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December 2, 2008 3:54:14 AM CST

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13 Stories

Alleged Abuse Victims
Can Sue the Vatican


Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal Nov 25, 08 5:32 PM CST
(Newser) - Alleged victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests can move ahead with a lawsuit against the Vatican, the Wall Street Journal reports. A federal appeals court in Cincinnati ruled that the Vatican can be held liable for negligence in the thousands of such cases reported in the US. A Vatican spokesman said it will probably not appeal to the Supreme Court. More »

More about:  Pope Benedict XVI • Vatican • sexual abuse • priest sex abuse • Catholic

 'Go Green,' Pope Urges Youth 

Pontiff pleads for the earth as he kicks off visit to Australia

Sydney Morning Herald Sydney Morning Herald Jul 14, 08 4:35 AM CDT
(Newser) - The Pope yesterday called on the world—particularly young people—to combat global warming with "a style of life that eases problems caused to the environment," reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Pope Benedict issued his plea just minutes before touching down in Australia for an official visit. The Vatican is going green with a new solar power system. More »

More about:  climate change • global warming • Australia • Pope Benedict XVI • Vatican • solar energy • priest sex abuse • World Youth Day

 Pope Vows Abuse
 Apology in Australia 

He vows to help sex abuse victims, who say cover-ups continue

Reuters Reuters Jul 13, 08 2:06 PM CDT
(Newser) - Traveling to Sydney today, Pope Benedict promised to apologize for a sexual abuse scandal that has rocked Australia's Catholic Church, Reuters reports. He also vowed to ensure it never recurs, and to help Australian victims heal—but one victims' group still accuses the Church of covering up abuse by priests and ensuring they never go to trial. More »

More about:  Australia • Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • apology • priest sex abuse

US Clergy Tell Aussie Critic to Go Home

Bishop vows to keep slamming Vatican for sex abuse, celibacy

Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Jun 7, 08 6:52 PM CDT
(Newser) - On orders from the Vatican, a dozen top US bishops have asked their Australian colleague to cancel his American book tour, the Los Angeles Times reports. But Geoffrey Robinson, former auxiliary bishop of Sydney, vows to keep on promoting Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church , which blames clergy sex abuse on the Vatican's policy of forced celibacy. More »

More about:  Australia • Catholic Church • priest sex abuse • Roman Catholicism • bishop • Cardinal Roger M. Mahony

25K Teens
Rock at NY
Pope Rally

Kelly Clarkson opens before Benedict XVI blesses followers

New York Daily News New York Daily News Apr 19, 08 6:01 PM CDT
(Newser) - About 25,000 teens experienced Popemania today at a rocking rally in Yonkers, NY, the New York Daily News reports. After Kelly Clarkson belted out tunes, Benedict XVI emerged from a seminary meeting with disabled kids to receive gifts of bread and bless the crowd. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing," said a 15-year-old who left home before dawn to attend. More »

Pope Prays for Healing After Abuse Scandal

Reassures clergy
of his "spiritual closeness" in NYC

Associated Press Associated Press Apr 19, 08 11:37 AM CDT
(Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI spent the third anniversary of his election to the papacy trying to comfort clergy still weathering the fallout from the priest sex abuse scandal, the AP reports. “I simply wish to assure you of my spiritual closeness,” Benedict said. The pontiff, addressing 3,000 people at New York’s famed St. Patrick’s cathedral, also called for purification and healing. More »

More about:  New York • Pope Benedict XVI • Vatican • Pope Benedict's US visit • Christians • priest sex abuse • Roman Catholicism

Pope's Words Anger Victims
of Sex Abuse

They're looking for action against priests—not lip service

New York Times New York Times Apr 16, 08 5:07 AM CDT
(Newser) - Pope Benedict's attempt to placate priests' sex abuse victims has only served to anger many of them, reports the New York Times . The pontiff said he was "deeply ashamed" of the scandal that has triggered complaints from some 13,000 victims. He does not plan to meet with any victims' organizations during his US visit, however, and numerous protests are planned. More »

UPDATED

 'Monumental' US Visit Ahead 

Unprecedented presidential welcome kick off Pope's jam-packed itinerary

CNN CNN Apr 15, 08 5:05 PM CDT
(Newser) - Today's arrival of Pope Benedict XVI "had the look and feel of a monumental and historic event," a CNN correspondent notes—and the six-day visit will indeed be eventful. Benedict will speak to US Catholic leadership tomorrow after a welcoming ceremony at the White House, then visit the UN. The Vatican hopes to galvanize American Catholics, whose enthusiasm has been sapped by sex scandals. More »

More about:  Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • Vatican • Pope Benedict's US visit • Catholics • priest sex abuse • Pope John Paul II

 Pope 'Ashamed' by
 Priest Sex Abuse 

Pontiff promises to make sure it won't happen again

Associated Press Associated Press Apr 15, 08 11:01 AM CDT
(Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI said today he is "deeply ashamed" by the priest sex-abuse scandal that caused a crisis of faith in the US, and he vowed that the church "will absolutely exclude pedophiles" from the priesthood, the AP reports. "We will do whatever is possible so that this does not happen in the future," the Pope said in English on the plane flying him to the US. More »

NY Diocese's Coloring Book Warns of Abuse

Angel tells kids not to be alone with an adult; priest not mentioned

Newsweek Newsweek Dec 5, 07 9:06 AM CST
(Newser) - A coloring book handed out by the Catholic Church to kids in New York warns them not to be alone with an adult in a room with the door shut, Newsweek reports. It doesn't specifically name priests as a risk, but it does depict an angel warning an altar boy not to "be alone in a closed room with an adult." A man with his back turned—possibly a priest—is smiling at the child. More »

More about:  children • New York • education • Catholic Church • priest • priest sex abuse • clergy abuse scandal • clergy

Hillary Hostage Suspect Claims Priest Abuse

Long-troubled man faced divorce, domestic violence charges

ABC News ABC News Dec 1, 07 6:08 AM CST
(Newser) - Leeland Eisenberg's problems began long before he seized five hostages yesterday in a New Hampshire campaign office of Hillary Clinton. In 2002, Eisenberg filed a lawsuit charging that a Catholic priest had sexually abused him when he was 21 years old, homeless, and emotionally vulnerable, ABC News reports. The accused priest has since been defrocked amid multiple abuse allegations. More »

More about:  Hillary Clinton • hostage • New Hampshire • priest • priest sex abuse • Leeland Eisenberg

Jesuits Settle Sex Suit for $50M

Case involves abuse of 110 children in remote Alaskan villages

Seattle Times Seattle Times Nov 19, 07 3:55 AM CST
(Newser) - The Jesuits have agreed to pay $50 million to some 110 people living in remote Alaskan villages who claim they were sexually molested as children by 15 priests, brothers or men working for the Jesuits, reports the Seattle Times . Details of the settlements are still being negotiated, according to attorneys and a Jesuit spokesman. The victims were reportedly molested over a 20-year period from the ages of 5-16. More »

More about:  Alaska • sexual abuse • priest sex abuse • Jesuits • Yukon

Laity, Clergy Asked to Defray Sex Abuse Costs

San Diego bishop draws support from pulpit, less backing from pews

Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Oct 8, 07 12:00 PM CDT
(Newser) - The San Diego Diocese is turning over every stone to pay its $198.1 million settlement to sexual abuse victims, asking both priests and parishioners to chip in. Clerics are apparently willing—many will donate a month’s salary—but parishioner responses are far less positive, the LA Times reports. One says: "The Vatican can sell a painting or two." More »

More about:  Vatican • bankruptcy • San Diego • settlement • Rome • priest sex abuse • Catholic • laity

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