I am writing this note concerning the past and present conducts of ArchBishop Richard Burke S.P.S of the Arch Dioceses of Warri and Benin in Nigeria a Irish citizen. I am a 41-year-old woman who has been living in Canada since 1995 with my husband and 3 children. In 1982 as a young girl from a Muslim home I began my journey into the Catholic faith and first met Father Richard Burke a Catholic priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Warri Nigeria. In 1983 when I was 14 years old, I became the victim of (what I now know to be) a sexual assault. When I was 14, I was sick in the hospital with a fever and Father Burke came to visit me. When he and I were alone in my hospital room, he touched and kissed me in a very inappropriate manner. During my teenage years, I suffered through the divorce of my parents, Richard Burke was there for me and the relationship between myself and he intensified. I became so attached to Richard Burke, that there seemed to be no one else that could be a part of my life, even though I knew that he was having relations with other young Nigerian girls. During the past 25 years I did not tell anyone of our relationship, because he told me not to talk about it to anyone no matter what and also fear of the negative impacts on him and the Catholic Church. Richard Burke left Nigeria in 1989 when he was sent to New Jersey in the USA and then back to Ireland with St. Patrick’s Society. In 1993 I met my husband, who was a Canadian volunteer working in Nigeria, while I was studying at University. My husband and I were married in 1995 in Canada and have had 3 children together. From 1989 to 1995 Father Burke and I continued communications by letters. When I told him that I was planning to get married in 1994, he became upset with me and told me that I should never tell anyone about the relationship between himself and I. Richard Burke returned to Nigeria in 1996 as Bishop of Warri Diocese. From 1996 to 1998, my husband and I left Canada and worked in Thailand. In 1998 Bishop Burke and I began regular communications by phone again. In 2000 while I was expecting my second child, Bishop Burke said that he would help get my youngest sister to come to Canada for a visit. I suspected that there was something not right when things did not work out and Bishop Burke began to take a keen interest in my youngest sisters well being. Once again, our relationship intensified with frequent amorous telephone conversations. In 2005 I found out that Bishop Burke had had a sexual relationship with my youngest sister. The “friendship” between Bishop Burke and myself began to deteriorate as, once again, I started to become aware of other young girls that he was molesting. In fact, I suspect that Richard Burke has molested or sexually abused hundreds of young Nigerian girls during his time as a priest and Bishop in Nigeria. I also know that he has taped past conversations that I have had with him and have told others, including his family in Ireland as well as my husband that I am obsessed with him in order to discredit me and make me appear to be crazy. Over a year ago, following a major dispute between myself and Bishop Burke, I confessed to my husband that I had had an intimate relationship with Bishop Burke. This was the first time that I had ever told anyone of this affair. Since my confession, my husband and I have gone to marriage counseling and I have taken private counseling to deal with the stress, trauma and confusion that I have had to deal with over the past 26 years. Following my counseling sessions, I have learned that a man that I though had loved and cared for me has in fact manipulated and controlled me. I know that Richard Burke is self-serving and that he does not serve the Church. In fact the Church serves Richard Burke by providing him access to the young girls that look up to him and then become his victims of unwanted sexual advances. I believe now, that Richard Burke is a pedophile I have been corresponding with St. Patrick\\\'s Society since 2007 about this and have shared with them taped conversations that I had with Richard Burke in the past where he admits to having inapproprite sexual relations with young girls, married women, religious sisters and prostitutes. I have saved notes letters and emails that Richard Burke had sent me in the past, which I have shared with those of St. Patrick\\\'s that are \\\"investigating\\\" him. I know that Richard Burke was sent for an assessment at St. Luke\\\'s in Manchester in March of this year, and that Richard Burke is continuing with his public ministry in Nigeria and is having access to young girls in Nigeria. I do not beleive that St. Patrick\\\'s Society in Kiltegan County Wicklow, Ireland has taken my complaints seriously. I do not trust them, and believe that they are trying to help Richard Burke escape prosecution and justice for the crimes he has committed.

i know the archbishop personally and it is indeed very sad to see a thing like this. i do not fully know but i doubt most of the exaggerations in the text. The Lord's will be done.

Is n't this a lie against a man who has been working in Nigeria for so many years assisting the poor people of Nigeria. Arch-Bishop Burke is a God fearing man,he is humble and have great interest in the Poor. I am not a close person to the arch -Bishop, but I believe God will vindicate him in this serious allegation. Can this writer tell us her trauma, what is pushing her now to bring up this allegation against a man of God. I wish Arch-Bishop Burke God's protection and guidance at this critical time. I believe, time will tell. have faith in God.

The Arch-Bishop that I know talk less, he is hardworking and love the Poor. he is commited to his ministry as a Priest of God. What is the problem with the young lady, I hope she knows that she is dealing with God. I do not believe a word of her accusation. We pray God to intervene and put the devil to shame. Darkness has no power over the Light. God bless you Bishop Richard Burke.

Archbishop Burke is a man of God. I hope this young woman is not being used by those who are seeking power of position. This is very malicious of a married woman. Is she not happily married. What is she looking for. Anyway God sees everything, but I do not believe what she is saying about the gentle man of God.

Everyone who reasons without biase would know this is a set up. My people do say thet the trap set for an Elephant may trap Him but cannot pull him down, nor stop him from going to where he planned to go. God had never deserted his people. This would not be a diffrent case. It is just time becase God is aware. I pray for the Man Of God without fear that God is on his side.

Be strong His Grace, and may God strenghten you through this trial. Continue to be the humble, God fearing person that we know you to be in Warri. May the Lord heal Dolores of her pains too whatever the source.

Evil, evil, evil. it is self evident that this writer is an agent of satan. how can you write such malicious statement against a holy man of God. you claim that that "Richard Burke has molested or sexually abused hundreds of young Nigerian girls during his time as a priest and Bishop in Nigeria" state your case and bring your proofs. Hell awaits your soul for what you have done but more torments awaits those who prompted you to do this. You have sinned against Charity and God who is love shall cast his wrath upon you and your household.

My lord i have always known you to be a humble and gentle man of God.and that you will continue to be for all of us in warri diocese.we will always continue to rmber you in our prayers in this trying period of yours.but for those who are behind this act,like JESUS,we will still say and tell them,FORGIVE THEM FATHER FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

A simple analysis fro9m a new non-biases d mind can tell that this story above is clearly motivated. But for God\"s sake no matter your motives, consider the life long implications for this simple man while you may just be trying to achieve your aim. If its about money like many made in the U.S.A. a while ago, then trust me, it will not work.

Ha!!! fear God! the way i see it, you must have a nature of trying your hands on white people before you finaly got one as husband.

please my dear lady even if this were true, is this internet thing the next thing for you. This is seriously on African. what has become of your African ways

If this is true, dont worry. But if not, just find your way back to this same forum to undo the wrong you may have done to this Man that we all know so well. Let God and your conscience guide you. But I still feel this forum was not your next choice. very bad.

since you published this article, why has other so called "hundreds of Nigerian girls" not written to say they testify to your claims with their personal experience of the Bishop. as someone observed in a comment earlier on this page, in case its not true, please redress it and in good time. God knows it all.

His Grace, be Strongand stand firm has been our Lord\'s encouragement.However, Istronglybelieve that that one doing this is not far from the household of God.God knows and sees all things, He ll vindicate youlike Sussanaand the three men in the book of Daniel.The truth llalways cometolight,keepon standing forthe truth.Stay wellmy His Grace

Can you come out with the names and contacts of other girls that you cliam that he molested? This lady, let me give you this christian advice, go before the holy alter of God and pray for bishop Burk and pray for forgiveness of your sins. Am sure somebody must have offered you something to do this, remember God is still there, be careful what you say about men of God.

You all are sick people ,that is why africa is were it is today. these many also touched my breaset at age of 17. it is veru said that you all because of the food and money he has ggiven you all. paul wre you not the one richard promise to send to further you studyies in london. how well do you all know this man, that you all say all this. which nigeria girl will want to come out to go through this. SHME ON YOU ARCH BISHOP RICHARD BURKE. May the good lord jurge you.

I find it difficult to call you bishop. You hurt this lady,confess and admit it. i konw somebody who know this lady in question,.She has a reputation for being a honest person,thant is all that I have been hearing. Some of you sound as if you were asked by richrd burke to do this and I will not be sueprise that one of his girkfriends is among. This lady is doing the church a great help.the book of ephesians chapt5:10-18.read it. Our prays are with you miss Dolores.

Thanks Rose and Helen, There is a saying that the truth have a way of coming out.The church is so rioting and corrupt. I believe this poor lady. Richard burke will not end with her, he will continue.

I\'m truely amazed at you all! Truely! I have heard times without number the saying that behind every rumor,there\'s an element of truth.why would a married woman confessed to this?have you ask yourselves that question?what makes you think richard burke will be innocent?what if he\'s a wolf in sheep clothing? what if his silent and calm nature is a deceptive one?what if he took advantage of your life styles as nigerians? you all should have a second thought.what if she\'s correct?i can bet you,no woman will love to know a man that had an affair with heir had also had an affair with her younger sister.what she kept as secret for 26yrs has come back to hunt her.she should have expose him then! those who think they are benefiting from him now,that are covering him or refuse to investigate for the truth,just as it came hunting her after 26yrs,it will definately come back at them because what goes around comes around!ferdinand,if this lady happen to be telling the truth and your sister is a victim and she refuse to tell the truth,how will you feel? Daniel kevwe,you are right.God sees all things! why don\'t you just let Him be the Judge? Other so called girls in nigeria can\'t come out.how many knows this is on the net?how many can access the net?what about the shame and stigma that kept this lady for 26yrs?what about the hungry life styles of this girls that makes them vulnerable? have you ever try to see the evidence of this lady?have you ever beleived that the devil was once an angel of light sitting right next to God?Anthonia you are right but someone has to stop this man.don\'t know how old how you but your sister,your cousin,your relatives even your daughter may be the next victims.i don\'t trust any of this priest anymore for all the things i have seen about them makes me never want to searve God cos i sometimes think that God is just sitting up there allowing these crazy people to have their way.(God forgive me if i\'m wrong!)Olakunle please tell the bishop to fear GOd.Rose i feel for you cos you are a woman and i realised what you mean by motivation.okonatoto tega you should be happy that God is exposing him.Nicholas becareful what you call evil.what if you are wrong?Nneka you are right.God should heal and God should also bring justice to both parties.Paul you already projected the bishop as your messiah.is that how it should be?you sound like a benefactor.Vicky God truely blesses everything.why would she be happily married?imagine being abused or taken advantage of and same person is doing same to your yunger sister,your aunty even your mom.how would you or your dad feel?christy you are right! God should intervane.that is exactly what is happening.darkness can never overcome light!working in nigeria for so many years or you mean taking advantage of nigerians for so many years?Thank you very much johnson.it\'s you alone that makes alot of sense. God will definately judge and His judgement will begin in His house.i\'m not trying to say it\'s true but you all should consider her part of the story instead you all are busy painting the bishop as a messiah.i\'m a catholic like you all.i\'ve seen what priest and so called bishops have done in terms of politics,power,sexual immorality,mis mangement of church funds and taking advantage of the less empowered people.if i come out and say it,who will beleive me? they have all the power to cover it up,their superiors they make returns to and whom they inherited it from are ready to go at any lenght to protect him. i do like you all to know that these are all the signs of the end times.i\'m not sayingi\'m innocent or free from it but it\'s a shame it\'s coming from an arch bishop who is surpose to preach against this and who people look up to as i read in your comments as messiah or elephant as the case may be, to be the one tearing the church of God apart.if all this is true,he will have no peace as there\'s no [peace for the wicked]!

the bishop is a green snake under tha green grass!he is absolutely guilty! thank God someone had to stand up and talk.i could'nt myself.he his a shameless bastard.i wish and hope he perishes in hell if he does'nt repent!

I really commend your boldness Dolores to come out publicly with this and i really do hope that the many Nigerian girls who are still sleeping with priests for the financial advantage will have a rethink, repent and stop bcos our poverty in Nigeria is not an excuse. What is wrong is wrong.It is so unfortunate that in Nigeria young girls are molested everyday and nothing is been done. Infact we are all quick to blame the girls that it is there fault. Our culture of shame will not even allow us to give the many victims of sexual abuse a fair hearing as result of the fear of stigmatization and shame many innocent girls keep silent. I\\\'m really ashamed but at the sametime not surprised at the comments of the likes of christy,paul,johnson,olukunle and rose. Our culture allows men to get away with rape, sexual harrassment and molestation. Richard Burke i\\\'m sure knows that if these evils he has committed took place in his home country he will go to prison but he is very lucky that it happened in Nigeria where we see white men as our ticket out of poverty and escape to a better life. I do not doubt Dolores i only hope that Almighty God will intervene for her and bring this priest to justice bcos we all know that the catholic church is very notorious for covering up for their preists in cases like this. We hear it all the time on CNN and BBC.

Its only a 'dunce' that would thnk "men of God" can see no evil and do no evil. In fact the very mindset betrays an ignorance that forms one of the basis of the oppression and repressions of Africans by fellow Africans and by people of other races. Africans are given to ascribing virtues to elders, peronalities and religious leaders wihtout prior proof that such an individual deserved that by their lifestyles whether in public or in private. The guys here trumpeting the virtues of a Richard Burke (i dont know him) betray the African disease of listlessly and mindlessly singing about what they do not know. we sing about people in leadership to the high heavens especially if they have been our benefactors in one way or the other. we are more concerned about ourselves rather than do things that may make the case for the common good. why are we like this? I am a pentecostal minister and i have heard and have known ministers who have not only fallen into sex sins but who also have remained perpetually involved with other women to whom they have not been married. so what makes a catholic priest different? is it because he wears white? And when will you get your proof that the priest may be guilty? when he sleeps with your mother? or with your sister or daughter? We all know that immoral sex acts are not done in public. so its always a case of your word against his.This woman says she has taped evidences of the words of this man recounting his escapades with even married women. My problem is not only with this case but with the way we africans think. this has over time become the basis of our fundamental dificulties as a race and as our diffenrent nationalities. we dont think! we have a mind but we hardly use it. Maybe if you just waited a while and think you may just by some little-tiny-whimpy chance realize that men of God are 'men' first before they are 'of God'. Just three letter words...MAN OF GOD. so he is still a man and he can be used of the devil just like other men are atimes or even at all times. The other day bill clinton claimed to have seen no evil and done no evil, but when investigations were done he came back begging for forgiveness.I believed him then and i eagerly hoped all miss Lewinsky had to say was just 'trash', because i really liked Mr Clinton (and i still do).But the end he admitted to having "an inapproriate relationship" with miss lewinsky A man inAustria camped his own daughter in the basement of his own house and made her into a sex-slave for some 16 years plus. she eventually had 4 children for by him. Abeg my brother and sister...lets start opening our minds up. Let us start using our minds. Maybe Richard Burke will still come back asking for forgiveness (that is if he ever repents) when he does Im sure it would be without prior consultation with his 'trumpeters'. And what will you then do? Please lets start using our minds and lets start knowing that in this present world...ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE....including the ones you dont want to hear!

the riddle is getting clearer. the wicked shall not go un punished. we are beginning the unravel the plot. the one who was looking for means to get a pound of flesh thus masterminded this report. know that the rot of God which has been upon you for your evil shall spread to members of your family for such an acusation against a holy man of God. The Archbishop has made effort in living a Holy life. your ambition failed you thus you sort a way of vengence. your phone calls to promote the news, your jubilations are well spelt out. its an unfortunate situation that your continued your evil plots to this level.

THE COMMENT IMMEDIATELY ABOVE WAS WRITTEN BY ME DELE FROM ABUJA, NIGERIA

Mr Nick or is it Miss Nick whatever you are and whoever you are...ask Burke, "how much did this woman demand of you before making the story public"? or what do you think she stands to gain by exposing you"? you (Nick)have reduced human beings to animals. even animals have a conscience. And i want to let you know that its not everything an individual does that have some 'plot' behind it...sometimes you do things by the obligations of your conscience. Thats fundamental to human beings...i mean real human beings.

thank you Dele. we may say we do not know every action of a person but from evidence this man is not what was painted in the account given by this lady. let her present more facts. you cannot from abuja which is about 600 km from warri aplaud the story of this lady.

if mr. Clinton admitted it is because he was guilty. should a man admit being guilty of what he has no idea of. in recent times this lady has been visited by an ambitious man who has failed in his ambition. if she says her sister was involved let her provide details so that her sister can testify. if she says hundred of nigerian girls let her state other even two will be sufficient. she said she was admitted in a hospital where the event took place, provide details of the hospital let us go and check the records if anyone like her was admitted during that period. it is so amazing the evil continues to triumph to such a tempo. are we so irritated by the presence of the rightous that we plot to kill them just the way the life of the prophet Jerimiah was threatened? this message was first published by This day news online under comment but when they scrutized it they probably thought it wise to remove it because of the incredulity of the assertions. it was then repeated hook, line and sinker here. it is definitely clear that the author has an agenda that is yer to be spelt out.

some of you amazed me on how you think! those of you suporting the bishop are doing so based on who he is to you and how you've known and see him.which is entirely not wrong.but pause for a while and rethink.why will a woman doing well in canada with a good family want to do a thing like this?that's because she has learnt over the years that what we see as nothing in nigeria is incredibly a cruel,wicked,damaging,stimagizing and punishable offence.the effect it has on the victims sometimes makes them unable to come out and expose him.first of all how many of our women have the proper education about abuse or being taken advantage of?those of you suporting him, what if it were your sister or mum?would you have allowed someone to provide the evidence or would you have allowed them to come out publicly expecially in front of your dad,classmates,family etc?even you would'nt want that as an african and that is the stigma and shame that is also extended to you who is not the primary victim and the advantage the bishop is taking because he knows it will be difficult for these people to come out.i just hope non of these people are your fiancees,or loved ones,then you will learn to to trust people by their looks or religous positions.i was i manservant i have seen what this priest can do to ladies.its so sad that people who they have been nice to will never want to beleive a thing like this.Nick,Dele doesn't have to be in warri before he knows.what if he was once there and he witnessed it?those of you who are closer see less than those who are far away.where you with him in agbarho or new jersey or in benin or even in ireland?how about the priest in ireland and other parts of the uk who abused 32,000 teenagers?how about the bishop in canada that was recently caught in the airport importing ponography and doing prostisution trade with people in cambodia,thailand and other developing country?this same bishop was reported 20yrs ago when he was still a priest and nobody did anything about it.they even went as far as to make him a bishop.now what goes around comes around.God is just exposing them and no one can stop God.hide the truth,bend the truth,twist the truth but it always have its way of finding itself! you all we see beyound every reasonable doubt that this lady is right atleast to some extent and you shall know that the Lord alone is the only true and righteous Judge! this bad priest are stigmatizing the good ones.when they try to oppose them,they'll be tyransfered to remote area and be threatened.giving bad names to the church of God.what a shame!

@Nick...I may be 600kilometers from Warri, but its so easy for me to applaud the story of this lady BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD THE RECORDED TAPES WHERE BISHOP BURKE ADMITTED TO THESE OFFENCES AND APOLOGISED TO HER PROFUSELY ABOUT THESE CRIMES. The sad thing is you havent heard these tapes yourself. Really it would have been just ok if he had apologised all the way, but to apologise to her and then deny all of these to other people is intolerable!

Dolores, I do not know what you stand to gain by this publication, remember Jesus words "Touch not my annointed and do my prophet no harm " Do have a re-think, may God forgive you!!!

Dear ifeoma,since you decided to go with the bible,so be it. The book of Ephentian chapter 5 ,verse 10 to 14 says "Try to learn what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the worthless things that people do, things that belong to the darkness. Instead ,bring them out to the light.{it is really too shameful even to talk about the things they do in secret.} And when all things are brought out to the light,then their true nature is clearly revealed; for anything that is clearly revealed becomes light. That is why it is said ,"wake up sleeper,and rise from death and christ will shine on you." Someone have said they have listen to the tapes and I too have done the same. it is very said and depressing for me to know that archbishop richard burke have done and commited such a crime and not resign. What can of a gospel is he preaching? Africa is going to be the next place that God is going to face with this sex abuse by priest. Ifeoma, God himself said "my judgement will began in my own house" Touch not my anionted is for good chilren of God. archbishop richard burke cannot be anointed and at the same time sextually involve with vonurable young girls who hardly can eat once a day. that contradict the word or God. We all have to be careful what we say. This lady have done what most of us can not do. May the good lord bless her. Everone is normal, until you get to know them. It is a sad day for the church. Dolores ,you did a good job coming out to expose this shameleess Richard Burke. I hope they dont send him back to nigeria. Even lied to his fellow prisrt that he is going for treatment. he is also a lier. wolf in sheep clothing.

"In Gemany they came first for the communists and I didnt speak up,because i wasnt a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didnt speak up,because I wasnt a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionist and I didnt speak up,because i wasnt a trade unionist. Then they came for the protestants and I didnt speak up,because I am a catholic. Then they came for me and by that time ,no one was left to speak up." Do you have to be abuse first for you to belief that ARCHBISHOP RICHARD BURKE , AN IRISH, ABUSE THIS LADY?

What did our Lord Jesus Christ say to the Pharisees who wanted to stone the adulterous woman, He said he who is without sin should be the first to cast the stone at her, they all dropped their stones and walked away. We all are sinners before God, and none is free, so whatever anyone has done, he or she does not deserve a public condemnation, but we need to pray that the grace of God may abound in all of us to enable do His will always. May the name of the Lord be praised both now and forever more. Amen.

Thanks Mr. Emmanuel from Benin. its an unfortunate thing that all effort mounted to prevent him from assuming the seat of the archbishop ofBenin proved abortive but resulting to such a step ... is more unfortunate for Benin. it is beyond being malicious.

Emmanuel well done for your comment. You have reasoned finely. But it is clear from your opening statement that you are yet to proceed beyond the boundaries of Edo state. I even wonder if you have moved as much as ekpoma or maybe you stopped at Ehor thinking you have entered ishan. You think paupers are not in canada? hic ... find out the reson many people who travel abroad refuse to return home for even a visit after 10 years. some cant afford a ticket, others have nothing to show for wasted time while their mates who endured the difficulties of the system here have either cars or houses as a reward. fame is a desire of many abroad. it makes them feel like celebrities. Dont be suprise, there is a lot the woman tends to gain from all this. Nick, I appreciate your comment.

I have personally met a lady who has confided in me on this kind of issue about this same bishop. I will speak with her again and make her understand she must come out to talk. I am amazed at people when they speak as if it is impossible for this kind of act to happen. We have seen in the news before where people have to defend men of God for acts like this only for such men of God coming out at the end to admit their crime. For those who are in doubt,please i`d advise you to sit, wait and see. Don`t defend what you don`t know. I will advise the victim of this act that i know, to use this forum at the minimum to tell you her story. I am proud to be a catholic but i am ashamed of acts like this. Dolores,i dont know you but based on the evidence that i have about a victim,i believe you. Please fight on and people like me are behind you. And if the bishop dedides to be a hardened sinner and refuse to confess and repent,we all know what will befall him,the bible is not ambiguous about it.

Please those believing the story of the lady should ask themselves what is thier interest and what do they stand to gain? From the argument of those who support the woman, it is clear that is a plot because of the strength of your argueent and hatred for the archbishop. This is amazingly disappointing. How can u condemn a man you have not seen or lived with? Please stop this nonsense and face your lives. if the arcbishop is guilty, leave that to God. Dnt play God\'s role and be a judge. if he is not guitly, you should also leave it to God. Which person among those supporting this woman has not committed sin before. Pleasse use your time to pray for the growth of church, insstead of being an agent of the devil destroying the church. let us mind our business and leave this matter for those who are hanling it, while we pray for the church. Please stop playing God on this matter.

Thank you Oke. Let us leave this issue alone. We are fighting ourselves here over an issue that we barely know so much about. Like Oke said, we should leave this whole thing to God. Soe people are acting as if they are paid to destroy the archbishop. What are you going to profit. Some of you speak in a manner you will not even speak about your enemy. Please give some credit to the archbishop. Do not be disrespectful to him and speak in manner that is not right. A good christian will only pray at such a time like this. let us pray instead of trading words right here.

Thank you Oke. Let us leave this issue alone. We are fighting ourselves here over an issue that we barely know so much about. Like Oke said, we should leave this whole thing to God. Soe people are acting as if they are paid to destroy the archbishop. What are you going to profit. Some of you speak in a manner you will not even speak about your enemy. Please give some credit to the archbishop. Do not be disrespectful to him and speak in manner that is not right. A good christian will only pray at such a time like this. let us pray instead of trading words right here.

All of u are mumus,I mean fools and i mean all of u who are supporting richard burke and those against him.Judge ur lives.Face ur lives.Remember the one u did the other day,.is it bcos no body is saying it?Are ur hands clean?God knows his people

Things are not often as they appear. but let he who is without sin be the first to cast the stone. time, time is a sincere judge. but let those who know nothing be quiet and those who claim to have listened to a tape. let them tell us where to find it.

Are you the bossman johnson? May God help you. We are trying to locate you. Open your eyes. I wish you Gods help in life.

i have carefully followed the aligation of Dolores Atwood and other rational contributions from different individuals from different part of the world.my contribution is going to come from a different angle.it could be true that our bishop did exactly what this woman is saying and it could never be false that he did not do it.my argument for saying the above is based on my personal experience with some priests.,89%of our priest sleep with women more than married men,so many of our young girls today are been dis-virgin by our catholic priest most especially when this young girls go to church for one spiritual activities or the others.as am writing now so many girls are in the priest rooms doing what?some who entered this sexual relationship very early find it very difficult to let go because all her want are meet.i wish to wake all young and old women who must have suffered what Dolores Atwood suffered stand up and do same,come out with facts.doing so, we are helping our priest to keep to their vows,an protecting our unborn child from such sacrilege.

your Grace,i know you must have been felling bad about this issue,well THAT is life for you.if what the woman said is true beg God for forgiveness and apologies to the lady.but if it\'s untrue,take as your cross and beg GOD to forgive her.above all advice your priests there own may be worse.

Let everyone who reads and hears about this restrains his or herself. Only God knows the truth.Mere conjecture will not help,neither the proponents or the opponents. In all,let us not jugde,rather,we should pray for the parties involved.Even if it is true,we all should learn to temper justice with mercy afterall we are human and if you have never sinned both in private and public keep casting the stone...only God will save us all.

May God have mercy on us. Difficult times are bound to come.No one should support wrong doing of anykind.All should be careful while we condemn the Archbishop even before he is given the chance to defend himself.Dolores,please take things easy,you may the correct but there are other enemies of the Catholics priesthood who may want to exploit the situation.I am praying for you and the whole church whose good name will be highly injured by these varied comments.

What is you people's argurement? If actually the archbishop is guilty, did he commit the sin alone? so why should he appologise to a lady that is an ingrate, after she has enjoyed all the goodies associated with being close to an archbishop, she can now open her mouth wide to talk against the archbishop. I have no doubt that it was through the connection of the archbishop that she met her Canadian husband - what an ingrate!!! What is our christian life all about if not for prayer, forgiveness and reconcilliation - I think it is high time we stopped all comments on this same issue, it is not glorifying God.

An awesome tail,isnt it? This is a funny shit.Its no good to blackmail the entire church.I am some sure there are still good pastors all over the world.It happens here quite often and people get huge pay packets.Guys pray for your priests,they are in real danger men.I am no priest,I don even go to church but this whole shit is worrysome you know.

Franka! I am sure if you have the opportunity to sleep with the "BISHOP" for the so called gooooodies,you will. It is clear from your statement. I am sorry for you. Anyway,if Dolores got her connection through the "BISHOP",please kindly look for one bishop in your area for your own connection. I am ashamed of your comment...

This is in deed sad. But no one should doubt these events. If anyone has been following events the news in Ireland the church is paying dearly now for past abuses in children homes, for emotional and physical abuse. News, of the Paraguay bishop, now President of that country who impregnated a young woman, and whom he began to sleep with as minor, the case of archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo, and rumours regarding the unsuccessful sexual harrassment and intended molestation of a Nigerian nun, Paschaline Aligweke by a former Bishop of Okigwe; and including known rumours related to the current archbishop of Nigeria, Abuja, John Onaiyekan and Nigerian nuns must all give us goose bumps but not to deny these stories. Let Burke resign. Let him come out to disprove this woman. This woman a moslem convert, has so much personal details of this man that the burden is now more on Bishop Burke to disprove these allegations. What if this woman's sister comes out publicly? People think. Yes, the church is of God, but it is human beings made of flesh and blood that are in it. People do make mistakes. If married people with one wife cannot stay with their one wife and look around, we know how hard it can be for a priest without one. Yes, there are some cold days too and we all feel this. But the issue is that this kind of pattern of exploitation must be investigated. If the St. Patrick's fathers have any shame at all, they must conduct a transparent investigation and notify the Vatican immediately about what they are hearing. My hunch is that since this is a third world country, where the legal system is not well developed to accomodate those needs, they would play some games. But I bet given that this woman is now located in Canada, if she is able to prove her case beyond any reasonable doubt, the Bishop Burke, should be angling for trouble. More so, the woman should contact the diocese in New Jersey where Burke worked to see if there is any pattern there too, once a U.S. link can evolve then they can do a class action case or individual case, with one acting as witnesses. These allegations if credible would truly incriminate the Bishop Burke. I know a lot of Irish priests and bishops have women here, and some old missionaries transported this to Nigeria it seems. Remember the 1992 case of the former bishop of Galway, fathering a child with an American woman?

I posted one above. However, following a quick web research on Dolores Atwoods, I found the following opinion that she wrote when Archbishop Milingo married in 2001. In a BBC June 11, 2001-"should Catholic Priests Marry?" Dolores, stated this- [Nobody is forced to be a priest. Anyone who is a priest, knows the rules before becoming one, that is why we have other churches. If you like to be a married minister, you can choose from the many other good churches out there. It doesn't have be the Catholic Church, it's all a matter of choice. Not everyone is called to marry. Is anything wrong if we have some few people in this world who want to dedicate their lives to the service of GOD? Those who choose to marry should do so like me, and those who choose to be a priest should remain so. Dolores Atwood, Nigerian living in Canada ] I wonder, how someone could write that favourable statement, and now turn around to go after another archbishop who may or may not have had an affairs. I am trying to put the legal puzzles together and see whether this make any sense. Dolores, if you still signed on please reply. YOur credibility is on the line, and should this go legally on-line your entire history would be somewhat put on display.

If this is the same Dolores Atwood, she seems enterprising. But I wonder why it took her this long to come out- when in fact, she kept talking to the archbishop. Was her needs not met financially? was she in danger of divorce? was she in financial crises? In spite of all, she continued to be actively involved in her church, serving as lector and all that. I wonder whether this is typical of those abused? Is this a case of jealousy, thinking that the archbishop who is fond of her, is now closer also to her sister? was the archbishop been a good friend continuing to support her, and in her marriage? If the intention is not evil why did she make those tapes- in many places in North America, except for the government, tapes made without disclosure/consent of the other party are not tenable in court. Is this a publicity stunt? Delores needs to clear this questions for the sake of her integrity, especially as one who is interested in politics. I do hope that this is not all targeted toward making her promote her politics using church/priests' sex abuse as a scaffold to a brighter career? My job here is to ensure there is integrity and not just some dummy ass accusations against an innocent clergy, though the Catholic Church as I alerted prior has gotten lots of bad press. Atwood, Dolores CANDIDATE DETAILS Affiliation Liberal Name Dolores Atwood Address Yarmouth, Nova Scotia , Canada Email None Website None Born Unknown Died Still Living (2009 years) Contributor John Hodgman Last Modifed John Hodgman Jun 04, 2006 09:49am Tags Info Dolores Atwood is a very active, vocal and hard working community leader with a strong commitment in seeing Yarmouth grow. Since coming to Yarmouth in 1999, Dolores has served the community by sitting on the Town & Municipal Joint Heritage and Yarmouth Municipal Planning Advisory Committees. She has served as the President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Yarmouth and Nova Scotia and is actively involved with the local Women in Business initiative. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Yarmouth Arts Regional Center (Th’ YARC) and has joined the newly formed Immigration Initiatives Committee. Dolores is involved within the Church and serves as a lector at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. She has taught Sunday school at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Brooklyn and in the past has taught Catechism and Religious studies. Dolores is also active with the “After Five Club”, a non-denominational group that meet monthly. She was born in Ondo State Nigeria in 1969. She studied a bachelor in International Relations at Oba Femi Awolowo Federal University (OAU) from 1989 to 1993 and was the Vice President of the International Relations Student Association at OAU. She Immigrated to Canada in 1995 and married her husband Chris Atwood. From 1996 to 1998, Dolores was employed with the Government of Thailand as a community development coordinator. While in this position, she played a leading role in obtaining domestic and international funds to assist in the establishment of a Childcare Development Center in the Province of Phrae. After returning to Canada in 1998, Dolores served as the Nova Scotia representative on the CUSO (Canadian University Services Overseas) Atlantic Council. Dolores is a mother of 3 school age children and has worked as a teacher’s aid at the Port Maitland Elementary School. She has been a Board member of Parents Place and is presently involved with the Meadow Fields Home and School Association. In 2004 Dolores’ concerns over the challenges and issues facing local schools prompted her to run for a position on the Tri-County School Board. During this close race, Dolores had the opportunity to talk to many people living in the Municipality of Yarmouth and to discuss the challenges that are being faced not only in Education but also in regards to Health and Economic growth. Dolores believes that Yarmouth’s strength is its people and their resilience and determination to progress. Dolores has proven her commitment and desire to work and serve her community of Yarmouth and has shown, time and time again, the leadership and vision that Yarmouth needs to progress

Thank you very much, irishcanonlawyerpriester! it's clear there are many things yet unspoken in this whole case. Archbishop Burke had no problem until he got to a land where he was not welcomed. benin wanted their son ( indigene ) to become the archbishop and seat on the throne. It appears that it is this hatred that is further spearheaded and has been hatched in this case. From warri, it is clear that the archbishop is a holy man of God. both catholics and non-catholics as well as christians and non-christians testify to this. may God protect his servants from the plans of the evil one.

It is very sad to hear that another priest from ireland is pretending to be aan irishcanonlawyer to cause more pain to the christian community. If this man has coomitted this crime in ireland , he will be in prison by now. Why will a pretend priest say he is a irishcanonlawyer who do exatly the same thing as his friend richard burke go and search on this lady as if she is the one who abuse children? ARCHBISHOP RICARD BURKE commit a crime and you are going after the victim? SHAME ON YOU.

Irishcanonlawyer my foot and SHAME ON YOU AND RICHARD BURKE,both of you are child abusers.

Personally, I did contacted this lady,because I wanted to know the truth. I first wrote in this forum, and I was among those who critised her, But from all I have been hearing out there that is a devoted catholic that have brought convert to the church, that included her moslim family, and again what surprises me again from what I heard, that she is a very honest and compationate person, so I decided to make contant with her and hear her own story and the tapes she hear. She was indeed what they say she is. Very frank and straight forward. I asked her about the tapes. She said wait a minete and returned back with it and I listen to it. My jaw drop. Dele was right when he wrote from above that he hadf heard the takes. I felt bad ,because of all that I have said about this lady. may God forgive me . I thought the bishop was innocent, in fact we all own this lady an apology. Why should a lady who is happy married and doing very well want lie. She is telling the truth. Archbishop richard burke. you have wrong this lay ,,please resign and get help. You have missled us all. I am a proud catholic, but I am ashame end of you abuse and how you have divided our church. I am very soory miss dolores Atwood. Please keep up the fight.

Some of you herein are just have small minds. In my first post, I have made the point that this abuse is intolerable and sympathized with Dolores Atwoods. I do not know what it is and how it works in the courts in Nigeria, but in the west, the personality, character, outward and gestured demeanours and other personal aspects are focused and scrutinized to provide a clear picture of the parties, offer the jury and opportunity to contemplate upon the crime to reach a definitive decision. The law must scrutinize both parties decisively and thorougly. My point in researching Dolores is to point out that she is real. Her achievements speak for her. However, she has not made a clear case beyond using the tools of the internet to vilify archbishop Burke. Here are my reasons. Dolores feels strongly about the Catholic priesthood and their celibacy. At the time she was writing (2001), she felt she was already violated and still was a strong advocate for a celibate priesthood. She continues to be active in her Catholic faith, which is laudable, in spite of the acclaimed abuses she had experienced, without feeling betrayed and hurt. The criminal justice system does work in looking at the whole picture. Allegations are easy to make. Motives can be everything and this is what in litigation every sound lawyers would be driving at. That, in fact, does not exonerate archbishop Burke, my country man and fellow priest. It only states that the structure of the legal system may not work to Dolores advantages. Both Dolores and Archbishop Burke have all erred enormously, in ways that legally complexify the so-called crimes. Lets take a peep into the reason. First, for Dolores. Dolores, even after she got married was still infactuated with the archbishop in a long distance relationship. She seemed to have continued the relationship from day, and thereafter, knowing as she alleged that this man was having affairs with other women. The simple legal test is: why did she choose to remain in the relationship, and for that long? Why was this relationship with an abuser not feel damaging. For archbishop Burke, here is his fault. Even, if she truly cared for this woman and her ordeals, he should have stopped conversing with her, and put an instant stop to the relationship; more so knowing that she was already married and with children. Further, he had no business, if Dolores facts are correct of continuing to discuss with her husband. They were already dealing with a lot, and he was still not leaving the scene. Now, I do not know how Nigerians see issues but here are my opinions. Most Nigerians are very narrow minded in their selected preferences and biases. Those who decry archbishop Burke and siding with Dolores, and those pro-Burke and anti-Dolores. Most are not ready to scrutinize this issue thoroughly. Most are hearing just one version and they are ready to take side. That is not how the criminal justice system work, especially the English Common Law that I suppose frame most of Nigerian legal practices and systems. More fundamentally, there are legal issues here too of whether, even if Delores is credible, the statutes of limitations have expired in this case. Further, what legal jurisdiction does she intend to utilize, Nigerian, Canadian, Irish, Roman, and what kind criminal, civic, canon law? It is not a straight answer here. My hunch is that Dolores would be unable to legally outwit the archbishop given some of these topical and complex problems. In Nigeria, the scene where the supposed crime(s) occurred, even if the statute of limitation has not expired,my impression is that it would be difficult to win due to the institutional constraints, Nigerians religiosity, the trauma of isolation and shame (cultural factors in that society) etc. It would also be long as Nigerian judicial systems are often clogged and takes long number of years to adjudicate on pending cases. I do not think that if no crime is committed in either Canada or Ireland (Burke's country of origin), that she can sue there. Her most viable option is that if she contacts the diocese where Burke worked in New Jersey and someone surface, she can acting as that person witness, and in the event that person win her case, use that to her legal advantage. Even this is doubtful given that she is not an American resident. I know how painful abuses are, and scrippling and damaging. But to also be fair to archbishop Burke, could it be stated that following immigration, and under the direct influence of some fake psychologists, they induced Delores to recall memories that lead to such framing, and without basis? This do happen at times, and of course many families have been damaged as a result of psychologists' insinuations that are not true in reality but rather induced. But again, is Dolores mad because her sister was also close to Burke, is this a case of sibling jealousy and rivalry, and fight for relevance, benefits and accruing privileges? Does she feel sidelined and despised? Fundamentally, where is Dolores sister, is she on her side? Is she talking? Is she ready to take the stand in a legal tussle against Burke and in favour of her sister? Dolores story would be more credible if more people come out and are able to prove beyond all means and reasonable doubt that Burke also violated them. All of these beg for thorough understanding and scrutiny. Having done an attempt to present these issues, as Nick herein raised, there are a lot of other motives that can be at work here. The case of Warri diocese and Benin archdiocese, where there was a tussle for the bishop's office may be a motive here. Is anyone using the closeness of a disgrunted Dolores (suspecting her sister is sleeping around with her best lover) to try to supplant Burke? We may never know. But the fact that Dolores also selected to fight her fight on the internet, shows she has limited access or even valued confidence that her case would make it through the judicial system(s). It shows some desperation. More so, she was using an opinon segment of a major Catholic newspaper, such intent shows malice, including desperation. That is not far fetched. Abuse of any kind must be decried. But even as an adult, and for many years Dolores did not put herself in a good position as she was very much enthuses with Burke. Burke also acted poorly, in a way that makes me doubt the competency of his judgement as a bishop of a major archdiocese in Nigeria. Abidal issue about a woman who is happily married with kids, sound very naive? Don't married people with children have motives, poor judgements, and also low self-esteemed? Such arguments are in deed porous and devoid of critical sense as an instrumentation in pursuing legal liability. How do we even know that this woman is happily married? If she was happily married she would not be contacting a bishop, who did not want her married to her husband in the first place, as she recounts. As Irish and a Priest, I might be biased, but I have shared this facts because I believe any and all unwarranted, non-mutual abuses are demeaning and damaging. Consentual and mutual affairs, even if they are in poor tastes, happening between adults are a different matter. I have put myself against the church in pointing out against what I perceive as archbishop Burke's actions, and have even called on him to resign if these events are factual.

You are obviously not a spiritual priest and a friend to richaid burke ,because of the way you discribed the nigerian people and that you are very insencitive of others and you just generalise,because you are not hearing or like what people are saying about richard burke. I do not believe that there is a motive behind this. I think you are trying to discourage dolores from pursuing this case. You mention about culture factor and isolation and shame, shows that richard knows and took advantage of it. Well you cannot distroy the truth.I believe that this lady is strong and I think this issue is going to be bigger than we think. Alot of people here are behind this lady and I heard that she is already have people calling her for support. She has a very good reputation, judging from those who went to school with her and well respected at her university and very smart too and you can not even find any wrong even when you search.I believe that richard burke abuse this lady at 14th. A lady who went to a forign counties and have acheive all this in a short period of time, shows she is responsible. Her life and who she is spoke of her. she loves her family and everyone knows that.By the way,a priest did something teribly wrong to my family, but we never left the church. He left eventually. Richard burke must have groom this lady , i know it is all phychological that he keep communicating with her shows that he has been afriad of this lady exposing him for a long time and manupulating her and that is why the communication ,not that she was having a sextual relationship with him.. You will be surprise how she will fight back.

