Did a Couple Adopt a Native American Child for $10 in 1952?

The story behind a decades-old letter that went viral in 2018. A letter purportedly documenting a Catholic orphanage’s sale of a Native American child to an Illinois couple received widespread attention decades later on social media, highlighting a practice that has not made it into many American history books — but which is an indelible part of the country’s recent past. In the 1952 letter, Fr. John Pohlen, who ran the Tekakwitha Indian Mission in Sisseton, South Dakota, wrote:

https://www.snopes.com/news/2018/03/13/native-american-child-adoption-letter/ 

Time to acknowledge and address decades of racism

During the last few decades there has been acknowledgement of how unmarried mothers and their children who were placed in the care of the state were mistreated and sometimes abused within Church-run institutions, writes Bryan Fanning, Professor of Migration and Social Policy at University College Dublin. To a considerable extent this abuse was made possible by the stigma then attached to sex outside marriage. Efforts to hide unwanted women and their children away from society created a climate in which abuse could take place and be covered up.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/views/analysis/time-to-acknowledge-and-address-decades-of-racism-832192.html 

Priest testifies fellow clergyman sexually assaulted him in bed

A priest has testified against another clergyman who is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow for a string of sexual abuse charges. The unnamed priest, now 61, claimed that Father Francis Moore, now 82 and retired, assaulted him in bed as he was sleeping. In his testimony, the priest said that he had woken up one night to find Moore by his bed and touching his genitals. The latter, who appeared quite drunk, apologized when the witness got mad but the incident happened again after a few weeks.

https://www.christiandaily.com/article/priest-testifies-fellow-clergyman-sexually-assaulted-him-in-bed/62213.htm 

Catholic Church fails to confront tragedy of 'epic proportions'

The Catholic Church has failed to fully accept the horrific impact of child sexual abuse and its own role in a tragedy of “epic proportions”, a member of the royal commission has said. In a surprisingly frank speech, Robert Fitzgerald - one of the six commissioners that oversaw the recently completed, five year inquiry - has slammed the church’s approach to abuse survivors, and its failure to tackle practices that contributed to the scourge of abuse and the secrecy around it.

http://www.watoday.com.au/national/catholic-church-fails-to-confront-tragedy-of-epic-proportions-20180310-p4z3qv.html 

Jehovah’s Witnesses could face child sex abuse inquiry

Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse says there have been ‘a considerable number’ of complaints against the group. Jehovah’s Witnesses are facing the possibility of an independent investigation into allegations of child sex abuse in the church. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which is investigating the extent to which institutions in England and Wales failed to protect children from abuse, said it is considering whether to open a separate inquiry after receiving a “considerable number” of reports about the religious group.

http://www.theweek.co.uk/92180/jehovah-s-witnesses-face-possible-child-sex-abuse-inquiry 

Sexual abuse victim Paul Levey hopes for apology

BROKEN: Sexual abuse victim Paul Levey hopes the Catholic church will apologise for allowing him to live with defrocked priest Gerald Ridsdale. THE stages of grief have been many and varied for sexual abuse victim Paul Levey. Now, nearly four decades later, he hopes a law change will allow him to finally get the apology he has been fighting for. At age 14, Mr Levey was sent to live with Gerard Ridsdale at the Mortlake presbytery.

 http://www.theherald.com.au/story/5275553/i-lived-with-a-monster-sexual-abuse-victim/?cs=7

Faith beyond a dead situation

During this lent, we would like to draw attention to a particular story: a man who was found guilty and given the death sentence. How would we look at him? What will the newspapers say about him? Will anybody come to his defence? Most probably we would be happy to have him ‘removed’ from earth. We would think that the problem would have been solved. Well, well, well…...Jesus was condemned to death. It was the highest punishment. Most people thought that He was a failure. Strictly speaking the Romans were still occupying the Jewish land!! There were no big political changes. The death of a person meant that the person was buried once for all.

https://maltesemarriedcatholicpriest.wordpress.com/2018/03/13/faith-beyond-a-dead-situation/ 

Court hears some alleged historical offences by Vatican's Pell were at a pool, cinema

Some alleged historical sexual offences by Vatican treasurer George Pell took place at a movie theatre and at a swimming pool, a court heard on Monday during a hearing to determine whether to send the case against the Australian Cardinal to trial. Pell, 76, is the most senior Catholic official worldwide to face such charges, the details of which have not been made public.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-australia-abuse-pell/court-hears-some-alleged-historical-offences-by-vaticans-pell-were-at-a-pool-cinema-idUKKBN1GV0TK 

