The resignation has intensified demands for Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York, to follow suit due to his alleged neglect of multiple safeguarding complaints.

Tim Welby noted that "so many people were calling for his resignation" that his father's position had become "untenable," according to The Mirror.

He said his father was "really, really cross that it didn't occur to him to triple check" whether the abuse had been reported to the authorities. "The frustrating thing is I don't think it ever occurred to him that it hadn't been reported to the police," he said.

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This ruling overturns a 2023 Victorian court decision that held the church responsible for the abuse of a five-year-old by assistant priest Father Bryan Coffey.

The diocese and its current bishop, Paul Bird, were sued by a man who said he was sexually assaulted by Coffey at his parents' home in Port Fairy in 1971 when he was five years old.

Coffey, who is now dead, received a three-year suspended sentence in 1999 after being convicted of charges including indecent assaults on males and females under 16.

The High Court's decision centres on the principle that vicarious liability applies strictly to formal employer-employee relationships.

Justice Jack Forrest who presided over the original case, had previously determined that the Diocese of Ballarat was liable due to Coffey's role as a "servant of the diocese" which provided him with authority - and the access to abuse children.

However, the High Court argued that extending vicarious liability beyond direct employment creates legal uncertainty and indeterminacy.

Catastrophic blow to abuse victims

Ken Cush and Associates, representing the victim known as DP, said their client was "disappointed that the compensation for the sexual abuse of Coffey has been taken away by the law in Australia being unable to find the Bishop vicariously liable".

Maurice Blackburn's principal lawyer, John Rule, criticised the decision saying it allowed the church to evade responsibility.

"The church has known about its priests abusing children for centuries and did nothing to stop it" Rule said.

"Unfortunately, this decision means that in some cases the church will be able to again evade responsibility for the scourge of child abuse in its ranks."

Ross Koffel, executive chairman at Koffels Solicitors and Barristers, said the decision was a "catastrophic blow" to the victims of abuse by religious clergy and volunteers at other institutions.

He said the NSW government had already changed the law to hold organisations vicariously liable. But those laws were not retrospective he said, something that could be changed with a "simple amendment".

Sources

Australian Associated Press

ABC News

The Guardian

CathNews New Zealand

He pleaded not guilty to 28 criminal charges, including two counts of rape and 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault.

Saunders, 74, denied all charges that initially surfaced in 2020 and allegedly occurred between 2008 and 2016.

Church officials launched their investigation into Saunders, later handing it over to the Vatican in 2022.

That investigation led to a police raid on Saunders' former residence in January 2023, followed by his arrest in February.

The charges stem from allegations that Saunders groomed and abused young Aboriginal men over eight years.

Some of the alleged victims reported being showered with gifts including cash, phones and alcohol.

Testimonies also detail incidents where Saunders allegedly engaged in inappropriate conduct, including hosting gatherings where guests were asked to strip and engage in sexual activities.

Hush money payments

Saunders' former secretary, Cherrille Quilty, alleged the bishop instructed her to make payments to his alleged victims.

"There was a list of names on the wall in the secretary's office with victims, potential victims and their bank account details" Quilty told The Pillar.

"It was so urgent that I pay them, it wasn't for odd jobs, I can tell you that now.

"It was hush money.

"One of the first victims that came forward was the one that I paid most frequently, and it was to shut him up.

"You didn't dare ask why [Saunders] was paying them. Didn't dare" Quilty said.

"He wasn't the sort of person you would ever cross or ask him anything."

The Church's investigation, which uncovered disturbing details, was pivotal in reigniting police interest in the case.

Leaked portions of the investigation highlighted Saunders' alleged pattern of grooming vulnerable young men, triggering further scrutiny by authorities.

While the Vatican's involvement in the case remains ongoing, the Australian Bishops' Conference, represented by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth, has promised full cooperation with law enforcement.

"It is right and proper, and indeed necessary, that all allegations be thoroughly investigated" Costelloe said following Saunders' arrest.