Fr patrick, I heard you were booted out of nigeria in relation to all this, and that you have a good knowledge of what richard burke was doing and you were also invoved. No more free women, driver and the warm sun weather,? now you are cold and wish you are back in nigeria. Sorr.Thank you cadinal olubummy

I am writing this note in response to irishcannonlawyerpriest. Though you have made some valid points, you have also been somewhat biased and skewed in your “legal” opinions and you have also made some very reckless assumptions, if you are writing your comments from a truly neutral and uninfluenced position. In an earlier statement you have said that “tapes made without disclosure/consent of the other party are not tenable in court”, this is not necessarily true, in fact, taped conversations are OFTEN used as evidence and are examined with the same lens as letters and other documents in criminal law. I would suggest that you hit your law books Fr. P.C.. Secondly, you make a dangerous assumption, if you are truly commenting as an observer of this blog. You have google searched Dolores Atwood and have pasted her bio and comments from a BBC site. Canada is a country of more than 30 million people, how are you sure that the info that you have inserted is that of the “Dolores Atwood” making the complaint against Richard Burke? If you do not have intimate knowledge of this, you, as a lawyer have opened yourself up to a number of serious allegations! I will base the rest of what I write on your assumptions. In your “unbiased” statement on Dolores’ faith you question how could someone who was abused remain active and involved in the Church? I know that you are playing the “devils advocate” and for those other gentle readers of this site, I would propose; There are many people who have been abused at a young age by religious people and remain actively involved in the Church and do not disclose their abuse because of the shame and guilt that they feel. It is often not until they are much older when they disclose the abuse. Some people who are abused as youngsters become abusive when they get older. Who is not to say, that Richard Burke was not abused by a Saint Augustan Brother when he was attending school and that his abusive sociopathic tendencies are not a result of this? We must also delve more seriously into the allegation of the abuse and when the abuse started. Dolores states that she was 14 years old and that her parents were separating. For a young girl this must have been traumatic. She was looking for counseling and for someone to listen to her. Richard Burke, at the same time would have been… 35 years old! Do I need to draw a picture? A 35 year old white man, who is in a position of power and a vulnerable 14 year old Nigerian girl (wake up!). Now, let us look at Dolores’ youngest sister. I will assume that she was 17 to 19 years of age when Richard molested her. We must now ask again, how old was Richard? Was he 50 to 51 years of age? The though of such an old man with young women is revolting and disgusting as well as being illegal! Now let us look at culture. I will assume once again, that irishcannonlawyerpriest you have spent some time in Nigeria and are aware of some of the cultural “faupas” of that Country. You are then probably aware that if a man were to knowingly engage in sexual relationships with two sisters (same mother/same father) that that would be considered a Nigerian CULTURAL ABOMINATION! Gentle readers, could we not assume that this may have been the tipping point that made Dolores want to come forward? Now for a moment let us return back to the “relationship” that existed between Richard Burke and Dolores Atwood in most recent times. It is obvious, if we take Dolores’ account as being credible, as St Patrick’s Missionary Society has done, that Richard Burke often used manipulation and intimidation to perpetuation the relationship. Richard Burke, would tell Dolores that “if anyone found out about the relationship, that it would be bad for him and bad for the Church” he would also state “ If your husband found out about this he will surely divorce you and take the children”. Imagine, a woman living in a foreign country, without any relatives and hearing such threats, do you not think that she would be afraid to speak out? Richard Burke has shown very little regard towards Dolores or her sister. If we look at Richard Burke’s nature and the cycle of abuse that is obviously seen in evidence submitted, we start to see signs of a serial abuser with sociopathic tendencies. I would suggest that anyone who is not familial with the signs or profile of a sociopath go to this site: http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html . Irishcannonlawyerpriest, you have chosen to keep your identity a secret, that is your choice as it is mine. You have also chosen to play the “devils advocate” and to provide skewed “legal” opinions disguised as being objective, but clearly ignoring many of the allegations raised against the Archbishop by Dolores Atwood. As members of the Body of Christ, we have a responsibility to respect life and humanity and to ensure justice and peace for all within our Church. God’s Judgment will start in His Own House. We must look beyond our fraternities and remember our obligations to God and Jesus, or else, we are no better than the Pharisees and Sadducees of Old. Let us join to stop the abuse and heel the suffering.

Seekerofjustice and truth, I appreciate this response. Somehow, I think it is Dolores voice being articulated, but that does not make a difference. In my initial post here, I did sympathized enormously with Dolores' conditions, and I asked her to seek justice, even by contacting authorities in the New Jersey diocese that Burke worked. If allegations do surface there, there is a more likely and higher possibility of Dolores having her day in court, at least if not for herself but as a witness bringing attention to a critical issue. I do definitely understand abuse and I have enjoined options that may not be attuned to the thinking of the majority of Catholics, including authorities within my own church. You put it better, here was is been done is playing the "devil's advocate" and that is what the judicial system does to arrive at the facts. Emotional and physical abuses, which additional details seekerofjustice and truth has presented that is not within the original posting herein, offers more details- though it is this that makes me think, Dolores or any of her surrogate is the one posting. But no big deal.\ Surely, I did spend sometime in Nigeria for a number of years and traveled the world. The point I made about making tapes secretly is a general norm in the United States and Canadian legal system. I was trying to weight and measure, candidly the different trajectories open to Dolores to pursue her case, while also bringing to the fore the enormous challenges, including heightened additional emotional crises that would be generated during the litigation, especially trial scenario. These processes are cruel and painstaking. That is the bare truth. No one is saying that what the archbishop did, if it is true, is appropriate. But again, human life and affairs are not that simplistic, and the legal options, are not often as easy as many people sometimes think. It is draining and time consuming, it can be humiliating and strenuous on the psyche. That is my point precisely. However, Dolores' intents would be scrutinized. More so, the way I understand the current Nigerian legal system, there is no systematic framework in place to deal with some of these allegations, at least as I know it. I would conjecture that the bulk of the allegations did happen in Nigeria, and so this is where the judicial determination would naturally have to take place, except if Dolores can prove that some of this occurred while she was in Canada, in which case, she was then an adult. Given that she continued to engage the archbishop in endearing and amorous conversations may constitute a problem for validating even if such occurred that this was not a consentual relationship. Then, the bishop's lawyers can get him to agree it was consensual, and the best alternative recourse to Dolores, would then not be a criminal option, but a civil law suit. All, I was doing is playing out these entire scenario. For Dolores, as hard as these events are, her location in the west privileges her. But her motives would always continued to be questioned and suspect, even if she is telling the truth. The structures and systems of our human society respect institutions. It is taking societies like the United States, Canada, and now Ireland many years to come to terms with events that happened many decades ago. It is not often that easy. The issue is not about the veracity here, but more about after all these allegations, denting, and public revelation, what next for both Dolores and also for Burke. In everyway, through whatever lenses and angles, it is a sad occurence, because this is no game. These actions have ramifications for the lives of the individuals involved, their present, future, and probably both physical, mental, emotional, ethical, social, and spiritual wellbeing. How they are coping is something that one would imagine is hard, in everyway. No one, not myself privileges evil, but evil in spite of all good intents or goodwill do occur in human society. We also know that in today's world, if Burke was not a priest this would hardly even draw attention. Many men, not that it is good and to be encouraged, play this game all the time. If this was done by Dolores' secondary school teacher, in Warri, this would have largely not caught on. Yet, teachers like priests, are in position of authorities and respectability. This is what compounds the problem, because if not the image of the priest, many Nigerians and expatriates do molest and harrass women all the time, pregnant them, pass on diseases to them. As a church and society, what is been called for here, is the audacity to help to foment changes, in ways that we do not unduly violate the rights of anyone, including women, whether in the church or society. Few years ago, the Irish head of the worldwide Congregation of Medical Missionaries of Mary, documented the abuse of young and vulnerable, women, especially nuns by priests and some bishops. The situation of the Zimbabwean archbishop Pius Ncube is also well-known, even though that was a consensual case, in which he denied but confronted with visual images and other facts, he came clean by accepting and apologizing to his supporters. Of course, many were livid and felt he took advantage of their loyalty. Mind you, Ncube, was someone at the time that a section of Zimbabwean society, were trying to coopt to run as that country's President to hound Mugabe out of office. We know, this things do exist. The case of the President of Paraguay, which I alluded to, in my initial posting is a case in point. He fathered a child with a woman, whom he started dating as a minor, but he did apologized and came clean. Healing comes from acceptance, humility, apology, and the attempt to make amend. Finally, as to whether the internet research proved it was the same Dolores, that was not a definitive statement either- it was a suppositional position, that expressed "if it is the same...." It was not a settled and definitive bold assertion. I do agree that they might be many Dolores Atwoods in a country of 30 million people, but the probability that it might be the same Dolores Atwood is high given that correlation of many incidental facts- described or ascribed as a Nigerian living in Canada, or an immigrant from Nigeria resident in Canada, and as one who equally happen to be Catholic. All these correlates with identities that are claimed or resembles her posted profile relative to this case. Uppermost in my mind is the healing of those who are victims and have been abused. Even more significantly is the spiritual and emotional healing of both the victims and the alleged abuser. I am sorry, both as Irish and a priest, that this even emerged at all. One thing that comes also to the fore is that most times, many people tend to think the problem of celibacy or abuse is an African problem, within a racial ranking that consider Africans somewhat as less capable of living their celibate vows in some ecclesiastical quarters. As an Irish priest and missionary, it is now time for us to own up, that we might have wrongfully presented such notion of defective priestly lifestyle to the Africans we helped evangelized, creating a dichtomy between the "normative" and the "actuality" of priestly practice. We must own up that the issue of struggling with celibacy, and even abuse, is one that is not bounded by cultural or national markers. But overall, it helps us see that the Church too is human, made up of human beings struggling to be better. The image of the church that enthrones priests as angelic, incapable of acting as other humans, sets them up for trouble. I have seen many African priests think the hell of themselves as a kind of surrogate- God, and the people rank them that way. In fact, when I was a young missionary in Nigeria and Uganda, some Africans were surprised that a priest could eat ordinary food, use the restrooms, and so excluded them by virtue of religion from the order of ordinary people. This kind of rating has its consequences in the kind of action, Dolores and her sister claim to have suffered. Finally, the entire notion of escape, and using "coyotes" or conduits for immigration; the quest for a good westernized and materialized life, subjects many young African women to the wrong people- sexual predators, international sex rings, and dubious characters. Africans must begin to see their traditional values and environment as not as sad as presupposed, because such notions also embed the seed for exploitation and ripping off young women. I am not here to be callous. I go at length to respond to this because I am saddened by it all, and I know that it is a very complex situation. I wish God's healing for all those involved; that they may know that our God can do superfluously more than we can ever imagine in bringing his peace, healing, and joys even into the most broken realities and desperate of all human situations. I look forward to Dolores and her sister's healing, while I also beg the same, especially healing, conversion of heart, even for the alleged abuser. One cannot say, that incidence such as this totally eclipse some of the good acts both for the Church, Society, and persons carried out by archbishop Burke. He might need help, for which he had never hard. It is truly at times hard to be a priest- there is a limited room for venting, debriefing, and destressing, and so, without being apologetic for archbishop Burke's actions, asking for some benevolence of heart, since we cannot except for God know the full reasons or minds of any individuals. I seek justice for acts that they are responsible, liable, and culpable, but I also think that beyond revenge, beyond revealed truths, worthwhile as they may be, justice must lead ultimately to peace. The residue of hurt, hate, violence, and revenge can be a combustive detonator whose outbursts can only boost further hates, hurts, violence, low-self-exteem, revenge, and negativity. We all have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory, but we all are also equally created in the radiance of God's love, joy, and peace. We must not allow grievance to destroy us, and that I think it is the reason St. Paul states " Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, Nor give place to the devil...Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and all evil speaking be put away from, and with all malice. And be kind to one anotner, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph. 4: 26-26, 31-32). It worthwhile that Dolores had adhered to the St. Paul (Eph. 4: 25)- "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for you are members of one another."

You have forgeting the book of Eph5:5:10-14. You seems to attack this lady, for you it seems personal. I suggest you phone her or send her an e-mail and asked her these questions,why you who claim to be a priest not act as one. Go and call her. But you prefer to judge her her.You have not acted wisely and you seems to be a trouble maker and not happy that she is exposing what you believe in. Richard burke is a sociopath like seeker of truth and justice put it.,Richard burke ,patrick iriskcananonlawyerpries,why dont you phone her? The fact you did not contact her before coming to this forum as you critized her tell alot about you. You mentioned that the nigerians are narrowminded people and you a broad minded irish priest is complaining to narrowminded people, what does that say about you? Even the devil can quot the bible. You are out for this lady and that is why you met your match,seeker of truth and justice. This man did very well. I hope he does not waste his time with you. What happen to Nairaland, did you corrupt them too? But you cant with the catholic Report, USA base , patrick.

Prisca, You see what you want to see. You are opinionated and that is alright by me. If you think you know better, then go to the court of law. You are not helping this young woman, who seems to be exceedingly bright, but got into a situation that is not pleasant for her wellbeing and good coping. You language of vitrol is also very appalling. If you want to assist someone, you got to be honest and let them see the whole sides of the issue. Let's be frank, the jury of the internet or media cannot rectify this situation justly. Many people are hurt, and it is their pastoral wellbeing and their ability to once again ease their pains and help them be more fully human that is at stake- not just some showy concern. Every concern that is not genuine on the long run does not stand the rigorous tests of life's complexities. Insolence and verbiage solves no issue, at least not in the manner of your narrowmindedness.

I need to “applaud”, my Brother in Christ, Irishcannonlawyerpriest in his ability to transform from “apt” legal advisor to “spiritual” councilor & cleric. Again, you have made many valid points. Given the current discussion, we must take what we have presented before us as stated above as fact. I must speak to the need for healing, which is the theme of Irishcannonlawyerpriest discussion. However, before we begin the journey of healing, we will need complete disclosure. Given the facts that have been presented, Richard Burke himself needs to come forward (as opposed to hiding in the Church) and confess his wrongs, not only to Dolores, who is the principal of this complaint, but to all those that have been hurt and victimized by his self-indulgences and seemingly unquenchable lust of the flesh. This includes his other victims, the parishioners of the Churches that he has served, The SPS, the Catholic Church at large, his family and in fact, the whole nation of Ireland, for which he represents when serving abroad. Given the facts that have been presented before us, we can only conclude that Richard Burke’s current situation is solely of his own making. If in 1982 when he first met Dolores and if he had done his JOB as a priest, which was to provide spiritual and emotional support and counsel, none of this would be coming out today. Irishcannonlawyerpriest is again correct, that the attention that this topic is being given is because of the rank that Archbishop Richard Burke has attained within the Church. Again, was it not Richard Burkes’ ambitious nature that brought him to his current position? It is true that this would most likely not be getting the same level of attention if the abuser had been a teacher, doctor or other professional. However, in stating that, if the abuser had been a teacher, doctor or other professional, that individual would have had their professional credentials and or licenses stripped and they themselves would have been removed from their practices immediately once the allegation was made. This would have been done long before the courts would have had an opportunity to review the facts and allegations. This leads to another very disturbing fact of this case. We know, that a written complaint was made to the Church back in March 2008, and we can only suspect that the allegations against Richard Burke were probably made verbally even earlier than that. Why then, was Richard Burke allowed to stay in Ministry and in Nigeria until July 2009? Negligence in these matters are not an excuse for the Church, given that the Church has adopted strict policies and procedures to address sexual abuse allegations. I fear that the Church’s neglect in this matter may once again cost the Church much embarrassment. This is very sad, especially when we examine the process that Dolores Atwood began. It is apparent, from the facts that we have before us, that Dolores Atwood felt that by coming forward to the Church with her complaint, that the Church would be willing and able to address this grave and serious matter. The Church, as it has done so often in the past chose to play the game known as “pass the buck” in the hopes that the situation would just go away. As I stated in my earlier comments, we, the people that represent the Body of Christ need to look beyond our fraternal obligations and return to the fundamentals of our faith, which was bought by the Blood of Christ. Instead of trying to “demonize” the victims in cases such as these, we need to embrace them, not with hollow words of “ We are sorry” but with strong actions against offenders. Let us not forget what the Catholic Church is, which is the “Universal” Church of God. It should not be up to the worldly courts of the nations to teach us morality. It should be our responsibility to teach the world a higher standard of morality through living our lives as our Savior Jesus Christ taught us. “More is expected to whom more is given”! We must not forget that our faith teaches us, that at the end of our days there is only one true court and that is the Court of The All Mighty, and His judgment of each one of us will be both true and just. Are you prepared for The Judgment?

You are not a very serious person, you are curnny . you intentionally came to this forum to insult this innocent lady who have done the right thing to speak out,you dont like it and that was confirmed by the seeker of justice and truth. You have a temper and I can tell from the way you write. Yourself and richard have been invoved in this seek and hide game or sick game for many years until you were inplicated yourself and you were booted out. You call yourself a priest with a bad temper. Please stay in your ireland, no body need you were narrowminded people live. you are lucky that for now ,you got away because those village girls are not knowledgeable enough to put you away,but one day you will be caught, that is why you can open your mouth without shame to say what you are saying. You just quot the bible some few time ago and now you are calling me narrowminded person,you are a shame to your st patrick congregation,you abandon priest. you are a bitter man. If ARCHBISHOP RICHARD BURKE have any shame as some as a needle eye, he will resign and if you have any shame yourself you will stop communicating in this forum patrick.

Are you bright,? you are not.Yes , Dolores Atwood is very bright,we all know that, and that is why richard burke was exposed. She was 14 ,richard burke was 35years, .Tell me,who should know better. She is not in a mess. How many qualify canonlawyers do you know or heard that put themselves to this low? The good priest are all behind this lady and praying for her and you are here attacking her and myself, because we are not saying what you want to hear.

I ran out of reading as after ten posts the brain wash was affecting me.Thankfully the last post has come down from the clouds. I have met these type of power hungry monsters and their double act is quite amazing, mostly from show biz but quite a number of priests in mIreland.

The best response to this issue has been the one that seekerofjusticeandtruth has presented. That says it all. The kind of verbiage by folks like Prisca, would only end up diminishing the significance of this behaviour, which I have counted as appalling, distateful, and had in my first posting called for certain lines of actions such as Dolores to contact the church in New Jersey to see if she could come up with some additional supportive facts, and had equivocally called for Archbishop Burke to resign. Folks like Prisca and her tribe are just so eaten up by their gut feelings, without looking at the entire facts of this matter. That does not help. Healing occurs at many level for individuals and communities. I do agree that a public confession and acceptance of responsibility is essential here. Archbishop Burke cannot continue to hide within the canopy of prestige and privilege to scuttle this. His reaction, I agree is a kind of trying to buy time, so that the passage of time would let this go into oblivion. I also agree that the St. Patrick's fathers must also respond to this serious allegations. I am afraid that being afraid of their culpability they are scare of the consequences of litigation. It is in this that I agree, that while the church is Holy, and also imperfect in its human constitution, that it must live above board and act honestly. The church must, as seekerofjusticeandtruth has stated be more than the rest of society, offering prime examples of accountability and responsibility. I must also state that we must not be gullible here too. Priests are human beings, with all the characteristics that accrue to all humans, which includes weaknesses and sinfulness. They too are struggling people who need to overcome sin in their own constitution, both personally and institutionally. The structures and systems of the church needs healing. I therefore agree too, that the Nigerian Catholic Bishop Conference, must also react to this unfolding drama, and call the shot in ensuring a transparent investigation, rather than pretend nothing is happening. As I stated in my first post, here in Ireland, like the rest of the world, principally in the United States, Australia, Austria, and elsewhere, we have had to deal increasingly with this situation, in a way that is saddening. In this vein, while I would like to gloss over Prisca, unintelligible ravings and rantings, I must state that I loved the Nigerian people, and I love the Church. Nonetheless, I would not subject issues like this to mere sentimentalism, without drawing acutely upon the various vignettes to see how best to resolve this- especially mainly for Dolores Atwood, who is a pained and allegedly violated victim. But more significantly, one has also to be concerned that while Dolores case may be germane, some fake people who hate any priest or public figure can just create hoaxes that would damage the reputation of a good public official. This would also be unfair. In today's world, the legal system is the definitive arbiter in "she-say-he-say."

This is getting more elaborately official now. It is in today's Irish Times that the Vatican is investigating this case.- Hosted by Back to Google NewsArchbishop accused of sex assault (UKPA) – 7 minutes ago An Irish archbishop is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Africa before having a 20-year affair with her, it has emerged. The Vatican is investigating a complaint made against Archbishop Richard Burke, who stepped down from his post with the Archdiocese of Benin in Nigeria earlier this year. He is one of the most senior members of the Catholic Church to be accused of assaulting a minor. Archbishop Richard Burke was a member of St Patrick's Missionary Society, based in Kiltegan, Co Wicklow. In a statement the society, also known as the Kiltegan Fathers, confirmed it received a complaint from the woman last December. "She alleged that she was sexually abused as a child by Richard Burke," it said. "We expressed the deep sorrow and regret of the society for the suffering the complainant and her family are going through and we affirmed the society's commitment to child protection. The society offered to provide counselling for the complainant." Archbishop Burke, who is from Co Tipperary, was ordained a priest 34 years ago and later worked as a missionary in Nigeria. He became an archbishop in 2008. It is alleged he sexually assaulted the victim in April 1983, when she was a 14-year-old patient in a hospital. The victim, a married 41-year-old mother of three who now lives in Canada, maintains she also had a relationship with the cleric for more than two decades. Archbishop Burke withdrew from ministry while the complaint is being investigated. Copyright © 2009 The Press Association. All rights reserved. Related articles Abuse llegations against archbishop investigated Irish Times - 20 minutes ago Archbishop accused of sex assault The Press Association - 2 hours ago Rome investigating abuse complaint RTE.ie - 5 hours ago More coverage (1) »

Fr patrick corcoran, what kind of a man are you? No shame? I read through your writing, all I see, is unstable person,changing his strory and views like a papper being blow around by the wind to different dirrection. You are not a good priest. I do not mean to offend you,but it is the truth. You miss lead richard burke, thinking you know it all and you are doing just that in this forum.All that prisca wrote about you is true. You are going to reap all that you had sow. You are happy to be the first one to annouced the bad news to this forun. What the man did was wrong, however ,should you be the first to annouce it? You are a trator. i just want to let you know that.

It seems that Prisca and Johnson Grant and one and the same person- except for the split personality. The language and mode of writing are the same with their flawed English, punctuations, that are typically characteristic. I wonder, where the name of Fr. Patrick Corcoran comes from. You seem to be a manufacturer of identity- such an industry! Who is Fr. Patrick Corcoran? This priest did something to you, and you cannot voice, and you prefer to hide under the cloak of Dolores story, then come out and be bold like Dolores, who has shown tenacity and audacity. You also seem to read superficially, maybe less than a fourth grade student. Anyway, my friend, you are truly a unique character among humans! You surely enjoy chaos and all that make you feel relevant. Good luck, small and myopic mind- and of course not to add psycho. In that I can only hope that you seek a good psychiatrist for help.

I think that Dolores is trying to become famous by all means as she did not achieve anything tangible in her life especially in politics in Canada.

It is very sad that you said that titiyo.What do you expect her to do .keep quite and not say anything and that richard burke continues to hurt more of our young girls?

Thanks sarak,this lady is fighting a just cause and we wish you the very best Dolores.

You are a very brave woman and I admire you alot. These catholic priests were not force to be a priest. but why should the y continue in this act? I read the irsh news papers on line and there was alot of surport for this lady here in nigeria and around europe. She is indeed a brave woman,no wonder the bishop cant let her go. Keep up the fight and may God keep and bless you Dolores Atwood,our prayers are with you.

Please titiyo,what ever you call yourself,please kindly run for office here in nigeria,even your own village and see what you can do.Enemy of progress.

You are the once who call yourselvs christians, who know it all, who think you know God better than any other religion, and here all of you tearing yourselves away, because dolores was abused and was bold enough to come out, and tell the inconvinent truth and some of you attacks her, including a priest. If I may ask,what kind of God children are you? Do you think if God was here in person ,he will kiss richard burke and say you are above my law? If this abuse was to take place in europe or america, this man would have been in prison,but here in nigeria,it is akay.The world is watching and they are scraching their heads and laughing at some of you the comments you are making. Good lucky Dolores. cheers

please fr patrick corcoran, come out first.Hiding under fake name irishcanonlayerpriest? Shame.

This is arrant nonsense. If you have anything to say, go to the police or to the investigative panel that the catholic church must have instituted. Idle gossips have done worse than the most powerful warheads. Both the accusers and defenders should go through the right channel. Am sure that time will reveal the whole truth. If it is true that the archbishop has already withdrawn from pastoral service, I think it is a sign that he is willing to submit himself to investigations and to allow the truth take its course. Every good christian should pray for both the archbishop and the young lady Dolores. Let us forget these idle shabby debates and submit all evidence to right judgement through legitimate means. May the peace of God reign in all hearts! Amen.

Dolores, I SALUTE YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE. I am a Catholic, living in Ireland and the PROVEN sex scandals of the Catholic Church in this country alone are as stomach churning as they are many. For many decades Irish people to did not want to believe the victims of sexual abuse by the religious orders here. As a result, many children and former children died or committed suicide in terrible distress while the Church hierarchy betrayed the Christ they claimed to represent and protected the abusers. It may be difficult for people who have come to rely on the Church -any Church- to accept facts but they would do well to remember that the Church is its people, not its priests. In castigating its people, they are therefore doubting the Church itself. That is betraying the very message of Christ. The Catholic Church has many good priests and servants but also has its evil practitioners who use and abuse their power. Its quite appalling and sad that mature adults cannot accept that evil and self-interest can coincide with vestments, collars and ceremonies. it can, it has and it does and for the sake of their children and themselves they need to recognise that, for in such denial they facilitating evil. Again I salute and admire your courage in speaking out and take strength always in the Truth for it can never be defeated. Be proud. You are an admirable woman. Christopher (Ireland)

I know personally Dolores and I am just saying that it is a pity phat she use this matter to begin a pseudo political career. For the rest, let God be judge and let Vatican and Police do their job...

Who is free? Instead of you to face your personal life and see how you can better the life of millions of poor ones, you are there pocknosing in a claim that has not yet verified.You are condeming a man that hasnt said anything and who hasnt been convincted in any legal system/court. You better be careful so as not to incure the wrath of God in your household

You are all shame that accuse this lady. You so call titiyo, I do not belive for one second that you know dolores, if you do why not call her and see for yourselves the powerful evidence this lady have. We have seen the papers and the irish paper and people cannot just turn agaist their own like you people are because you are benefiting from this man. Even st patrick knows that Richard Burke has done this lady wrong. Shame on you Titiyo ,what ever you call yourself. Dolores did what you cannot do, that is why you are were you are and she is were she is. Be proud Dolores Atwood ,we admire you.

Were is it writen in the bible that richard burke is above the law of God?

For those who frawn on celibecy, be sure that those who chose this part made it as a matter of choice, not by force.One who is unable can always uptout at any time.Why must one wait till a law is made to uptout? A priest make this choice as an adult about 25yrs of age, and can not cleam ignorant of what is envolved -FEDECO-

Celebacy 4 the catholic Priest is nt an imposition but a matter of chioce in answering God,s definitive call.If this lady has freely gone into evil wt the prelate why the crucifixion.For so many years she enjoyed the affair wtout prick of conscience.we have only held from one side,what is Burke saying.Let him come out and express himself.pls pls.Irespect the catholic church alot.

This is shocking! I'm speechless

This is not a one sided story, the media have prove of this man ,in his own word. very damaging. 14yrs old girl? what does she know. It is a shame. I am a catholic and Some of those priest have brought shame to the church. A wrong is a wrong. He did abused her from what we know here. Why do you think vatican suspended him?, because of the damaging evidence. May God bless and keep us all.

You think you are speechless michael, wait and hear what happen to more than 32,000 irish boys and girls when they were just 9-15years. These men are sick. Do you think that the victims should be silent and not say anything? What do you expect from them? It is a very sad thing that you will not wish on anyone. We must stand up and speak against this kind of evil. The fact that Dolores Atwood was abused when she was 14th,does not mean that she cannot speakout when she is 40years of age. It is not easy to come out and speak about things like this. Dolores Atwood did well speaking out.

Well, what did you expect? A FALSE church, with a FALSE gospel, preached by FALSE celibates.

Is this the right approach to this issue? Instead of crucifying the man of God, why not pray for him? Let him that is without sin cast the first stone. All you critics, if some other priest has erred in issues like this, does that mean that the Archbishop in question has done likewise? Be careful how you criticise God's children. No matter what they have done wrong, God loves them as his own and the only duty we owe them is to pray for them. Careful not to invite the wrath of GodSome of you have witnessed the mercy of God. i hope you do not want to witness the wrath of God.

It is a sign of ignorance and nilly willyness to arrive at hurried conclusions. Some people even talk of \"false church\" with \"false gospel\" and \"false celibates\". Over generalization is the first logical falacy. The devil is the accuser of our brethren who accuses them day and night before our God. Going to make noise in the media and to weep up sentiments is a sign of lack of reasoning! If anybody has a case to prove, let him go through the right channel. The devil is using this site to destroy the many good works done by so many good and faithful priests all over the world. The young woman in question should publish her contact address so that those who wish to console her may do so directly. I am praying for her and for the archbishop but am sure the solution to this whole problem is not this public show of shame!

if the nigerian/canadian woman has kept that in her heart for such a long time, then she should have allowed herself to die with it. dolores is almost fifty and is just waking up, she is up to something.this small noise from dolores will soon die like any of the rumours. dolores, get another think . u cant get not even a dime from any court instead get ready to pay for defamation till u die.

i just read through and saw that many of you are less busy and jobless.If i were you,i will knee and pray to God for the forgiveness of my own sins.Who are you to judge and conclude?Has investigation finished?

Please our prayers to these people is what matters now. We pray for healing for the Lady concern and pray for forgiveness for the archbishop and pray for cleansing of the holy church of God

"RE-Well, what did you expect? A FALSE church, with a FALSE gospel, preached by FALSE celibates." Geralg Goldberg, You better watch your tongue so as not to incure the evalasting curse on yourself and your generation yet unborn by the sin against the Holy spirit the only sin that have no forgiveness as Jesus told the Jews. Be warned. You are not in any way up to a MASS SERVER not to talk of a DEACON in the Catholicism

I always ffind this sex scandals about catholic priests so sensational. I am not condoning what he did nor I am in support of any type molestation of teenage girls and boys by people in positions of authority. However, why are we the public (Catholic and non-Catholic) so fixated on sexual scandals and none of the crrimes that are perpetrated by Catholic priests and other Christian pastors? There are priests (african and european) who have been known to smuggle contraband in and out of nigeria, yet no one ever raises and eyebrow. There are priests who have been known to be diamond smugglers and arms dealers (oh yes they procured arms and sold them to rebel groups) in Liberia, Uganda, Southern Sudan, Congo, Ireland, Bosnia etc but the public and those concerned have never viewed such crimes with the same anger as that shown in sexual abuse cases. Why? What is the reasons behind it? Money laundering and tax evation is another common activity among soem Nigerian priests as well as missionary priests working in various African nations. Yet one never hears a voice raised against such evil actions. If I may ask why are so fixated on anything sexual that involves clergy or political figures in our midst? Is it because sex sales?

I find interesting all the comments that have been exposed here and then about this case. If it is true let ask God to console this woman and heal her injuries. And also forgive bishop Burke. But this story is a warning to the catholic church in nigeria. Some priests are very far from their callings and we should expect more of such allegations againts them.

You people are jobless in here. If you know the truth, you will keep quiet. The Archbishop has a prestigious position which some people are envious of. They want to rubish the name of an innocent person inorder to pave way for their take over. TRUST BLACK MEN.

if i were you people i will honestly just keep mute and watch the entire thing in silence.Because if this whole story turns out to be untrue, i really sorry for you guys because the wrath of God will locate you.

This man has done wrong and it is sad that there are some of you who are so blind accepting it. What about the evident itself by richard burke own words? You guys dont even know what is going on.The fact that he is a bishop does not mean that he is above the law of God or civil athority. It is sad that this is true. unfortunate for him, he did this to a wonderful and resonsible person. Take for example that the truth was coming from just any woman, this is how richard burke who have gotten away and nobody will know. God has a way of exposing the truth. .The truth will aways be truth. Dolores Atwood is a very courageous woman, this is the type of women the world need, stong and brave.

Dolores ,you are indeed an admireable woman. It is true that there are good priestsand that Richard burke is some of the bad few, like Jesus put it ,beware of wolf in sheep clothing. This bbishop has deceived and lied to everyone, including his fellow priests and family. it is very sad. I pray that God in his mercy and goodness will save his soul. we should all pray for Dolores for the pain she has to go through. come to think of it, it is not easy for her to come out , it must take alot of courage and faith in God for her to do what she did.My sincere pity go to the good priest out there who are doing a good job. This exposure of richard burke is accualy good for the church in africa, because this is just too much here.

Dolores, I guess you read each message from this website because you hide yourself behind some people writing about your love story with Archbishop Burke. I guess you really enjoyed each steps of your love story and each goodies you benefited from Burke. 1 : What happened to the principle of innocent until proven guilty? You are as guilty as him if you do not know yet. 2 : You are disgracing yourself and putting shame on yourself. You are dirtying the name of your family. In fact, do not go back to Nigeria unless you want to die. 3 : You will get the reward you deserve for what you are doing or saying because you know that you don't have evidence that implicate the victims. I wish you good luck and try to sleep well, you will need it. I am sorry for you...

My dear lady ,do you know what you are saying, you are saying she is going to die? You have implicated yourself. What is your problem? Your real name is not titiyo, i already know who you are.if anything happen to this lady you and burke your boyfriend is going to be held resposible for it. You are very angry because your bank burke is disgraced out of nigeria, and no sex money coming in for you any more and no job. Your job bank is gone back to ireland. Sorry, you have to go and join him there or you will roost forever. You are just a serigate that he was using and now he is done with you. Please kindly look for another oyibo bishop or get a life or a job. That is what happen when you sleep around. for your own information ,ex- seregate,Dolores is right here in nigeria. Meet her tommorow at the cathedral, the same building were burke use to pay you. Hopeless and shameless woman. Get a job and a life. You are a disgrace to nigeria .

Jenice egbede,what ever you are.Richard is gone.You are now titiyo from jenice. You are the one communicating with richard and all the informations? We know who you are. Burke is history,please go on with your shameless life. You though he was going to return as once promised by him, you are a small wayward girl. shame on you. he is not coming back here again.You are one angry lady and bitter lady,all because of money. please tell richard to bring you to ireland ,if he really love or care for you as you think,seregate. all the letters you sent to st patrick never work.we know who you are.

Dolores or Sarak, This is exactly the answers i was exring from you. Now everyone know that you hide yourself behind many names on this website. in fact you are polluting this website. I will not be the one who will kill you. You forgot the ones Bishop used to help financially. Poor people will not forgive you.

Who are you , why are you so angry with this lady? let the poor people come and kill her and you said she wil die. Are you a christian? You are not acting as one. Every human being has the right to voice their opinion and respect for others and their religion, but you titiyo is turning it to a place of killing her, please make your point and respect yourself and others. you sound like someone gaining from the bishop.

Mumu,mind your own business.

It is really sad if this is true, let the truth surface, let's study the facts at hand and come up with a genuine judgement. To either exonorate the Archbishop and clear his name or justify the confesion of Miss Atwood.

Ahh Bishop too dey bang? na him be say I go dey bang

it is not true. if i were you people i will honestly just keep mute and watch the entire thing in silence.Because if this whole story turns out to be untrue, i really sorry for you guys because the wrath of God will locate you. call: +2348037812724

It is true, that is why he is out of ministry. Do you think that they will just ask him out of ministry if it is not true? His own word tell it all. You are paid to do this. let see weather he will return back. Time will tell.he is trying to use some of you to see if things will go through for him,sorry not this time.

Benin people, una well done. U ppl have finally made good ur threat to unseat the bishop whom u claimed cannot stay since he is not a son of the soil. u always wanted ur own man to be there. now that u have frustrated him, ur infighting will still not allow u ppl to properly take the seat. come o, how come she only cried foul when the favours ran out? young lady post ur identity let us see and verify befor u win the sympathy that will nail him, if it is true. dont hide under any shadows of the internet.

This is very sad. How can you say that chike. This man did something wrong and you are talking about the benins. I am not from that area, but this has nothing to do with the people. What about his own irish people who reporded about him,are they also benin people? Do you think the irish media will just publish something that is not true against their own for a nigerian?. Open your eyes and your ear and look and listen around you, the truth is around the corner next to you.. Real people are just watching and shaking their heads and not saying anything. Be careful what you say.

No more comments. It is time to have a rethink about our comments and situate it.

Dex, I think you may be right, because no matter what we do or say, no one can quench the light God has put into the Catholic Church as sign of salvation and hope to the nations to see

As a catholi, I believe there are good and bad priests. Richard burke is one of the wolf in sheep clothing. The fact that we are all human and have weaknesses does not mean that we should break the law and give the excuss that we are human. like cardinal Olubummi puts it, when you work in the bank and tempted to steal money, do you steal it and say because you are human and that you are tempted and then steal it? No priest is pointed with a gun on their head that they must be a priest. if a priest think he cannot go through the temptation of being alone, he should please go and get married, God will never send him to hell because of that, but stay in the priesthood and abuse young girls and children and also abuse of power will not be toloreted by GOD or civil authority. If the heat is too hot in the kitchen, get out of the kitchen, dont stay there and keep complainning. Some of this bad priests want to eat their cake and have it too. They have polluted the image of the church. There is nothing wrong with the church herself, the problem is that the good priests close their eyes to the wolf in sheep clothing in their mist and so they also choose to do it that way . archbishop richrd burke is a disgrace to himself and to his family, not the church like praise put it. Not the gate of hell shall prevail against the church of christ, that is why richard burke name is alone with the shame he brought upon himself. Exposing this monster is good for the church. read epehtian 5;10-14,it says it all.Dolores Atwood did well exposing him and if he goes back ,he will continue from were he stop. he lied to alot of people and he has also deceived his fellow priests and congregations, now they all know that, and he has also turn to innocent and ignorrant people using them and calling them by phone from were he is promising them heaven and earth to help him with one thing or the other, what an evil man. He is a sociopath and very dangerious manipulator. may the good Lord save us all and open our eyes to see the wolfs in sheep clothing in our mist. satan is not going to come with horns on his head and forks in is hand, like the bible puts it, he will appear like an angel. Open your eyes my dear friends and your hearts to God so that he will direct you. We are in the last days. peace to you all.

The whole Bible is inspired. And it can profit all of us especailly at this difficult time. Let us read it and use it to pray for one another, and beg God to heal us of our wounds and give us his peace in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

My sisters and brothers who are calling others names and even going as far as cursing them, please remember, even at this most difficult time in which so many of us are angry, that all of us are children of the same Father in heaven, that we all are children of Abraham. And God assured Abram, saying, "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee, and in thee shall all kindreds of the earth be blessed" Genesis 12,3. Pause for a minute and think about that. ... Let us not curse, but rather bless one another ... so that God may truly bless us as he has promised in Numbers 6,27.

Ngozi is my native name, while Mercy is my English name. I called myself Mercymercymercy here because in truth I need so much of God\'s mercy. And may God have mercy on the two parties that have brought us together on this webpage. And may God have mercy on us all in Jesus name.

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What a disgrace, no comments. what a bad holy boy.

When St Paul prayed to God to take away the pain he was going through at that time , God said to him, my grace is sufficiant for you. Our good God will not allow any temptation beyond our human streight. We are not tempted beyond what we can take, that is, the Grace of God is always there and if we say that is not true, then we call God a lier and if we say it is true, the Archbishop richard Burke should humble himself and be a real man and take responsibility for his own actions, rather hiding behind the church he has betrayed and let down. Hiding behind perternity of brotherhood that the leaders of the church put first before spirituality and God will not change who he is and will not bring him close to God. Richard burke should resign, apologys to Dolores Atwood and finally spend the rest of his life making peace with God and pray, but never to go near young girls , children and even hear confession again. We are all waiting and watching to see what vatican decision is going to be. This is a very seriou issue. I hope vatican for once will do the right thing to save the church another giant ambarrasment. Peace to you all.

we do not need to waste so much time in here, taking sides on this issue,allow the authorities concerned to ascertain the veracity of the matter.just wait for the church to give her report on the issue ...we may not be the best arbiter.thank you all for your comments.

I have read your article with utter disgust! My Bishop is someone well known to me to be a very Holy Man yet Human as we all are. I have a few questions for you. 1. Why did you wait this long to speak. You are a liar and these verses stem from a deceptive and manipulative person, whom you are. You probably have been trying to manipulate the man of God, until he resists, and you decide to then tarnish his image. I have observed how a lot of girls and women in Nigeria folow after Men of God, to manipulate them with the hope of draining them and i can quickly recognise you as one of them. All your verses are not factual but based on speculations. I think......, i imagine......, i guess........! You should be ashamed of your jobless and lying self. SInce u are married and have a family why dont you face your family rather being as jobless as you are. 2.Do you realise how many souls you are leading astray with your baseless and lying article, Miss tell-all? You must have been thinking you will get an applaud or a pat on the back for your blasphemy. You are satanic and an agent of our old enemy the devil. You have been engineered to do this work and lead souls astray. If you dont repent you will perish and rot in hell. About your sister and all the speculations u have made. You must come from a family with a long history of prostitution. Shame on you.It does run well in your family then. About your stated hospital experience. Listen you fool. The man of God (If he did) was only showing love and affection to a dying child. And you have failed to recognise pure empathy and compassion because your heart and mind are evil and vile. Thats all. infact i read further down your stupid article to see if you claim he had done something more than just showing you compassion while you were sick, and keeping up communication with you over the years as a good friend. I could not see any thing more compared to the headlines this article is carrying. You must repent or you will surely perish.

Shingie mapfumo, you are indeed correct. Archbishop richard Burke is a disgrace and unholy bad boy.

I hope he has resigned? As long as I live , he is not my bishop and so with the rest of our family. It is sad and a great shame .

He is a holy bad boy not an unholy bad boy. Celebracy my foot. Stop deceiving yourself and others Richard burke.

pls and pls let us not crucify this man because of this singular accusation. there is more to this than just passing judgement on him. first, this could be a mere allegation and I want to believe that this accusation was engineered by some people who wanted nothing but his exist from the diocese in the name of \'the quest for the son of the soil\' and have tried all possible means but to no avail. so, the next possible option was to take resort to this acccusation. but will they succeed? the truth will surely come out but with time. people send time to plan evil instead of good. may God help us all.

shingie and mapfumo and angela, so u dont know dat there are some desperate women who wnt to have men of God in their beds with hope that it will bring them good luck? U should be ashamed of urselves for casting such slur on the poor man without first hearing his version of the story. All the information we have is from the alias woman. Kindly read what Jude wrote on this and be very wise on what u say. Same goes to Emmanuel. I hope u are critical people and not just the blind types. If u write so much and insult those who have impoverished u while in Govt. and rendered u jobless, since that is what I sense, our poor country would have been better. See, Judge before u Speak.

