French clergy have sexually abused more than 200,000 children over the past 70 years, a major investigation released on Tuesday found, and its authors accused the Catholic Church of turning a blind eye for too long.
The church had shown "deep, total and even cruel indifference for years," protecting itself rather than the victims of what was systemic abuse, said Jean-Marc Sauvé, head of the commission that compiled the report.
Read more at:
French clergy sexually abused over 200,000 children since 1950, probe finds | CBC News
Showing posts with label Catholic Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholic Church. Show all posts
10/6/21
8/23/19
EU-US relations: US faith-based conservative EU lobbyists billionaires funding EU culture war - by Michael Bird and Blaz Zgaga
The number of faith-based conservative EU lobbyists in Brussels is
growing and the Roman Catholic Church is itself a big spender.
But US billionaires, some of whom are friends of American president Donald Trump, are also paying anti-abortion groups in Europe tens of millions of dollars to influence policy and law.
The US groups have not scored any big wins yet.
But they are acting in concert and they are just getting started, European MPs who work on sexual and reproductive health have warned.
And the culture war is broader, with women's rights, LGBTI rights, embryonic research, and euthanasia also involved in the clash of values.
Some 21 religious think-tanks, NGOs, and other entities currently spend €2.1m to €3.1m a year lobbying the European Parliament and European Commission on these fronts, according to the EU transparency register.
Read more: US billionaires funding EU culture war
For additional information, including advertising rates - e-mail:Freeplanet@protonmail.com
But US billionaires, some of whom are friends of American president Donald Trump, are also paying anti-abortion groups in Europe tens of millions of dollars to influence policy and law.
The US groups have not scored any big wins yet.
But they are acting in concert and they are just getting started, European MPs who work on sexual and reproductive health have warned.
And the culture war is broader, with women's rights, LGBTI rights, embryonic research, and euthanasia also involved in the clash of values.
Some 21 religious think-tanks, NGOs, and other entities currently spend €2.1m to €3.1m a year lobbying the European Parliament and European Commission on these fronts, according to the EU transparency register.
Read more: US billionaires funding EU culture war
For additional information, including advertising rates - e-mail:Freeplanet@protonmail.com
2/26/19
Child Sex Abuse : Silent hypocrisy reigns at most Christian denominations about sexual crimes committed in Catholic Churches against minors - by "a follower of Jesus"
 |
| "You are my children never forget that" |
What is amazing is that most Christian denomination, from Evangelicals to Orthodox, so far, have put their head in the sand and not come out condemning these practices jointly or individually.
Just in case they have forgotten, here is a direct quote from the Bible, as to the place children take in the teachings of Jesus.
"He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
— Matthew 18:1-5
By not speaking out openly against these sexual crimes committed against minors by fellow Christian denominations, Christian denominations in general won't be taken seriously, whatever they do or say.
EU-Digest
9/15/18
EU says Churhes are not above the law: EU court demands 'equal treatment' for church workers - by Andrew Rettman
The European Court of Justice has struck a second blow against churches' rights to hire and fire people based on their beliefs.
The EU court said in a judgement on Tuesday (11 September) that the German Catholic Church was wrong to sack a man who managed one of its clinics on grounds that he had divorced and remarried in violation of its belief that marriage was "sacred and indissoluble".
Read more: EU court demands 'equal treatment' for church workers
The EU court said in a judgement on Tuesday (11 September) that the German Catholic Church was wrong to sack a man who managed one of its clinics on grounds that he had divorced and remarried in violation of its belief that marriage was "sacred and indissoluble".
Read more: EU court demands 'equal treatment' for church workers
9/6/18
Most Americans Think Catholic Church Has A Serious Problem with Sexual Predators
The Roman Catholic Church has been making headlines recently for all the wrong reasons. Most Americans – including Catholics -- think the church has no one to blame but itself.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 73% of American Adults think the Catholic Church has a serious problem with sexual predators among its clergy. Fifteen percent (15%) feel the media is overhyping the church’s sex problems. Another 12% are not sure.
(To see survey question wording, click here.)
Note EU-Digest: This problem could be solved quickly if the Vatican removes the celibacy laws for priests and nuns.