The former Bishop of Broome also faces separate firearms charges, though no plea was entered for these during the 30 September hearing.

The next court hearing for Saunders is scheduled for January 2025.

Sources

ABC News

The Pillar

CathNews New Zealand

Bonny's resignation comes weeks before Pope Francis' visit to Belgium, potentially overshadowing the event with the ongoing abuse crisis.

Bishop Bonny, 69, announced his resignation on 25 July, stating that the burden of his responsibilities had become too great.

Despite his request for an auxiliary bishop to assist in managing the Diocese of Antwerp, the Vatican declined, citing concerns over linguistic balance among the bishops.

This rejection, coupled with a lack of support from his fellow bishops, led to Bonny's decision.

Bonny's departure leaves the Belgian Church scrambling to find a replacement before Pope Francis' visit from 26 to 29 September, which includes a planned private meeting with abuse survivors.

Emotional toll

Bonny told Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad: "The policy, the media, the negotiations... It's a very big task and I have to combine that with caring for a large diocese like that of Antwerp.

"I no longer have the strength for that total sum. I have to reduce that."

He said that the work had taken an emotional toll.

"It's not just about working hours, but it has an immediate personal impact. It's of a different order than all the other work you do as a bishop" he explained.

"Even my doctor says ‘Stop it, it's destroying you'."

The documentary series "Godvergeten" ("Godforsaken") which aired in 2023, reignited public and political scrutiny on clerical abuse in Belgium. This led to increased pressure on Bonny and heightened public anger, with many Catholics leaving the Church.

The series also prompted inquiries in both the Belgian Federal Parliament and the Flemish Parliament.

Bonny has been a prominent figure in addressing the abuse crisis since 2010.

His efforts include public apologies and a call for systemic changes within the Church.

Acknowledging the Church's past failures, he said he was tired of the "strong words addressed to the Church for 15 years, in the media, saying that we have done nothing".

Despite his resignation, Bonny pledged to continue supporting abuse victims, emphasising that their needs remain a priority.

He stressed the necessity for his successor to be competent and dedicated, urging the bishops' conference to reassess the division of responsibilities.

Sources

The Pillar

Cathobel

Although the US church, like the church in Europe, has structures in place to promote safeguarding to a higher degree than churches with less resources, "there are cultural aspects that need to be taken into account," Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, president of the Pontifical Gregorian University's Institute of Anthropology: Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care, said.

"The more diverse a society is and a local church is, the more it needs to respect the different cultures, languages, habits, mentalities that are represented," he told Catholic News Service June 18 on the sidelines of an international safeguarding conference hosted by the institute.

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The allegations against Cardinal Gérald Lacroix, the archbishop of Quebec City, emerged in January when he was named as an alleged perpetrator in a class-action lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by clergy and staff.

The Vatican says the Pope appointed retired Québec Superior Court judge André Denis in February to investigate the allegations against Cardinal Lacroix.

It says a report on Denis's preliminary canonical investigation was completed on May 6 before it was transferred to Pope Francis.

The Vatican says Denis's report does not "permit to identify any actions that amount to misconduct or abuse", and "no further canonical procedure" is expected.

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As president of the association ‘C'est à dire' ('That is to say'), Chartier-Siben (pictured) has dedicated some thirty years to aiding individuals navigating the aftermath of abuse.

In a recent interview with the French publication La Croix, Dr Chartier-Siben highlighted the profound challenges faced by those leaving deviant religious communities, where control mechanisms persist even after departure.

Awareness is crucial

Chartier-Siben explained the process of taking victims through several phases, from awareness to reconnecting with reality and eventually rebuilding their lives.

Upon meeting abuse survivors, Chartier-Siben highlighted the importance of addressing their state of confusion and helping them become aware of their traumatic experiences.

"At the first appointment, an abuse victim—whether the abuse is psychological, spiritual, or physical—is in a state of great confusion. Therefore, the priority is for the patient to become aware of their traumatic experience. The therapist must allow them to unfold their typically chaotic story, interjecting occasionally to show support."