Kachas and chike, I am the type of person who do not hear one side of a story and make judgement. Infact I saw the evidents myself and I happen to know one of the irish priest who was involve in this case and some other priests who know Richard burke,most importantly, I heard the tapes where richard did apologised to Miss Atwood for all what he did against her. I can understand you guys, but the truth again is that I keep asking myself, why will some body who is happy and so blessed will want to do something like this, and then ,the search for the truth. Richard burke did wrong and I am very suprise that knowing what he is done to Dolores, he keep allowing you guys to continue to say this to this lady ,there by adding more salt to her injury. That makes me sad. This is not an easy case because of the people who do not know what is happening and saying what they like. If you notice, those who were contributing earlier on ,are not doing so anymore,why? they now know the truth, even some of the priests in ireland and nigeria will tell you the same thing, so be careful what you say. Those who are cursing and angry and talking of how to kill her, shows to you that through richard they are trying to intimmidate those who will try to come out and talk about what richard had done to them. they will eventually come out, just mark my word. This is indeed a very sad story. Have you ever noticed those very few who are on the side of Richard burke are always cursing ,angry and talking about killing her? bird of the same feather ,they say floks together. It does not go well or speak well of a bishop who suppose to be holy. It is a very sad story. For your own information, to those of you who care to read this, what ever you say or do, will not change the consiquences of the crimes Arch bishop richard burke has committed. The way I feel about the church now is not the same again, judging from what I know now,, not just what miss atwood said or wrote, but what archbishop richard burke himself said and wrote. it is sad. Please I will sincerely advice you to stop saying what you are saying, it is wrong. Jude sound like a very bitter woman, i mean, very very bitter and angry for nothing. You can tell that she has no christ in her life and definatly gaining from richard burke. i can understand, but still ,cursing and angry against somebody who have not wrong you always backfire,believe me, it always backfire and she is the one who is going to be bitter for a very long time for nothing. Archbishop richard burke, i know you read this forum, listen, you are not making things easy for yourself and those you use. Please ask miss Atwood for frogiveness openly and publicly. You did wrong her and i pray that the good lord will heal her wounds and pain and forgive you. I wish God grace to repent. The point is that you did abuse dolores atwood when she was 14yrs old and I do believe that because of your own words and writting. Her story has be consistence and yours have be here or there. You told different people different story, depending on what you think they want to hear. This is indeed a very sad story. i cannot continue to write anymore. I cannot take this . bye everyone.

Thank you angela. this man has misled alot of people.He was in ministry for more that a year after the allegations against him and the church is trying to cover up for him. We are all waiting and watching to see what vatican reaction to this will be. i know it will take them forever to discipline richard burke. If it was an african that commited this crimes, he would have been in prison and be removed immidiately from the priesthood. there was an african bishop who did something not as bad as richard burke ,and he is out. lets wait and see.

Hi Abigal, I know that you said you will not continue to write anymore, that you cannot take this. And then you said bye to everyone. But I really do hope you will come back to read more comments, especially my comment which I cannot write now because I am in a hurry. My comment will be written later today. Thanks.

Peole should not be using evil means to achieve thier ambitions.I am praying for you Arch Bishop Burke. Even if he has done it,so what! The Grace of God is sufficient for you Arch Bishop. Be strong the Lord is your strenght!

So what then, why are you complaining? it is sad that the archbishop did something seriously bad as this and you are saying so what? I t is sad.

it is sad, insulting the two parties pray for them think of your own hidden sins and confess them.

just pray for them. It may be you tomorrow.God help us!Angela pls watch the kind of things you say. Everyboby can express himself.It's a free world.

P.A JoS, it is so what, when a white archbishop who should know better abused an Africa teenage 14years old girl, but if it was an Africa Priest who abused a white teenager, it is not so what. He will be put in jail and the church will pretend as if he was never a priest. This is a reality and you stay there and think that is okay ?VERY SAD INDEED. I know this ,because I live here.

Let he who is not without sin be the first to cast the stone. When ones points a finger to another, the rest fingers are pointing to him. A word is enough for the wise.Please, Please Please let us pray for God's mercy & forgivenenss on the whole world. Your mercy and compassion O Lord, your mercy and compassion. Jesus I trust in you, Jesus I trust in you, Jesus I trust in you...

Franka, i am glad to know that you have changed from the way you first wrote, it must be the grace of God that must have touched you. i know no body is perfect , but that is not the reason to hurt someone and not care weather they are hurt or not. This richard hurt this lady, you were one of those who quickly condemed her, unless it was not your franka, if not my apology, but I think you are the same person. if you are, God knows your heart, you must have find out the truth one way or the other. We all know it is true what richard burke did, but we are not happy about it. It is not something to celebrate, but as you put it, pray , pray ,pray. it is sad that there are some of you who wrote on this forun to in sult this lady without first wait and see, now the whole truth is out, how can you take back your own words? you all have taken it back spiritualy through the truth, that is why ,be careful what you say, it will aways come back to bite you. The point is, the game is over ,richard burke is history, until he commit the offence again some were else. I pray that the good Lord will help him. The only thing now is that they are trying to intimidate others from coming out to speack out and that will not work, because you cannot destroy the truth, it is a question of time.

I am so suprised at some of the reactions to this case. First of all, I am happy that the case of abuse of any kind like the above allegation evokes a strong feel of disapproval and anger. However, I am sad at the way people are castigating both the Archbishop and Ms Atwood. This case calls to my mind an experience which His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie shared, one day. He went visiting prisoners at Kirikiri prison and during their discussion, he told the this and I quote \"The difference with you men here in prison and those of us outside the prison is that you committed your crime and was caught, but we have not been caught yet\". I guess this was a joke, but behind this joke is a truth that most people who have contributed on this case have missed. Let him or her who is withought sin be the first to cast the stone or in this case, cast the condemnation. This is a very difficult time for both the victim and the accused. As I said, earlier, if a case of abuse of a minor did not evoke anger in us, I would be shocked, but let us be reminded that we all have our weaknesses and our hidden offenses. Why then are people castigating the Archbishop with so much hate and vulgar words. I seriously pray for healing for Mrs, Atwood, that she would, in some ways, find rest of mind and move on with her life. I also pray for Archbishop Burke (I know most contributors would not want him to have any support-- and this is sad--) I pray that he too would find God\'s love. By the way what has happened to the internationally held view of \"innocent until proven guilty. For those of you castigating Mrs, Atwood, I want you to know that this can happen to your sister, aunty, cousin or friend, is this how you would react to the case? For those castigating Archbishop Burke, This can happen to your brother, uncle, cousin and friend, is this how you too would respond to the case? It is good for us to bring this who issue home to ourselves, that is if we really need to get involved. I am sure that Archbishop has tourched many lives as we have heard from many people, bot spiritually and materially. I really wonder if this case should make us reduce him to a devil and all the names that many people have called him. Let me affirm my strong belief that justtice must be done. If truely Mrs Atwood was abused, she has every right to seek justice. But if on the other hand, Archbishop Burke is innocent, his dignity much be restored. I have often wondered why people do not recover easily from sad experience. From my research, I found out that anger, hate and vengence stops us from achieving our healing. Recently, one man who lost a son at the 9/11 attack, said he found true healing because forgave. This does not mean that those who carried out this crime will not be brought to justice. But my point here is that all this name calling, condemnation and judgmental attitude does not help either the victim or the accused. I also heard on CNN recently, how some family member of a mudered man when to watch the man who killed their relative, being executed. One of them honestly confessed that she left the hall with more pain. She felt that having the man killed will bring her and her family healing. My advice to Mrs Atwood is that if she wants seek justice, she has every right to do that. However in her own her and for her own healing, she should forgive Archbishop Burke and pray for God\'s love on him. For Archbishop Burke, if he is innocent, my advice is that he should trust in the God he has serve over the years, to vindicate him. If he actually abused the woman, I ask him to ask for forgiveness from Mrs Atwood, which I hear he has done, and also seek how to help her get healing. There is no sin that is too great for God to pardon, if only we sincerely regret our sins and honestly ask confess them. For those who have taken to become judges, I ask you all to go back to yourselves and think about your lives. Our own sins may not be sexual abuse of a minor, which is sand enough, but it may be other issue. What moral standing then do we have to condem Archbishop Burke, even if he commited the offense. Let us all learn to condem evil when we see it, but let us equally learn to show compassion to both victim and offender. Is this not what our catholic and christian faith in general teaches us. Many people have reacted so aggresively to this case, because the accused is a priest, this also calls into question, what we think about priests and what we think they are. Mrs, Atwood, my love an prayers go with you and so Your Grace, I pray for strenght for you. This is surely a trying time for both of you, but I am confident that our good Lord will and is able to transform this very sad experience into great healing and purification for us all and Holy Mother Church.

Nah,i think its a whole lot of lies,it might be another burke cos the one i know is a God fearing man,but anyway judgement is for God and not man,nothing is hidden under the sun.I realy like to know the womans biography,stop hiding under the shadow of the internet.I pray God see Richard Burke through this trial and temptation.

This is very shocking. It is unfortunate that people you helped could turn against you at the end of the day. Please, could anyone ask Dolores what exactly she wants by bringing disgrace to this man of God and to the Catholic Church, if she was not pleased, she should not have consented to this so called secrecy through the years, she must have been gaining something from this act too. She should know that she is rather disgracing herself and her family, it is better she goes back to her Muslim family because, she is not a true Catholic, she gained a lot from the Catholic Church by even marrying a Canadian volunteer who came to work with the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo. She should keep quiet and ask God for forgiveness for all her mis-doing because the wrought of God will come upon her and her family if care is not taken, this case will be judged by God only and not any human being.

Korede, you are a shame, and i am ashamed of your shabby mind and comments. You that God blessings have come upon, take a good look at yourself in a mirrow and tell us what you see? I am very positive that you will lament and it is that lamentation that have reflected in your comments. Unlike peter, he is the opposit of you. he has a very possitive mind and it reflected in his comments. now you can see what I mean. Like you, peter is also a catholic and a christian. The bible says from the aboudant of the heart ,the mouth speaks. you korede is a good example of that. You are a misrable person and posible one of bishop burke "touch and pay" client, I know who you are, titiyo writing with a different name again? listen, it is over, go and get a job and stop minding your roting life on richard burke and dolores atwood. They have their own life, you are only going to be bitter for nothing. The time that you use minding others business, use it to search for job. i heard that you pay hundred naire for 30mines to use a computer, so what about your lunch? richard burke is gone for good, you will need that hundrad naria for eba and egusi soup. GO GET A LIFE. Richard burke brought his own disgrace upon himself and his family ,not the church, get that sraight, Touch and pay. Thank you peter, may the good Lord grant you more wisdom and peace,Amen. Please keep up your good nature, you are indeed a good christian. By their fruit you shall know them.

PLEASE CLOSE THIS BLOG AND LET ALL OF YOU MIND YOUR BUSINESS. WE SHOULD NOT BE THE JUDGES IN THIS CASE. IF YOU HAVE SOMTHING TO SAY TELL IT TO GOD IN PRAYER BECAUSE HE IS THE ONLY RIGHTOUS JUDGE. PRAY FOR BOTH DOLORES AND THE ARCHBISHOP. DO NOT BRING CURSES UPON YOURSELF BECAUSE OF OTHER PEOPLE\'S ACTIONS. NON OF US REALLY KNOW THE TRUTH AT THIS STAGE ALL WE KNOW IS THAT IF IT REALLY HAPPENED THEN IT WAS BAD FIRST ON THE SIDE OF THE BISHOP AND THEN LATTER ON THE SIDE OF DOLORES FOR REMAINING IN THE SIN FOR SO LONG. IF THE STORY IS FALSE THEN IT IS WRONG ON THE SIDE OF DOLORES WHO IS TRYING TO BRING DOWN GOD\'S ANOINTED. THE REST OF US SHOULD BE CAREFUL AND PPPPPPRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY

it is realy a pity that things has turn this way. but i pray that all things work unto Good.

Yes, even after what Dolores did wrong and all the poeple she disgraced...

Titiyo, i think it is time for you to stop your shameless argument.I did not comment for you to be nagative towards anyone here. I am not here to judge anyone like you have been, so be careful and mind your own life. I pray that the good Lord will heal Ms Atwood and forgive richard burke. God mercy is all we ask and pray for.

Thank you for that comments. Sweet and short. titiyo which is not her real name is a coward, a very shemeless and jobless trach,who has nothing to do. I think she needs more prayers than richard burke and dolores Atwood put together

Archbishop richard burke, in due time, more people are going to come out. You cannot intimidate anyone in this forum, just like you could not intemidate Dolores Atwood. Most of the people you abused do not have access to computers and the very few that did, you cannot erace the hurt you caused them ,just like the way you could not eraced the hurt you caused Dolores Atwood. You are indeed a "DISCRACED TIPPERARY BORN ARCHBISHOP" Period.

Thia is a better way to put it,Richard burke is a didgraced Fethard, clonmen,Tipperary born arch bishop,originaly from the Lisronagh area. Now living in an institude in the United States, very close to the victim. Amazing.

if dolores says that Burke has abused hundreds of nigerian girls including her sister, where is her sister? where are the nigerian girls, we cant find any except dolores. if many of u praise her for her courage and sincerity;how sincere is someone who decides to have an extra marital affair with a man of God for about 20yrs.and if she has evidence how authentic and credible are they and again, why now?.as the bishop said,\"i know i am not a saint but in this case i am innocent\".

Ask richard burke, since you do have ascess to him, why is he paying off girls with church money and why did he not step down when he need to? why having sex with under age girls, prostitutes, religious sisters and married women and you can still call him a holy man? So how about the above mentioned> who are you for anyone to own you an explaination, are you a judge?. You that is speaking, how are you sure that he is telling you the truth, did you follow him everywhere he went to? Why should she come out to speak in your own time, and not hers. Be careful and mind your own business . Richard burke, if you are innocent, go to the irish media and police and prove your innocent ,just as Ms Atwood had proven you not innocent. We have seen your types before and all you are doing is hiding. Come out from your hiding place. Like my friends once said, he will keep claimimg he is innocent until he is left alone. You think we are fools? The only reasons the other ladies are not out is because some are payed off by richard burke and there are people who comfirm that and that is why he is using people like you to intimidate the others ,you ignorrant purpet. Take it to court.Stop running away and face the law. And you that is asking all these ignorrant questions, how did you get intouch with him? I guess the same way he got intouch with the girls he payed off with church money. I hope that anwsered your ignorant questions.

I think it is time for you to think well. I like the name you used "THINK". It is time for you to think. She never have any extral marital relationship with him. Old filthy man? Lets pretend you are right,which is not the case, how old is he, who should know better? "More they say is expected to who more is given" Richard Burke is more older and more experienced, he is holy one,did anyone raped him? Now you are going after the victim, and you expect the other innocent girls who can hardly eat a day to come out for surogates like you and your likes in this forum to judge them. You are a narrowminded thinker. I not should be bordered with you and you types.

God bless you ! Where is her sister ? Every body wants to hear her testimony !

Archbishop richard burke, you are a diagrace indeed. You cannot even come out and you are using people to do your dirty job. Before this lady came out, I have been hearing things about you and from what I know now, you dont only own Ms Atwood an apology, you own the Church an apology also. may God have mercy on you.

I will like to congratulate you Dolores Atwood for your courage and braveness. You did well and we are all very proud of you and I encourage anyone who these sick people abuse in the future should come out. In your case, what you have already provided is good and damaging enough. Keep up the fight for what is right.

In the 60s,70s,and 80s,there were more than 32,000 boys and girls, from between the ages of 5 to 15yrs that were abused by bad priests and religious people in ireland, and these people ,most of them were just coming out not long ago to tell their stories. it all started with one lady who was bold enough, some, may their poor souls rest in peace, committed suicide and some left ireland and some became addits of one thing or the other, and some were depress and went for counselling. Are you saying that these victims should not have come out now and not immediately they were abused? If you were never sextually abused in your life, please do not make any comment here that will cause more pain to sex abused victims. If you are gaining from a child abuser, Richard Burke, go on, but dont come to this forum and start writing or interfering in something that you know nothing about. Were you there when it all started?

CHRISTY STOP CONGRATULATING DOLORES. I DO NOT SEE WHAT SHE HAS DONE THAT DESERVES CONGTATES. PLEASE DO NOT PROMOTE SCANDALS AND MAKE PEOPLE LOOSE THEIR FAITH.

Omome, You Can loose your faith for what is right, that is your wrong choice. you do not have the right to tell me how to speak and who to congratulate. I never appose to you and what you have to say,so now,please ,mind your own and make what ever comments you wish to make. Once again, Dolores Atwood, CONGRATULATIONS, WE LOVE YOU AND OUR PRAYERS ARE STRONGLY WITH YOU MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU, NOW AND ALWAYS,AMEN.

So it has come to this. You people supporting the bishop richard Burke are making things worse for him,this is a shame.

Omome, this not a about a title of being an archbishop or church, this is about a man who surpose to know better and preaching about the light and was taking more souls away from God and giving it to satan. From what he wrote and said himself is pretty bad. Read the irish newspappers and see what he said .It is not Dolores word, it is his. This man has done wrong and he is hiding behind furternity. which come first, God and sprituality or fueternity and brotherhood? The sad thing is that Richard Burke refuse to repent and there are some who are trying to cover up for him. This is sad. Please ,make sure you turn on your bbc news today and listen to more abuse. It is not a joke. It is very sad.

It is amazing how people make conclusions about issues.The woman alleged she was abused and this has invoked a lot of reactions. I really feel she should be challenged to present proofs by the same method- publish email and others Correspondences to establish her case .Perhaps, we should wait for the Archbishop's respeonse before making our conclusions. If she wishes to convince the public , she could institute a legal process. This is will be the mother of suit. Why do we haveto make derogatory comments just because someone alleged she was abused. Dont be surprised that the said woman is in Nigeria not Canada. Dont also be surprised that she is not a woman but a man or group of persons who are aggreived ? Dont be surprised that if she is a woman or whoever that she/ he is anti-clerical, anti-catholicor worst anti-christain. All christains should therefore pray that the truth be reveale. ABused woman come forward with your facts-publish all you have as claimed above.All who are interested let us be slow in making our conclusions. For me , I am not convinced the story is true. She is a hired religious assasin.

Y castigate Bishop Burke bcos one woman from nowhere alleges dt she assaulted many years ago by this Holy man of God.Since she has alleged, she shld com out and prove beyond reasonable doubt dt the Bishop really committed such act wit her. I pray God dt tru the intercession of our Blessed Virgin Mary Intercede for him so dt those behind this evil act will be brought to book.May Our Lady Help of Christians continue to intercede 4 us all. Amen

Everyone wants to know the truth. Answer Dolores : what is your sister saying about your story coming frm your imagination ?

One thing that amazed me about this whole thing is that you all are saying that the vatican is stupid for removing richard burke from ministry. Do you think they did that because one lady just complain and that is it? What about his fellow bishops in Nigeria, why are they not saying anything? because they all know he is guilty. They all know better than any of you here complaining and cursing yourselves. richard burke know what he is doing now, trying to intimidate those who try to come out through people like you with church moneyttmujqq. It will never work. Please listen to the news today, and see the abuse that have been imported to Africa and latin america.

This man call richard burke cannot be innocent. This is a good example of a man who has no respect for women. I am glad he is caught. God help us.

I am not surprice, is it archbishop richard burke? I BELIEVE THIS LADY 100 PER CENT.

Dolores Atwood, I trully believe you and I also believe that the good Lord is using you to expose the evil of sex abuse here in Africa. it is a big problem. Your courage and boldness is coming from the good Lord. Never let anything or anyone distract you by what they say. Keep on. Just also want to let you know that all the women here and expecially those with children and fathers here are all wishing you well and praying for you. Basically every of our parishoners here are saying that you are a challage to them,they all wish you well. I bless and wish you the very best.

From all I read from Ms atwood story, I was moved and I belive her story. It make alot of sence. Common sence. There is truth in all she wrote, no wonder the child protective investigators find her allegation credible. She is indeed a credible and a capable person as they discribed her. The st patrick priest who investigate both paties,find Dolores Atwood stories cridible and Richard Burke wrong. This is coming from the horses mouth. Richard Burke should take some responsibility. Judging from my education back ground, she is telling the truth. Good for you girl.

Dolores Atwood is a good friend of a friend of my while we were in school. She is one of the most like able students on campus both by students and lecturals in our department. I do like her and I will not believe that she will come up with a lie like this. The first thing our friends said, is that, if it is coming from her it is true, we dont have to read what she wrote. She is a very compationate and kind person who have helped alot of people,expecially the poor. She is well known for that. For her to expose this richard burke, he must have been doing alot of bad things and Dolores cannot take it any more. We love you Dolores and we are thinking of you.

It is obvious that many of you that are commenting on this are not aware of the media attention that this case has received in Ireland. On Ocober 25th in the Irish Mail on Sunday there was a story that focused on a converstation between the said accuser and Richard Burke. In the conversation the "so called" Archbishop state, when speaking to the accuser... and I quote... "I know that I have hurt you deeply... I have stepped on your sacred ground... I have done wrong ". In other media reports it has been stated that the Vatican has suspended Richard Burke.

Not only is he suspended, he is out too. May God save us from wolf in sheep clothing in our mist.

In fact, everyone knows that she slept with lecturers to get diploma. Dolores, are you going to sue your lecturer for that ? Ashawo

We were talking about Dolores Atwood ,how unique she is and how much she has make a lot of difference in her work overseas. Her Principles and values,she never gives up for what she believes in and this reflects in her fight against injustice ,even to the church she loves and that means alot.

I happen to know both Dolores Atwood and the archbishop richard burke.I read about this story on the irish website. It is true that dolores is a lady of principles and values. She is a very smart and intelligent person and she hates injustice and very private person. She fight her own war in a very silent way, and not saying anything is for her waiting for the right time. i believe her story and we all do. Those who knows her know that this is true. A lady who was the head girl of her school,that tells alot about her. There are so many lives she had touched. May the good Lord be with you expecially at this time, Amen.

Dolores Atwood is Well loved and admirable fine and God gifted person. Friendly and no none sence. Richard burke, you may think because you are a bishop ,you can do what ever you want, certainly not with Dolores atwood. You mess up richard burke. Dolores wants to put a stop that, that is why she exposed you. TO PUT A STOP OF YOU ABUSING MORE TEENAGE GIRLS IN AFRICA.THIS IS WRONG OF YOU AND SHAME ON YOU RICHARD BURKE.

This is a very good auto satisfaction ! Very funny in fact ! Any one who has senses will know that Dolores is writing about herself because she did not find anybodody to talk about her in good words. Sorry to disturb again, if you know Dolores, please tell me where is her sister so that i can hear her story myself...

It is very sad that the vatican knew all about the abuses that have been taken place in the 50s,60s,70,80s to this present day and did nothing in ireland and now less than two years, the case of Ms Atwood. I wonder what is next. Their actions in Rome contradict the teachings of Christ and st paul. The Dublin report also states that there were very few good priests who were bold enough like Dolores Atwood and their reports were ignored by their superior and the vatican. This is very sad and we are surpose to continue as if nothing is happening. Wake up,this is bad news for us christians and catholic.

Franke and caro, thanks alot for your comments. The three things that is going on for this couragious lady is the facts that she is honest and sincere,that is why the reports and news about her around the world and among catholics and non alike stated"she is credible" and so is her allegations.secondlly, she has a very good reputaion ridht from the beginning of her life ,her history is wonderful., this is also coming from those who were interviewed and thirdly, richard burke own word, "I step on your sacred ground and I have hurt you so deeply". That is why Brain coonoly ,an irish jurnerlist described Richard Burke as " a DISGRACED TIPPERARY ARCHBISHOP". Dolores, please keep up the struggle and fight. Richard burke need to be put in the dock to face justice.

Pamela, if that is all you know, that means you have seen nothing and know nothing yet. Did you read all the articles yet. There is more that this so call archbishop burke have sad to this poor lady. I feel sorry that she have to go through all this. What a life. She is indeed a strong person. My prayer is that all these abuses on innocent people will not be invain. Please read about the abuses in ireland on irish times, very sad.

I forget to mentioned that he aslo admitted to it to other teenage girls. Very damaging, very damaging. For the sake of investidation,we cannot say anything more than the media have writen. very sad.

Richard Burke? Just about time.I am not surprise.The saying that "what ever sow you shall reap" is true. It is just a question of time. I am very angry with this man. he is a shame and a first class pretender.

It was John Cooney, who described richard burke as a "disgraced tipperary-born archbishop." well done pamela, you said it all, and well done Dolores for your courage.

The leaders of the catholic church have lost what it takes to lead people to God. As much as I love God and his Church,it is very said that the opportunities that the church have to help direct lost souls and young people has been tramble under feets and wasted. The leaders of the church so obsessed with power, became victims of power itself. Now they loose respects from all works of life ,because they failed in showing respect for humanity and others . the injustice , rot and corruption in the church and the very sin of the flesh that christ preaced against is the very sin that leads them. They put purternity and assets first before the good Lord and spirituality. I think the leaders have lost it and it is now time for them to stop and think about the fact that they cricify christ everyday. were are the young people?, they are angry with the church and that include my family and friends and the ones I speak to. They dont like the church or want to go there on sunday. very sad story. Again here is an archbishop who should be leading young girls to God, because he is in position of power in Africa, he is leading them to satan. touching their breasts and having sex with teenage girls and giving them church money in exchange for sex that belong to the poor in the first place, filty old man. These girls are less privilage and poor girls who could hardly eat once a day. They are poor physically and spiritually. Their precious souls are at steak and here is a archbishop richard burke abusing them and paying some off not to say anything and also taking advantage of the culture of silent of such is a shameful stagma in Africa.Now, the question is ,were do we go from here?.I can tell you, more cover ups and more denials. The leaders of the church are sorry because they are caught and because society say it is wrong. if you are truely sorry, expose this monsters, remove the from the priesthood and at least society will credit you for your move, dont protect people who abuse children and think God is happy about it? No body listen to the church any more and the church have a very serious problem at hand, young men are not interested in joining the priesthood and now they are turning to anglicans to join them. That is good, but on what ground? because no more young catholic joining the priesthood? Please stop protecting priest and archbishops abusing children and young people and expose them and live the way christ will do if he was here on earth. Wake up. we hope the Vatican will something concerning archbishop richard burke? The world is waiting to see if they are really sorry about the reports from dublin diocese and move on to expose and get this man out of the way so he cannot abuse any more teenager. I think this is going to be another very interesting case, judging from those involve.The world is watching to see if the old method of trying to discredit the victim which people are use to and will not tolorate any more and will not work or pass this time due to the nature and evidence in richard burke case The world is watching and waitng to see what the next move will be with the case of archbishop richard burke. Very interesting.

I hear you my dear friend, you said it all. very sad.

it is painful that many of us are only reacting, we are not looking at the issue as it is. some are using this as an opportunity to express their anger against the catholic church or the arcbishop in person. some just want to protect the church or the archbishop at all cost. i still believe that time is a just judge of hidden realities.dolores, if what u are saying is true, no doubt the archbishop did wrong, but no credit to you too. i will be stupid to believe that u were ignorant of what u were doing. if u are described as honest, just, intelligent,sincere and everything, how could u enter into such a relatiionship and sustain it for that long. besides is your sister afraid to come out too as well as all the many nigerian girls? i will only smile at those who believe the report of jounalists especially in matters like this, i will say 'continue' untill u hear them report that ur mother is a prostitute.No man shall be condermed untill he is given a fair hearing. i like the catholic church because silence is wisdom's first answer. those who speculate and spread rumours, be careful, for whatever goes around comes around. the above does not mean that the archbishop is innocent for any man can do anything in as far as he is a man. the church has experienced worse things and it knows how to deal with it. if he is guilty, he should apologise and resign. i believe that it is better to free a criminal than to sentence an innocent man.think

You sound very bias and one sided person, the church know what the church is doing. No, the leaders in the church dont know what they are doing. This lady was abused when she was only 14yrs untill richard burke left nigeria and after she got married , richard burke was the one who went out of his way to look for her phone number and keep calling her, because he is afriad of her exposing him. it became a mental and a pycholigical abuse. this is coming from richard burke himself. Everthing that was said was richard burke own word mr priest. A 35 yrs old man having sex with a 14yrs old and you say she is not ignorant of the affair?. You call that an afair? if he had not touched dolores, this whole thing will not be. he brought his own trouble for himself. hRichard burke is a child abuser. he even admit in the tapes that he touched and have sex with these girls,so there is no need to argue with .The tapes are out there . His own words is plenty good enough. I cannot believe all you wrote. Why is it that when the leaders of the church cover up this evil, there are people like you , a priest will try and excuse for them ? Look at what is happening in ireland? The leaders know what they are doing that is why things are in a mess. No body in their right mind will hate the church of God, they hate the cover ups and protecting of abusers like you are trying to do here now. it is sad and a shame. I am glad that the power is shifting from the leaders of the church around the world. power and money and assets is thir god. the power is out now and a priest like you dont like that. The next thing that shoud be taken away is the money. I think people should stop donating their money to any group or church whos member abuse or cover up for abusers, because their money is not use for the poor any more,it is use to protect and defend abusers of children. The old people who go to church are angry, and my heart and soul go to the innocent priests who have try for many years to expose this evil in the church, not people like you "think'. Bird of the same feather flocks together. Now you are blemming a 14yrs old over her 35yrs old abuser archbishop richard burke.Can no one see the picture that I see.? No child should be put in the position of an adult. You dont seems to know what is happening and what richard burke have done. His own word is what i go by. He may be telling you all kinds of lies. This is a waste of time with you "think"

"Think", lets put it this way, It is very painfull what Archbishop richard Burke did to Dolores Atwood when she was 14yrs old. That is what this case is all about. SAD

Fr patrick corcoran, you are back again with a new name "THINK". You are not hard to detect. Have you no shame, you were once "CANONLAWYER PRIEST" We do remember you and not surprice you surface again. You are definatelly not a good priest and I have a prove on that. Until then, lets finish first with richard burke. One step at a time. We most expose the evils in the church. My dear friends, I have one thing to say to you all,and that is, "NEVER, EVER,LOOK UP TO ANYONE AS YOUR ROLE MORDERN. YOUR ROLE MORDERN MUST ALWAYS BE CHRIST. FOCUS ON OUR GOOD GOD WHOS GREAT LOVE FOR HUMANITY IS UNCONDITIONA> ALWAYS LOVE GOD. NEVER GO TO CHURCH ,BECAUSE OF ANY ONE,BUT FOR GOD ONLY, AND NEVER STOP LOVING GOD BECAUSE OF ANY CRIME OR ATROCITIES OF ANY LEADER OF ANY RELIGIOUS GROUPS. LET YOUR FOCUS BE ON CHRIST JESUS. NEVER STOP LOVING GOD, BECAUSE GOD WILL NEVER HURT ANYONE,HE CARES FOR US ALL. BELIEVE ME, I HAVE EXPERICED THE GOODNESS OF GOD BEYOUND ANY ONE CAN IMAGINE> ALWAS FOCUS ON GOD.IF YOU SEE ANYONE DOING EVIL,DO NOT PARTAKE IN IT. DO NOT TAKE THE COUNCIL OF THE WICKED. THERE ARE WICKED AND SELFISH LEADERS AMONG US ,WHO ARE WOLFS IN SHEEP CLOTHINGS. OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS SAID, "IT WILL BE BETTER FOR ANYONE TO HANG HIMSELF WITH A MILL STRONE AND FALL IN TO THE OCEAN,THAN TO CAUSE ANY OF THESE LITTLE ONES TO SIN AGAINST ME". GOD DO NOT JOKE WITH SOULS,THAT IS WHY JESUS CAME DOWN ALL THE WAY FROM HEAVEN. HE HATES TO SEE CHILREN SUFFER OR PUSH INTO SIN.SO, DO NOT TAKE SIDE WITH EVIL, BUT BE ON THE SIDE OF THE RIGIOUS GOD. GOD JUDGEMENT IS VERY NEAR. READ YOUR BIBLE EVERDAY, SO THAT NO ONE MISLEAD YOU AND PRAY ATWAYS. May the good lord provice his people with good sharpards who will lead the to God and expose the wolves in sheep clothing in our mist, in Jesus name ,Amen.

It is their lost to want to protect a an abuser like Richard burke and it is a question of chioce.

Fr patrick corcoran, you were the one who write a short story on richard burke when he was installed as an aerchbishop,this was before a complain was made against him in Nigeria on sexual abuse on a minor. You know what has been going on between you two. as you go searching and googlo others , so others are doing exactly the same on you. this is only the beingning, trust me.

If you have a problem with what the medias in ireland wrote mr patrick corcoran, while dont you write to them or call them, i thought you right there in ireland?and again, why dont you tell the irish victims of ireland or comment the same way as you are doinging with Dolores. You left the issues in your own backyard and going after Dolores Atwood who is an Africa? What is wrong with you? You are bitter and angry because your selfish ambitions are shartted. Laeave Dolores Atwood alone

So what if Archbishop Burke slept with Atwood Dolores at the age of 14? What is the big deal about it, if not the media's obsession with sex.

The big deal about it is that Richard Burke is an archbishop who supose to live by example ,it is against the law to have sex with minors and your parishoners. and finally the big deal is THAT," YOU ARE A SHAMELESS PERSON WITH NO MORALS AND INTEGRETY".I am sure, your type is the kind who will ask Moses "what is the big deal if we disobey God Commadmants? Again, if it is not a big deal, he should be out of his position, because it was because of that he was send to nigeria. Can you tell me why in the first place he came to nieria,? I am sure you will say to preach the Gospel. So what is this Gospel about? For Richard burke to have sex with minors, prostites, married women and religious sisters? Doest that contradict the teachings of Jesus christ? Again, i can hear you say he is only human. in that case, he should leave the priesthood and go back to were he came from. No body is forced to be a priest, it is a question of chioce. If it was a common civilian who commited this crime, like priest did in ireland, he will be in prison now as we are talking. More they say is expected to who more is giving to. Jesus live by examples and those are his follows and diciples did the same., Richard burke is just a wolf in sheep clothing and a pretender who has misled his own congregations and turn people against one another. Very , very sad. That is why the church is loosing alot of her members around the world. God forbid, If i did what rechard burke have been doing to teenage girls, I will be in prison by now. So , tell me, were is it written that priest,bishops and archbishop can sexually abuse teenage girls? If you can show me any were in the bible that archbishops and priests are allowed to abuse teenage girls, I will give you my home and appologis to you and richard burke publicly and if not, you should for ever hold your peace. All you and the few and the church suporting richard burke is doing, is to "ITIMIDATE OTHERS FROM COMING OUT. TO MININIZE THE DAMAGE RICHAND BURKE HAS DONE TO HIMSELF ,AND FINALLY TO DISCREDICT DOLORES ATWOOD AS IT IS THE TRADITION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON THOSE WHO TRY TO SPEAKOUT. This is a fact. It happens in every child abuse case.

You should all better be careful what you say and write.This fight is for God. All you are supposed to do is to pray that God should reveal the truth thats all. Moreso, you even pray for yourself to make heaven and you are busy judging others. How can you prove what you don\'t know (I mean for both sides) Leave this matter alone you are not helping God. What efforts are you guys making to better our world? Are you without sin? and is it by publishing this article that repentace could come if atall it is True? Think, pray for you are not even sure of tommorow. God bless and help us.

I am not a Catholic, not even a Christian. A friend directed me here. But as a legal person with an analytical mind, it is glaring that Dolores is using many aliases to respond to those who write inquiring to know the truth. She seems to be adept at inventing identities and aliases such as Pamela, Frank and Caros, and many others; or if not herself her subterfuge, is the one minting all kinds of verbose, inchoate, and even at times logically valueless responses. Now, the issue is simple, do not continue to use the media, internet to fight, if there is a credible case, let Dolores Atwood with all her assumed documents go to Court, and fight for her rights and not on newspaper pages and internet forum. Dolores seems to be on a killer mission that is so vengeful. Maybe she does have a case. Typically, she is exhibiting some signs of post-traumatic stress while aggressively trying to get even with Archbishop Richard Burke. If the Archbishop was truly involved with this woman, it is truly a sad case of abuse of power and privilege. No one should assume who is innocent before the case is fully laid out. Presumption of guilt or innocence can dent someone's image, even when not actually involved. FA

Fr patrick Corcoran, you are at it again, this time using other names like Francois, Think and so on. You and Richard burke have been involve with abuse and disrespect for women. You do not have any shame and your superior O'Neil seems not to have control over you. you are indeed a shameless priest. Why dont you question the abused victims in Ireland that came out to expose the monsters in the catholic church. They are next door to you, but you choose to take your time to turn on your computer and go after Dolores Atwood. Do you think you can silent us in Africa? Just wait and see. Thank God for the media, if not for the media, the vatican would have done worse then colonialism. more than 80 per cent of the children of the world would have been abused. The media helped to exposed this monsters disgard in white robe and letting people speak evil of God good name.Shameless Archbishop richard burke.

Please leave Ms Atwood alone. Yes , it is true richard burke abuse her. Let the bishop repent and let move on.What a shame. he is only puting himself down.

All these comments are of no significance, people are just raining abuses from all corners. If this allegation is true, it is indeed sad. But rather than people ranting here to no avail, let Atwood go to court and let the law take it course. I know mine will not be the last, people will just keep going on. Please do the proper thing, go to court.

folks where are you all- say something...

Nobody heard your sister's testimony. Maybe nothing happened between her and Burke... The truth will come soon. Dolores can open legs for Archbishop but cannot open eyes on her people's life... Sorry to disturb again...

she is not my sister

You dont need to apolozise you jobless client of richard burke.

If you lie about the fact that your sister is no more your sister, how many lies did you say about your love story with Burke ? The truth will come soon. The truth will come...

Dolores Atwood and I went to the same school. She was a very popular and well respected by other students on campus. She says to this person come here or do this and they listen. She was called "mother" by other students, because of her caring nature. She was called "diplomat" by the staffs and well respected. She was also the vise- president of our department. She chooses her friends and fair and just to everyone. smart and very intelligent.

