voice are scheduled to meet Wednesday
with the Rev. Robert McMillan, the Boston Archdiocese's planning and research
director.
"It's an opportunity for them to express where they are, where they're coming
from and perhaps indicate the things they share and the things that might divide
them," McMillan said. "I think conversation is always a very fruitful thing to
do. Conflict doesn't mean they're enemies. It just means they have different positions
they're operating out of."
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/28/2002
07:29:43 AM
BOSTON (MA)
Records: Archdiocese official hid priest abuse
Boston
Herald
by Tom Mashberg
Monday, October 28, 2002
The former No. 2 man in the Archdiocese of Boston, now Bishop of Brooklyn, intervened
with Nahant Police in 1977 after two patrolmen spotted a priest apparently engaged
in a sex act with a teenage boy in a parked car, documents reviewed by the Herald
show.
Brooklyn Bishop Thomas V. Daily was Boston's vicar general under the late Humberto
Cardinal Medeiros when, according to a sworn deposition and other documents, he
met with Nahant's then-police chief and the two officers and assured them he would
deal with the priest, the Rev. Edward T. Kelley, currently of Milton.
There is no indication Kelley was disciplined or sent for medical help as a result
of the episode - even though Daily reportedly assured Nahant police that the priest
would be formally treated. Kelley was never arrested or charged.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/28/2002
07:22:34 AM
IRELAND
Vatican gave no response to complaints of sex abuse
Irish
Independent
COMPLAINTS about sexual abuse of children in the Diocese of Ferns were brought
to the attention of Irish bishops and in at least one case to the Vatican but
without any apparent response.
This has emerged as a non-statutory investigation into clerical abuse in the diocese
prepares to commence its inquiry.
The Irish Independent has seen the terms of reference of the investigation, which
will try to determine the extent to which the Catholic hierarchy was aware of
complaints and what action, if any, was taken.
If the Church refuses in any significant way to co-operate, the terms of reference
allow the Government to put a full statutory inquiry in place.
The non-statutory investigation will begin its work in January under the chairmanship
of former Supreme Court Judge Frank Murphy. It will take between six months and
a year to meet victims, family members and clergy some 200 people in all.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/28/2002
07:13:34 AM
TWIN LAKES (WI)
Sklba meets with men alleging abuse
Bishop urges Twin Lakes to respect those who tell of assaults by clergy
Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel
By MARIE ROHDE
mrohde@journalsentinel.com
Last Updated: Oct. 27, 2002
Twin Lakes - After a week in which he was verbally pummeled with allegations that
not enough was done for victims of clergy sexual abuse, Auxiliary Bishop Richard
Sklba preached Sunday at St. John the Evangelist Church, then met privately with
men who accuse the parish's former pastor of sexual abuse.
"I apologize in the name of the church for those who were victims and look for
a way we can acknowledge the truth and search for a new beginning," Sklba told
the congregation.
This community of 5,100 near the Illinois border is still deeply divided by the
accusations that the late Father George Nuedling had abused young boys in his
46-year career as a priest.
posted by Bill Mitchell on 10/28/2002
06:52:37 AM
Sunday, October 27, 2002
BOSTON (MA)
Alternative group counters Voice of the Faithful
Boston.com
By Jay Lindsay, Associated Press, 10/27/02
BOSTON -- It's small, stealthy and exists to expose what it says is the hidden
agenda of a prominent group of lay Catholics that formed in response to the
church's sex abuse scandal.
Even the name -- Faithful Voice -- is designed to counter Voice of the Faithful,
as organizers hope the similarities redirect Internet browsers to their Web
site.
Faithful Voice, which counts 50 members, covertly attends as many Voice meetings
as possible. They've papered windshields with pamphlets and aren't shy about
approaching parishioners and church officials to share their view.
posted by Kathy Shaw on 10/27/2002
06:32:08 PM DALLAS
Pedophile left the clergy and became a government lawyer
Dallas
Morning News
10/27/2002
By BROOKS EGERTON / The Dallas Morning News
Once he was a pedophile priest in Dallas.
Now he's a government lawyer in New Orleans, an officer of the system he managed
to escape.
Church, state, a doctor and others helped Robert Peebles Jr. get here – to stay
out of jail, to get a legal education, to keep his terrible secrets from the
Louisiana State Bar Association.
posted by Ann Brentwood on 10/27/2002
12:13:26 PM
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