Through therapeutic support, victims gradually regain autonomy of thought, deconstructing the control system imposed by their abusers.

A delicate balance

Once awareness is established, Chartier-Siben emphasises the necessity of emotional work to help survivors reconnect with reality.

By identifying triggers and confronting past traumas, victims can begin to reclaim their lives from the influence of their abusers.

"In this second phase, I am on a tightrope. I must ensure that my patients neither barricade themselves in denial nor confine themselves to their status as victims."

In the rebuilding phase, physicians navigate a delicate balance. They ensure patients neither deny their experiences nor solely define themselves as victims.

Chartier-Siben underlines the delicate balance required in this process.

While it is crucial to confront the realities of abuse, she also emphasises the importance of integrating everyday challenges into therapy sessions.

By addressing past traumas and present difficulties, survivors can gradually forge a path towards healing and stability.

Sources

La Croix

Vatican News

But alleged victims of the disgraced former Jesuit and many faithful are not in a celebratory mood.

During a heated debate on what should be done with Fr Rupnik's mosaics across the globe, OSV News asked whether the art can be separated from the alleged acts of abuse by the Slovenian priest-artist and what should be done with his mosaics decorating iconic churches across the globe.

In December 2022, Rome's Jesuit headquarters, following media reports concerning alleged abuse by Fr Rupnik, admitted the preliminary investigation found allegations credible as early as 2019. In 2020, he was excommunicated for "absolution of an accomplice," referring to when a priest has sex with someone and then absolves the person in confession.

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These new charges add to his existing legal battle comprising 26 charges, including sexual penetration without consent, indecent dealing with a child, and unlawful and indecent assault.

WA Police confirmed a 74-year-old faces two charges of indecent and unlawful assault. They did not name the man but the ABC has said through sources that he is Christopher Saunders, the former Bishop of Broome.

Allegedly, in 2016 he sexually assaulted a man aged 21 or 22, marking the emergence of two complainants.

The initial charges stemmed from alleged offences against a complainant in 2008. The offences spanned more than five years in various Kimberley locations.

Horror of sexual abuse

A Church spokesperson said in a statement that the Catholic Diocese of Broome was aware WA Police had charged the former bishop with offences as part of an ongoing investigation into claims of sexual abuse.

"The Catholic Diocese of Broome has and will continue to offer full transparency and co-operation with WA Police" they said.

"Accordingly, no comment will be made regarding the former bishop of Broome until such time as these proceedings are completed.

"The Catholic Diocese of Broome renews its unreserved apology to all those who have suffered the horror of sexual abuse."

Open justice and fair trial

Scheduled to appear in Broome Magistrate's Court on June 17, Saunders, through his lawyer Seamus Rafferty, previously signified a not-guilty plea. Magistrate Deen Potter dismissed a suppression order request, affirming the importance of open justice and a fair trial.

Granted bail on a $10,000 surety, Saunders' supporters and critics witnessed tense courtroom scenes. Ordained as a priest in 1976, he ascended to the role of Bishop in 1996, serving in remote Kimberley communities.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Saunders has consistently maintained his innocence.

Bishop Saunders quit in August 2021 but has kept his title and entitlements.

Sources

News.com.au

ABC

CathNews New Zealand

Fr James DeOreo claims the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana violated diocesan policy and committed both fraud and defamation when it said, in March 2022, that he had been accused by a cleric of a "possible violation of the sixth commandment with a minor".

The lawsuit, initiated by DeOreo and also naming vicar general Fr Theodore Dudzinski, centres on claims that the diocese misrepresented allegations against him, leading to his suspension from ministry.

The filing says that in 2021 a parishioner alleged that DeOreo "abused the [parishioner] by encouraging him to fast and engage in other spiritual and ascetic practices" which eventually led the individual to "suffer an eating disorder".