Madam, – My instinct is to defend the church from unfounded attacks. But the revelations of the Murphy report are something else. The actions, or rather, for the most part, the inactions of the bishops named there are simply indefensible. At the very least, it would seem, all were guilty of negligence – some, such as Bishop Donal Murray of Limerick, whose behaviour was described as “inexcusable”, more than others. But all were deemed guilty of inaction, of failing to listen to their conscience, as Mary Raftery put it on radio and television. They were deemed guilty of putting the interests of the institution above the safety and welfare of children. Their failure to act when necessary, whatever the motivation, caused profound emotional damage to the victims of clerical sexual abuse and their families, and facilitated even more abuse. Their failure to act decisively has also, as Fr Tom Doyle, the American canon lawyer, said on Prime Time , caused untold spiritual damage to those entrusted to their pastoral care. To begin with, all bishops mentioned in the report should resign immediately from their current pastoral positions. The longer they delay in doing so, the greater the damage they will do to all faithful Catholics, and in particular to the survivors of abuse who are still paying the price for the sins of their priests and bishops. – Yours, etc, Rev Dr D VINCENT TWOMEY SVD, Professor Emeritus of Moral Theology, Divine Word Missionaries, Maynooth, Co Kildare. Madam, – I have just finished cutting Bishop Donal Murray out of my child’s confirmation photographs taken in 1990. I couldn’t stomach the sight of him standing there, not a care in the world, his arm resting around the shoulders of my lovely, innocent child. It breaks my heart to think that on that day that was so happy for my children and me, Bishop Murray was exposing other lovely, innocent little children to the demonic practices of his cohorts. I’m a practising Catholic; one who is finding it very difficult to believe a word coming from the mouths of any bishop, priest, or the pope. None of them cared a whit for those little children, if they did they would have, if necessary, placed themselves between those “monsters” and their tiny prey. I have no doubt their minds were on more important things, like minding the church’s millions. I am a mother of retirement age, and feel sick every time I see any of those old reprobates on TV, their big heads swollen with self- indulgent piety. Where was Bishop Murray’s conscience in all of this, “his judgment of reason”? He was told and therefore knew that deeds were being done that ran contrary to the law of the land. Bishop Murray and the others are supposed to be “servants of God.” Poor God, what a disservice they’ve done him. He should resign immediately. – Yours, etc, LIZ BOWIE, Highthorn Park, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Madam, – I am dumbfounded by Brian Cowen’s remarks reported in your paper today (December 2nd) regarding the Murphy report. Mr Cowen and his predecessors have all bowed to church influence and bullying. Had they been politicians of worth and standing, these horrors would never have been inflicted upon the children of Ireland to such a shameful extent. It sickens me that once more the game of politics is being played out, our Taoiseach is defending a institution which ignored decades of child abuse. I wonder if a school principal had ignored mass child abuse in a school, would the Taoiseach publicly defend this person and insist he or she should not be brought to justice, that it was a matter for the school to deal with and not the State? Heads must roll, the papal nuncio must leave our land. – Yours, etc, ANDREW HYLAND, South Circular Road, Dublin 8. Madam, – The Murphy report must surely confirm, if confirmation were needed, that the Catholic Church in its various guises is not a suitable organisation to be involved in the provision of any service to the young in this country and that it should be asked by Government to hand over to the State its schools, hospitals and other facilities. If it should refuse, then, what I imagine are necessary, constitutional changes should be proposed to permit their expropriation. The subsequent referendum would allow the people to have their say on this matter. – Yours, etc, GERRY MOORE, Donegal, Cobh, Co Cork. Madam, – It seems Brian O’Sullivan (December 2nd) may have inadvertently provided the bishops with what in the final analysis will prove the most fitting defence: we were only following orders. – Yours, etc, JASON MORDAUNT, Woodbrook Hall, Riverwood Road, Dublin 15. Madam, – The victims of clerical sexual abuse have borne the burden for long enough. It is time for the rest of us to take action. We can no longer expect either the bishops or the Taoiseach to do anything. Their response to the Murphy report shows us clearly that either they do not understand, or they do not care. There are two simple actions which every Catholic can take. 1. Stop attending Mass. 2. Stop donating money. – Yours, etc, CATHERINE BROPHY, Corke Abbey, Bray, Co Wicklow. Madam, – How is it that ordinary priests and nuns are not shouting out both in support of those who were violated, or in criticism of their brother religious, calling for complete and radical change? Except perhaps to apologise? Apologise for heinous crime? How can any of us have any respect for any of them? The institutional church is obviously deeply corrupt. They should be out there in sackcloth and ashes. There needs to be a new Reformation, but it may be too late? – Yours, etc, ANNE Le MARQUAND HARTIGAN, Northbrook Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Madam, – The Pope, we learn, has written to his Irish bishops directing them to report, solely and exclusively, all matters pertaining to child abuse by their clergy, to the Vatican alone, and not to the civil authority. A second and following letter commanded total secrecy regarding both. The two letters were in Latin. May I suggest that it’s now time to convey the view of the Irish people in this ghastly matter in like language? Vox populi suprema lex; Causa finita est. – Yours, etc, DAVID GRANT, Pleasant Drive, Mount Pleasant, Waterford. Madam, – As any normal Christian and Catholic family would be, we are shocked and deeply angered by the lack of response of the most senior church men in Ireland, to the horrific and sustained violence visited on the nation’s defenceless, helpless and innocent children, as detailed in the Murphy report. Save for Diarmuid Martin, their silence is deafening and speaks volumes for how much out of touch with the people, these relics of a long bygone age have become. Shame on them! Those evil predators amongst their clergy have preyed for many years on their countless victims — cunningly and with malice aforethought, using their “access all areas” collar to gain privileged and unsupervised access to their carefully selected targets. Their bosses over many years have wilfully hidden – indeed aided and abetted – serious, criminal activity of the most depraved kind and then, incredibly, moved them on to “pastures new” where they could start all over again and wreak their unforgivable havoc on a new and unsuspecting audience of innocent children. There is only one thing for it – hit them where it hurts. Parishioners of those men named in the Murphy report should not attend Mass next Sunday – or any future Sunday – in their local churches until all six of those excuses for men, have resigned. We are appalled by them and deeply distrustful now of the senior people in our church. Men of God, indeed. May God save our children from their evil kind. – Yours, etc, THE CURTIN FAMILY, Dollymount Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Madam, – Cardinal Connell’s exposition to the Murphy commission of the contorted “mental reservation” concept seems to have appalled/”shocked” some observers, including your own columnist Breda O’Brien (Opinion, November 28th). They thereby unwittingly proclaim their (relative) youth and innocence, God bless them. The “mental reservation” casuistry has long been a feature of Catholic moral theology. This was frequently illustrated in the “Notes and Queries” pages of the Irish Ecclesiastical Record. These replies afforded me much inexpensive entertainment in my younger days, in the long nights after Samhain. However, it is a letter in your own correspondence columns many years ago that best reflects the convoluted Connell mentality – and in startlingly similar terms. On May 23rd 1953, a “Catholic layman” signing himself as “J.T.F.” and claiming considerable expertise in the area of morality-and-taxation, made the following priceless contribution which evoked no comment thereafter from professional theologians or revenue commissioners: “To the objection that to sign an incompleted declaration of income is to sign to a lie and therefore to sin, the answer is quite simple. It is that the authorities do not expect the complete declaration. They know that in practice virtually every taxpayer who is in a position to suppress part of his income will do so. Consequently, they are not in the formal sense “deceived” by an incomplete return, and the essence of a lie is deceit”. – Yours, etc, JOHN A MURPHY, Emeritus Professor of Irish History, University College Cork. Madam, – What a contrast on your Letters page (December 1st). Kevin Denny accurately hit the nail on the head, while Pat Brunicardi et al floundered in the mist of obfuscation. Des O’Malley stated, some years ago, – “I stand by the republic”. It’s about time we refused to doff the cap or bend the knee, be it to politician, banker or cleric! – Yours, etc, AIDAN CARROLL, Kilmallock, Co Limerick. Madam, – What were your own great “investigative” journalists doing during the past 60 years when these abuses were taking place; or was the press too, under the thumb of the bishops? – Yours, etc, MICHAEL KAVANAGH, Joseph Street, Wexford. Madam, – There were only six teachers in the secondary school I attended in northeast Donegal in the 1960s, four of whom were priests. Classes were small, most having fewer than 12 students. These should have been ideal teaching conditions where boys and teachers alike could have learned so much from each other. That, however, was not what happened. I remember senior maths and science classes being whittled down to a mere handful of boys, as the rest of us were terrified away from these subjects by the sadistic violence of one priest. This same “teacher” rarely taught a class, but used brute force on boys ranging in age from 12 to 16 years simply so that he could enjoy a quiet classroom. “Brute force” here meant boys being stretched across his desk and strapped, and this priest gave students two to four dozen wallops of his strap. Another of these priests regularly beat boys with a hurley stick and a strap. He also abused his position, both as a priest and a teacher, by having sexual relationships with at least one young female student from the local convent school. Yet another of these priests nicknamed his strap “Susie” and used it to terrify young boys in particular. More than once he battered students in front of the class until the blood flowed their face. What I remember most about my schooldays was not just the terror and the regularity of the beatings, but the camaraderie among the clerical teachers in such a small school where so much fear and hypocrisy reigned. Three out of four of these priests seemed to actually enjoy terrifying young boys. I bring this to the attention of your readers simply to ask if this was some sort of record? Certainly it is worth remembering that the abuse of clerical power and privilege extended well beyond State institutions where young children were incarcerated and so violently abused. It was the common experience of far too many defenceless boys and young men of my generation for whom secondary education was a profoundly damaging and terrifying experience. – Yours, etc, DR JIM Mac LAUGHLIN, Ashford Estate, The Lough, Cork. Madam, – The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) welcomes the publication of the Murphy report. The extent of the abuse of children and the cover up of the allegations against some of the priests and religious, the failure of senior clerics to report the abuse to the relevant State organisations and the collusion of some State agencies are of great concern. While we acknowledge the work to date of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in addressing these failures in the Dublin diocese, the IASW remains concerned that without enshrining the rights of the child into the Constitution, achieving the Government policy of ensuring the rights of the child are paramount will remain an aspiration and not a reality. The IASW plans to campaign for the necessary change in the Constitution. – Yours, etc, FRANK BROWNE, Communications co-ordinator, Irish Association of Social Workers, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Taken from the Irish Times December 3, 2009

Please we need your sister's testimony urgently so that we can close the Burke file

Madam, – I started reading the Murphy report at 10am in an office of the Department of Justice last Thursday week and quickly became both very angry and very sad as chapter after chapter revealed sickening details of acts of abuse perpetrated by priests on vulnerable young children. No matter how many other reports I may have read or how easily I recall my own childhood experiences at the hands of former priest Ivan Payne, there is nothing that prepares a decent human being for the details of how any adults, let alone priests, sexually abused young children. And then there is the cover-up of that abuse. The knowing calculating self-serving cover-up of the sexual abuse of children in order to maintain secrecy, avoid scandal, protect the reputation of the church and preserve its assets. The report is quite clear that these were the preoccupations of the archdiocese in dealing with cases of child sexual abuse, adding that the commission of investigation had no doubt that child sexual abuse was covered up by the archdiocese and that the structures and roles of the church facilitated that cover-up. Bishop Donal Murray’s behaviour is described as inexcusable; he protests that this is not the only description of his behaviour. He is right: the report also says he was aware for many years of complaints and/or suspicions of clerical child sexual abuse, dealt badly with a number of complaints, and he did not deal properly with the suspicions and concerns that were expressed to him. These comments don’t exactly balance out the finding of his actions being inexcusable. Although Bishop Jim Moriarty told the people in Kildare and Leighlin, he was not directly criticised in the report, in fact he was. He claimed his reason for not properly investigating Fr Edmondus was because he did not have access to the archives, but the report says that he could have asked the archbishop to conduct a search which would have revealed earlier sexual abuse by the priest. Bishops Drennan, Walsh and Field, were auxiliary bishops of Dublin during some of the period (1975-2004) covered by the commission of investigation. The report tells us that a number of auxiliary bishops were made aware of complaints of child sexual abuse by priests in their geographical areas. Others found out about such priests through the regular monthly meetings involving the archbishop and the auxiliary bishops. It is not believable to me that none of these three, as bishops attending those meetings, were unaware that child sexual abuse was covered up by the archdiocese. They were bishops working in a diocese where children were sexually abused by priests, priests that the diocese knew were dangerous. They were all part of a structure and culture that facilitated the sexual abuse of children. It is time for Bishops Murray, Moriarty, Drennan, Walsh and Field to resign. Some of them tried to keep a low profile, others are trying to hold onto office in a manner that has become obscene. I would urge them not to hide behind the fact that some of them were not criticised in the report; the report details only a sample of allegations against 46 priests, but it found allegations against 172. There are almost 40 pages missing from the report: what will they reveal when they are published? For the Murphy report to so conclusively find that child sexual abuse was covered up by the archdiocese at a time when these men were all bishops in the diocese, and for them all to remain in office is to add insult to injury to me, and many people like me, who were sexually abused by priests. It is deeply hurtful and distressing that none of them can see that the hurt and pain caused to so many children in the archdiocese at a time when they were bishops is reason enough for them all to respect those sad experiences and go. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has told his fellow bishops that they must come out and answer questions raised in the report. But there are no questions raised in the report, each chapter concludes with findings of fact. It doesn’t ask Bishop Murray if he thinks his actions were inexcusable, it tells us they were. It doesn’t accuse him of behaving inexcusably, it tells us he did. Archbishop Martin has no right to tell bishops that they should respond to this report and if their responses are acceptable to him and his priests then maybe things will be okay. Things are not okay; he is not the one to judge their actions, Judge Yvonne Murphy has done that and on the basis of her findings, the bishops, as named here, should resign. And if they don’t, Archbishop Martin should resign before his meeting with them next week. In the meantime, Archbishop Martin should stop trying to undermine the commission of investigation and its findings. – Yours, etc, ANDREW MADDEN, Meath Square, Dublin 8. Madam, – Would this be a good time to consider repealing the 21st Amendment to the Irish Constitution, which prohibited the death penalty? It might then be possible to make it a capital crime in Ireland to rape a child, and obtain appropriate retributive justice against the Irish religious brothers, sisters, priests, bishops, and cardinals who practised, facilitated, or covered up these rapes. – Yours, etc, DENIS COTTER, Dover Road, Middleburg, Virginia, US. Madam, – The Pope needs to come to Dublin for 24 hours as a humble priest – without all the fanfare and “bling” of the Vatican – to apologise for all that has happened in the past 50 years. Only then can the healing begin. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL J McNAMARA, Ballyclough, Limerick. Madam, – It is futile, and sadly facile, for readers of your publication to call for the expulsion of the papal nuncio from a country whose elected leader feels compelled to defend his inaction and that of his employers in the Vatican. Would that such loyalty was shown to Ireland. – Yours, etc, MICHEAL O’DOHERTY, South Wood Street, Chicago, Illinois, US. Madam, – Your report “Taoiseach defends behaviour of Vatican” (Home News, December 2nd) evokes echoes of the Charles McQuaid era when, during the “mother and child scheme” controversy the then taoiseach John A Costello said he was a Catholic first and an Irishman second. The Vatican, being an independent state which appears to play the diplomatic card when it suits it, should be called in by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and asked to explain itself, and the breaking of diplomatic links should be seriously considered in the light of what its “agents” have perpetrated on innocent children of this independent state. Brian Cowen needs to realise that he should be standing up for the children of Ireland, not trying to kowtow to what he calls the “Holy See”. – Yours, etc, SEÁN MARTIN, Kenure Lawns, Rush, Co Dublin. Madam, – What your photograph (Front page, December 1st) of a soldier escorting the papal nuncio, while carrying a raised sword, perfectly epitomises is the malign relationship between my church and secular power for almost all of Christian history. Jesus Christ told Peter to put away his sword (John 18/11). But since, the 4th-century Christian leaders have presumed to know better. A sword represents above all violence and as such is the very antithesis of the power-rejecting Jesus. Catholic spirituality enjoins personal humility. But Catholic practice constantly supports a quasi-demonic institutional obsession with the church’s control and prestige. Virtually no regime seems too brutal or corrupt to merit total condemnation. Not that of Hitler or Pinochet or many other murderous governments in Latin America – not so long as the authority and position of the church are recognised in significant ways. This, I believe, is part of the wider context of episcopal indulgence towards paedophile clergy. Innocent victims of abuse are seen in practice – if not in theory – as expendable so long as the “authority” of the church is preserved. Many prophetic priests and religious have abandoned their ministry in utter disgust with the double standards of church leadership in regard to fundamental values. My church has cared for countless poor and sick children with exemplary dedication throughout its long history. But until it fully confronts clerical paedophilia wherever the church is present, it does not deserve any longer to be entrusted with the care of the defenceless. And it should ask itself very seriously what its elitist, secretive, sexist and power-hungry governing structures have to do with the example and teaching of Jesus Christ. – Yours, etc, JOHN FEIGHERY SVD, North Circular Road, Dublin 7. Madam, – Absent from Revd Vincent Twomey’s comments on the Murphy report (December 3rd) is any recognition that the reality of clerical sexual abuse and the moving about and protection of these abusing priests by their superiors, both in this country and in the US, has been known about in the Vatican for several decades. Cardinal Ratzinger, as he then was, wrote to Catholic bishops in 2001 to remind them of the penalties for leaking details of inquiries into offences such as clerical sex abuse which hardly suggest his primary concern was for the victims. The calls for the resignation of those bishops named in the Murphy report seem like an exercise in damage limitation. Mary Raftery articulated the feelings of many us when she referred to the “moral bankruptcy that permeates the ranks of the supposed moral and religious leaders of our society” (Opinion, December 3rd). Indeed it is very difficult to reconcile a belief in God with the actions of those who protected the abusers for so long and those who stood by in silence. No doubt the churchs theologians or its public relations experts have a ready made answer for that naive question. – Yours, etc, GEAROID O DUBHAIN, Clarkeswood, Mount Oval Village, Rochestown, Co Cork. Madam, – As I set up my crib for the Christmas period, I reflected on the year 2009, and what it told us about the children of Ireland. My reflections concerned the sad legacy of our State where innocent children are concerned. In my head I dedicated it to all the survivors of abuse. It will not alleviate their suffering, but does help me to deal with the rage and impotence I feel. What an ugly, craven, history we have, where those in power did not have the courage or even humanity to tackle what was so wrong! They still do not. – Yours, etc, DEIRDRE BREEN, Fosterbrook, Booterstown, Co Dublin A chara, – The concept of “Sins of omission” was invented by the Catholic church. Why can’t the hierarchy recognise it in itself? – Is mise, CÁIT Ní CHEALLACHÁIN, Old Park Road, Corbally, Limerick Taken froim the Irish Times Deceber 4, 2009

October 29, 2009 - Ferial Day Benedict-Ratzinger's Personal Archbishop Appointee Sexually Assaults 14-Year-Old Girl The Smoking Gun Is Getting Closer and Closer to the Unholy Father Richard Burke, Newchurch Archbishop Personally Appointed by Benedict-Ratzinger Burke Is One of the Criminal Bishops, Some Two Dozen in the United States Alone Whom Benedict-Ratzinger Is Sheltering from the Consequences of Their Crimes of Violence Against Newchurch Women and Children Newchurch's Great Sex & Embezzlement Scandal is now percolating higher than Newchurch presbyters up to bishops and archbishops -- corrupt prelates whom Benedict-Ratzinger himself has appointed, not holdovers from prior administrations. Richard Burke, appointed personally by Benedict-Ratzinger as Newchurch archbishop of Benini City, Nigeria, has been charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. She was lying sick in a Newchurch hospital when Burke assaulted her. For twenty years thereafter he continued to assault her. The scandal has forced Burke to suspend himself as archbishop. He is one of the most senior members of the Newchurch to be accused of assaulting a child. According to Monsignor Charles Scicluna, an official of the Newchurch Congregation for Bishops. Benedict-Ratzinger was informed of the assault charges, but failed to take any personal action. There are a number of other bishops and archbishops, not to say cardinals, of Benedict-Ratzinger, who now have been caught with their cassocks down. The Unholy Father refuses to take direct action to rid his administration of such people, many of whom he has himself personally appointed. Thus, Benedict-Ratzinger becomes an accessory both before and after the fact to child rape and assault. That is the verdict of both Catholic theology and civil law. We will see how long Benedict-Ratzinger can hide behind his diplomatic immunity of Newrome before his Newchurch falls down around him, as it is already happening. Newchurchers are leaving the Newchurch ship at every accelerating rates, and Newchurch collections are way down. [Some information for this Commentary was contributed by the Press Association.]

I like to add my voice to all I have read. There is no doubt that things happens in life - good and ugly. Human beings have become evil and perfected their wickedness. Reading through her story, I see a vindictive spirit at work. Such spirit does not know the TRUTH. I see, smell and read lies on the lips of this lady. People who want things by all means become dangerous when they cannot get it. The fact of going to the Net is not because you seek the truth but prove the wickedness of her heart and the extent such evil can go. How can the bishop who meant you in the hospital for the first time start kissing you in an inappropriate way when you are not in a secluded room knowing that you are poor and orphan. I believe you were dying for the Archbishop and full of jealousy because he refused your moves.He did not call you satan but gently take you as a daughter inspite of your many moves to have him to yourself. knowing that he is a man who is open to people, you were threatened by that. You are known to be flirting with many men and so you finally met your Cannadian husband whom you promised to stop going with other men. Your inability to have the bishop remains a wonder to you and that increased your intense feelings for him which has translated to blackmail and must-pull-him-down. His refusal to yield to your threat of going public if he refuses you what you want make you carry out your threat. This threat is been on for the past two years. The first year prove no serious enough and now feel need to go publishing. You promised to take the evil to the bishop home town so as to rubish him before his people which you did. You promised he will pay both with his name and resources.You know that you are not working alone. The world may believe because lies are easily believable and the world is happy to celebrate the fall of great people especially men of God EITHER in truth or by falsity. I know that the world's hatred for the Catholic Church is being promoted by certain group(s) who contaminate the naive, innocent and weak humans with their stories. Is that surprising? Their Master has warned them before now: THE WORLD WILL HATE YOU BECAUSE THEY HATED ME FIRST. A word for the Archbishop: It is more difficult to face lies and falsehood. More diffificult still from an acquitance or friend. Take courage and be strengthened by Christ's Word: If they have called the Master of THE HOUSE belzebub, how much MORE members of HIS HOUSEHOLD.If they did it to JESUS, they will do it to His followers. Fear not they that can kill the body but cannot kill your soul; can smell your name with their lies but cannot take the glory of God from you because it does not belong to men.Be strong and you must not give up your service to God because men demands your head. Remember His Word to you at your ordination: You did not choose Me;No, I CHOSE YOU. Do not let any close the Kingdom against you. God needs you. You are a servant of the KINGDOM, not of this world but of God. So, be strong and do not be distracted.God still loves you and needs you, no matter what. Your God came for sinners after all not the righteous. Do not GIVE UP YOUR ROBE, pigs will trample on it because they do not know the value. Bring it back to the LORD who knows how to make all things well again. I hope and pray that you will receive and read this. BE STRONG AND DETERMINED.

The Nigerian Catholic Church has been known for the tremendous progress she has made relative to increase in priestly and religious vocations. However, it is apparent that in spite of such endearing goodnews one wonders, what at times these advantages actually translate into. Many Nigerian priests and religious nuns often forget the primary purpose of their calling; which is mainly spiritual. Often they are high handed abusing and harrassing their congregants, greedy for church funds, which they misuse wrecklessly and without any form of decorous probity and accountability. Many perceuve themselves as another estate within the realm of domination that is perpetuated by the ruling class, especially at the moments politicians. Most hobnob with these corrupt and greedy politicians who buy them over with money, expensive gifts of cars, luxuriant vehicles and SUVs, and living above their means. Many of these priests who come from humble background are often arrogant insulting their parishioners and acting arbitrarily without concern for how they are viewed and what God demands of them as shepherds, immediately our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the eternal good shepherd. The news footage regarding the mode of behaviour of the Catholic priest who was shut out by his parishioners reflect one of many such incidences, often unreported on the pages of newspapers. This is evidence of the kind of palpable discontents harboured by many Catholic parishioners against the malfeasant behaviours of their "overlord" and arrogant priests. Even more intriguing is the reaction of the office of Archbishop, whose letter signed by the Archbishop Matthew Ndangoso, shows a reactionary rather than progressive approach to resolving this issue. It depicts the lack of management and conflict resolution skills; and tilts more toward an approach that is milked in authoritarianism rather than a pastoral approach to resolving the issues and differences. It is even surprising that the archbishop seemed to have taken the side of the priest prior to an investigation being carried out. This lack of transparency, partisanship, and arrogance is one of the reasons that many young Catholics are becoming increasingly discontented with a church that they voluntarily gave their assent of truth, only to be betrayed at many levels. It is laughable that in Ndagoso's letter he quotes the Code of Canon Law. When it is convenient to these bishops they haphardly utilize the text of the Canon Law, but in others they violate it, like the mode in which a new bishop of Maiduguri did not meet the canonical requirements but because of some intriguing politics among the bishops- notably the same Ndagoso and the archbishop of Jos, Mr. Ignatius Kaigama- such blantant choice was named. It is on record that Nigerian Catholic bishops are too out of sync with the daily realities of faith, providing mouth-watering illusive and deceptive reports during their ad limina visits to the Vatican, when these reports hardly are attuned with reality. These bishops pride themselves upon presenting a false image that parallels with the image of politicians, and often act accordingly, and like these politicians very corrupt and easy to coopt by the corrupt political and ruling classes; so easily bought with money. It is a sad manifestation of not just of what is wrong with the Nigerian society as a whole, but even more with the global image of the Catholic Church. It is also a sad commentary on the quality of bishops either made or elevated since Pope Benedict XVI became a Pope in 2005. One of the bishops, he promoted to archbishop, the Irish, Richard Burke, today stands suspended for sexually molesting a 14 year old girl that began a sexual relationship running into almost thirty years, including after the woman became married, and even the archbishop switching to the lady's sister much later with his amorous pleasures. Many more, like the Archbishop of Abuja, Mr. John Onaiyekan, in circles of priests, nuns, and some lay faithful is known to be a serial sexual molester and abusers of young women, especially vulnerable young nuns. It is our hope that those so abused by this impostor would find the courage and the voice to speak out, to document this attrocious personality, a wolf in sheep's clothings. The act reported below reflect the beginning of more crises for the Nigerian Church, which flaring would be worst than the fate of the French anti-clericalism. I hope that this church, arrogant and stained with enormous blemish would read the warning sign promptly and redress this ugly and unfolding specter. A looming crises is in the offing for the Nigerian Catholic Church. God save us! The Daily Sun SACRILEGE! Worshippers attack Catholic priest, lock up church ...As Archbishop of Kaduna reads riot act From NOAH EBIJE, Kaduna Friday, November 13, 2009 Following a hatched plot by some members of a Catholic Church in Kaduna, who attacked the Priest, and locked up the church, the Archbishop of Kaduna State, Most Reverend Matthew Manoso Ndagoso has dissolved the parish. Trouble started when on Sunday, October 11, 2009, some members of Saint Dominic Catholic Church in Ungwan Pama area of Kaduna were said to have taken laws into their hands by chasing away the Priest, Gabriel Enuagha. The aggrieved members, according to findings, were not comfortable with the new timing of church services as put in place by the priest. Daily Sun gathered exclusively that the initial timing was from 6am for English session, 8am for Hausa and 10am for English listeners, but the new arrangement by the parish Priest pegged 6am and 8am session for English listeners and moved Hausa listeners to 10am. On that fateful day, the perpetrators were said to have forced the priest to conduct the Sunday service under a tree within the church premises, using his car as the altar of God. Ndagoso had in a letter dated October 30, 2009 to the entire Catholic Priests, religious and laity in the Archdiocese of Kaduna which was read to parishioners on Sunday, November 1, 2009, the Bishop condemned the action of the perpetrators and described it as unchristian. The letter which was titled: ‘The Internal Crisis of St. Dominic’s Parish U/Pama,’ read in parts: “You may have heard of the unfortunate and scandalous event that took place in St. Dominic’s Parish U/Pama on October 11, 2009, when some members of the parish community without regard to lawfully constituted authorities took the laws into their hands and locked up the church and the parish house thus hindering the community from worshiping in the church and the priests having to seek refuge elsewhere. “As if that was not enough, the perpetrators went further to use what is tantamount to force on their parish Priest. “Whatever their grievances, there are avenues and structures within the church for settling them without resorting to the use of force and violence. “The action was not only unchristian but also condemnable and intolerable anywhere especially in the church-as-family of God. Those responsible cannot be said to be true Christians because their action runs contrary to the Christian spirit of dialogue, reconciliation and peace. “They should have known that such behaviours have no place in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. “To say the least, what happened in St. Dominic’s is a disrespect of the highest degree to me and my office. Msgr. Gabriel V. Enuagha is my Vicar General under whose care I left the Archdiocese while away. “He was at that time the archbishop of Kaduna . The assault on him therefore was a direct assault on me and my office. Consequently, after due consultations, I have decided to take the following measures. “St. Dominic’s ceases to be a parish until further notice. It is now an outstation of St. Mary’s U/Boro with one combined Mass every Sunday. The parish priest is to fix the time for the mass. “The Parish Laity Council is hereby dissolved. The Parish Priest of St. Mary’s U/Boro is to form a caretaker church committee to run the affairs of the church. “Consequently, anyone in possession of church property should hand them over to the Dean of Rimau Deanery, Very Reverend Father Alfred Mako. “Anyone found to be involved in the crisis in anyway will be sanctioned appropriately in accordance with the provisions of the law (cf. Cans 1374 & 1375). “A thorough investigation is in progress. You will be dully informed of the outcome. “Finally, let it be known to one and all that no individual or group is indispensable in the Catholic Church. “While the church is better off with all on board, it cannot cease to exist because of an individual or a group. The rich history of our church is there for those who care to confer.” Posted by African Synod II- Roman Catholic at 11:59 AM Labels: Archdiocese of Kaduna crisis, Church abuse, Ignatius Kaigama, John Onaiyekan, Matthew Manoso Ndagoso, Msgr. Gabriel V. Enuagha, Priest chased from Parish, St. Dominic Catholic Church, Ungwa Pama

A New Irish report heavily indicts the Irish Bishops of the Catholic Church of elaborate cover-up relative to children sexual abuse within the Irish Catholic Church. This report coming on the heels of another one regarding the modes of abuses of children confined to church institutions reflect another bad publicity and despicable stunt upon the image of the Catholic heritage in Ireland. This, too, has significant ramifications for the worldwide church, especially given the Irish exportation of her missionaries across the world into various global polities, including the United States, Africa, Asia, and even Australia, among other global spaces. The impacts of these Irish missionaries can be greatly felt in many areas. However, the impact upon the formation of priestly candidates in seminaries across the world is to be particularly noted. Their examples, ethos, and ethics, as well as their lifestyles, have enormous influence upon these candidates and the diverse church communities that owe their emergence or sustenance to the missionary drive of the Irish missionaries. This is especially because of their ability to transmit and ingrain certain values and consciousness upon the psyche of the native clergy and Christians; including implanting particularly bad examples among these cleric in the area of priestly celibacy and shaping a screwed view of human sexuality in general. Irish missionaries have been acute agents in the expansion of global Catholicism. Many, including Africans owes a grand appreciation for their enonmous and most times exemplifying modest lifestyles, often consistently in line with the values, orientation, and ethics of the Christian gospel and the doctrinal teachings of our beloved Church. The Irish dedication to social services, including their services to humanity in the arena of missionary and educational initiatives, forged a significant differences in the lives of individuals and fortunes of specific communities. Bishop Joseph Shanahan is one example of an intrepid and courageously hardworking bishop whose influences extend across national spaces in Southeastern Nigeria, the Middle Belt to eastern Africa. Other Irish missionaries were also stellar witnesses to the ideals of self-abnegation and sacrificial giving of selves, internalizing and embodying sufferings living in arid conditions, in attestation to our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. For these acts, we congratulate and celebrate their positive examples. In other cases, these missionaries were equally agents of abuses of Africans under their care. It is our hope that these were rare incidences. However, the recent case of an Irish-born Nigerian Archbishop, Richard Burke, of the St. Patrick's (Kiltegan) Society, accused of molesting a Nigerian woman beginning from the age of 14 in an hospital unit in Nigeria, and carried out over 20 years of relationship with her even while she was married, bespeaks volume as to the subtle nature of such abuses carried out by Irish missionaries, and also of the examples they transmitted to their Nigerian and African counterparts. The instances of Catholic missionary abuses rendered by such African spiritual and literary writers like Patrick Malidoma Some in his book, Of Water and Spirit (cf. pages 109-111) would make one cringe with nausea and blush in shame of one's Catholic heritage.. The cases of the Central African Republic is another example. Herein, the Vatican acting against African clergy in two diocese, including removing their bishops, precipitated the African clergy to instance the sexual abuse scandals and bad instances of European clergy, also points to a scary manifestation of the bad models of priestly lifestyles which was perpetuated and reinforced over time by European missionaries in Africa and globally, where they carried out their works. In some sector, it is believed that some of the missionaries were deliberately scurried to the mission territories in Africa and Asia dumped there steering them away from an enlightening European public, adverse to some of their perverting sexualities. The Irish church widespread role in missionary work, and the fact that even in America the majority of priests accused in the minor sexual abuse scandals are of Irish origin or descent, necessitates that the Vatican authorities investigate the Irish role in the widespread globalized culture of priestly sexual abuses. This is not to downplay the enormous positive roles that many of these Irish missionaries have played in the evangelizing work of the Church. To these great sons and daughters of Ireland we stand in debted, but for those who tarnish the Irish and ecclesiastical images by their conscious acts, we are truly ashamed of their acts of shame. Irish Catholic Church and Sexual Abuse Scandal: Damning Report Indicts Bishops of Cover-up: News World news Ireland Irish church and police covered up child sex abuse, says report. Devastating report on abuse of children by clergy from 1975 to 2004 accuses church and Garda of colluding to cover up scandal . Roman Catholic church in Ireland hid decades of child abuse by its leaders to protect the church's reputation, inquiry found. Photograph: Danilo Krstanovic/Reuters Ireland's police colluded with the Catholic church in covering up clerical child abuse in Dublin on a huge scale, according to a damning report on decades of sex crimes committed by priests. The devastating report on the sexual and physical abuse of children by the clergy in Ireland's capital from 1975 to 2004 accuses four former archbishops, a host of clergy and senior members of the Garda Síochána of a cover-up. The three-volume report found that the "maintenance of secrecy, the avoidance of scandal, the protection of the reputation of the church and the preservation of its assets" was more important than justice for the victims. Four former archbishops in Dublin – John Charles McQuaid, who died in 1973, Dermot Ryan, who died in 1984, Kevin McNamara, who died in 1987, and retired Cardinal Desmond Connell – were found to have failed to report their knowledge of child sexual abuse to the Garda from the 1960s to the 1980s. But the report added that all the archbishops of the diocese in the period were aware of complaints. The report, launched today by the Irish justice minister, Dermot Ahern, also concluded that the vast majority of priests turned a "blind eye" to abuse, although some individuals did bring complaints to superiors, which were not acted upon. The report, commissioned by the government, strongly criticises the Garda and says senior members of the force regarded priests as being outside their investigative remit. The relationship between some senior gardai and priests and bishops in Dublin was described as "inappropriate". Rather than investigate complaints from children, gardai simply reported the matter to the Dublin Catholic diocese, the report says. The Garda Síochána is accused of connivance with the church in stifling at least one complaint of abuse and letting the alleged perpetrator flee the country. Ahern said there should be no hiding place for abusers. "The persons who committed these dreadful crimes will continue to be pursued. They must come to know that there is no hiding place. That justice – even where it may have been delayed – will not be denied," he said. He told a press conference: "I read the report as justice minister. But on a human level – as a father and as a member of this community – I felt a growing sense of revulsion and anger at the horrible, evil acts committed against children." The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre welcomed the report, saying it was "another acknowledgment of the abject failure of our society to take care of our children". The report states that senior clerical figures covered up the abuse over nearly 30 years and that the structures and rules of the church facilitated that cover-up. It says that state authorities facilitated the cover-up by allowing the church to be beyond the reach of the law. The Murphy Commission of Inquiry into the abuse of children in Dublin identified 320 people who complained of child sexual abuse between 1975 and 2004. It also stated that since May 2004, 130 complaints against priests operating in the Dublin archdiocese had been made. The report details the cases of 46 priests guilty of abuse as a representative sample of 102 priests within its remit. But it concludes that there was no evidence of an organised paedophile ring in the Dublin archdiocese, although it says there were worrying connections. One priest admitted abusing more than 100 children. Another said he had committed abuse every two weeks for more than 25 years. The report highlights the case of a Father Carney and Father McCarthy who it claims in one case both abused the same child. The abuse by Carney often occurred at swimming pools, sometimes when he was accompanied by another priest. The report states that it was not until 1995 that the archdiocese began to notify civil authorities of complaints of abuse. The commission concludes that in the light of this and other facts, every bishop's primary loyalty was to the church itself. A move by the archdiocese to take out insurance against potential compensation claims arising from abuse, according to the report, proved knowledge of child sexual abuse as a potential major cost. The Garda Síochána's current commissioner, Fachtna Murphy, said the report made for "difficult and disturbing reading, detailing many instances of sexual abuse and failure … to protect victims." Pope Benedict was urged today to go to Ireland and apologise for his clergy's behaviour. John Kelly, of Irish Survivors of Child Abuse, said only a papal visit would exonerate the worldwide church in the abuse scandals. Abuse reports Since June 1994, when paedophile priest Father Brendan Smith was sentenced to four years in prison for the abuse of children in Northern Ireland, there have been three major reports into the abuse of children at the hands of Ireland's Catholic clergy: • October 2005 the Ferns report detailed extensive child abuse and the cover-up of paedophile activity in the south-east of Ireland. • November 2005 Judge Yvonne Murphy was appointed to head a commission of investigation into clerical child abuse in the Dublin diocese, which concluded today. •May 2009 the Ryan report detailing abuse at orphanages and industrial schools run by Catholic religious orders across the state was published. 26 Nov 2009 Catholic church in Ireland covered up child abuse, says report 22 Jul 2009 Catholics want accountability Breda O'Brien 23 May 2009Letters: We want real contrition for our abuse 21 May 2009Child abuse row goes on as Catholics get new leader Devastating report' into Catholic schools abuse 20 May 2009: The Guardian's Ireland correspondent on a long-awaited report into abuse suffered by thousands of children at institutions run by priests More video: 20 May 2009Thousands raped and abused in Catholic schools 10 Apr 2009Ireland archbishop admits child abuse report 'will shock us all' 10 Mar 2008Pope could face protests in Ireland over abuse cases 3 Feb 2008Call to seize secret church abuse files St Patrick's Day parades around the world 15 Mar 2009: Thousands of people join the festivities in Trafalgar Square prior to 17 March, the official day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Various Irish organisations are holding similar parades in other cities throughout the world Posted by African Synod II- Roman Catholic at 11:32 AM Labels: Archbishop Richard Burke, Archbishops guilty, Church cover-ups, Dublin, Ireland Catholic Church, Irish Missionaries, Minor sex abuse, Priests' sexual abuses

If the Lord should mark our guilt,who would survive.but with the LORD is found mercy and fulness of redemption.(psalm 130).this is a tale of --"there goes either of us,if not for the grace of God".let us remember that there is a big difference between the sin and the sinner.while,we must all condemn every form of sin,let us remember that the sinner needs love.if we truly want to be fair and sincere we'll condemn the sin and not the sinner.dolores,God will see u through your difficult n trying times,and give u a new heart to forgive the wrong done to u,if its true.Your Grace,St.Augustine of hippo,st.Paul and st.Peter betrayed Christ, but His mercy is ever sure.i know its difficult,but this too shall pass. my prayers go even more for both the victim and the accused.let us all join voices and storm heaven with prayers as we celebrate the year of priests,that God will continually shower them with more grace to overcome the temptations and the lures of the world and the flesh, guarding them from the snares of the enemy.for all Christians,let us keep praying for ourselves that we all may live and lead Christlike lives.its could happen to any of us.enough of the aspersions cast on both parties,because we all need HELP.Let him who thinks he is standing tall above sin take heed,lest he falls.HAVE MERCY ON US OH LORD,FOR WE HAVE SINNED!

