Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Western Regional Director Read the news story here. Once again, innocent children pay the price because Bishop Stephen Blaire refused to do a simple background check on one of his priests. What is even more tragic about this case is that the arrested priest abused in a…Continue reading Visiting priest arrested in Yuba City, Victims Respond
The more he struggles, the deeper he sinks. And Cardinal Roger Mahony is taking you down with him. Dare to publicly shame him? Be prepared for a “you didn’t think it was wrong last month” answer. Criticize him? He’s gonna pray for God to forgive your righteous—yet apparently sinful—anger. Dare say that he…Continue reading Cardinal Quicksand
Because if you can’t take a five-time credibly accused priest predator off of your website, how do we know you can follow child safety guidelines? This weekend in Anaheim, more than 40,000 people are descending on the Convention Center for the Los Angeles Archdiocese RECongress, billed as “the largest annual gathering of its…Continue reading Why you should skip the Los Angeles RECongress … forever
One admitted to molesting 13 and is part LA priest “document dump,” Another served year in jail, abused at least 6 kids Victims to community: Protect your children and grandchildren Mahony must stay home from papal election, group begs What: Victims of sex abuse and their supporters will have an outreach leafleting outside of the retirement community…Continue reading Victims to leaflet Seal Beach community where convicted priests lived
Today’s announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will resign later this month has become a swirling vortex of media conjecture and speculation. Is it because of growing scandals in the United States and Ireland? Is it because the Pope is directly tied to the cover-up of child sexual abuse in the US and elsewhere? I doubt it.…Continue reading In the age of the smartphone, a Pope has no choice but to retire
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Volunteer Western Regional Director To put it simply: this is what victims have fought for all along. The only way to stop the cycle of child sex abuse and cover-up is to punish child predators and anyone who covers up for them. Empty apologies by bishops and…Continue reading LAPD launches probe into clergy files, victims respond
Think of it this way: Mahony’s punishment is tantamount to Archbishop Gomez taking away Mahony’s key to the Executive Washroom. Now this “prince of the church” has to use the public restroom like the rest of us mere (moral and ethical) peasants. But hopefully, the damage to Mahony’s credibility will be permanent. In fact, I think…Continue reading **UPDATED**Gomez was “just kidding” … No more heated towels for Mahony …
Moments after a judge ordered a final halt to decades of secrecy by top LA archdiocesan officials, Archbishop Jose Gomez’ lawyer made this outlandish claim: Michael Hennigan said that after what he called an inevitable “media blitz” over the file release, he hoped the focus would shift to the church’s current well-regarded program for preventing…Continue reading How about a little spin to go with your files?
Less than 48 hours after the historic first “document dump” in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a former Long Beach priest has been sentenced to probation and must register as a sex offender. And people say that the “scandal” is over … According to the Long Beach Press Telegram: Luis Jose Cuevas, who was once…Continue reading Los Angeles scandal over? Hardly. Fmr LA priest sentenced for sexual assault
Event: Victims blast Archdiocese, Cardinal Hundreds of newly exposed documents show extent of sex abuse and cover up in LA Documents show Cardinal personally involved in abuse cases He covered up for abusers, keeping them in ministry for years Other abusers were paid secret salaries or “sent out of town” to avoid police Mahony, church…Continue reading LA Victims to hold media event tomorrow
The latest from Hawaii: Why would Honolulu’s Maryknoll School keep a scholarship named after a accused child predator? And what kind of message does that send? Victims blast local high school Scholarship named after alleged predator He’s been accused of abuse by three boys But school & board still honor his memory “Honoring predators…Continue reading If you have a scholarship, don’t name it after a 3-time accused predator …
On the heels of Judge Emilie Elias’ ruling that high-ranking Catholic officials’ names may NOT be redacted from clergy sex abuse and cover-up files, an upcoming announcement this Thursday may also be a huge win for victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. MEA MAXIMA CULPA: SILENCE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, Alex Gibney’s…Continue reading Will a powerful documentary on clergy sex abuse get the Oscar nod?
Excellent news for victims of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles … From The Associated Press: LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles judge has ordered the release of personnel files that would identify Roman Catholic priests accused of child molestation. Superior Court Judge Emilie Elias also said Monday that she wants the…Continue reading Breaking: Judge orders release of UNREDACTED LA priest files
Remind me to take Los Angeles Archdiocese lawyer J. Michael Hennigan off my Christmas card list. From the Los Angeles Times: “We agree with Judge Tevrizian that enough time has passed and enough reforms have been made that it’s time to get off this and move onto another subject,” attorney J. Michael Hennigan said. Those…Continue reading Victim-hating quote of the day. Thanks, LA Archdiocese!
What would have happened if the LA Times and The Associated Press did not intervene in the court battle over the Los Angeles Archdiocese clergy sex abuse documents? My guess? The worst possible outcome. What do I mean by that? The document redactions—that would have allowed church officials guilty of covering up for clergy sex…Continue reading What would have happened if the LA Times and AP DIDN’T intervene?
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?
Statement by Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, SNAP Volunteer Western Regional Director As the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Orange, Bishop Kevin William Vann will preside over a transparent cathedral. It is now time for him to create a transparent church as well. Bishop Vann steps into a legacy fraught with sex abuse and cover-up.…Continue reading New Orange Bishop installed tomorrow, victims respond
NEWS EVENT: Maui man files new sex abuse & cover-up suit It’s the 1st time cleric/teacher has been accused And he’s the 10th alleged pedophile at Honolulu school When victim reported the crimes, cleric was sent away Then, Catholic officials brought him back, he retaliated & broke the victim’s hand What: Holding signs with photos…Continue reading 10th predator outed at Honolulu school, broke victim’s hand for reporting