Category: Prevent & Advocate

Advocates and Lawmakers In the Battle to Reform PA Laws on Child Sex Abuse

~ Susan Matthews ~ 8 Comments

Click here to read: "Pa. Lawmakers Fight to Reform Statute of Limitations on Sexual Abuse," by Tara Murtha, PhillyNow.com, Jan. 29, 2013Excerpt: "Archbishop Charles J. Chaput was assigned to the Philadelphia Archdiocese in late 2011 after leading a successful campaign to squash similar SOL bills in Denver, Colorado. Church leaders have been fighting window legislation … Continue reading Advocates and Lawmakers In the Battle to Reform PA Laws on Child Sex Abuse

Read ‘Em and Weep: Bishop Accountability Publishes Data On Claims Against Philly Priests

~ Susan Matthews ~ 24 Comments

Click here to read: "Watchdog group releases data on claims against Archdiocese of Philadelphia priests," by John P. Martin, The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 23, 2013Editor's note: If you couldn't attend Msgr. William Lynn's trial, here's your chance to examine the documents submitted as evidence. "Read 'em and weep" was never a more appropriate statement. The … Continue reading Read ‘Em and Weep: Bishop Accountability Publishes Data On Claims Against Philly Priests

Statute of Limitations Prevents Charges in Archdiocese of Los Angeles

~ Susan Matthews ~ 3 Comments

Click here to read: "Church sex abuse files unlikely to lead to charges, experts say," by Harriet Ryan, Ashley Powers and Victoria Kim, Los Angeles Times, January 22, 2013. "Statute of limitations is the main stumbling block to prosecuting Cardinal Roger M. Mahony and aides in the sex abuse files from the 1980s released this … Continue reading Statute of Limitations Prevents Charges in Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Avery Recants

~ Susan Matthews ~ 34 Comments

Click here: "Priest at center of priest sex abuse case recants," by Joseph A. Slobodzian and John P. Martin, The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 17, 2013Excerpt:On the witness stand in the trial of the Rev. Charles Engelhardt and former teacher Bernard Shero - who are accused of raping the same 10-year-old altar boy at St. Jerome's … Continue reading Avery Recants

End the Era of ‘Hand Slaps’ and Speak Up

~ Susan Matthews ~ 30 Comments

by Kathy Kane The section of the 2011 Grand Jury Report regarding the case of lay teacher Bernard Shero, documents that a mother had safety concerns about him when he taught at her child’s parish school. She contacted the local police to share her concerns. Subsequently, the pastor called the mother to the parish rectory … Continue reading End the Era of ‘Hand Slaps’ and Speak Up

Save the Date for Child Sex Abuse Law Reform

~ Susan Matthews ~ 5 Comments

SAVE THE DATE: January 23, 2013 Why: New bills in regard to abolishing the of statutes of limitations for child sex abuse will be introduced at a press conference. Where: The Harrisburg State House Rotunda When: 10 am PLEASE COME OUT! RSVP to: info@justice4pakids.com Please share this info via social media, your websites and email.

FYI on Beliefnet

~ Susan Matthews ~ 3 Comments

  I have recently signed on to contribute to Beliefnet.com. For those who may be interested, here are links to my first two blog entries. Thanks!   How to Sense God this Season   Your Best New Years Resolution Ever      

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