I am happy to hear this news. Every day he lived was a slap in the face of the victims of clergy sexual abuse.
Cardinal Bernard F. Law, whose stature as archbishop of Boston and America’s senior Roman Catholic prelate was shattered in a maelstrom of scandal, acrimony and resignation in 2002 after revelations that he had protected abusive priests for years, died Wednesday. He was 86 and lived in Rome.
- via www.nytimes.com
I am conflicted. My desire is to see pedophile priests go to prison. No mercy. No love. Just prison. When I read a headline that stated, Pope quietly trims sanctions for sex abusers seeking mercy, I was aghast. How dare the Pope offer mercy… wait, that does not make sense. The Pope is all about mercy. I’m so conflicted.
According to the article, Pope Francis reduced defrocking, to a lifetime of penance and prayer, plus removal from public ministry. Which, sounds horrible and justified at the same time. The Pope's actions do not interfere with civil justice. If convicted, the priests still go to prison. The Pope’s mercy denies pedophile priests access to children. I can live with that.
This is an odd case. Father Sylvestre Ochieng Obwaka, a pastor from St. Ignatius of Loyola Roman Catholic Church in Gayord, was arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a sleeping man. Yes, you read that right, a priest allegedly tried to bugger a sleeping man. That’s a new one for the long list of Catholic sex crimes.
The Diocese of Gaylord suspended Obwaka.
“We must respond with compassion when anyone is harmed. We must also remember in our system of justice, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. We are focused on providing pastoral care to those affected in this very sad situation,”
Do you know Brian Gergely? No? He killed himself a few days ago. His story is compelling.
Brian Gergely’s body lay at his funeral mass just feet from where, in the same church, his revered priest had shattered his innocence and trust by molesting him when he was 10 years old.
“The root of all his problems was what happened to him as a kid,” said John Luther, a friend and former schoolmate of Gergely’s at a Catholic elementary school in the small Pennsylvania town of Ebcnsburg. - Source: Ex-alter boy who killed himself mourned in church where he was molested.
He is one of many clergy sexual abuse victims and unfortunately, he was a victim of his past too. Gregely was 46.
The monster behind Greeley’s abuse was a Catholic priest named Father Francis McCaa. He died in 2007. His “gifts" will keep on giving though.
I am an incrementalist. Progress is good. I applaud any change the moves in the right direction. Well done Pope Francis!
Pope Francis reveals new church law to deal with paedophile priests
Catholic bishops who fail to sack paedophile priests can be removed from office under new church laws announced by Pope Francis.
The move, announced by the pope on Saturday, answers a long-running demand by victims of abuse to make bishops responsible if they fail to stop clergy sexually abusing parishioners.
This is a step in the right direction, but then next step is just as important. It is time to fire a few bishops. I’ll send over a list if they need help.
It’s easy to create a hypocrite. The formula is a homophobic priest + Grinder = hypocrite. Just ask Father Rory Coyle.
A well-known Catholic priest in Ireland — who was vocally homophobic in his sermons — has been outed for having his own secret Grindr profile .
35-year-old Rory Coyle was a priest in Armagh, a town in Northern Ireland — until it was discovered that he’d been keeping a secret Grindr account, chock full of illicit selfies.
Somebody recognized him. Given the prevalence of facial recognition, I am surprised this does not happen more often.
I took a two-week break from blogging about religious hypocrisy, but unfortunately, it is time to start documenting the cases again. I hesitate to open Google though, I already know there are a lot of new cases, at least 25. I’m skipping the new cases from Africa in this issue. I just don’t have the time to write them up.
My wife asked me if I was anti-Muslim. I said, “No, I’m anti-hypocrite.”
Pastor Mickey Kirkland was arrested for domestic violence. I’m sure he plans a biblical defense. Kirkland is the pastor of the Lighthouse Church in Montgomery, Al., and a former gubernatorial candidate.
Pastor David Donaldson, 78, was arrested for molesting a child in Sandia, Tx. He was arrested by the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force as he had been on the run.
Pastor Stephen Pohl was arrested for possession of child pornography. Pohl worked as a priest for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville, Ky. The priest took child erotica photos of St. Margaret Mary students.
Baptist pastor Vitaly Korchevsky was arrested for insider trading. His church supports him though, cause he could not possibly have been involved. Korchevsky is the pastor at the Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church in Brookhaven, Pa, He allegedly pocketed 17.5 million dollars.