For the complete report go to Rasmussen Polls
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 73% of American Adults think the Catholic Church has a serious problem with sexual predators among its clergy. Fifteen percent (15%) feel the media is overhyping the church’s sex problems. Another 12% are not sure.
(To see survey question wording, click here.)
Note EU-Digest: This problem could be solved quickly if the Vatican removes the celibacy laws for priests and nuns.
For the complete report go to Rasmussen Polls
8/26/18
The Vatican - "Shame and Scandal in the family": Pope Francis knew of abuse scandal says ex-Vatican envoy
 |
| The Vatican - "shame and scandal in the family" |
The accusation came as the pope concluded his trip to Ireland where he begged for forgiveness for decades of Catholic abuse.
A former high ranking Vatican official has called on Pope Francis to step down, accusing the pontiff of knowing about sex abuse allegations against a prominent US cardinal for five years before finally accepting his resignation last month.
Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano laid out his argument in an 11-page letter that was published Sunday in the National Catholic Register and another conservative site, LifeSiteNews.
The 77-year-old Vigano, an arch-conservative with strong anti-homosexual views, said he told the pope in 2013 that Cardinal Theodore McCarrick had faced voluminous allegations of sexually abusing lower-ranking seminarians and priests.
Read more: Pope Francis knew of abuse scandal says ex-Vatican envoy | News | DW | 26.08.2018
8/25/18
Ireland -Christianity: It’s too late. Not even Pope Francis can resurrect Catholic Ireland - by Fintan O’Toole
Note EU-Digest by the editor: Hopefully there will be protests in Ireland during the Pope's visit
there, against the Catholic church hypocrisy around the world,
surrounding past and ongoing sexual abuse scandals, including those
against minors.
It is also remarkable, how little condemnation is coming from non-Catholic Christian denominations around the world against these deplorable acts by the Catholic Clergy.
It seems Protestants have forgotten Martin Luther's struggle, known as the Reformation, against the Catholic Church in the 1500's, which eventually led to a break with the Church in Rome. Thereby ignoring key ideas of the Reformation which were —a call to purify the church, and a belief that the Bible, not tradition, should be the sole source of spiritual authority.
Maybe the Pope, Priests, Pastors and many of us as individual believers, should read Mathew 18-verse 10 again, to remind us how special children are, not only to us, but also to God : "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
But were this article in the Guardian goes wrong, is to state that "it is too late for change". It is never too late to change.
Read more at It’s too late. Not even Pope Francis can resurrect Catholic Ireland | Fintan O’Toole | Opinion | The Guardian
It is also remarkable, how little condemnation is coming from non-Catholic Christian denominations around the world against these deplorable acts by the Catholic Clergy.
It seems Protestants have forgotten Martin Luther's struggle, known as the Reformation, against the Catholic Church in the 1500's, which eventually led to a break with the Church in Rome. Thereby ignoring key ideas of the Reformation which were —a call to purify the church, and a belief that the Bible, not tradition, should be the sole source of spiritual authority.
Maybe the Pope, Priests, Pastors and many of us as individual believers, should read Mathew 18-verse 10 again, to remind us how special children are, not only to us, but also to God : "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."
But were this article in the Guardian goes wrong, is to state that "it is too late for change". It is never too late to change.
Read more at It’s too late. Not even Pope Francis can resurrect Catholic Ireland | Fintan O’Toole | Opinion | The Guardian
8/15/18
CATHOLIC CHURCH PA : Immoral behaviour by Pennsylvania Priests with more than 1000 children says report
More than 1,000 children abused by Pennsylvania priests, report says
For the complete go to:
Shared via the CBC News Android App
4/2/18
Vatican: Pope urges end to ‘carnage’ in Syria in Easter message
Pope Francis called on Sunday (April 1) for an end to “carnage” in
Syria and “reconciliation” in the Middle East in his traditional Easter
message.
“Today we implore fruits of peace upon the entire world, beginning with the beloved and long-suffering land of Syria,” the pontiff said in the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) address
Appealing to the “consciences of all political and military leaders”, Pope Francis urged “that a swift end may be brought to the carnage” as tens of thousands of pilgrims listened in St Peter’s Square and millions watched the speech broadcast live around the world.
