Wednesday, December 04, 2013 10:31:18 PM
Pope Francis to Catholic church: 'act decisively' to punish pedophile priests
Doing so is necessary 'for the church and its credibility,' Francis said, according to the Vatican. It was the first time Francis publically addressed the festering sex abuse issue since he was elected last month.
By Corky Siemaszko / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Friday, April 5, 2013, 3:11 PM
Comments (17)
Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Pope Francis attends his weekly audience in St. Peter's square on April 3, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Pope Francis .. http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Pope+Francis .. gave the Roman Catholic Church some marching orders Friday — "act decisively" to root out and punish pedophile priests.
Doing so is necessary "for the church and its credibility," Francis said, according to the Vatican.
It was the first time Francis publically addressed the festering sex abuse issue since he was elected last month — and he did so in a meeting with Archbishop Gerhard Müller, who heads the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which investigates perv priests.
The department should also promote "measures to protect minors, help for those who have suffered such violence in the past," the pope's statement said.
But advocates for victims of sexual abuse by priests were not impressed.
"Once again, as have happened hundreds of times already, a top Catholic official says he's asking another top Catholic official to take action about pedophile priests and complicit bishops," said Barbara Dorris of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), a U.S.-based organization. "Big deal. Actions speak louder than words."
Still, papal historian Rebecca Rist said the timing of Francis' words is significant.
"By proclaiming this message so early in his pontificate, Pope Francis is sending a very strong signal to the world that he is willing to tackle the issue head on," Rist told the London-based Telegraph newspaper.
The Catholic Church has been dogged by the pedophile priest scandal for more than a decade - and criticized for doing more to protect perverted priests than the victims.
Victim advocates in Francis' homeland of Argentina have also been pressing the pope to apologize for the church's protection for two priests who were convicted of sexually assaulting children.
Earlier this week, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee announced it would release thousands of documents related to priest sexual abuse lawsuits on July 1, including a deposition from Timothy Cardinal Dolan.
Dolan, who headed the church in Milwaukee before moving to New York City, was questioned about his decision to publicize the names of priests accused of molestation. He said he welcomes the document dump.
The pedophile priest erupted when an ailing Pope John Paul was in the final years of his reign - and when church leaders dealt with sicko priests by shuffling them from one parish to another.
His successor, Pope Benedict, was the first pope to meet with abuse victims. But Benedict disappointed victims by not disciplining church higher-ups who shielded abusive priests.
- With News Wire Services
csiemaszko@nydailynews.com
.. VIDEO ..
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/pope-francis-catholic-church-punish-pedophile-priests-article-1.1308895
~~~ .. well, it looks Pope Francis is moving against alleged pedophiles .. in the Dominican Republic and Peru for two ..
Dominican nuncio is fired over sex abuse allegations
Ezequiel Abiu Lopez and Nicole Winfield Santo Domingo – 05 September 2013
Authorities in the Dominican Republic .. http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Dominican_Republic .. will look into allegations of child sex abuse against the papal envoy to the Caribbean country, following his abrupt removal from his post by the Vatican, the attorney general said.
Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito was careful to note that his office is aware only of rumours about the papal nuncio, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, and has not received any accusations.
A Vatican spokesman, the Rev Federico Lombardi, confirmed that Polish-born Dr Wesolowski had been removed from his post and that the church was conducting an investigation of him.
Mr Dominguez told reporters that he had designated a senior official to lead the investigation and co-ordinate with the Vatican.
"We will not allow anyone to use the Catholic Church or other religious institutions as a shield to commit illegal acts, especially against children," he said.
Dominican television network NCDN, citing a statement from the director of a community group, reported that Dr Wesolowski had slept in the same room as several altar boys at his beach house.
BOYS
Shortly before his removal, several residents of the mountain town of Juncalito made allegations of sexual abuse against the Rev Alberto Gil Wojciech, also Polish.
The community leader, Pedro Espinal, told reporters that Rev Wojciech took altar boys to the home of Dr Wesolowski.
Rev Wojciech was in Poland when the allegations surfaced and has not returned to the Dominican Republic .. http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Dominican_Republic .
Pope Francis has instructed the Vatican office that handles abuse cases to act "decisively" to protect children, help victims and take the necessary measures to punish the guilty.
Pope Francis in July also signed off on legislation criminalising child sex abuse and other sexual crimes – laws that apply to Vatican employees as well as diplomatic staff.
The whereabouts of the 65-year-old Dr Wesolowski were unknown.
