We have just emerged from what the media calls ‘the Catholic wrap up’ at the Royal Commission. This three-week hearing culminated in the joint appearance of the five most senior bishops in our Australian Church. They apologised not just for the sins of those church personnel who violated children, the most vulnerable members of our Read more
With the release of a shocking report from Australia on accusations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests, the old question is bound to arise: “Is the discipline of celibacy to blame for sexual abuse of minors?” The complicated question is dealt with in historian Philip Jenkins’s excellent study on the problem. Published in Read more
The headlines in Australian newspapers this week have not been kind to the Catholic Church. Gail Furness, the lawyer for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, delivered a blistering speech outlining its findings to date about Catholic dioceses, religious orders and institutions. Afterwards, the Sydney Morning Herald editorialised: “Now we know too, that Read more
A Vatican ruling has banned the leader of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae from having any contact with members of the order. An investigation into allegations of sexual and psychological abuse committed by Luis Fernando Figari,who also founded the order, found him unsuitable to run the order. Accusations against Figari were first lodged in 2011. The investigation Read more
The parents who abused their teenage daughter because they thought she was a witch have been condemned by the leader of New Zealand’s Congolese community. Francious Kayembe said exorcisms and witchcraft were not common in the Congo, though the practices did happen in some sections of the community there. However, it did not happen in Read more
The 4 Corners report into the treatment of children in a NT juvenile justice facility is a stark and grotesque demonstration of state abuse of power. As a result John Elferink, NT Corrections Minister, has been sacked, and the Prime Minister has announced a royal commission into the actions at Don Dale. This is a Read more
An inquiry ordered by the Vatican into abuse by the founder of a 20,000-member Catholic sodality is expected to report soon. The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life ordered an inquiry concerning the “Sodalitium of Christian Life” from Peru. The movement’s superior general has admitted that allegations against its founder, Read more
An Auckland church had to call police after men with a loudspeaker shouted homosexual-related abuse that could be heard during a service. About 100 worshippers at the 10am service at the Anglican St Matthew-in-the-City on March 6 heard the shouting from outside, which included the word “abomination”. St Matthew’s is known for being supportive of Read more
The Catholic church is an easy target. A socially conservative agenda stands in broad opposition to mainstream thought in liberal Western democracies. The church’s stance on homosexuality, contraception, abortion, transgender issues, the ordination of women and euthanasia is no longer that of the majority. Its history is full of examples of failing to live up Read more
Cardinal George Pell still has a lot of questions to answer before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. On medical advice he has decided not to risk the long plane flight home from Rome. This makes things much harder for victims seeking closure. It makes things harder for others, including members Read more