Joliet, Fall River, and a little lesson in “Just and Ethical”

Let’s talk about Joliet, IL and Fall River, MA, two dioceses with bishops who, were it not for public embarrassment, were more than happy to throw child safety under the bus. In Joliet, Bishop Dan Conlon (the head of the USCCB committee on child protection, by the way) was going to reinstate a priest suspended…Continue reading Joliet, Fall River, and a little lesson in “Just and Ethical”

A Week of Arrests, Investigations and Shameful Responses

This week, three prominent priests have been arrested and/or investigated for sexual abuse: In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles: Father Luis Jose Cuevas, 67, a pastor of St. Athanasius Church on Linden Avenue, faces eight misdemeanor charges of sexual assault and one felony count involving lewd acts with a child, according to a complaint filed…Continue reading A Week of Arrests, Investigations and Shameful Responses

BREAKING: Former Hawaii bishop accused of molesting boy

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

Altarcations debuts at the Hollywood Fringe Festival

“A bishop. A priest. A woman. A boy.” My friend Steve Julian‘s play Altarcations will debut in June at the 2012 Hollywood Fringe Festival. I met Steve (whom some of you may recognize as the morning host of KPCC‘s Morning Edition) after I “outed” one of his former high school teachers as an admitted perpetrator…Continue reading Altarcations debuts at the Hollywood Fringe Festival

I don’t think this is what Fr. Damien had in mind …

Things are looking uglier and uglier for the Irish Christian Brothers at Damien Memorial High School in Honolulu. To date, we have found five known perpetrators who worked at the school, had direct access to students, and abused. There are the three we discovered in January: Fr. Gerald Funcheon, Br. Robert Brouillette, and Br. Thomas Ford, And…Continue reading I don’t think this is what Fr. Damien had in mind …

Most of the time – but not every time – our courts get it right …

  I am a huge fan of the US justice system.  After more than 200 years, our impartial courts have “gotten it right” a vast majority of the time. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best in the world. Here’s a great example: Last week, a jury unanimously found that Fr. Michael Kelly was liable for abusing…Continue reading Most of the time – but not every time – our courts get it right …

Putting the “Bully” in the religious Bully Pulpit

  Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation (Luke 6:24–26)   The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, one of the main organizations for whom I volunteer my advocacy efforts (and to whom I donate), has recently been under siege in Missouri. Catholic bishops there (under the direction of…Continue reading Putting the “Bully” in the religious Bully Pulpit