Jesus has left the building. I have always thought that the Diocese of Orange’s purchase of the former Crystal Cathedral was a good business decision, but a horrible pastoral one. And the bad pastoral decisions keep coming. But first, a little background: No one except former Bishop Tod Brown wanted a new cathedral. There was…Continue reading Final score: Business 2, Jesus 0
The news broke this morning, but I was swamped buying school supplies, picking up kids, and trying to find new size 1 soccer cleats. SB 131, The California Child Victims Act, has passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and now is now heading to the Assembly floor. The vote is a huge win for…Continue reading SB 131 passes committee: Moves to Assembly floor
**********************ACTION ALERT****************************** Want to take action TODAY to help victims and protect kids? Here’s how: Tomorrow, Wednesday (8/21), the California State Assembly Appropriations Committee will consider a measure that makes it easier for child sex abuse victims to expose predators in court, keep kids safe right now and hold wrongdoers accountable. Please take just a few minutes…Continue reading ACTION ALERT: Committee votes on SB131 tomorrow!
The UN Convention Against Torture has announced that it will be reviewing reports by the Holy See to determine if they are in compliance with the international treaty against torture. Other states being reviewed include Sierra Leone, Cyprus and Lithuania. While it’s a routine review—and only in the informational stages—victims and advocates hope that the…Continue reading Second UN Committee Scrutinizes Vatican
Yesterday, CA Assembly Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Diane Harkey voted no on important crime victims legislation—even though a similar 2003 bill exposed horrible abuse in her own district. I don’t believe it was a malicious act against victims, I just think she doesn’t know about the child sex crimes and cover-up that have thrived in…Continue reading When your district is rife with crime, hold bad guys responsible
or Unfair Command Influence, Part 2: The Bully Pulpit, Exclusive Access and a Conviction If you had any questions as to why California’s child sex abuse victims desperately need a civil window, today’s news should close the deal. The Bully Pulpit California Catholic News published a July 31 email from Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez,…Continue reading Victims like prime rib, too
I had the pleasure of being a guest on KABC radio this morning, discussing secret personnel documents finally released by religious orders in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Click here for the audio.
In 1955, a woman named Rosa Parks refused to give up her Montgomery, Alabama bus seat to a white man. But on that day, she did not stand up and shout, “If ALL African Americans can’t have complete and equal rights and access, then NO ONE should get anything!” Why? Because civil rights movements are…Continue reading What if Rosa didn’t take a stand?
While many of Pope Francis’ statements are still open for interpretation and follow-up, I am beginning to think that the best part of his papacy will be the fact that, eventually, his views on homosexuality and the theology of women will make Bill Donohue’s head explode.
Your question of the day: You see a child being sexually abused and beaten on a street corner. Whom do you call? Answer: The local university, your bishop, your commander or the leader of the closest nonprofit. Ridiculous? Of course it is. Utterly absurd? Yes. Child endangerment? You bet. So let’s try again with the correct…Continue reading Institutions need to get out of the sex abuse investigation business
Yes, it’s personal. While UConn grabs headlines, will a Michigan college finally remove the admitted child molester on its own music faculty? The Associated Press reports today that UConn music professor Robert Miller has been put on administrative leave for the alleged sexual abuse of five boys from 1989 to 1992. What’s worse? School employees…Continue reading Two colleges. Two sets of allegations. Two results.
A United Nations’ committee has asked the Vatican to turn over documents pertaining to child sex abuse and cover up. According to The Tablet: The UN’s Geneva-based Committee on the Rights of the Child on Tuesday issued a list of demands for detailed information from the Holy See regarding all cases of child sexual abuse committed…Continue reading What will Francis do?
Tell your friends! Events like this don’t come along often. If you join us: twenty years from now, you’ll look back on meeting a group of people who set out to change the world for the better … and DID! TODAY SAN DIEGO, CA Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 7 pm Alliant University, Green Hall, Co-sponsored by…Continue reading MORTAL SINS West Coast book tour kicks off tonight in San Diego
I have not seen the series premiere yet, but Showtime is streaming the whole first episode of their new series RAY DONOVAN on YouTube. According to the Facebook page: “Set in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous, RAY DONOVAN does the dirty work for LA’s top power players. The one-hour drama series stars Liev…Continue reading New Showtime series addresses Catholic Clergy Abuse Crisis
From today’s Honolulu Star Advertiser: Victims of church sexual abuse need criminal lawyers, not therapy By Marilyn Wong The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hawaii, via a newspaper ad that ran Monday, is offering therapy treatment and reconciliation for the victims of sex abuse. Directing victims to go to the diocese for help is like sending…Continue reading Honolulu Star Advertiser: Victims of church sexual abuse need criminal lawyers, not therapy
Here is the complete list of dates: SAN DIEGO, CA Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 7 pm Alliant University, Green Hall, Co-sponsored by IVAT, the Institute on Violence Abuse and Trauma at Alliant University, 10455 Pomerado Road, San Diego FULLERTON, CA Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 7 pm Fullerton Public Library – Presented as a…Continue reading Santa Barbara date added to D’Antonio book tour
From today’s Orange County Register SCOTT M. REID / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER A little-known group calling itself the California Council of Non-Profit Organizations has been working behind the scenes in recent months to defeat a state Senate bill which would extend the time limits in which victims of sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits. The CCONO spent…Continue reading Little-known group aims lobbying effort at sex-assault case loophole
MARK YOUR CALENDARS Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael D’Antonio is coming to the west coast to talk about his new blockbuster MORTAL SINS. D’Antonio and a panel of experts—including local-area advocates and survivors—will present a gripping discussion on the clergy sex abuse crisis in the United States. Publishers Weekly calls MORTAL SINS “The definitive history of the…Continue reading MORTAL SINS and Michael D’Antonio west coast dates are SET!
It’s been a pretty good week. The weight loss really slowed down (bummer), but I am keeping up with INSANITY and kicking butt. The toe feels fine, but my patellar tendonitis is creeping back. But that’s nothing that a little ice can’t cure. Stats: Weight – 143.2 (down almost 10 lbs total) Wore blue polka-dotted…Continue reading End of Week Two Stats
The California Child Victims Act—SB 131—has made it through Appropriations and is scheduled for a vote on the Senate Floor TOMORROW. The bill dramatically extends the civil statute of limitations for children who are sexually abused and gives older victims a one-year window to come forward, expose their abuser and seek accountability. In short, if…Continue reading The CA Child Victims Act Needs Your Support – NOW