Sexual Abuse by Clergy
What About the Good Samaritan? Part 2
Jun 19, 2008 — Categories: Sexual Abuse by ClergyFour teenage girls were molested by their youth pastor. When one teen finally disclosed, the senior pastor fired the youth pastor and reported him to the police. He was charged and prosecuted for sex with a minor. So far, so good.
"What About Torture?"
May 31, 2009 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by Clergy“Punching, flogging, assault and bodily attacks, hitting with the hand, kicking, ear pulling, hair pulling, head shaving, beating on the soles of the feet, burning, scalding, stabbing, severe beatings with or without clothes, being made to kneel and stand in fixed positions for lengthy periods, made to sleep outside overnight . . .”
“I Have Such Doubts!”
May 05, 2009 — Categories: Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThe movie “Doubt” depicts the enormous complexity of the possibility of sexual abuse of a child by a Catholic priest. Fr. Flynn is portrayed by Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a likable, middle aged priest deeply engaged in the life of the parish and school. He is open and progressive and wants to lead the parish forward.
“. . . Better That a Millstone . . .”
Mar 23, 2009 — Categories: Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThere are times when the contradictions of life overtake me. I was flying home from the east coast last week and one of those times intruded. On the plane, I sat next to a mother and father and their two-year-old daughter; in front of them sat their five-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter. I was struck immediately by how thoughtful and respectful the parents were with the children and the siblings were with each other.
Dear Pope: A “Mystery”?
Jul 02, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI’m puzzled. In a recent talk in Ireland about the sexual abuse of children by priests, you described the situation as a “mystery” when you addressed the Eucharistic Congress.
Responding to Clergy Abuse of Children: Not Rocket Science, Part 2
Sep 24, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyKansas City Bishop Robert Finn has been convicted of failure to report suspected child abuse; he is the first Bishop to be held accountable for shielding a pedophile priest. He received no jail time or fine; rather he was sentenced to two years of court-supervised probation.
Who Needs to Confess? And What?
Apr 25, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Violence, Sexual Abuse by ClergyActress Ashley Judd recently disclosed that she was sexually abused as a child; American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi recently disclosed that she was sexually abused as a child; Senator Scott Brown from Massachusetts recently disclosed that he was sexually abused as a child. When each made a public disclosure, the media described these disclosures as “confessions.”
"Same Old, Same Old. . ."
Mar 22, 2012 — Categories: Jewish, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyWe have become almost numb to the steady stream of disclosures of child sexual abuse: the Roman Catholic experiences continue even with serious efforts to stem the tide, the Penn State tragedy and subsequent campus situations. So in some ways this most recent release of a new documentary, “Standing Silent,” could easily be overlooked.
Dear Pope: Call Me
Mar 30, 2010 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyAs the crisis erupts again in Europe and the U.S. with serious questions being raised about the Pope himself, one has to wonder if the men in charge have learned anything in the past 20 years. It would appear not. If the Vatican were to ask me for advice on how to handle this situation (which they will not), here are my ten steps to justice and healing.
Hiding in Plain Sight . . . With Help
Jul 16, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThe Penn State report and the conviction of Jerry Sandusky provide the irrefutable evidence that he was a sexual predator on the loose for over twenty years and there were numerous people with full knowledge of his crimes who could have stopped him. How does this happen?
"It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over"
Feb 20, 2009 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyIn baseball, there is an old saying about the game: "It ain't over 'til it's over." It's the reminder that you can't leave after the seventh inning and assume you know the outcome. As we have seen cases of sexual abuse by clergy emerge in recent years, it might be easy to assume that we have seen the worst of it. Yet the news continues to inform us of cases still waiting to be heard and justice still waiting to be experienced. It's definitely not over yet.
Dear Pope: I Was Worried
Aug 02, 2010 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyWhile I was on vacation, the Vatican came out with a significant doctrinal statement condemning the sexual abuse of children and the ordination of women. One could not help but conclude that these were somehow related. So I was worried that you intended to send the message that the crime of sexual abuse of a child was equivalent to the doctrinal violation of ordaining women.
Dear Pope: Are We Talking?
May 13, 2010 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Violence, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI’m so glad you seem to be finding my advice helpful as you move to respond to the growing crisis over sexual abuse in the church. Your comments this week suggest that your understanding has deepened and your analysis is more on target.
The Work Is Global
Nov 09, 2009 — Categories: Sexual Abuse by ClergyI don’t know how to work on anything but violence against women and children. I have no other skills. So it’s a good thing that I have a job where I get paid to do the one thing I know how to do.
The Work of Tikkun Olam: Repairing and Restoring the World
Dec 13, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Jewish, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse by ClergyThere are two important stories this week within the Orthodox Jewish community in the U.S. The first is the conviction of Nechemya Weberman, a Hasidic Jew in Brooklyn, for sexual abuse of a child who had the courage to come forward and report him.
Southern Baptists: Yes, but . . .
Aug 22, 2008 — Categories: Sexual Abuse by Clergy“One sexual predator in our midst is one too many,” said Morris Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention executive committee. “Sexual predators must be stopped. They must be on notice that Southern Baptists are not a harvest field for their devious deeds.” Good so far.
Dear Pope: Deep Trouble
Oct 03, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Clergy Ethics, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI do wish you had called me. Now you are in deep trouble. I see that human rights lawyers have filed a complaint against you with the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Dear Archbishop: Please Clarify
Feb 05, 2013 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyDear Archbishop Gomez: Kudos for doing something. In response to the release of the personnel files on clergy sexual abusers in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, you actually did something about Cardinal Roger Mahoney and Bishop Thomas Curry who oversaw the years of silence, cover-up and non-response to the reports of sexual abuse of children by priests, though of course I wish you had done it earlier.
Dear Cardinal Mahony
Feb 17, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Violence, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI realize that you are soon to retire as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. I can only assume that you are exhausted from dealing with sexual abuse by priests in your diocese for so many years and from all of the subsequent scandals. I hope that you will have time to reflect on your role in addressing this longstanding problem of betrayal by your priests.
Dear Pope: Off Track Again?
Jun 29, 2010 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Abuse by ClergyI realize it has been a bad week for you and the Vatican. First, the Belgian police raid the offices of the Belgian Council of Bishops and remove records of sexual abuse investigations. You condemn this action by the police, expressing concern for the confidentiality of victims’ records. With all due respect, is it really the victims’ records you are worried about or the accused priests’ records?
