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Saturday, July 31 2010 @ 05:33 PM EST

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Protest the Pope march through London on day of Hyde Park mass

Protestflag_greatbritain Tag: england

The Protest the Pope campaign has announced its large-scale march through London on Saturday 18 September – the day that the Pope will be holding his outdoor mass in Hyde Park.

The protest march will assemble at 1pm at Hyde Park Corner – Piccadilly Downslip (full details will be made available nearer the time). It will then proceed through central London and arrive in the vicinity of Parliament Square (details currently being discussed with New Scotland Yard). Please put this date in your diary and make every effort to be there. Spread the news of this event as far as you can. Local groups might consider getting a coach party to come and if you’re coming from outside London and could offer a lift to someone in your area, please let us know and we’ll put you in touch.
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Protest the Pope film season launched – buy tickets now

Protestflag_greatbritain Tag: england


As part of the Protest the Pope campaign, the National Secular Society is presenting a short season of films which explore issues that the Catholic Church and the Government would prefer were kept under wraps during the papal visit.

The authorities in this country refuse to ask difficult questions of the pope – so we will do it for them. Each of these powerful films illustrates clearly why the Pope should be made to answer for the many sins of his Church. The showings will be at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London, WC1R 4RL.
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SNAP raises concerns over concert

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

An Iowa activist protested outside the Dubuque Archdiocese offices Thursday afternoon against a chorale concert to be held at Sinsinawa Mound, Wis., this weekend.

Steve Theisen, director of the Iowa Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said the Dominican sisters are hosting a concert by the Chorale Midwest choir.

The group's director, Bradley T. Barrett, is accused in a civil lawsuit of child sexual abuse. Theisen called it "stunningly careless for Wisconsin nuns and Madison's bishop to let any Catholic group bring Barrett into their diocese."
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Priest abuse support group seeks to stop concert at Catholic retreat center

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

By DOUG ERICKSON | derickson@madison.com

A support group for child sex abuse victims wants Madison Bishop Robert Morlino to step in and force the cancellation of an upcoming concert at a Catholic retreat center because the choir's director is accused of child sex abuse in a civil lawsuit.

The Chicago-based group, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, is objecting to a concert Sunday by the 60-member Chorale Midwest of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the Sinsinawa Mound Center, a retreat center run by Dominican nuns in southwest Wisconsin. The center is about 90 miles southwest of Madison and within the Madison Catholic Diocese.
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SNAP supporters criticize Owino, actions of diocese

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

By JULIE GHRIST

WEIRTON - There were several reasons why a Missouri woman stood outside of St. Paul Church late Thursday morning.

For one, she is the Midwest associate director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, and said she is appalled by the recent actions of church officials and the Rev. Felix C. Owino, A.J., who is charged with aggravated sexual battery of a minor under the age of 13.
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Clergy sex abuse victims blast diocese

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

Bishop wants victims to report to clerics

But that's "insensitive and ineffective," organization believes

SNAP: "Few who are abused by priests will trust another priest"

Group advises those who are wounded to call law enforcement first

And diocese should offer trained lay professionals, not priests, to victims, they say

Victims also question days of WV diocesan delay in disclosing recent arrest of priest
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Victims of clerical child abuse demand inquiry

Protestflag_ireland Tag: ireland

A former resident of a Catholic care home returned to Belfast for the first time in more than 50 years yesterday to help hand in a letter to Stormont demanding an inquiry into clerical child abuse in Northern Ireland.

Victims hand-delivered a letter to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister calling for an inquiry, similar to the Republic’s Ryan probe, to investigate decades of abuse by members of religious orders in Church-run schools and orphanages.


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NI victims of clerical child abuse in Stormont plea

Protestflag_ireland Tag: ireland

Victims of child abuse within the Catholic Church in NI plan to deliver a letter to Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness at Stormont later.

They said they wanted to keep people aware of what they had suffered and still continued to suffer.
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Victims reject apology

Protestflag_australia Tag: australia

By BARNEY ZWARTZ

AS CATHOLICS around Melbourne yesterday heard of the church's deep shame at the crimes of abusive priests and its desire to make amends, victims dismissed the apology as hollow words and said the church was doing less, not more.

