Franciscans Fail to Warn Widener About Accusation

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

FYI on Beliefnet

  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

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

Priests Lost Confidence in Their Bishop

Click here to read: "Missouri Bishop's Conviction Leaves Clergy Divided," by John Eligon and Laurie Goodstein, The New York Times, December 2, 2012 Excerpt: "In the three months since Bishop Robert W. Finn became the first American prelate convicted of failing to report a pedophile priest, lay people and victims’ advocates have repeatedly called for … Continue reading Priests Lost Confidence in Their Bishop

New Non-Profit Urges Public to Face Child Sex Abuse

Recent institutional sex abuse coverups within the Philadelphia Catholic Church and Penn State University mobilized a group of professionals, parents and advocates to form CSA: Let’s Face It. Through its Web site and events, the new nonprofit offers support to adult survivors and hopes to raise awareness of the public health crisis created by child … Continue reading New Non-Profit Urges Public to Face Child Sex Abuse

Can We Believe the Archdiocese?

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?