Let us all read 1Cor 4:5

Irish Bishops heavily indicted in Priests Child Sex Abuse Report indicates that Irish Church stand accused of covering up sex abuse of minors: Commentary: A New Irish report heavily indicts the Irish Bishops of the Catholic Church of elaborate cover-up relative to children sexual abuse within the Irish Catholic Church. This report coming on the heels of another one regarding the modes of abuses of children confined to church institutions reflect another bad publicity and despicable stunt upon the image of the Catholic heritage in Ireland. This, too, has significant ramifications for the worldwide church, especially given the Irish exportation of her missionaries across the world into various global polities, including the United States, Africa, Asia, and even Australia, among other global spaces. The impacts of these Irish missionaries can be greatly felt in many areas. However, the impact upon the formation of priestly candidates in seminaries across the world is to be particularly noted. Their examples, ethos, and ethics, as well as their lifestyles, have enormous influence upon these candidates and the diverse church communities that owe their emergence or sustenance to the missionary drive of the Irish missionaries. This is especially because of their ability to transmit and ingrain certain values and consciousness upon the psyche of the native clergy and Christians; including implanting particularly bad examples among these cleric in the area of priestly celibacy and shaping a screwed view of human sexuality in general. Irish missionaries have been acute agents in the expansion of global Catholicism. Many, including Africans owes a grand appreciation for their enonmous and most times exemplifying modest lifestyles, often consistently in line with the values, orientation, and ethics of the Christian gospel and the doctrinal teachings of our beloved Church. The Irish dedication to social services, including their services to humanity in the arena of missionary and educational initiatives, forged a significant differences in the lives of individuals and fortunes of specific communities. Bishop Joseph Shanahan is one example of an intrepid and courageously hardworking bishop whose influences extend across national spaces in Southeastern Nigeria, the Middle Belt to eastern Africa. Other Irish missionaries were also stellar witnesses to the ideals of self-abnegation and sacrificial giving of selves, internalizing and embodying sufferings living in arid conditions, in attestation to our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. For these acts, we congratulate and celebrate their positive examples. In other cases, these missionaries were equally agents of abuses of Africans under their care. It is our hope that these were rare incidences. However, the recent case of an Irish-born Nigerian Archbishop, Richard Burke, of the St. Patrick's (Kiltegan) Society, accused of molesting a Nigerian woman beginning from the age of 14 in an hospital unit in Nigeria, and carried out over 20 years of relationship with her even while she was married, bespeaks volume as to the subtle nature of such abuses carried out by Irish missionaries, and also of the examples they transmitted to their Nigerian and African counterparts. The instances of Catholic missionary abuses rendered by such African spiritual and literary writers like Patrick Malidoma Some in his book, Of Water and Spirit (cf. pages 109-111) would make one cringe with nausea and blush in shame of one's Catholic heritage.. The cases of the Central African Republic is another example. Herein, the Vatican acting against African clergy in two diocese, including removing their bishops, precipitated the African clergy to instance the sexual abuse scandals and bad instances of European clergy, also points to a scary manifestation of the bad models of priestly lifestyles which was perpetuated and reinforced over time by European missionaries in Africa and globally, where they carried out their works. In some sector, it is believed that some of the missionaries were deliberately scurried to the mission territories in Africa and Asia dumped there steering them away from an enlightening European public, adverse to some of their perverting sexualities. The Irish church widespread role in missionary work, and the fact that even in America the majority of priests accused in the minor sexual abuse scandals are of Irish origin or descent, necessitates that the Vatican authorities investigate the Irish role in the widespread globalized culture of priestly sexual abuses. This is not to downplay the enormous positive roles that many of these Irish missionaries have played in the evangelizing work of the Church. To these great sons and daughters of Ireland we stand in debted, but for those who tarnish the Irish and ecclesiastical images by their conscious acts, we are truly ashamed of their acts of shame. Irish Catholic Church and Sexual Abuse Scandal: Damning Report Indicts Bishops of Cover-up: News World news Ireland Irish church and police covered up child sex abuse, says report. Devastating report on abuse of children by clergy from 1975 to 2004 accuses church and Garda of colluding to cover up scandal . Roman Catholic church in Ireland hid decades of child abuse by its leaders to protect the church's reputation, inquiry found. Photograph: Danilo Krstanovic/Reuters Ireland's police colluded with the Catholic church in covering up clerical child abuse in Dublin on a huge scale, according to a damning report on decades of sex crimes committed by priests. The devastating report on the sexual and physical abuse of children by the clergy in Ireland's capital from 1975 to 2004 accuses four former archbishops, a host of clergy and senior members of the Garda Síochána of a cover-up. The three-volume report found that the "maintenance of secrecy, the avoidance of scandal, the protection of the reputation of the church and the preservation of its assets" was more important than justice for the victims. Four former archbishops in Dublin – John Charles McQuaid, who died in 1973, Dermot Ryan, who died in 1984, Kevin McNamara, who died in 1987, and retired Cardinal Desmond Connell – were found to have failed to report their knowledge of child sexual abuse to the Garda from the 1960s to the 1980s. But the report added that all the archbishops of the diocese in the period were aware of complaints. The report, launched today by the Irish justice minister, Dermot Ahern, also concluded that the vast majority of priests turned a "blind eye" to abuse, although some individuals did bring complaints to superiors, which were not acted upon. The report, commissioned by the government, strongly criticises the Garda and says senior members of the force regarded priests as being outside their investigative remit. The relationship between some senior gardai and priests and bishops in Dublin was described as "inappropriate". Rather than investigate complaints from children, gardai simply reported the matter to the Dublin Catholic diocese, the report says. The Garda Síochána is accused of connivance with the church in stifling at least one complaint of abuse and letting the alleged perpetrator flee the country. Ahern said there should be no hiding place for abusers. "The persons who committed these dreadful crimes will continue to be pursued. They must come to know that there is no hiding place. That justice – even where it may have been delayed – will not be denied," he said. He told a press conference: "I read the report as justice minister. But on a human level – as a father and as a member of this community – I felt a growing sense of revulsion and anger at the horrible, evil acts committed against children." The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre welcomed the report, saying it was "another acknowledgment of the abject failure of our society to take care of our children". The report states that senior clerical figures covered up the abuse over nearly 30 years and that the structures and rules of the church facilitated that cover-up. It says that state authorities facilitated the cover-up by allowing the church to be beyond the reach of the law. The Murphy Commission of Inquiry into the abuse of children in Dublin identified 320 people who complained of child sexual abuse between 1975 and 2004. It also stated that since May 2004, 130 complaints against priests operating in the Dublin archdiocese had been made. The report details the cases of 46 priests guilty of abuse as a representative sample of 102 priests within its remit. But it concludes that there was no evidence of an organised paedophile ring in the Dublin archdiocese, although it says there were worrying connections. One priest admitted abusing more than 100 children. Another said he had committed abuse every two weeks for more than 25 years. The report highlights the case of a Father Carney and Father McCarthy who it claims in one case both abused the same child. The abuse by Carney often occurred at swimming pools, sometimes when he was accompanied by another priest. The report states that it was not until 1995 that the archdiocese began to notify civil authorities of complaints of abuse. The commission concludes that in the light of this and other facts, every bishop's primary loyalty was to the church itself. A move by the archdiocese to take out insurance against potential compensation claims arising from abuse, according to the report, proved knowledge of child sexual abuse as a potential major cost. The Garda Síochána's current commissioner, Fachtna Murphy, said the report made for "difficult and disturbing reading, detailing many instances of sexual abuse and failure … to protect victims." Pope Benedict was urged today to go to Ireland and apologise for his clergy's behaviour. John Kelly, of Irish Survivors of Child Abuse, said only a papal visit would exonerate the worldwide church in the abuse scandals. Abuse reports Since June 1994, when paedophile priest Father Brendan Smith was sentenced to four years in prison for the abuse of children in Northern Ireland, there have been three major reports into the abuse of children at the hands of Ireland's Catholic clergy: • October 2005 the Ferns report detailed extensive child abuse and the cover-up of paedophile activity in the south-east of Ireland. • November 2005 Judge Yvonne Murphy was appointed to head a commission of investigation into clerical child abuse in the Dublin diocese, which concluded today. •May 2009 the Ryan report detailing abuse at orphanages and industrial schools run by Catholic religious orders across the state was published. 26 Nov 2009 Catholic church in Ireland covered up child abuse, says report 22 Jul 2009 Catholics want accountability Breda O'Brien 23 May 2009Letters: We want real contrition for our abuse 21 May 2009Child abuse row goes on as Catholics get new leader Devastating report' into Catholic schools abuse 20 May 2009: The Guardian's Ireland correspondent on a long-awaited report into abuse suffered by thousands of children at institutions run by priests More video: 20 May 2009Thousands raped and abused in Catholic schools 10 Apr 2009Ireland archbishop admits child abuse report 'will shock us all' 10 Mar 2008Pope could face protests in Ireland over abuse cases 3 Feb 2008Call to seize secret church abuse files St Patrick's Day parades around the world 15 Mar 2009: Thousands of people join the festivities in Trafalgar Square prior to 17 March, the official day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Various Irish organisations are holding similar parades in other cities throughout the world Posted by African Synod II- Roman Catholic at 11:32 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: Archbishop Richard Burke, Archbishops guilty, Church cover-ups, Dublin, Ireland Catholic Church, Irish Missionaries, Minor sex abuse, Priests' sexual abuses Saturday, November 14, 2009 High-Handed Catholic Priest chased away from Kaduna, Nigeria, Church Moderator's Commentary: The Nigerian Catholic Church has been known for the tremendous progress she has made relative to increase in priestly and religious vocations. However, it is apparent that in spite of such endearing goodnews one wonders, what at times these advantages actually translate into. Many Nigerian priests and religious nuns often forget the primary purpose of their calling; which is mainly spiritual. Often they are high handed abusing and harrassing their congregants, greedy for church funds, which they misuse wrecklessly and without any form of decorous probity and accountability. Many perceuve themselves as another estate within the realm of domination that is perpetuated by the ruling class, especially at the moments politicians. Most hobnob with these corrupt and greedy politicians who buy them over with money, expensive gifts of cars, luxuriant vehicles and SUVs, and living above their means. Many of these priests who come from humble background are often arrogant insulting their parishioners and acting arbitrarily without concern for how they are viewed and what God demands of them as shepherds, immediately our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the eternal good shepherd. The news footage regarding the mode of behaviour of the Catholic priest who was shut out by his parishioners reflect one of many such incidences, often unreported on the pages of newspapers. This is evidence of the kind of palpable discontents harboured by many Catholic parishioners against the malfeasant behaviours of their "overlord" and arrogant priests. Even more intriguing is the reaction of the office of Archbishop, whose letter signed by the Archbishop Matthew Ndangoso, shows a reactionary rather than progressive approach to resolving this issue. It depicts the lack of management and conflict resolution skills; and tilts more toward an approach that is milked in authoritarianism rather than a pastoral approach to resolving the issues and differences. It is even surprising that the archbishop seemed to have taken the side of the priest prior to an investigation being carried out. This lack of transparency, partisanship, and arrogance is one of the reasons that many young Catholics are becoming increasingly discontented with a church that they voluntarily gave their assent of truth, only to be betrayed at many levels. It is laughable that in Ndagoso's letter he quotes the Code of Canon Law. When it is convenient to these bishops they haphardly utilize the text of the Canon Law, but in others they violate it, like the mode in which a new bishop of Maiduguri did not meet the canonical requirements but because of some intriguing politics among the bishops- notably the same Ndagoso and the archbishop of Jos, Mr. Ignatius Kaigama- such blantant choice was named. It is on record that Nigerian Catholic bishops are too out of sync with the daily realities of faith, providing mouth-watering illusive and deceptive reports during their ad limina visits to the Vatican, when these reports hardly are attuned with reality. These bishops pride themselves upon presenting a false image that parallels with the image of politicians, and often act accordingly, and like these politicians very corrupt and easy to coopt by the corrupt political and ruling classes; so easily bought with money. It is a sad manifestation of not just of what is wrong with the Nigerian society as a whole, but even more with the global image of the Catholic Church. It is also a sad commentary on the quality of bishops either made or elevated since Pope Benedict XVI became a Pope in 2005. One of the bishops, he promoted to archbishop, the Irish, Richard Burke, today stands suspended for sexually molesting a 14 year old girl that began a sexual relationship running into almost thirty years, including after the woman became married, and even the archbishop switching to the lady's sister much later with his amorous pleasures. Many more, like the Archbishop of Abuja, Mr. John Onaiyekan, in circles of priests, nuns, and some lay faithful is known to be a serial sexual molester and abusers of young women, especially vulnerable young nuns. It is our hope that those so abused by this impostor would find the courage and the voice to speak out, to document this attrocious personality, a wolf in sheep's clothings. The act reported below reflect the beginning of more crises for the Nigerian Church, which flaring would be worst than the fate of the French anti-clericalism. I hope that this church, arrogant and stained with enormous blemish would read the warning sign promptly and redress this ugly and unfolding specter. A looming crises is in the offing for the Nigerian Catholic Church. God save us! The Daily Sun SACRILEGE! Worshippers attack Catholic priest, lock up church ...As Archbishop of Kaduna reads riot act From NOAH EBIJE, Kaduna Friday, November 13, 2009 Following a hatched plot by some members of a Catholic Church in Kaduna, who attacked the Priest, and locked up the church, the Archbishop of Kaduna State, Most Reverend Matthew Manoso Ndagoso has dissolved the parish. Trouble started when on Sunday, October 11, 2009, some members of Saint Dominic Catholic Church in Ungwan Pama area of Kaduna were said to have taken laws into their hands by chasing away the Priest, Gabriel Enuagha. The aggrieved members, according to findings, were not comfortable with the new timing of church services as put in place by the priest. Daily Sun gathered exclusively that the initial timing was from 6am for English session, 8am for Hausa and 10am for English listeners, but the new arrangement by the parish Priest pegged 6am and 8am session for English listeners and moved Hausa listeners to 10am. On that fateful day, the perpetrators were said to have forced the priest to conduct the Sunday service under a tree within the church premises, using his car as the altar of God. Ndagoso had in a letter dated October 30, 2009 to the entire Catholic Priests, religious and laity in the Archdiocese of Kaduna which was read to parishioners on Sunday, November 1, 2009, the Bishop condemned the action of the perpetrators and described it as unchristian. The letter which was titled: ‘The Internal Crisis of St. Dominic’s Parish U/Pama,’ read in parts: “You may have heard of the unfortunate and scandalous event that took place in St. Dominic’s Parish U/Pama on October 11, 2009, when some members of the parish community without regard to lawfully constituted authorities took the laws into their hands and locked up the church and the parish house thus hindering the community from worshiping in the church and the priests having to seek refuge elsewhere. “As if that was not enough, the perpetrators went further to use what is tantamount to force on their parish Priest. “Whatever their grievances, there are avenues and structures within the church for settling them without resorting to the use of force and violence. “The action was not only unchristian but also condemnable and intolerable anywhere especially in the church-as-family of God. Those responsible cannot be said to be true Christians because their action runs contrary to the Christian spirit of dialogue, reconciliation and peace. “They should have known that such behaviours have no place in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. “To say the least, what happened in St. Dominic’s is a disrespect of the highest degree to me and my office. Msgr. Gabriel V. Enuagha is my Vicar General under whose care I left the Archdiocese while away. “He was at that time the archbishop of Kaduna . The assault on him therefore was a direct assault on me and my office. Consequently, after due consultations, I have decided to take the following measures. “St. Dominic’s ceases to be a parish until further notice. It is now an outstation of St. Mary’s U/Boro with one combined Mass every Sunday. The parish priest is to fix the time for the mass. “The Parish Laity Council is hereby dissolved. The Parish Priest of St. Mary’s U/Boro is to form a caretaker church committee to run the affairs of the church. “Consequently, anyone in possession of church property should hand them over to the Dean of Rimau Deanery, Very Reverend Father Alfred Mako. “Anyone found to be involved in the crisis in anyway will be sanctioned appropriately in accordance with the provisions of the law (cf. Cans 1374 & 1375). “A thorough investigation is in progress. You will be dully informed of the outcome. “Finally, let it be known to one and all that no individual or group is indispensable in the Catholic Church. “While the church is better off with all on board, it cannot cease to exist because of an individual or a group. The rich history of our church is there for those who care to confer.” Posted by African Synod II- Roman Catholic at 11:59 AM 0 comments Links to this post Labels: Archdiocese of Kaduna crisis, Church abuse, Ignatius Kaigama, John Onaiyekan, Matthew Manoso Ndagoso, Msgr. Gabriel V. Enuagha, Priest chased from Parish, St. Dominic Catholic Church, Ungwa Pama Sunday, November 8, 2009 Onaiyekan rigmarrolling: Excuses that eclipse a look at himself Nigerian Bishop Discusses Clergy Sex Abuse By James Butty Washington, D.C. Voice of America- 25 July 2007 Butty interview with Onaiyekan Listen to Butty interview with Onaiyekan This month, the Roman Catholic diocese of Los Angeles, California agreed to pay 660 million dollars to more than 500 people who said they were sexually abused by catholic priests. If approved, it would by far be the largest payout made by any single diocese. In 2002, the Archdiocese of Boston paid 85 million dollars to 552 people who claimed they were also abused by priests. So how prevalent is sexual abuse by church clergy in the church in Africa? John Onaiyekan is the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria. He told VOA that what is alleged to be happening in the church is part of human weakness. “I can’t really have any comment or reaction to what is happening in California because that is the business of the church in America and in California in particular. One thing is certain, namely that whatever abuses may have been alleged have never been condoned by the church. And by the way, this is valid not only for priests. Everybody knows that we ought to lead a good life. But we are not always able. Many people do fall by the way side, including journalists also,” he said. Archbishop Onaiyekan said allegations of sex abuse by clergy exist everywhere in the world, including the church in Africa. But he said he would not hesitate to deal with such abuses if they happen in his church. “There are always cases where adults sexually and physically abuse children and among others who happen to be priests. Some of them will be teachers; some will be just ordinary people. Even parents abuse their own children. The question is what do you do about it? If I see any such case within my diocese, I will call whoever is responsible for whatever action he or she may have undertaken,” Onaiyekan said. In Zimbabwe, Archbishop Pius Ncube, an arch critic of President Robert Mugabe was reported by government media to have had an affair with a married woman who works as a secretary in his diocese. Some blame the church’s policy of celibacy. But Archbishop Onaiyekan said celibates are not the only people who commit adultery. “After all, the biggest number of adulteries is committed by married people. I am not saying that the allegation made in Zimbabwe is true, and the archbishop concerned has clearly denied the allegation. And it is easy to understand that the government of Mugabe may want to tarnish the image of his greatest and vocal opponent. I wouldn’t be surprised,” he said. Onaiyekan said it is not fair to blame the church for the mistakes made by some priests. “I do agree that if somebody like a priest has a particular role and responsibility to give good advice and to lead people, if he fails, his crime is considered most serious than if he did not have any such responsibility. But at the same token, the people in government who are supposed to take care of our money, who steal it regularly, they are also equally to be seriously sanctioned by the society,” Onaiyekan said. Posted by African Synod II- Roman Catholic at 11:48 AM 0 comments Links to this post A Divided Catholicism: Who decides who is a Catholic? Time- Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009 www.time.com/time/nation/.../0,8599,1934924,00.html Powerhouse Priests Spar Over What it Means to Be Catholic By Amy Sullivan The leaders of the Roman Catholic Church traditionally couch even the harshest disagreements in decorous, ecclesiastical language. But it didn't take a decoder ring to figure out what Rome-based Archbishop Raymond Burke meant in a late-September address when he charged Boston Cardinal Seán O'Malley with being under the influence of Satan, "the father of lies." Burke's broadside at O'Malley was inspired by the Cardinal's decision to permit and preside over a funeral Mass for the late Senator Ted Kennedy. And it has set the Catholic world abuzz. Even more than protests over the University of Notre Dame's decision to invite President Barack Obama to speak, disputes over the Kennedy funeral have brought into the open an argument that has been roiling within American Catholicism. The debate nominally centers on the question of how to deal with politicians who support abortion rights. Burke and others who believe a Catholic's position on abortion trumps all other teachings have faced off against those who take a more holistic view of the faith. But at the core, the divide is over who decides what it means to be Catholic. (See pictures of Pope Benedict XVI visiting America.) A Bull in a China Shop It strikes no one as surprising that the 61-year-old Burke is at the center of the current fight. The former Archbishop of St. Louis made national headlines in 2004 when he became the first Catholic leader to say he would deny the Eucharist to Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. He led an unsuccessful drive to bar Communion for politicians who support abortion rights. And as Election Day approached in 2004, Burke issued a warning to Catholics in the key swing state of Missouri that they should not present themselves for Communion if they voted for pro-choice candidates. The Archbishop's outspoken comments did not go unnoticed in Rome. In June 2008, Burke was unexpectedly transferred to the Vatican. The move was widely interpreted as a way to put some distance between Burke and the political contest in the States. "It was not unrelated to issues of political timing," observes Mark Silk, a professor of religion at Trinity College. Burke's new assignment came with an impressive title: Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura — essentially chief justice of the Vatican's highest court. But the job, which involves hearing appeals of lower-canon-court rulings on issues like annulment requests, did not stop him from commenting on American politics. In January he charged that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was responsible for Obama's victory because it overwhelmingly approved a document suggesting that Catholics could consider issues besides abortion when deciding how to vote. The conference's in-house news service, he added, failed to highlight Obama's moral failings in its campaign coverage. And he called Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, a pro-choice Catholic, a "source of deepest embarrassment to Catholics." (See the top 10 unfortunate political one-liners.) Burke's confrontational approach doesn't always mesh with the more discreet diplomacy favored by his Italian colleagues. "He's seen as a bull in a china shop," says an American priest and longtime Rome resident. "I've seen Italian bishops roll their eyes." In retrospect, it should have been obvious that the funeral plans for Kennedy would reignite a lingering dispute within the church. The question of whether the Senator should even be described as a Catholic because of his support for abortion rights and his checkered life history was hotly debated on Catholic blogs and religion websites like Beliefnet.com. Right-wing Catholics lobbied the Boston archdiocese to refuse the Kennedy family a church funeral. Robert Royal of the Faith & Reason Institute called O'Malley's decision to go ahead with the Mass a "grave scandal" on a par with the sexual-abuse crisis. But it's one thing for partisans and bloggers to disparage a Mass for a dead Senator; it's quite another for a Vatican official to do so. Even some leading conservative Catholics may find they cannot support Burke's latest salvo. When told of the Archbishop's assertion that pro-choice Catholics should not be permitted funeral rites, Princeton professor Robert George was taken aback: "That's a very different, and obviously graver, claim than that with which I would have sympathy. I haven't heard before any bishop say that pro-abortion politicians should not be given a Catholic funeral." See pictures of Obama meeting Pope Benedict XVI. See pictures of John 3:16 in pop culture. CardinalSeansBlog.org Friends of O'Malley's say the cardinal was stunned by the criticism. The 65-year-old O'Malley is temperamentally Burke's opposite, a shy man who dislikes celebrity and shuns politics — a major reason he was appointed to the sensitive post in Boston. With his full beard and preference for wearing the brown robe of a Capuchin friar, the man who goes by "Cardinal Sean" is not easily identified as a Prince of the Church. When O'Malley received his red hat in 2006, he persuaded some friends to go out for a late-night snack in Rome after a long day of ceremonies. But he ran into some trouble when he tried to return to his quarters. The Vatican guards didn't believe that the casually attired man who smelled of pizza was a newly minted Cardinal. Though he has presided over the difficult task of closing parishes and schools within the archdiocese, O'Malley is well liked in Boston and the broader Catholic community. He celebrated his inaugural Mass in Boston at a Spanish service, and he once joked that his scarlet Cardinal's robes would come in handy if Dick Cheney ever invited him to go hunting. O'Malley, however, should not be mistaken for a liberal member of the hierarchy. He is a conservative on matters of doctrine, and for the past few years, he has been the face of the church's opposition to Massachusetts' gay-marriage law. (See pictures of the gay rights movement.) But O'Malley did not hesitate to push back against the uproar that surrounded the Kennedy funeral. In a Sept. 2 post on CardinalSeansBlog.org — he is the only Cardinal with a blog — O'Malley wrote, "In the strongest terms I disagree" with those who believe Kennedy did not deserve a funeral Mass. "We will not change hearts by turning away from people in their time of need and when they are experiencing grief," he continued. "At times, even in the Church, zeal can lead people to issue harsh judgments and impute the worst motives to one another. These attitudes and practices do irreparable damage to the communion of the Church." It was the first time a Cardinal had directly and publicly challenged the Burke position. O'Malley's statement was followed by another from Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, Wis., who lamented that "the death of Senator Kennedy has called forth at least an apparent rejection of mercy on the part of not a few Catholics." It was inevitable that Burke would emerge to fire back. At a Sept. 18 dinner in Washington sponsored by the conservative media outlet Inside Catholic, Burke declared that "neither Holy Communion nor funeral rites should be administered to [pro-choice] politicians." The audience gave Burke a prolonged standing ovation. (See the top 10 Jesus films of all time.) Silence from Rome The American hierarchy has been divided before, most recently in the 1990s by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin's argument that abortion is not the only issue in the "seamless garment of life" that Catholics are called to promote. But the current debate, which is expected to surface again when the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) holds its general meeting later this month, is the bitterest yet. A minority faction of bishops had hoped Pope Benedict XVI would lead the way in punishing those who dissent from church teaching. His preference for avoiding the political fray has both frustrated them and emboldened them to act on their own. The question now is whether the Vatican will move again to muzzle Burke. When he criticized Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl last spring during a videotaped interview, he was forced to apologize less than 24 hours after the video aired. In early September, the bishop of Scranton, Pa. — a Burke protégé — abruptly resigned after a stormy tenure and was not reassigned. Veteran Vatican watchers took it as a sign that some Burkean antics — such as threatening to refuse Vice President Joe Biden Communion and disparaging the USCCB — would not be tolerated. Rome has been silent about Burke's most recent public statements. In late September, O'Malley was named to the Pontifical Council for the Family, a minor and expected appointment, but also a reminder that the Boston Cardinal has friends in high places. "From the point of view of doctrine, Benedict has absolute firmness," says a Vatican insider. "But he does not want to see it play out in a confrontational way." There are other signs that the word has gone forth, at least for now. In years past, the annual Red Mass held the Sunday before the U.S. Supreme Court's term opens has been so heavily steeped in pro-life rhetoric that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg now declines to attend. This year's service, however, featured a homily by the new chair of the bishop's pro-life committee that included only the subtlest of references to abortion. More striking was the image of Biden taking Communion without incident. —With reporting by Jeff Israely / Rome *********************************** NEWS POLITICS OPINIONS BUSINESS LOCAL SPORTS ARTS & LIVING GOING OUT GUIDE JOBS CARS REAL ESTATE SHOPPING Who Is a Real Catholic? By David Gibson Sunday, May 17, 2009 All you need to know to diagnose the state of the Catholic Church in America today is that Pope Benedict XVI -- who has a knack for ticking off Muslims and Jews -- spent the past week wandering the Middle East, yet Catholics here barely noticed. They were too busy fighting over Barack Obama's appearance as commencement speaker at Notre Dame or arguing about the fate of a popular Miami priest known as "Father Oprah," who was caught on camera sharing a seaside embrace with his girlfriend. Is this what Catholicism in America has come to? Bickering about whether Notre Dame is really Catholic, or whether a priest can make out on the beach with his gal pal? Well, yes. And that should come as no surprise. Since the emergence of Catholicism in the 19th century as a counterweight to the United States's reigning Protestant culture, American Catholics have struggled to balance their desire to assimilate into society with the fear of losing their faith in the nation's melting pot. These new controversies show that, in the Catholic saga, assimilation is winning. That is because American Catholics -- and there are upwards of 65 million of us -- are going their own way on many matters of faith and especially on issues ranging from priestly celibacy to political candidates, and there seems to be little the bishops can do about it. If there is a true swing vote in the U.S. electorate today, it is the Catholic bloc. This disturbs conservative members of the faith, the self-styled "orthodox" who often dismiss such fickle folks as "cafeteria Catholics." In the vacuum left by the disappearing Catholic subculture, conservatives have made politics the eighth sacrament, with one's position on abortion and gay marriage becoming the litmus test of whether one is a "good Catholic," or a Catholic at all. This civil war, as the Catholic writer Peter Steinfels recently called it, between hard-liners and those seeking greater engagement, is one the church cannot win. A recent Pew survey showed that despite a generally greater "brand loyalty" than most faiths, Catholicism in America is bleeding out, to the point that nearly one in 10 Americans identifies as a former Catholic. For every one convert, four Catholics are leaving the church -- half of them to traditions like evangelicalism that they find more spiritually fulfilling. Without the inflow of millions of Latino immigrants in recent decades, American Catholicism would be in decline, and even still the church is shrinking in many areas. The conflicting identities of American Catholics have deep roots. Beginning in the 1800s, American Catholics insulated themselves by building an alternate universe of schools to educate their children, hospitals to care for their sick, and cemeteries to bury their dead. They were forbidden to marry outside the fold, and stepping inside a Protestant church was considered hazardous to the soul's health. On the other hand, just as Catholics wanted to show Rome they could be every bit as Catholic as the pope, they also wanted to prove to their fellow citizens that they could be as red, white, and blue as any Connecticut Yankee. They fought in the nation's wars, labored in the country's factories, and turned out generations of college graduates who took their place among America's elite. And after the presidential candidacy of Al Smith was thwarted in 1928 thanks in part to anti-Catholic canards, the faithful helped power John F. Kennedy to the White House in 1960. Of course, just as Catholics finally arrived, they almost immediately set to fighting among themselves with a bitterness that would make even the most fractious Baptists blush. The Second Vatican Council of the early 1960s brought contested reforms that coincided with the social upheavals of that decade, and in 1968, as women were rejoicing in the liberation of The Pill, Pope Paul VI issued his encyclical Humanae Vitae reaffirming the ban on artificial contraception. Some Catholics stormed off but others simply defected in place, feeling free to stay and disregard papal teaching. Then came Roe v. Wade, drawing Catholicism into the culture wars with a fury that seemed to peak during the 2008 election. But it didn't end on November 4. In March, when the University of Notre Dame invited President Obama to deliver its commencement address -- as it has done for presidents going back to Eisenhower -- conservative Catholics and a growing number of bishops (about 60 at last count, though still a minority of the nearly 290 active bishops in the United States) denounced the school and its president, Holy Cross Father John Jenkins, in the harshest terms. Bishop Thomas G. Doran of Rockford, Ill., had perhaps the sharpest (and most insider) of jabs, calling Jenkins's invitation "truly obscene" and suggesting that he rename the school "Northwestern Indiana Humanist University." As such purple rhetoric was flying about on the Notre Dame affair, American Catholics suddenly faced a more sordid one: A tabloid published shots of popular Cuban American priest Alberto Cutié -- a multimedia star among U.S. Hispanics -- in risqué poses on the beach with a woman who turns out to be his girlfriend of two years. Nothing draws media flies like a sex scandal, especially one involving a man of the cloth, but a funny thing happened on the way to Father Cutié's disgrace: He did not slink away in shame but instead proclaimed, with Luther-like dignity, that he wasn't worried what the hierarchy thought. "What worries me most is how God views me. The institution, the church, is something else." Cutié is now reportedly considering whether to marry his girlfriend, and has said he thinks priestly celibacy should be optional. What's more, 78 percent of Miami-area Catholics said they had a favorable impression of him, and 81 percent backed his call for a married priesthood, according to a Miami Herald poll. That willingness of American Catholics to break ranks with such long-held tenets is evident in surveys on a number of issues, including church teachings regarding celibacy and birth control. But for conservative Catholics, "opposition to abortion is the signpost at the intersection of Catholicism and American public life," as Jody Bottum, who recently succeeded the late Father Richard John Neuhaus as editor of the theocon journal First Things, wrote recently in the Weekly Standard. To Bottum, Notre Dame's president and others who could engage a pro-abortion rights politician like Obama "lack the cultural marker that would make them Catholic in the minds of other Catholics." While those "other Catholics" are a distinct minority, they have adopted the tactics of hard-line activists. For example, when Obama visited Georgetown University last month to deliver a major economic policy speech, his set-up crew covered up a religious symbol behind the podium to make the setting conform to a non-religious standard. The move was immediately cited as proof that Obama was anti-Catholic -- the speech's references to the Sermon on the Mount notwithstanding. These activists have also exploited -- or worked with -- bishops whose views match their own. And they can get away with it because the do-it-yourself trend in Catholicism is also infecting the hierarchy, with bishops openly contradicting each other on such fundamental issues as one's suitability to receive Communion, in terms that might have once been reserved for the church's archenemies. And this is perhaps the greatest irony: Conservative Catholics are proving to be the greatest assimilationists, with their efforts to decertify fellow Catholics mimicking a sectarian and divisive culture that classic Catholicism has always rejected. A recent courageous editorial in the national Jesuit weekly America (which has at times felt the wrath of Rome) cited the dangers that the Notre Dame furor has revealed: "For today's sectarians, it is not adherence to the church's doctrine on the evil of abortion that counts for orthodoxy, but adherence to a particular political program . . . They scorn Augustine's inclusive, forgiving, big-church Catholics . . . [and] threaten the unity of the Catholic Church in the United States." This priority on unity is the principle that most American Catholics still live by, and it makes them accept Father Cutié, girlfriend and all, and welcome Obama to the iconic campus in South Bend. As the conservative Catholic legal scholar and Reagan administration lawyer Douglas Kmiec put it in Slate earlier this year, "Beyond life issues, an audaciously hope-filled Democrat like Obama is a Catholic natural." When he speaks at Notre Dame, Barack Obama -- an African-American Protestant with a Muslim father -- may enunciate a vision that resonates more genuinely with American Catholics than the pronouncements of the church's high-decibel spokesmen. This state of affairs can emerge only in a church that is compromising its historic self-definition as the biggest of tents. A century ago, the church was deeply divided over Pope Pius X's campaign against "Modernism," which was a catchall for anything Rome deemed suspicious. When Pius died, the conclave of 1914 elected Benedict XV, who immediately issued an encyclical calling on Catholics "to appease dissension and strife" so that "no one should consider himself entitled to affix on those who merely do not agree with his ideas the stigma of disloyalty to faith." "There is no need of adding any qualifying terms to the profession of Catholicism," Benedict XV concluded. "It is quite enough for each one to proclaim 'Christian is my name and Catholic my surname.'" If the Catholic Church had a bumper sticker, that could be it. And it means that the real dilemma for American Catholics today is not whether Notre Dame is Catholic, but whether we are. david@dgibson.com David Gibson is author of "The Coming Catholic Church: How the Faithful are Shaping a New American Catholicism" and "The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World." Posted by African Synod II- Roman Catholic at 11:08 AM 0 comments Links to this post October 2009 Home Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) Followers Blog Archive ▼ 2009 (22) ▼ November (5) Ireland Drying Well: Decline in Priestly Vocations... Irish Bishops heavily indicted in Priests Child Se... High-Handed Catholic Priest chased away from Kadun... Onaiyekan rigmarrolling: Excuses that eclipse a lo... A Divided Catholicism: Who decides who is a Cathol... ► October (17) African Priest in Chicago embrace cast out abused ... The African Synod 2009- Final Acts Scriptural Quote of the day... The Myth of "Superstar" Archbishop Onaiyekan- An A... Canadian Bishop Resigns over Porn found on Compute... African Synod Ends- Pope invokes an African Redivi... Irish-born Nigerian Archbishop of Benin City in Pe... Rwandan Priest arrested in Italy over involvement ... Benedict Daswa: A Possible Saint of Africa Africa, Priests and Sexual Abuse- Prominent Italia... Final Message from African Synod, 2009- 18th Gener... African bishops call for corrupt African leaders t... African Synod at its end: Reconciliation as virtue... True and False Church Reforms African Nuns ask Vatican for more Church Influence... The changing Face of African Catholicism African Synod II- A Faith initiative and African S... About Me African Synod II- Roman Catholic View my complete profile

It\'s best we stop all further comments/reactions and allow the Vatican to finalize its investigation on the matter. In the interim the Vatican has appropriately suspended Archbishop Burke and have had interactions with Dolores. This is a clear demonstration that the Catholic Church/Vatican never condones sexual abuses by it's clergy. None of us have all the facts. All we can do now is to pray for both of them, the Catholic Church and it\'s clergy. It is very clear that Archbishop Burke is not supposed to have any sexual interactions with Dolores. Same applies to Dolores whose actions and inactions have created a puzzle for her and her family.

Again, you are a shameless st patrick priest. From canonlawerpreiest to Think and now to Tom from Abuja. Keep your rotting prayers to your self, you bi-sextual. You know what you and richard burke have been doing, abusing young girls in Nigeria and touching each other. Richard burke created a puzzle for himself and his family. I will be concern if I was a neighbour with minors next door to his family and your family house, just incase the old gene is still in the family. I am very positive you need your prayers for yourself you old fool.You left the problem in your backyard and going after an innocent person. How do you know that the vatican have contacted her. The vatican do condone sextual abuses.That is why there are so many sick priests who abuse children and minors around the world and are cover up by the vatican.Now look at the results. It is because of people like you that make people speak evil against the name of our good GOD. You are cornny and evil and yet in your own eyes, you think you are smart. The fool think to himself that he is wise. You started your statement, pretending to be a good person who is trying to be fair, only to attack Dolores silently like a snack afer it prey. Please go and tell the irish people what you wrote here in this forum if you are a real man. Richard burke is out.You are the only existing priest who does not have the facts. Your superior O'neil, should put you on a leach. Soon the police will be knocking on your door. Shame on you and all the priests and bishops and archbishops that abuse children and those that cover up for them. As Jesus put it "It will be better for you all to hang a mill stone around your neck and fall into the sea".Shameless abusers.

Irish prelate in Nigeria withdraws from ministry after abuse charges DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) -- An Irish archbishop who serves in Nigeria has withdrawn from active ministry while the Vatican investigates allegations of sexual abuse. The St. Patrick's Missionary Society, known as the Kiltegan Fathers, said Oct. 25 that the allegations against Archbishop Richard Burke of Benin City, Nigeria, are being investigated by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The charges came from a Nigerian woman, Dolores Atwood, 40, who now lives in Canada, where she is married and has run for public office. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, refused to comment on the issue Oct. 26. The newspaper Irish Mail on Sunday reported Oct. 25 that Atwood claimed she had been attacked by Archbishop Burke when she was a 14-year-old hospital patient in Warri in 1983; he is said to have continued to have sexual relations with her until 2003. Atwood lodged a formal complaint against the archbishop last year, and Kiltegan Fathers Gary Howley and John Marren met with her in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in December. Afterward, in a summary of what was discussed, Father Marren wrote: "Her allegation was very credible and was supported by corroborative evidence. ... She is a very capable person." END

'Sexually violent' priest moves in 'Sexually violent' priest moves in Convicted pedophile lands in neighborhoodthat’s already home to 8 sex offenders By Josh Adams Editor A former priest with the unsavory distinction of being the first man of the cloth in the U.S. deemed to be "sexually violent" was released from state custody late last month and has moved into an apartment on the south side of Forest Park. Fred Lenczycki, 65, was imprisoned in 2004 after pleading guilty to abusing three boys during the early 1980s while serving at St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale. Prosecutors, however, have said Lenczycki's abusive behavior most likely involved some 30 victims. In addition to ministering in suburban Chicago, Lenczycki also worked in California and Missouri during the course of a 25-year career. That he was categorized as a sexually violent person means Lenczycki must follow more stringent protocols than other sex offenders no longer in state custody. A GPS monitoring device will be attached to him, and every three months he must check in with local law enforcement. Currently, Forest Park is home to 18 registered sex offenders, according to the state's online database, but Deputy Chief Tom Aftanas said Lenczycki's case is somewhat exceptional. "It's the amount of victims," Aftanas said. "There were quite a few victims assaulted by Mr. Lenczycki." Oddly, 50 percent of the village's registered sex offenders live within a few blocks of one another. Lenczycki's new address puts him squarely in the middle of that cluster. The state does help paroled sex offenders find housing, but that assistance is not offered to convicts who've completed their sentence, according to a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Corrections. "I think part of the reason they're concentrated in that area is because it's one of the locations that isn't next to a school, or a park, or a daycare center that would prohibit them from living there," Aftanas said. Officially, Lenczycki was released last month by the state Department of Human Services. A spokesperson for that office, too, said that discharged offenders are not aided in their search for housing. Lenczycki was sentenced to serve five years in prison, but in April 2006, when he became eligible for parole, Attorney General Lisa Madigan argued to have him detained at a Rushville facility where he could receive sex offender treatment. At the time, 215 sexually violent offenders had been civilly committed under a law enacted in 1998, according to a statement from Madigan's office. Lenczycki earned the label of "sexually violent" in 2008 when Madigan convinced a DuPage County jury that it was not safe to release the former priest, and that he should remain in the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services. On Sept. 22, Lenczycki was discharged from that facility and cleared to continue treatment on an outpatient basis. Of the 18 registered sex offenders in Forest Park, Lenczycki is the third deemed to be sexually violent. One of those offenders, Benjamin Hernandez, may no longer be living in the community. Aftanas said that Hernandez has failed to notify police of his current address. The state lists Hernandez as "non-compliant" with registration guidelines, which is a felony. Coincidentally, the third sexually violent person registered in Forest Park is living in the exact apartment once occupied by Hernandez. The neighborhood in which sex offenders in Forest Park are most prevalent is bound by Desplaines Avenue to the west and Hannah Avenue to the east. Along the 1100 block of Lathrop, Dunlop and Hannah are six of the village's registered offenders. Two others reside on the 1000 block of Desplaines and another lives on the 7700 block of Taylor. A smaller cluster of three registered sex offenders live on the 500 block of Desplaines. As a matter of course, police officers give extra attention to these parts of town, said Aftanas. The deputy chief could not recall ever taking a registered offender into custody for behaving inappropriately, and only occasionally have offenders failed to comply with the terms of their release. "It's not often," Aftanas said of cases like Hernandez's. "We have two currently, right now. Most of them know it's part of their sentence." District 91 Lou Cavallo said he was notified of Lenczycki's arrival in Forest Park, as is required by law. However, news coverage of the pedophile priest's release raised the profile of the case, and Cavallo said he received a phone call from village officials when the Chicago Tribune reported that Lenczycki was headed to Forest Park. Flyers were distributed to building principals and staff. "To my knowledge, not since I've been here, have we had a problem with registered sex offenders trying to gain access to school grounds or being around school property," Cavallo said. At the park district campus on Harrison - roughly a half-mile from Lenczycki's apartment - Executive Director Larry Piekarz said that regardless of the nature of any potential threat, local police have protected the area well. Piekarz, too, received notification of Lenczycki's arrival in town, but said he could not recall ever having an incident with any registered sex offender at the park.

I still cannot come to terms with the reaction of some people. In my earlier contribution, I strongly deplored the wrongness of the abuse of a minor. I also stated that such experience is a pain and hurt for both the victim and the accused. My sincere and honest wish is that Ms. Atwood wood find healing for her self and her family and also that Archbishop Burke would find peace for himself too. I find all these angry, judgmental and abusive words towards Ms. Atwood and Archbishop Burke, very disturbing. I recomended earlier that the best way to approach this issue, that is if we really need to trouble ourselves over this, would be to see both Ms. Atwood and Archbishop Burke as our sister, aunty, friend and our brother, uncle friend, respectively. The question is, 'What would we wish for them?' For some people, it is so nice to seek justice, while condoning excessive and dehumanizing name calling of the victim. Is this abuse horrible because the accused is a priest? Would it have been different if it was a lay person? Please brothers and sister, let us learn to condemn evil when we see it, but let us also learn to pray for people who sin. I am saying this with the assumption that Archbishop Burke guilty. Many of the contributors are playing God. Just listen to the kind of abusive words rendred to Ms. Atwood and Archbishop Burke. One wonders if these people have ever done anything wrong. Others have found a golden opportunity to render their anger and greviances towards the catholic church. Men and women, boys and girls, please look at yourselves first and see where you have gone wrong in your lives. I am seeing things this way, because I am aware of my own weakness and the many ways that I have sinned against God and my fellow men and women. What then gives me the right, no matter my anger, to judge, abuse, insult and condemn another person. Look at what happends in some families. How many evils have been hidden. Again I do not judge these people. sometimes, these things are hidden, not because they family feels it is a good things, but because of shame. Thanks God that now we have been enlightened. Can we see the church in this light? Is it not human beings like us who are in the church? Is it not people who were cultured in the same way as all of us were? How then can someone honestly abuse the church so much. I continue to pray for forgiveness for the negligence of the church to act when she was supposed to act. But does this take away all the other good that the church has done over the ages. Many people in the world especially those of us in Africa woulod not be where we are, if not for the goodwill of the church. Please don't get me wrong, I don't in any way suggest that this is a reason for the church to neglect her duty. I just want us all to be sympathetic to both victim and offender. I honestly acknowledge the pain and emotional turmoil that many families have had to undergo, as a result of their son or daughter being abused and my love and prayers go to you all. I wish to say that true healing will not come in abusing and bedeviling those who have hurt us. Yes, let the law take its course, but for us and for our spiritual and emotional lives, let us search for sincere healing. Some of us are saying she is this, he is that, but I ask, who are you? Sin is sin and all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, so please instead of us all acting as saints without sin, let us reflect on our own lives and pray for Ms. Atwood and Archbishop Burke. Once again, let us learn to hate and condemn every sin and evil that we see, but please, for the sake of our world and ourselves, let us also learn to forgive and love the sinner too, for despite their sins, they are still children of God, whether we wish to so or not. God bless us all and may God's loving kindness and love, be with Ms. Atwood and Archbishop Burke, during this trying period of their lives.

This story is very had to believe, as a mass-server, Bishop Burke has been my mentor. Definately this is a false accusation and at the end of the day the bishop will be vindicated.

It is very sad and a bad news for you that richard burke is your mentor.

Byline: Warren Swords THE Vatican invited Archbishop Richard Burke to meet the Pope this year - despite being told a month earlier that he was under investigation for child sex abuse in Nigeria. It also appears likely the Pope was personally aware of the abuse claims against the Irish archbishop - revealed in last week's Irish Mail on Sunday - when they met twice at the Vatican in February this year, over a month after the official investigation began into the child sex abuse allegations. Last week, a Vatican spokesman said the Pope was being kept up to date about the allegations. The Vatican also ignored its own child protection procedures and that of St Patrick's Missionary Society by inviting the Archbishop to meet with Pope Benedict in February of this year and allowing him to perform public ministry. Under Church child protection procedures, the archbishop should have stood down immediately from public ministry. He agreed to do so when St Patrick's Missionary Society began its investigation in January of this year. However, the archbishop reneged on this agreement in a high profile manner a month later by leading prayers at the Papal Basilica in February 2009. Last night, the St Patrick's Missionary Society said : 'The Vatican was told of the complaint in January, when one of the society leaders in Nigeria met with the papal nuncio and informed him.' St Patrick's also wrote to the alleged victim, Dolores Atwood, on January 11 to inform her that the archbishop had agreed to 'step down while an investigation of the allegations takes place'. A month later, the archbishop was photographed on February 16 in Rome meeting Pope Benedict. They also met two days earlier at the Vatican. Archbishop Burke was allowed to travel despite informing the Vatican's representative in Nigeria weeks earlier of the allegations. He preached a homily about praying at the tombs the apostles, St Peter and St Paul. Last week, the MoS revealed that the 60-year-old archbishop from Clonmel, Co.Tipperary, is being investigated over allegations he seduced Miss Atwood when she was 14 and then carried on a 20-year relationship with her. No one was available for comment at the Vatican last night, but Fr Brendan Cooney of the St Patrick's Society in Rome said he was at the mass and recalls seeing Archbishop

PARISHIONERS in Fethard are surprised and disappointed about the allegations being made against local man Archbishop Richard Burke, a Kiltegan Bishop who served with the Society of African Missions (SMA). Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City by Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Burke came under fire during the week when Dolores Atwood - a Nigerian-born Canadian politician - made allegations in her book about what she says was an inappropriate relationship between herself and the Archbishop when she was under the age of consent. One local man who spoke to the Tipperary Star said older members of the parish felt let down. The parish remains strong, and committed to their faith. \"We have a great parish priest here,\" he said. Still, \"we\'re shocked. It\'s totally against the run of the mill.\" The family of Archbishop Richard Burke hail from the Lisronagh area originally, though he grew up in Fethard before moving to Africa with the SMA. \"He was one of our own. You couldn\'t have seen this coming. People feel let down.\" However, discussion in the village has centred more on the recent death of a local man, rather than the allegations contained in Ms Atwood\'s book.

Basically, i think the Church has undergone lots and lots of scandals and so many factors has been ascertained as been the underlying problems. However, it is equally essential that we reason like rational beings. It is true that an allegation has been leveled against Archbishop Burke by Dolores of sexual harassment, but it has to be proved before taking stands, i am not saying that the Archbishop is innocent or guilty rather the accusations has to be proved first. Thank God she spoke of the taped conversations and other Nigerians girls he has assaulted according to her. I know so many critics have gotten an opportunity to say what ever they feel like about the Church, but please let the principle of charity be your watchword. No denomination is devoid of scandals whether Catholics or others, we only pray for the grace of God on our ministers. After all, somebody must be a priest in other to represent us in our relations with God. No one takes on the honour upon himself, it is only gratuitous. Archbishop, i wish you God's grace in this trying period. The truth will surely prevail.