DeOreo's filing claims that Dudzinski "[sat] in on [the parishioner's] therapy sessions" for several months throughout 2021.

"It claims the vicar general allegedly told both the individual and his therapist that the diocese would reopen the investigation against DeOreo if accusations "of a sexual nature" were levelled against him.

The parishioner subsequently "made false allegations that DeOreo had abused him" the filing says.

DeOreo said the diocese undertook a new investigation. However, none of its investigators "found the new allegations to be credible".

They also found "no evidence to substantiate the allegations".

Despite this, the diocese allegedly continued to pursue the matter.

They even entered into negotiations with the accuser regarding a potential settlement.

$10 million in damages

DeOreo asserts that the diocese's public announcement of his suspension misrepresented the situation.

He said it damaged his reputation and caused him to endure prolonged uncertainty and limbo within the church.

The priest's lawsuit seeks $10 million in damages and calls for a public statement from Bishop Tim Doherty who DeOreo believes could help resolve the matter swiftly.

"If at any moment the bishop proclaims [that] … there is not a single instance or piece of evidence which shows any misconduct or wrongdoing, I will happily enter negotiations with the Bishop and the diocese to bring litigation to an immediate conclusion" DeOreo wrote last week in a letter to supporters.

Diocesan spokeswoman Gabby Hlavek declined to comment on the sexual abuse allegations or the proceedings.

"The diocese cannot discuss pending litigation. Instead, we ask that you please join us in prayer for all those that are affected" she told CNA.

Sources

The Pillar

Catholic News Agency

During a meeting with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, the Pope addressed the need for continued efforts in aiding victims.

The meeting came as recent events outside the Vatican indicated that the scandal that has rocked the church for decades was not going away anytime soon.

Swiss abuse cases surge

In Switzerland, church officials reported a significant increase in victims coming forward following the publication of a damning report. The report included over 1,000 cases of abuse since the mid-20th century. This is despite the country's relatively small Catholic population.

The diocese in northwestern Basel revealed a surge in suspected abuse cases. More than half the cases emerged in the last six months alone. Additionally, at least 70 cases were reported across four other dioceses in Switzerland since the report's release.

Italian priest guilty

In Italy, a criminal court in Sicily delivered a significant verdict against a priest previously exonerated by the Vatican.

The court sentenced the Rev Giuseppe Rugolo to four and a half years in prison for charges related to attempted sexual violence against minors. The diocese, Piazza Armerina in Sicily, was also held responsible for civil damages and legal fees.

The case drew attention as Bishop Rosario Gisana was heard admitting to covering up for the priest on intercepted wiretaps. Despite attempts to distance the diocese from liability, the court found them responsible for the priest's actions.

The Vatican's handling of the case also came under scrutiny. It shelved the case on technical grounds as Rugolo was a seminarian at the time of the sex abuse. The decision sparked outrage, especially considering one of Rugolo's victims had directly appealed to Pope Francis for intervention.

Listen to victims

Considering these developments, Pope Francis reiterated the importance of listening to victims in the church's efforts to address sex abuse.

On Thursday, Francis told his child protection advisers that listening to victims was crucial to helping them heal.

"In our ecclesial ministry of protecting minors, closeness to victims of abuse is no abstract concept but a very concrete reality comprised of listening, intervening, preventing and assisting" he said in remarks read by an aide as Francis continues to recover from the flu.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is expected in the near future to release the church's first-ever audit of safeguarding procedures and policies.

Sources

AP News

Swiss Info

CathNews New Zealand

In a recent article in the German website Herder Korrespondenz, Thomas Großbölting (pictured) highlights the clergy's authority within the religious framework as facilitating the exploitation of children and young people.

"It is the position of the clergyman in the religious system of meaning that enables the pedosexual perpetrator to gain power over children and young people and then abuse them" writes Großbölting.

Central to Großbölting's argument is the need to address the inflated status and self-importance often attributed to clergy members and the overarching power structures within church institutions.