Read more: Pope urges end to ‘carnage’ in Syria in Easter message, Europe News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
“Today we implore fruits of peace upon the entire world, beginning with the beloved and long-suffering land of Syria,” the pontiff said in the “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) address
Appealing to the “consciences of all political and military leaders”, Pope Francis urged “that a swift end may be brought to the carnage” as tens of thousands of pilgrims listened in St Peter’s Square and millions watched the speech broadcast live around the world.
Read more: Pope urges end to ‘carnage’ in Syria in Easter message, Europe News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
7/12/17
Catholic Church: The A - Z list of concerns with Pope Francis - by J.H.Westen
The confusion caused by Pope Francis in the Catholic Church is out of
control. There have been so many incidents over the last four years that
the specifics, despite their grave damage, are often forgotten. In an
effort to encourage prayer for an end to the confusion and
disorientation in the Church, LifeSite presents the following A-Z list
of concerns with Pope Francis.
A few days into his pontificate, Pope Francis praised one of Cardinal Kasper’s books and then selected Kasper to deliver the controversial keynote address to launch the synods on the family. Kasper was selected as a personal appointee of the pope to the synods and regularly meets with Pope Francis. Kasper defended the vote of the Irish in favor of homosexual “marriages”, saying: “A democratic state has the duty to respect the will of the people; and it seems clear that, if the majority of the people wants such homosexual unions, the state has a duty to recognize such r
Read more: The A - Z list of concerns with Pope Francis | Blogs | LifeSite
A few days into his pontificate, Pope Francis praised one of Cardinal Kasper’s books and then selected Kasper to deliver the controversial keynote address to launch the synods on the family. Kasper was selected as a personal appointee of the pope to the synods and regularly meets with Pope Francis. Kasper defended the vote of the Irish in favor of homosexual “marriages”, saying: “A democratic state has the duty to respect the will of the people; and it seems clear that, if the majority of the people wants such homosexual unions, the state has a duty to recognize such r
Read more: The A - Z list of concerns with Pope Francis | Blogs | LifeSite
4/6/16
Poland: Attacks on Women's Reproductive Rights In Poland by Catholic Church continue - by Gavin Rae
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| Polish PM Beata Maria Szydło |
The hierarchy of the Polish Catholic Church is directly intervening in a major political issue and dictating how the government should act. This has caused an immediate reaction amongst those opposed to the tightening of the abortion law, with thousands already taking to the streets in protest.
Poland already has one of the most restrictive and repressive abortion laws in Europe. Abortion was made illegal in 1993, in a move that was ludicrously described as a ‘compromise’. It banned abortion in all but three circumstances: where there is a high probability of severe and irreversible damage to the foetus or where it will have an incurable life-threatening disease; where a pregnancy threatens the woman’s life or health; or where the pregnancy is the result of a criminal act.
This draconian abortion law has inevitably resulted in huge numbers of Polish women either being forced to undergo illegal abortions in Poland or travel abroad to have their pregnancies terminated. It is obviously the least well off women – unable to travel abroad – who most often have to have illegal ‘backstreet’ abortions in Poland. It is estimated that around 150,000 illegal abortions take place in the country each year, which carry significant health risks.
The fact that women whose lives are at risk or have become pregnant due to rape would now no longer be able to have a legal and safe abortion, or that a woman could be prosecuted for having had a miscarriage that is deemed to be her fault, highlights the barbarity of the current proposal to completely outlaw abortion.
The second alarming factor in this situation is that the proposal has come directly from the top of the Catholic Church that is now directing government policy on this crucial issue. The Presidium of the Polish Catholic Bishops’ Conference issued a statement last week that Poland should not halt at the present ‘compromise’ on abortion, but move towards a total ban. This statement was then read out in churches throughout Poland on Sunday.
This has concurred with an action being run by the ‘Stop Abortion’ campaign to collect signatures in order to put forward a citizens’ bill to parliament to completely outlaw abortion in the country.
The Prime Minister, Beata Szydło, has said that she personally supports a complete ban on abortion. Even more disturbingly, the leader of PiS (and de facto the most powerful politician in Poland) has stated that as a Catholic he has to support the decisions of the Bishops, and that although his parliamentary group would have a free vote he was sure that the vast majority would vote for the bill.
