Second Kerala Priest Accused Of Sexual Abuse Surrenders As Arrests Soar To 12

Father Job Matthew, the second priest accused of sexual abuse in the case, has surrendered, according to The Free Press Journal. Police sources report that Matthew is currently being questioned in the Crime Branch office. His surrender to authorities follows the dismissal of bail pleas from three other priests accused in this case. The accused priests are Abraham Varghese, Job Matthew, and Jaise K. George. They all serve in the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church as clergy. Rape charges were brought against them after Kerala police recorded the victim’s statement. Five priests in total from this church are currently under investigation for sexual abuse and four have already been booked for molestation.

https://www.inquisitr.com/4982054/second-kerala-priest-accused-of-sexual-abuse-surrenders-as-arrests-soar-to-12/ 

Western NY woman accuses nun of sexually abusing her with crucifix at age 5

A Western New York woman has come forward with allegations a Franciscan nun sexually abused her with a crucifix in first grade more than 60 years ago. The Buffalo News reports J. Carroll Becker said Thursday that the nun penetrated her with a cross as punishment when Becker wet her pants at her desk at the Christ the King Elementary School in Amherst in 1955. She was 5 years old at the time. "She would get up in my face and make me stand up and yell at me about being stupid and slow," Becker said in a news conference, shaking as she spoke. "I didn't know what was going on and wet my pants..."

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/western-ny/2018/07/ny_woman_sexually_abused_nun_crucifix.html 

I-Team: Two women claim sexual abuse by Buffalo nun and priest

What happened to Carroll Becker at Christ the King School in Snyder more than 60 years ago scarred her for life. The Grand Island woman said she was picked on in first grade, but not just by her classmates. She said she was also targeted by Sister Pauline Terese, OSF, a Franciscan nun. “She’d get up in my face and make me stand up yell at me about being stupid and retarded and slow and I was so terrified, I didn’t know what was going on, I wet my pants,” Becker said Thursday at a news conference in front of her former school.

https://www.wkbw.com/news/i-team/i-team-two-women-claim-sexual-abuse-by-buffalo-nun-and-priest 

Franciscan Sisters decline comment on abuse allegations

Representatives for the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany declined comment Friday on sexual abuse allegations against a deceased Sister that reportedly occurred 63 years ago at a convent in Snyder. Published reports state J. Carroll Becker of Grand Isle is accusing a Franciscan Sister of sexually abusing her with a crucifix at the convent. In a previous release, Franciscan Sisters’ spokesperson Dee Bunk-Hatch said the Sisters are “aware of the allegations of abuse.”

http://www.oleantimesherald.com/news/franciscan-sisters-decline-comment-on-abuse-allegations/article_6c61c534-8721-11e8-a17d-67b6b6e90633.html 

This epic novel explores Ireland's history during a century of hurt and shame

AT 435 PAGES, Emer Martin’s new novel The Cruelty Men is an epic read – and it’s also an epic journey through Irish history: from Cromwell to mother-and-baby homes, farming to servant life. The story of an Irish family has been called “a Bible of fucked up Irishness” by Irvine Welsh, and it truly is a dark and fascinating read. Its author, Emer Martin, fled Ireland at the age of 17, tired of the suffocating nature of the country. So it’s not surprising to see that she has effectively managed to interrogate the nature of family, Irishness, and identity.

http://www.thejournal.ie/the-cruelty-men-novel-emer-martin-interview-4106148-Jul2018/ 

Torn Between Faith and Profession

I’m a cradle Catholic. I typically avoid movies concerning the church. Hollywood doesn’t always portray Catholics and our faith in the best of lights. When the movie ‘Spotlight’ was released, I had zero interest in watching the film. ‘Spotlight’ tells the story behind the Boston Globe’s investigative journalism team’s efforts to uncover the widespread of child sex abuse by priests in the Boston area. Subsequently, they uncovered that the church not only knew about these priests, but made unbelievable efforts to conceal the epidemic.

https://www.frontiersman.com/opinions/torn-between-faith-and-profession/article_c3cdc802-8232-11e8-ad2a-67013ef52194.html 

Victims of institutional abuse take legal action against Northern Ireland Secretary of State in absence of Stormont Executive

Victims of historical institutional abuse have already cleared the first stage in a High Court bid to secure compensation recommended by a major inquiry. And separate proceedings have now been issued by a man who wants details of his gender history removed from a marriage certificate. Both cases are seeking to have the Secretary of State compelled to take steps amid the continued political stalemate - either by calling an election, securing some form of restored devolution, or introducing direct rule.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/victims-of-institutional-abuse-take-legal-action-against-northern-ireland-secretary-of-state-in-absence-of-stormont-executive-37088008.html 

Erie bishop calls abuse findings ‘sobering,’ ‘graphic’

ERIE – Bishop Lawrence T. Persico sat in front of 23 angry grand jury members in April and apologized. “I said that I was sorry that they had to sit there and listen for two years to hear all that,” said the Most Rev. Persico, who heads the diocese of Erie. “Well, they were upset. I can understand that. They are trying to get an understanding of what happened.” The grand jury investigation into allegations spanning several decades of child sexual abuse includes Erie and five other Pennsylvania dioceses, Allentown, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton.

http://www.tribdem.com/news/erie-bishop-calls-abuse-findings-sobering-graphic/article_3537e8e4-7ce1-11e8-a63e-23f9552303f4.html 

Kerala 'sex for silence' case: Church's attempts to cover up abuse fails as govt orders crime branch probe

