News Story of the Day
OUR OPINION: North Dakota dioceses should release names of priests
By Tom Dennis, January 27, 2016, Grand Forks Herald
To weeks ago, the Archdiocese of Seattle published a list of its clergy and other employees who'd been credibly accused of sexually assaulting children.
The archdiocese took this step on its own—not because of a court ruling, not because a legal settlement forced its hand, but because the publication was the right thing to do.
SNAP pushing for public awareness of abuse by priests
By Sean Evan, Jan 25, 2016, wtvm.com
SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, says they want the public to be aware of seven credibly accused Catholic clerics who have worked in Georgia, but haven't been publicly called out until now.
The SNAP representatives WTOC spoke to want the names of those priests out there, in case there are any victims who might not have come forward yet. SNAP representatives gave WTOC the names of seven clerics who at one time worked in Georgia, some in the Diocese of Savannah, who have been credibly accused of crimes against children in other states, but not necessarily Georgia.
Lists of accused ND priests still under wraps
By Archie Ingersoll on Jan 24, 2016 at 5:45 a.m., Inforum
Fargo -- Over the years, nearly 30 Roman Catholic dioceses around the country have publicly disclosed a list naming priests accused of sexually abusing children.
Sometimes these lists held no surprises – the priests named were already known as alleged predators. But often these lists revealed new names, shedding light on dark corners of the church.
Former St. Mary’s School principal thinks clergy sex abuse disclosure is incomplete
By Jake Schild, The Daily World, January 23, 2016
A former nun who worked at St. Mary’s School in Aberdeen during the 1970s and ‘80s believes the recently released list of priests accused of sexual abuse is incomplete.
The list, released last week by the Archdiocese of Seattle, also should have come out earlier, said Mary Dispenza, who was the principal of St. Mary’s for 10 years starting in 1973.
Sen. John Cooke works to remove 10-year sex-assault statute of limitations
The Tribune, January 23, 2016
Greeley’s Sen. John Cooke, the former Weld County Sheriff, wants to remove the statute of limitations on sexual assault crimes.
The Republican senator is working across the aisle with Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, to completely repeal Colorado’s 10-year statute of limitations on felony sexual assault crimes, such as rape.
Bronx Priest Suspended in Abuse Case
JAN. 21, 2016, NY Times
A Roman Catholic priest also active in Bronx politics has been suspended from priestly duties because of allegations that he sexually abused minors three decades ago, church officials said on Thursday.
The priest, the Rev. Richard Gorman, is the director of prison chaplains for the Archdiocese of New York, with an office at the archdiocese’s headquarters in Manhattan.
Advocacy group decries ‘risk’ of Lincoln Diocese hiring disgraced bishop
By Michael O’Connor, January 21, 2016, Omaha World-Herald, Omaha.com
An advocacy group for clergy abuse victims is raising concerns about the appointment of a retired bishop to a chaplain’s post in the Lincoln Diocese.
A Shady Church Sex-Abuse Shell Game?
KATIE ZAVADSKI, 01.19.16, The Daily Beast
An archbishop accused of covering up a major sex-abuse scandal is moving to a new church—and local residents are not pleased.
A battle is brewing in Battle Creek, Michigan, where residents are less than pleased that an archbishop accused of covering up a sex-abuse scandal has now embraced a second calling as a pastor in their town.
Catholics, community react to priest's arrival amid sex abuse backdrop
By January 19, 2016 MLive Michigan
BATTLE CREEK, MI -- A pastor was sick. Another priest was available.
When Archbishop John Nienstedt celebrated three Masses at St. Philip Catholic Church this weekend, he was merely helping out his old friend Fr. John Fleckenstein, who is ill. He plans to continue to help as needed for about a six months.
