News Story of the Day
Diocese of Syracuse creates program to compensate victims of clergy sexual abuse
By Patrick Lohmann, February 14, 2018, New York Upstate
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Catholic Diocese of Syracuse announced today it will create a program that will allow victims of clergy sexual abuse to seek compensation.
Catholic Church's Massive Wealth Revealed
By Royce Millar, Ben Schneiders, Chris Vedelago, February 12, 2018, The Sydney Morning Herald
The Catholic Church in Australia is worth tens of billions of dollars, making it one of the country’s biggest non-government property owners, and massively wealthier than it has claimed in evidence to major inquiries into child sexual abuse.
Pope Francis, a brewing crisis and 'feminine genius
By Robert Mickens, Rome, February 9, 2018, La Croix International
The biggest error Catholic leaders have made regarding the church’s response to priests abusing children
has been the exclusion of women leading the policy-making process
The last couple of weeks have not been what anyone in his or her right mind would call the most brightly shining moment in the current pontificate.
First, the cardinal in charge of the Roman Curia’s office on the laity blocked Ireland’s former president, Mary MacAleese, from speaking at an International Woman’s Day event originally scheduled to take place inside the Vatican. In response, the organizers simply moved the venue to the nearby Jesuit headquarters.
Michigan State turns over 45,000 pages to AG, gets extension from lawmakers
By Justin A. Hinkley, Lansing State Journal, February 9, 2018
EAST LANSING - Michigan State University was expected on Friday to have turned over some 45,000 pages of documents to investigators at the Michigan Attorney General's Office, with more to come on "a rolling basis," according to a letter from the university's attorneys to investigators.
Meanwhile, lawmakers on Friday gave the university until Wednesday to hand over documents in their own investigation into how MSU officials responded to Larry Nassar scandal.
Man testifies in suit alleging Mormons overlooked sex abuse
By The Associated Press, February 9, 2018, Salt Lake Tribune
Martinsburg, W.Va. • A man accused in a West Virginia lawsuit along with the Utah-based LDS Church of covering up years of child sexual abuse testified he was unaware of the allegations that led to his son’s conviction until he was charged.
The Journal reports Chris Jensen testified Tuesday in Berkeley County Circuit Court in the trial of a lawsuit filed by plaintiffs on behalf of nine families.
Plaintiffs contend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others knew about 26-year-old member Christopher Michael Jensen’s sexual abuse convictions and allegations but “did nothing to warn and protect” their children.
Presentation High: 20 students, alums now allege sex abuse involving 8 teachers, staff
By John Woolfolk, February 7, 2018, Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News
The number of women claiming they were sexually abused as students at a prestigious San Jose Catholic girls high school has swelled to 20 while the number of accused staff has grown to eight. The mounting accusations surfaced as nearly 5,000 former students and their supporters have signed a petition demanding an independent investigation of how the administration handled reported abuse.
Columbus bishop accused of sexually abusing and harassing several followers
By Danae King, February 6, 2018, The Columbus Dispatch
A property dispute has brought to light sexual-assault allegations against a Columbus bishop who founded a group of Pentecostal churches around the world.
New Report Details Abuse In Diocese Of Rockville Centre
By Alex Costello, Patch Staff, Feb 5, 2018, Rockville Centre Patch
A report released on Monday by a group of attorneys seeks to compile all of the allegations of sexual abuse made against priests in the Diocese of Rockville Centre into one place so residents can more easily find out if priests in their parishes have had abuse allegations made against them, and if those allegations were credible.
The report, titled "Hidden Disgrace II," was compiled by the attorney group Lawyers Helping Survivors of Child Sex Abuse. It is a group of attorneys made up of lawyers from the firms of Weitz & Luxenberg P.C; James, Vernon & Weeks, P.A.; and Noaker Law Firm LLC, to help victims of child sexual assault.