Another day, another scandal. As reports emerged that another member of the clergy, on this occasion an Archbishop (Richard Burke), is accused of sexually assaulting a minor, and subsequently having a 20 year affair with her, I find it very telling of our times that the thing I found most memorable from the reports were not what he did, but what he said. Apparently I have reached the stage where I am sufficiently desensitized from reports of such incidents that the semantics stand out more than the specifics. Or, would the phrase ‘I stepped in her sacred garden‘ have stood out anyway? Quite a phrase, and not one that brings pretty images flooding to mind. Lets hope that this guy never becomes Pope because it would really be asking a lot to have people kissing those feet, given what he has, apparently, been doing with them. Now, I have done some weird stuff in my time but I have never put my feet in anybody’s garden – sacred or otherwise. The Vatican is investigating the complaints made against the Archbishop Richard Burke. He stepped down from his post earlier this year with the Archdiocese of Benin in Nigeria.

Outraged by Dublin revelations, Pope plans pastoral letter on abuse scandal VATICAN CITY Catholic Culture December 11, 2009 After meeting on December 11 with the leaders of the Irish Catholic hierarchy, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his “outrage, betrayal, and shame” at the revelations that sex-abuse complaints had been covered up in the Dublin archdiocese. Recognizing the devastating effects of the scandal on the faithful, the Pope promised to write a pastoral letter on the subject to the people of Ireland. In a statement released after the meeting, the Pope voiced “his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large.” He offered his prayers for the victims and vowed that “the Church will continue to follow this grave matter with the closest attention in order to understand better how these shameful events came to pass and how best to develop effective and secure strategies to prevent any recurrence.” Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:23 PM Pope to Write Letter to Irish on Abuse Scandal VATICAN CITY Zenit VATICAN CITY, DEC. 11, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is sharing the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by many of the faithful in Ireland over the scandal of abuse by clergy. A communiqué from the Vatican affirmed the Pope's sentiments as he met today with Cardinal Sean Brady, president of the Irish episcopal conference, and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin. The Holy Father called the prelates to the Vatican to discuss the Murphy Commission Report, which details abuse cases in the Dublin Archdiocese from 1975 to 2004. High-ranking members of the Roman Curia also attended the meeting. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:21 PM Pope Expresses Outrage at Abuse in Ireland VATICAN CITY The New York Times By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO Published: December 11, 2009 VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI, “shares the outrage, betrayal and shame” felt by Catholics in Ireland over a child sex-abuse scandal and plans to write a letter to Catholics there, indicating actions church experts say could include resignations of bishops there. . The Vatican released the statement after the pope met here with top Irish church officials two weeks after a report was issued in Ireland accusing the Roman Catholic Church and the police in Ireland of covering up decades of child sex abuse by priests in Dublin. The abuse “deeply disturbed and distressed” the pope, who expressed “his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large,” the statement said. In 2008, the pope publicly apologized during papal visits to the United States and Australia, two countries badly shaken by clerical sexual abuse scandals. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:19 PM Pope 'disturbed and distressed' at Irish child sex abuse cases and cover-up VATICAN CITY Irish Central By DONAL THORNTON, Irish Central.com Pope Benedict has said he is disturbed and distressed at the sexual abuse perpetrated by members of the Catholic Church in Ireland. The Pope said he shared the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by Irish people over the abuse and cover-up. The pontiff said the Vatican was working on developing new safeguards to ensure such "heinous crimes" never happened again. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:16 PM Clergy drop in poll rating honesty and ethics of professions UNITED STATES Associated Baptist Press By Bob Allen Friday, December 11, 2009 PRINCETON, N.J. (ABP) -- Americans' views of the honesty and ethics of clergypersons has dropped to a three-decade low, according to the latest Gallup poll. The annual ranking of ethics of various professions found that 50 percent of Americans rated clergy's honesty and ethics as "high" or "very high." That is down 6 percent from last year's poll. The all-time high rating for clergy in the 32 years the poll has been taken was 67 percent in 1985. As recently as 2001, however, the profession saw a peak of 64 percent. The six-point drop was the largest among any profession, followed by lawyers, who had a five-point drop. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:13 PM Irish Catholic Church shake-up 'likely' after abuse IRELAND BBC News There is likely to be a big shake-up in the Irish Catholic Church following a damning child abuse report, the Dublin archbishop said after meeting the Pope. Diarmuid Martin made the comments after he and the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, attended Friday's meeting in Rome. Pope Benedict XVI was "disturbed and distressed" by the report's findings, according to a Vatican statement. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:11 PM Pope shares 'outrage' at priest sex abuse IRELAND ABC News (Australia) Pope Benedict XVI has apologised once again for the sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests, this time directing harsh words to Irish clergy. The Vatican issued a statement saying the Pope felt "outrage, betrayal and shame" over the scandal and would write to the Irish people about sexual abuse. Meanwhile, Irish singer Sinead O'Connor has called for the Pope to step down over his "contemptible silence" on the Irish government report, that said church leaders covered up widespread sexual abuse of children for 30 years. "Popes have had no problem voicing their opinions when we wanted contraception or divorce... no problem criticising The Da Vinci Code. No problem criticising Naomi Campbell for wearing a bejewelled cross," O'Connor said. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:08 PM Diocese paid $40,000 to settle abuse claims against monsignors BRIDGEPORT (CT) Connecticut Post By Daniel Tepfer Staff writer Updated: 12/11/2009 A nationwide organization advocating for people abused by clergy Friday criticized the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport after the disclosure that the diocese paid $40,000 in 2004 to two men who claimed they were abused by priests still active in the diocese. "Even now, with new disclosures of secret clergy sex abuse payouts involving two accused priests, Lori can't bring himself to be honest. The obvious question is, 'Why pay $40,000 to men who say they were molested unless you believe them?' Lori's cynical and shrewdly worded written response, cowardly issued through his public relations office, ducks that crucial question," said Barbara Dorris outreach director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "How is this any different from what's gone on for decades: Victims report abusive priests, quietly get paid off, the clerics keep working and the public is kept in the dark?" Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:06 PM Priest Released on Conditions CANADA VOCM Anglican Reverend Robin Barrett who is facing charges of possession of child pornography and making child pornography available will spend the holidays at home. He has been released from custody. Barrett's parents sat in the back of the court room as he was led in this afternoon. The judge agreed to release the Anglican priest on two $25,000 sureties being covered by his parents. He is due back in court on January 5. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 4:30 PM Pope meets with Irish bishops, plans measures to respond to abuse VATICAN CITY Catholic News Agency Vatican City, Dec 11, 2009 / 10:55 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI and high-ranking members or the Roman Curia met with two members of the Irish bishops’ conference in the papal library on Friday to listen to their concerns and discuss the issue of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin. The Pope was admittedly “deeply disturbed and distressed” by the contents of the Murphy Report released on Nov. 29 and expressed his commitment to investigating the matter further. Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, Northern Ireland, and Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin met for 90 minutes with Vatican representatives, including Secretaries of State Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, Archbishop Fernando Filoni, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. Also present were Cardinal Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Cardinal Re, Cardinal Ballestrero, Cardinals Wells and the Irish Nuncio. In a press communiqué delivered to the press by Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Holy Father responded that he “wishes once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large.” Posted by Kathy Shaw at 3:10 PM Child abuse crisis to spark Irish Church shakeup VATICAN CITY Montreal Gazette By Philip Pullella, Reuters December 11, 2009 1:59 PM VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict expressed "outrage, betrayal and shame" on Friday at the sexual abuse of children by priests in Ireland, which Church leaders said would lead to a shake-up of the Irish Roman Catholic Church. Church sources expected some bishops to resign in the wake of a government report that said Church leaders in overwhelmingly Catholic Ireland had covered up widespread abuse of children by priests for 30 years. "I think that we are looking at a very significant reorganisation of the Church in Ireland," Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said after he and other Irish Church leaders held an emergency meeting with the Pope. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 3:07 PM Pope 'deeply disturbed' by Irish sex-abuse scandal VATICAN CITY NECN [with video] (NECN/APTN: Vatican City) - Pope Benedict XVI said on Friday that he was "deeply disturbed and distressed" by a child sex-abuse scandal in Ireland and would write a letter to the nation's Catholics on the church's response. Benedict met senior Irish clergy after a report from government investigators found that the Roman Catholic church had shielded more than 100 child-abusing priests from the law. "The Holy Father was deeply disturbed and distressed by its (recent child abuse report) contents," Papal spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said. "He wishes once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy, who have betrayed the solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families and by society at large." Posted by Kathy Shaw at 3:04 PM The pope is outraged over sexual abuse cases in Ireland, promises solutions VATICAN CITY YouTube Rome Reports [video presentation] Upon receiving the head of the Irish bishops, the Pope has expressed his outrage and shame over the sexual abuse cases committed by priests in Ireland between 1975 and 2004. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 2:55 PM N.L. Anglican priest out on bail CANADA CBC News An Anglican priest from Newfoundland and Labrador who's been charged with possessing and distributing child pornography was released from custody Friday after his parents posted bail. Father Robin Barrett of Conception Bay South, near St. John's, was arrested and taken into custody Tuesday. Barrett, 50, served at St. Paul's Church in the Goulds area of St. John's until his arrest. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 2:48 PM Pope 'shares outrage and shame' at Murphy report VATICAN CITY The Irish Times PADDY AGNEW in Rome and ELAINE EDWARDS Pope Benedict shares the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by the Irish people over the Murphy report into the handling of allegations of child sex abuse in the Dublin archdiocese, the Vatican has said. In a statement issued after the Pope held a meeting with Cardinal Seán Brady and Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, the Vatican also said the Pope was "disturbed and distressed" by the contents of the report published last month. He will write a pastoral letter to the Irish people about sexual abuse in Ireland and the Vatican's response to the crisis. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 2:42 PM Priest facing sexual exploitation charges showed tragedy, inspiration of Haiti HAITI Canada.com By Don Lajoie, Canwest News ServiceDecember 11, 2009 LABADIE, Haiti - There was something messianic in the man, arms raised, straddling the bow of a boat in the Caribbean Sea off Haiti's north coast. The weathered water taxi, loaded to the gunwales with medical supplies, building tools, aid volunteers from Canada and locals bound for Labadie, a tiny fishing village, was rocking back and forth. Night had fallen and bonfires illuminated the shoreline as the craft drew near. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 2:38 PM Murder probe after abuse reports IRELAND Wicklow People Friday December 11 2009 The murder of an innocent schoolgirl in Ireland almost four decades ago was being investigated in the wake of two harrowing reports into the cover-up of clerical abuse. Bernadette Connolly was 10 years old when she was abducted in Sligo and her mutilated body found in a bog four months later in August 1970. As the Pope finally spoke of his regret over a sickening child sex abuse inquiry in Dublin, it emerged the case of a young girl's horrific death will be re-examined. The prime suspect in the case was a local priest called Fr Columba, who was said to be protected by a wall of silence by his superiors at the time. He died in 2001. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 2:35 PM Catholic abuse scandals IRELAND Canada.com • April 2002, Bishop Brendan Comiskey of Ferns, one of Ireland's best-known clerics, resigned over his handling of charges against a priest of his diocese who committed suicide in 1999 while facing 66 charges of sexual abuse. • March 2009, Bishop John Magee of Cloyne, under fire for his handling of reports of sexual abuse, quit his daily duties to deal with the inquiry. • May 2009, The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse issued a harrowing five-volume report that took nine years to compile. It said priests beat and raped children during decades of abuse in Catholic-run institutions. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:35 PM McGimpsey And Bishops Discuss Abuse NORTHERN IRELAND 4NI After the recently uncovered cases of child abuse within the Catholic Church in Dublin by the Murphy Report, a dialogue between bishops and NI-based politicians continues, writes Carla Liébana. The Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, said - as a response to the Roman Catholic Bishops' proposals about child protection in Northern Ireland - that it is necessary first for an "assessment of abuse" to be undertaken. The Irish Bishops's Conference expressed their wish for the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland to explore a new mechanism to ensure best practice in its current policies in relation to the safeguarding of children. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:27 PM Pope ‘Deeply Disturbed and Distressed’ by Irish Abuse VATICAN CITY Bloomberg By Louisa Fahy Dec. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Pope Benedict XVI was “deeply disturbed and distressed” by a report that said Roman Catholic Church authorities covered up abuse of children by priests in Ireland and he plans to write a letter to the Irish people. The pope shares the “outrage, betrayal and shame” felt by people after the publication of the report and takes the issues raised very seriously, the Vatican said in a statement today. The report, the second this year to document abuse of children by clerics in Ireland, said senior clergy moved priests to a different location when told of allegations. It examined how the church handled claims of sex abuse against a sample of 46 priests in the Dublin diocese between 1975 and 2004. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:25 PM Pope shares 'outrage' at sex abuse by Irish priests VATICAN CITY AFP VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI "shares the outrage" of Irish Catholics over revelations of decades of child sex abuse by priests and a cover-up by top churchmen, the Vatican said in a statement. "The Holy Father shares the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland, and he is united with them in prayer at this difficult time in the life of the Church," the statement said. The statement came after the pope met with Ireland's top two Catholic churchmen, primate of all-Ireland Cardinal Sean Brady and Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:22 PM Pope tells Irish bishops he was 'disturbed and distressed' by Murphy report VATICAN CITY The Times (United Kingdom) Richard Owen in Rome Pope Benedict XVI has told Irish bishops that he was "disturbed and distressed" by the Murphy report on sexual abuse by clergy in Ireland and shares the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by the Irish people over the report's findings. In a statement issued after the Pope's hour-and-a-half meeting with a delegation headed by Cardinal Seán Brady, the Primate of All Ireland, and Monsignor Diarmuid Martin, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Vatican said that the Pope would issue a pastoral letter to the Irish people on the sexual abuse cases. The pontiff was asking for prayers for the victims of "these heinous crimes" and the Vatican would "develop effective and secure strategies to prevent any recurrence". The Murphy report last month on the Catholic Church's handling of hidden clerical child abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese over a period of 30 years gave a detailed account of abuse perpetrated by priests against more than 300 victims which it said had been systematically covered up by the Church authorities. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:19 PM Pope to write to Irish Catholics about 'shameful' clerical sex abuse VATICAN CITY Guardian (United Kingdom) Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent, and Fiona Winward in Rome guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 December 2009 Pope Benedict XVI is "deeply disturbed and distressed" by a report detailing clerical sexual abuse in the archdiocese of Dublin and is writing to Irish Catholics to help them ensure the future safety of children in the church, the Vatican said today. The pontiff wished "once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and society at large". His statement followed a meeting yesterday with Irish bishops and senior-ranking members of the Roman Curia to discuss the crisis. Benedict shared the "outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland", according to the Vatican. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:17 PM SNAP responds to Pope’s planned letter to Irish Catholics re Irish clergy abuse UNITED STATES Voice from the Desert The Pope professes to be “outraged” by horrific, extensive clergy sex crimes and cover ups in Ireland. That’s what his predecessor claimed about horrific, extensive clergy sex crimes and cover ups in the US. But claims of ‘outrage’ protect no one. Nor will a letter from Rome to Ireland. Instead of writing a letter, we hope the Pope takes action. Action, not words, protect innocent kids and heal wounded victims. Specifically, we oppose a papal letter, a papal apology, a papal visit and/or a papal meeting with victims. Such moves are purely symbolic and only lead to premature complacency and assumptions of reform. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:14 PM Settlement involving priests accused of abusing children in N.S. to proceed CANADA The Canadian Press HALIFAX, N.S. — A class-action settlement involving Roman Catholic priests accused of abusing young boys in Nova Scotia will proceed. The lawyer handling the historic $15-million settlement says the Diocese of Antigonish has agreed to go ahead with the deal after passing a Dec. 4 deadline. John McKiggan says alleged victims had until then to opt out of the settlement, at which point the diocese could pull out of the arrangement. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:11 PM Pope’s Response Woefully Inadequate, NSAC Seeks Removals, Recall UNITED STATES National Survivor Advocates Coalition The National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) based in the United States, today called Pope Benedict’s response to the Irish sexual abuse scandal as “woefully inadequate.” Pope Benedict said today after meeting with Irish bishops at the Vatican that he was “deeply dissturbed and distressed” and would write a pastoral letter to the people of Ireland outling future changes in dealing with abuse. The coalition said in a statement., the Pope should: · immediately remove the Bishops who protected sexual abusers in the Irish clergy · remove any person in Ireland and in the Vatican hierarchy complicit in protecting abusers recall the papal nuncio Posted by Kathy Shaw at 12:09 PM Singer Sinead O'Connor demands Pope steps down IRELAND Reuters DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish singer Sinead O'Connor called on Friday for Pope Benedict to step down over a government report that said Church leaders covered up widespread sexual abuse of children for 30 years. The Vatican issued a statement on Friday saying the pope felt "outrage, betrayal and shame" over the scandal and would write to the Irish people about sexual abuse. But O'Connor, who once inflamed Catholic sensibilities by ripping up a picture of Benedict's predecessor Pope John Paul II on live television, said in a letter published in a British newspaper earlier on Friday that the pope had remained silent on child abuse for too long. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:52 AM Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests BROWNSVILLE (TX) Reflections of the Spirit We wish Brownsville's new bishop well, and hope that a breath of fresh air in this diocese will help heal the still fresh wounds of both clergy sex abuse victims who are suffering and Catholics who are feeling betrayed because of the church's on going child sex abuse and cover up scandal. It's ironic that Brownsville's new bishop was named today. It was five year ago today that media reports surfaced suggesting that Brownsville's former bishop may have helped a predator priest flee the US and escape justice. (see below) There's a tendency among Catholics, however, to assume that almost any new bishop will be better than the old one. However, wishful thinking and naive assumptions don't protect kids. Only vigilance protects kids. So we urge Brownsville Catholics to remember that children are safe when abuse suspicions and reports go to law enforcement officials, not to Catholic church officials. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:47 AM New parish financial relationship model ready for roll out MASSACHUSETTS The Pilot By Jim Lockwood Posted: 12/11/2009 BRAINTREE -- The archdiocese is seeking volunteer parishes for its new system that it says will provide a simpler and more equitable way for parishes to contribute funds to the central ministries of the archdiocese. On Dec. 4 Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley sent a letter to all pastors and administrators asking if their respective parishes would like to be part of the launching of a first phase of a “proposed model of financial relationship” -- a relationship which archdiocesan officials are hopeful could produce more collaboration between the archdiocese and the parishes, as well as between parishes. The cardinal is requesting the participation of 30 parishes in this leading phase which is set to launch in the fiscal year beginning July 2010. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:43 AM Vatican says pope outraged by sex abuse in Ireland VATICAN CITY Catholic News Service By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI shares "the outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by Irish Catholics over cases of clerical sexual abuse and the way abuse claims were handled by church leaders, and he plans to write a special pastoral letter to the Catholics of Ireland, the Vatican said. The letter "will clearly indicate the initiatives that are to be taken in response to the situation," said a statement issued by the Vatican Dec. 11. The statement was released after the pope and top Vatican officials spent 90 minutes meeting with Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, Northern Ireland, president of the Irish bishops' conference, and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said Pope Benedict approved the statement, which "obviously reflects his style and tone" in discussing revelations about clerical sex abuse. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:24 AM IRISH BISHOPS MEET WITH POPE VATICAN CITY Vatican Information Service VATICAN CITY, 11 DEC 2009 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office released the following English-language communique at midday today: "Today the Holy Father held a meeting with senior Irish bishops and high-ranking members of the Roman Curia. He listened to their concerns and discussed with them the traumatic events that were presented in the Irish Commission of Investigation's Report into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin. "After careful study of the report, the Holy Father was deeply disturbed and distressed by its contents. He wishes once more to express his profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy who have betrayed their solemn promises to God, as well as the trust placed in them by the victims and their families, and by society at large. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:22 AM Bernadette Connolly case to be reviewed IRELAND RTE News [with audio] Friday, 11 December 2009 The investigation into the death of a ten-year-old girl, whose body was found in a bog in Co Roscommon in August 1970, is to be reviewed. Bernadette Connolly went missing on 17 April 1970. She had been out on her bicycle but failed to return to her home in Collooney in Co Sligo. It is believed she may have been sexually assaulted before she was killed. Her remains were discovered in bogland near the town of Boyle. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:15 AM Pope "ashamed, outraged" by Irish sexual abuse VATICAN CITY Reuters By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict shares the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by the Irish people over a government report that said Church leaders covered up widespread sexual abuse of children for 30 years, the Vatican said on Friday. In a statement issued after the pope held a meeting with Irish Church leaders, the Vatican also said he would write a pastoral letter to the Irish people about sexual abuse in Ireland and the Vatican's response to the crisis. It will be the first time a pope has written a document exclusively devoted to sexual abuse of children by clergy. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:09 AM Pope will write letter to Irish Catholics on abuse VATICAN CITY The Associated Press VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI says he is "deeply disturbed and distressed" by a child sex-abuse scandal in Ireland and will write a letter to Catholics there on the church's response. Benedict met Friday with senior Irish clergy in the wake of a report detailing the abuse. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:07 AM Pope stops short of outright apology for clerical abuse VATICAN CITY Irish Examiner Friday, December 11, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI today has expressed his "profound regret at the actions of some members of the clergy". Following a meeting with Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in the Vatican regarding the Irish Commission of Investigation’s Report into the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin, the pontiff said that he "shares the outrage, betrayal and shame felt by so many of the faithful in Ireland", but did not use the words "sorry" or "apologise" in the statement issued. Last Wednesday, the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference formally apologised over abuse and mishandling of allegations in the Dublin Archdiocese. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:04 AM Catholics Need the Truth, Not 12% Shy of the Truth BRIDGEPORT (CT) National Survivors Advocates Coalition The National Survivors Advocates Coalition (NSAC) calls upon Catholics in the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT and throughout the country to be actively vigilant regarding the release of documents that the diocese fought up to and including a request for an appeal hearing from the United States Supreme Court. The Coalition joined two other national groups, Survivors Network for Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and BishopAccountability.org, calling for continued and sustained efforts by the attorneys for the four newspapers that brought the court case for release of documents. ” 1,488 secret documents were withheld recently by the Bridgeport Diocese, “the coalition said. BishopAccountability.org estimates that 12% of the records. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 8:39 AM Extradition sought of priest (82) from US IRELAND Irish Independent By Jeff Parrott and Brendan Farrelly Friday December 11 2009 US Lawyers for an elderly Irish priest, wanted here for allegedly twice raping a 15-year-old boy in 1968, told his extradition hearing yesterday that they had got the wrong man. But the judge dealing with the case of Fr Francis Markey (82), who has been living in South Bend, Indiana, quickly dismissed this argument. US Magistrate Judge Christopher Neuchterlein ruled that the man in court clearly was the same man the Irish Government wanted, the 'South Bend Tribune' newspaper court report said. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:10 AM CHURCH MEMBERS ATTACK REPORTERS AS PRIEST DENIED BAIL BOTSWANA The Voice By Calistus Bosaletswe Tempers flew as Eloyi church members turned on The Voice team and hurled insults at them after their pastor who was jailed for ten years was denied bail pending an appeal to the High Court recently. The pastor, Samuel Ntsebele, who once boasted in court that he was a celebrity pastor was sentenced to 10 years after he was convicted of having unlawful sex with a 14-year-old primary school girl who was a member of his church. The disgruntled members tried to stop the photographer from taking pictures as they were threatening to smash his camera. It was the police who came to the rescue and dispersed the young unruly church members who threw abuses at The Voice team. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:08 AM US JUDGE RESERVES JUDGMENT ON IRISH PRIEST EXTRADITION IRELAND Galway News December 11, 2009 A US judge is reserving judgement on the extradition of an 81 year old Irish priest charged with sexually abusing a teenage boy in Donegal and Galway. Fr Francis Markey is accused of raping the alleged victim during a pilgrimage to Lough Derg and again after the funeral of the boy's father in Galway in 1968. At yesterday's hearing, his defence lawyers argued a case of mistaken identity. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:04 AM Liberal Church wouldn't handle abuse differently Irish Independent By David Quinn Friday December 11 2009 There is a notion doing the rounds that, if only the Church and its theology had been more liberal, the abuse scandals would have been far less severe than they were. There is absolutely no evidence for this. On the contrary, there is some evidence to suggest that they would have been at least as bad. To begin with, we know from international experience that, whatever kind of bishop was in charge of a diocese, allegations of abuse were handled badly. For example, one of the most liberal bishops in the United States, Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, has been savagely attacked because of his management of abuse cases. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:57 AM Pope to meet cardinal over abuse VATICAN CITY BBC News The Pope is due to meet the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland later to discuss the findings of a damning report into clerical child abuse. Last month, the Murphy report found that church leaders had covered up child abuse in Dublin for decades. The Pope summoned the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, to Rome after the Vatican was criticised for failing to respond to the inquiry. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:52 AM Pope to meet with Irish church heads VATICAN CITY RTE News Friday, 11 December 2009 Pope Benedict is due to meet the Primate of All Ireland Cardinal Seán Brady and Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin at the Vatican to discuss the fall-out from the Murphy Report. The Pontiff is scheduled to be accompanied by the heads of five Vatican departments. A spokesman said Pope Benedict would not personally issue a statement following the meeting, but that the Vatican would issue a communiqué. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:50 AM 'Assessment of abuse' must take place in Province NORTHERN IRELAND News Letter Published Date: 11 December 2009 AN "assessment of abuse" needs to take place in Northern Ireland - but it should not be one which prevents justice being done for the victims. That was the response of Michael McGimpsey last night to proposals from the Roman Catholic Bishops which outline their policies for protecting children and ensuring that allegations of abuse are dealt with properly. The Health Minister has been selected by the Executive to be the lead Minister in relation to all of the issues arising out of the Ryan Report, which was published in May. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:46 AM Call for abused to seek help and report crimes to Garda IRELAND The Irish Times JAMIE SMYTH VICTIM SUPPORT: VICTIMS OF clerical child sex abuse who have not yet sought help or counselling should make contact with a support group and report the crime to the Garda, the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime has said. In a statement welcoming the publication of the Dublin diocesan report yesterday, the commission said the impact of the crime was comparable to that experienced by victims of the most serious acts of violence. “The abuse is all the more appalling given that it was perpetrated by men in positions of great trust and publicly committed to high Christian standards, but sadly betrayed both trust and standards,” it said. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:44 AM 'The reason I didn't report it . . . was because I didn't know' IRELAND The Irish Times PATSY McGARRY INTERVIEW: Auxiliary bishop Ray Field explains why it would be ‘wrong’ of him to resign Asked about being named in the report, auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Ray Field began by saying: “Firstly, let me apologise wholeheartedly and unreservedly to the victims of child abuse for any hurt they might have suffered as a result of what priests have done to them. I really, really feel ashamed. I feel horrified by what the report has said about us and I can only offer my sympathy, my deepest sympathy, my deepest regret and my repentance at what has happened. I apologise to them and to their families.” The report said the bishop believed Fr Sergius (one of the priests named in it) had an alcohol problem and was not aware of abuse complaints against him. Is this true? Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:42 AM Martin and Brady meet pope today over abuse VATICAN CITY The Irish Times PADDY AGNEW in Rome VATICAN MEETING: POPE BENEDICT XVI will today hold a midday meeting with the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, and Cardinal Sean Brady to discuss the “painful situation of the church in Ireland” in the wake of the publication of the Murphy commission report. Both senior Irish church figures are likely to communicate to the pope the sense of outrage in Irish public opinion prompted by the report’s findings. Pope Benedict will be accompanied by a formidable delegation of Curia heavyweights including, among others, the secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the prefect for the Congregation of Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the prefect for the Congregation For the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal William Levada, the prefect for the Congregation of the Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes and the prefect of the Congregation of Consecrated Life (Religious Orders) Franc Rodé. The papal nuncio in Ireland, Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, is also due to attend. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:39 AM No grounds to resign, says Bishop Moriarty IRELAND The Irish Times PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent STATEMENTS: THE BISHOP of Kildare and Leighlin Jim Moriarty, who was named in the Murphy report, said last night, “I do not consider that there are any grounds there upon which I should resign from office.” An auxiliary bishop in Dublin from 1991 to 2002, he received in 1993 a complaint about a particular priest’s contact with children. It was this priest – identified in the report by the pseudonym Fr Edmondus – who abused Marie Collins in 1960 when she was a patient at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:37 AM A shameful legacy… IRELAND The Irish World The recent allegations of child abuse in the Catholic Church casts a shame on all of Ireland, not just the clerics, writes Don Morgan - 11/12/09 The Murphy Report on child abuse in the Dublin Diocese has revealed almost as much in the actions of some in its after math than within its pages. Apart from the ongoing emergence of Diarmuid Martin as being the shrewdest church operator since Cardinal Richelieu, few people, be they friend or foe of the church, have helped the dignity of the victims of abusers from the clergy. The fallout instead has been an offensive mix of lynchmob and the keystone cops. I want to cause offence. I want to offend every idiot baying for blood, every fool looking for someone to blame, every cretin who thinks that if we can get our fix of easy retribution, we can find instant closure and everything will be solved. The fact is that the institutions of our state colluded with the church who had done little to earn its position of pre-eminence, and who were busy running rings around government officials when they were, occasionally, put on the spot. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:33 AM Flanagan says clergy had Garda immunity IRELAND The Irish Times MICHAEL O'REGAN THE MURPHY report on clerical sex abuse in Dublin had revealed a cover-up, with the hierarchy in effect being given immunity by the Garda, Fine Gael’s spokesman on justice Charlie Flanagan told the Dáil. “I welcome the comments made by the Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, in the immediate aftermath of the report’s publication when he stated that nobody was above the law and appropriate investigations would take place with a view to criminal proceedings not only being issued but convictions being attained,” Mr Flanagan added. Mr Ahern said it was important to recognise that the Murphy commission’s report described a 2002 Garda investigation as probably the most comprehensive into clerical sexual abuse ever undertaken in the State. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:30 AM Case review set for SW Mo. pastor accused of abuse MISSOURI Belleville News-Democrat NEVADA, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri pastor charged more than two years ago with abusing children in his congregation has a case review hearing scheduled in court later this month. George Otis Johnston, of Granby, has pleaded not guilty to several counts of child molestation and statutory sodomy. The charges were filed in 2007 and stem from alleged incidents from 1998 to 2006. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:27 AM McKENZIE v. DOW JONES & COMPANY, INC. NEW HAMPSHIRE Leagle Plaintiff-Appellant Brett McKenzie appeals from the opinion and order, dated July 22, 2008, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (Scheindlin, J.), which granted Defendant-Appellee Dow Jones & Co.'s motion to dismiss the complaint pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) on the ground that it was untimely filed under New York Law. We assume the parties' familiarity with the relevant facts and procedural history. Brett McKenzie is a resident of New Hampshire and Dow Jones, Inc., which owns and publishes The Wall Street Journal, is headquartered in New York City. On April 27, 2008, the Journal published a column by Dorothy Rabinowitz, a member of the paper's editorial board, concerning litigation arising from sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests in New Hampshire. The column, entitled "A Priest's Story," contains the following passage: Nine years after he had been convicted and sent to prison on charges of sexual assault against a teenage boy, Father Gordon MacRae received a letter in July 2003 from Nixon Peabody LLP, a law firm representing the Diocese of Manchester, N.H..... Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:20 AM Suit against Cardinal Francis George: Chicago archdiocese accused of bias against African-American victims of sex abuse CHICAGO (IL) Chicago Tribune By Manya A. Brachear Tribune reporter December 11, 2009 A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago alleging that church officials discriminated against African-American victims of sexual abuse by trying to silence their claims and proposing smaller settlements than those offered to white victims. The suit, filed Thursday in the Northern District of Illinois by Seattle attorney Phillip Aaron on behalf of 41 men and eight women, seeks $98 million, accusing the archdiocese, Cardinal Francis George and retired Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Goedert of racial discrimination, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, fraud, conspiracy and racketeering. "The defendants have acted intentionally to silence the voices of African-American and minority victims while defendants distributed false and deceptive information to the public in an attempt to prevent the victims of clergy sexual abuse, their families and the African-American and minority community from expressing and exposing racism and discrimination," the suit says. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:17 AM Irish bishops’ conference decries ‘failure of moral leadership’ in clerical sex abuse scandal IRELAND Catholic News Agency Dublin, Ireland, Dec 11, 2009 / 03:21 am (CNA).- The Irish bishops have apologized to victims of clerical sexual abuse, decrying the “failure of moral leadership” and “the scale and depravity of abuse” described in a newly released report on the issue. The first day of the Irish Bishops’ Conference’s Winter General Meeting gave full attention to the Commission of Investigation Report into the Archdiocese of Dublin, which was published Nov. 26. “We, as bishops, apologize to all those who were abused by priests as children, their families and to all people who feel rightly outraged and let down by the failure of moral leadership and accountability that emerges from the Report,” the bishops said in a statement. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:15 AM Bishop Moriarty will not resign IRELAND Leinster Express 11 December 2009 By Conor Ganly BISHOP Jim Moriarty has said he will not be stepping down from his position as head of the Catholic church in parts of Laois Offaly and other Leinster counties. The Bishop is among the five Irish bishops who are named in the Murphy report on clerical child sexual abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese. None have stood down so far despite pressure coming from victims of abuse. Bishop Moriarity appears determined to stay on. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:12 AM Alleged Victims Got $20,000 Payments Not To Sue Diocese For Abuse BRIDGEPORT (CT) The Hartford Courant By DAVE ALTIMARI, EDMUND H. MAHONY and MATTHEW KAUFFMAN The Harford Courant December 11, 2009 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport in 2004 quietly paidtens of thousands of dollars to two men who claimed they were abused as teenagers by the second-highest ranking member of the diocese and another priest who now serves as pastor of a Greenwich parish. In exchange for $20,000 payments, the two men agreed not to sue the diocese or the two priests — Monsignor William Genuario, who was vicar general of the Bridgeport diocese for nine yearsand remains a priest in good standing, and Monsignor Frank Wissel, pastor at St. Mary Parish in Greenwich and founder of a home for underprivileged boys in Bridgeport. In a two-page settlement, a copy of which was obtained byThe Courant, the diocese agreed to settled the "disputed claims" in order to avoid "the inconvenience, expense and uncertainty of litigation." But Wissel on Thursday said that he was surprised to hear that the diocese paid any money for claims against him and that the allegations were "completely false." Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:07 AM December 10, 2009 U.S. Clergy, Bankers See New Lows in Honesty/Ethics Ratings UNITED STATES Gallup by Jeffrey M. Jones PRINCETON, NJ -- The percentage of Americans rating the honesty and ethics rating of clergy as very high or high is down to 50% in 2009, the lowest percentage it has been in the 32 years Gallup has measured it. Gallup conducted its annual Honesty and Ethics of professions poll Nov. 20-22 this year, with one of the major findings the deterioration in ratings of members of Congress. Nurses continue to rate as the most highly regarded profession in terms of honesty and ethics. In last year's Honesty and Ethics update, 56% of Americans rated the clergy's honesty and ethics very high or high. The reason for the decline to 50% this year is unclear; but now the clergy's ratings are below where they were earlier this decade during the priest sex-abuse scandal. Ratings of the clergy dropped from their 2008 levels among both Catholics and Protestants, as well as among regular and non-regular churchgoers. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:36 PM Americans' view of clergy's ethics hit 3-decade low UNITED STATES USA Today By Solange De Santis, Religion News Service Americans' views of the "honesty and ethics" of clergy have hit a 32-year low, with just half rating their moral caliber as high or very high, according to Gallup's annual Honesty and Ethics Ratings of Professions survey. The reason for the decline from 56% last year to 50% in 2009 is "unclear," according to a Gallup news release, which also noted that "now the clergy's ratings are below where they were earlier this decade" at the height of the Catholic Church's clergy abuse scandal. Barbara Dorris, outreach coordinator for the Chicago-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, attributed the drop to ripple effects from seven years of negative press surrounding predatory priests. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:33 PM Church sacks principal, superiors over sex scandal AUSTRALIA Brisbane Times LACEY BURLEY December 11, 2009 Parents of children at the centre of a Toowoomba Catholic primary school sex abuse scandal yesterday cried in happiness after the principal and his two superiors were sacked. Bishop William Morris said the principal and senior education officers Christopher Fry and Ian Hunter sat “stunned and surprised” in his office after he terminated their employment. The principal had earlier been charged and acquitted of failing to report allegations of the rape and molestation of students by a school teacher to police. Bishop Morris said the principal’s admissions during the November court case that he suspected sexual abuse came as a “great shock”. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 6:07 PM Pope appoints archbishop from Spain as new representative in Canada CANADA Times-Herald OTTAWA - Pope Benedict has appointed a new representative to serve in Canada. The pontiff named Most Rev. Pedro Lopez Quintana to the position of Apostolic Nuncio on Thursday, said a statement from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 1:24 PM Top clerics to meet pope over sex abuse report IRELAND Irish Examiner Thursday, December 10, 2009 The country's most senior Catholic clerics are due to meet the Pope tomorrow to discuss the fall-out from the child abuse inquiry in the Dublin Archdiocese. Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin will hold talks with the Pontiff in the Vatican with other leading church figures. It is understood Pope Benedict and the heads of five Vatican departments will attend the meeting with the Cardinal and the Archbishop. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 1:22 PM Head of archdiocese schools faces drunken driving charge MILWAUKEE (WI) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel By Crocker Stephenson of the Journal Sentinel Posted: Dec. 9, 2009 Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee David E. Lodes told police he was driving home from an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting when he was arrested on drunken driving charges last month, according to a criminal complaint filed in Waukesha County. Lodes, 59, of the Town of Delafield, is charged with driving while intoxicated, a second offense. If convicted of the misdemeanor, he faces up to six months in jail and revocation of his driving license for up to 18 months. He was convicted of drunken driving in August 2004, the complaint says. Lodes could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 1:18 PM Adam Horowitz Named Most Effective Lawyer for 2009 UNITED STATES Mermelstein & Horowitz Adam Horowitz, a nationally recognized advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, has been honored as the Most Effective Personal Injury Lawyer of 2009. The award, given by the Daily Business Review, recognizes attorneys for outstanding results obtained for clients. Horowitz received the honor at a ceremony on Dec. 4. Horowitz was selected for his work in Elk v. United States, a landmark federal court case brought by an Oglala Sioux woman who was sexually assaulted as a teenager by her U.S. Army recruiter. The case centered on an 1868 treaty between the U.S. and the Sioux nation that had never been used to remedy a personal injury. Horowitz spent countless hours researching Congressional records from the 1860s to interpret the meaning and intent of the treaty, since there was no prior case law to guide the decisions of the Court of Claims. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 11:51 AM Parents refuse to be silenced over church abuse action AUSTRALIA ABC News By Fidelis Rego Parents of children suing the Catholic Church over child sex abuse allegations on southern Queensland's Darling Downs say they will not sign any confidentiality agreements when the matter is settled. Three claims have been filed against the Toowoomba diocese over the church's handling of allegations at a Toowoomba primary school. The school principal was found not guilty of failing to report the claims to police but a former teacher has been charged with 46 offences and is still before the court. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:39 AM Reb Shmuel Kamenetsky speaks . . . Project Innocent Heart [video presentation] Description: In May of 2007, Project Innocent Heart identified 10 therapists with graduate degrees in mental health, social work or related fields to participate in the clinical training program. Training included 31 hours (10 hours of web-based and 21 hours of classroom-based) of TF-CBT, 15 hours of SPARCS, clinical supervision and continuous quality assurance by expert consultants in order to facilitate therapist adherence to the treatment principles and model. On July 11th the clinicians spent the entire day focusing on the sensitivities of the Jewish comunity. Presenters included, Rabbi Berish Goldenberg (Principal, Yeshiva Toras Emes of Los Angeles), Mrs. Debbie Fox (Director, Aleinu Child and Family Services) and HoRav Shmuel Kamenetsky shlita. In this fifteen minute message, Reb Shmuel speaks to the PIH clinicians about the severity of the problem and gives Daas Torah perspective on the issues. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:36 AM Sacked staff 'acted in good faith' over sex abuse claims AUSTRALIA Courier Mail Margaret Wenham December 11, 2009 A CATHOLIC primary school principal and two senior Catholic Education Office staff who failed to report allegations of child sex abuse had "acted in good faith", the Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba said yesterday. Before announcing at a press conference his decision to sack the three men, Bishop William Morris said it remained his view there had been no attempt at a cover-up. "Based on the material available to me, the staff involved exercised very poor judgment and made a number of significant errors in the process," he said. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:34 AM Internet aims to bond women religious visitation supporters UNITED STATES National Catholic Reporter Dec. 09, 2009 By Thomas C. Fox Women religious, upset their orders are not cooperating with a Vatican study of their religious congregations, are using the Internet to bring together like-minded souls. They have formed a Yahoo group and are working with author Anne Carey who is to moderate contributions. The Vatican announced last January an Apostolic Visitation of some 340 U.S. women religious congregations, saying its purpose is to assess the quality of life in the communities. The study has stirred controversy with some women religious vocally opposed to the effort and others supportive. “We came up with the idea for the Yahoo group first of all because it was free. There are no funds for this effort. Also, since some sisters fear retribution from their superiors for their support of the visitation,” explained Carey in an email to NCR. “Our Yahoo group allows sisters to exchange information and ideas while still protecting their identity if they so choose.” Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:26 AM No reason to step down, says Bishop Field IRELAND RTE News Thursday, 10 December 2009 Another Dublin Auxiliary Bishop has said he does not feel he should resign following the Murphy Report. Bishop Raymond Field, who was named in the report, said he does not believe there is reason for him to step down. Yesterday his colleagues Bishop Eamonn Walsh and Bishop Martin Drennan of Galway said the report does not criticise them. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 10:23 AM CNN to ponder faith and money NEW YORK National Catholic Reporter by John L Allen Jr on Dec. 09, 2009 The Future Church I’m in New York this week, with part of the agenda being to tape a panel discussion for an upcoming CNN special on “Faith and Money.” The program is hosted by Christine Romans, and is scheduled to air on Dec. 19. (Coincidentally, that’s the first day of Hanukkah this year.) I don't identify money management as a self-standing trend in The Future Church, but it's hard to imagine much of a future for any religious enterprise if it's broke. As the saying goes, the love of money may be the root of all evil ... but you sure do miss the money when it's gone. ... Second, impressions of vast wealth in the Catholic church, perhaps especially the Vatican, are more myth than reality. As I’ve pointed out many times, the annual budget of the Vatican is about $300 million, while the University of Notre Dame by itself has a budget of over $1 billion. That means Notre Dame could fund the Vatican three times ever year and still have money left over for new football uniforms! As a result, there are no bags of cash sitting in the basement of the Apostolic Palace in Rome that could be shipped off to the United States (or anywhere else) to help local churches out when money is tight. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 9:46 AM Steve Coronella: Irish church in need of renewal this holiday season MEDFORD (MA) Medford Transcript By Steve Coronella/At Home Abroad Thu Dec 10, 2009 Just two weeks until Christmas. What better time for a feel-good story to lift the spirits and carry us buoyantly into the New Year. No such luck, I’m afraid, on this side of the water. Another report on child sexual abuse by Catholic priests has just appeared in Ireland, and it’s generating a whirlwind of controversy. The Murphy Report, commissioned in 2006 and published at the end of November, tells a depressingly familiar story. In brief, children’s welfare was routinely disregarded for almost 30 years. The report covers cases of abuse in the Dublin diocese from 1975 to 2004 and shows that Irish bishops and cardinals were concerned primarily about avoiding scandal and preserving the status and assets of the Church and its priests. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 9:43 AM School abuse: three sacked AUSTRALIA The Australian A PRIMARY school principal and two senior Catholic Education officials have been sacked after they failed to report to police complaints of child abuse against a teacher, who allegedly went on to rape 12 young girls. Toowoomba Bishop William Morris yesterday admitted the school and church officials had failed to protect children in their care, despite suspicions the teacher, who is now facing 46 charges, was sexually abusing young girls at the school. The school's principal, who cannot be named for legal reasons, became the first person in Australia to be charged under laws mandating the reporting to police of any suspicions of sexual abuse by a school staff member.

