News Story of the Day
A novel approach for Twin Cities Catholic officials: Punish those responsible
By Kristen Ward and David Clohessy
February 26, 2014
One way to sometimes stop people from doing wrong is to punish them for doing wrong. History, psychology and common sense all suggest this approach often works.
Pell's new job called a 'golden parachute'
By Channel 9 News
February, 25, 2014
Cardinal George Pell's new job at the Vatican is not an honour but an "escape clause", says a group representing survivors of child sex abuse by priests.
Number of alleged sex abusers greater than church has revealed
By Madeleine Baran
At the height of the national clergy abuse scandal 11 years ago, Archbishop Harry Flynn gave speeches across the country condemning child abuse and vowing to change the church.
The U.N. Isn't Biased Against the Vatican. It's Biased in Favor of Children
By Amanda Marcotte
February 7, 2014
On Wednesday, a U.N. human rights panel released its assessment of the Holy See's responsibilities in the decades long child sex-abuse scandal and offered its recommendations to the Vatican on both how to prevent sex abuse in the future and how to deal responsibly with victims when it happens. The report is scathing in its judgment of the church's past actions, but what is most startling is how aggressive the panel is in recommending that the church radically change its teachings and culture to prevent more child abuse.
Ruling requiring Archbishop Nienstedt to testify in abuse case stands
By Emily Gurnon
February 16, 2014
A judge has denied a motion by the Twin Cities archdiocese to prevent Archbishop John Nienstedt from testifying about priests accused of child sexual abuse.
A cool change, but what has Pope Francis actually achieved?
By Marcus O'Donnell
February 10, 2014
A year ago this week, the ageing, doctrinaire and aristocratic Pope, Benedict XVI, shocked keen Vatican watchers and the public alike by his sudden resignation. Few were prepared for the shockwaves that would follow.
School's response to child sex abuse claims to be probed
By the Chronicle
February 12, 2014
A TOOWOOMBA Catholic school's response to allegations of child sex abuse will be the focus of a Royal Commission hearing in Brisbane next week.
Why Is Bob Jones University So Nervous?
By ROD DREHER
February 11, 2014
The fundamentalist college fired GRACE, the investigator it hired to look into allegations of sexual abuse there — this, as the investigative report was nearing completion. RNS reports:
If the Pope were really progressive, he'd speak about child rape
By: ELIZABETH RENZETTI
Feb. 10 2014
The Catholic Church probably thought the stormiest waters were behind. With a charismatic, groovy Pope at the helm, the church has been sailing an unexpectedly friendly sea. As if, perhaps, everyone had forgotten that thing. You know, that thing: The tens of thousands of children broken by abuse suffered at the hands of clergy. The priests left unpunished. The official silence.
UN names church for what it is: a rogue state
By Brenda O'Connor
09 FEBRUARY 2014
WE CAN tend to outrage fatigue when it comes to reports about the crimes committed within the Catholic Church in recent years. So when the UN Committee on the Rights of Children reported last week on its ongoing engagement with the Catholic Church regarding the rights of children within the Vatican and the Holy See, many people will have been tempted to ignore it.