Although support for the legalisation of abortion has waned during the past two decades, a large majority of Polish society is against it being completely banned (80% when it threatens the life of the mother, 73% when the pregnancy is the result of rape; 53% when the child would be born ill or handicapped).
However, the Polish government is now clothing itself in a cape of religious morality that cannot be questioned. As they are believers in the Catholic faith, they must simply do as the Church dictates. This moves Poland further away from a form of government based upon the opinions of the majority, and towards one that is run according to the ideology and decisions of a religious institution.
The present Polish government has been one of the most hostile to refugees and, after the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels, it quickly announced that it would no longer take the quota of refugees that it had agreed previously with the EU.
Therefore, whilst the conservative right in Poland is now talking about the ‘rights of children’ it is turning a blind eye to those refugee children being washed up on the shores of southern Europe, or the estimated 10,000 refugee children that have gone missing in Europe since the crisis began.
The Polish Government of Beata Maria Szydło is acting less and less democratic and more and more hypocritical since they came into power last year.
Read more: Attacks on Women's Reproductive Rights In Poland
5/8/15
Italy: Catholic Church and Equal Rights - Anti-Gay Pope Francis Meets Sweden's Antje Jackelén Female Head Of Lutheran Church
Archbishop Antje Jackelén, the first female head of the Lutheran Church of Sweden, tweeted her gratitude for the meeting to the pope, with a photograph of the two religious leaders chatting.
The pontiff has staunchly opposed ordination for women in the Catholic Church. “The Church has spoken and says no... That door is closed," he said in a July 2013 press conference.
The topic on Monday's agenda was not, however, women's role in the church, but rather the need for Christian unity across denominations and for better care for the poor. Francis addressed the archbishop as "esteemed Mrs. Jackelén, esteemed sister" in his call for charity.
“The call to unity as followers of Our Lord Jesus Christ includes an urgent call for a common effort on the charity front," Francis said, according to Vatican Insider. "The testimony of our brothers and sisters especially, pushes us to grow in fraternal communion."
Note EU-Digest: in the meantime it was reported that the Pope - who in some eyes is a "wolf in sheep's clothing", has personally met with France’s proposed Gay ambassador to the Vatican – to tell him his appointment will be blocked because he is gay.
Read more: Pope Francis Meets With Female Head Of Church Of Sweden, Archbishop Antje Jackelén
4/16/15
Catholic Church: Vatican should understand they only exist as a 'theocracy' in Europe by the grace of the EU - by RM
 |
| French Predident Hollande with Laurent Stefanini |
The choice was for Laurent Stefanini and that remains the French proposal," government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said. "Negotiations are underway. Every ambassador must be approved when they are nominated ... we are awaiting the response from the Vatican," Le Foll added.
The lengthy delay in approving the candidate is seen as unusual and could indicate a rejection.
While the Vatican usually declares it has accepted a candidate around a month after an appointment is made, it makes no public statements at all if the answer is no.
The French cabinet approved the appointment of the 55-year-old Stefanini already on January 5 but has not yet received a reply.
The Vatican is the smallest "state" in the world with a population of 842 and has a landmass of only 110 acres.
In 2007, the Vatican was also silent for months when the last gay ambassador was appointed. Eventually, France was forced to select another ambassador.
All this in spite of Pope Francis' PR comments regarding the church accepting LGBT individuals, he has publicly spoken out against same-sex marriage and adoption.
In this modern day and age - and basically already since Martin Luther and John Calvin broke the iron grip of the Catholic church on Europe with the reformation, the whole concept of the Vatican as a state is questionable to say the least.
Although the 1984 concordat states that the Catholic religion is no longer the sole religion of Italy, in 2007 the Church objected to the introduction of an omnibus religious freedom law which would “put the Catholic Church on the same level as religious sects” . This law has still not been passed in Italy and should be.
According to the EU's Copenhagen criteria which define what states are eligible to join the EU, a candidate state must be a free market democracy. Given that the Holy See is a theocracy it does not meet the criteria. Basically case closed - however as it is small, and surrounded by an EU state, it is closely linked to the EU. The Holy See has an open border with the EU and even intends to join the Schengen Information System. It also uses the euro as its sole currency and has an agreement with the EU allowing them to mint their own coins.