More charges possible, Pell's lawyer says

for crying out loud what a load of rot... the boys at St Joseph boys home... went into the sacristy to help the priest in and out oh his vestments each day...  the room had a large table where the nuns would lay out the mass vestments... at the girl's orphanage the girls use to help the priest... the two sacristies were bigger than a bedroom with two single bed in it ... or a small double bedroom... the priest had plenty of room to do what they liked... and they did and went straight onto the alter... without washing their hands... as though they were saints... the bloody nuns knew... as did every one else... Ann 

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Cardinal George Pell's lawyer has revealed Australia's highest-ranked Catholic could face more charges based on a new statement made by a witness involved in a historical sex offences court hearing. Two of Pell's colleagues also say he was never alone at one of the locations where he is accused of committing a sex offence. Pell, 76, is fighting multiple historical sex offence charges at a month-long committal hearing before Melbourne Magistrates Court that will determine if he stands trial.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/vic/a/39561807/more-details-of-case-against-george/ 

Catholic Church fearful priests and nuns will have to register as Vatican spies under new laws in Australia

The Catholic Church in Australia says new laws aimed at curbing interference by foreign states could force bishops, priests and nuns to publicly declare that they are agents of the Vatican. The laws, which followed concerns about China’s efforts to meddle in Australian politics and universities, require anyone acting for a foreign power to reveal their status or face criminal charges. But Catholic leaders say the measures will “silence” members of the Church involved in advocacy and could require them to register as agents of the Pope or the Vatican.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/30/catholic-church-fearful-priests-nuns-will-have-register-vatican/

Law firm makes public names of Ogdensburg and Syracuse priests accused of abuse

The names of eight priests associated with the Diocese of Ogdensburg who are alleged to have sexually molested children have been made public by a Minnesota-based law firm representing victims of child abuse. The names of the Ogdensburg priests — along with some 19 others from the Diocese of Syracuse — were released Wednesday during a live news conference streamed on Facebook by the firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates.

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/law-firm-makes-public-names-of-ogdensburg-and-syracuse-priests-accused-of-abuse-video-20180315 

George Pell accused of abuse at family trip to lake

Cardinal George Pell has been accused in court of alleged abuse during a water skiing trip in rural Victoria. The Vatican treasurer, 76, whose committal hearing for multiple allegations of historic sexual abuse continued at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, was alleged to have been invited to join a Catholic family for an afternoon when he was working as an assistant priest. A family member said Cardinal Pell arrived with another priest at a lake in regional Victoria just after lunch and enjoyed a trip on skis behind the family speedboat before joining them for afternoon tea.

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2018/03/15/george-pell-hearing-witness-insult/

George Pell's barrister accuses witness of trying to 'big-note' himself

Bernard Barrett, from Broken Rites organisation, was first to give evidence when hearing reopened to public. A retired academic linked to an abuse research organisation has been accused of trying to “big-note” himself by offering to go to police on behalf of an alleged victim making historical sexual offence allegations against Cardinal George Pell. The committal hearing for Pell, who is Australia’s most senior Catholic, was reopened to the public and media on Wednesday afternoon in Melbourne’s magistrate’s court after almost eight days of closed evidence from complainants.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/mar/14/george-pells-barrister-accuses-witness-of-trying-to-big-note-himself 

Pell's lawyer accuses researcher of lying

Cardinal George Pell's defence lawyer has accused a victim support group volunteer of making up allegations and trying to "pin" historical sex offences onto Australia's highest-ranked Catholic. Pell faces multiple historical sex offence charges involving multiple complainants, and is fighting the charges at a committal hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court. The pre-trial hearing, which will determine if Pell stands trial, opened to the public on Wednesday afternoon after several days of closed court evidence from the complainants, as required by law.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/03/14/16/14/george-pell-s-court-case-opens-to-public 

Australian Court Hears Public Testimony in Cardinal Pell Abuse Case

A judge allowed reporters into an Australian courtroom on Wednesday to hear witness testimony during a pretrial hearing for Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican’s third-highest-ranking priest, in a high-profile sexual abuse case that has largely unfolded behind closed doors. Cardinal Pell has been accused of “historical sexual offenses,” meaning they took place decades ago, but the details of the criminal complaint have not been made public. For the past 10 days the court has been closed to the public as those accusing Cardinal Pell were questioned via video conference.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/14/world/australia/george-pell-sexual-offenses.html 