Großbölting emphasises that breaking these patterns is crucial in effectively addressing the ongoing abuse scandal. Moreover, he suggests that similar power imbalances may exist within other religious traditions, highlighting the universality of this issue.

"In this way, they are strongly connected to the spiritual perpetrator as a religiously distinguished man - and in the worst case, at the mercy of him."

This manipulation represents a distortion of the clergy's intended role, regardless of denominational differences.

Denomination specific challenges

Furthermore, Großbölting identifies specific challenges within each denomination.

In Protestant churches, where power structures may be less overt, he warns of the danger of overlooking or denying existing imbalances, creating a culture of silence and hindering accountability.

On the other hand, within the Catholic Church, issues such as celibacy and doctrinal attitudes towards homosexuality present additional complexities.

A critical aspect of Großbölting's analysis is the disparity in transparency surrounding sexual abuse cases. He criticises the Protestant Church for its lack of comprehensive investigations, contrasting this with efforts made within Catholicism.

"While the work in the Catholic Church created a basis on which studies and practical measures can build, this has been neglected in the Protestant Church" said Großbölting.

Großbölting urges leaders within the Protestant Church to take decisive action to address these shortcomings and learn from the progress made by their Catholic counterparts.

Sources

Katholisch

Herder Korrespondenz

CathNews New Zealand

Dziega was known for ignoring the victims of sexual abuse for years in his archdiocese. Still, in a letter explaining his resignation to priests of the archdiocese, he said the reason was health-oriented, a "radical weakening of my condition."

At age 71, he is four years younger than the age at which canon law requires bishops to submit their resignation to the pope.

He also apologised to the priests for his "weaknesses," not mentioning the victims of sexual abuse who were outraged when the letter went viral across social media in Poland over the Feb 24-25 weekend.

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In a statement to ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, Verschueren, delegate for the Interprovincial Houses and Works of the Society of Jesus, assured that in March the Jesuits "exhaustively" informed the bishop of Koper, Jurij Bizjak, about the cases and complaints of abuse against Rupnik.

The Jesuit official revealed that the Slovenian bishop "informed us on his own initiative that he would offer incardination to MIR [Marko Ivan Rupnik] if we would give him the indult to leave the Society of Jesus." However, the priest was not released but expelled from the Jesuits on June 15.

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The Vatican has removed the statute of limitations that had previously hindered a church trial based on these allegations.

The case of Rupnik (pictured) has garnered global attention due to the accusations against the once-revered Jesuit.

Rupnik is known for his remarkable mosaic artistry that graces churches and basilicas worldwide.

A Vatican statement disclosed that the Pope's abuse prevention commission identified "serious problems" in the initial handling of the case.  The "lack of outreach to victims" was particularly emphasised.

Pope Francis has directed the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, responsible for addressing abuse-related crimes in church law, to "review the case and decide to lift the statute of limitations to allow a trial to take place."

The Jesuits initiated an internal procedure to investigate sexual abuse accusations against Rupnik dating from 1985 to 2018. The accusations were deemed "highly credible."

But the Jesuits said the Vatican's canonical norms in force at the time of the alleged abuse precluded a canonical trial or harsher punishment.

In the end, the Jesuits expelled Rupnik not because of allegations of abuse but because of his "stubborn refusal to observe the vow of obedience."

Innocent until proven guilty

Simultaneously, it has been announced that Father Rupnik has been accepted for priestly ministry in the Diocese of Koper, Slovenia.

The diocese confirmed Rupnik's acceptance. It emphasised that it aligns with Article 11.1 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This article asserts the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a public trial.

Currently, Rupnik enjoys all the rights and duties of diocesan priests within the Diocese of Koper. The diocese covers the westernmost side of Slovenia and is home to 266,000 inhabitants.