Baptist youth pastor Donald Dewyne Ramsey was arrested for raping a teen girl. He was the youth pastor at Peace Baptist Church in Castle Hyde, Nc., is when the alleged rape occurred. They church is shocked, of course they game Ramsey unsupervised control of children…
Pastor Suler Acosta of City Church York in York City, Pa., was arrested for soliciting prostitution. Shame! Shame! Acosta resigned over the scandal.
Baptist pastor George Kieth Hall and his wife were arrested for embezzlement. Hall was the pastor at Journey Church in Triad, Nc. The Halls had helped ‘plant’ the church, then allegedly misappropriated $40k in cash.
Pastor James Robert Smith, was arrested a second time for child molestation. Smith worked at the Morningstar House of Prayer in Ridgeview, in W.Va. Smith, also known as “J.R.” was originally arrested in 2014 for the rape of a ten-year-old boy. His church stood by him at the time, but not so much now.
Baptist pastor Timothy Williams was arrested for possession of child pornography. Williams was the pastor at Heritage Baptist Church in Greenwood, IL. Williams was removed from the church website when the police searched his home. All records of him are gone and the church makes no mention of the scandal. This is typical.
Pastor Gene Emerson, the founding pastor of KingsWay Church in Richmond, Va., was convicted of trying to plant his seed in a prostitute. Emerson resigned and his church is moving on and doing so publicly. Good for them.
Baptist youth pastor Willam C. Lewis was arrested for child molestation. Lewis was the youth pastor at First Jordan Grove Baptist Church in Brunswick, Ga.
Baptist youth pastor Demarcus Smith of Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church in South Memphis, Tn., was arrested on child pornography charges. Smith allegedly coerced a boy into taking indecent photos of himself and then send him the pictures. Did I mention Smith is a member of the Baptist Ministerial Association and a snappy dresser?
Pastor Gregory Hawkins was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. Hawkins was the pastor at Zion Plaza Church in Tulsa, Ok. Hawkins was originally arrested in 2013.
Joseph H. Patterson, a 22-year member of the Boulevard Baptist Church in N.C., was denied bond over a series of child exploitation incidents, some of which took place at the church. The church pastor, John McKinnely, was shocked by the allegations. I would be too.
Pastor Juan Gomez, already arrested on sexual battery charges, faces more charges because new victims have come forward. The DA intends to file charges that will result in life in prison if convicted. Gomez was the pastor at Iglesia De Dios Church in Wimauma, Fl.
Pastor Samuel McCullough, 84, was arrested for the attempted rape of a child. McCullough is pastor of the misnamed Caring and Sharing Christian Ministry, in Rochester, Ny.
I’ve hit my limit… I’ll build a new list for tomorrow.
Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #18.
The Catholic edition…
Rev. John Regan is transitioning back to ministry after completing 48 months of probation on a felony conviction for stealing $300k from St. Walter’s Parish in Chicago. Hey… priests deserve a second chance, right?
"Because of my addiction, I know what sin, shame, public humiliation and scandal are. I have experienced and felt them," Regan wrote on the website. "But because of God's grace and my 12-step recovery group, I also know what redemption, forgiveness and God's mercy are."
- via chicagotribune.com
Activists urge Pope Francis to address clergy sex abuse during his U.S.Visit. I do too.
Prompted by Pope Francis’s trip to Philadelphia this fall, Salveson has renewed his activism toward the church, calling for the pontiff and other participants in a global Catholic meeting on family issues to discuss child sex abuse by clergy members and wear black ribbons to represent “the darkness that infects the souls of survivors,” he said.
- via Washington Post
Did you hear the one about a priest, a doughnut and gay sex? Rev. John Riccardo spouts nonsense to children. Read this for more.
A 10-year-old rape victim, denied an abortion in Paraguay, gave birth via cesarean section. The deeply Catholic South American nation only allows abortions when a woman’s live is in danger. I guess forcing a child to live in protected custody while pregnant and then giving a her a cesarean does not translated to putting the child’s life danger. Wait… it would here in the states, what’s the difference? I’d say its religion.
Speaking of Paraguay, one of the chief architects of the religious fervor which puts the lives of child rape victims at risk, Rogelio Livieres Plano, has died. Plano was ousted by Pope Francis over irregularities.
The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City is apologizing for clergy sexual abuse and inviting victims for a series of prayer and healing services. If I understand this correctly, priests who did not abuse people will forgive the victims through prayer and somehow magically heal them. Yep… that will help.
The Milwaukee Catholic Archdiocese has reached a settlement in its five-year-old bankruptcy over liability for clergy sexual abuse and will pay $21 million to the victims.