I have read so many comments on Richard Burke since the break of this scandal. I feel dissapointed and shocked by those who are denying for him and making Dolores look like a bad person. It only goes to portray how Nigerians use external means to judge religiousity. It is a known fact that sex abuse is prsent in all cultures. I sympathise with Burke and admire the courage of Dolores. Two lessons here really. I hope this is a wake up call for clergy men in Nigeria to be more responsible and live what they claim they are. Come on let us face it...many clergy men are more sexually active than married men in nigeria. I left my girlfriend for a high profile clergyman, it is the highest bid that matters. Many of them sponsor and use church money to take care of these girls and before you know it...they sack you to your face. I can quote and mention names that i know in nigeria. Bishops and preists in nigeria let this be a wake up a call...stop decieving us, we know what is going on. Even in the seminaries..many students have girlfriends..and because they see the priests enjoying sex and living with ladies..they are encouraged to become priests...yes we know these things. Secondly, as a way forward, i am encouraging all the so many young girls who like Dolores have been used and abused sexually by priests and bishops..to pleasse speak out their minds. This is one big way forward to make these ungodly sexaul abuse stop in nigeria. Many of our victims are afraid to talk...speak out your mind and ask God for forgiveness and move on with your life. It does not matter how long it toook Dolores to speak out but thank Gof she finally did. Now she can have great peace and healing.

The Vatican Statement is a disgrace as just as a Sovereign Country takes issues with another Sovereign Country (as stated very clearly in a recent Irish Times Editorial where it was pointed out the Papal Nuncio and Vatican invoked \'diplomatic channels\' as a reason for treating the Irish people and State with contempt) we must condemn the Pope for this insult. The details of all this are many years old and it would be unbelievable to think that none of the contents of the files sent from the RC aparatchicks to the sovereign state that is the Vatican (beyond the timid reach of the Irish legal system).were well known throughout the reach of the disgraced body of officials who were party to the meeting that generated this woeful response. Further insult has been added to injury. The State needs some real leaders to take on those who perpetrated or participated in the cover up of the perpetration of crimes against humanity. Over 300,000 children were affected - thats likely to be over 10 million rapes of children - many of whom were treated like slaves for their youth - the scale of this seems not to become part of the psyche that will generate an adequate response in the widest sense. No Moss Gathered Ireland It is high time for the Irish people to run all so called clerics out of this country once and for all. The Pope knew all about this filth for years and has helped to sweep it under the carpet and keep a lid on it. That they still refer to themselves as the \"Holy See\" beggars hypocrisy itself. How can anybody in their right mind pay any heed to them and keep giving them money after all that has been exposed about these Satanic deviants. Those who covered up should be brought before the courts and charged-and, if the Heavens fall - so be it. The only loser will be the Church and it\'s master, Satan. Nollaig Ireland A certain amount of sympathy-giving is fine, of course, but a time comes when we are doing people more good by by giving tough love and saying - as the psychiarist said to the curtains - pull yourselves together. owen United States Minor Outlying Islands Owen, p.2: \"I think it\'s rather sad when people have so little in their lives that they can\'t let go of their only claim to fame - that something bad happened to them 30 years ago.\" You know not of which you speak. Have you ever hard of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and anxiety disorder? I call tell you that they are very real. I do some volunteer work in a homeless shelter and, by doing so, I\'ve developed a very different perspective from you. The havoc that sexual abuse brings down on the heads of youngsters does not go away easily. Years of therapy are needed. In many instances, they were just kids, and did not fully understand what as happening to them; they looked up to the priests who were held in the highest esteem; for years afterwards, they thought that they \"allowed\" the sexual abuse to happen - it was all they fault, somehow; they felt \"dirty.\" So, Owen, practise some empathy, and stop posting such drivel. Catherine, Ireland/ United States I know Church Leaders are trying to do their best. However, their Low Levels of Emotional Intelligence, is yet again displayed for all to see. Unfortunately for all, Church Leaders live in A Bubble of Self Believe tightly secured by A Total Lack of Common Sense. Colette Athlone Ireland It was an emotionally and morally sterile response. But we also have to ask why our soverign state did not instruct our Ambassor to the Vatican to attend this summit. Micheal Martin did the optics last week with the Papal Nuncio...but that\'s all it is..a PR Stunt. Real change will only come about when clergy are treated as civilans first and clergy second. That means they must be held accountable to civil law in Ireland. It is patently clear that several bishops oversaw and covered up the sexual degredation of children, indeed even the sexual torture of children and did not report sexual abusers and paedophile priests to the Irish police. Let\'s take all the nicities out of this and deal with the facts...thousands of children in Ireland had their lives destroyed by a Church which can only be considered as the largest paedophile club in the world. Is this it\'s raison d\'etre we have to wonder? The absolute lack of emotion towards the pain suffered by children by priests, bishops, cardinals and the Pope is simply beyond comprehension...and yet we see a priest in the diocese of Bishop Willie Walsh shedding copious tears for the bishop. The bishop himself shed tears on the altar in response to emotional words about his own departure...I saw no such tears for children for the last 20 years. Shame on them...shame on them all! Arrest those responsible for reckless endangerment of children and let\'s get to the bottom of all this for once and for all. Action is what is needed. Chris Ireland P.S. Owen, p.2: In case you were wondering, yes, I am a practising Catholic. Words cannot describe what I think about the priests who committed such atrocities and the bishops who are just as guilty by hiding the abuses. What happened does not shake my beliefs. But I refuse to belittle the pain and suffering of these victims. No one should. Catherine, Ireland/ United States owen (p4), Archbishop McQuaid was pre-Vatican 2 and certainly far from being a \" lefty Fifth Columnist \". His record too is blemished, to say the very least, on the question of covering up sexual abuse of children by those over whom he had authority. The Magdalen scandal was taking placing under his watch. The sexual abuses being revealed are not just a modern day phenomenum. I know anelderly man, now 92, who had a close encounter with a potential abuser. He told me about 30 years ago that when he was a boy a priest tried to molest him, but he escaped. As he ran off the priest shouted, \" Damn you! \" - or words to that effect. In my two earlier comments I mentioned some of the criminal history of the Roman Catholic Church and I asked you need I say more. You haven\'t acknowledged these facts of history and it\'s as if you would like to think them not revelant. But they are but a few examples which gives us the picture of the reality behind the facade of the Church of Rome. Ignoring them won\'t make them any less true. But taking them into account may help open-minded people realize that nothing better could be expected of the Roman Catholic Church than that She has done where the rape and sexual abuse of children are concerned. The words of the Pope and those over whom he has authority have the ring of \" mental reservation \" about them. One word cropping up in many of their weasel word statements is \" mistakes \" instead of wrongs or crimes - thus minimizing them. Hopeful! Ireland Owen..p2..You need to grow up. I do not think that the rupture of children\'s genitals by paeophile priests or clergy is something that goes away over time. The physical rupture combined with the mental and emotional rupture carries on for the entire life of that person and indeed the damage is generational. It passes down through the generations through alcohol abuse, mental illness, drug abuse, illiteracy, violence...all of the ills in fact which afflict our society more than most. Your thoughts on the matter are juvenile. If you really want to understand the impact of child sexual abuse I would advise that you start reading Afro-American literature...that should open your eyes...if you want to open them. There you can read about the generational abuse if you study the subject...and we are only at the beginning of exploring it here. Bear in mind that many of these abused children sought help through mental institutions which were under the control of the religious orders...so not only did they have access to their bodies as children but they later had access to their minds...and believe me that is a huge scandal which has not even explored yet...but it will come. So Owen...a little humility on your part. I also agree with another poster that it seems like a lot of fundamentalist Catholics are on this site...Opus Dei indeed...sinister to say the least. 42% agree with the question...speaks for itself. chris Ireland

Dolores, Maybe you should do DNA test to know who is the father of your kids... I guess you forgot how many men you opened legs to have sex with. anyway, I understand you because since you are jobless, either you open legs or you continue to use this love story with Burke to start your political career. Dirty politics, dirty life, isn't it? Such is life in Canada, abi?

A Church VICTIM of an UNHOLY PRIEST said... QUOTE FROM ABOVE FEATURE IS VERY FAMILIAR - IN PARTICULAR NOTE THE PART BETWEEN "". This is a well known tactic used by an Irish Parish Priest and his paid medical specialist Dr. Damian Mohan to discredit a former Church employee. Seems all the Clergy are cut from the same cloth. Use the same lies to discredit those who stand up to them and look for justice and take legal advice. See the relevant wording below. Is this part of training for Clergy one would wonder seeing as it has occurred so many times!!! I also know that he has taped past conversations that I have had with him "and have told others, including his family in Ireland as well as my husband that I am obsessed with him in order to discredit me and make me appear to be crazy When it comes to sexual matters, we must be careful in denying for those accused. It is a known fact that many clergy men hide under ther garb of priestly holiness and commit terrible sexual crimes that may never be found out. I admire the courage of this woman, am sure she was able to speak out because she is in a western world. There are many more in her position, in Nigeria who suffer from such molestation from church ministers-Bishops and priests under the guise of poverty and can never speak out. Its the highest form of manipulation and enslavement. The fact that this woman waited for so many years before she spoke out is not the issue, can the Archbishop Burke deny her claims? The Kiltigan Fathers in Ireland, the congregation Burke belongs we also heard have affirmed the credibility of this woman's evidence. Let this be a wake up call to Bishops and Priests to live what they claim they are and stop deceiving themselves.

whether the story lacks substance or not, it is a fact that "fathers" in the catholic church here in Nigeria sexually molest/abuse young girls. I personally know someone;a girl, who was molested sexually here in nigeria by one of the priests of her parish for close to two years when she was between the ages of 11 and 12. She hasn't made it public yet;I'm the only one she has told so far. I convinced her to report the case so something should be done about the priest or else,other young girls would be subjected to the same trauma. She agreed but is yet to go public with it. My people what is wrong is wrong. And in islam, I do condemn terrorism and terrorists, as if they are not Muslilms, since the ideology is not Islamic. And my mother was a Christian for almost 80 years, and I went to Christian schools, roommated with christians, married one, and many times did I read the devotional passages from the Bible. You cant say that I know about Christianity through hear-say, with my taking BK in WAEC. Yes? My people, how do you not get upset that a filthy man came to Nigeria and abuse our women, when no Nigerian can do that in their own land without being arested and jailed? I know, because I am living among them, that is my issue, and of course, I am a MUSLIM!

let me briefly address another false teaching of Paul that the Christians like very much. It's the false doctrine of salvation by faith alone. This false doctrine claims that you'll live eternal life in 'heaven' with Jesus if you only accept that he died for all your sins. You don't have to do anything else. Just believe that, and you're free and clear to fly all the way to 'heaven'. It doesn't matter if you were a murderer or rapist, a child molester, a slaver or a genocidal maniac. All you have to do just before you die, is to say, "Jesus, I accept you as the son of God who died for all my sins", and off to heaven you go. This doctrine is the chief cause of all the evil that Christian white men and women have committed against black people, especially the twin evils of slavery and colonialism. They committed unspeakable crimes against our people, knowing fully well that they were sinning, and at the same time planning to accept Jesus as their 'savior' just before they died as a way to buy their ticket into heaven. This doctrine is nothing less than a license to commit crimes. It tells them they can commit every kind of despicable act and sin, even as Christian priests continue to sexually molest young boys, as long as they repent just before they die and believe that Jesus already took all their sins away when he died 2,000 years ago. So blatant is their attitude about child molestation that these priests have named their place of living and molestation as a 'seminary' and 'rectory', alluding unashamedly to the rectum and the depositing of their semen.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Should a woman not defend womanhood? A person who says he is not going to have sex, declaring it as an oath (lol, the liar did not mean it. just like his trinity is not real), should have lowered his gaze around women! Whats an oath when you can even live it? Whats a God that does not have the power to be different from common man? Whats a God begging another God? I can go on for days on this alone.

would believe the posters story. Here in ireland the catholic church has been rocked to the core over child abuse cases dating back to the early 60's. The people who were abused took action against the catholic church. The way the church dealt with it was to move the priest to a different parish where he was free again to start abusing again. But finally the people who were abused are finally been listened to. I have watched a true movie called the boys of saint vincents it was horrific to watch.

Yeah it true but no one fored anyone to take a oath he cannot kee. well who is just?who has not sinned? No one

At Saturday, November 07, 2009 1:32:00 PM, Anonymous said... Thank God for the courage of this nigerian lady. I hope the other Bishops and priests will learn from this and be sincere with themselves. Sadly I know of some similar cases of molestation of young girls by clergy men in nigeria. I wish other girls will be bold to speak out and be liberated like this lady

can only speak for my reasons. I post these things because I believe people have a right to know. As a Catholic I think we have a duty to know. It's important to know who these people are. When I read this stuff, I start Googling. I find out more about them. Things they've said, where they went to seminary. Who made them a bishop, etc. etc. Doing this is incredibly interesting, as I've found that these bastards tend to come from the same few hornets nests, and associate with one another. Quite interesting these 'birds of a feather'. I've no idea if anyone else uses this information in the same manner I do.

? I can only speak for my reasons. I post these things because I believe people have a right to know. As a Catholic I think we have a duty to know. Hear Hear! I think too many people want this sex abuse crisis to just disapear as if it never happened and ignore it. Just because the Pope made a few apologies doesnt mean its time to forgive and forget we lait are still waiting for action from the Pope on down. These pervert child molesters need to be called out. One can only wish we lived in a more civil age when they would have been executed.

Too little too late. When the Vatican and the Papal Nuncio refused to respond to the Murphy commission it was obvious where their intentions lay. I think the Papal Nuncio should have been expelled immediately when the report was published. That would haave made them sit up and take notice. A great opportunity lost by a spineless Cowen who chose a SINFUL church ahead of abused Irish Citizens. Well done again Mr. Cowen. Toirdhealbhach Ireland Dear Bob Albania,....If you had been following this BB ,you would have seen that I have not let up on the Church or the Church~run institutions since the publication of the Ryan Report, I have also constantly stressed that it was the children of the poor who were the main victims numerically.....But a crime against any child no matter what his or her class is a crime against humanity.....My own father as a profoundly deaf orphaned child of six was put with the Brothers .for eleven years so I know what I'm talking about !....Owen those of us able to demand justice for the victims are not self indulgent as your post implies,,, In the absence of millstones and holy necks to attach them to, I feel quite justified in seeking justice for the six year old boy. jaygee United Kingdom Another damage limitation exercise. Who cares what the Pope has to say. We should concentrate on minimising clerical access to our children. Mick Ireland "Inadequate" doesn't begin to describe it. It's just more arrogant pol-speak, intended to give the impression of doing something while continuing with business-as-usual. We can expect more stonewalling, while the Vat waits for us to forget about it - or to be distracted by the next emergency. It's time, and overtime, for the Church's stranglehold to be broken. Peadar United States I am one of thousands of abused. My time was in 1949-51 and I have not received an apology from the Church. Those before me have not either, The report does not address the whole issue from the 1800s to present instead from the 70s to the early 2000. The pope could not say anything different but it has taken quite some time for this outrage expression by himself. sean morrison Canada Give me a break, the ONLY reason the Vatican is gum flapping now is they were caught red handed and are backed into a corner. WHERE pray tell were these bozo's years ago when our innocent kids were being tormented by their bishops and priests and nuns. Rome was brought to its knees NOW due to the educated populace and the megga Media outlets who report such crimes and unlike some of our Garda, are not 'in bed with the Vatican' and turning the other FACE cheek to such horrendous clergy crimes. Its all so sad, but maybe there is a God afterall- since the light is now brightly shining on the corrupt Vatican living in the lap of luxury. I say introduce a law that forces them to sell all their worldly possessions and compensate these poor innocent victims... Nuff already...........their game is UP and exposed for what it really is....a fabulous hypocritical FAKE. mark miller Ireland No...The Pope's just as guilty as our own at "Home"! Jaker Ireland Words are clearly not enough and this is especially true when there is absolutely no action behind those words. To echo others who have posted before me, heads should roll! Pete United States BTW Owen, good job today, you really outdid yourself, your right of course, just cause some so-called "people" were raped as alleged "children". Them thinking they should be allowed to express their opinions about their own lives, and not even waiting for anything longer than only 30 years, the cheek of them! Oh, and linking climate change and Irish clerical sex abuse was sheer genius, epic. I love that word "warmerists" too, goddam them, so-called "global scientific community", obviously a bunch of tree-hugging, enviro-nazi Obama worshipping pinko fags, the type that liberal gun laws are supposed to deal with, yeehaaw. Not like that brilliant and dedicated dude from Jesusville State University who did a couple of experiments with soap and underwear in his kitchen and worked out it was actually all whitewashed pants; now that's rugged individualism at its best, you know, like Enron. Yes, warmerists; so that's people who accept that there may be a bit of an auld problem with the climate then. So what do you call the people who claim its all hunky dory and that we should actually be putting more CO2 into the atmosphere, to help the plants grow and stave off Ice Age II (the event now, not the movie)? . I suppose they would be called "fossilfuelofiles" perhaps? Or "denialistas". Hmmn, this trying to score playground points on non-existent arguments by using stupid labels is great, I must do it more often. Paul Ireland A divine institution with many fallible and sinful members! This scandal in the Irish church, the pedophile cover-up in the United States, and the horrors of the Legionaries of Christ and their denial of Father Maciel's mistress and worse, point to a breakdown and failure of church governance. It is incredible that Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Ratzinger knew nothing. Now, many years later it is all exposed as a result of outside pressure. Complaints of the laity to the Vatican are bounced back to the local bishop or ignored. We need an enforcement of discipline rather than post facto condemnation and apology. alan United States

communities in Kerala have already sold out of Amen, the autobiography of Sister Jesme, who has alleged that priests and nuns not only broke their vows of celibacy with each other but regularly forced novices to have sex with them. The Catholic Church in India is mired in a series of sexual controversies, and has only just begun to recover from the dismissal of a senior bishop who "adopted" an attractive 26-year-old female companion as his "daughter". Related Articles Priests demand end to celibacy Founder of Catholic order Legionaries of Christ fathered child with mistress Pope Benedict XVI unfrocks Medjugorje priest Gelato Italiano ice-cream advert banned over seductive nun The latest child abuse scandal is as Irish as it is Catholic Irish Catholic church aide calls for more compensation to abuse victimsThe book by the former nun reveals how as a young novice she was propositioned in the confession box by a priest who cited biblical references to "divine kisses". Later she was cornered by a lesbian nun at a college where they were teaching. "She would come to my bed in the night and do lewd acts and I could not stop her," she claims. When she was sent to Bangalore to stay with a priest known for his piety, he lectured her about the need for "physical love" and later assaulted her. "Back in his room, he tried to fondle me and when I resisted, got up and asked angrily if I had seen a man. When I said no, he stripped himself, ejaculated and forced me to strip," she writes. According to Sister Jesme, senior church officials twice tried to admit her into rehabilitation clinics and claimed she had mental problems after she complained about the scale of sexual abuse and the number of illicit affairs between nuns and priests. Dr Paul Thelekkat, a spokesman for the Syro-Malabar Catholic church said he had some sympathy for sister Jesme, and respected her freedom to express her views, but he believed her claims were trivial. "How far what she says is well-founded I can't say, but the issues are not very serious. We're living with human beings in a community and she should realise this is part of human life," he told the Daily Telegraph.

Wednesday, December 16, 20093 °C Dublin » THU 2 °C FRI 2 °C SAT 3 °C YOUR WEATHER »MobileRSS FeedsSite Mapirishtimes.comireland.comNewsSportBusinessCommentLifeSocietyCultureShopClassifiedIrelandWorldIn DepthIrishTimes150Today's PaperWeatherCloseNewsIrelandWorldIn DepthIrishTimes150Today's PaperWeatherLifeTravelFood & DrinkStyleConsumerHomes & PropertyMotorsLiving TodaySportSoccerGaelic GamesGolfRugbyOtheririshracing.comSocietyHealthFamilyEducationScienceEnvironmentNews FeaturesPeopleBusinessBusiness newsMarketsExchange RatesAgendaPersonal FinanceThe EconomyTechnologyInnovationCultureFilmBooksStageMusicArt & DesignComment & MediaTreibhCommentOpinion & AnalysisLettersBlogsPollsBlogsCurrent AccountMechanical TurkMiniBytesOn The RecordOutside InPoliticsPricewatchPursued by a BearScreenwriterShopPage SalesReader OffersFinancial ServicesTravel OffersPhoto SalesDVD ClubAbout usCompany informationTerms & conditionsAdvertiseContact usCopyrightPrivacy policyHelpClassifiedHomesJobsCarsDatingFamily NoticesOtherDigital ArchivePremium EmailDigital editionPrint on demandIrish AncestorsIrish Times TrainingRSS feedsGamesCrosswordsSudokuCompetitionsHome » Ireland » Email to a friendEmail to AuthorPrint RSS Text Size:irishtimes.com - Last Updated: Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 15:05Priest gets three years for sexual assault Related » Timeline Ireland | 27/11/2009External » Report of the Murphy commissioThe Irish Times takes no responsibility for the content or availability of other websitesALISON HEALYPaedophile priest Fr Thomas Naughton has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment following his conviction on charges of sexual assault. In June this year, Naughton pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault in relation to a complainant from the Wicklow parish of Valleymount. The 78-year-old priest was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with the final year suspended on each of five counts of sexual assault committed between 1982 and 1984. During sentencing, Judge Michael O'Shea said the offences were at "the higher end of the scale" and described the offences as "shocking and horrific abuse". He said Naughton abused his position of trust and said the abuse was "premeditated". The maximum term allowed for each count is 10 years. Naughton's barrister, Orla Crowe, asked the court to take into account the fact he co-operated with gardaí, pleaded guilty, his age, and the fact he suffers from a medical condition. She indicated Naughton was going to appeal the sentence. The barrister for Naughton's victim read out a victim-impact statement in court. In the statement, the victim said he was abused about 70 times by the priest and had attempted suicide twice. He said he was extremely paranoid, was afraid to get close to people and was being treated for a sex addiction that he blamed on the abuse. In July 1998, the priest was sentenced to three years for abusing four young altar boys. The Murphy commission report into the handling of allegations of child sexual abuse in the Dublin archdiocese found the archdiocese did everything in its power to protect him and ignored his victims, until the problem became so great it could not be hidden. As a result, he was left to continue to abuse for several years. Prior to sentencing, Naughton has lived under the supervision of the Kiltegan Fathers in the Dublin archdiocese. More than 20 named people have made complaints against him and number of civil claims have been settled with complainants.

WHO HAVE NOT SINNED? even if the bishop is guilty, the lady is egually guilty, she should have come up with all these allegations since her friends said she is good, honest, fair, e.t.c. Doing it now shows she has something to gain from it all. Is she looking for money compensation? She should be the one paying the church back all what the bishop spent on her, i wonder why she agreed to continue sleeping with the bishop for so long knowing that it is not right and her friends claimed that she is honest. If she is truly an honest person and very intelligent as her friends said, she should have reported this a long time ago the first day it started without fear. I believe something is wrong somewhere. She is suppose to go to God quietly and asked for his forgivesness and also pray for the bishop, because both parties are guilty from her story. If she is not asking for money compensation and want to prevent young girls from going through all want she claimed she went through (though she benefited all the way in the relationship), then this is not the right way to go about it. In all, i think both parties should asked our merciful God for forgiveness. No body should compensate the other since both are guilty, both should beg for forgiveness. Infact, i will sue any compensation being made full stop

This last comment is very funny...that is the typical nigerian mentality. Instead of admiring the couage of the victim and seek to correct evil from its root...the write is considering the benefit the victim received. Just wondering how the write knew that the victim received benefits....is he indirectly saying bishops and priests in nigeria use ladies and spend so much money on them? Does that make their sinful act right? What about the intergrity of these fake church leaders..who pose as Holy men? Why dont their actions match what they preach? We should call a spade a spade.....without been judgemental..i feel its high time catholic minsters make it known that they are sexually active men and stop pretending and showing to the outside world that they are celibates when indeed they are not.

VATICAN REACTION: THE HOLY See confirmed the resignation of Bishop Donal Murray with a typically curt Vatican statement: “The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Limerick, presented by Monsignor Donal Brendan Murray, in conformity with article 401,2 of Code of Canon Law.” Article 401.2 of canon law, as promulgated by John Paul II in 1984, states: “A diocesan bishop who has become less able to fulfil his office because of ill health or some other grave cause is earnestly required to present his resignation from office.” Asked about the “other grave cause” that prompted the bishop’s resignation, senior Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi told The Irish Times : “That seems to me obvious, given the situation that had been created by the publication of the report and given that he was one of the people involved in the events dealt with by the report. “For that reason and for the good of the church, for a greater serenity, he spontaneously presented his resignation.” Asked if Bishop Murray had met the pope while in Rome last week, Fr Lombardi said: “I don’t believe he did. I have no information in regard to that, as far as I know the normal procedure was followed and that would mean that Bishop Murray discussed his situation with Cardinal Re at the congregation of bishops. Then the cardinal will have informed the Holy Father.” Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re is the prefect of the congregation of bishops, the Vatican body that oversees not only the appointments but also the resignations of Catholic bishops. Pope Benedict made space in a busy schedule last Saturday, the day following his Vatican meeting with Cardinal Seán Brady and with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, to meet Cardinal Re. It is believed that Bishop Murray’s position was discussed on that occasion. The bishop originally presented his resignation to the congregation of bishops on Monday, December 7th. Given that the pope was due to meet Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin last Friday, the Holy See opted to delay any decision about the bishop until after that meeting. Vatican spokesman Fr Lombardi conceded that the resignation had come as no surprise in the Holy See: “This was not a surprise, he was in Rome a number of days ago and he presented his resignation off his own initiative and his own will. The diocese now remains vacant and a diocesan administrator will now be put in place until such time as a successor, a new bishop, is appointed, all in line with normal practice.” Bishop Murray is just one of five serving bishops mentioned in the Murphy report, which also mentions Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Jim Moriarty, Bishop of Galway Jim Drennan and Bishops Éamonn Walsh and Ray Field, both auxiliary bishops in the Dublin archdiocese. Asked if the resignation of Bishop Murray might be merely the first of several resignations prompted by the fallout of the Murphy report, Fr Lombardi said: “I know there has been a lot of speculation about that and you can speculate as much as you want but I have no idea and I have nothing to say about that.” ADVERTISEMENT Latest12:44 France to keep faith with Domenech12:32 Rise in over-65 deaths in cold weather12:31 As you were for Leinster12:29 Iranian troops entered Iraq - report12:21 AUDIO: Wogan says his sad farwell11:57 Wogan signs off as tears go by11:55 DNA evidence clears man after 35 years11:47 Chirac investigated for \'corruption\'Popular Stories Most ReadMost Emailed1 Dozens sympathise with sex offender2 Bishop apologises in wake of priest\'s support of sex offender3 Two more bishops named in report may resign4 Auschwitz death camp sign stolen5 Motorists warned over icy roads1Bishop apologises in wake of priest\'s support of sex offender2Auschwitz death camp sign stolen3Two more bishops named in report may resign4Bishop Murray\'s resignation510 painless ways to cut your costsYour Vote « YesNo »ResultsDo you think the latest GDP figures showing slight growth indicate a turnaround in the State\'s economic performance? Crossword Club » Today\'s Interactive Irish Times Crosaire and Simplex crosswords, plus 10 years of crossword archive.Mobile Services » News alerts and crossword solutions to your phone.ADVERTISEMENT Showtime for Peasant GirlIn a flurry of feathers, fairies and fluffed lines, Fiona McCann makes her panto debut and discovers it’s a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work.Novel tweetment for classicsTwo young American students have managed to compress some 60 ‘Great Reads’ into a slim Penguin paperback of ‘Twitterature’John Lennon reimaginedSam Taylor-Wood explains her new biopic10 painless ways to cut your costsA little financial planning will ensure you don’t feel the pinch so much each month150th Anniversary of The Irish TimesThe Irish Times celebrates its 150th anniversary with a view of the newspaper past to presentADVERTISEMENT CLASSIFIED HomesCara Linn, 83 Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Co. 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THE BISHOP of Kerry Bill Murphy has dissociated himself from Fr Seán Sheehy, the priest who shook hands with a sex offender awaiting sentencing in court and provided him a character reference in which he said he was always respectful to women. The priest later criticised the “extremely harsh” seven-year jail term imposed by Judge Donagh McDonagh at the sentencing hearing in Tralee, Co Kerry, on Wednesday, of Danny Foley (35), Meen, Listowel, Co Kerry. Fr Sheehy has defended his actions, saying he shook Foley’s hand in court because he wanted to “support him and let him know he was not alone”. In a statement last night, Bishop Murphy said he wished to dissociate himself and the diocese from Fr Sheehy’s actions and statements. “I wish to offer my sympathy to the victim and to apologise to her on my own behalf and on behalf of the diocese of Kerry,” he said. “I pay tribute to her courage. I hope what has happened will not undermine the progress that has been made in bringing perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice.” Fr Sheehy is retired from an American diocese and is substituting for the parish priest of Castlegregory, Fr Tadhg Ó Dochartaigh, who has been ill. Fr Sheehy was one of up to 50 people who queued in the courthouse in Tralee to shake hands with and embrace Foley before he was sentenced. In her victim impact statement the woman, who has not been publicly identified, said she felt “judged”, adding that everybody in Listowel knew she was the woman at the centre of the case. Gardaí on patrol found the victim, then aged 22, semi-conscious alongside a skip in a Listowel car park early on June 15th, 2008, with a man “crouching over her”. She was naked from the waist down. She had extensive bruises and scratching. Vera O’Leary, manager of the Kerry Rape Crisis Centre (KRCC), said the victim was in court waiting to give her statement as Foley was supported by Fr Sheehy and others. The victim had been “confused and just completely in shock that this could be allowed to happen”. The KRCC had been inundated with calls from people dissociating themselves from the actions of those in court. Ms O’Leary said it was important the victim, who is suicidal, knew she was supported by the majority of the community. The Irish Courts Service said if an offender was in custody – which Foley has been since his conviction two weeks ago – the issue of people approaching him was a matter for the prison officers who brought him to court or for the Irish Prison Service. There were no protocols relating to approaches in court to people not already in custody. A prison service spokesman said it had no role in maintaining order in a courthouse. ADVERTISEMENT Latest12:44 France to keep faith with Domenech12:32 Rise in over-65 deaths in cold weather12:31 As you were for Leinster12:29 Iranian troops entered Iraq - report12:21 AUDIO: Wogan says his sad farwell11:57 Wogan signs off as tears go by11:55 DNA evidence clears man after 35 years11:47 Chirac investigated for \'corruption\'Popular Stories Most ReadMost Emailed1 Dozens sympathise with sex offender2 Bishop apologises in wake of priest\'s support of sex offender3 Two more bishops named in report may resign4 Auschwitz death camp sign stolen5 Motorists warned over icy roads1Bishop apologises in wake of priest\'s support of sex offender2Auschwitz death camp sign stolen3Two more bishops named in report may resign4Bishop Murray\'s resignation510 painless ways to cut your costsYour Vote « YesNo »ResultsDo you think the latest GDP figures showing slight growth indicate a turnaround in the State\'s economic performance? Crossword Club » Today\'s Interactive Irish Times Crosaire and Simplex crosswords, plus 10 years of crossword archive.Mobile Services » News alerts and crossword solutions to your phone.ADVERTISEMENT Showtime for Peasant GirlIn a flurry of feathers, fairies and fluffed lines, Fiona McCann makes her panto debut and discovers it’s a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work.Novel tweetment for classicsTwo young American students have managed to compress some 60 ‘Great Reads’ into a slim Penguin paperback of ‘Twitterature’John Lennon reimaginedSam Taylor-Wood explains her new biopic10 painless ways to cut your costsA little financial planning will ensure you don’t feel the pinch so much each month150th Anniversary of The Irish TimesThe Irish Times celebrates its 150th anniversary with a view of the newspaper past to presentADVERTISEMENT CLASSIFIED HomesCara Linn, 83 Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Co. 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TWO OTHER bishops named in the Murphy report have acknowledged they may have to step down, following the announcement yesterday by Bishop Donal Murray that he had resigned. Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Jim Moriarty and auxiliary bishop of Dublin Éamonn Walsh both said they had done nothing wrong. Bishop Moriarty said he would step down ahead of his planned retirement, due in two years, if this would serve the church and victims of clerical sex abuse. Bishop Walsh said it would be an injustice if he had to resign, but he would do so if he became a “block on the gospel”. In announcing his resignation at St John’s Cathedral in Limerick yesterday Bishop Donal Murray “humbly apologised” to those who were abused as children. “I believe that my presence will create difficulties for some of the survivors who must have first place in our thoughts and prayers,” he said. Bishop Murray had been under pressure to resign since the publication last month of the Murphy report on how the Dublin archdiocese handled cases of the sexual abuse of children by priests. The report described as “inexcusable” Bishop Murray’s handling of an allegation of clerical child sex abuse when he was an auxiliary bishop in Dublin. Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin said yesterday in a statement that Bishop Murray had done the right thing “for his diocese and for the wider Irish church”. “This is without doubt, a period of deep crisis in this archdiocese,” Archbishop Martin said. He added that he would be meeting all those in his diocese who were named in the Murphy report “about the way this archdiocese is managed and about changes I want and that I consider vital for the future of the archdiocese of Dublin”. He said he would not discuss this process publicly until it was completed in the new year. The archbishop released his statement following the first meeting of the Dublin Council of Priests, at Clonliffe College, since the publication of the Murphy report.The council’s chairman, Fr Joe Mullan, said there had been “an honest, open, and robust exchange of views which concluded when Archbishop Martin read his statement”. It emerged yesterday that Bishop Murray announced his decision to resign to priests in Limerick on December 1st and that it was accepted by the pope last Monday. Cardinal Seán Brady said he acknowledged and respected Bishop Murray’s decision. “The survivors of abuse must have first place in our thoughts and prayers,” he said and he apologised again “to all who were abused as children by priests”. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Bishop Murray’s resignation “was not a surprise, he was in Rome a number of days ago and he presented his resignation off his own initiative and his own will.” Meanwhile, the College of Consultors in Limerick diocese, comprising senior priests, must meet within eight days of the resignation announcement yesterday to appoint an administrator. He will run the diocese on an interim basis until a new bishop is appointed. Marie Collins, abused as a child by “Fr Edmondus” when a patient in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, said yesterday she was “sorry Bishop Murray didn’t go a bit earlier and we would not have had the trauma of the last few weeks”. The other serving bishops mentioned in the Murphy report “have to go too”, she said. “They were all part of a system which allowed children to be hurt,” she said. Welcoming Bishop Murray’s resignation Andrew Madden, who was abused by Ivan Payne, called on Bishops Moriarty, Drennan, Field and Walsh to follow suit. “Their continued presence in office is an insult to every child sexually abused by a priest in the Dublin archdiocese, they display a contemptible level of arrogance and an inappropriate lack of humility,” he said. ADVERTISEMENT Latest13:01 Severe weather warning issued12:44 France to keep faith with Domenech12:32 Rise in over-65 deaths in cold weather12:31 As you were for Leinster12:29 Iranian troops entered Iraq - report12:21 AUDIO: Wogan says his sad farwell11:57 Wogan signs off as tears go by11:55 DNA evidence clears man after 35 yearsPopular Stories Most ReadMost Emailed1 Dozens sympathise with sex offender2 Bishop apologises in wake of priest's support of sex offender3 Two more bishops named in report may resign4 Auschwitz death camp sign stolen5 Motorists warned over icy roads1Bishop apologises in wake of priest's support of sex offender2Auschwitz death camp sign stolen3Two more bishops named in report may resign4Bishop Murray's resignation510 painless ways to cut your costsYour Vote « YesNo »ResultsDo you think the latest GDP figures showing slight growth indicate a turnaround in the State's economic performance? Crossword Club » Today's Interactive Irish Times Crosaire and Simplex crosswords, plus 10 years of crossword archive.Mobile Services » News alerts and crossword solutions to your phone.ADVERTISEMENT Showtime for Peasant GirlIn a flurry of feathers, fairies and fluffed lines, Fiona McCann makes her panto debut and discovers it’s a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work.Novel tweetment for classicsTwo young American students have managed to compress some 60 ‘Great Reads’ into a slim Penguin paperback of ‘Twitterature’John Lennon reimaginedSam Taylor-Wood explains her new biopic10 painless ways to cut your costsA little financial planning will ensure you don’t feel the pinch so much each month150th Anniversary of The Irish TimesThe Irish Times celebrates its 150th anniversary with a view of the newspaper past to presentADVERTISEMENT CLASSIFIED HomesCara Linn, 83 Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin Price: €995,000 Bedrooms: 5 See More »JobsSelect your categories AccountancyArchitecture / DesignBanking & Financial ServicesConstructionCustomer Service, Call Centres & LanguagesEducation Childcare & TrainingEngineering & TechnicalEnvironmental, Health & SafetyGeneral ManagementHotel & CateringHuman ResourcesITInsuranceLegalMarketingMedical & HealthcareProduction, Manufacturing & MaterialsPropertyPublic SectorPublishing, Media & Creative ArtsRetailing, Wholesaling & PurchasingSalesScience, Pharmaceutical & FoodSecretarial & AdministrationSecurity, Trades & General ServicesSocial & Not for ProfitTelecomsTourism, Travel & AirlinesTransport, Warehousing & Distribution Next »CarsA battle for poll position in the 2010 motoring market Find »Dating I am a ManWoman Looking for a ManWoman Located AllAntrimArmaghCarlowCavanClareCorkDerryDonegalDownDublinFermanaghGalwayKerryKildareKilkennyLaoisLeitrimLimerickLongfordLouthMayoMeathMonaghanOffalyRoscommonSligoTipperaryTyroneWaterfordWestmeathWexfordWicklowOnly with photos:Next ».© 2009 irishtimes.comCompany informationPrivacy policyHelpContact usAdvertiseTerms & Conditions

Bishop Murray's resignation In this section » Rights and wrongsTHE FALL from grace of the Bishop of Limerick, Donal Murray, is a necessary and inevitable consequence of the Murphy report into the cover-up of child sexual abuse in the Dublin diocese. But it is by no means a sufficient response to the amorality and recklessness detailed in that grim document. Indeed, it would be grossly unfair to Dr Murray were he to be the sacrificial lamb who must atone for the collective sins of the Roman Catholic Church. If his departure were to be seen as the end, rather than the beginning, of a radical process of accountability, the implication would be that his behaviour was the exception rather than the rule. The truth is he operated a system that seems to have been universally applied throughout the church. It would almost be comforting if Donal Murray’s tragedy were that of an evil man. It is actually much more profound than that. It is the tragedy of a decent man who was drawn into collusion with evil and who, even in his resignation statement showed no sign of understanding or accepting the consequences of his failures. Although he continued yesterday to try to excuse the inexcusable, there is no evidence that he set out to be cynical or cruel or that he was, in the ordinary course of events, indifferent to the sufferings of vulnerable children. Were he any of those things, the church could regard him as an aberrant and anomalous figure, a malignity in an otherwise healthy body. To realise that, on the contrary, he most probably believed himself to be acting properly and morally is to confront the unavoidable reality of a power structure that distorts the most basic impulses of human decency. It is that larger system that has to make itself accountable.The Catholic Church is still far too deeply embedded within Irish society and retains far too much temporal power for this to be a matter of concern to the faithful alone. Undemocratic institutions who see themselves as answerable only to a God to whose will they believe they have privileged access, are a danger to society as a whole. Conversely, a complete change in the institutional church’s culture, away from the arrogance of power and towards the humility and openness of service, is the only way to make restitution for the terrible damage it has done. That change has to start with something that the church itself demands of its flock – an honest confession. If the Pope and the Roman curia are as outraged as they have claimed to be, they should give us a detailed and complete account of their own dealings with child abuse cases in Ireland. They should start by handing over all relevant archives to the Murphy commission and every serving and retired Catholic bishop should open his own record to scrutiny. More broadly, the Vatican and the Irish hierarchy must finally deal with an obvious truth. They must recognise that the accumulation of temporal and political power has ultimately not served the faith in which they purport to believe. It has corrupted and corroded it. If they are ever to renew that faith, they must learn how to be, not the shepherds of flocks of sheep, but the servants of citizens

Listowel priest steps down A priest who shook hands with a Listowel nightclub doorman awaiting sentencing in court for sexual assault has today stepped down. The Bishop of Kerry Bill Murphy has accepted an offer by Fr Seán Sheehy to withdraw from his work in the parish of Castlegregory. Fr Seán Sheehy, having retired from an American diocese, was substituting for the parish priest of Castlegregory. He had stood as a character witness at the sentencing of nightclub doorman Danny Foley (35). The Bishop of Kerry yesterday disassociated himself from Fr Seán Sheehy, who shook hands with Foley, awaiting sentencing in court, and provided him a character reference in which he said he was always respectful to women. Fr Sheehy was one of up to 50 people who queued in the courthouse in Tralee to shake hands with sex offender Danny Foley (35) and embrace Mr Foley before he was sentenced. Foley (35), of Meen, Listowel, Co Kerry, was sentenced to seven years in jail, with the final two suspended, for sexually assaulting the woman outside a nightclub in Listowel in June 2008. Director of the National Women's Council Susan McKay said the scenes in the courtroom of people queueing to shake hands with Foley before he was jailed have no place in a civilised society. Ms McKay said it is “intolerable” that the victim had to suffer the “insulting and outrageous behaviour” of those who queueing and it “must never be allowed to happen again”. Yesterday it emerged the victim of a sexual assault told counsellors she feels she may have to leave her home town having watched people queue in the courtroom sympathise with her attacker Dan Foley. The victim had been discovered by a Garda patrol in a semiconscious state and naked from the waist down, alongside a skip in a car park near the nightclub. Foley told gardaí he had found her there, but later changed his story when it emerged CCTV footage showed him carrying her from the club to the spot. Ms McKay said: "This man used extreme violence against his victim, then lied about what he had done, forced her to go through a court case and denigrated her in his evidence. “She was brave to bring her case, and brave to see it through. She deserves our respect and gratitude." Sinn Féin’s Justice spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh said the scenes in the courtroom “sent out a dangerous and very negative signal to victims”. He said the case underlines the urgent need for reform of procedures in the courts service. "What we do not need is such cases being made all the more difficult by the type of scenes witnessed in Kerry this week,” he said. 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this is a trying moment for both the so called victim and bishop burke. the woman in question needs to present the prostitutes, religious and young girls who wre molested by the bishop. for those who sit on the fence and condem the man of God should take things easy and be patient cos truth will surely surface no matter how long

this is a trying moment for both the so called victim and bishop burke. the woman in question needs to present the prostitutes, religious and young girls who wre molested by the bishop. for those who sit on the fence and condem the man of God should take things easy and be patient cos truth will surely surface no matter how long

Yes, for now, the main witness (the youngest sister) did not confirm what Mrs Atwood said.