Rupnik's former Jesuit superior welcomed Friday's Vatican announcement of an impending church trial against the accused priest-artist. The Rev. Johan Verschueren saw it as a "major step" toward justice for both the alleged victims and Rupnik himself.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which had raised concerns about the Rupnik case also applauded the decision, emphasising the importance of justice for abuse victims within the Church.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

National Catholic Reporter

CathNews New Zealand

The details emerged from an unprecedented public investigation by Spain's ombudsman, who spoke of the "devastating impact" on victims.

Angel Gabilondo also criticised the Church for its inaction and attempts to cover up or deny the abuse.

"What has happened has been possible because of that silence," he said.

The 700-page report, which was ordered by Spain's Congress last year, reveals the result of a survey that the commission carried out on 800,000 members of the public.

It found that 0.6% of the country's adult population, roughly 39 million people, said that they had suffered sexual abuse as children by members of the clergy.

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"Regarding some media articles relating to the reasons for why Cardinal Ladaria Ferrer will not participate in the coming synodal assembly, in agreement with His Eminence, it is specified that these reconstructions have no foundation and are the fruit of pure fantasy," a Sept 23 Vatican statement said.

"The truth of the facts is that having completed his mandate as prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Ladaria, close to 80 years of age, asked not to participate in the synod exclusively due to accumulated tiredness and his desire for a bit of rest," the statement said.

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With few exceptions, those accused of wrongdoing were all male. Nearly three-fourths of the documents examined showed the sexual abuse involved minors.

The report, commissioned by the Swiss Conference of Bishops and led by two University of Zurich historians, offers a deep look at the sexual abuse and harassment that has confounded the Catholic Church across the globe in recent decades — upending the lives of many victims and their families, and tarnishing the image of the institution.

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The father, identified only as RWQ in official legal documents, had instituted legal action against both the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and the late Cardinal Pell.

RWQ contended that he underwent severe emotional distress upon discovering allegations of sexual misconduct involving his now-deceased son during the mid-1990s.

Cardinal Pell, who staunchly maintained his innocence until his death in January, had previously faced five convictions related to the abuse of the claimant's son alongside another young boy. However, these convictions were overturned by the High Court in 2020.

Seeking to absolve itself from legal obligations, the Catholic Church invoked an ultimately rejected defence, asserting that the father lacked the right to litigate due to not being the direct victim of the purported abuse.

When, in August 2022, a Supreme Court justice ruled that claims from secondary victims were admissible, the Archdiocese swiftly launched an appeal. This appeal necessitated the Archdiocese's application for permission from the Court of Appeal, which was ultimately declined last Friday.

Three justices on the panel concurred that the Church's grounds for appeal lacked sufficient prospects of success to warrant further consideration.

This aligns with arguments advanced by Andrew Clements KC, RWQ's legal representative.

Clements said legislation overturning the now-defunct Ellis defence repeatedly used the phrase "arising from child abuse" when referring to who could claim damages. He asserted that extended beyond direct victims of abuse.

Church criticised for exploiting loophole

RWQ contended that the Catholic Church should bear assumed liability for his son's alleged abuse that transpired at St Patrick's Cathedral when the boy was just 13. He asserted that he endured financial loss due to medical expenses and diminished earning capacity resulting from the psychological toll of his ordeal.

Expressing her perspective, solicitor Gabrielle Verhagen criticised the Church for attempting to exploit a legal loophole. In light of the findings from a royal commission investigating child sexual abuse, Verhagen asserted that the Church ought to prioritise compensating victims and survivors rather than evading responsibility.

"When a child is sexually abused, their whole family suffers the consequences as they grapple with things like new family dynamics, changed behaviours, substance abuse and a life derailed as a result of this life-altering crime" Ms Verhagen said.

Sources

The New Daily

CathNews New Zealand

Francis landed in Lisbon on Wednesday for the week-long World Youth Day, an event devised by the late Pope John Paul II for Catholics in their teens or early 20s and held every two or three years in a different city.

The event comes less than six months after a report by a Portuguese commission said at least 4,815 minors were sexually abused by clergy - mostly priests - over seven decades. The commission in charge said that was just the "tip of the iceberg".

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