Can a serial killer be forgiven? Michel Ross thought that God forgave him because he became a Catholic. One becomes a Catholic by baptism, confirmation and taking the holy Eucharist, plus in Ross’ case, one hell of a confession. Ross strangled and raped nine young girls and was killed by lethal injection in 2005. Now Connecticut has declared the death penalty unconstitutional and other murders like Ross will sit in prison rather than get their rewards in heaven.
Catholic bishop and homophobe, Vitus Hounder, stands by his bible-motivated comment that gays should be put to death. He’s from Europe, doesn’t that constitute a hate crime or something?
From Spain - Former Catholic High School religion teacher Paula Comeaux Latiolais pleaded no contest to charges that she raped a former student. She was sentenced to 5 years probation and a $6k fine. She had sex with her student over 250 times.
Retired priest Charles Antekeier, 79, can no longer present himself as a priest because of incidents involving a minor in 1984 and 1985. Antekeier worked in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He’s been reported to the authorities.
Rev. Richard McCormack, a convicted child rapist, has pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual assault on a young boy. The message here is clear; Parents, don’t send your kids off to Catholic summer camp, especially at the Salesian Brothers’ Sacred Heart Retreat House in New York.
Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #17
"Given the nature of the material, we reported our concerns to the civil authorities and will cooperate fully in their investigation," the archdiocese said in a statement. "In the interim, Archbishop (Blase) Cupich has withdrawn Father Munoz's ... authority to minister."Roman Catholic pastor Monsignor Michael Heras of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, resigned amid accusations of inappropriate conduct. The Nueces County District Attorney’s office is investigating.
- via chicagotribune.com
Then, as a church, we move forward. We all make mistakes, and Christians never claim to be perfect. But we don’t condone criminal acts, and Quail Springs Baptist has shown that in their statement to the public:As for “moving forward” the most likely scenario in Burchfield's case is a painful and ugly trial, followed by an even more painful civil suit or suits, followed by the church struggling to pay its judgments, and in the worst case scenario, Quail Springs Baptist Church will close. It happens all the time. Don’t worry though… there in another church with another youth pastor, just down the road.
- via The Edmond Sun
I woke up this morning to start my normal weekend process of collecting stories religious hypocrisy and found that I had not posted the stories from last weekend. I’m losing it.
“The only thing worse than a liar is a liar that’s also a hypocrite!" - Tennessee Williams
Pastor Jules Anderson, was arrested for the second time for attempting lewd acts with a 16-year-old boy. His first arrest made CoH #1.
Pastor Honore Kombo was removed as pastor at St. Augustin Church in Seymour. The Archdiocese of Hartford removed the Kombo after alleging he stole from the parish.
From trusted pastor to child predator - More on convicted child molester and pastor Geronimo Aguilar.
Christian Castile Court Clerk Katherine Ryan was arrested on theft and drug charges. How do I know that she was a Christian? Her pastor told me so.
Baptist music pastor Craig Burden posted bond and was released from jail after an arrest for Attempted child exploitation, child pornography and voyeurism.
Longmont Church elders sentenced for failure to report abuse. It’s a slap on the wrist, but I’ll take it.
Former altar boy sues Philly priest he accused of abuse. Criminal charges resulted in a hung jury. Will a civil trial result in anything better? Let’s see. The priest is father Andrew McCormick of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Judge OK’s defamation suit by N.J. priest accused of stabbing colleague. This is an odd case, full of… knives, stabbing, Jesus and other stuff. The Roman Catholic priests are Rev. Frank Hreno and Rev. Emeka Okwuosa.
I’m afraid it’s sad news for potential abuse victims out of New Zealand, Catholic priests who abused New Zealand children will not be investigated. Justice denied…
Victim sues priest ‘for making him a pedophile’ - no kidding.
Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #13
I appreciate professional journalists like Jose Gaspar. He reports on clergy sexual abuse and deals with the consequences. Hate mail and critical comments are all part of the game.
Judging by some of the comments received on this, you'd think I was the anti-Christ.Caspar reports on both the good deeds and the dirty. I could not do what I do her on my blog without people like him.
"I find you and many who call themselves sometimes Catholics do not take the time to write good positive articles about the Catholic Church," wrote Norma Sacchini.
- via The Bakersfield Californian
Today’s post contains a few new cases and headlines from Africa. Enjoy
Pastor Dominique Donders was reassigned as a chaplain after being convicted and later acquitted of the possession of child pornography. He got off on a technicality. The original photos of underage girls were lost and the paper copies were did not have enough fidelity to prove the girls were underage. Donders serves and pervs in Brabant, Netherlands.
VineLife Church in Boulder was accused of a ‘disturbing culture of secrecy’ stemming from a youth pastor’s sex abuse case. In 2013, VineLife youth pastor Jason Roberson was arrested for sexual assault of a child. Robertson pleased guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison. There was fallout from the conviction.
