What crime is worse: a) sexually abusing a child, or b) knowing about it, covering it up and allowing the abuse to continue? Don’t worry – I’m not requiring an answer. But I will say this: both groups deserve to be punished, exposed and held publicly accountable for the pain and suffering they caused. But…Continue reading Will the LA Times and the AP force the Archdiocese of LA to keep its promises?
UPDATE – Seattle Archdiocese officials have admitted that Br. Karl Walczak was removed for sex abuse allegations. Walczak has been principal of O’Dea High School since 2011. Before that, he was at Brother Rice High School in Chicago. He was principal of Damien Memorial School in Honolulu from 1987 to 1999. ******** There are reports…Continue reading **Updated** Seattle high school principal removed for abuse – Parents not informed
Today, LA judge Emilie Elias gave the Archdiocese of Los Angeles a concrete schedule for the public release of thousands of pages of sex abuse and cover-up documents. If all goes according to plan, the redacted files on perpetrator priests will be made public by the end of the year. The documents were a part of…Continue reading LA clergy sex abuse files to be made public by end of year, judge says
Patrick Marker from BehindthePineCurtain broke this blockbuster story: The organization representing lawyers practicing Catholic Church “law” recently allowed a man with numerous allegations of sexual abuse to speak to its membership at its Chicago conference. The Canon Law Society of America (CLSA), the organization charged with “promotion of the study and application of canon law in…Continue reading Church “lawyers” keep mum on speaker’s five abuse allegations
*** Update: The CA Supreme Court ruled that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles must turn over the files. Deadline is immediate. A huge decision is expected today from the California Supreme Court regarding the confidential abuse and cover-up files of 25 known offending priests. The priests were a part of the 2007 $660 million…Continue reading UPDATED: CA SUPREME COURT: LA Archdiocese must turn over priest files
A new California law makes commercial computer technicians mandatory reporters in cases of child pornography. The bill, AB 1817, was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown this week. Here is the crux of the bill, according to a press release from the CA K.I.D.S. Coalition: Commercial computer techicians will now be required to report…Continue reading New Law: California Computer Techs Must Report Child Pornography
Many California victims born after 1977 still may have legal rights to expose abuse, get justice and keep kids safe right now. Convicted priest named in new sex abuse lawsuit Young girl was molested in San Andreas CA parish She is the latest of former cleric’s dozens of victims Deported from US, he’s now in…Continue reading Convicted priest Oliver O’Grady/Stockton Diocese named in new abuse suit
From my SNAP statement: Today, the Diocese of Orange has announced the retirement of Orange County, California Bishop Tod D. Brown. We will learn the name of his successor tomorrow. The author and Tod Brown at the press conference announcing the Diocese’s $100 million settlement with 97 victims of child sex abuse Simply put: we…Continue reading A Rotten Legacy Ends – Bishop Tod Brown Retires
In light of the current Chicago teachers’ strike, I think it’s important to comment on a very important California story that shines a big, fat, bright light on the global nature of the complicit cover-up of child sexual abuse by big, trusted institutions. And here’s the shocker: it doesn’t involve the Roman Catholic Church. Flashback…Continue reading CA Teachers’ Unions: Protecting Child Molesters’ Jobs
Ontario priest named in new sex abuse suit Convicted cleric faces at least 5 victims He was even sent sent back to jail for violating parole Church officials knew he gave kids full-body massages, but Crimes were not reported to law enforcement For 20 years, priest molested kids in Latino communities Come forward and report…Continue reading New Lawsuit Filed Against Convicted Ontario Priest Jose Alejandro “Alex” Castillo
Here’s a sad, sad story from today’s Honolulu Star Advertiser. Honolulu’s Bishop Clarence Silva blames victims for not coming forward to him, his predecessors for covering things up, enemies of the church who “capitalize on this very real problem,” proponents of gay marriage, pro-life advocates, and just about everyone else. Really? Since when do the…Continue reading Hawaii bishop starts the finger pointing game
‘Ohana can come from the most unlikely of places. I went to Hilo, Hawaii last week for a single reason: Expose priest George DeCosta, who has been accused of abuse by two youth and former students at Honolulu’s Damien Memorial School. De Costa is now living in Volcano, a town about 20 miles outside of Hilo,…Continue reading Finding my ‘ohana in Hilo
Last spring, I met a man named Mark Pinkosh. Yesterday, he became a hero. Mark charges that he was sexually abused by Hawaii priest J. Michael Henry (Also known as Joseph Henry) when Mark was just a boy attending Kailua’s St. Anthony’s church. When Mark reached out to other adults, trying to get someone to…Continue reading A hero is born overnight
I think it’s time to let Music Ministry Alive and BILAC know that they have a real issue on their hands and need to reach out to potential victims and confused parishioners now. News event: Hilo priest accused of child sex crimes Two ex-Damien students name him as predator Bishop forced him to retire during…Continue reading Today on the Big Island – Hilo Priest Accused of Child Sex Crimes
There is little time left: Victims of the Irish Christian Brothers or victims abused at Irish Christian Brothers schools only have until August 1, 2012 to come forward and get justice in the courts. Last year, the Irish Christian Brothers (ICB), a Catholic religious order based in New Rochelle, New York, sought bankruptcy protection after…Continue reading Deadline Looming for Victims of Irish Christian Brothers
What we know is bad. What we don’t know is scary. Last week, family members of Matthew Carrigan gathered outside of Corpus Christi Parish in Aliso Viejo to warn parishioners about Fr. Tim Ramaekers. According to a lawsuit filed by Carrigan, Ramaekers allegedly molested Carrigan when he was a young student at St. Justin Martyr…Continue reading The Troubling Case of Timothy Ramaekers
Business and moral ethics textbook writers need to find a new hero, and FAST. Joe Paterno just isn’t going to cut it anymore. I’m about halfway through a course in business ethics, which is a part of my track for an MBA. What I found absolutely startling is the fact that in more than half of…Continue reading The Clay Feet of an Ethics Idol
When Vatican officials selected a bishop to head the effort to go after the American nuns of the LCWR and accuse them of wrongdoing, you might guess they’d be very careful to pick a prelate who is clearly beyond reproach. Guess again. The church hierarchy – taking the suggestion, some insiders say, of disgraced Cardinal…Continue reading Sartain and the monumental log in his eye … investigating the LCWR?
The Michael Harris trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 18 at 9am. Barring any last-minute settlements, you’ll see me at Dept. CX103, Orange County Supreme Court. It should be a barn burner. Get ready to see some diocese dirty laundry. Even Bishop Tod Brown concedes Harris is a monster. The victim is an active…Continue reading Michael Harris trial is a go …
For immediate release: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 Hawaii bishop accused of molesting boy New sex abuse and cover-up lawsuit is filed This is the 2nd victim to name Ferrario as offender Diocese knew and covered up allegations, lawsuit says New state law lets victims expose abusers & protect kids In a new civil lawsuit using…Continue reading BREAKING: Former Hawaii bishop accused of molesting boy