Category: Clergy Sex Abuse

Jury Selection for Engelhardt/Shero Trial Begins Monday

~ Susan Matthews ~ 28 Comments

The Philadelphia rape trial of a Rev. Charles Engelhardt and Bernard Shero, a former Catholic school teacher, is finally set to begin next week. According the Philadelphia District Attorney's site, it opens Monday, Jan. 7 - most likely with jury selection. Last year, their case was severed from that of  Msgr. Lynn, who is now … Continue reading Jury Selection for Engelhardt/Shero Trial Begins Monday

Franciscans Fail to Warn Widener About Accusation

~ Susan Matthews ~ 21 Comments

A Widener University dean, who is also a Franciscan priest, resigned after school officials learned of credible child sex abuse allegation from his past. Excerpt: "The Franciscans found his claim credible, and assured the victim and his lawyer that the priest would be stripped of his public ministries, according to Jim Geoly, a Chicago attorney … Continue reading Franciscans Fail to Warn Widener About Accusation

Landmark Year for Child Sex Abuse Justice

~ Susan Matthews ~ 7 Comments

Click here to read: "2012 a year of unparalleled justice for child sex abuse victims," by Barbara Goldberg, Reuters, Dec. 24, 2012 Excerpt: "The year's headlines heralded the criminal convictions of former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky, Monsignor William Lynn of the Catholic Church's Philadelphia Archdiocese and ultra-Orthodox Jewish therapist Nechemya Weberman, a prominent … Continue reading Landmark Year for Child Sex Abuse Justice

Can We Believe the Archdiocese?

~ Susan Matthews ~ 127 Comments

submitted By Sister Maureen Turlish On October 15, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced its decision to restore Rev. Joseph DiGregorio to ministry, a priest credibly accused of the sexual exploitation of a minor. It did so while releasing as little information as possible. The Archdiocese's poor record of accountability and transparency began to become known … Continue reading Can We Believe the Archdiocese?

Hold Institutional Policy Makers Accountable

~ Susan Matthews ~ 41 Comments

Click here to read, "Monica Yant Kinney: New sex-abuse charges put institutional leaders on notice," The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sunday, November 4. Excerpt: "Before 2007, the only people in Pennsylvania who could be charged with child endangerment were those with actual contact with children. Think of the father who left his toddler in the car while … Continue reading Hold Institutional Policy Makers Accountable

Hold a Child Sex Abuse Parish Information Forum

~ Susan Matthews ~ 267 Comments

One of the more promising developments over the past year has been parish-based forums on clergy child sex abuse. We need more to do so. Some have held healing services, but I prefer "information forum" for several reasons. While healing is most certainly needed on all fronts, it seems that would come more easily after … Continue reading Hold a Child Sex Abuse Parish Information Forum

Sister Maureen Counters Chaput’s Argument Against Child Sex Abuse Law & First Friday Vigil Reminder

~ Susan Matthews ~ 265 Comments

Reminder: First Friday Vigil outside the Archdiocesan Offices at 222 N. 17th Street on October 5, 2012 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Advocate Sister Maureen Paul Turlish sent the following to the Archdiocesan-administered PhillyCatholic.com in response to Archbishop Chaput's recent comments regarding child sex abuse legislation. by Sister Maureen Paul Turlish What about our … Continue reading Sister Maureen Counters Chaput’s Argument Against Child Sex Abuse Law & First Friday Vigil Reminder

Archbishop Chaput Speaks with Parents of Clergy Abuse Victim on Sidelines of Harrisburg Trip

~ Susan Matthews ~ 69 Comments

Click here to read: "Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput talks to parents of victim of clergy abuse during trip to Harrisburg," by Ivey DeJesus, The Patriot-News on PennLive.com, September 25, 2012 Excerpt: "Chaput said he agreed to meet legislators with no one specific topic on the agenda. He said they discussed education and the upcoming election, … Continue reading Archbishop Chaput Speaks with Parents of Clergy Abuse Victim on Sidelines of Harrisburg Trip