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

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

Join Kathy and myself on May 3rd at this second annual event organized by Justice4PAKids, a non-profit that raises awareness and provides education on protecting children from sexual abuse. It's a choice of 5K or a 1 mile walk managed by Chester County Running Store. It's a great way to meet each other. Ask for … Continue reading Join C4C in Justice4PAKids 5K or Mile Walk

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?

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

GUEST BLOG BY BETH I am at a loss for words after I meet one of our survivors and/or attend a vigil. The most recent vigil/protest outside the cathedral was no different. I always leave these events, if you can even call them that, changed - as if in peaceful mourning or as if I … Continue reading One Concerned Catholic’s Take on the Healing Mass

Click here to read, "Alleged victim targets accused pedophile priest 30 years later," by Jason Sickles, Yahoo News, March 28, 2014Excerpt:"...the Philadelphia Archdiocese conspired to shield Brzyski and 62 other priests who had molested hundreds of children over three decades. The hierarchy "excused and enabled the abuse" by burying reports and "covering up the conduct...to … Continue reading Former Altar Boy Fights for Better Sex Abuse Laws

Click here to read, "Chaput apologizes for church's role in sex abuse scandal," by Bob Warner, The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 23, 2014Excerpt: "We need to repent and ask the forgiveness of those who have suffered," Chaput said. "We ask God in His mercy to lift up the victims and also life up the rest of … Continue reading Healing Mass Missed the Mark for Many

The Philadelphia Archdiocese was a topic this morning on "Inside Story," a local news show on ABC. The panel discussed the recent move by the Archdiocese to discontinue tuition-free education at archdiocesan schools for the children of clergy sex abuse victims. They uniformly agreed that it was mishandled - especially on the communications front. The … Continue reading Another Pastoral and Public Relations Debacle for Archdiocese of Philadelphia