Author: Susan Matthews

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A Papal Request for Forgiveness Begs Clarification

~ Susan Matthews ~ 57 Comments

by MICHAEL BAUMANN from his blog "Off My Knees: Standing up for myself and other victims of sexual abuse by clergy," April 14, 2014 “The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.” - Socrates An article on the Vatican Radio’s Website  reported on  a request from Pope Francis for forgiveness for the priests who … Continue reading A Papal Request for Forgiveness Begs Clarification

Detective James Dougherty Honored for Work On Philly’s Clergy Sex Abuse Cases

~ Susan Matthews ~ 10 Comments

During the Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy lunch on April 11, awards were given to those who go above and beyond for victims of crime. Detective James Dougherty won the Barbara McPherson Award/Police Personnel Award. Here's an excerpt from the program book: "...He worked with compassion and diligence on the clergy abuse cases resulting in … Continue reading Detective James Dougherty Honored for Work On Philly’s Clergy Sex Abuse Cases

Pope Pledges to Penalize Clergy Who Harm Children

~ Susan Matthews ~ 30 Comments

Click here to read: "Pope Francis asks forgiveness for priests who sexually abused children," by Daniel Burke and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN, April 11, 2014Excerpt: "The church is aware of this damage, it is personal, moral damage carried out by men of the church, and we will not take one step backward with regards to how … Continue reading Pope Pledges to Penalize Clergy Who Harm Children

Law Enforcement and Victims Make It Safer for Kids – Not Kansas City Diocese

~ Susan Matthews ~ 4 Comments

The same story everywhere....Click here to read, "As a Kansas City detective is honored in the Shawn Ratigan case, the diocese is castigated," by Judy L. Thomas, The Kansas City Star, April 9, 2014Excerpt: “When it becomes clear at the outset of the investigation that the entire hierarchy of a centuries-old religious denomination does not … Continue reading Law Enforcement and Victims Make It Safer for Kids – Not Kansas City Diocese

How Would You Compare Pope Francis and Archbishop Chaput?

~ Susan Matthews ~ 21 Comments

Click here to read: "On the same page with Francis?," by Will Bunch, The Philadelphia Daily News, April 4, 2013 Excerpt: Indeed, the raw feelings caused by the abuse scandal has some local Catholics saying that Chaput could still be even more humble. One group calling itself Catholics4Change questioned the cost of the recent donation-funded … Continue reading How Would You Compare Pope Francis and Archbishop Chaput?

Many Bishops Need to Work on Penance and Apologies

~ Susan Matthews ~ 19 Comments

Click here to read, "The Fight to Reveal Abuses by Catholic Priests," by Clyde Haberman, The New York Times, March 30, 2014Excerpt: The conditional nature of the apology, a style favored by innumerable politicians caught with hands in the till, was not lost on many listeners. Nor was the cardinal’s use of “mistakes” to describe … Continue reading Many Bishops Need to Work on Penance and Apologies

Delegation’s Roman Holiday Raises Questions and Brings Back No Answer

~ Susan Matthews ~ 13 Comments

Click here to read, "Local Group Questions The Need for Delegation's Trip to Rome," by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio, March 31, 2014 Excerpt: “There’s a lot of questions about the cost. There’s a lot of questions about was it necessary for this? Is this a publicity stunt to distract us away from the clergy sex … Continue reading Delegation’s Roman Holiday Raises Questions and Brings Back No Answer