ABUSE TRACKER

OHIO
Altoona Mirror

September 14, 2016
By Guy Vogrin , Tribune Chronicle (Warren, Ohio)

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The co-founder of an advocacy group for sexual abuse victims said Tuesday the latest settlement of $900,000 paid by the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and an order of Franciscan Friars in Pennsylvania is not enough to compensate “for the agony these men are going through.”

The announcement Monday of the settlement of some 28 sexual abuse claims through mediation led two members of Road to Recovery Inc. to hold a news conference Tuesday morning across the street from St. Columba Cathedral, the diocese flagship church, to air their grievances.

The victims in the settlement claim they were abused by Franciscan Brother Stephen Baker in the 1980s and 1990s while he was a coach, athletic trainer and teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Warren. Baker, a member of the Third Order Regular, Franciscan Friars Province of the Immaculate Conception based in Hollidaysburg, committed suicide in 2013 at age 62 after the abuse allegations came to light.

Monsignor John Zuraw, chancellor of the diocese, said all the victims signed off on the process and agreed to the amount after three days of mediation in February. As a final point, Zuraw said the victims’ lawyer asked for the diocese to pay for therapeutic counseling.

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KANSAS
The Baker Orange

By Lauren Freking
Tuesday, September 13, 2016

It hurts my heart to sit down and write this. The topic is so heavy that I worry I will be unable to adequately describe my opinions and emotions.

By the time you read this, I’m sure you will have heard through the grapevine that the Catholic priest in Baldwin City was recently suspended from ministry after reports of him “visiting ‘inappropriate’ websites depicting children on the internet.” An FBI investigation is underway.

Cue the moment when my heart sank into my stomach Sunday evening

Wow. That is heavy, right? I am well acquainted with the Rev. Chris Rossman and have been involved with the off-campus Catholic center here over the course of my college career.

As people have been finding out about the incident, the reactions have been “it seems like that happens a lot,” or “wow, another one?”

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AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald

Pedophile priest John Farrell was allowed to return to public ministry in NSW just two months after being forced on “sick leave” due to complaints he had abused altar boys.

At a 1984 meeting of church leaders in Armidale the decision was made to send Farrell, then in his 30s, to the east Tamworth parish in northern NSW despite allegations he’d abused a number of boys while an assistant priest at Moree, the child sex abuse royal commission heard.

Bishop of Wagga Wagga Gerard Hanna, then a priest at east Tamworth, said the then-Bishop of Armidale, Henry Kennedy, had assumed two months was long enough to allow for any of Farrell’s victims to come forward.

“He constantly resorted to the phrase, ‘No one has come forward, there are no charges. There’s no reason why he can’t be put back into ministry’,” Bishop Hanna said on Wednesday.

The reasons for Farrell’s removal from Moree were kept quiet, the bishop said, and there was no report to the police or public inquiry.

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AUSTRALIA
9 News

AAP

The Catholic leader who invited pedophile priest John Farrell into his diocese didn’t believe Farrell posed a risk to children because sex abuse charges against him had been dismissed, a royal commission heard.

Former Parramatta Bishop Bede Heather told the royal commission into institutional responses to child sex abuse he’d thought Farrell was innocent because the charges, which involved one boy, were dismissed at a committal hearing in 1988.

He invited Farrell to work at the Merrylands parish in November 1989 after Farrell was forced out of the St Nicholas Church in Tamworth due to persistent child sex allegations.

The now-retired Bishop Heather admitted his failure to make careful inquiries into Farrell’s past had led to one of the greatest mistakes of his life.

“I have to say it weighs heavily on my conscience that I’ve known … one child was abused as a result of my giving permission to Father Farrell to work in our diocese,” Bishop Heather said.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat

By Dave Sutor
dsutor@tribdem.com

Shaun Dougherty’s father died nearly two years ago.

The funeral took place at St. Clement Church on Lindberg Avenue, where the large Catholic family gathered to grieve the loss of a loved one.

But Dougherty’s mind was also wracked by another emotional trauma. He claims that decades ago, when he was attending St. Clement School, a priest and trusted member of the community sexually abused him.

“My father passed away, October 2014 – first time I was in St. Clement Church since my sister’s May crowning in the late ’80s,” Dougherty said during an interview at The Tribune-Democrat on Tuesday.

“They haven’t changed it much. Thank God it was a funeral, because I cried the entire time, and it wasn’t because my dad had passed away.

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VATICAN CITY
Huffington Post

Antonia Blumberg
Associate Religion Editor, The Huffington Post

A commission established to advise Pope Francis on preventing sex abuse in the church released a report on Monday outlining new measures it hopes will help safeguard vulnerable children.

Following a week of meetings in Rome, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors announced several new initiatives, including a training program for bishops and a day of prayer for victims of sex abuse.

For years, bishops and priests have been accused of covering up sex abuse in the church by moving pedophile priests from parish to parish and not reporting incidents to the police. Even the Vatican failed to take action over the years ― a misstep Pope Francis has tried to remedy in part by setting up the commission at the end of 2013.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley heads the commission of 17 members, which also includes the Vatican’s former sex-crimes prosecutor, Bishop Charles Scicluna, Rev. Hans Zollner, head of the Center for Child Protection at the Pontifical Gregorian University, and one abuse survivor, Marie Collins.

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UNITED STATES
The Worthy Adversary

September 13, 2016 Joelle Casteix

Sorry it’s been quiet around here. I have been a full-time parent/taxi-driver/cook/cleaner/referee all summer, so the blog has had a short vacation.

But just because I have been slacking, doesn’t mean that the world stood still (if only my laundry would stand still …).

Guam

From the Pacific Daily News:

In a 13-0 vote, lawmakers Monday morning unanimously approved legislation to permanently remove the statute of limitations for all sexual abuse crimes, allowing victims to file civil cases against their alleged assailant.

Unlike a 2011 bill that was actively opposed by the Catholic Church, this bill will also allow victims to name and sue third parties who knew about, facilitated, or covered up the abuse.

This is a tremendous victory for the victims and faithful of Guam. Since earlier this year, they have worked to help numerous victims come forward publicly (including numerous alleged victims of Archbishop Apuron). Then, when Apuron was replaced by an Apostolic Administrator, victims and Guam’s Catholics didn’t sit back and hope for the best. Instead, they have filed defamation lawsuits, demanded real action, and helped more victims and witnesses come forward publicly and safely.

If this legislation becomes law, victims will gain access to a treasure trove of secret sex abuse and cover-up files. Plus, they will be able to depose those who have actively worked to silence victims and enable predators. This is exciting stuff.

For the latest, always check out the JungleWatch blog. They pull no punches.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Reading Eagle

By Liam Migdail-Smith
ALLENTOWN, PA

EMMAUS – A senior Allentown Catholic Diocese priest who began his career in Reading was caught with child pornography on his computer, Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin said Tuesday.

Officials said Monsignor John S. Mraz admitted that he sought out and viewed the images for his sexual gratification. They said the investigation began after a parishioner of Mraz’s Emmaus church reported uncovering a file with a name along the lines of “naked little boys” while performing maintenance the priest had requested.

Mraz, 66, is the former pastor of the Church of St. Ann, a neighborhood church with an on-campus elementary and middle school. He taught at the former Reading Central Catholic High School from 1975 to 1980 and was an assistant superintendent of the diocesan school system.

The allegations came as a shock to some parishioners in the neighborhood.

“I was heartbroken,” said Carmela Mannino, a neighborhood resident who splits her time at church between St. Ann and another parish where she used to live. “My stomach hurts from just thinking about it.”

Diocesan officials said Tuesday that Mraz “has been removed from public ministry and cannot present himself as a priest.” He is free on $50,000 unsecured bail following an arraignment before Lehigh County District Judge Donna R. Butler.

Martin said his investigators did not turn up any evidence of Mraz directly sexually abusing children, only that he searched for and viewed child pornography. But he said people should contact his office if they know of any other misconduct by Mraz.

“Obviously if the filing of these charges gives rise to concern on the part of parishioners or other people associated with Monsignor Mraz, I would encourage them to come forward,” Martin said. “But I have no evidence of that occurring at this point.”

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TEXAS
The Dallas Morning News

JOHNSON, Msgr. Richard E. 1928 – 2016 In Memory of (Served in U.S. Army) We pray for you.
Published in Dallas Morning News on Sept. 13, 2016.

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AUSTRALIA
Daily Advertiser

Ken Grimson
13 Sep 2016

WAGGA’S retiring Catholic Bishop, Gerard Hanna, has been summonsed to appear as a witness at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The commission, chaired by Justice Peter McClellan, has turned its attention this week to the activities of defrocked Catholic priest John Joseph Farrell.

Farrell, 63, was found guilty in May of 79 child abuse offences against 12 victims, and last week was charged with fresh offences for which he is expected to stand trial in April next year.

In her opening address to the commission in Sydney on Monday, senior counsel assisting, Gail Furness, said Farrell’s offences first came to light in 1984 when he was a priest at Moree in the Armidale Diocese.

The commission is examining how the diocese, and the Diocese of Parramatta where Farrell also served as a priest, responded to claims of inappropriate behaviour against him.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Lehigh Valley Live

By Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

The Diocese of Allentown announced Tuesday that a monsignor accused of possessing child pornography has been removed from public ministry.

In a statement released following the arraignment of John Mraz, the diocese said Mraz cannot present himself as a priest.

The 66-year-old Mraz, who served as pastor of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Emmaus, is accused of having “numerous” images and videos on his laptop depicting the sexual abuse of children.

Lehigh County prosecutors said the images were discovered by a church parishioner and friend of Mraz’s who was updating the priest’s computers in July.

The tipster informed the diocese, District Attorney Jim Martin said. The diocese immediately notified law enforcement officials and “cooperated completely” with the investigation, according to the statement.

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PENNSYLVANIA
PhllyVoice

BY DANIEL CRAIG
PhillyVoice Staff

A Lehigh Valley priest has been accused of searching for and possessing child pornography.

The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that Msgr. John Stephen Mraz, 66, formerly of Emmaus, has been charged after an investigation that began earlier this summer.

Mraz had been stationed at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church. On July 25, Mraz asked a parishioner at St. Ann’s, only identified as D.M., to help upgrade his laptop, prosecutors said.

D.M. told authorities that while doing so he found images of nude males in the recycling bin of the computer.

Mraz asked D.M. to upgrade another laptop as well, and D.M. said he found a file with a name that suggested it contained explicit images of underage boys, prosecutors said.

D.M. told the Diocese of Allentown, which promptly informed the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.

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IRELAND
Irish Times

Patsy McGarry

A parish priest falsely accused of child abuse has asked why Catholic Church authorities give any credence to anonymous allegations such as were presented against him.

Fr Tim Hazelwood, parish priest at Killeagh in east Cork, explained how “in May of this year I was successful in securing an apology and an admission that what was claimed about me was false, ie – that I was an abuser.

“This followed a High Court action taken on my behalf against my accuser. The action was settled before it went to trial. My accuser never came forward but remained anonymous.” It left Fr Hazelwood “with many questions and very few answers”.

He asked: “Why was my name passed on to the gardaí and the HSE when it was an anonymous allegation?” And “what is the official church policy concerning anonymous allegations?”

