..
At least 10,000 children sexually molested at hands of
French Catholic Church since 1950s
2 Mar, 2021 15:20
FILE PHOTO. © Reuters / Stephane Mahe
At least 10,000 children have fallen victim to sex abuse by clergy and other officials of the Catholic Church in France since the 1950s, an independent commission set up to investigate such crimes said in its preliminary report.
“It’s possible that the figure is at least 10,000,” head of the commission, Jean-Marc Sauve, told AFP, adding that numbers previously suggested by the investigators were “certainly an underestimate.”
The commission, consisting of 22 legal professionals, doctors, historians, sociologists and theologians, was established by French Catholic bishops back in 2018 following a series of scandals involving the clergy that shocked the nation and led to calls for a probe.
In June 2020, it said that the number of children abused at the hands of the Catholic Church in France might amount to 3,000. It also revealed that at least 1,500 clergy and church officials were involved in the abuse over the decades.
Those figures were mostly based on voluntary testimonies the commission collected since 2019 via a special platform. Now, Sauve believes that these accounts alone “do not account for the totality” of cases. The investigators have already collected some 6,500 such testimonies, while also examining data on deceased child abuse victims, as well as seeking information on those who opted not to speak up by studying church archives in a number of dioceses.
“There has been a real system of abuse in a number of Catholic institutions and religious communities,” the head of the commission admitted, adding, however, that the cases of “systemic” abuse are small in number and represent only a “very small” part of the total number of incidents of which the investigators are aware.
The figure presented on Tuesday is still a preliminary one and will be made more “precise” in the future, according to Sauve. The commission is expected to present its final report in late September or early October 2021.
Back in 2018, a group of French Catholics called for the parliament and not the church itself to establish an investigative commission to shed light on clergy misconduct, citing the examples of Australia, Ireland and the US state of Pennsylvania, where similar bodies were created. The group is expected to deliver a set of recommendations in its final report, including compensation for victims.
Yet, according to the French media, the Catholic Church in France will not wait for the commission’s final report and is expected to take a potential decision on financial compensation as early as at its next assembly scheduled for the end of March.
‘I exploited them’: Ex-priest and ALP official ‘ashamed’
of child sexual abuse
By Jenny Noyes
February 23, 2021 — 2.31pm
A former Labor party official and Catholic priest told a Sydney court he feels guilty and ashamed for exploiting vulnerable boys in Vietnam and the Philippines for his own sexual gratification and said he never doubted that what he was doing was criminal.
Peter Andrew Hansen, who has also practised as a lawyer, gave evidence during a sentence hearing in the NSW District Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty earlier this month to 31 charges, including one of engaging in sexual intercourse with a child under 18 in the Philippines and 15 counts of producing child abuse material.
Peter Hansen has pleaded guilty to a raft of offences involving child sexual abuse. CREDIT: FACEBOOK.
He said he feels guilt and shame not only for breaking the law but for “contravening my own standards of morality” in his exploitation of the boys he abused.
“The record of my life says I did work for people who were in difficult circumstances and yet here with these victims, these boys, I exploited them.
“I didn’t only exploit their age, I exploited the fact they came from a poor Asian country,” he told the court. “I not only contravened society’s standards... I also used and manipulated to my own advantage, a power imbalance between me and them.”
“I never doubted the criminality of my action and I understand that exacerbates my culpability,” he said.
Prior to his arrest at Sydney Airport in 2018 on his return from a trip to Vietnam, Hansen had been the president of Labor’s Cabramatta branch. He had also run as a Labor candidate in the 2016 Fairfield Council election. He was a Catholic priest in Melbourne from 1996 until early 2011 and, before that, a lawyer.
The court heard Hansen’s offending commenced in 2014, four years after he received psychological treatment for his use of pornography while he was a priest.
Apparently, that worked really well.
Forensic psychiatrist Olav Nielssen told the court that, during two interviews with Hansen, he did not ask what kind of pornography use he was treated for. But he agreed with Crown prosecutor Jennifer Single that the fact he committed the offences after this treatment was “highly relevant” to his chances of reoffending.
The court heard Hansen had meticulously filed his child abuse material under categories including the location in which the images were taken, the names of the children, and the types of acts depicted.
Dr Nielssen said that was “quite telling as to what Mr Hansen found exciting” and that “having that kind of fixated interest would obviously increase the probability of pursuing that interest again.”
He said Hansen had claimed during their first interview that his involvement was “purely voyeuristic” and denied performing physical acts of abuse. It was only after further charges were brought that Dr Nielssen became aware his offending also involved the physical sexual abuse of boys and producing child abuse material.
Dr Nielssen admitted he was unaware that Hansen’s in-person sexual abuse involved boys not only in two Philippines cities but also in Vietnam, where Hansen had an adopted son he also failed to mention.
He said Hansen told him he had lost sexual function following a prostate operation in 2010.
Asked by Crown prosecutor Jennifer Single if Hansen could have lied to him, Dr Nielssen said “yes”.
Nevertheless, he said, as a category, child sex offenders “have a lower probability of reoffending” and that “the probability decreases with age – you lose the drive.”