In a pastoral letter on sexual abuse delivered to every Catholic church, Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart (below) again apologised to victims, acknowledging that they had been betrayed and the church had not always responded properly. He spoke of ''a crisis of faith''.
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ITALIAN PRIEST ABUSE VICTIMS TO HOLD PROTEST RALLY

Protestflag_italy Tag: italy

(ANSA) - Verona, July 2 - Italian victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests announced on Friday they are preparing the the country's first-ever protest rally in September.

Organisers said hundreds of persons who claim they were abused by priests have already agreed to take part in the rally in the northern city of Verona on September 25.
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Clergy-abuse victims group targets retired priest

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa
Vatican Tag: vatican
flag_canada Tag: canada
flag_brazil Tag: brazil

By Keith Reid Record Staff Writer

STOCKTON - A national advocacy group representing clergy-abuse victims is urging the Catholic Diocese of Stockton to post on its website the name of a retired priest who has been documented as a sex offender.
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Bishop Kicanas defends Holy Father against protest group

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

Tucson, Ariz., (CNA).- A bishop defended the Holy Father's role in combating clerical sex abuse to a self-described “Catholic” protest group in Arizona, who recently urged others not to give to the Church during an annual collection.

Calling themselves, “Send the Bishops a Message,” the group chose the annual Peter's Pence Papal Collection Day to encourage individuals to support other charities instead of the Church as a way to express dissatisfaction with the way they believe the Pope has handled clerical sex abuse cases.
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Group says "Don't give to Catholic church"

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

TUCSON - A local group is supporting a nationwide outcry against how the Pope handled the documented clergy sex abuse and alleged cover up.

The grassroots group of Catholics who call themselves Send the Bishops a Message, chose the church's annual Peter's Pence Papal Collection Day urging people donate to charities other than the Catholic religion.
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Critics demand names of all priests accused of sex abuse

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

By Brian Fraga bfraga@s-t.com

The Diocese of Fall River shot back at criticisms this week from a group of lay Catholics who rallied Thursday to call on Bishop George W. Coleman to release the names of all priests credibly accused of sexual abuse.

"The diocese has had a policy since 1995 where we have published the names of each priest against whom a credible allegation has been made," said John Kearns, diocese spokesman.
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Clergy sex victims blast head of Belgium church abuse panel

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa
flag_germany Tag: germany

Statement by Peter Isely, Midwest Director of SNAP, 414 429 7259

Shame on Peter Adriaenssens, the head of a Belgian Catholic sex abuse panel, for criticizing today's raid by law enforcement on the Brussels church headquarters. It’s way too premature for anyone to even begin second-guessing police for their actions in trying to undercover child molesting clerics and complicit bishops.
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Victims’ advocates seek bishops’ disclosure of clergy sexual abuse

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

By Bronislaus B. Kush TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
bkush@telegram.com

WORCESTER — Victims’ advocate groups yesterday called on the four bishops in Massachusetts to follow the example of Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali and provide full disclosure of all area priests implicated in sexual abuse.

The website of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia ( www.archphila.org) has a link that accesses a listing of 64 Philadelphia area priests involved in the church’s sexual abuse crisis
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Protest against alleged abusive priest

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa
flag_India Tag: india

By: Eli George

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Sex abuse victims came to Buffalo Friday demanding that the diocese remove a man they call a pedophile priest.

Activists tracked down a Catholic priest to western New York that they suspect has sexually molested children in the past, and demanded action by the Diocese of Buffalo to expose him.
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Parishioners rally against Fall River Diocese's sexual abuse policy

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

By Will Richmond Herald News Staff Reporter

Fall River — Following Pope Benedict’s call to “Do everything possible” to prevent future sexual abuse cases in the Catholic church, a group of Fall River diocesan parishioners joined together Thursday to call on Bishop George Coleman to do his part.

Backed by about a dozen parishioners standing outside the Diocese of Fall River’s main office on Underwood Street, Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, called on Coleman to publicly release the names of all clergy members accused of sexual abuse.
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Canadian sex-abuse victims protest rumoured Vatican move to promote cardinal

Protestflag_quebec Tag: quebec

An association of church sex-abuse victims has come out swinging over news that Canada's highest-ranking Catholic could receive a promotion to the Vatican.