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PENNSYLVANIA
WNIP

BY DAN RATCHFORD

BETHLEHEM — A priest in the Diocese of Allentown has been charged with possessing child pornography.

Msgr. John Mraz, 66, currently residing in Bethlehem, was charged Tuesday morning.

Authorities said child pornography files were found by someone doing maintenance on Msgr. Mraz’s computer at his residence in Emmaus in July.

Msgr. Mraz has been charged with sexual abuse of children and criminal use of communication facility, according to the Lehigh County district attorney.

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PENNSYLVANIA
The Morning Call

[with video]

Laurie Mason Schroeder, Matt Coughlin and Pamela Lehman
Of The Morning Call

St. Ann catholic Church priest arrested for collecting child porn

EMMAUS — In late July, Monsignor John Stephen Mraz, pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church in Emmaus, asked a parishioner to help him update his two laptop computers.

What the parishioner, identified by police only with the initials D.M., found in the priest’s files and online search history made him feel “uncomfortable,” authorities said, and he reported it to the Diocese of Allentown.

Now Mraz, whose 41-year career has included posts as a chaplain at Lehigh University and a theology teacher at Central Catholic High School in Allentown, faces a possible jail term for allegedly viewing and downloading child pornography.

“[Mraz] searched for and downloaded the images of child pornography and did so for his own sexual gratification,” Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said at a news conference Tuesday morning announcing charges against the 66-year-old Mraz.

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PENNSYLVANIA
The Morning Call

Other priests with ties to the Diocese of Allentown who have been charged with crimes:

•The Rev. Thomas Bender, sentenced to seven years’ probation in 1988 for molesting a teenage Pottsville boy in the 1980s.

•Monsignor Steven T. Forish, charged with soliciting boys for sex in south Bethlehem in 1996, acquitted in 1998. Charged with asking a 26-year-old man for “sexual favors” in Greensburg, Westmoreland County in August 2006. He was killed in a car crash in Carbon County in December 2006.

•The Rev. Edward R. Graff, a priest in the diocese for 31 years, was arrested in Texas in October 2002 on charges of molesting a teenage boy. Graff died at 73 in jail in November 2002.

•The Rev. James J. Mihalak, charged with indecent assault of a 17-year-old boy he picked up hitchhiking in the Tamaqua area in 1997. He was convicted in 1998 and received two years probation.

•Ronald Yarrosh, charged in 2004 with embezzling more than $23,000 from St. Ambrose Church in Schuylkill Haven and keeping child pornography on a church computer. Sentenced to 4-10 years in state prison.

•Bruno M. Tucci, former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Nesquehoning, removed from active ministry in 2002 amid sexual allegations, then charged in Maryland in 2013 with sexually abusing a boy in 1981.

•Monsignor John Stephen Mraz, pastor at St. Ann in Emmaus, charged Sept. 13 with possession of child pornography.

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IRELAND
Irish Times

Barry Roche

A 72-year-old retired priest has been remanded on bail after he was charged with indecently assaulting a 13-year-old boy at a Co Cork boarding school in the early 1980s.

Fr Tadhg Ó’Dálaigh was charged with indecently assaulting the boy while teaching at Coláiste Chroí Naofa in Carrignavar, Co Cork, on an unknown date between September 1980 and June 1981.

On Tuesday at Cork District Court, Det Garda Kevin McCarthy told the court the accused made no reply to the charge when it was put to him after caution.

Bail application

Insp Mary King said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that Fr O’Dálaigh, a member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, be tried on indictment before a judge and jury before the Circuit Criminal Court.

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AUSTRALIA
Canberra Times

Christopher Knaus

A cover-up reaching the highest levels of a Catholic order allowed six known child abusers to teach at Canberra’s St Edmund’s College in its first three decades.

Offending brothers were known to some of the Christian Brothers’ most senior clergy before they arrived in Canberra, including its worldwide head in one case, and Australian provincial leaders in at least three others.

The Christian Brothers was long ago found to have protected and harboured child molesters, moving them between its schools and orphanages, and dealing with abuse internally under its forgiving canon law.

Secretly commissioned internal investigations suggested day schools were used to hide offending brothers, while keeping them away from dormitories in a misguided attempt to break their pattern of predation.

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UNITED STATES
Church Law & Tax

Richard Hammar

After reviewing thousands of published and unpublished rulings by state appellate and federal courts in 2015 that pertain to churches, I am able to identify the top five reasons churches go to court.
This list can be used by church leaders to know what common legal liabilities and risk management concerns should be addressed—or possibly even prevented altogether—by proper planning from pastors, church staff, church boards, and volunteers.

Here are the top five:

1. Sexual abuse of minors (11.7% of cases). Sadly, for several years the sexual molestation of minors has been the number one reason that churches went to court. Victims in these cases generally allege that a church is responsible for their injuries on the basis of negligent selection, retention, or supervision of the perpetrator. Churches have lost many of these cases due to their failure to implement appropriate safeguards in the selection and supervision of employees and volunteers who work with minors.

Incidents of sexual misconduct involving minor victims can be devastating to the victim, the victim’s family, the offender, church leadership, and the church itself.

Because this issue remains the number one reason churches go to court, and because of the significant harm that can be done to children, their families, and church leaders, churches need to take an aggressive position on this matter. Churches must implement policies and procedures that demonstrate proper screening and training of staff and volunteers, proper processes for reporting actual and suspected cases of abuse, and specific attention to to proper supervision and other measures that ensure accountability.

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PENNSYLVANIA
WFMZ

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A priest who once taught at the former Central Catholic High School in Reading has been charged in a case of child pornography. Lehigh County prosecutors announced Tuesday the arrest of Monsignor John Mraz, a priest in the Diocese of Allentown who most recently served as the pastor of St. Ann’s Church in Emmaus.

Mraz, 66, was charged with sexual abuse of children, criminal use of a communications facility and obscene and sexual material and performances.

Mraz asked a friend and parishioner in July to update his laptop computer. The friend subsequently discovered files in the recycling bin depicting images of nude males of an unknown age, according to court documents.

After completing the update, the friend returned the computer to Mraz, who then asked him to update another laptop. On that laptop, the friend reported finding a file named “naked little boys,” or “something similar to that name,” according to court paperwork.

The friend returned the laptop to Mraz and then notified the Diocese of Allentown of the discovery. The diocese then contacted the Lehigh County district attorney’s office, according to court documents.

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NEW YORK
Syracuse.com

By John O’Brien | jobrien@syracuse.com

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A Liverpool man was sentenced to 235 years in prison today for sexually exploiting two children for the purpose of making child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Glenn Suddaby imposed the sentence on Jason Kopp, who had pleaded guilty.

Suddaby said the essential life sentence was justified because Kopp was a “repeat sex offender who preyed upon the most vulnerable of society.”

The judge ordered Kopp to pay $1,000 in restitution to one of the children who appeared in some of his hundreds of images of child pornography. The child filed a request for restitution. Kopp must make monthly payments toward that amount, the judge said.

In addition to the two victims Kopp admitted exploiting, a federal prosecutor says he sexually abused or exploited six more children. One of them was a 6-day-old baby girl, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Fletcher said in court papers.

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OHIO
WKBN

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A settlement has been reached between the Youngstown Catholic Diocese and the alleged victims of a child sexual abuse case. But a victim advocate’s group says that the amount isn’t enough.

Organizers from The Road to Recovery non-profit said Monday that the $900,000 settlement is “disrespectful.”

An investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office in March revealed Brother Stephen Baker of the Youngstown Catholic Diocese may have molested 28 more alleged victims.

Before Baker killed himself in 2013, he was accused of molesting 88 students between 1986 and 2001.

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OHIO
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

By Peter Smith / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Twenty-eight victims of the late Franciscan friar Stephen Baker, whose superiors face a criminal trial for allegedly failing to halt his years of sexual assaults on minors, reached a $900,000 settlement earlier this year with the Diocese of Youngstown and his religious order — settlements that some advocates now say were insultingly low.

The out-of-court settlements were reached in March after mediation between lawyers for all sides but only recently became public. In addition to the diocese, the settlement was reached with the Hollidaysburg, Pa.-based Immaculate Conception Province of the Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regulars.

News of the settlement comes as three former ministers provincial of the Franciscans are awaiting trial in Blair County on charges they endangered children by assigning Brother Baker to work in contact with them. Brother Baker committed suicide in 2013, soon after news became public of an earlier settlement with students he had molested while teaching at John F. Kennedy High School in Warren, Ohio, which is affiliated with the Diocese of Youngstown. A later settlement involved students at Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown, affiliated with the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

The abuse involving the 28 victims in the recent settlement took place while Brother Baker taught at JFK from about 1985 to 1992, said their attorney, Mitchell Garabedian of Boston. Brother Baker taught at Bishop McCort from 1992 to 2000 and had other roles within the Altoona-Johnstown diocese in subsequent years.

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OHIO
Philly.com

by The Associated Press

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, and a Pennsylvania-based religious order have agreed to pay $900,000 to settle 28 lawsuit claims of sexual abuse by a Franciscan friar.

The Tribune-Chronicle of Warren reports (http://bit.ly/2cl01tx ) a diocesan official confirmed the settlement regarding abuse claims made by victims of the late Brother Joseph Baker. Baker killed himself in 2013 after the diocese announced it had settled 11 claims made by people who said he abused them at Warren, Ohio, schools from 1986 to 1990.

Baker belonged to a Franciscan order based in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Fox 29

ALLENTOWN, PA (WTXF) – Authorities in Lehigh County have arrested and charged a priest with sexual abuse of children following a child pornography investigation.

Msgr. John Stephen Mraz, 66, has been charged with sexual abuse of children and criminal use of communication facility, and obscene and other sexual materials and performances.

Mraz is a former Pastor at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in Emmaus.

Investigators say during the week of July 25th, Mraz requested a friend and parishioner to help fix his laptop and perform software upgrades. While working on the computer the parishioner discovered files in the computer’s recycle bin depicting images of nude males.

When finished with the computer the parishioner returned it to Mraz, and was given a second laptop to upgrade. On the second computer, the parishioner discovered a file with a name suggesting it contained obscene photos of underage boys.

The parishioner informed the Diocese of Allentown of his findings, who then informed the Lehigh County District Attorney. A search warrant was executed at Mraz’s Emmaus home, where several devices were seized.

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PENNSYLVANIA
ABC 6

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) — A priest from Lehigh County has been charged with sexual abuse related to possession of child pornography.

Msgr. John S. Mraz, 66, of Bethlehem, is a former pastor at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in Emmaus.

According to the Lehigh County district attorney, Mraz came to the attention of investigators earlier this summer, after he asked a friend and parishioner to update two laptop computers.

That person found sexually explicit images of underage boys on both laptops, prosecutors say, and alerted officials from Diocese of Allentown, who passed on the information to the district attorney.

An investigation revealed that Mraz had searched for and downloaded multiple pornographic images of underage boys on multiple devices, prosecutors said.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Lehigh Valley Live

By Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

A monsignor at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Emmaus is free on unsecured bail after being arraigned Tuesday on child pornography and related offenses.

The Rev. John Stephen Mraz, 66, surrendered himself Tuesday morning and was arraigned on charges of child pornography, criminal use of a communication facility, and selling obscene materials.