He was removed a few weeks ago, Fr Lombardi said, though there was no official announcement of it in the Vatican's daily bulletin.
Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/dominican-nuncio-is-fired-over-sex-abuse-allegations-29554375.html
~~~
Bishop removed in Ayacucho, Peru after alleged sex abuse
September 21, 2013
By Rachel Chase
Catholic church acted swiftly; ex-bishop Gabino denies criminal activity.
(Photo: El Comercio/YouTube)
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Gabino Miranda, auxiliary bishop in Ayacucho, Peru, has been removed from his post after allegations surfaced that he sexually abused children. Little is known at this point about the nature or number of the accusations, but church officials have confirmed to the press that Miranda’s dismissal was the result of allegations of sex abuse.
Bishop Emeritus of Chimbote Luis Bambarén told RPP Noticias that the swift action by church authorities can be credited to Pope Francis strict policies on sex abuse scandals: “It’s what the pope said— zero tolerance […] Those are very serious crimes, especially when it has to do with a bishop.”
Though early reports indicated that Miranda was a member of the ultra-conservative Catholic order Opus Dei (made famous by Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code”), the organization denies official involvement with Miranda. In a statement to Reuters, Opus Dei said that Miranda had benefited from “spiritual assistance” from a related organization, but stated definitively that “Gabino Miranda has never been incardinated in the clergy of Prelature of Opus Dei.” The statement added that Miranda “denies any crime related to minors.”
Andina news agency reports that that legal authorities in Ayacucho have opened a formal investigation into the matter. According to RPP, Miranda, 53, was known for performing mass in Quechua.
http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-bishop-removed-in-ayacucho-peru-after-alleged-sex-abuse-100962
.. good news .. hoping there are even more ..
Doing so is necessary 'for the church and its credibility,' Francis said, according to the Vatican. It was the first time Francis publically addressed the festering sex abuse issue since he was elected last month.
By Corky Siemaszko / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Friday, April 5, 2013, 3:11 PM
Comments (17)
Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Pope Francis attends his weekly audience in St. Peter's square on April 3, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.
Related Stories
* Pope Francis taps Spanish Franciscan Jose Rodriguez to high post at Vatican
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/1.1309856
* Hamill: Pope Francis must crack down on pedophile priests to restore church's relevance, moral standing
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/hamill-catholic-church-crack-pedophiles-article-1.1288073
* Pope Francis ramps up Vatican charity office to be closer to the poor and sick
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/pope-ramps-vatican-charity-office-closer-poor-sick-article-1.1532693
* Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet Pope Francis at Vatican
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/netanyahu-meet-pope-francis-month-article-1.1528057
Pope Francis .. http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Pope+Francis .. gave the Roman Catholic Church some marching orders Friday — "act decisively" to root out and punish pedophile priests.
Doing so is necessary "for the church and its credibility," Francis said, according to the Vatican.
It was the first time Francis publically addressed the festering sex abuse issue since he was elected last month — and he did so in a meeting with Archbishop Gerhard Müller, who heads the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which investigates perv priests.
The department should also promote "measures to protect minors, help for those who have suffered such violence in the past," the pope's statement said.
But advocates for victims of sexual abuse by priests were not impressed.
"Once again, as have happened hundreds of times already, a top Catholic official says he's asking another top Catholic official to take action about pedophile priests and complicit bishops," said Barbara Dorris of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), a U.S.-based organization. "Big deal. Actions speak louder than words."
Still, papal historian Rebecca Rist said the timing of Francis' words is significant.
"By proclaiming this message so early in his pontificate, Pope Francis is sending a very strong signal to the world that he is willing to tackle the issue head on," Rist told the London-based Telegraph newspaper.
The Catholic Church has been dogged by the pedophile priest scandal for more than a decade - and criticized for doing more to protect perverted priests than the victims.
Victim advocates in Francis' homeland of Argentina have also been pressing the pope to apologize for the church's protection for two priests who were convicted of sexually assaulting children.
Earlier this week, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee announced it would release thousands of documents related to priest sexual abuse lawsuits on July 1, including a deposition from Timothy Cardinal Dolan.
Dolan, who headed the church in Milwaukee before moving to New York City, was questioned about his decision to publicize the names of priests accused of molestation. He said he welcomes the document dump.
The pedophile priest erupted when an ailing Pope John Paul was in the final years of his reign - and when church leaders dealt with sicko priests by shuffling them from one parish to another.