It says Marc Cardinal Ouellet doesn't deserve that promotion.
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Join in and Protest the Pope!

Protestflag_greatbritain Tag: england

Want to join in with others? Check out our Events Diary. Got ideas you want to share – tell us at inquiries@protest-the-pope.org.uk. Looking for ideas? Here’s what other people have done in the past when Popes have come calling:
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Sex abuse victims blast Delaware bishop

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home)

While the Pope claims he’ll do “everything possible” to stop abuse, Delaware’s bishop is doing everything possible to overturn a child abuse prevention measure. While the Pope merely talks, Delaware’s bishop is taking action, but in the wrong direction: toward protecting pedophiles, not children.
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La Crosse diocese's policy on sex abuse cases criticized

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

By Annysa Johnson of the Journal Sentinel

Milwaukee archdiocese's Connell says vetting standard puts children at risk

The standard used to vet clergy sex abuse cases involving children in the Catholic Diocese of La Crosse appears to violate church law and may be putting young people at risk, a canon lawyer and high-ranking priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said Thursday.
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Catholic group urges disenfranchised laity to send bishops a strong message by withholding Peter's Pence

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

A group of distinguished Catholics, among whom are Fr. Thomas Doyle, and SNAPDFW's group facilitator, Lisa Kendzior, are calling on Catholics to send a strong message to their bishops in the only place it will be felt -- the collection basket.
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16 pastors file charges against Penn. pastor

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

By Susan Hogan

Sixteen pastors from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are challenging their bishop’s decision to return an admitted predatory pastor to parish ministry.
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Grassroots Group Urges Catholics to Re-direct Peter’s Pence Collection Donations on Sunday June 27

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

Tucson, AZ

The pope’s response to the clergy sex abuse crisis has been woefully inadequate, lacks a sense of urgency, is long on words and symbols, but short on substantive actions. In brief, the pope’s response is unacceptable.

The Peter’s Pence collection provides Catholics a unique opportunity to cast a NO vote of confidence on Pope Benedict’s abuse crisis performance.
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Clergy sex abuse victims blast the Pope’s/Belgian Bishop inaction on sex abuse

Protestflag_germany Tag: germany

They want state probe of Belgium Catholic dioceses

Victims want church to announce the identities of all predator priests

SNAP says those with information on clergy crimes & cover ups must "speak up"
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US clergy sex abuse victims head to London

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa
flag_greatbritain Tag: england

They prod Catholics: Urge Benedict to take action soon

On heels of papal "apology," group reaches out to UK victims

Secular authorities must investigate clergy crimes & cover ups, they say

SNAP: “Before upcoming papal visit church must give police all abuse files
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Catholic Group Says Pope’s Apology Not Enough

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

Call To Action, the U.S.-based Catholic justice organization, voiced its concern Friday after Pope Benedict XVI in celebrations commemorating the Year of the Priest said that the church must “insistently beg forgiveness” for the sexual abuse crimes.

He failed to state any clear change in policies or practice that would prevent further abuse or bring justice to the thousands of sexual abuse survivors who have come forward.
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Priest sex abuse

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa
Vatican Tag: vatican

By Michele McCormack

ROME -- A Milwaukee activist and victim of priest sex abuse was front and center in Rome today.

Peter Isley was among the members of SNAP who are demanding Pope Benedict take action not just apologize.
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St. Louis clergy sex abuse victim heads to Europe

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa
Vatican Tag: vatican

She’ll be in Rome during next week’s “Year of the Priest” gala

Pope Benedict is expected to apologize for actions of predator priests

But SNAP says “actions, not words, protect kids” and “apologies are meaningless”

Responding to pleas, US victims will spend a week starting self-help groups in several countries
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Three US clergy sex abuse victims head to Europe

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

They’ll be in Rome during next week’s “Year of the Priest” gala

Chicago-based group sends trio from California Wisconsin, Missouri

Pope Benedict is expected to apologize for actions of predator priests

But SNAP says “actions, not words, protect kids” and “apologies are meaningless”

Responding to pleas, US victims will spend a week starting self-help groups in several countries
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Survivors News and Reviews

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa
flag_australia Tag: australia


Something that may interest the Aussies

VIA Survivors News and Reviews

I received this email earlier, and thought I would go ahead and post it here. Obviously, being in the US, this isn’t something I can take part in myself, but I thought I would pass it along to any of you in Australia who might be interested!