Bail was set at $50,000 unsecured. Mraz presently lives at the Holy Family Villa for priests in Bethlehem, and will return there, District Attorney Jim Martin said.

A person who answered the phone at the church at 415 S. Sixth St. in Emmaus said she didn’t know about charges against Mraz.

Mraz has worked at Reading Central Catholic and Allentown Central Catholic over the years and has held posts in the Allentown Diocese.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Philly.com

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) – A Roman Catholic priest in Pennsylvania is facing child pornography charges.

Monsignor John Stephen Mraz, of Bethlehem, was charged Tuesday morning. He was arraigned and released on unsecured bail.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin says a friend of the 66-year-old priest’s discovered a file labeled with a reference to nude boys while working on Mraz’s computer. The friend then contacted the Diocese of Allentown, which notified the DA’s office.

Authorities seized Mraz’s computers and found he had downloaded child pornography.

A message left for his attorney wasn’t immediately returned.

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PENNSYLVANIA
CBS Philly

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — Authorities say a former pastor at a Roman Catholic Church in Emmaus, Pennsylvania has been charged with numerous crimes related to the possession of child pornography.

Officials say it is alleged that during the week of July 25, 2016, Msgr. John Stephen Mraz, 66, asked a friend and parishioner to perform maintenance updates to his laptop.

In doing so, officials say the parishioner, identified as “D.M.,” discovered files in the computer’s recycling bin depicting images of nude males.

Authorities say D.M. returned the laptop to the monsignor, who then asked him to upgrade another laptop.

Officials say D.M. discovered a file with a name suggesting it contained obscene images of underage males.

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PENNSYLVANIA
NBC 10

By Dan Stamm

A Roman Catholic priest, who used to serve as pastor for a Lehigh Valley church and as an educator at various area Catholic schools, faces child pornography charges after asking a friend and parishioner to upgrade his computer.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced child sex abuse charges Tuesday morning against Monsignor John Mraz, 66, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Mraz faces the sex abuse charges in connection to downloading child porn, said investigators.

Some of the terms Mraz searched for online included “nude boys wrestling,” “teen boys spanked,” “small boy nudes,” “handcuffed nude boys,” “boy bondage” and other terms involving boys and sexual acts, said police.

The charges stemmed from when Mraz, who formerly served as pastor at St. Ann’s Church along S 6th Street in Emmaus, gave his HP laptop to a parishioner – identified by the DA as D.M. – to perform maintenance and upgrade the computer in late July.

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GUATEMALA
The Yeshiva World

According to reports from Guatemalan news agencies, the building housing members of the “Lev Tahor” cult have been raided by the Public Ministry (MP) which investigates allegations of child abuse.

Authorities were reportedly notified of parents exposing their children to severe punishments that have resulted in injuries.

Personnel involved in the raid include the Attorney General’s Office.

Recently, a court in Guatemala indicted the ex-mayor of a small town for “participating in the expulsion of a religious community.”

In 2014, some 230 members of the Lev Tahor cult were forced out of the village following religiously tainted disputes with its Mayan residents, who are Roman Catholic. The local elders’ council voted against the group.

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GUAM
Guam Daily Post

Editorial

We commend the members of the Guam Legislature for the unanimous passage of Bill 326 and we urge Gov. Calvo to sign it into law. Once enacted, the bill will eliminate the statute of limitations for civil cases involving child sex abuse. Child molestation is a particularly abhorrent crime with traumatic, long-term emotional effects. Children are often not able to understand what happened to them or why it happened, and are unable to report the attack.

In addition to the harm caused by the physical attack itself, the attacker is often someone known and trusted by the victim which makes the abuse even more traumatic and difficult to report.

The bill appears to have been prompted by recent accusations of sexual abuse leveled against Archbishop Anthony Apuron and other clergy. The accusations involve acts that are alleged to have occurred as long ago as 40 years, and so are well outside the current statute of limitations. Apuron has not been convicted of any crime, but the multiple accusations are of reprehensible acts and the victims should be able to make their accusations in a court of law. Similarly, the accused should have the opportunity to face and respond to those accusing him.

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PENNSYLVANIA
The Morning Call

Laurie Mason Schroeder, Matt Coughlin and Pamela Lehman
Of The Morning Call

DA: Pastor of St. Ann’s in Emmaus downloaded child porn for ‘sexual gratification’

EMMAUS — The pastor of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Emmaus is charged with possession of child pornography which he downloaded “for his own sexual gratification, the Lehigh County district attorney said Tuesday morning at a news conference detailing the investigation of Monsignor John Stephen Mraz.

Mraz, a 66-year-old monsignor, is charged by county detectives with one felony count of possession of child pornography, one felony count of criminal use of a communication facility and a misdemeanor count of selling obscene materials. The charges list July 25 as the date of the offenses.

Parishioners said Mraz has been out about a month from St. Ann’s Church with what officials said were “medical issues” and they had been asked at weekly Masses to say prayers for his recovery.

“[Mraz] searched for and downloaded the images of child pornography and did so for his own sexual gratification,” District Attorney Jim Martin said at a 10:30 a.m. news conference.

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GUAM
KUAM

Updated: Sep 12, 2016

By Joan Aguon Charfauros

The Archdiocese of Agana is forwarding the latest allegations made by Ramon Afaisen De Plata to Rome as part of the investigation into Archbishop Anthony Apuron. On Monday De Plata went public, stating he not only witnessed, but fell victim to child sex abuse in the Church.

De Plata was 10 years old at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Chalan Pago when he allegedly witnessed Pale Antonio Cruz and then-seminarian Anthony Apuron engaging in sexual acts with another altar boy. De Plata also alleges that on at least two other occasions, Pale Cruz masturbated in his presence.

In a release issued late Monday, Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator Father Jeff San Nicolas says the allegations are taken very seriously and have also prompted the launch of a local investigation into the late Pale Cruz.

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GUAM
Pacific Daily News

Jasmine Stole, jstole@guampdn.com September 13, 2016

Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron and Archbishop Savio Tai Fai Hon this week asked the Superior Court of Guam to dismiss a $2 million libel and slander lawsuit against them, arguing Apruon’s statements about those accusing him of sexual assault are opinions that are not defamatory and have no legal grounds for a lawsuit.

In a 24-page motion to dismiss, apostolic administrator Hon, through his attorney Jeffrey Cook argued that Apuron’s denial of the sexual assault claims is not defamatory, Apuron’s statements are opinions, without legal grounds for a lawsuit, and Apuron’s statements are not about the plaintiffs, the motion states.

Cook also stated the archdiocese has publicly recanted and retracted the statements by Apuron, and will handle the serious allegations of sex abuse.

“As a legal matter, however, the statements complained of do not give rise to any valid cause of action,” Cook stated. “The court should dismiss the complaint.”

Apuron, through his attorney Jacqueline Terlaje, joined Hon’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, uniting with Hon in the matter.

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UNITED STATES
Bilgrimage

William D. Lindsey

A resource I’d like to recommend to you: Stephen Edward de Weger’s master’s thesis (pdf) in the School of Justice of Queensland University of Technology’s Faculty of Law. It’s entitled “Clerical Sexual Misconduct Involving Adults within the Roman Catholic Church.” Stephen’s outstanding thesis draws on interviews with adults sexually abused by Roman Catholic authority figures, notably priests.

I’m particularly taken by the chapter in the thesis (chapter 7, pp. 119-150) entitled “Power and Vulnerability.” In this chapter, Stephen shows how the widespread abuse of lay members of the church by clerics depends on an inbuilt “God-factor” within the Catholic system. Because the Catholic governing system proposes that priests stand in the place of Christ within the Catholic community — and that they do so in a unique way, one lay Catholics cannot rival in any way — and because it holds that a priest experiences an “ontological” change on ordination that elevates his humanity to a level above that of lay members of the church, a “positional” vulnerability for all lay members of the church is built right into the Catholic system’s understanding of priesthood.

The sexual abuse of lay members of the church by priests depends on this “God-factor” and on the positional vulnerability of all lay members of the church. To serve their own personal needs, some clerics take advantage of their “higher” standing within the Catholic community to target vulnerable adults who have sought them out for spiritual counsel, and who are vulnerable precisely because they are going through life experiences that make them feel needy.

Stephen shows that a significant proportion of the abuse of adults by Catholic priests occurs in such a ministerial context, and depends on grooming and entrapment techniques that priests adroit at exploiting lay members of the church have learned to develop in the context of their ministry — and especially in the context of the sacrament of reconciliation and spiritual counsel. What makes this abuse difficult to combat in the Catholic context, he also concludes, is precisely that “positional” factor by which the Catholic system defines the priest as “above” and “ontologically superior” to lay members of the church.

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PENNSYLVANIA
WFMZ

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – An Emmaus monsignor was arraigned Tuesday morning on charges related to child pornography. John Mraz was charged with sexual abuse of children, criminal use of a communications facility and obscene and sexual material and performances.

Mraz was the pastor at St. Ann’s Church in Emmaus.

On July 25 he asked a friend and parishioner to update his laptop. According to court documents, the friend discovered files in the recycling bin depicting images of nude males of an unknown age. After completing the update, the friend returned it to Mraz, who asked him to update another laptop.

On this laptop the friend discovered a link file named “naked little boys”, or “something similar to that name,” according to court paperwork.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Lehigh Valley Live

[live stream]

By Nick Falsone | For lehighvalleylive.com

A priest who served an Emmaus parish within the Diocese of Allentown is facing felony child porn charges.

The Rev. John Stephen Mraz, a monsignor at St. Ann Catholic Church in Emmaus, is charged with child pornography and related offenses, according to court records.

At 10:30 a.m., Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin is expected to announce the results of a sexual abuse investigation into the clergy member.

Watch a livestream of the news conference above.

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PENNSYLVANIA
Lehigh Valley Live

By Tony Rhodin | For lehighvalleylive.com

WATCH AT 10:30: Police briefing on priest charged in child porn case

A monsignor at St. Ann Catholic Church in Emmaus is charged with child pornography and related offenses, according to court records.

The Rev. John Stephen Mraz, 66, was in the hospital on Tuesday morning, said a person who answered the phone at the church at 415 S. Sixth St. Mraz was pastor at the church.

At 10:30 a.m., Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin is expected to announce the results of a sexual abuse investigation involving a member of the Roman Catholic clergy and child pornography, his spokesman said.

The woman at the church said she didn’t know about charges against Mraz. She said he has health problems.

Mraz has worked at Reading Central Catholic and Allentown Central Catholic over the years and has held posts in the Allentown Diocese.

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VATICAN CITY
Bollettino

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) has today issued a press release in which it summarises the activities of the past year as a result of its collaboration with various local churches and religious leaders, and announces the institution of a Universal Day of Prayer for the survivors and victims of sexual abuse, to which various episcopal conferences have already adhered. It also announces the upcoming launch of its website. The following is the full text of the communiqué.

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors works throughout the year and came together in Rome from 5 to 11 September 5 for a week of Working Group meetings (Guidelines, Healing and Care, Education, Formation, Theology and Spirituality, Canonical and Civil Norms) and for its Plenary Assembly.

The Working Group meetings focused on the updates for current projects, and developing draft proposals for the Holy Father, Pope Francis. For example, the Commission has developed a template for guidelines in the safeguarding and protection of children, adolescents and vulnerable adults, which we will shortly present to the Holy Father for his consideration.