Hansen told the court that when he thinks of his sexual fantasies, his subconscious now “flips” to the image of being taken in handcuffs through the busy concourse of Sydney Airport on a Saturday morning to a police van with people “gawking” at him.
He said that moment was not the most shameful of his life, but “it was the moment when I felt most ashamed”.
The hearing is set to resume on Monday.
But no shame as to how he represented himself as a man of God.
Juárez priest Aristeo Baca sentenced in child sex abuse case
involving altar server girl
Daniel Borunda
El Paso Times
A Juárez Catholic priest convicted of sexually assaulting an altar server girl was sentenced by a Mexican court this week to more than 34 years in prison.
Baca was convicted of sexually abusing a girl who was an altar server while Baca was pastor at Santa María de la Montaña parish near the mountains in southwestern Juárez.
Baca was convicted of sexually assaulting the girl on at least three occasions at the church between 2015 and 2018 starting when the girl was 8 years old.
An investigation began after the girl made an outcry to her family in 2019.
In addition to the prison sentence, Baca was ordered to pay reparations of more than 59,000 pesos (about $2,000 in U.S. dollars) to the victim.
In a statement, Juárez Bishop Jose Guadalupe Torres Campos said the church was in "deep pain and sadness," adding that steps were being taken to prevent abuse.
“In view of the (legal) process against one of our priests accused of the crimes of sexual abuse and aggravated rape against a minor, I want to reiterate our confidence that God comforts the afflicted in their search for justice and is merciful to his people," Torres wrote.
Sounds a bit like an excuse, doesn't it?
Catholic group opposes Colorado bill that would give child sex abuse survivors the ability to sue their abuser at any time
Legislators work in the House Chamber at the Capitol in Denver on the second day of the 73rd General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature on Jan. 14, 2021.
By SAJA HINDI | shindi@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: March 5, 2021 at 4:08 p.m.
For decades, survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their advocates have urged states to let them hold abusers accountable in civil court, no matter how long it’s been since the abuse. A bipartisan bill in the Colorado Legislature to do just that so far appears to have widespread approval, but it’s not without opposition from the Colorado Catholic Conference — a church embroiled in a sex abuse scandal in Colorado, the U.S. and around the world.
There is no expiration date in Colorado to bring criminal charges against a person accused of child sex abuse, but the statute of limitations to sue an individual is only six years after a victim turns 18. Last year’s effort to change the latter failed.
The renewed push to eliminate the statute of limitations for lawsuits against alleged child sex abusers saw an unanimous Senate vote this week — a vote Wheat Ridge Democratic Sen. Jessie Danielson called “historic.” But the bipartisan bill, which now heads to a House committee, doesn’t apply to civil claims that will have already expired by the time it takes effect, which was a sticking point over constitutionality concerns last year.
That’s why lawmakers have introduced a second (also bipartisan) bill to create a new cause of action to allow people abused as children to sue public and private institutions like churches, schools and the Boy Scouts for past abuse that occurred under their watch. Both the Colorado Catholic Conference and the Boy Scouts, which is also facing abuse allegations in the state, are opposed.
Republican Rep. Matt Soper of Delta is one of the sponsors on both bills, partly because one statistic about childhood sexual abuse sticks with him: Victims often don’t disclose the abuse until their 50s.
“And usually, it’s not a one-off instance. It’s usually over and over again by a family member, a close family friend, someone who’s in a position of trust like a teacher or a priest or a club leader, or a trainer,” Soper said. “And it takes years and years for that individual to be able just to share their story.”
That was James “Jeb” Barrett’s experience. The child sexual abuse survivor and leader of the Denver Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests (or SNAP) chapter grew up in Montana, and said he was sexually abused as a child by multiple adults he trusted — a teacher, an uncle, a priest and Scout leader. His partner, who had also been abused as a child, died by suicide.
It took him until he was 63 to talk about his abuse, he said. He’s now 81, and understands firsthand the effects of childhood trauma, including dealing with addiction.
Other times, the adults in a child’s life don’t believe them, furthering that trauma. On the Senate floor Tuesday, Sen. Brittany Pettersen shared the story of her own mother, who was sexually abused at a young age for years by Pettersen’s grandfather. Pettersen’s mom eventually told her mother, who didn’t believe her daughter.
“This bill is about slightly giving back to ensure (adults abused as children) actually feel for the first time in their life they have the justice they’ve been seeking, the acknowledgement they’ve been seeking for their entire life,” the Lakewood Democrat said.
After years of advocating for policies like the two in front of lawmakers, Barrett said he’s hopeful this time.
“It’s incrementally moving toward the openness, accountability and transparency that we need across the board,” and “justice,” he said.
There is more on this story at Broomfield Enterprise.
Popular Chicago priest accused by third man
of sexual abuse
By Jessica D'Onofrio, Ravi Baichwal and ABC7 Chicago Digital Team
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 3:25PM
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A third man is now accusing Chicago's Father Michael Pfleger of inappropriate sexual behavior dating back decades.
The spokesperson says the man is not filing a lawsuit and is not seeking money.