The EU gave Italy authority to negotiate a deal with the Holy See in 2000, which allowed the Holy See to mint a maximum of €670,000. After a review of the arrangements, a new agreement came into force in 2010 which allowed the Holy See to mint €1 million a year (plus up to an additional €300,000 on special occasions).
With the above in mind, the Vatican should really start to comprehend that they exist as a "nation" only by the grace of the EU. They can not circumvent or disobey established EU Human Rights rules or impose their views on any member state, regardless of the fact they still seem to believe to qualify standing above established international laws.
EU-Digest
4/10/15
Vatican - gay community: "Pope Frances speaks out of two sides of his mouth" - Vatican refuses gay French ambassador′s nomination
Italian gay activists have slammed the Vatican after it reportedly
refused to accept France’s nomination for new ambassador Laurent
Stefanini on the grounds of his alleged homosexuality.
"Clearly, even at the Vatican they do not practice what they preach," Flavio Romani, chairman of the Arcigay association said Friday in a statement, where he blamed "top prelates" of contradicting one of Pope Francis' most famous statements.
In 2013, the pontiff said that "if a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?
The debate comes as tensions rise between the Holy See and France's Socialist government after gay marriage was legalized in 2013, much to the outrage of the Catholic Church and traditionalists.
Vatican officials have refused to comment on the allegation.
10/19/14
Set-Back for Gays: Catholic bishops veto gay-friendly statements leaving Pope Francis the loser - by Lizzy Davies
Pope Francis appeared on Saturday night to have lost out to powerful
conservatives in the Roman Catholic church after bishops scrapped
language that had been hailed as a historic warming of attitudes towards
gay people.
In the final report of an extraordinary synod on the family which has exposed deep divides in the church hierarchy, there is no mention – as there had been in a draft version – of the “gifts and qualities” gay people can offer. Nor is there any recognition of the “precious support” same-sex partners can give each other.
A paragraph entitled “pastoral attention to people of homosexual orientation” – itself a distinctly cooler tone than “welcoming homosexual persons” – refers to church teaching, saying there can be “not even a remote” comparison between gay unions and heterosexual marriage.
“Nevertheless,” it adds, “men and women of homosexual tendencies must be welcomed with respect and sensitivity.” They should not suffer from discrimination, it adds. But the shift in tone is clear. And, in a potentially stark sign of the discomfort provoked among many bishop, even this watered-down passage failed to pass the two-thirds majority needed for it to be approved.
Read more: Catholic bishops veto gay-friendly statements leaving Pope Francis the loser | World news | The Observer
In the final report of an extraordinary synod on the family which has exposed deep divides in the church hierarchy, there is no mention – as there had been in a draft version – of the “gifts and qualities” gay people can offer. Nor is there any recognition of the “precious support” same-sex partners can give each other.
A paragraph entitled “pastoral attention to people of homosexual orientation” – itself a distinctly cooler tone than “welcoming homosexual persons” – refers to church teaching, saying there can be “not even a remote” comparison between gay unions and heterosexual marriage.
“Nevertheless,” it adds, “men and women of homosexual tendencies must be welcomed with respect and sensitivity.” They should not suffer from discrimination, it adds. But the shift in tone is clear. And, in a potentially stark sign of the discomfort provoked among many bishop, even this watered-down passage failed to pass the two-thirds majority needed for it to be approved.
Read more: Catholic bishops veto gay-friendly statements leaving Pope Francis the loser | World news | The Observer
2/17/14
Religion - Catholics: In rare public split, as bishops differ sharply on anti-gay and abortion laws - by David Gibson
The Roman Catholic hierarchy has generally been viewed as a unified
bloc in opposition to gay rights, but the emergence of especially
punitive measures against gays in various countries has opened unusually
stark and public fissures among bishops in different nations.
The divisions are also raising questions about whether Pope Francis, who has struck a charitable tone toward gays and lesbians, needs to take action.
Note EU-Digest: Christianity does not imply uniformity. It is about open hearts, open minds, open doors. It certainly does not mean “empty” minds. As the Bible says: "Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” (James 4: 8)
Read more: In rare public split, Catholic bishops differ sharply on anti-gay laws - The Washington Post
The divisions are also raising questions about whether Pope Francis, who has struck a charitable tone toward gays and lesbians, needs to take action.
