The Not-So-Secret Institutional Code Words for Child Sex Abuse

    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

Twin Cities Archbishop resigns—or—Who is shrewd and who is brave?

My email was flooded this morning with news that St. Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop John C. Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee A. Piché had resigned. If you haven’t been following the news, the archdiocese has been hammered during the past two years as legal disclosures showed that Archdiocese officials knew about child sexual abuse and…Continue reading Twin Cities Archbishop resigns—or—Who is shrewd and who is brave?

The Servites are lying to you. They just don’t do it very well.

Friday’s document release from religious orders whose members abused children in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles shines a very bright light on ugly doings at Anaheim’s Servite High School. I already wrote about the sadomasochist Joe Sharkey. That one was a jaw dropper. Take the time to read it if you haven’t. The Register also…Continue reading The Servites are lying to you. They just don’t do it very well.

One Servite High School file is all you need

This is probably the most telling document trail from today’s release of clergy sex abuse documents. From the file of Servite Friar and former Servite HS teacher Joe Sharkey: Letter from Fr. Steven Ryan to Servite Provincial Fr. Terence O’Connor: One of the difficulties awaiting my return from Australia was that Joe Sharkey had been guilty…Continue reading One Servite High School file is all you need