Hi.

I just want to let all those interested know that a group of people called FAVAG (Forgotten Australians Victoria Action Group)has been protesting each week…

Sunday morning 10am – 12pm outside St Patricks Cathedral, Cnr Gisbourne St & Cathedral place, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

We are protesting against former and current child abuse from the catholic church.
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American groups critical of Vatican’s choices for Irish sex scandal overseers

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa
flag_ireland Tag: ireland

A U.S.-based web site that publishes child-sex abuse cases worldwide believes that Cardinal Sean O’Malley is not a suitable candidate to deal with the backlash of clerical sex abuse in Ireland.

BishopAccountability.org claims the cardinal has past precedence of “silencing” controversy over child abuse in every diocese he joins.
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Victim anger at choice of cardinals for abuse probe

Protestflag_ireland Tag: ireland

By John Cooney Religion Correspondent

TWO senior cardinals heading the Vatican investigation into the Irish Catholic Church have come under fire from abuse victims over their mishandling of paedophile clerics in their own countries.

Cardinal Murphy O'Connor, who is to investigate Cardinal Sean Brady in Armagh, resisted public pressure to resign over his mishandling of a case involving a notorious paedophile, Fr Michael Hill, when he was bishop of Arundel and Brighton in England from 1977 to 2000.
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Abuse survivor hits out at RC Church

Protestflag_greatbritain Tag: england

A woman who was abused in a children’s home run by nuns and priests has criticised the Catholic Church for failing to take part in a forum to address historic abuse.
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Clergy sex victims blast bishop

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

SNAP Press Release

Clergy sex victims blast bishop

For six weeks, he’s let 2 accused priests keep working

SNAP says they should have been suspended “long ago”

Church claims one has been ousted but there’s no announcement

Group criticizes Joliet diocese for “delays, secrecy & recklessness”

SNAP to bishop: “Use impartial person, not your lawyer, to investigate”
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Time for action on child sex abuse report

Protestflag_ireland Tag: ireland

A year after the Ryan Report was published, we must not forget the decades of crimes it uncovered by Irish religious orders against children in their care.

A new coalition of children’s groups is now calling for faster government action on the report. And two men are on hunger strike outside the palace of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin seeking arrests and an international criminal investigation.
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OC Catholic Sex-Abuse Survivor to Protest at St. Angela Merici Tomorrow

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

While nearly all of us try to relax this Memorial Day weekend, Catholic sex-abuse survivors know that pedo-priest protecting never stops. Thus, the indefatigable Joelle Casteix and other survivors will protest tomorrow at 10 a.m. in front of St. Angela Merici in Brea to warn people for the umpteenth time that Diocese of Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown is a pendejo.
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Children's Coalition Says Irish Government Response 'Too Slow'

Protestflag_ireland Tag: ireland

By Cian Molloy Catholic News Service

DUBLIN (CNS)—The Irish government's response to recommendations to protect the safety of children have been "insubstantial, inadequate and too slow," said a coalition of eight children's charities.
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PETITION: Investigate Pedophile Epidemic in Catholic Church. TO U.S. Atty Gen.

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

The Work of Activists in New Jersey and New York, a National Appeal: Why Go to the Federal Government?

More than a hundred thousand victims of pedophile Catholic priests and their families cannot get justice in local jurisdictions. The crimes were the same in every archdiocese in the USA with the same Modus Operandi, or patterns, from commission of the sex crime against a child, to systematic cover-up and protection of the perpetrators. The pedophile epidemic in the Catholic Church is a national law enforcement issue.
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Have you been a victim of Catholic child abuse?

Protestflag_greatbritain Tag: england

The NSS is planning a series of events in protest at the presence of the Pope in Britain in September.