Education is key

Highlights of this Plenary Assembly were the members’ reports on the progress of ongoing education programs, both at a local level and in the Vatican.

These initiatives are part of the Commission’s effort to be of service to the Holy Father by placing their expertise at the disposition of local churches and church leaders. Commission members have also been invited to give talks and take part in various conferences and workshops on all five continents.

These include: talks and workshops held in Australia, in the Archdiocese of Melbourne; in South Africa (SACBC), an orientation program for New Missionaries; in the Philippines (CBCP), a workshop for the Archdiocese of Manila; in Colombia, a talk with clergy of the Archdiocese of Bogotá, a workshop with religious communities, workshops with the Major Seminary and a workshop with evangelization leaders; USA, a talk with “United States National Safe Environment and Victims Assistance Coordinators”; a workshop in Fiji; in New Zealand a series of talks and workshops with the bishops and religious leaders; in Ghana a meeting with the secretary generals of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar from the Association of (SECAM); a meeting in Tanzania with child protection practitioners from the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in Argentina, a discussion with seminarians and clergy of the Diocese of Moron, Buenos Aires; In Santo Domingo, a meeting with fifty formators from thirteen different nations belonging to the Council of Latin American Bishops Conferences (CELAM); a meeting with Bishops and canonists of Slovakia and Czech Republic; and in Italy, a seminar for Abbots of the Benedictine Confederation and participation in the Anglophone Safeguarding Conference.

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ITALIA
Rete L’Abuso

Subì le violenze del parroco don Marino Genova, la stampa nazionale torna sul caso Giada Vitale

Il Consigliere regionale Nunzia Lattanzio stigmatizza la sentenza di archiviazione del Gip del Tribunale di Larino: “ Mi accingo ad inviare una lettera a Papa Francesco”

Si riaccendono i riflettori sul caso Giada Vitale, la giovane di Portocannone che per anni subì le molestie sessuali di don Marino Genova, all’epoca dei fatti parroco del piccolo comune della provincia di Campobasso.

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ITALIA
Rete L’Abuso

[Giada Vitale, a victim of clergy abuse, wrote to Pope Francis but never got an answer.]

Di Francesca Lagatta

“Non avrei mai pensato di scrivere o di cercare di avere un contatto epistolare con una personalità grande come la Sua: il capo di tutti i cristiani del mondo, l’ultimo successore di Pietro sulla Terra”. Comincia così, l’accorata lettera inviata a Papa Francesco nel 2013 da Giada Vitale (la storia raccontata qui), la ragazza di Portocannone con cui don Marino Genova, ex parroco della cittadina molisana, ha intrattenuto una relazione per quattro anni. Gli incontri sarebbero cominciati quando la giovane non aveva ancora compiuto 14 anni, vicenda che, tre anni più tardi, all’assunzione quotidiana di psicofarmaci per mettere a tacere la voce stridula della coscienza, che, a volte, non sa riconoscere la linea sottile che divide le vittime dai carnefici (la storia raccontata qui).

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VATIKAN
Katholisch

[The Vatican plans to have international child protection guidelines. A draft of the paper that deals with abuse prevention of children, adolescents and vulnerable adults is completed and will soon be submitted to Pope Francis.]

Der Vatikan plant internationale Kinderschutz-Leitlinien für die katholische Kirche. Der Entwurf eines Papiers, das sich mit der Prävention des Missbrauchs von Kindern, Heranwachsenden und schutzbedürftigen Erwachsenen befasst, sei fertig und solle demnächst Papst Franziskus vorgelegt werden, teilte die vatikanische Kinderschutzkommission am Montag mit.

Einwöchiges Treffen im Vatikan

Die Kommission, der auch der deutsche Jesuit Hans Zollner angehört, war von Montag vergangener Woche bis Sonntag zu einem Treffen der Arbeitsgruppen und ihrer Jahresvollversammlung in Rom zusammengekommen. Vorsitzender des Gremiums ist der Bostoner Kardinal Sean O’Malley.

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ROMA
Rete L’Abuso

ROME – “The priest does with me as a man does with a woman. He removed the clothes, turn up his cassock, takes me on his lap, tells me not to worry …. ” It is a ten year old child who speaks. He reveals his grandmother what he had not had the courage to tell her mother for fear of “taking slaps’.]

ROMA – «Il prete fa con me come un uomo fa con una donna. Mi toglie i vestiti, alza la tonaca, mi prende sulle sue ginocchia, mi dice di stare tranquillo…». È un bambino di dieci anni che parla. E rivela alla nonna quello che non aveva avuto il coraggio di dire alla madre per paura di «prendere schiaffi». O di «essere arrestato», come padre Edson Alves dos Santos, sacerdote brasiliano di 64 anni, gli aveva detto, dopo averlo violentato, che sarebbe accaduto se non avesse mantenuto il segreto. È solo una delle agghiaccianti denunce di atti di pedofilia compiuti da sacerdoti in Brasile e giunte drammaticamente all’attenzione del Vaticano.

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PENNSYLVANIA
The Morning Call

Laurie Mason Schroeder, Matt Coughlin and Pamela Lehman
Of The Morning Call

ALLENTOWN — The pastor of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church is charged with possession of child pornography in a warrant filed Tuesday morning in district court in Emmaus.

John Stephen Mraz, 66, of Emmaus, is charged in the warrant filed by Lehigh County detectives with one felony count of possession of child pornography, one felony count of criminal use of a communication facility and a misdemeanor count of selling obscene materials. The charges list July 25 as the date of the offenses.

Mraz was arraigned Tuesday morning and is free on $50,000 unsecured bail, court records state.

Parishoners said Mraz has been out about a month from St. Ann’s Church with what church officials said were “medical issues.”

According to court records:

A parishioner worked on a laptop computer owned by Mraz and saw a folder titled “naked boys.” Police said the parishioner gave the laptop computer back, but was upset and reported it to the diocese. The diocese then contacted the district attorney’s office. …

The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office said they plan to announce the results of a sex abuse investigation related to allegations involving child pornography against a Roman Catholic priest Tuesday morning during a press conference in the county courthouse.

A press conference is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. in the district attorney’s office on Hamilton Street in Allentown.

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UNITED STATES
CBS News

SEPTEMBER 12, 2016, 8:32 PM|Pope Francis is launching a new initiative to educate and train bishops on how to deal with child abuse. Some people are praising this initiative. But Boston attorney Mitchell Garabedian disagrees. Garabedian was featured prominently as a character in the film “Spotlight” and he joins CBSN with more on how this may just be “another layer of bureaucracy.”

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AUSTRALIA
The Australian

September 13, 2016
.
DAN BOX
Crime reporterSydney
@DanBox10

A senior Catholic cleric was warned that a priest was sexually abusing Aboriginal boys, but he dismissed the allegations as “nothing to be concerned about” after driving down the main street of the town involved, a royal commission has heard.

The cleric, the late Frank Ryan, also received repeated warnings about another pedophile priest, John Farrell, but asked one of his victim’s parents not to go to police, saying that doing so might harm the child.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse heard yesterday that both priests were subsequently convicted of sexually abusing children.

The commission, which is investigating the church’s response to Farrell’s crimes, has heard ­several senior officials, including at least one bishop, were aware of allegations against him decades before he was jailed.

One of Farrell’s victims yesterday told the commission he went to Ryan in 1981 after Farrell ­assaulted him inside a church in Moree, northern NSW, and was told “It’s OK, I’ll sort it out”.

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GUAM
Pacific News Center

Written by Janela Carrera

Ramon De Plata says he witnessed a priest and a seminarian sexually abusing an altar boy back in the 1960s.

Guam – The Archdiocese of Agana is responding to the latest claims of sexual abuse that were made against Archbishop Anthony Apuron and a now deceased priest.

“On behalf of Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, SDB, the Archdiocese extends our prayers to Mr. De Plata and most certainly the altar boy whom Mr. De Plata said he witnessed being abused by the late Father Antonio Cruz and Father Tony Apuron in March of 1964,” a statement from Father Jeff San Nicolas, the delegate to Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Hon.

Ramon De Plata is the latest accuser to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse at the hands of church clergy members. De Plata alleges that he witnessed Father Cruz and then-seminarian Anthony Apuron engaging in a threesome with a 10-year-old altar server at the Chalan Pago church rectory back in March 1964. De Plata says he witnessed the boy performing oral sex on Father Cruz while Apuron was performing fellatio on the young boy.

“We assure Mr. De Plata that we take his allegation and all allegations of sexual abuse very seriously,” Father San Nicolas stated.

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GUAM
Pacific Daily News

Deacon Leonard Stohr, the Archdiocese of Agana’s sexual abuse response coordinator, said he spoke Tuesday with a man who reported he witnessed the Rev. Antonio Cruz and seminarian Anthony S. Apuron — now the island’s archbishop — sexually molest a 10-year-old altar boy during a church rectory sleepover in March 1964.

Yigo resident Ramon Afaisen De Plata, 62, on Sunday told the Pacific Daily News he witnessed the molestation when he was 10 years old, after entering the priest’s bedroom to use the restroom. He said his older brother saw the same thing. He gave a statement to other island media Monday, and the Archdiocese issued a written statement Monday evening, saying it will investigate.

“Though Father Cruz is deceased, the issue will still be investigated,” Stohr said Tuesday, adding the work will be done by an independent investigator. “There may be other victims or witnesses that we may offer support to at this time. The witnesses could also include Mr. De Plata’s brother. The investigation will try to find out Father Cruz’s date of ordination, his assignments, which churches and villages, his positions whether he’s a parish priest or pastor, his superiors, the altar servers at the time, other parishioners, and going through church records,” Stohr said. Any information will be forwarded to the Vatican, he said.

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AUSTRALIA
The Australian

September 13, 2016

EAN HIGGINS
ReporterSydney
@EanHiggins

DAN BOX
Crime reporterSydney
@DanBox10

The Child Abuse Royal Commission has released its report into Sydney’s elite Knox Grammar School, which finds the former long serving headmaster Ian Paterson gave evidence on oath that was “clearly incorrect” and that he “covered-up” allegations of abuse by staff.

Dr Paterson told the commission he only heard of one instance of sex abuse at the school but the commission has found he knew of allegations against two named teachers, as well as a third who had an affair with a student and a fourth who assaulted a 14-year-old while wearing a balaclava.

The Royal Commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse found Dr Paterson failed to prioritise the welfare of the boys at Knox over the reputation of the school by covering up allegations in relation to two teachers and failing to notify the parents of boys who had made allegations.

A number of former students reported the abuse to police in 2009 following the establishment of Strike Force Arika, which investigated allegations of historical child sex offences at Knox.

Five teachers from Knox — Roger James, Adrian Nisbett, Damien Vance, Craig Treloar and Barrie Stewart — were charged and later convicted of child sex offences against students.

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AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald

Rachel Browne

Former headmaster of Knox Grammar Ian Paterson deliberately covered up allegations about child sexual abuse because he placed the reputation of the school ahead of student welfare, a royal commission has found.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has delivered a scathing assessment of Dr Paterson in its report into how Knox Grammar and the Uniting Church handled multiple allegations about teachers over a 40-year period.