Note EU-Digest: Christianity does not imply uniformity. It is about open hearts, open minds, open doors. It certainly does not mean “empty” minds. As the Bible says: "Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” (James 4: 8)
Read more: In rare public split, Catholic bishops differ sharply on anti-gay laws - The Washington Post
3/12/13
Vatican Black Smoke: First vote to elect new pope is inconclusive
The secret gathering of cardinals tasked to elect the next leader of the Catholic church has sent up black smoke out of the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling that no pope has been chosen.
On Tuesday afternoon, 115 cardinal electors entered the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to start their deliberations.
The cardinals have returned to the Vatican hotel for the night and will resume voting on Wednesday morning.
Earlier, the cardinals walked in two files from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine as the choir sang a Gregorian chant imploring the intercession of the saints to guide their voting, before the master of liturgical ceremonies intoned "Extra omnes'' or "all out" and closed the heavy wooden doors.
Before the doors of the Sistine were shut, all the cardinals below the age of 80, when the papal seat was declared vacant on February 28, made an oath of secrecy in Latin before the voting started.
The cardinals will now vote four times daily until two-thirds can agree on a candidate. If after 33 or 34 ballots no pope is elected, the two candidates with the highest votes will go into a runoff in which only a simple majority is required.
Read more: First vote to elect new pope is inconclusive - Europe - Al Jazeera English
On Tuesday afternoon, 115 cardinal electors entered the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to start their deliberations.
The cardinals have returned to the Vatican hotel for the night and will resume voting on Wednesday morning.
Earlier, the cardinals walked in two files from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine as the choir sang a Gregorian chant imploring the intercession of the saints to guide their voting, before the master of liturgical ceremonies intoned "Extra omnes'' or "all out" and closed the heavy wooden doors.
Before the doors of the Sistine were shut, all the cardinals below the age of 80, when the papal seat was declared vacant on February 28, made an oath of secrecy in Latin before the voting started.
The cardinals will now vote four times daily until two-thirds can agree on a candidate. If after 33 or 34 ballots no pope is elected, the two candidates with the highest votes will go into a runoff in which only a simple majority is required.
Read more: First vote to elect new pope is inconclusive - Europe - Al Jazeera English
2/28/13
Papal resignation leaves Vatican with crosses to bear - by Mehdi Chebil
Some 1.2 billion Roman Catholics around the world are waiting for a new spiritual leader following Benedict XVI’s formal resignation as pope on February 28. As 115 cardinals prepare to hold a conclave to elect the new leader of one of the oldest institutions in the world, FRANCE 24 takes a look at seven crucial issues facing the Vatican.
The latest scandal to hit the Vatican involved claims of a network of senior clergymen who took part in gay sex parties and then faced blackmail. According to a report last week in the Italian daily La Repubblica, the widespread blackmail of this “gay lobby” factored heavily into Benedict XVI’s decision to resign.
The Vatican vehemently denied the allegations, slamming the “false and damaging” reports in the Italian press. But a former Dominican friar, now openly gay, said earlier this week that the issue of homosexuality was a “ticking time bomb” in the Catholic Church. “When you have this culture of secrecy and guilt and repression, you have conditions which foster the potential for blackmail and manipulation,” Mark Dowd told CNN.
Benedict XVI has been praised for condemning paedophilia more strongly than his predecessors, but critics claim that he hasn’t taken any serious steps to change the church’s culture of denial and cover-ups. The Vatican has yet to come clean regarding its response to past child sex crimes and the hierarchy’s role in silencing the victims.
At least one of the cardinals accused of covering up child sex abuse will take part in the conclave to elect the successor to Benedict XVI. The media spotlight in the United States is on Cardinal Roger Mahony, a former Los Angeles archbishop currently under judicial investigation for his alleged efforts to conceal abuses by priests from the secular authorities. A group called Catholics United gathered almost 10,000 signatures against Mahony’s participation in the next conclave.
Times are tough for secretive financial institutions, and the Vatican Bank is no exception. Documents leaked earlier this year by Benedict XVI’s former butler claimed that the Vatican was far from being in line with international standards on preventing money laundering.
