Whether it’s Cosby or the Catholic Church, statutes of limitations do one thing: protect sex predators. Read my whole Oct 19 op-ed here.
Category: Clergy Abuse Crisis
The math: Pope Francis’ meeting with survivors
Since yesterday’s announcement, I have been hearing a lot of this: But Pope Francis met with survivors. He’s promised to hold bishops accountable. That’s good, right? Um … not really. But first, let’s boil down the figures concerning the actual meeting. Here is some math on Pope Francis’ meeting yesterday with abuse survivors. The meeting…Continue reading The math: Pope Francis’ meeting with survivors
Talking to KABC Radio about the Papal vist
You can listen to our discussion about sex abuse and cover-up, Roger Mahony, and protecting whistle-blowers here.
The Well-Armored Child featured in the Orange County Register
I’m especially proud of this article because the reporter talked to my dad, who has a very important voice. You can read Theresa Walker’s great article here.
Joelle Casteix at TEDx: The Power of Responsibility
We must embrace responsibility. Once we do, every one of us has limitless possibility and potential.
The wait is over!
The Well-Armored Child is here and available for purchase! It’s been a long wait, but the day has come. Click here to purchase what reviewers are calling “smart and well-written” and “the most important parenting book you will ever own.” The Well-Armored Child gives parents the tools and strategies to understand how predators…Continue reading The wait is over!
At least we aren’t poisoning each other’s chalices anymore
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
When the media gets it wrong about Francis
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
My two September pieces for OC Family
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.
Discussing the Jared Fogle Scandal with KPCC’s Take Two
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.
UN committee blasts Mexico/Church collusion in sexual abuse
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
Want to learn about crime victims’ rights?
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?
Using “healing” to end the conversation … when the conversation is far from over
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
Goodreads Signed Book Giveaway!
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!
A question for Cupich: When does “Zero Tolerance” begin?
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?
Archdiocese of Milwaukee settles bankruptcy – painfully
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
Gerald Funcheon … sued again
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
SNAP, SLAPP, and the ugly business of exposing 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
LA’s Vicar General poor choice for bishop
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
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