The attempt by the Malankara Orthodox Church to settle the sexual abuse case against five priests has suffered a setback, with the Kerala government ordering a crime branch investigation into the scandal. State police chief Loknath Behra has ordered the investigation based on a letter he received from senior ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former chief minister VS Achuthanandan, said an official at the state police headquarters. The Kerala State Human Rights Commission and the National Women's Commission had earlier directed the police to register a case but the police ignored these directions, citing absence of any complaint from either the victim or his family

https://www.firstpost.com/india/kerala-sex-for-silence-case-churchs-attempts-to-cover-up-abuse-fails-as-govt-orders-crime-branch-probe-4632971.html 

Retired archbishop ‘deeply ashamed’ with abuse allegations abuse by nuns at Catholic children’s homes

A RETIRED archbishop has told an inquiry he is “deeply ashamed” after allegations of abuse by nuns at Catholic children’s homes were revealed. Archbishop Mario Conti expressed his “pain and sorrow” to those who have suffered mistreatment. And the former church leader asked for the forgiveness of survivors if “I was insensitive to their pain”. The 84-year-old clergyman appeared before the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry yesterday to give evidence.

http://www.eastkilbrideconnect.co.uk/news/trendingacrossscotland/16316593.retired-archbishop-deeply-ashamed-with-abuse-allegations-abuse-by-nuns-at-catholic-childrens-homes/ 

Reported abuse cases at Aberdeen children’s home rise by 10% since inquiry launched

The number of reported abuse cases at an Aberdeen children’s home run by nuns has jumped by more than 10% since an inquiry was launched. Colin MacAulay QC, senior counsel to the inquiry into Nazareth House institutions, told the probe that a previous figure of 109 complaints of abuse at the homes has now risen to 122. They mostly relate to the Aberdeen home – although the home in Cardonald, Glasgow, is “not too far behind”.

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/reported-abuse-cases-at-aberdeen-childrens-home-rise-by-10-since-inquiry-launched/ 

Starved, flogged and abused: Survivor seeks redress for the sake of future generations

James 'Michael' Widdy Welsh is wearing a St George-Illawarra Dragons cap and a sparkle in his eyes. We have never met before but he takes my hand in his. "I'm not used to people being kind to me," he tells me. As his words sink in, he places his arms around my neck. "C'mon love, give me a hug." Nine years of his precious childhood were spent without any form of affection at the Kinchela Boys Home in Kempsey in northern New South Wales.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-29/national-redress-scheme-child-abuse-survivor/9915390 

Nun had 'no reason to disbelieve' abuse claims from inquiry witnesses

A senior nun has apologised "unreservedly" to those who told an inquiry they were abused at children's homes run by a religious order. Sister Anna Maria Doolan said she had "no reason to disbelieve" claims from witnesses surrounding their past experiences at Nazareth House institutions in Scotland. The nun, the current regional superior of the Sisters of Nazareth order, said it had been "painful" to hear the historical allegations emerge at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI).

https://www.careappointments.co.uk/care-news/scotland/item/44558-nun-had-no-reason-to-disbelieve-abuse-claims-from-inquiry-witnesses 

Mark Speakman says people sexually abused in NSW Government institutions can seek redress from July 1

Group to hold a minute's silence on first day of National Redress Scheme NSW survivors of institutional child sexual abuse will have access to unlimited psychological support and counselling, and a payment of up to $150,000, under the National Redress Scheme that starts today, Attorney General Mark Speakman said. “The wait is finally over for thousands of survivors who can now seek redress that acknowledges their suffering and helps them in their journey towards recovery,” Mr Speakman said. SW was the first state to pass legislation required to enter the national scheme which was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

https://www.victorharbortimes.com.au/story/5499563/nsw-attorney-general-welcomes-launch-of-national-redress-scheme/?cs=7 

‘Let nuns perform sacrament of confession in Church= NO WAY

Citing the alleged sexual abuse of a married woman by five priests of a church, women members of a Kerala-based outfit on Sunday sought reform of the centuries-old method of sacrament of confession, saying nuns be allowed to perform the penance for women. Representatives of the Kerala Church Act Action Council, an outfit comprising members from various church denominations who stand for reforms in the Church, said there was a possibility of intimate confessions by women being "misused" in the present form. In June, a man from Pathanamthitta district accused five priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Kerala of using his wife's secret confession to blackmail and sexually abuse her.

http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/National/2018-07-02/Let-nuns-perform-sacrament-of-confession-in-Church/394315 

Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse Can Now Seek Redress

The Royal Commission heard from thousands of people about abuse they experienced as children in orphanages, children’s homes, schools, churches and other religious organisations, sports clubs, hospitals, foster care and other institutions. Minister for Social Services, Dan Tehan, said the scheme's launch was a "momentous occasion" for those who had suffered abuse. He encouraged eligible survivors to apply to the scheme as part of their healing process.

https://tendaily.com.au/news/australia/a180630kxh/survivors-of-child-sexual-abuse-can-now-seek-redress-20180701 

The Forgotten Child Sex Abuse Survivors In Rural Australia

The national child sex abuse scandal has been dominated by headlines about Ballarat, Newcastle and allegations of historic sexual offences against Cardinal George Pell. Lucie Morris-Marr speaks to the survivors in lesser-known cases across the country. The tiny regional town of Elliminyt (population 2645) located just outside Colac in rural Victoria, is surrounded by pretty volcanic plains and sprawling rural properties. It’s in an area best known for its agriculture and light industry. Yet for Debora Wooby, this seemingly ordinary Australian town, 150km southwest of Melbourne, is forever ingrained in her memory as the location where she is brutally betrayed by a man entrusted with her care. Debra, 55, is not sure she’ll ever see justice for the care worker who raped her, stealing her virginity and her innocence as a vulnerable 13-year-old child at Elliminyt’s St Cutherbert’s orphanage in the mid 1970’s.

https://www.marieclaire.com.au/child-sex-abuse-survivors-rural-australia