Former Knox Grammar headmaster Ian Paterson delivers his opening statement to the royal commission and admits responsibility for all matters which occurred during his time
Dr Paterson “deliberately withheld information” from a police officer who was investigating sex abuse allegations at the school, the report found.

He also failed to notify parents of the boys who had made allegations and did not inform Knox Grammar’s school council of sex abuse claims.

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AUSTRALIA
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

13 September, 2016

The Royal Commission’s report into Case Study 23 – the response of Knox Grammar School and the Uniting Church of Australia to allegations of child sexual abuse at Knox Grammar School in Wahroonga – was released today.

The report follows a public hearing held in 2015 which inquired into the experiences of sexual abuse of former students at Knox Grammar School in Wahroonga NSW. The hearing also examined the response of Knox and the Uniting Church in Australia between 1970 and 2012 to concerns raised about inappropriate conduct by a number of teachers towards students at Knox.

The Royal Commission heard evidence from 12 former students of the school who detailed the sexual abuse that they suffered while at Knox and the devastating effect it had on them. Most of the former students gave evidence to the Royal Commission that they did not disclose the abuse while they were at school. The parents of two students also gave evidence about the impact of the abuse on their children and families.

A number of former students reported the abuse to police in 2009 following the establishment of Strike Force Arika, which investigated allegations of historical child sex offences at Knox. Five teachers from Knox – Roger James, Adrian Nisbett, Damien Vance, Craig Treloar and Barrie Stewart – were charged and later convicted of child sex offences against students.

A former headmaster of Knox, Dr Ian Paterson, told the Royal Commission that, during his 29 years in the role, he was only aware of one instance of sexual abuse, involving Mr Vance.

The Royal Commission found that was clearly incorrect and that Dr Paterson was aware of allegations in relation to Mr Nisbett, Mr Treloar, Mr Stewart and an ‘affair’ between then student Anthony Carden and teacher, known as ARZ. Mr Nisbett continued to teach at Knox until 2004 and Mr Treloar continued to teach at Knox until 2009. The Royal Commission found Dr Paterson was also aware of a sexual assault on a 14-year-old student, ARN, in one of the boarding house dormitories by a man wearing a balaclava.

The Royal Commission found that Dr Paterson provided misleading and positive references to former teachers Roger James and Damien Vance.

By 1992, Dr Paterson and a number of senior staff members were aware of allegations of an ‘affair’ between former student Anthony Carden and teacher ARZ and that Barrie Stewart had sexually molested a student, ATJ. The Royal Commission found that Dr Paterson failed to inform the Knox Council of these allegations. The Royal Commission also found that Dr Paterson’s response to these allegations involved him seeking to cover up these allegations. Mr Stewart continued to teach at Knox until 2000.

The Royal Commission found that, during Dr Paterson’s time as headmaster of Knox, his attitude and the culture he fostered at the school were dismissive of allegations of child sexual abuse and that he deliberately withheld information from the Knox Council, the body responsible for the management of the school.

The Royal Commission found Dr Paterson failed to prioritise the welfare of the boys at Knox over the reputation of the school by covering up allegations in relation to two teachers and failing to notify the parents of boys who had made allegations..

Read the full report.

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AUSTRALIA
9 News

A former long-serving headmaster of Sydney’s elite Knox Grammar School covered up allegations of child abuse by staff and gave clearly incorrect evidence about his knowledge of such accusations, a royal commission has found.

Dr Ian Paterson, who served as headmaster at the exclusive north shore boys’ school for almost 30 years, told the Royal Commission into Institutional Reponses to Child Sex Abuse last year he only heard of one instance of sex abuse at the school.

But in a report released on Tuesday, the commission found his evidence was “clearly incorrect”, and Dr Paterson knew of allegations against three other teachers and an “affair” between another teacher and a student.

Dr Paterson was also aware of a sexual assault on a 14-year-old student, known as ARN, in one of the boarding house dormitories by a man wearing a balaclava, the commission found.

The commissioners said Dr Paterson failed to prioritise the welfare of the boys at Knox over the reputation of the school by covering up allegations in relation to two teachers, and failing to notify the parents of a boy who made allegations.

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VATICAN CITY
Independent (UK)

Gabriel Samuels

The Catholic Church has confirmed it plans to hold a worldwide day of prayer for victims of sexual abuse, as it continues to make efforts to protect vulnerable children.

Pope Francis announced the proposal following a meeting of the panel he set up to tackle child abuse within the Church and help survivors of past attacks. The Church will also establish an educational website with information and advice.

According to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, the day of prayer was suggested by an abuse survivor and could be “one part of the healing process for survivors and the community of believers”, as well as “an important way of consciousness raising in the Church”.

A spokesperson for the commission said the proposals had been discussed by clerics from around the world with Australian, South African and Filipino bishops already organising when to hold the prayer day.

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GEORGIA
News4Jax

By Jim Piggott – Reporter
September 12, 2016

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – A Georgia pastor accused of molesting a church member six years ago when the boy was 15 told News4Jax, “They are alleging things I could not have done; no possible way I could have done.”

Kenneth Adkins, 56, has been in the Glynn County jail since his Aug. 26 arrest on a charge of aggravated child abuse.

Adkins said he was arrested two days after he voluntarily came to answer questions about the accusations against him and quickly realized he’d need to call an attorney.

He said the young man used to be a member of his church and they met in 2010 when the teenager attended a summit his church hosted.

“I think we may have baptized him in the church. I was at that church for two months before I left and started another ministry and he came over along with a group of a bunch of kids. We had hundreds and hundreds of kids and he’s just one of the kids,” Adkins said. “They’re alleging I committed these things between Jan. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2010, and during that whole year really, he was just one of several kids. We were so busy that year. That was my first, starting the church.”

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AUSTRALIA
ABC News

By Mazoe Ford

The former headmaster of Sydney’s Knox Grammar School “failed to prioritise the welfare of boys over the reputation of the school” by covering up allegations of child sexual abuse, a royal commission has found.

The report on last year’s hearing at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse examining Knox Grammar was released today.

The 2015 hearing also looked into the experiences of 12 survivors, as well as the response from the school and the Uniting Church of Australia, to concerns raised about several teachers between 1970 and 2012.

At the hearing, Dr Ian Paterson said that during his 29 years as headmaster he was only aware of one instance of sexual abuse involving one teacher.

However, the royal commission found that was “clearly incorrect” and that Dr Paterson was also aware of allegations in relation to three other teachers, as well as an affair between a teacher and a student, and an incident where a boarding school student was sexually assaulted by someone in a balaclava.

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UNITED KINGDOM
The Guardian

Press Association
Monday 12 September 2016

A “cruel and sadistic” carer molested boys at a Catholic children’s home and terrorised them with a punishment known as “the clappers”, a court heard.

James McCann, 80, is accused of 52 charges of violent and sexual assault on 26 boys aged between eight and 12.

The Old Bailey heard that McCann repeatedly abused the boys at St Francis children’s home in Shefford, Bedfordshire, in the 1960s and 70s.

The home, which was run by the Roman Catholic diocese of Northampton, was closed down in 1974 and the alleged victims are now aged in their 50s and 60s.

Judge Rebecca Poulet QC told jurors that McCann was not fit to stand trial and it was therefore their job to decide the facts alone.

Opening the case against McCann, John Price QC told jurors: “The prosecution alleges that during his nine years at the home and on very many occasions he violently assaulted and indecently assaulted or sexually abused many of the children for whose care he shared responsibility with the other members of staff at the home.”

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UNITED KINGDOM
BBC News

A “cruel and sadistic” carer molested boys at a Catholic children’s home and terrorised them with a punishment known as The Clappers, a court has heard.

James McCann, 80, from Norfolk, is accused of violent and sexual assaults on 26 boys aged between eight and 12.

He allegedly abused the boys at St Francis children’s home in Shefford, Bedfordshire, in the 1960s and 1970s.

An Old Bailey judge has ruled he is not fit to stand trial and the jury must decide the facts alone.

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MAINE
Portland Press Herald

BY MATT BYRNE STAFF WRITER
mbyrne@pressherald.com | @mattbyrnePPH | 207-791-6303

WEST BATH — A longtime leader of a youth theater program sexually abused three girls under the age of 13 whom he met when he was a director of the group’s community musicals, according to an affidavit released in court Monday.

Henry A. Eichman, 56, of Topsham, made his first appearance in West Bath District Court Monday afternoon on two counts each of sexual exploitation of a minor under 12, unlawful sexual contact and violation of privacy. He was arrested Friday after Topsham police executed a search warrant at his home.

The affidavit described pool parties and sleepovers that Eichman had with children who participated in the theater program.

The allegations against Eichman have devastated the community of parents and children who participate in the Midcoast Youth Theater program, said Julie Meyer, president of the program’s board of directors. The all-volunteer organization put on six productions in 2015 that involved about 300 children and parents. Eichman helped found the group in 2003. …

Eichman has been a part-time drama teacher at St. John’s Catholic School in Brunswick since 2008, according to Dave Guthro, communications director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. Guthro said in an email that Eichman also assisted with the afterschool program in spring 2016 and had returned to assist that program this academic year, but was suspended and barred from the campus after his arrest Friday.

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OHIO
Vindicator

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars of Hollidaysburg, Pa., have reached a $900,000 settlement with 28 people who say they were sexually abused by Brother Stephen Baker, according to 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner.

Baker, formerly a teacher and coach at John F. Kennedy High School in Warren, killed himself in 2013.

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OHIO
Tribune Chronicle

September 13, 2016
By MARLY KOSINSKI , Tribune Chronicle

YOUNGSTOWN – The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and an order of Franciscan Friars based in Pennsylvania have settled 28 sexual abuse claims for $900,000, a diocesan official has confirmed.

The abuse claims were made against the late Brother Stephen Baker, a member of the Third Order Regulars, Franciscan Friars Province of the Immaculate Conception based in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Baker, who committed suicide in 2013 at 62 after the abuse allegations came to light, was a coach, teacher and athletic trainer at Warren John F. Kennedy High School in the 1980s.

Msgr. John Zuraw, spokesman for the Youngstown Diocese, said the diocese, along with the Franciscan Friars, “settled through mediation with 28 victims of Brother Baker.”

Zuraw said the diocesan attorney said the claims were settled previously, but he did not know when. He also did not know how much of the settlement came from the diocese and how much came from the friars, but said both “contributed to the $900,000.”

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AUSTRALIA
Northern Daily Leader

Rachel Browne
13 Sep 2016

A senior Catholic Church official advised the family of a boy who was sexually molested by a priest not to report it to the police unless they wanted to see their child “torn to pieces’’ in court, a royal commission has heard.

The second day of a public hearing into jailed paedophile priest John Joseph Farrell was told allegations against him were played down as just his way of “showing affection” for boys.

Karolyn Graham told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse she was distraught when her son Michael McGroder disclosed how the former Moree priest molested him in 1984.

She and her then husband confronted the vicar general in the Diocese of Armidale Monsignor Frank Ryan about the allegations involving their son as well as a number of other boys, the commission heard.

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VATICAN CITY
Borneo Post

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Monday announced plans for a worldwide day of prayer for the victims of sexual abuse, in line with a proposal from his child protection panel.

The panel, a commission of experts which advises Francis on efforts to combat clerical child sexual abuse, said the initiative had been made by an abuse survivor.

