Pope Francis is a contentious figure … among his own bishops. Today’s news boasts two must-read articles on the business and the politics that are the hierarchical Catholic Church. No matter your views on the Vatican, both give tremendous insight and a fascinating peek inside. But worry not, because as Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, Francis ally and…Continue reading At least we aren’t poisoning each other’s chalices anymore
Tell me what is wrong with these two excerpts from this week’s news: From Newsday: Francis, 78, a Jesuit from Argentina, is moving in a similar direction, McCartin said. He has overhauled the Vatican bureaucracy, encouraged open debate within the church, instituted a mechanism for removing bishops who covered up the priest sex-abuse scandal and adopted…Continue reading When the media gets it wrong about Francis
I wrote two pieces in September’s issue of OC Family. CASA’s volunteers make a difference in the lives of Orange County’s foster children and TWO LOCAL NON-PROFITS HELP KIDS IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM It’s nice to write about good news for a change.
Click here to listen to my discussion with Alex Cohen about the Jared Fogle child pornography scandal and how to protect your children from predators.
The UN Committee for the Rights of the Child recently released their “Concluding observations on the combined fourth and fifth periodic reports of Mexico.” Much in the June 5 report wasn’t surprising: drug cartels are recruiting and using children for violence and children have been murdered and/or have gone missing in non-state violent activities. The…Continue reading UN committee blasts Mexico/Church collusion in sexual abuse
I am interviewed via phone (Skype was not cooperating). We discuss Jared Fogle’s plea in child porn/child sex trafficking (underage prostitute) charges. I come in at around 8:30.
Next month, Anaheim is hosting one of the best national training institutes on crime victims’ rights. I’ll be presenting—and if you are going to be in Southern California in early September, this is a must-attend event. The National Center for Victims of Crime’s 2015 National Training Institute features more than 130 leading experts and 72…Continue reading Want to learn about crime victims’ rights?
Here’s a hypothetical: Your boss borrows your car and runs over your beloved dog Rover in the company’s parking garage. When your boss returns the car, you ask him about your dead dog and the blood stains all over the bumper. He denies all knowledge. When confronted with video surveillance footage, your boss finally admits…Continue reading Using “healing” to end the conversation … when the conversation is far from over
The Well-Armored Child: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Sexual Abuse is ALMOST HERE! Enter NOW by clicking the link below or visiting Goodreads to win your free signed copy. Well … the contest starts April 12 and closes the day the book is released: September 15. So be sure to enter on August 12. Spread…Continue reading Goodreads Signed Book Giveaway!
I am always telling parents the importance of keeping all Internet-enabled devices in common areas of the home. Many parents challenge me on this—telling me that they trust their child. It’s not a matter of trust. It’s a matter of child safety. Here’s why: From HLN: A Michigan woman is accused of having an…Continue reading Monitor the Xbox: A textbook example
In light of the upcoming Papal visit to the U.S., I have a question: When does Zero Tolerance begin? Here are some hypotheticals to help illustrate my question: If you found out that a new priest in your parish had admitted to his superiors (but not the parish) that he had sexually abused a…Continue reading A question for Cupich: When does “Zero Tolerance” begin?
Amy Smith is a hell of a blogger and advocate for victims of sexual abuse in Protestant churches. A few weeks ago, she discovered that the “Care Director” at Fairfax (VA) Community Church is a registered violent sex offender. What happened afterward is shocking. Here’s a teaser: in their defense of sex offender Eric…Continue reading Fairfax VA church “Care Director” is outed as a violent sex offender. Guess what happens next …
One of the ugliest, most painful Catholic diocese bankruptcies has come to an end. Just in time for Pope Francis to visit the U.S. I haven’t spoken much here about the Milwaukee Archdiocese Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But today, they settled with victims after—what victim’s attorney Jeff Anderson calls—”four and a half years of drawn-out,…Continue reading Archdiocese of Milwaukee settles bankruptcy – painfully
A number of years ago, a family reached out to me asking for help. Their son had been abused by a priest named Gerald Funcheon, and the family wanted to know what happened to the Crosier cleric. At the time, I looked at the resources available. I saw a priest with huge…Continue reading Gerald Funcheon … sued again
Click here to listen to my recent interview on RadioMD, discussing easy and clear ways to prevent child sexual abuse.
I was in an interview the other day when I was asked whether SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (the group for whom I have volunteered for the past 12 years) paid me. When I said, no—that I am, in fact, a volunteer with the organization—the writer said, “That’s good. You…Continue reading SNAP, SLAPP, and the ugly business of exposing abuse
The more things change … the more they stay the same. This morning the Vatican announced the appointments of three new auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. And one of them is a problem: vicar general and moderator of the Curia of the archdiocese Joseph Brennan. LA’s vicars general have been a sorry lot. …Continue reading LA’s Vicar General poor choice for bishop
There has been no shortage of news this summer when it comes to the US clergy sex abuse crisis. Although the Vatican is attempting to clean up the mess as much as possible before Pope Francis’ September visit (including accepting the resignations of the St. Paul and Minneapolis archbishop and bishop, as well as…Continue reading The Not-So-Secret Institutional Code Words for Child Sex Abuse
MommyNoire features my latest post on keeping your kids safer this summer.
One of my closest friends once told me, “When you really think about it, bullying is just low-level sexual abuse.” That thought stuck with me. What also stuck with me is how prevention of bullying is similar to the prevention of child sexual abuse. It requires good communication, strong self-esteem, and engaged parents who understand the…Continue reading Let’s jump-start bullying prevention