His successor, Pope Benedict, was the first pope to meet with abuse victims. But Benedict disappointed victims by not disciplining church higher-ups who shielded abusive priests.
- With News Wire Services
csiemaszko@nydailynews.com
.. VIDEO ..
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/pope-francis-catholic-church-punish-pedophile-priests-article-1.1308895
~~~ .. well, it looks Pope Francis is moving against alleged pedophiles .. in the Dominican Republic and Peru for two ..
Dominican nuncio is fired over sex abuse allegations
Ezequiel Abiu Lopez and Nicole Winfield Santo Domingo – 05 September 2013
Authorities in the Dominican Republic .. http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Dominican_Republic .. will look into allegations of child sex abuse against the papal envoy to the Caribbean country, following his abrupt removal from his post by the Vatican, the attorney general said.
Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito was careful to note that his office is aware only of rumours about the papal nuncio, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, and has not received any accusations.
A Vatican spokesman, the Rev Federico Lombardi, confirmed that Polish-born Dr Wesolowski had been removed from his post and that the church was conducting an investigation of him.
Mr Dominguez told reporters that he had designated a senior official to lead the investigation and co-ordinate with the Vatican.
"We will not allow anyone to use the Catholic Church or other religious institutions as a shield to commit illegal acts, especially against children," he said.
Dominican television network NCDN, citing a statement from the director of a community group, reported that Dr Wesolowski had slept in the same room as several altar boys at his beach house.
BOYS
Shortly before his removal, several residents of the mountain town of Juncalito made allegations of sexual abuse against the Rev Alberto Gil Wojciech, also Polish.
The community leader, Pedro Espinal, told reporters that Rev Wojciech took altar boys to the home of Dr Wesolowski.
Rev Wojciech was in Poland when the allegations surfaced and has not returned to the Dominican Republic .. http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Dominican_Republic .
Pope Francis has instructed the Vatican office that handles abuse cases to act "decisively" to protect children, help victims and take the necessary measures to punish the guilty.
Pope Francis in July also signed off on legislation criminalising child sex abuse and other sexual crimes – laws that apply to Vatican employees as well as diplomatic staff.
The whereabouts of the 65-year-old Dr Wesolowski were unknown.
He was removed a few weeks ago, Fr Lombardi said, though there was no official announcement of it in the Vatican's daily bulletin.
Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/dominican-nuncio-is-fired-over-sex-abuse-allegations-29554375.html
~~~
Bishop removed in Ayacucho, Peru after alleged sex abuse
September 21, 2013
By Rachel Chase
Catholic church acted swiftly; ex-bishop Gabino denies criminal activity.
(Photo: El Comercio/YouTube)
Related Articles
* Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez meets with Pope
http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-peruvian-theologian-gustavo-gutierrez-meets-with-pope-100895
* Married priests in Peru sue Pope for S/. 20 million
http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-married-priests-in-peru-sue-pope-for-s-20-million-100721
* Peru's Cardinal Cipriani criticizes gay civil union proposal
http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-perus-cardinal-cipriani-criticizes-gay-civil-union-proposal-100907
Gabino Miranda, auxiliary bishop in Ayacucho, Peru, has been removed from his post after allegations surfaced that he sexually abused children. Little is known at this point about the nature or number of the accusations, but church officials have confirmed to the press that Miranda’s dismissal was the result of allegations of sex abuse.
Bishop Emeritus of Chimbote Luis Bambarén told RPP Noticias that the swift action by church authorities can be credited to Pope Francis strict policies on sex abuse scandals: “It’s what the pope said— zero tolerance […] Those are very serious crimes, especially when it has to do with a bishop.”
Though early reports indicated that Miranda was a member of the ultra-conservative Catholic order Opus Dei (made famous by Dan Brown’s novel “The Da Vinci Code”), the organization denies official involvement with Miranda. In a statement to Reuters, Opus Dei said that Miranda had benefited from “spiritual assistance” from a related organization, but stated definitively that “Gabino Miranda has never been incardinated in the clergy of Prelature of Opus Dei.” The statement added that Miranda “denies any crime related to minors.”
Andina news agency reports that that legal authorities in Ayacucho have opened a formal investigation into the matter. According to RPP, Miranda, 53, was known for performing mass in Quechua.
http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-bishop-removed-in-ayacucho-peru-after-alleged-sex-abuse-100962
.. good news .. hoping there are even more ..
It was Plato who said, “He, O men, is the wisest, who like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”
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