News Story of the Day

Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over handling of abuse cases

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the primate of all England and leader of the Anglican Communion, announced his resignation on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, saying he takes “personal and institutional responsibility” for the mishandling of a number of high-profile abuse cases in the Anglican Church since taking the reigns in 2013. | Credit: Marinella Bandini

 

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying he takes “personal and institutional responsibility” for the mishandling of a number of high-profile abuse cases in the Anglican Church since taking the reins in 2013.


Diocese of Oakland's plan to settle with sexual assault survivors receives pushback

The Diocese of Oakland is facing significant pushback over its plan to settle hundreds of lawsuits.

The diocese entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings last year, overwhelmed by lawsuits over sexual abuse.

In a proposal filed Friday, the diocese is offering far less than other similar settlements in California.

"It's a definite message and the message is 'You are not important.' The message is 'We don't care!'" said attorney Rick Simons.

That outrage was directed at the Diocese of Oakland. Simons represents numerous church sex assault survivors.

On Friday, the diocese filed a plan of reorganization with the bankruptcy court.

In a press release, the diocese says it will create a trust for sexual abuse survivors worth between $160 and $198 million to pay out 345 claims.

But court documents show the initial installment is only $65 million.

"First off, it's not a hundred and some odd million dollars worth of cash, it's $60 million in cash and $10 million a year for four years. They keep that money, investing it and making money off of it all that time while inflation eats away of the value to survivors. It is, again, just plain insulting. It is nowhere near what Los Angeles did," Simons said.

Simons is referencing the $880 million that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles settled on recently in their sex abuse cases. The difference there though, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles never filed for bankruptcy.

Dan McNevin is a volunteer with SNAP, which stands for "Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests." His thoughts about the proposed monetary figures echo those of Simons.

"I think it's pretty pathetic. It's pretty low. This is a really, really wealthy Diocese and there is a lot of victims. ..."

To read the complete article click here.


Sexual abuse at Saint Basil Academy

Expatriate Christopher Bowen (Christopher Bowen), who claims to be a victim of sexual abuse when he was a 14-year-old inmate at St. Basil's Academy. PHOTO COURTESY OF SAME

Ekirikas.com

November 8, 2024

By Theodore Kalmoukos

 

(Translated from the original Greek)

 

BOSTON. Expatriate Christopher Bowen filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of America and St. Basil's Academy in Garrison, New York, alleging that he was sexually abused at age 14 while an inmate at the Academy....

Mr. Bowen, now 54, names his abuser as Finley Everett Eubanks in legal documents available to The National Herald and in a written interview with The National Herald in which he describes in detail what was delivered and describes his traumatic experience that marked his life, even having "suicidal tendencies", while the "nightmares" continue to this day.

Telephone and text messages of "E.K." to the director of the Academy of St. Basil's, priest Constantine Sitaras, and to the Legal Advisor of the Archdiocese, George Tsougarakis, remained unanswered.

The interview of Mr. Christopher Bowen is as follows:


Toledo priest credibly accused of sexual abuse; diocese removes his name from building

THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH


Washington AG appeals court decision shielding Church records on clergy abuse

on November 5, 2024

CV NEWS FEED // The Washington Attorney General’s Office has filed an appeal against a recent court ruling that bars the state from subpoenaing child sex abuse records from the Church, KUOW reported on October 31. The appeal argues that such records do not qualify for religious exemption and should be made public.


Texas Megachurch Removes 4 Elders from Leadership Following Abuse Investigation: 'Will Not Be Tolerated'

Gateway Church, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, launched an internal investigation after a pastor was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl


Syilx Okanagan woman files lawsuit alleging historic abuse at Vernon Catholic school

Laurie Wilson claims she was physically and sexually assaulted by staff and white students at St. James Parish


Pastor facing sexual assault charge returns to pulpit of Arlington church

Pastor Ronnie Goines stepped away from Koinonia Christian Church in Arlington after turning himself in to face sexual assault and indecent assault charges.

 4:33 PM CDT October 28, 2024
ARLINGTON, Texas — The lead pastor of an Arlington church returned to the pulpit this weekend three months after turning himself in to face charges of sexual assault and indecent assault, stemming from alleged sexual advances toward a member of his church. 

Sexual abuse in the church: Key findings of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors report

VATICAN CITY (VATICAN CITY)
La Croix International [Montrouge Cedex, France]

October 29, 2024

By Matthieu Lasserre with Mikael Corre

 

[See also the text of the PCPM report.]

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors released its first annual report October 29, detailing measures taken to combat sexual violence within the church. The document reveals uneven implementation across various countries worldwide.


Catholic priest John Patrick Casey stands trial accused of historical child sex offences

By Hannah Ross

John Casey appeared in Lismore District Court today. (ABC North Coast: Hannah Ross)

 

In short: 

John Patrick Casey has pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault against a person under the age of 16.

The Catholic priest is alleged to have given a 14-year-old boy staying at his house an indecent massage.

What's next?

The District Court jury trial is due to run for five days. 


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