Posts Tagged ‘Clergy Abuse’

Vatican releases much-anticipated Synod synthesis report

Monday, October 30th, 2023
synthesis report

The much anticipated “synthesis report” from October’s synod on synodality was released after the confidential Vatican-based meetings concluded on Sunday. The synthesis report summarises synodal discussions about how a synodal Church’s ministries and structures can give a wider role for laity which is more in line with the vision of Vatican II. Big issues discussed Read more

Bishop Steve Lowe should have apologised

Monday, August 21st, 2023
Steve Lowe

Against a background of ongoing legal matters, Bishop Steve Lowe, the apostolic administrator of the Hamilton Diocese, is accused of not being pastoral enough in his response to a victim of clergy abuse. The Waikato Times reports a woman from within the Hamilton Catholic diocese saying that in a meeting with Lowe, she told him Read more

King’s School chaplain Father John Goodwin reinstated after Australian child sex abuse case dropped

Thursday, April 27th, 2023

A much-loved chaplain at one of Auckland’s most prestigious schools has been reinstated after a court case alleging he had sexually abused a student in Australia 20 years ago was abandoned by the plaintiff. It has brought to end a highly distressing period for Father John Goodwin, who is known for his engaging character and Read more

Pope John Paul II abuse cover-up divides Poland

Monday, March 20th, 2023
Pope John Paul II abuse

Claims Pope John Paul II knew of child sex abuse cases in the Catholic Church during his tenure as Archbishop of Krakow in Poland, but did not take action, have created divisions in Poland. The accusations on Polish TV channel TVN24 have sparked a national debate. Some defend the late pontiff’s legacy, while others demand Read more

Polish bishops hotly reject John Paul abuse claims

Monday, March 13th, 2023
abuse claims

Abuse claims regarding Pope St John Paul II are unfounded, say Poland’s Catholic bishops. The fact that Cardinal Karol Wojtyla — the future Pope John Paul II—knew about abuse when he was an archbishop of Krakow, Poland, is neither new nor surprising, experts say. Others agree and are defending Poland’s national hero. Government figures, including Read more

Don’t be ashamed to report abuse, Pope urges religious

Monday, July 18th, 2022
Don’t be ashamed to report abuse

Pope Francis has stated that religious orders must never tolerate the abuse of children or vulnerable persons, they should not be ashamed to report abuse, and they must end the practice of moving alleged abusers to other countries. The pope departed from a prepared speech during a meeting with the Order of the Mother of Read more

Guidance informing accused priests criticised

Thursday, June 30th, 2022

A group representing US Catholic priests has developed guidelines for informing priests of their canonical rights when they are accused of misconduct – including sexual abuse. Survivor advocates are critical of the move, saying providing guidance could help cast accused priests in an overly sympathetic light. The Association of US Catholic Priests (AUSCP) say the Read more

Innocent until found guilty

Monday, November 15th, 2021
innocent until found guilty

A photograph of former St Patrick’s College Silverstream rector, the late Father Patrick Minto remains on display at St Patrick’s College Silverstream, despite a survivors’ support group’s wish for it to be removed. “Unless someone comes to us or police with a credible accusation … Fr Minto is entitled to his good name,” Fr Tim Read more

Vatican says Pope Francis willing to visit Canada; Indigenous leaders seek apology

Monday, November 1st, 2021

Indigenous leaders say Pope Francis must be ready to deliver an apology for the Catholic Church’s role in residential schools if he visits Canada. “An apology is the beginning,” said Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme. “An apology is required, and the rebuilding of a relationship would follow the apology.” The Saskatchewan First Nation made Read more

Catholic Church’s prayers for victims of sexual abuse begin to ring hollow

Thursday, October 7th, 2021
sex abuse

Early Tuesday morning, I opened my laptop to work. But first, I meandered over to Twitter, expecting to read a few comments on Krysten Sinema before diving into my Persian presentation. Instead, I started crying. I don’t cry easily. And these were not tears borne of sadness but of frustration. On Tuesday morning, an independent Read more