News Story of the Day
Thousands vow to stop religious group Sisters of Charity from owning new National Maternity Hospital
By Stephen McDermott, April 19, 2017, Irish Mirror
More than 18,000 people have signed a petition to block the Sisters of Charity from becoming the owners of the new National Maternity Hospital.
There has been public outrage at the Government’s decision to hand the €300million facility to the order which ran the depraved Magdalene laundries.
Multiple victims allege child molestation
By Devin Zimmerman, April 18, 2017, Kokomo Perspective
(Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of stories concerning Temple Baptist Church Kokomo. In the coming weeks, multiple victims will tell their stories of alleged abuse – physical, mental, and spiritual – while attending the church and the church’s school, Temple Baptist Academy.)
It all began when Dawn Price posted a video to YouTube on Feb. 27, 2017.
Through a heartfelt reading of a letter she wrote to her parents at the behest of a counselor, Price detailed her painful childhood while choking back tears. In just under 15 minutes, she described the alleged sexual abuse she claims to have endured at the hands of her father, Donald Croddy, who sources say served in various capacities around children at Temple Baptist Church.
Netflix TV Guide: True crime docuseries 'The Keepers' features Baltimore nun murder
By Jane Clayton, April 18, 2017, International Business Times
While viewers are waiting for “Making a Murderer” season 2, Netflix is bringing in "The Keepers," another murder series. The upcoming show will feature the 1969 real story of a murdered nun.
Baltimore nun Sister Catherine “Cathy” Cesnik will be the center of the forthcoming Netflix seven-part docuseries titled “The Keepers.” The 26-year-old nun and teacher in Baltimore went missing nearly five decades ago.
No, your honor. A convicted Utah rapist isn't a great man. He's a criminal
By STANDARD-EXAMINER EDITORIAL BOARD, April 16, 2017
After a Utah jury found a former Mormon bishop guilty of rape and 10 counts of forcible sexual abuse, the judge called him a good man.
An “extraordinarily good man.”
Judge praises former LDS bishop, while sentencing him for rape, as victim listens
Provo, Utah — Fourth District Court Judge Thomas Low had glowing praise for a man who was convicted of molesting two female relatives while they stayed at his home three years ago.
"The court had no doubt that Mr. Vallejo is an extraordinarily good man," Low said just moments before sentencing Keith Vallejo to prison for sexually abusing the two females. "But great men, sometimes do bad things," Low continued.
Anti-Sexual Violence Groups Tell Whole Foods CEO to "Get Real" at Philadelphia Conference
Port Matilda, Pennsylvania - April 12, 2017, Digital Journal
An open letter from anti-sexual violence leaders to Conscious Capitalism, Inc. urges Whole Foods CEO John Mackey to disavow spiritual leader Marc Gafni, a former rabbi facing allegations of sexual abuse.
The letter's lead signer, Matthew Sandusky, is founder of nonprofit Peaceful Hearts Foundation, and adopted son of former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky, a convicted pedophile.
Controversial Pastor Found Guilty Of Child Molestation, Other Charges
By NEWS4JAX, April 10, 2017
BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA — After a six-day trial of a Brunswick pastor on sexual molestation charges, a Glynn County jury deliberated less than an hour Monday, finding Ken Atkins guilty of all charges.
Adkins was convicted of two counts of aggravated child molestation, five counts of child molestation and one of enticing a child. He faces up to life in prison on the charges when he is sentenced, which is scheduled for April 25.
SNAP: Guam clergy sex abuse cases could reach 150-200
By Haidee V Eugenio, April 9, 2017, Pacific Daily News
The world’s largest network of priest abuse survivors says Guam’s clergy sex abuse cases could reach into the hundreds over the next couple of years, from 46 at present.
Guam children were allegedly abused by Catholic clergy between 1956 and 1988, based on lawsuits filed in local and federal courts between Nov. 1 and April 6.
Norbertines’ time in Ireland caused unspeakable damage
The last public Mass by a Norbertine priest in Ireland was celebrated on Sunday September 25th, 2016. As of that date all public ministry by the Norbertines on the island ceased.
This is referred to, almost in passing, in the review of child protection practices at the Norbertines published last Wednesday by the church’s child protection watchdog, the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI).
Prep school teacher took boys on trips for camping, skiing — and abuse
By Craig R. McCoy, April 7, 2017, The Inquirer
By his own account, Bill Kershaw’s “greatest joy and accomplishment in life was in improving the lives of young boys.”
When not teaching fifth graders, Kershaw took boys camping, canoeing, and on ski trips. He “loved introducing boys to the wonders of nature.”
After a long career at Philadelphia’s elite Chestnut Hill Academy and three other local private schools, Kershaw died a satisfied man, according to an obituary he drafted himself.