“The commission believes that prayer is one part of the healing process for survivors and the community of believers,” a statement said.

“Public prayer is also an important way of consciousness raising in the Church.”

The move was announced after the latest week-long meeting of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in Rome.

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GUAM
Guam Daily Post

[with video]

A 62-year-old man from Chalan Pago has come forward claiming to be a witness to another incident of alleged sexual abuse by Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

Ramon Afaisen De Plata said that in March 1964, he was a 10-year-old altar boy at Our Lady Peace Parish in Chalan Pago. While staying overnight with about eight other altar boys in the parish rectory, De Plata said he saw Apuron – a seminarian at the time – and another clergy member, Rev. Antonio Cruz, engaging in sexual activity with another 10-year-old altar boy.

“The restroom was located inside (Cruz’s) bedroom. I woke up late in the night to use the restroom. When I entered Pale Cruz’s bedroom, I saw Pale Cruz lying on the bed naked. One of the altar boys was on the bed naked,” De Plata stated in a written testimony.

The boy was lying on his side and performing fellatio on Cruz, De Plata stated, while Apuron performed fellatio on the boy. De Plata turned away from the scene and headed toward the bathroom, only for Apuron to follow him and place an arm around his shoulder. De Plata said his older brother, also an altar boy, suddenly appeared behind them and the two left the rectory. De Plata said they opted not to speak to each other about what they saw that night.

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GUAM
Radio New Zealand

The Guam legislature has unanimously approved the permanent removal of the statute of limitations for all sexual abuse crimes.

If approved by the governor, the bill will allow victims to file civil cases against their alleged assailant.

The bill was introduced this year after several former altar boys alleged that the Catholic Archbishop Anthony Apuron sexually abused them while he was parish priest in the 1970s.

Today’s Guam Daily Post carries testimony of a 62-year-old man who claims to have witnessed the Archbishop having sex with a 10-year-old boy in 1964 when a group of altar boys had been invited to spend the night at the parish rectory.

The latest accuser is the fifth person to come forward alleging sex abuse by the then parish priest.

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AUSTRALIA
7 News

Miranda Forster – AAP on September 13, 2016

A NSW priest has admitted he supported disgraced ex-priest John Farrell by keeping quiet about sex abuse allegations, conceding he felt no obligation to protect child parishioners.

Armidale priest Bernard Flood worked alongside Farrell at the Moree parish in northern NSW in the early 1980s when a number of complaints about Farrell abusing boys surfaced.

Fronting the child sex abuse royal commission on Tuesday, Father Flood admitted he’d remained friendly with Farrell after the allegations surfaced, saying he’d wanted to help get the wayward priest back on track.

When Farrell was moved to another parish at Tamworth, Fr Flood didn’t tell the priest in charge about the abuse allegations due to “professional boundaries”.

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AUSTRALIA
The Australian

The father of a boy who was sexually abused by a Catholic priest was asked by a senior cleric not to go to police and told that to do so might be harmful to his child.

Giving evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse this morning, the boy’s mother, Karolyn Graham, said she “was horrified and felt intimidated by the church” as a result.

Her son, Michael McGroder, told the commission he was sexually abused by his parish priest when he was serving as an altar boy in Moree, northern NSW, in 1984.

The priest, John Farrell, was jailed earlier this year for sexual offences against 12 child victims.

Ms Graham told the commission her husband met with Monsignor Frank Ryan, who was then the vicar general of the Armidale diocese, in April 1984 to disclose his son’s abuse.

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AUSTRALIA
ABC News

By Mazoe Ford

Former Moree Catholic priest Father John Joseph Farrell “only fondled genitals as it was his way of showing affection” a church official allegedly told the parent of an abused alter boy, a royal commission has heard.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is looking into the behaviour of Father Farrell, who sexual abused alter boys in Moree in the 1980s, and how the Catholic Diocese of Armidale and Parramatta handled complaints about him.

Karolyn Graham told the inquiry that in 1984 her former husband, Patrick, went to see the Vicar-General of the Armidale Diocese, Monsignor Frank Ryan, after their nine-year-old son Michael McGroder revealed he had been touched inappropriately by Father Farrell.

“Monsignor Ryan asked [my husband] not to go to police as it would be traumatic for Michael and the family and asked whether we wanted to see our boy in a witness stand being torn to pieces,” Ms Graham told the royal commission.

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UNITED KINGDOM
Bedfordshire on Sunday

A CARER at a Catholic children’s home carried out a campaign of sexual and physical abuse against 26 boys in his care in the 1960s and 1970s, a court has heard.

James McCann, 80, allegedly tortured some of the lads by clapping his hands over their ears, causing excruciating pain and nausea.

McCann is said to have abused the youngsters while working at the St Francis Children’s Home, in Shefford, Bedfordshire.

He joined the school at the age of 29 in 1965 and worked there until it closed in 1974, the Old Bailey heard yesterday (September 12).

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AUSTRALIA
ABC – PM

[with audio]

Former altar boys who say they were sexually abused by the Catholic priest John Joseph Farrell in the 1980s have given evidence at a Commission hearing in Sydney.

The commission has heard that a senior church official urged the father of one of the boys not to go to the police.

This is the last public hearing involving how Catholic institutions responded to claims of child sexual abuse.

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VATICAN CITY
Herald Malaysia

VATICAN CITY: The Pope recently met two Italian victims of clerical abuse, one of them was a child when the abuse took place and the other an adult. This is according to Fr. Hans Zollner, a German psychologist, Jesuit and a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors that met from 5 to 11 September in the Vatican. He supported the idea of instituting a prayer day for paedophilia victims, proposed a model for helping national Bishops’ Conferences to further improve anti-abuse guidelines and said he was satisfied with the recent papal document on the responsibility of bishops and other Church superiors in this field. The Commission will also soon be launching its very own website. Its members were invited for the first time to a refresher course for bishops in the Vatican.

“Two Italian victims of abuse attended a meeting with the Holy Father as part of last Saturday’s Jubilee Audience,” Fr. Zollner told Vatican Radio. During the course of the meeting two books were delivered to him, both published this year in Italian: “Giulia e il lupo” (Julia and the wolf) by Luisa Bove, with a preface by Hans Zollner (Ancora editrice) and “Vorrei risorgere dalle mie ferite” (I want to rise from my wounds) by Anna Deodato (EDB). Last April, these two books were presented to the San Fedele cultural foundation in Milan. The first book, Zollner explained, “is about the experience of a young woman who was abused by a priest in Italy. This is the first book published in Italian, in Italy, about an experience in Italy. The other book is about consecrated women who are abused by priests. From what these two ladies told me, the Pope was shocked and asked to be updated on this too. So I think that from what we have seen and heard in recent years, under Francis pontificate as well as Pope Benedict’s, the Popes have shown deep personal concern, empathy and closeness to people in great difficulty as well as to those who have suffered sexual abuse by a member of the clergy.”

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NEBRASKA
Omaha World-Herald

MINDEN, Neb. — A former Kearney Catholic High School coach is charged in Kearney County Court with two felonies and one misdemeanor: child abuse; enticement by electronic communications device; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to court records, Shawn Dowse, 44, of Kearney, was arrested Thursday on a Kearney County warrant. The court has sealed details about the reason for his arrest.

Dowse was the boys golf coach at Kearney Catholic High School in the spring 2016 season. A Kearney Catholic High School representative said Dowse did not sign another contract for this year.

If convicted, Dowse could spend up to three years in prison on the child abuse charge, a Class IIIA felony; up to two years in prison on the enticement charge, a Class IV felony; and up to one year in jail on the contributing to the delinquency of a minor count, a Class I misdemeanor.

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VATICAN CITY
America

Gerard O’Connell | Sep 12 2016

The commission set up by Pope Francis in March 2014 to advise him on preventing child sexual abuse is now making significant progress. A report published by the Vatican following the Sept. 8-11 plenary meeting of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors reveals the role of members in educating Vatican personnel and church leadership in countries across the globe on their responsibility for the protection of children, adolescents and vulnerable adults from sexual abuse.

The report shows that commission members have already addressed meetings of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, where the Holy See’s diplomats are trained, and the Congregation for Consecrated Life, which oversees religious orders and institutes of consecrated life worldwide. In the coming weeks, it will address a meeting of the Congregation for Clergy, as well as sessions for the training of new bishops (those appointed over the past year) organized by the Congregations for the Evangelization of Peoples and for Bishops. Indeed, the fact that Marie Collins, a survivor of abuse, will address these latter sessions with other commission members is a real breakthrough at the level of the Vatican.

Moreover, it reports that commission members have sought to educate church leadership through talks and workshops, on all five continents. They went to Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Fiji, Argentina, Colombia, Santo Domingo, the United States, Ghana, Tanzania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Italy. In the coming months, they plan to do likewise in Mexico, Ecuador, the conference of major superiors of men in the United States and will hold a workshop for the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences.

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VATICAN CITY
RTE News

Pope Francis has announced plans for a worldwide day of prayer for the victims of sexual abuse in line with a proposal from his child protection panel.

The panel has also decided to establish a website later this year to help protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse in both the Catholic Church and wider society.

The panel, which includes a leading Irish survivor of clerical child abuse Marie Collins, advises Pope Francis on efforts to combat clerical abuse which has become a major scandal, mostly in developed countries, over the past quarter century.

A spokesperson for the panel said members have addressed church gatherings on all five continents and that the prayer initiative had been proposed by an abuse survivor.

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OHIO
Road to Recovery

The Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, and the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars, based in Hollidaysburg, PA, disrespect twenty-eight (28) childhood victims of sexual abuse by Br. Stephen Baker, T.O.R., with a settlement of nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000.00), thus re-victimizing and disrespecting the victims, once again acting unfairly toward sexual abuse victims and preventing healing

Twenty-eight (28) innocent childhood sexual abuse victims of serial clergy sexual abuser, Br. Stephen Baker of the Third Order Regular Franciscans of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, have been re-victimized by the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, and the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars because they refused to fairly and reasonably settle claims of twenty-eight (28) childhood sexual abuse victims, thus preventing victims from healing

The Youngstown Diocese recently announced a so-called “expansion” of its efforts to ensure the safety of children, but the Youngstown Diocese and the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars would be more moral and ethical if they reasonably and justly settled claims of childhood sexual abuse by clergymen, like Br. Stephen Baker, T.O.R., who was able to abuse dozens of children because the Youngstown Diocese and the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars enabled Br. Stephen Baker’s dangerous and destructive actions

What
A press conference announcing a disrespectful settlement of nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000.00) for twenty-eight (28) sexual abuse victims of serial pedophile Br. Stephen Baker, T.O.R., who taught at John F. Kennedy High School in Warren, Ohio

When
Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 11:00 am

Where
On the public sidewalk across from the headquarters of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, at 144 West Wood Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503 – 330-744-8451

Who
Barbara Aponte, mother of Br. Stephen Baker victim, Luke Bradesku (RIP), who was part of the settlement; Dr. Robert M. Hoatson, President of Road to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit charity based in New Jersey that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families; and possibly another victim of Br. Stephen Baker, T.O.R.