Christian Brothers teacher admits abusing Kalgoorlie schoolboy more than 50 years ago

A former Kalgoorlie Catholic schoolboy who says he was sexually abused by a Christian Brother more than 50 years ago has expressed his relief that his long battle for justice has finally led to the man responsible admitting what he did. James Brian Hamilton, who was a teacher at the Christian Brothers College in Kalgoorlie, has pleaded guilty to a charge of indecently and unlawfully dealing with a child under 14 — an offence that happened in 1964.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-15/christian-brothers-teacher-admits-abusing-schoolboy-50-years-ago/9551770 

Church official arrested over child abuse

A former employee of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn has been arrested on child abuse charges. The charges related to offences alleged to have occurred when the 79-year-old held an administrative position with the archdiocese in 1989. "Police will allege the male offender was performing an administrative role within the archdiocese at the time he met the victim who was then aged 15," NSW Police said in a statement on Friday.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/39533462/church-official-arrested-over-child-abuse/ 

Human trafficking called 'one of darkest, most revolting realities' today

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- Mely Lenario quietly described her harrowing journey from ambitious, naive rural girl trafficked to hopeless, drug-fueled urban prostitute, through slow rehabilitation to a new life as an outreach worker. After she finished her story, hundreds of people in a U.N. conference room jumped to their feet in a sustained ovation

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/human-trafficking-called-one-of-darkest-most-revolting-realities-today.cfm 

Australian who sexually abused orphans disabled kids vizag convicted after 17 years

Masquerading as a Catholic missionary and calling himself “Brother Alan”, he abused kids in two states. However, he has already got bail. It is no secret that justice is often served rather late in India – months can become years and decades, and those who are wronged are left waiting in line. One such case of child sexual abuse has come to a conclusion only now, after nearly two decades. Masquerading as a doctor, a priest, a charity worker, Paul Dean abused a number of children over his three decade long stay in India. The children were from disadvantaged and impoverished sections and some were even disabled.

https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/australian-who-sexually-abused-orphans-disabled-kids-vizag-convicted-after-17-years-77965 

Calls for Catholic Church to give equal justice to overseas abuse victims

I went to the police station when i was a child to get help... WHAT DID THE POLICE DO?? NOTHING... they took me back to nazareth house christchurch New Zealand... and got the thrashing of my life... every one knew about the rape and abuse of us children, boys and girls... no one helped us... Ann

 =======================================

As debate continues about the Catholic Church's approach to the national redress scheme for Australian victims of child sexual abuse, the church is now being challenged to take responsibility and deal with crimes carried out by church officials overseas, in developing countries that include Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. The call, from the chief executive officer of the Church's Truth, Justice and Healing Council, comes as police in PNG wrap up their investigations into allegations an Australian priest, still working with children, inappropriately touched students.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-15/calls-for-catholic-church-to-give-justice-to-overseas-victims/9550510 

The Bishop of Dromore was right to resign. Others should take note

When a bishop loses the confidence of his flock, the sooner he goes the better The Bishop of Dromore, Dr John McAreavey, has resigned his see. Dromore is the diocese that covers the counties of Antrim, Armagh and Down in Northern Ireland. The Bishop made a statement, published on the diocesan website, explaining his dealings with the late Malachy Finnegan, an abusive priest, prior to a BBC investigation into the case. Later, as the Irish Times reports, the Bishop decided to step down with immediate effect because it was clear that his decision to say the funeral Mass for Finnegan back in 2002 was the wrong decision and had caused hurt to the victims of the abuser, as well as a loss of confidence in the people of the diocese, some of whom were now wishing their children not to be confirmed by him.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2018/03/02/the-bishop-of-dromore-was-right-to-resign-others-should-take-note/ 

Nuns speak out about exploitation in Catholic Church

 What about the children you nuns worked until we dropped... What goes around comes around... all we got was thrashings every day and night... Ann

==========================

A group of nuns have spoken out about the exploitation they say they face at the hands of men for whom they do housework in the Roman Catholic Church. Sister Marie, Sister Paule and Sister Cécile told their story in the Vatican magazine "Women Church World" and said they are often treated like servants by cardinals and bishops, carrying out chores for very little pay.

http://www.euronews.com/2018/03/03/nuns-speak-out-about-exploitation-in-catholic-church 

Bishop who said Mass at sex abuser’s funeral resigning with ‘heavy heart’