The third man said he wants to add to the credibility of the two brothers who made similar claims. He said he never knew the brothers, but felt he needed to share his story to encourage others to come forward.
"They want Father Pfleger to admit what he's done," said Eugene Hollander, the man's attorney. "He's allegedly assaulted three individuals, they want him to admit the truth."
Holland (Hollander?) also represents the two brothers who filed a claim against Pfleger and said he is now presenting the Archdiocese of Chicago with an affidavit from a third unnamed man who is now in his late 50s.
The man claims the beloved South Side priest once grabbed him sexually in a bedroom area at St. Sabina Church while he pretended to be asleep.
Although the man was 18 at the time, he said he did not consent. He also claims Pfleger regularly gave him drugs and liquor as a teenager in the mid to late 70s.
The attorney said the man is not filing a lawsuit and isn't looking for money. Instead, his goal is to prevent Father Pfleger's supporters from disparaging the brothers.
"The third victim has absolutely no incentives coming forward," Hollander said. "He does not have a claim of his own because at the time the alleged sexual assault occurred he was over the age of 18. So there's nothing for him to gain here by him coming forward."
Father Pfleger has denied previous allegations and a statement was issued on his behalf denying the new claim.
"Father Pfleger remembers the man who was identified in this false report. During the late 1970s, the man's mother was very active at St Sabina's in the Women's Club and the Church community. He knew the man as a teenager at St Sabina's, but did not take him to Jazz clubs or give him alcohol or marijuana."
Hollander then released a statement in response to Fr. Pfleger's statement saying, "Father Pfleger and his camp should stop interfering with the process and allow the Archdiocese to carry out its investigation."
The Archdiocese of Chicago responded in a statement saying, "We have received the affidavit and will process it as we do every such accusation."
Many parishioners have been calling for Pfleger's reinstatement ever since he was removed from the parish pending the Archdiocese investigation. His lawyers say Hollander is just seeking publicity.
"It is very important for the St. Sabina community to allow this investigation to proceed - the victim should be able to come forward, they should not be intimidated to come forward - if they have a story to tell, they should be able to tell their story," Hollander said.
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich asked Fr. Pfleger to step away from ministry at St. Sabina parish on Chicago's South Side in early January when Pfleger was initially accused of sexually abusing a minor more than 40 years ago. According to the archdiocese, the brother of the first alleged victim of abuse also made a claim.
Father Michael Pfleger responded Wednesday to an allegation that he sexually abused a child decades ago.
Last week, The Archdiocese of Chicago said that it has received a letter from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services stating that DCFS has concluded its investigation into Father Michael Pfleger.
The agency was investigating risk, the archdiocese said, not the allegations of abuse dating back four decades.
In a statement, DCFS confirmed: "The law does not permit DCFS to investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect made by an adult victim. DCFS can only determine whether there is a current child victim."
The archdiocese said DCFS has completed its investigation into Pfleger and said in part, "DCFS has determined the report to be 'unfounded.' This means that credible evidence of child abuse or neglect was not found during this investigation. This does not necessarily mean that an incident did not occur. An incident may have occurred but the evidence did not rise to the level required to indicate for abuse or neglect as dictated by state law and DCFS Administrative Rule."
"The Independent Review Board of the archdiocese will conduct its investigation into the allegations and will communicate its findings in due course. Fr. Pfleger will remain away from the parish pending the outcome of that process," the archdiocese said in a statement.
"I would hope and expect I would be returned to ministry quickly," Pfleger told ABC7 Chicago by phone Friday.
St. Sabina released a statement Wednesday saying, "The Pastoral Staff has just received news of an additional allegation against Fr. Pfleger. We are deferring to Frl. Pfleger's lawyers to respond to the allegations. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience. Our position has not changed, we continue to stand with Fr. Pfleger."
Pedophiles don't just groom victims and their families, they groom everyone around them.
Full statement made on behalf of Fr. Pfleger:
That statement, along with Eugene Hollander's response can be found at ABC7Chicago
Child sex abuse priest Paul Moore dies in Scottish prison
A former Catholic priest who was jailed for sexually abusing three children and a student priest has died in prison.
Paul Moore, who was 85, committed the crimes at various locations in Ayrshire between 1977 and 1996.
Moore's crimes spanned more than 20 years and one of his victims was just five years old.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Galloway said: "Bishop Nolan will pray for the repose of the soul of Paul Moore and for the peace of those who suffered by his actions."
In November 2019 Moore was defrocked by the Pope. This meant he was no longer be able to call himself "father" or offer spiritual care.
The BBC investigation found that Moore had admitted in 1996 that he had abused more than one boy years earlier, and it was initially covered up by the bishop.
The then Bishop of Galloway, Maurice Taylor, did not contact the authorities about the priest's confession until eight months later. Instead, he sent him to a treatment centre in Toronto.
Bishop Taylor removed Moore from his parish in Prestwick, Ayrshire, and later sent him to Fort Augustus Abbey in the Highlands, which was run by Benedictine monks.
It was only when the victims came forward after the BBC documentary that the criminal case was brought.
No comments:
Post a Comment