Despite the Holy See’s efforts to put the lid on any shady dealings, the US State Department added the Vatican to its 2012 list of countries that merited concern for their “vulnerability” to money laundering. Infighting at the Vatican’s financial arm reached the boiling point last May, when the head of the Vatican Bank was ousted. Moments after storming out of his last bank board meeting, Gotti Tedeschi told Reuters that he had “paid the price for [promoting] transparency”.
Read more: Papal resignation leaves Vatican with crosses to bear - VATICAN - FRAN
The latest scandal to hit the Vatican involved claims of a network of senior clergymen who took part in gay sex parties and then faced blackmail. According to a report last week in the Italian daily La Repubblica, the widespread blackmail of this “gay lobby” factored heavily into Benedict XVI’s decision to resign.
The Vatican vehemently denied the allegations, slamming the “false and damaging” reports in the Italian press. But a former Dominican friar, now openly gay, said earlier this week that the issue of homosexuality was a “ticking time bomb” in the Catholic Church. “When you have this culture of secrecy and guilt and repression, you have conditions which foster the potential for blackmail and manipulation,” Mark Dowd told CNN.
Benedict XVI has been praised for condemning paedophilia more strongly than his predecessors, but critics claim that he hasn’t taken any serious steps to change the church’s culture of denial and cover-ups. The Vatican has yet to come clean regarding its response to past child sex crimes and the hierarchy’s role in silencing the victims.
At least one of the cardinals accused of covering up child sex abuse will take part in the conclave to elect the successor to Benedict XVI. The media spotlight in the United States is on Cardinal Roger Mahony, a former Los Angeles archbishop currently under judicial investigation for his alleged efforts to conceal abuses by priests from the secular authorities. A group called Catholics United gathered almost 10,000 signatures against Mahony’s participation in the next conclave.
Times are tough for secretive financial institutions, and the Vatican Bank is no exception. Documents leaked earlier this year by Benedict XVI’s former butler claimed that the Vatican was far from being in line with international standards on preventing money laundering.
Despite the Holy See’s efforts to put the lid on any shady dealings, the US State Department added the Vatican to its 2012 list of countries that merited concern for their “vulnerability” to money laundering. Infighting at the Vatican’s financial arm reached the boiling point last May, when the head of the Vatican Bank was ousted. Moments after storming out of his last bank board meeting, Gotti Tedeschi told Reuters that he had “paid the price for [promoting] transparency”.
Read more: Papal resignation leaves Vatican with crosses to bear - VATICAN - FRAN
2/17/13
Vatican:: Pope Benedict 'complicit in child sex abuse scandals', say victims' groups
For the legions of people whose childhoods and adult lives were wrecked by sexual and physical abuse at the hands of the Roman Catholic clergy, Pope Benedict XVI is an unloved pontiff who will not be missed.
Victims of the epidemic of sex- and child-abuse scandals that erupted under Benedict's papacy reacted bitterly to his resignation, either charging the outgoing pontiff with being directly complicit in a criminal conspiracy to cover up the thousands of paedophilia cases that have come to light over the past three years, or with failing to stand up to reactionary elements in the church resolved to keep the scandals under wraps.
From Benedict's native Germany to the USA, abuse victims and campaigners criticised an eight-year papacy that struggled to cope with the flood of disclosures of crimes and abuse rampant for decades within the church. Norbert Denef, of the NetworkB group of German abuse victims, said: "The rule of law is more important than a new pope."
Read more: Pope Benedict 'complicit in child sex abuse scandals', say victims' groups | World news | guardian.co.uk
Victims of the epidemic of sex- and child-abuse scandals that erupted under Benedict's papacy reacted bitterly to his resignation, either charging the outgoing pontiff with being directly complicit in a criminal conspiracy to cover up the thousands of paedophilia cases that have come to light over the past three years, or with failing to stand up to reactionary elements in the church resolved to keep the scandals under wraps.
From Benedict's native Germany to the USA, abuse victims and campaigners criticised an eight-year papacy that struggled to cope with the flood of disclosures of crimes and abuse rampant for decades within the church. Norbert Denef, of the NetworkB group of German abuse victims, said: "The rule of law is more important than a new pope."
Read more: Pope Benedict 'complicit in child sex abuse scandals', say victims' groups | World news | guardian.co.uk
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