Category: Prevent & Advocate

Priest and Teacher Both Sentenced to Do Hard Time

~ Susan Matthews ~ 107 Comments

Click here to read: "Priest, Teacher Get Prison in Sex Abuse Case," by Joseph Slobodzian, The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 12, 2013Excerpt: Common Pleas Court Judge Ellen Ceisler exceeded sentencing guidelines in handing out punishment to the Rev. Charles Engelhardt, 66 and Bernard Shero, 50, saying their crimes called for long terms. She sentenced Engelhardt to … Continue reading Priest and Teacher Both Sentenced to Do Hard Time

Your Hour of Convenient Therapy Is Up

~ Susan Matthews ~ 74 Comments

If the institutional Church really wants to prevent child sex abuse, it can’t continue to rely on therapists whose theories and practices may fall outside the guidelines of the American Psychological and Psychiatric Associations. Advice that had proven convenient in cover ups does little for real healing. Let’s look at the case of Father Edward … Continue reading Your Hour of Convenient Therapy Is Up

Cardinal Admits Church Child Sex Abuse Cover Up

~ Susan Matthews ~ 57 Comments

Click here to read and watch: "Cardinal George Pell admits Church covered up cases of child sex abuse," by Brigid Andersen, ABC News, May 27, 2013Excerpt: Australia's top-ranking Catholic has admitted to a Victorian parliamentary inquiry that some members of the Church tried to cover up child sexual abuse by other members of the clergy. Please … Continue reading Cardinal Admits Church Child Sex Abuse Cover Up

Priests and Nuns Form ‘Catholic Whistleblowers’

~ Susan Matthews ~ 34 Comments

Click here to read, "Church Whistle-Blowers Join Forces on Abuse," by Laurie Goodstein, The New York Times, May, 20 2013 Excerpt: Although they know they could face repercussions, they have banded together to push the new pope to clean house and the American bishops to enforce the zero-tolerance policies they adopted more than a decade … Continue reading Priests and Nuns Form ‘Catholic Whistleblowers’

Father Fugee’s Review Board Needs to Be Reviewed

~ Susan Matthews ~ 14 Comments

Click here to read, "Priest's return to ministry after sex-abuse confession draws new scrutiny, criticism," by Mark Mueller, The Star-Ledger, May 19, 2013.Notable Quote:"It is difficult to understand how, after having read Father Fugee’s confession, any review board or any bishop thought this man belonged back in ministry," said Nicholas Cafardi, a former chairman of … Continue reading Father Fugee’s Review Board Needs to Be Reviewed

Help Protect Children: Ask Majority Leader to Call Up House Bill 342

~ Susan Matthews ~ 19 Comments

Please send out this letter to your state representative. Locate their contact information by clicking here. To:     All Members of the General Assembly From: Date: Re:    Ask Majority Leader Turzai to Call Up House Bill 342 HB 342 proposed by Rep. Marguerite Quinn prevents the disclosure of the names of victims of child sexual … Continue reading Help Protect Children: Ask Majority Leader to Call Up House Bill 342