The Irish government has spoken out on the Vatican's role in the clergy sex abuse scandal that has rocked their predominantly Catholic country. Their claim that the Holy See interfered with Bishops reporting abuse to police, falls in line with findings from Amnesty International. Earlier this year, the Noble Peace Prize-winning organization named the Vatican … Continue reading Vatican Makes Rare Move: Recalls Envoy After Irish Accusations of Sabotage
Tag: Catholics for Change
Summer Required Reading: The 2011 Grand Jury Report, Part 3
The third installment of the 2011 Grand Jury Report. Victim “assistance” procedures Prompted by the pressure of the prior grand jury report, the Archdiocese has in recent years revamped its policies for handling victims of clergy sexual abuse. Now, at least in some cases, the church reports abusers to law enforcement authorities, something that in … Continue reading Summer Required Reading: The 2011 Grand Jury Report, Part 3
A Convenient Memory: Bevilacqua and the Sex Abuse Scandal
This article in today's Inquirer on Cardinal Bevilacqua's role in the sex abuse scandal is even more sinister for me. When the legal pressure was turned up, his faulty memory morphed into diagnosed dementia. Trusted sources, who are personal friends of the Cardinal, have told me that while physically fragile he was in good mental … Continue reading A Convenient Memory: Bevilacqua and the Sex Abuse Scandal
And Who Are You?
Stepping into the Archdiocesan Office Building just minutes before the press conference, I spotted two former colleagues from the Catholic Standard and Times. As I said hello, the elevator doors opened. Cardinal Rigali and Archbishop Chaput emerged and stopped to greet them. Turning to me, Cardinal Rigali extended his hand and asked with a smile, … Continue reading And Who Are You?
D.A. Seth Williams on Cardinal Rigali’s Resignation
Response from District Attorney Seth Williams on Cardinal Rigali’s Resignation My thoughts and prayers go out to Cardinal Rigali as he makes this transition in his life. I respect the Cardinal very much and recognize the positive impact he has made in the history of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He came into a very difficult … Continue reading D.A. Seth Williams on Cardinal Rigali’s Resignation
Summer Required Reading for Our New Archbishop
It shocked many when Archbishop Chaput said he hadn't read the 2005 or 2011 Grand Jury Reports during Tuesday's press conference. He added he would read them. As one comment writer quipped, there must have been a really good in-flight movie. Every Bishop in the country should have already read the Philadelphia Grand Jury Reports. … Continue reading Summer Required Reading for Our New Archbishop
Catholics4Change Views On New Archbishop in the Daily News
"Advice for Philly's new archbishop: Listen to the people," by Ronnie Polaneczky, Philadelphia Daily News Columnist, July 19, 2011 Excerpt from article linked above: "Susan Matthews wants more than a verbal sit-down with Chaput. After offering him a welcoming cheesesteak, Matthews - who attended Philly parish and archdiocesan schools and whose young children are enrolled … Continue reading Catholics4Change Views On New Archbishop in the Daily News
Summer Required Reading: 2011 Grand Jury Report, Excerpt 2
Here is some sober reading for Sunday excerpted from the 2011 Grand Jury Report. It picks up where the last installment left off. I also highly recommend Philadelphia Magazine's July cover story, "Catholics in Crisis." "Monsignor Lynn These are sordid, shocking acts. There was at least one person, though, who could not have been the … Continue reading Summer Required Reading: 2011 Grand Jury Report, Excerpt 2
Winds of Change?
Is Cardinal Rigali finally headed for retirement? Multiple sources have reported that the Holy See could name a replacement as early as tomorrow or next week. Who will it be? This article in the National Catholic Reporter covers four possibilities. What we do know is that this appointment is long overdue. Philadelphia's faithful have been … Continue reading Winds of Change?
Irish Release Government Report On Catholic Child Abuse
The Catholic leadership's cover up of clergy sex abuse takes on epic proportions in Ireland as evidenced in this newly-released report. Read about it on MSNBC. "Irish to Unveil New Report on Catholic Child Abuse," by the Associated Press, MSNBC, July 13, 2011.