Click here to read: "Overdose victim's family sues Archdiocese for wrongful death," by Joseph A. Slobodzian, The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 13, 2013. The lawsuit contends that church officials' failure to remove Brennan, a priest with a long history of complaints about misconduct with young boys, directly led to him molesting Patrick McIlmail from … Continue reading Victim’s Family Sues Philadelphia Archdiocese for Wrongful Death
Author: Susan Matthews
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Financial Investigation Prompted Removal While Sex Abuse Investigation Did Not
By Kathy Kane,In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, it seems financial allegations may be taken more seriously than child sex abuse allegations.Case in point, when the Archdiocese "suspected" Anita Guzzardi of embezzling, they removed the Chief Financial Officer from her position. Father John Paul was allowed to remain as pastor of Our Lady of Calvary after … Continue reading Financial Investigation Prompted Removal While Sex Abuse Investigation Did Not
Parish Parents Not Considered ‘Pertinent Parties’ in Pastor’s Child Abuse Allegations
Archdiocesan Statement Father John Paul resigned as pastor of Our Lady of Calvary Parish earlier this week. He came to that decision of his own accord amid the stress and anxiety relative to an investigation into alleged misconduct on his part. Earlier this year, the Archdiocese received allegations that Father Paul had sexually abused minors … Continue reading Parish Parents Not Considered ‘Pertinent Parties’ in Pastor’s Child Abuse Allegations
Our Lady of Calvary Pastor Resigns Following Abuse Allegations
Click here to read: "Pastor resigns following sex-abuse allegations," by Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 10, 2013 Excerpt: "A pastor of a Northeast Philadelphia Catholic church who was accused of sexually abusing children 45 years ago has resigned and moved out of the parish's residential premises, according to a memo to parishioners. The Rev. … Continue reading Our Lady of Calvary Pastor Resigns Following Abuse Allegations
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Lobbied Against Extending Statutes of Limitations for Sex Abuse Cases
Click here to read: "Archdiocese led lobby to stop abuse law change," by Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, November 5, 2013. Excerpt: An internal accounting analysis prepared by the archdiocese shows that the lobbying association known as the Minnesota Religious Council received more than $800,000 from the Catholic Church during a seven-year period ending in the … Continue reading Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Lobbied Against Extending Statutes of Limitations for Sex Abuse Cases
Father James Brennan’s Retrial Delayed Again
Click here for coverage: "Retrial Delayed Again for Priest Accused of Child Sex Abuse," by NBC10.com, Oct. 21, 2013Excerpt: "The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office confirms Monday's jury selection was delayed until June 16, after the attorney for the Rev. James Brennan's attorney requested a continuance for further investigation."
Witness in Current Clergy Sex Abuse Case Dies
Click here to read: "Witness who said priest raped him dies," by John Slobodzian, The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 17, 2013Excerpt: "The future of the sex abuse case against the Rev. Robert L. Brennan - the former Philadelphia priest arrested Sept. 26 and charged with raping a Northeast Philadelphia altar boy from 1998 to 2001 - is … Continue reading Witness in Current Clergy Sex Abuse Case Dies
Accused Priest’s Bail Lowered
Click here to view: "Bail Reduced for Philly Priest Accused of Molesting Altar Boy," by Dan Stamm and David Chang, NBCPhiladelphia.com, October 8, 2010Excerpt: "A judge set Rev. Robert L. Brennan's bail on rape, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse and aggravated sexual assault charges at 10 percent of $1 million back on Sept. 27. Brennan also was ordered … Continue reading Accused Priest’s Bail Lowered
Polish Bishop Points to Divorced Parents in Clergy Sex Abuse
Click here to read: "Polish Archbishop Jozef Michalik Sex Abuse Comments Prompt Outrage: 'Child Seeking Love' Because of Divorced Parents," by Dagmara Leszkowicz, Reuters, Huffington Post, October 8, 2013 Excerpt: In comments shown on Tuesday by broadcaster TVN24, Michalik said child sexual abuse by priests was unacceptable, but the debate about it needed to be broadened … Continue reading Polish Bishop Points to Divorced Parents in Clergy Sex Abuse
Correction: Bishop Lee Retires for Health Reasons
I was contacted today by Martin Long, director of communications at the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, on behalf on Bishop William Lee. He shared Bishop Lee's statement which explains his resignation was due to serious health reasons that have recently worsened. Long states that Agence France-Presse Foundation (AFP), which reported the original story, gravely defamed … Continue reading Correction: Bishop Lee Retires for Health Reasons
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