Archive for July 12th, 2013
Clergy Sexual Abuse Kept Secret for 50-years, Australian Inquiry Hears
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in Catholic Bishops, church reform, Clergy Sexual Abuse, Voice of the Faithful on July 12, 2013
The Hunter Valley in New South Wales, two hours north of Sydney, is best known for its vineyards, surf beaches, coal mines and polluting power stations. But in recent years, the region has also become known as the epicenter of Catholic sex abuse in Australia.
Since 1996, seven priests, four religious brothers and six lay teachers of the Maitland-Newcastle diocese have been convicted. The church has paid compensation to the victims of eight other priests, and four priests and two brothers are currently facing abuse or concealment charges. There are 400 known victims.
Now, a special commission of inquiry in Newcastle has heard that leaders of the diocese knew of the numerous pedophiliac activities of one priest, Fr. Denis McAlinden, for 50 years, but did not notify police until 2003.” By Stephen Crittenden, The Sydney Morning Mail, in National Catholic Reporer
Read this entire article, “Australia Inquiry Hears of 50-Year Cover-Up,” by clicking here.
Pope Updates Vatican City State Law, Criminalizing Sex Abuse, Leaks / Associated Press
Posted by Voice of the Faithful in Clergy Sexual Abuse, Vatican, Voice of the Faithful on July 12, 2013
Pope Francis overhauled the laws that govern the Vatican city-state on Thursday, criminalizing leaks of Vatican information and specifically listing sexual violence, prostitution, and possession of child pornography as crimes against children that can be punished by up to 12 years in prison.” By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press, in The Boston Globe
Read the entire article by clicking here.