Bishop John McAreavy said he was resigning with a “heavy heart” over the controversy surrounding his officiation at the funeral, in 2002, of Fr Malachy Finnegan, a known child abuser. In a letter on Saturday to parishioners in his diocese, which covers parts of Cos Antrim, Armagh and Down, he said: “Today I am writing my letter of resignation as Bishop of Dromore to Pope Francis. I do so with a heavy heart. I wrestled with this decision over recent weeks; it was not an easy decision to take. Following recent media coverage which has disturbed and upset many people, I decided on Thursday to resign.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/bishop-who-said-mass-at-sex-abuser-s-funeral-resigning-with-heavy-heart-1.3414386 

Report says claims of abuse in Catholic church and orders 'peaked in 1953'

A CATHOLIC Church report suggests levels of sexual assault and rape of children in their care peaked in the 1950s. The academic review of historical allegations of abuse at orphanages and churches uncovered hundreds of accusations made against priests and other figures, stretching back dozens of years, with the high-water mark occurring in 1953.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16062583.Report_says_claims_of_abuse_in_Catholic_church_and_orders___39_peaked_in_1953__39_/ 

The Outrage Still Sounds

Revelations of maltreatment, sexual assault, and neglect of children under the care of Catholic clergy have changed the political landscape in Ireland, a country where the church’s reach extends into public schooling, hospitals, social services, and family life. Roddy Doyle’s latest novel, Smile, channels Irish outrage at the abuse and its cover-up, but withholds the story’s full moral fury until its final pages. Doyle, after all, is a literary master of the deceptively light touch. In Smile, his narrator’s ironic introspection and his characters’ deft banter reassure the reader even as Doyle gradually but relentlessly intensifies a mood of foreboding.

https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/outrage-still-sounds 

Facing the reality of the past with hope...

 The world is with you. Keep the Ribbons  of JUSTICE on the fences... Ann

================================

What a wonderful picture on the front page of today’s Courier. To see Phil Nagle with those beautiful ribbons blowing in the breeze at St Patrick’s Cathedral filled me with hope. Taking down ribbons, even if displaying them in a 'coffin' where passing public won't see them, will not lead to being able to wash our hands of this issue and get on with it. Most victims and their families and friends no longer enter Church grounds and are certainly unlikely to use the 'garden' as a place to meditate.
Taking down the ribbons adds to the pain experienced by victims and their families. It implies that we are still not listening, that we still don’t believe them. It must stop. I felt so disheartened by seeing the bare fences on Tuesday that I tied some in the church itself. I felt too sad to start again on the fence without support. Then on Wednesday the ‘ribbon warriors’ appeared, and I joined them, together with many others, in tying new ribbons to the Cathedral fence.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5252037/facing-the-reality-of-the-past-with-hope/

We agree to disagree

In publishing a blog, one meets many new people. Some are very sociable and some are not. Some have very clear ideas, others tend to stay on a dividing line never committing themselves to any idea or philosophy. In any case, although sometimes we blame social media for keeping people at home for too long, yet one does meet a lot of people. Meeting other people there is the chance of forming up a community especially when we share our main goal.

https://maltesemarriedcatholicpriest.wordpress.com/2018/02/26/we-agree-to-disagree/ 

Malachi O'Doherty: All dioceses must now come clean on pervert clerics

Like all members of the Roman Catholic clergy they have pledged themselves to obeying those above them in the hierarchy. Therefore, if they want to remain in good standing with Church authorities they seek permission from the Vatican to go. And sometimes they get it. And sometimes they get the assurance that their departure is neither appropriate nor desirable.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/malachi-odoherty-all-dioceses-must-now-come-clean-on-pervert-clerics-36660442.html 

Tell it all... Go to the police

How is it possible that in 2018, Western New Yorkers are only now hearing about the depredations of Norbert F. Orsolits? It was good for area Catholics, and all Western New Yorkers, to hear what sounded like a sincere and heartfelt apology offered this week by Bishop Richard J. Malone for the sexual abuse of children by Orsolits and other priests. It was important to know that the apology is more than words, that it is paired with action.

http://buffalonews.com/2018/03/02/editorial-tell-it-all/ 

ANALYSIS: Culture of cover-up should shame all involved

THE resignation of Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey was swift and unexpected. In the closed ranks of the Catholic Church it is rare for one man to take responsibility for what was an historical culture of silence when it came to the abuse of children by members of the clergy. That the horrendous abuse, sexual, physical and emotional, experienced by young boys at the hands of Fr Malachy Finegan went unreported and unchecked for so long should shame all of those involved.

https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2018/03/03/news/analysis-culture-of-cover-up-should-shame-all-involved-1269100/