We are looking for people who have been victims of abuse by the Catholic Church who are prepared to speak about their experiences to journalists and in public.

If you are a survivor and want to tell your story, please contact tas@secularism.org.uk.

http://www.secularism.org.uk/have-you...athol.html
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Clerical sex abuse victim renews call for Cardinal Sean Brad to resign Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-

Protestflag_ireland Tag: ireland

A prominent victim of clerical child abuse last night renewed her call for Cardinal Sean Brady to resign by the end of the month.

Marie Collins said the cardinal should take responsibility for binding to secrecy two children raped by notorious paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth in 1975.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/new...z0oYcJ8MDY
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Mexico hit hard by Vatican's repudiation of Legion's founder

Protestflag_mexico Tag: mexico

By Tim Johnson | McClatchy Newspapers

MEXICO CITY — Public scorn has fallen on the late Mexican priest Marcial Maciel — a serial pedophile accused of secretly fathering several children — and the shame within his powerful worldwide congregation, the Legion of Christ, is particularly intense in his homeland.

After all, Mexico's biggest tycoons were avid supporters of Maciel, sending their sons and daughters to elite Legion of Christ schools and universities.
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Clergy sex abuse victims want 3 panels disbanded

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

Each “stays silent” while bishops “act recklessly” with kids’ safety

“Hand-picked” Catholics let two credibly accused clerics stay near kids

Boards should be elected by parishioners, SNAP feels, not named by bishops

Self help group urges church-goers in two dioceses to “donate elsewhere” for now

SNAP says 2 “proven predators” are in church jobs around children and should be suspended
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Keep out Pell, say Irish sex victims

Protestflag_ireland Tag: ireland

JACQUELINE MALEY RELIGION


IRISH victims of Catholic sex abuse are trying to block any visit by Cardinal George Pell intended to help end paedophilia cover-ups within the clergy there.

A group in Ireland called Child Aware, headed by Hanora Brennan, has written to every member of the Irish lower house, or Dail, to protest against Cardinal Pell having any role in the plan.
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Italy church sex abuse victims seek accountability

Protestflag_italy Tag: italy

Victims of a Florence priest who was defrocked for sexually and psychologically abusing his young parishioners are now demanding that his bishops be held responsible for keeping his crimes quiet.

The victims' appeal is the latest sign that clerical abuse in Italy, long so taboo that it was rarely spoken of much less acted on, is increasingly getting public attention and forcing the Vatican to confront the problem in its own backyard.
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Clergy sex victims leaflet about just 'outed' predator

Protestflag_usa Tag: usa

Credibly accused Jesuit priest worked at parish & university

SNAP challenges church officials to put him in treatment center

WHAT
As parishioners leave mass, clergy sex abuse victims will hand out fliers insisting that Catholic authorities
-- put a credibly accused Catholic cleric in a treatment center,
-- explain and apologize for their secrecy surrounding the allegations against him, and
-- work harder to find anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered his misdeeds.

They will also prod parents to ask their kids and other church-goers if they know anything about the priests’ sexual misconduct and to call police and other independent sources of help.
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A small group of feminists demonstrated

Protestflag_chile Tag: chile

A small group of feminists demonstrated outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in the Chilean capital Thursday to express their condemnation of an influential Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing at least five teenagers.
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Rome priest's sex abuse trial puts spotlight on Vatican backyard

ProtestVatican Tag: vatican

By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

ROME -- The bishop responsible for a politically connected priest accused of molesting seven boys has admitted in court papers obtained by The Associated Press that he knew of the allegations for two years but didn't remove the priest from working with children.

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Chile Shaken by Sex Abuse Allegations against Revered Priest

Protestflag_chile Tag: chile

ANTIAGO, (IPS) - A small group of feminists demonstrated outside the Metropolitan Cathedral in the Chilean capital Thursday to express their condemnation of an influential Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing at least five teenagers.

"Imagine what a shock it is for those of us who did not know what was really going on with these priests," 44-year-old Edita Andrade told IPS, as she watched the protest by a score of representatives of Articulación Feminista Por la Libertad de Decidir (Feminist Network for the Right to Choose).