Why
The Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, and the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars refused to settle twenty-eight (28) sexual abuse claims against Br. Stephen Baker, T.O.R. fairly and reasonably, hiding behind and bolstered by antiquated statute of limitations laws in the State of Ohio. The path of destruction of sexual abuse by Br. Stephen Baker, T.O.R. at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Warren, Ohio, is well-documented and undeniable, yet the Diocese of Youngstown and the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars disrespected Br. Baker’s victims by settling twenty-eight (28) cases for nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000.00). Demonstrators will discuss the disrespectful settlement and express their disappointment with the Diocese of Youngstown and the Third Order Regular Franciscan Friars for not fairly and reasonably settling their claims and preventing victims from healing.

Contacts
Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D. – 862-368-2800 – roberthoatson@gmail.com
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617-523-6250

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ILLINOIS
Chicago Tribune

Ukrainian Orthodox authorities have barred the pastor of a Humboldt Park church from serving as a priest following allegations that he improperly took more than $500,000 from a 93-year-old parishioner diagnosed with dementia.

Nicholas Chervyatiuk has not been charged with a crime, and he has vigorously denied the allegations, made in papers filed in probate court this spring by the Cook County public guardian.

Church leaders began gathering legal documents and acted against Chervyatiuk following an Aug. 19 Tribune report on the case. He had served as a priest at Holy Patronage Church, 900 N. Washtenaw Ave.

Chervyatiuk, 55, allegedly used the money he took to support two restaurants he ran with a convicted drug dealer, his Brash & Sassy, Inc. hair salon and his portfolio of Chicago-area rental properties, according to probate court papers and separate land, business and court records.

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AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald

Kathleen McPhillips
12 Sep 2016

DURING his evidence to the royal commission Bishop Bill Wright made the observation that he felt concentrating on events of 30 years ago was not a useful exercise, and it is more important to understand what is happening now with regard to child abuse and protection. The Commissioner’s response was to state that the community had asked for a royal commission into organisations and that this be done in the public eye.

Understanding the history of abuse is vitally important to the health of the current community. Let me explain why.

First, it is vital to bring to public knowledge the traumatic events that occurred across Catholic parishes and schools in the last 60 or so years. The knowledge gleaned from the hearings provides the validation that the abuse occurred and had devastating effects. Those children are now adults and their suffering continues. Some took their lives. This needs to be investigated and acknowledged. Secondly, sexual abuse of a child is a crime and many perpetrators have not been bought to justice or have died. The crime of concealing abuse by failing to report it has also to be put to legal testing.

Thirdly, given that the Catholic Church represents 40 per cent of all cases before the royal commission it seems obvious to me there is a problem with a Church culture which has allowed such high levels of abuse to continue. Incredibly, very little research has been undertaken into the culture of clericalism by the Catholic Church. Most of the religious leaders seemed at a loss to understand why it happened. Brother Peter Carroll, the Provincial of the Marist Brothers, stated that the order was thinking about undertaking research into why over 150 brothers have been identified as sexual abusers. Let’s hope this happens.

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VATICAN CITY
Daily Mail (UK)

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY, Sept 12 (Reuters) – Newly appointed Catholic bishops will get training on how to deal with child abuse from a panel of experts, including victims, which Pope Francis set up to root out sexual molestation by clerics.

The move, announced on Monday, is a big step for the panel – made up of clerics and lay people, including women, mostly with little previous Vatican experience – that has struggled to be fully accepted within the Church’s power structure.

The decision to draw on the expertise of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors comes after a French monsignor who taught so-called “baby bishops” courses for new Church leaders, caused an uproar by telling them they did not necessarily have to report abuse to civil authorities.

Monsignor Tony Anatrella was later rebuked by the president of the commission, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, who said bishops had “a moral and ethical responsibility” to do so.
The worldwide sex abuse scandal first came to light in Boston in 2001 when it was revealed that predatory priests were shunted from parish to parish instead of being defrocked and handed over to the police.

Francis has compared the abuse of children by priests to devil worship and vowed a “zero tolerance” approach, setting up the commission in 2014, a year after taking office, to advise him on how to root out sexual abuse within the Church.

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CIUDAD DEL VATICANO
ACI Prensa

[Pope Francis received on Saturday to two Italian victims of clergy abuse, as reported by Father Hans Zollner, German psychologist member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.]

VATICANO, 12 Sep. 16 / 11:06 am (ACI).- El Papa Francisco recibió el pasado sábado a dos víctimas italianas de abusos del clero, según ha informado el P. Hans Zollner, psicólogo alemán miembro de la Pontificia Comisión para la Tutela de los Menores.

El sacerdote explicó a Radio Vaticana que el encuentro tuvo lugar en el marco de la Audiencia Jubilar del sábado pasado. Durante la reunión se entregaron dos libros que fueron publicados en italiano este mismo año: “Julia y el lobo”, de Luisa Bove y con un prefacio del propio Hans Zollner, y “Quisiera resurgir de mis heridas”, de Anna Deodato.

Zollner, explicó que el primero de ellos “es sobre la experiencia de una joven que sufrió abusos de un sacerdote en Italia”.

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GUAM
Pacific Daily News

Shawn Raymundo, sraymundo@guampdn.com September 13, 2016

In a 13-0 vote, lawmakers Monday morning unanimously approved legislation to permanently remove the statute of limitations for all sexual abuse crimes, allowing victims to file civil cases against their alleged assailant.

Sen. Frank Blas Jr., R-Barrigada, introduced Bill 326-33 a few months ago, following several public accusations by former altar boys who allege that Archbishop Anthony Apuron sexually abused them while he was parish priest in Agat during the 1970s. If the bill becomes law, it could allow the alleged victims to sue Apuron.

Sens. Tina Muna Barnes, D-Mangilao and Tom Ada, D-Tamuning were absent from session Monday.

Last week, Joseph “Joe” Santos, the founder of a local grassroots group advocating to help victims of child sexual abuse, presented Blas with a petition that contained signatures from more than 3,000 people who support the bill.

“In light of growing awareness of child sexual abuse, many states have begun to reform criminal statutes. We are hoping to the do same here on Guam,” Blas told his fellow lawmakers during session Monday morning.

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GUAM
KUAM

Updated: Sep 12, 2016

By Krystal Paco

Defense in the $2 million libel and slander suit against Archbishop Anthony Apuron and the Archdiocese of Agana are asking the court to dismiss the complaint. In court filings made late Monday, defense calls the defamation suit “unusual”, as it was sparked by paid ads by the Concerned Catholics of Guam.

Defense states the archdiocese has publicly recanted and retracted Apuron’s statements at issue and notes plaintiffs fail to plead special damages.

The plaintiffs listed are Roy Quintanilla, Walter Denton, Roland Sondia, and Doris Concepcion on behalf of her son Joseph “Sonny” Quinata. Each of the plaintiffs alleges Apuron molested them decades ago. The suit follows press release and video statements from the archdiocese and Apuron, which defended Apuron’s innocence and called his accusers liars who were out to destroy the church.

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VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter

Carol Glatz Catholic News Service | Sep. 12, 2016

VATICAN CITY
Members of the pope’s commission for child protection, including an abuse survivor, have been speaking with new bishops and major Vatican offices as part of a mandate to develop and educate the church about best practices.

Pope Francis also approved the establishment of a day of prayer for survivors of abuse, but decided it will be up to each nation’s bishops’ conference to decide when the memorial should be held, according a press release Sept. 12 from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Members of the pontifical commission have spoken recently with officials at the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, as well as at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, which trains priests for service in the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.

Pontifical commission members, who were in Rome in early September, were also set to address the Congregation for Clergy and to speak at seminars for recently appointed bishops; the training seminars are organized by the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Marie Collins, a commission member and survivor of clerical abuse, was scheduled to be one of a number of commission members to address the Sept. 11-18 session of what is commonly referred to as “new bishops school.”

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GUAM
Pacific News Center

[with video]

Written by Janela Carrera

Ramon De Plata says the victim passed away before he could share his own story of sexual abuse.

Guam – The sex abuse scandal continues in the catholic church, this time a former altar server has come forward with explosive details involving Archbishop Anthony Apuron, another priest and a young altar boy allegedly engaged in a threesome.

Ramon De Plata is the latest to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse at the hands of Church members. Although De Plata says he was never physically abused, he did witness something that he wishes he had never seen. De Plata says he was 10 years old and an altar server at the Our Lady of Peace church in Chalan Pago back in March 1964.

He and a number of other altar boys were invited to sleep over at the rectory by Pale Antonio Cruz and by Archbishop Anthony Apuron who was at the time just a seminarian. While getting ready for bed, De Plata says Pale Cruz told the boys that he would leave his bedroom door open in case any of the boys needed to use the restroom in the middle of the night.

“So later in the evening I needed the restroom. So I got up and went there and when I walked in the door and everything, I noticed to my right that the priest was naked, the altar boy was naked and the altar boy was [expletive] the priest’s penis and he was turned halfway where Apuron was kneeling on the floor and he was [expletive] the altar boy,” explained De Plata.

De Plata says he headed straight for the restroom when Apuron followed him. Behind Apuron was De Plata’s brother who asked De Plata if everything was alright. De Plata says he left the rectory and went straight home as his brother followed him.

His brother confirmed that he had also witnessed the same thing but both agreed to get some rest and talk about the shocking experience the next morning.

But De Plata says he and his brother never spoke about what they witnessed the next day.

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GUAM
Pacific Daily News

[with video]

Jojo Santo Tomas, jsantotoma@guampdn.com September 13, 2016

Church officials will investigate a report that Archbishop Anthony Apuron and another priest sexually abused an altar boy in Chalan Pago 52 years ago, according to a statement issued by the Archdiocese of Agana Monday night.

Yigo resident Ramon Afaisen De Plata, 62, told Pacific Daily News he witnessed an altar boy being abused at Our Lady of Peace and Safe Journey Catholic Church. The pastor at the time, the Rev. Antonio C. Cruz, lived above the church, he said.

“When I was 10 years old, in March 1964, I witnessed Pale Antonio Cruz and Anthony Apuron molest an altar boy,” said De Plata. “I was also an altar boy at the time. During the Lenten week, about eight of us were rehearsing for the High Latin Mass services, which were very difficult. … We finished late one night and Pale Cruz asked us to spend the night. So we did.”

Ramon De Plata said he woke up to use the restroom, which was located inside Cruz’s bedroom. When he walked in, he said Cruz was lying naked on the bed with a boy, and Apuron was kneeling on the floor — all engaged in a sex act.

“The altar boy was my age, 10 years old at the time,” said De Plata. He said both the altar boy and Cruz are since “difunto,” the Chamorro word for dead.

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AUSTRALIA
The Australian

DAN BOX
Crime reporterSydney
@DanBox10

A pedophile priest allegedly told two of the Catholic Church’s most influential clerics he sexually abused five young boys, but was not defrocked for more than a decade, a royal commission heard yesterday.

The priest, John Farrell, was jailed earlier this year, 24 years after the meeting took place and 32 years after the church received reports of him abusing children.

Lawyers for the NSW government yesterday sought to have the evidence of the two clerics, Brian Lucas and John Usher, suppressed to protect possible future court proceedings.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse heard the pair were “the architects of the church’s ­response” to child sex abuse by priests, and became among the most influential clerics in Australia. Father Lucas “became the person bishops and congregational leaders would call when a complaint or problem relating to sexual abuse surfaced”, counsel assisting the commission, Gail Furness SC, said.