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You that call yourself younger sister friend, you are a fruad and a lier. When did her sister confirded that to you? I am a coucin for both Dolores and her sister. Her sister is amberassed by Richard Burke shameless attitude, Dolores is the one who do not put up with a pretender like richard Burke. One thing you do not know is that her sister do not need to say anything, you fool. For your information, Richard Burke had already confessed to very thing that he did and before he even confessed , there are tapes were he confessed himself. So, shame on you fool.

Titiyo, You must be a very bitter woman, you are writing and pretending to be younger sister friend. Chrismas this year must have bitten you so hard. I am also richard Burkes girlfriend. I asked him about you and he said and spit on the floor and said, that one is another crazy one and that he never asked you to write on this forum. You are indeed what he said you are. I feel sorry for you. Just move on with your life.All you are writing does not make any sense.

The Irish media has received most of Richard Burke's confessions. He is truly guilty of the crime, and will not be returning to Nigeria. There is no more need of witnesses, since Richard has already admitted to his crimes.

Archbishop Richard Burke, I wish a merry Christmas. But one important thing I also wish, is for you to tender your resignation and please apologys to Dolores Atwood. You have hurt that lady very deeoly, beyond your imagination. that is one lady you have really ofended, and as a christian, God tought us to make peace with those we offend. I pray that the good Lord will help you see things the you should see it.

I pity you Dolores now that you will have a difficult Christmas since Burke incomes will not allow you to eat like pig again. Now Burke will enjoy his holidays far from you and your bad character.

what are you people talking about? fuck is for all. is he not a man? let all go on fucking

the problem with Burke, is that he fuck up! He need to resign and then fuck as a married man, not as priest. Priest arent to know fuck.

Thank you Dolores Atwood, if I was in Canada I will vote for you. We need your type of woman in our Country , not what we have here. It takes a real woman to do what you did. Merry christmas to you my dear and cheers.

This whole story smells like a very huge setup. There is no way that such a string of abuses will not blow ot in the small and compact city of Warri. Only God knows.

Do you think you know anyone 100%? think again. Alot of us know what was happening. We do see these girls go in and out of this so call richard Burke house. If I tell you that this man has touched me before, would you believe me? I believe the story of Ms Dolores !00%,judging from my own personal experience with thi bishop. This lady is just courageous to expose him and personally I am very pleased with ,so with our friends. Thanks for your courage .We all know what was going on, people talk behind him.None sense Man Richard Burke

This is not a set up you area boy. When people are caught with wrong doing, they blame the devil. Archbishop Richard Burke is caught with his pants down and you say it is a set up? Think again. In europe and North America, they do not have enough priests and Bishops, why is it that Richard Burke do not stay in europe were they need bishops and priest? In Ireland many bishops are resigning because of the sex abuse scandles there. Surely Richard Burke could find a job there? If he is caught abusing children there, they would put him where he belongs.... JAIL!!!!

This website is smelling shit since Dolores wrote on it. This matter has nothing to do on the web. It is between Dolores, Burke, and those who feel they have the right to say something including witnesses. Those who want to know who is Dolores Atwood should write to this address gl85110@yahoo.com

Thanks for your many contributions. Now you can get the truth. Dolores, you will now understand that you can not spoil somebody's image like that. Prepare for the worst... Happy new year...

Hi Dolores Atwood. You are indeed a courageous woman. I too was abuse by a priest and I know those who are surporting you. You are a winner and you have done well . All is well with you in JESUS name,Amen. I love the way you do things. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your beautiful family. We love you and we are praying for you. The Nigerian and British community here, all are behind you 100%. God Bless you, Cheers...

Interesting story though Ifeel like this story is one sided, yes the Archbishop might have accepted, but there is more to this gist than the eye can meet. Pity though since am a catholic. I choose to say that if we are true christians then we would know that the truth can never truly be understood except by God since as humans there things we never really get to say no matter how human or inhuman we choose to be we are only mere mortals and need the Holy Spirit to transcend this level of reasoning.

You are right Sam King. The fact that the bishop had admitted doing this things Ms aAtwood wrote, is a lesson for us all, that with every smoke come fire. I pray that God will give him the grace to coop and change and for him to also ask Ms Dolores Atwood for forgiveness. It is indeed a sad story. Please let us pray for God to heal Ms Atwood for all the pain Bishop Richard Burke has cause her and that God will help the Bishop. I Pray for both of them. Amen.

This lady must be a very brave woman. I did believe her story along and I still do.You see, I do not believe for one moment that a woman who is happy and doing well will just cook up a story like this. And again, two other st patrick priests testify to her allegation to be very true, plus the fact that Richard Burke now confessed it to be true. I hope you all that said bad words against this lady will have to ask for her forgiveness? From what I now head, she was not the one who posted this aticle in this website, one of those she wrote to did. My people, look before you jump and be very careful.

Let us not allow ourselves to be used by the devil. At 14, a warri girl has known what is good from bad. For u to have kept this all these yrs shows that u are just not a good girl....obvioulsly, ur story is just a story of a frustrated obsessed woman. If i was to be ur husband, i will run away from u cos u can kill. I just hope u are not one sick psycho........May God help u.

Very good. Dolores is trying to use this love story to do dirty politics and to spoil people name including her sister's name

I still maintain that there is something fishy about this woman and her story. May God protect me from a wife like that. Only God knows what truly happened.

Dolores, Meery Christmas to you and a very happy new Year to you. A friend of my that knows you very well told me about this website. First I will want to commend you for your courage and secondly for who you are as a person. When I read through this site, those who were supporting the so call richard burke, seems to use a very dirty language and judging from the way they write, one can tell their back ground. it is just ,maybe five people who keep writing again and again and again,andknowing the population of those who support you, this so call richard burke should forget about showing his shameless face in public.

This is my first and my last comment on this site. First and most importantly, Richard Burke had admitted to this horrible crime and he had confessed it on tape also about other women and that including the victim sister. Even if her sister was to come out publicly, would you not say because they are sisters? The truth is that all the prove they need is all with the vatican, plus the fact that all these other women,including her sister had testify. If you expect them to come out in pubic, you are not serious. Does this case concern any of you? If you really want to know more about this case, please go to the vatican and ask them. I am sure you will not even get a visa to ghana, talkless of rome. You can write or send the vatican an email and hear what they say rather than making so much noise like way ward people.

Dear Sr Clemenntina, you said it all. Peaople should stop commenting on this site. Alot of people had stop writing and even reading this story, because their periest and bishops had explained things to them,expecially the ones that care to know. Our bishop here just laugh and said it is true that he did what they accused him of and that he is not comiming back here again. Richard burke had let us all dowm, expecialy lies to everyone. Stop wasting your time and no matter what you say or do, richard burke is a cooked goose.Shame on him. We do not want him here again.

joy sucess Re: Catholic Archbishop Of Benin City In Serious Sex Scandal « #43 on: December 20, 2009, 12:47 PM » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Such is not suprising.weather,true or false the truth is the way catholic priests exploit ladies,girls is alarming.let s stop covering dis priests.God will not allow us go thru d odds of dis life,even wen ure an xtian u wont hesitate to beg from a muslim,cos all dats on your mind will just be for your probs to be solved.my dear people im catholic only God knows hw genuie dis story is, but catholic priests today ve children,priests exploit girls who go to them for help.i say it here public a priest once wanted me to go to bed with him cos i needed school fees i refused and he never gave d money.today i bless God for my life cos anytime he see me nw he s ashamed.dis not blackmail.the catholic bishops of nigeria shld find a way to stop dis mess.some girls see it as prestidge dating priests,i knw of a priest in Ibadan Archdiocese who after 2months ordination a lady showed up with a baby boy who is d priest replical,no need for DNA to be told d priest is d father but all d church could do was to cover dis up,compensiate the girl s family and withdrew d priest faculty and posted him to a tripical village were he s attitude is even worse.just of recent he was reported by his parish priest about the way a lady has permanently been staying in d parish house wt him,d lady was invited and d outcome of dis whole mess is not pleasing.why cant dis priest be denied and finally wthdraw priesthood from him?no one is a saint but,u go willingly without being forced and take d oath of celibacy with a right state of mind and barely afterwards girls and rev sisters become, ahhhhhhhhh rev fathers your own too much.i nw wat am saying.who re u deceiving?sure not the people of GOD, AND DO U KNW WAT?GOD CAN NEVER BE DECEIVED!!!!!!A priest who just finish having sex with a lady cuns to the altar to say MASS d lady still waiting for him to come back ummmm ummm ummmm GOD NO BE LIKE MAN!

Sr Clementina will never write such a comment on this site. She knows her sister and she believes she never took part in such a stupid affair. As i said it before, this web site is smelling shit because Dolores started to write her rubbish about her love story with Burke and everybody want to taste how is her shit smelling. Dolores, you can keep your shit for yourself and your husband. Stop corrupting your people

My people, this richard burke of a man is indeed a serial rapist. He don transport and import his sextual sociopathtic sickness come to africa. From prostitute to two sisters and now all the bishops and priest and even rev sisters are saying it is a shame. No body want to be a friend of child abuser. Joy Sucess, I hear your story. Ms Dolores story sound very true and very similar to your story. It good to know that the vatican forced him to resigned, they know what is good for them. the man done spiol the name of our church here in nigeria. people done leave my parish go join other churches because of this richard burke. Well done my sister for exposing this man

Ogale you have said your mind and I respect that. My friends that are catholic are all ashamed of this bishop and sad about the whole thing. Dolores ,who ever you are , you are going to play a great part cencerning God Church. You are a very significant person on this earth for what is just and right. Your name will always be remembered in this world. You have made history and a very brave one. I do not know you, but you stand out. Pease of God to you.

One thing we were all saying at the church the other day was that, those poor girls who went to this bishop richard burke for help and be taken advantage of , some of them as we now know want to come out, but their problem is that they do not have evidence or proves like Dolores have. One of the girlssaid I quot"he touch my breast the first day i met him and he asked me to come back again the following week and he will help me with school fees and I did went th following week to collect the money. The first time we both have sex was at the pastoral center Agharo." Who will believe my story? I have no prove and it is useless to come out, but was happy to see him expose. This whole thisn have changed the way most people see the priests. This is a very serious issue and I hope that this kind of sexual and phschological abuse do not happen again. Nigeria case of priest sextual abuse is going to be worse than Ireland and Ameria.

My dear girl, I do not need your prove to believe you. I believe you 100%. The man call Richard Anthony Burke is a sociopath and he is a very sick man and that include those who suport him as you can see in this forum.We are not surprise.

We are very happy to see Richard Burke go. But I personally, the best thing that ever happen to me in 2009 is to see him exposed. I am not afraid to put my real names, unlike some cowards in this forum. Thank you Madam Dolores.

Is somebody stupid enough to beleuve that Dolores did nor write those last messages ? Dolores is really jobless

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Happy New year to you all. Glad to know and see this new Year. Our New Year prayer is that may the good Lord provide for us a New Bishop who will be child abuse and fonicator free. I am not joking. That is our prayer point in our charismatic prayers. If the head is rotting ,the whole body will too. I also pray that God will will give Bishop Richard Burke the grace to repent and live a normal life again, Amen.

When are we as catholics going to stop pretending as if our priests are not messing around. 85% of them are more sextually active than most married men.

When all the less privilage children and minors have all been abused in the churches or may be donals should help by stopping to give donations to the churches involve. These church money are used to pay for sex and to cover up abusers like Richard Burke and his kind, rather that helping the poor or go for the gospel of christ that it is meant for. sad.

FR MICHAEL KELLY (34) Diocesan priest in Dublin, based in Crumlin One year ordained It was always at the back of my mind that I wanted to be a priest. I looked up to priests when I was a child. I was seven when I first started thinking about it. In my late teenage years, I fell away from the church, and didn’t attend Mass that often. I dropped out of school after my Junior Cert, and started up a rock’n’roll band with my brother. We called it Whyne. We thought that was a cool name! I volunteered at the Capuchin homeless centre in Blanchardstown, which developed my faith life – helping people who were having a difficult time in their life. It made me start reading the Gospel on my own. I have a friendship with Jesus as well as knowing he is my Lord and Saviour. After the band, I’d worked at Motorola and then at St Luke’s Hospital, where I was a ward orderly – helping people again. I decided I wanted to get to know Jesus. When it comes down to it, I became a priest because I believe that’s what God called me to do. Everyone in my family was quite shocked, especially my brother I’d been in the band with, but they were supportive. There were 16 of us who started in my year. Only seven were ordained. I wasn’t even born when the abuse in the church went on, so I don’t feel guilty – but I do feel a collective sense of shame. The people named in the reports should resign. I’m angry. I’m upset. When trust has been broken the way it has, it’s very difficult to rebuild it. There has been so much hypocrisy in the church, and people can’t get past that. It’s not easy. I’ve been called a child rapist on the street. It has affected my faith: I’ve been spending more time in prayer. It has made me question and look at the structure of the Catholic Church. There was so much deceit and cover-up. It’s time for big changes. In one way, it is a great challenge to be a priest now, because the church faces such challenges; I have to see it as an opportunity. Those priests who abused children studied moral theology when they trained. I just don’t know how you can be a Christian and do the things they did.

Diocesan priest in Cork; chaplain at Cólaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co Cork Fifteen years ordained I was 18 when I went into Maynooth. The world is a very different place now from when we were going to school; faith was accepted, a part of everyone’s life then. Back in the 1980s, the priesthood was an option that was just there as something to do after school. I thought: why not try it out? Looking back now, it was definitely way too young. In those days, people went straight from school to Maynooth. But you need a gap. I came into the priesthood as vocations were peaking. There were 72 with me in the class when I started; 27 of them finished. That was still a big number. There’s been nothing like those numbers since – they’ve tumbled. In the school, the students are aware of the stories about the church, but it’s outside their world. The institutionalised church means nothing to them. They have abandoned the church formally, but in terms of their own inspiration, they’re in a great place, and are very open to all forms of spirituality. The stories about the church really started coming out in 1995, and they’ve been coming constantly since. Personally, I’ve found it very, very difficult. At times, I’ve felt very lonely, and very isolated. Isolated in the sense that there’s that thought that you’re tarnished with the same brush. People feel genuinely hurt and let down, and I share people’s horror and disgust. There are no words to describe the anger, horror, betrayal, everything . . . There are no words to describe the horror of this story. I do think people should resign. Absolutely. I would certainly say that. There has been too much holding on to power, too much hiding behind the institution of the church. There has been a lack of openness and honesty. They let so many people down and I feel angry about that. If I saw what was ahead when I was starting out, no way would I have gone into the priesthood. Not a hope. That’s just being honest with you. There have been times when I felt: “Why bother? Why stay?” I would have been there. I would have thought of moving on. Faith is obviously still important to me, that’s what keeps me here. But the church is in huge transition. It can never ever go back to where it’s been. It’s going to take years and years to rebuild openness and trust. The reason I’m still in the priesthood is the young people, who give me great inspiration and hope. We need to tap into that. The liturgy and the way the church speak to people doesn’t connect with people – people have walked. In the future, we’ll be looking at smaller faith communities. The days of big numbers are long gone. People won’t come back to the church. FR DICK LYNG (59)

FR DICK LYNG (59) Augustinian parish priest, Galway city Ordained 35 years Idealism. That’s why I wanted to be a priest. I wanted to do something useful with my life. I was born into a Catholic culture, and priesthood was the obvious channel in those days for finding expression for idealism. I went into training straight from school, when I was 18 – 95 per cent of people did that. At the time it was considered the most normal thing to do – you went into medicine; you became a priest. I had faith, but for that time it was normal. It was no different to the faith of fellas sitting beside me at school. It is almost impossible for me to comprehend that fellow priests were damaging small children. I was shocked to the core. But if it didn’t shock people, that would be more shocking still. A priest who doesn’t feel tarnished, contaminated – to use all the diseased terms there are – is living in cloud cuckoo land. Older people feel very contaminated by what happened. My parishioners tell me their faith is safe, but that they are extremely hurt and confused. Confused is the word I hear most. They are extremely supportive of priests on the ground, but anger is articulated to me privately. There is huge confusion and disappointment. I have had parishioners asking me should they have demonstrations. I tell them: only the victims can call for rallies. It will be the victims who make that decision. There is already a missing generation in the church. My parishioners are old. Whenever I do a wedding, I think: where are these young people on a Sunday morning? The young generation was gone already from the church, but all this will accelerate it further. We’ll be dealing with this for the rest of my lifetime, and for generations after me. There is no quick fix. The contracts of trust are gone. We’ll have to be a very different church. The church that encouraged secrecy and deceit – that will all have to be flushed out. The future church will be a very small church, a very shrunken church. Would I have joined the priesthood if I had known what lay ahead for the church in Ireland? That’s impossible to answer. I wouldn’t even attempt to answer. I did what I did. I believed at the time what I was doing was right.

If care is not taken, all priests will soon be tagged victim in the media and many will believe without any atom of doubt. the earlier Rome begin to shun these accusations about priests the better for the Church's reputation and growth. People are out there to crucify the priests.

The earlier Rome begin to deal with these issues of sextual abuse, sextual immorality and abuse of power amoung priests and bishops here in Africa,the better it is for the Church. Take a look at what is going on in Europe and North America, the coverups , the lies , secrecy and deceits and all that came out of it. people feel betrayed and sincerely angry with the Church and most young people looking for directions has left the Church to fall in wrong hands.People are confuse. personally, I do not know why children and minors are the taget of terrorists and abusive priests.. It is very true that there are some very good priest who do their job very well and are holy and they are not happy with what is going on and they too suffer for all these mess. But one questions I do ask, where are these good priests when these abuse and sextual imorality is going on in their parishes? I believe that they also shun the problem believing that it will just go away, and now they are feeling the consiquences of shuning the problem. Thank God that this lady call Dolores came out to expose richard burke, if not, this man would have been pretending and deceiving people, hearing confession and blessing people with ungodly hands. My sincere thought are with the innocent priests. Please pray for them, that God will see them throught this storm.

What the church need ,is true spirituallity and then comes growth. Spirituality in God is the key and if the church lacks that, and justice and peace, then they have a very serious problem .

I love my Catholic Church, but I "HATE" what is happening in it, such as curuption, abuse and injustice.Many young souls are already lost and many more about to. Please let somebody join me in shuting, STOP, STOP, STOP all these evil.

I do know Dolores Atwood. She is one of the few true catholics around. very devoted. The first time i heard that she was not from a catholic home, i was shocked. she said to me one day, let your focus be on christ ,not on man. i love God she said, and that mean more to me than anything. she is a very loveable person, and she is unforgetable to forget. She is an inspiration to many people. Those who get to know her loves her very much. i do wish her the best at this time. this is nothing to her.

MY BRODA NO ONE IS REJOICING OVER DIS, INFACT ITS SHAMEFUL TO WE CATHOLICS AND PAINFUL.WE HEAR ONLY A FEW OF THOUSANDS OF DIS TYPE OF ATTITUDE.RELIGIOUS TOO SHLD RESPECT DEMSELVES.IM NOT SAYING THE STORY IS REAL OR FAKE BUT,WAT OF D ONES VE SEEN AND EXPERIENCED, PRIESTS SHOULD CAUTION DESLVES IM NOT CONDEMING I NO DIS

There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.Richard Burke use this opportunity to change.

Basil of Cesarea's (4th century) comments about homosexuality among clerics: "The cleric or monk who molests youths or boys or is caught kissing or committing some turpitude, let him be whipped in public, deprived of his crown (tonsure) and, after having his head shaved, let his face be covered with spittle; and [let him be] bound in chains, condemned to six months in prison...after which let him live in a separate cell under the custody of a wise elder with great spiritual experience...let him be subject to prayers, vigils, and manual work always under the guard of two spiritual brothers, without being allowed to have any relationship ... with young people." One may dream that Pope JPII ever read St Basil and implemented his recommendations... Logged Pages: 1 [2]

Hear Hear! I think too many people want this sex abuse crisis to just disapear as if it never happened and ignore it. Just because the Pope made a few apologies doesnt mean its time to forgive and forget we lait are still waiting for action from the Pope on down. These pervert child molesters need to be called out. One can only wish we lived in a more civil age when they would have been executed.

God explicitly commands us to judge. "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge just judgment." - John 7:24 However, we are to do so in accord with justice and the Law of our Lord and His Church to which we must submit ourselves to as well. "For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again." - Matt. 7:2 To judge is a necessary and essential activity that man must constantly employ for the salvation of his soul. Individuals must make judgments on any given situation to determine its morality and its accordance with the law of God and His Church. Individuals must also make judgments on other individuals so as to avoid danger and occasions to sin. This is especially true of parents who are entrusted with both the spiritual and temporal well-being of their children. In addition, our Lord has even granted to lawfully deputed servants of the state to render judgment concerning life and death (i.e. capitol punishment). Our Lord's words of which you make use of have been warped by our culture into nothing more than moral relativism. You and countless others fallaciously equate criticism with "judgmentalism". The Angelic Doctor states: "To correct the wrongdoer is a spiritual almsdeed. But almsdeeds are works of charity, as stated above (Question 32, Article 1). Therefore fraternal correction is an act of charity." Don't drink the Kool-Aid, Glgas. Learn what the Church teaches and not what her enemies from without or spineless members from within claim she teaches. In Corde Regis, Joshua

Despite my many sins I have never sodomized a little boy or molested a girl something most of our Priests ... cant say.

Novus Ordo yes. Read Randy Engells book The Rite of Sodomy. Perhaps I should have changed that to most of our Priest NO have engaged in some kind of perversion.

Despite my many sins I have never sodomized a little boy or molested a girl something most of our Priests and as it turns out many of our Bishops cant say.

I think this is sick and will pray that this richard Burke is charged. As a father I pray that God would give me the strength not to swear and scream

Oh my! Few words!!! Few words!!!! Though I must admit I'm getting less and less suprised at these monstrosities and betrayals! I dunno. Execution lads! I just can't think of any other way for child molesters bishops ewho child moleat need to be burned at the stake! I just can't fathom any other way! Few words.

The truth will ultimately free those who are wronged. Do not despair. The gifts of the wise men are significant. united in prayer.

Thank you very much Eileen.A man who sleeps around with young girls, prostitude ,religious sisters and married women cannot be innocent, expecially when he is not surpose to fonicate. The truth have a way of coming out and it has. who could believe that Rechard Burke is capable of these crimes?

In the book of 2Corinthians:11:13-15. For such men are false apostles,deceitful workmen,masquerading as apostles of Christ.And no wonder for satan himself masqueradings as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then,if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.Their end will be what their actions deserve.

by wise men I meant the Magi on this feast of the Epiphany.

Too bad Mrs. Atwood!! How come your love affair suddenly turned out to be a nightmare of child abuse? What went wrong in the supposed long standing relationship with your Prince charming? It took you such a long time before you let out the cat from the cupboard. It this story of yours really true or you have made it up for the big some of money paid to you to defame such an innocent man whom from my own point of view never even saw your pants for once. I can guess where all this is coming and like Farouk Umar was trapped in Yemen and sent to kill himself and some 289 innocent people on that fateful Christmas day and thank goodness God intervened, so also are you trapped by some power drunk clergies of your country to ruin the life of AB Burke so that they can step into his shoes. God will intervene also because he is Just and Merciful. Congratulations once again for throwing away your African culture, of course you are married to a Canadian and perhaps you have seized to become a Nigerian. Again your nuslim background says everything. And what is your Canadian husband say about your infidelity? What do your three half casted kids think about the whole affair. The 100 and more Nigerian girls abused by your "friend" , Why are they so quiet? After all you have given them the opportunity to speakout or forever remain silent. Can you not contact them as co-victims to support you course? Your incoherency is absurd!!!! will continue in my own little conner to pray for the one you have tried to blast with your time bomb and I an certain that with time God will intervene.

Sabainna, A. If you think that richard burke is innocent, pray and fast for him for a week, that is if you care for him. i am sure the good Lord will answer your prayer for an innocent man, after all, God here the cry of the rigious man.B If you do the above and this so call richard burke is still hiding, then it means that richard burke is not innocent as you think. C. I know you know he is not innocent, you are upset because of the relationship between the two of you and what you are gainning from him. D. richard burke is history. he had already confessed to his crimes and he had resigned as a bishop and will never returned to africa even again and this case is a closed one.E. You will and can never set your eyes on him ever again as long as you live. And finally, dear lady, you deserve better than richard burke. The bible says all good things come from God. repent and turn away from sin and God will forgive you. Leave this lady in question and richard burke alone and you should move on. May the good Lord heal you from all bitterness and give you peace in christ Jesus, Amen

I just want to add to what christian wrote. Sabainna, you do not represent the African culture yourself. Are you saying that it is the Arican Culture for a young girls to be abuseed and not to say anything? You are out of your mind . Your problem is low self esteem and poverty in your up bringing. I can tell from the way you wrote ,your back ground and you are very cheap. I salute this brave lady Ms Atwood for her courage. You are cheap sabainna and I feel sorry for you. listen to yourself, that is why richard burke can use and touch you when ever he likes and you can not do anything, as long as you are paid some change for gum. Cheap girl.

Cannonlawyerpriest is now Eileen. It is very true that he is bisextual. He is is now wearing a female mind , not only acting as a female sextual. may God help you.

Although the bishop of the child abuse scandal in Ireland will resign, will help the victims and their families who have been emotionally traumatized, not to forget the alienation from God caused by such “STALWART DEFENDERS” of religious faith! Where does the responsibility lie? Enforced celibacy has no biblical foundation at all! Why was it instituted in the first place? And why was such a perversion covered up for so long by an organization that claims to be the guardian of Christian ethics and morals? And why was this allowed by the authorities for so long? Were church and state in each other pockets? May we hope that the discussion with the Pope at the Vatican next week will HELP clear up ALL THE TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES, DOGMAS AND RITES that CONTRADICT the teachings of the greatest Prophet of all times, Jesus of Nazareth? AND PERHAPS, WHILE THEY’RE AT IT, start compensating for ALL THE wrongs DONE OVER THE ages?! What would Jesus of Nazareth say if He came to the Earth and saw what the church – which claims to speak for Him – has made of His life’s work? A small group in Germany called “The Free Christians for the Christ of the Sermon on the Mount in All Cultures Worldwide” is against such shameful sham Christianity. They announced a lawsuit against the Catholic Church. As they put it, they do not want to remain silent anymore on the “brazen labeling fraud,” with which Christ is mocked and His name abused to such an extent. They demand that the Catholic Church no longer call itself “Christian.”As a Christian. Perhaps your readers would like to check them out: http://www.christus-oder-kirche.de/christ-or-church/index.php There seems to be a grassroots movement to bring this up for discussion on the internet. Surely this could be very healthy for our society!

she is crazy if it is true why did she not speak up for 25 years? she knows what she was doing. infact she was the one that raped him. WHAT DID SHE GO AND DO IN HIS HOUSE? MAKE UNA ASK AM. WETIN SHE GO FIND FOR HIM BEDROOM. BECAUSE SHE WANT SLEEP WITH OYIBO. NOBODY USE A.K 47 BELLOP AM TO SLEEP WIT THE MAN. O.K AFTER THE 1ST TIME WHY SHE NO RUN. IF THE THING NO DEY SWEET AM. HOW ARE WE NT SURE SHE DOES THIS TO OTHER MEN. NOW MARKET DON FALL PRESS AM SHE DEY SET D GUY UP. THOSE OF U BLAMING D BISHOP IF NA U, U FOR FIT COPE? PLEASE TELL THE WOMAN TO GO HIDE AND STOP THIS RUBISH BEFORE THE CALAMITY OF HER IRRESPONSIBILITY AND BIG EYE FOR OYIBO. I GUESS SHE MUST HAVE BEEN ONE OF ALL DS GIRLS WHEN NO DEY LET WHITE MAN REST FOR NIGERIA

Francisca what ever you call your self you are mad.you have no training. You cannot speak ,because you are part of these nonesense. Go and look for another customer. I am not speaking for dolores or richard burke, I am speaking for the personal experience I had with this man call richard burke. When he touched my breast, did I invite him to do so? Shame on him. i am glad to know that she was able to exposed him. When the time come, I too will testify agaist the pretender. You cannot find any decent priest in warri to give you church morney like richard burke use to. That time have past street girl. Your enlish is so poor and bad. Please go to school and stop wasting your time on the lives of others that God has bless.

Thanks Ese, there are alot of hungry angry people out there. Touch and pay. They cannot find any man out there who touch and pay with offering monies. Richard burke rot in hell. male prostite bishop that will sleep with anthing in raper or skit. Francisca, go for HIV test, because, richard Burke may be HIV positive.

I had that he is hiding, and richard burke is no were to be found. Please if you know were he is ,please tell us. Our archbishop told my family that, is secret is now open, and that richard burke is not innocent As he put it , i quot"Innocent for where."He had beem doing this rubbish for long and now his secrets are out.

only God can judge. let us pray not to be victims of any scandal.

I also pray that God will give Ms Atwood the grace to forgive Richard Burke for all he must have done against her.,Amen.

THE GOVERNANCE of the Catholic Church in Ireland is likely to be at the heart of two days of discussions between Pope Benedict, senior Curia cardinals and the Irish bishops when they gather in Rome next month for a meeting to examine the implications of the church’s 15-year clerical child abuse crisis. Plans for the meeting will be discussed at an extraordinary general meeting of the Irish bishops at Maynooth tomorrow. Vatican senior spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi yesterday confirmed Irish media leaks that the bishops’ meeting with the pope will take place in the Vatican on February 15th and 16th but he was unable to give any further details. Vatican commentators, however, suggest that secretary of state Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has played a major role in the pope’s decision to summon the Irish bishops. In the wake of his decision last month to write a pastoral letter to the Irish faithful, due before Lent, the “Irish question” has been doing the rounds of the Holy See. As the pope consulted with his closest advisers, Cardinal Bertone was one of those who argued that, given the dimensions of the Irish crisis, the Holy See’s response should not limit itself to just a pastoral letter. Cardinal Bertone, the Vatican equivalent of prime minister, has long been one of Benedict’s closest advisers, having served for seven years as secretary for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) under Benedict, then Cardinal Ratzinger. In June 2006, a little over a year after his election as pope, Benedict appointed Cardinal Bertone secretary of state. In his time at the CDF, Cardinal Bertone was involved in controversial disciplinary cases such as the (temporary) excommunication of the Sri Lankan theologian Tissa Balasuriya and restrictive measures against the now laicised Zambian “faith healing” archbishop, Emmanuel Milingo. Cardinal Bertone was also a contributor to Cardinal Ratzinger’s hardline Dominus Jesus document of 2000, a document which stated that non-Christians are “in a gravely deficient situation” while other non-Catholic Christian churches had “defects”. At next month’s meeting, the Irish bishops will most likely be asked to explain the full range of child protection measures now in place in their dioceses. Questions will most likely be asked as to what went wrong in, for instance, the diocese of Cloyne where, it seems, such measures were in place but not followed. It is understood that next month’s meeting will be attended by all serving bishops. Vatican spokesmen were unable to confirm if this means that the meeting will be attended by those bishops, Eamonn Walshe, Ray Field and Jim Moriarty, who offered their resignations in the wake of the fallout from the Murphy report. For the time being, the pope has not accepted those resignations but he may well do so before next month’s meeting.

Why should she forgive that lier and a thief? who had destroy many souls in discard of been a white missionary to commit crimes against God and humanity.

Please my dear sister try and forgive him as God forgive us. I know it is hard, but please. God bless.

IRELAND Benedict XVI - Ratzinger: God's Rottweiler Paris Arrow Talk is cheap. Papal talk is cheaper. For over 26 years, as General Cardinal Ratzinger he commanded the absolute secrecy and threatened every priest with excommunication if they disclosed in public the John Paul II Pedophile Priests Army and now as Pope Benedict XVI he will convene Irish Bishops to Rome to discuss how to make the Irish people forgive-and-forget the Ryan and Murphy Reports…the Pope’s words work like magic all the time similar to the way he turns the Eucharist into the instant flesh of Christ see Magisterium Benedict VERSUS Holy Mary: Priests' transubstantiation instant reincarnation of Christ VERSUS Mary’s 9-months pregnancy& child birth http://stella0maris.blogspot.com/2010/01/magisterium-benedict-versus-holy-mary.html Doesn’t this news sound impressive: Pope convenes Irish bishops for talks on priestly sex abuse? (Hidden subtitle: for crocodile tears session with special consultant Rome Archpriest Bernard Law the criminal-Cardinal of Boston) “The meeting will take place Feb. 15-16, and was expected to include the heads of major Vatican agencies. The Vatican press office confirmed the meeting… The pope will address the bishops and each bishop will have seven minutes to offer his views on the crisis. The meeting was expected to produce some concrete proposals, with final reflections by the pope”. Let’s see now, what can 7-MINUTES encounters really tell Pope Benedict XVI about the YEARS of living hell imbedded on victims by the John Paul II Pedophile Priests Army in Ireland?

MALTA/ITALY The Malta Independent A Maltese priest who spent two-and-a-half-years in a special community near Trento after plea bargaining to abusing children some years ago, was later sent to a parish in Malta where he spent some time before returning to Italy. Fr Felix Cini plea bargained in 2004 to abusing 17 youngsters between 10 and 14 years of age, while he was in Comunità Siloe in Sasso d’Ombrone in the commune of Cinigiano near Grosseto. The proper Italian legal term used is ‘patteggiamento’ – in other words he accepted the sentence to shorten the trial. Later he said that he was advised to do so, even though he felt he was innocent and that it was a case of mistaken identity. He claimed that unnamed ‘political pressure’ was brought to bear upon him to make him take this legal way. His claim was met with rather widespread scepticism. During the investigation, all 17 youngsters, accompanied by their parents, testified to “undue attention” received from the priest. Two computers were also taken from him and police investigators claimed they found traces of porno-paedophile webpages having been accessed. ... According to Italian media reports over the past days, the people of this small community in Molise, a southern Italian region, were outraged to find out through the internet, and through a local paper, about the murky past of the new priest in their parish. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 8:06 AM

VATICAN CITY Press TV (Iran) The Bank of the Vatican has been accused of laundering USD 200 million by proxy through an Italian creditor, a report indicates. The allegation of the Vatican bank's financial corruption has been made by an Italian magazine that pointed to the financial institute's purported involvement in stealth fiscal transactions —via several accounts —with Italy's UniCredit Bank, Russia Today television network quoted the Panorama magazine as reporting. “This corruption is continuing on a regular basis in the Vatican,” claimed Janathan Levy, a lawyer familiar with the bank. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:39 AM

I do not want to be baptized by Mormons posthumously. It is not a valid baptism; yet to me it is the idea. Amazing that groups use the Bible and also baptism as weapons of sorts against others. I know a family that became Mormon, and have now gotten out I am happy to say. The Mormons are not bad people by any means; they are just being taken in by a scam. Ecumenism has become more important than trying to rescue people from religious scams. Too bad.

CANADA CBC News The diocese of Bathurst, N.B., has asked the Vatican to strip a priest, who was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison for 22 sex-related offences, of his status. The laicization would limit retired priest Levi Noel to being a lay person within the church, Father Wesley Wade said Saturday, speaking on behalf of the diocese. The request is in the hands of officials in Rome, he said. Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:31 AM

IRELAND Irish Independent The voices of the survivors of abuse need to be heard in Rome, writes Colum Kenny. Sunday January 24 2010 THIS is a crucial moment for the Irish hierarchy and Pope Benedict. They must not meet in Rome next month without lay involvement, including representative survivors of abuse. They must not meet if bishops attend who have been compromised by the Murphy report, or who would be likely to be so compromised by similar official reports into other dioceses outside Dublin. And they must not meet without first assuring us that no "mental reservation" or other forms of deception will pollute their public statements. Contacted last week to find out what is on the agenda and whether Cardinal Desmond Connell or lay Catholics have also been invited, the Vatican, would only say: "You will know everything, but in the future, not now". At their meeting in December last, the Irish bishops said that "the report raises very important issues for the Church in Ireland, including the functioning of the Bishops' Conference, and, how the lay faithful can be more effectively involved in the life of the Church. We will give further detailed consideration to these issues." Posted by Kathy Shaw at 7:29 AM

The damage to Catholic Church Related » Catholic Church 'should give up control of primary schools' | 25/01/2010In this section » Ethiopia's rulersTHE NEED for reform of the national school system has become increasingly urgent as society undergoes rapid change. Two years ago, the Ryan report into the abuse of children in religious-run establishments generated debate on whether the Catholic Church should retain control of the sector. Now, following publication of the Murphy report, the electorate has made up its mind and supports ending that control by a margin of almost two-to-one, according to today’s Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll. Loss of confidence in the Catholic hierarchy, because of its handling of clerical sex abuse issues, may account for some of this shift in public opinion. Other factors should also be taken into consideration. The census of 2006 provided evidence of a growing multicultural student population and changes in religious demographics. In that context, control of more than 90 per cent of national schools by the Catholic Church, while they are fully funded by the State, raised questions concerning the right to religious practice under the Constitution while also touching on possible discriminatory treatment under equality laws. Overcrowding at some Catholic-run national schools in the Dublin area during recent years and the refusal by the authorities there to accept immigrant children of different faiths caused Government whip Pat Carey to speculate that it might be time for the State to take responsibility for delivering an educational system. The Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin believed the Catholic Church was ready to relinquish control where there was little or no demand for Catholic input. But he warned the Government would be on “dodgy ground” if it attempted to take over the entire system. Since then, apart from a handful of multi-denominational, VEC-run national schools being established, little has happened. The Murphy report on clerical sex abuse in the Dublin archdiocese has reignited the debate. Demand for change is strongest in this area and 61 per cent of those questioned felt the Catholic Church should relinquish its control at primary school level. Fianna Fáil supporters were least committed, but large majorities favoured such a development within Fine Gael and the Labour Party. Support for a retention of the status quo amounted to less than one-third across all social classes and age groups. The extent of the damage caused by decades of clerical child abuse and systematic cover-ups is reflected by the fact that almost three-quarters of those surveyed believe the church did not responded adequately to the Murphy report. Only 16 per cent felt it had. With close on half of those questioned now regarding the church in a more negative light, members of the hierarchy face a monumental task in rebuilding trust with their congregations. They have limited grounds for hope. A slight majority of 52 per cent believe the church will change in order to prevent future clerical abuse. But more than one-third of respondents take a negative view. As bishops prepare for their visit to Rome, they have much on which to ponder . ADVERTISEMENT Latest 15:54 'Chemical Ali' executed in Iraq15:49 EU to send 350 police to Haiti15:45 Ireland U20 Six Nations squad named15:40 No survivors in Lebanon plane crash15:30 EU to investigate BHP-Rio venture15:30 Denman in line for Cheltenham run15:21 People living longer with ill health15:18 Government's child policies criticisedPopular Stories Most ReadMost Emailed1 Irishman died trying to save band mate2 Public servants in work-to-rule3 Passenger plane crashes off Lebanon4 EUR 52m Farmleigh hosted only two foreign dignitaries in 20095 Catholic Church 'should give up control of primary schools'1 Catholic Church 'should give up control of primary schools'2 Hundreds consider emigration option at Australia visa seminar3 Did Yeats accept a prize of Nazi gold?4 No flight to cheaper hols5 A city imbued with civic pride - O'Higgins would be proudYour Vote « YesNo »ResultsShould an election be called in Northern Ireland? Crossword Club » Today's Interactive Irish Times Crosaire and Simplex crosswords, plus 10 years of crossword archive.Mobile Services » News alerts and crossword solutions to your phone.ADVERTISEMENT

The Irish Times - Monday, January 25, 2010Catholic Church 'should give up control of primary schools' Related » 74% think church did not react properly to report | 25/01/2010The damage to Catholic Church | 25/01/2010In this section » Leaders in last-ditch talks to save NI Executive€52m Farmleigh hosted only two foreign dignitaries in 2009STEPHEN COLLINS Political EditorIN THE wake of the Murphy report a majority of people believe that the Catholic Church should give up its control of the primary school system, according to the latest Irish Times /Ipsos, MRBI poll. When asked about the issue, 61 per cent of people said the church should give up control of the school system, 28 per cent said it should maintain its position and 11 per cent had no opinion on the matter. Fianna Fáil voters were most supportive of the church maintaining its current role, while Sinn Féin voters were the most hostile to it continuing to have control of the system. There were no great differences in terms of age. Over 65s were marginally more supportive of the church’s position, but the views of the 18-24 age group were almost identical. There was also a uniform response in terms of social class but there were some regional variations with voters in Dublin most strongly against continuing church control and voters in the rest of Leinster most supportive. This reflected a national urban/rural divide on the issue, with the response of people in urban areas more negative than those in rural areas. The poll was taken on Monday and Tuesday of last week among a representative sample of 1,000 voters aged 18 and over in face-to-face interviews at 100 sampling points in all 43 constituencies. The margin