His “job was, as he described it, to help the bishop or major superior manage the person who was making the complaint and … get the man out of the business”.

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VATICAN CITY
Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM) met in Plenary Assembly last week, September 8-11 focusing their attention on the three key areas of education, a Day of Prayer and the Holy Father’s MOTU PROPRIO “As a Loving Mother”, on the accountability of Church leadership. The Plenary also recognised the importance of digital technology and have announced the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors will be going live with its own website.

The Working Group meetings focused on the updates for current projects, and developing draft proposals for Pope Francis.

Lydia O’Kane spoke to Commission member Gabriel Dy-Liacco from the Philippines about the Commissions work.

Please find below the full press statement from the Commission:

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors [PCPM] works throughout the year and came together in Rome from September 5 through 11 for a week of Working Group meetings, [Guidelines, Healing and Care, Education, Formation, Theology and Spirituality, Canonical and Civil Norms] and for its Plenary Assembly.

The Working Group meetings focused on the updates for current projects, and developing draft proposals for the Holy Father, Pope Francis. For example, the Commission has developed a template for guidelines in the safeguarding and protection of children, adolescents and vulnerable adults, which we will shortly present to the Holy Father for his consideration.

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SCOTLAND
Herald Scotland

Stephen Naysmith

Negativity surrounding the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has overshadowed the difficult and important work it is trying to do.

Concerns provoked by the resignation of key employees of the inquiry, former chair Susan O’Brien QC and panel member professor Michael Lamb earlier this year were unavoidable.

Our coverage of complaints lodged against a civil servant, Jessica McPherson – tangentially connected to the Inquiry, also within Government, through her work setting up the In Care Survivor Support Fund to help victims of abuse – has been a frustration.

Representatives of the independent inquiry point out that she doesn’t work for them, or the Scottish Government’s sponsoring department.

Ask any member of most survivor groups if she has been involved in the setting up of the inquiry, though, and they say she has. Many count her among their frustrations with their experience of being involved in the inquiry. Perceptions matter. That is why it is heartening to hear from some survivors of abuse about their positive experience of taking part in the core business of the inquiry – evidence gathering.

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KANSAS
Fox 4

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas released a statement on Sunday announcing that one of its priests has been suspended after church officials had received reports that the priest had visited inappropriate websites on the internet.

Because the websites allegedly depict minors, the Archdiocese immediately notified the FBI to investigate the allegation and law enforcement has initiated an investigation.

The priest in question, Fr. Chris Rossman, pastor of Annunciation Church in Baldwin City and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Lapeer, Kan. has been suspended from ministry, pending investigations by law enforcement as well as the Archdiocese.

The Archdiocese said in a statement they will continue to cooperate fully with police.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE
Boston Globe

By Nestor Ramos GLOBE STAFF SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

Two weeks ago, Chessy Prout’s name and face were relegated to the darkest corners of the Internet, where trolls reveled in outing — and trashing — a teenage sexual assault victim. They posted pictures of her and her home and her sisters.

But Google her today, and you’ll find story after story about a survivor’s bravery.

In coming forward publicly last month, Prout, who was 15 when she was assaulted by Owen Labrie on the campus of their elite Concord, N.H., prep school, didn’t so much reveal her identity as she reclaimed it, she said in an interview with the Globe.

She leaned on her family, her faith, and her recent friendship with other survivors of sexual violence in deciding to break her silence in an Aug. 30 national television interview, she said. And with “take back the night” rallies and marches echoing in her mind, she decided, she said, “to take back the Internet.”

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GUAM
KUAM

Updated: Sep 11, 2016

By Sabrina Salas Matanane

All senators who were present during session today passed Bill 326. The legislation lifts the civil statute of limitations in cases involving child sex abuse. The legislation passed amid multiple allegations of child molestation accusations made against local clergy including Archbishop Anthony Apuron. Several men have come forward alleging Apuron molested them when they were altar boys at Mt. Carmel Church in Agat where he had served as a priest. These same men testified in support of the bill when it had its public hearing.

The vote on Bill 326 was 13–yes and 2– excused absences.

The bill was authored by Sen. Frank Blas, Jr. He thanked his colleagues for their support and church groups that actively pushed for the bill to give relief to victims of child sex abuse, “We know that time restrictions have been a particularly pressing problem in light of the delicate nature of child sex crimes as victims often need many years to overcome the pain of their abuse and time to obtain the courage needed to speak out about the abuse that they have suffered,” Senator Blas said.

“As the national trend moves toward loosening past restrictions and statutes of limitations, we are now doing the same with the passage of Bill No. 326-33(COR).”

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GUAM
Guam Daily Posta

John O’Connor | Post News Staff

Bill 326-33, a measure that would lift the civil statute of limitations in cases involving child sex abuse has passed the legislature with 13 votes. Sens. Tina Muna-Barnes and Tom Ada did not vote and were excused absences.

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VATICAN CITY
Star Tribune

By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ sex abuse commission has scored a victory within the Vatican: Members have been invited to address Vatican congregations and a training course for new bishops, suggesting that the Holy See now considers child protection programs to be an important responsibility for church leaders.

Commission members praised the development as a breakthrough given that bishops have long been accused of covering up for abusers by moving pedophile priests from parish to parish rather than reporting them to police. For decades, the Vatican too turned a blind eye and failed to take action against problem priests or their bishop enablers.

Commission members have already addressed the Vatican congregations for priests and religious orders and the Vatican’s diplomatic school. This week, members including Irish abuse survivor Marie Collins will address the new bishops’ course, which the Vatican hosts for all bishops named in the previous year to teach them how to run their dioceses.

The presentations come after the Vatican was embarrassed last year when, during the annual “baby bishops” course, a French priest delivering an official presentation told bishops they don’t need to report priests suspected of raping or molesting children to civil authorities.

He said it was up to the victims or their parents to do so.

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AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald

Rachel Browne

The long-running child sexual abuse royal commission has indicated the number of public hearings will slow down with the final case study to be heard in March next year.

Chairman of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Peter McClellan​ announced public hearings would be drawing to a close in his remarks ahead of an inquiry into convicted paedophile priest John Joseph Farrell.

Justice McClellan told the Sydney hearing that the inquiry into Farrell would be the last dealing with Catholic institutions.

“After the present case study has been completed the commission will turn its attention in a public hearing to harmful sexual behaviours of children within schools,” he said.

“There may be a limited number of future case studies.”

The commission heard the final case study is expected to be heard in March, examining the cause and impact of child sexual abuse.

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AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald

IAN KIRKWOOD
12 Sep 2016

ABOUT 2300 people having private sessions with the child abuse Royal Commission have reported abuse in Catholic institutions, according to figures quoted on Monday by the chair of the commission, Justice Peter McClellan.

Speaking at the opening of the commission’s 44th case study, Justice McClellan said more than 5800 people had asked for private sessions with the commission: he expected the total to reach 7200 by the time the commission finished at the end of next year.

“Abuse in Catholic institutions was reported by 40 per cent of all private session attendees . . .” Justice McClellan said. He said information had been received about more than 400 institutions. Case studies were chosen to reflect geographic spread and institution type.

The commission had referred 1659 matters to the police for possible prosecution, putting police resources “under significant pressure”. Prosecutions had been brought against 71 people.

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AUSTRALIA
ABC News

By Candice Prosser

The Salvation Army failed to protect children in its institutions between 1940 and 1990 and provided a culture where they felt afraid and powerless to resist ongoing abuse, a royal commission has found.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse today released its response into its Salvation Army Southern Territory (TSAS) case study after hearing harrowing stories of physical and sexual abuse and cruelty.

It heard about a “culture of humiliation” and a “culture of punishment and fear” at Salvation Army-run children’s homes in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, where children were regularly beaten, degraded and sexually abused.

It examined the Eden Park Boys’ Home at Wistow in SA, the Box Hill and Bayswater Boys’ homes in Victoria, and the Hollywood Children’s Village at Nedlands in WA.

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AUSTRALIA
The Advertiser

Tory Shepherd, Political Editor, The Advertiser
September 12, 2016

YOUNG boys at the Eden Park Salvation Army home were raped and threatened with violence if they complained, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has found.

The commission investigated incidents at the home between 1940 and 1980 and in its report released on Monday, found the Salvation Army had failed to protect children in its care.

According to the report, a seven-year-old was raped by older boys and staff, boys were locked up in small windowless spaces, thrashed, sexually abused and then threatened if they spoke up.

Graham Rundle was abused more than 200 times after he was put into the home at age seven.

After his arrival at Eden Park Boys’ Home, he was raped by between seven and nine boys, at least twice a week. He told an employee, William John Keith Ellis, because he was bleeding badly. That’s when Mr Ellis started abusing him.

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AUSTRALIA
The Guardian (UK)

Australian Associated Press
Monday 12 September 2016

Widespread child sexual abuse in Salvation Army homes across three states often went unreported because the victims didn’t think they would be believed, a royal commission has found.

The commission has also criticised the church for failing to take action when children did come forward, entrenching a culture in which staff and officers were able to continue to offend.

“In many instances, where knowledge of physical or sexual abuse was brought to the attention of the Salvation Army, it failed to follow its own orders and regulations,” the commission said in its report released on Monday.

And, in some cases, children who complained about their treatment were threatened with physical harm.

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AUSTRALIA
ABC News

By Brad Ryan

The royal commission into child sexual abuse has referred more than 1,500 matters to authorities, straining the resources of police forces around the country, one of its hearings has been told.

Justice Peter McClellan, who chairs the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, told a hearing in Sydney that 1,659 matters had been passed on to police to consider for further investigation.

Prosecutions have been brought against 71 people.

“Because of the volume of references, the resources of the various police forces have been placed under significant pressure,” Justice McClellan said.

“I understand a great many references are awaiting investigation, or the investigations are underway but not complete.”

Justice McClellan said the commission had received information about more than 4,000 institutions, but it was impossible to hold public hearings into all of them.

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GUAM
KUAM

Updated: Sep 12, 2016

By Krystal Paco

In the last few months we’ve heard from Roy Quintanilla, Walter Denton, Roland Sondia, Doris Concepcion on behalf of her late son Joseph “Sonny” Quinata, and Leo Tudela. Each of the men alleges they were altar boys when they were molested or raped by the hands of church clergy. And now, another man who served as an altar boy at Our Lady of Peace in Chalan Pago alleges he was a witness to as well as a victim of child sex abuse.

The year was 1964. Ramon Afaisen De Plata was an altar boy at Our Lady of Peace Parish when he alleges he and his older brother witnessed Pale Antonio Cruz and then-seminarian Anthony Apuron engaging in sexual acts with another altar boy during a sleepover at the rectory.

De Plata told KUAM News, “I woke up late in the night to use the restroom. When I entered Pale Cruz’s bedroom, I saw Pale Cruz lying on the bed naked. One of the altar boys was on the bed naked. He was lying on his side.”

The altar boy was performing fellatio on Pale Cruz while Apuron performed fellatio on the boy. That boy, De Plata says, is not alive today to tell his story. De Plata, who is now 62 years old, says he and his brother never talked about that sighting ever again. But De Plata would later tell his mother about other encounters he had with the priest.

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