Pastors Walter Roberts, Luke Humbrecht, Robert Young, plus church elders Warren Williams and Edward Bennell were charged with failure to report child abuse, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Humbrecht has already pleaded guilty. There others face trial.
Antigay Minneapolis Roman Catholic archbishop John Nienstedt, faces allegations that he frequented gay bars, cruised for sex and made or carried out threats agains men who rebuffed his advances.
A Michigan priest recalled seeing him in a gay bar in Windsor, Canada, just across the border from Detroit, in the 1980s. Nienstedt was a priest, seminary rector and president, and auxiliary bishop in the Detroit area before moving to Minnesota. Another reported encountering him in a Detroit park known as a gay cruising spot and said Nienstedt asked him for poppers; when Nienstedt “recognized him as a former student, he changed the subject,” the Star Tribune reports.
- via Advocate.com
A raging antigay archbishop is actually gay. Who knew? Apparently, nearly everyone…
A priest-turned-politician stands accused of lying about his resume. Former pastor George Hoehmann claims to have a degree in ecclesiastical history from Notre Dame. In reality, no degree exists. It should not matter though, he’s running for political office.
The Archdiocese of Cebu in the Philippines is investigating pastor Prudence Operiano for allegedly molesting a girl who was part of the St. Raphael Archangel Parish Church. The molestation occurred on Christmas eve. I wonder if it was an offering?
African link dump because… religion in Africa is crazy.
Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #12
In 2009, a 24-year-old man identified only as Eric reported to Galvan that Lopez had sexually molested him when Eric was 11. Eric's parents also demanded that Galvan take action to prevent the priest from harming other children, but Galvan reportedly transferred Lopez to another parish. The priest's current whereabouts were not known.Pastor Christopher Howarth, mentioned in COH #6, was convicted of sexual offenses against two boys. Sentencing is August 7. Howarth committed his crimes in Uckfield, UK.
- via The Sun Herald
In my professional life, though, the church is often my adversary. In the 26 years I have worked in the field of child protection, I have seen the church repeatedly used as an instrument of abuse. We all know of priests and pastors who have sexually abused children. What we fail to realize is that most sex offenders claim to be religious and often use the church to great advantage. When sexual abuse is found within the church, parishioners often rally around the offender and ostracize the victim.Jeff Buchheit thinks the Archdiocese of Dubuque dropped the investigation into his sex abuse allegations against Rev. Leo Riley too quickly. The archdiocese cleared Riley five days after an initial interview with Riley. I smell rotten fish. I smell a lawsuit too. Rev. Leo Riley made CoH #10.
- via Rhymes with Religion
In today’s post we have pedophile pastors, child pornographers and a common Baptist thief. There is some much hypocrisy, and so little time.
Pastor Christopher Howarth stands accused to abusing two young boys. There are 19 sexual abuse charges linked to Howarth, who defense is that he is too fat to have abused anyone and has not been sexually active since the mid 90s. Howarth worked for the Church of England at several churches in the Diocese of Chichester, England.
Rev. Richard Kurtz, a Detroit area Jesuit High School priest, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for child pornography. He has a history of abusing children and was placed on 10 years probation at one time for sexual abuse.
Pastor Walter Ballenger III, 59, was charged with third degree sexual conduct for touching a girl in a sexual manner. Additional charges are pending. Ballenger is the pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Columbia, SC.
Youth pastor Yanhao “Eric” Ren, was arrested after being caught in the backseat of a car with a 13-year-old girl. Ren was booked on suspicion of multiple sexual crimes. The girl was a member of Ren’s youth group. Ren worked at Evangelical Formosan Church of Rowland Heights, Ca.
Youth pastor Diego Rodriguez was arrested for child porn and attempting to having sex with an underage male. He was busted by a copy pretending to be a 15-year-old boy named Justin. Loser. Rodriquez is youth leader at Apostolic Faith Church in Racine, Wi.
Baptist pastor Anthony Miller is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from an elderly cousin. It’s a sad tale. Miller was the pastor at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Sanford. Fl.
Bond was denied in the pastor Rudolph Walls sexual misconduct case. See Chronicles of Hypocrisy #1
Former Catholic Church official Monsignor William Lynn of Philadelphia was moved from the prison that Pope Francis will visit in September. Lynn is serving time for protecting pedophile priests.
Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #10
In France, a priest was convicted for possessing child pornography and was banished from his church. He requested that Google remove all articles reporting his sentence and banishment, but Google did not comply.I sometimes get news of a priest or a pastor being cleared of charges or allegations. I post these reports when I find them, like this one. The Archdiocese of Dubuque announced that Rev. Leo Riley was cleared of allegations that he abused an altar boy. The process was an internal review using an independent licensed private investigator. Riley served as associate pastor at Church of the Resurrection in the Diocese of Venice, Florida. Of course, SNAP has another opinion.
- via International Business Times UK
Executive director David Clohessy of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said in a statement that his group doesn't put much faith in church investigations of abuse claims.Rev. Ronald Léger, 77, pleads guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference. His victims were two males under the age of 16. Léger was the pastor at Holy Family Parish in Winnipeg, Canada.
- via The Quad-City Times
"I feel really sorry for him and also for all the parishioners because Father Ron was an excellent priest," said Jean-Jacques Serceau, who is the director of Holy Family Parish on Archibald Street. "I don't think he can commit something like that."Well, there are always those who see the truth yet do not believe.
- via www.cbc.ca
Community Bible Church senior pastor Dr. Carl Broggi said Monday the Port Royal police report was "totally inaccurate" and said the information was false. He declined further comment.Breaking this down, the Sunday school teach allegedly violated her responsibility to keep the children safe by leaving at least one child alone without adult supervision. And, the Sunday school teacher should never have been allowed to teach alone. Two people should be present at all time. If the allegations are true, I think the victim has a great case here. Community Bible Church is located in Beaufort, NC.
via - Beaufort Gazett.com
There was drama and intrigue today in the trail of Jozef Wesolowski, the Pope’s ex-diplomat on trail for child porn and pedophilia, trail was delayed do to illness.
A former papal ambassador accused of sexually abusing minors has been hospitalized in an intensive care unit -- pushing back his trial once set to start Saturday in Vatican City.Is it wrong for me to want this man to be well enough to stand trial, be convicted and then live out his possible nine-year prison sentence before he dies the day before he tastes freedom?
Jozef Wesolowski, 66, was under house arrest in Vatican City when he fell sick Friday night and was rushed to a public hospital.
- via CNN
Chronicles of Hypocrisy #5 has at least one odd duck a few more cases of Catholic clergy sexual abuse.
Voodoo priest Brogenet Cinor, 48, was arrested for raping an 11-year-old girl. Cinor attempted to cleanse the evil that lived inside the girl. The police are looking for more victims. Cinor ran his business out of Sunrise, Fl.
Father Francisco Javier GarcÃa RodrÃguez was arrested in Mexico for sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl. There were two alleged attacks while the priest was an overnight guest at the girls house. The arrest took place in the community of El Chante, in Autlán, Mexico.
Bishop Gonzalo Galván Castillo of Autlán resigned in disgraceover allegations that covered up child molestation allegations against Father Horacio López. Pope Francis accepted the resignation. López is the second priest to be arrested in Autlán for molesting children.
Father Christopher Howarth is on trail in the UK for preying on two young boys for his own sexual gratification. Howarth paid the boys with cash, games and mobile phone contracts.
Father Denis Heames was suspended for alleged boundary violations. There are no criminal charges at this time. Heames was a pastor working in the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw for the Central Michigan University’s St. Mary’s University Parish.
Father Colman McGrath, 76, pleaded guilty to three charges of indecent assault for crimes that occurred in the 1970s. He will not serve jail time. McGrath abused boys he was tutoring at a chapel in Langside, Glasgow.
The Society of Jesus settled a sexual abuse claim involving Father Donald O’Shaughnessy (1923 - 2013) who was a Jesuit priest in the Chicago area. The Society of Jesus paid $950k to settle the case. It’s second settlement for abuse involving O’Shaughnessy.
The National Catholic Reporter has a series of articles related to brining clergy sex abuse secrets to light.
Link to Chronicles of Hypocrisy #5
A few weeks ago I old a friend that I was behind on posting stories of hypocrisy. Five posts and 42 pastor later and I’m just now catching up.
Pastor Raymond Paul Buhrow, 64, charged with indecent assault, unlawful contract with a minor and corruption of a minor. The victims were 14 and 16 years old girls. Burrow was the pastor at Calvary Temple Holiness Church of Carlisle, Pa.
The good pastor got confused about the meaning of the great gospel song "He Touched Me!”No doubt this will add fuel to the anti-Christian movement, and the New-Age Order of completely destroying America, and rewriting its history to fit the immorality sweeping the nation.
- via Nutball
Youth pastor Jeremy Mitchell was charged for having an inappropriate relationship with a young girl. Mitchell worked for Eastview Christian Church, Martinsville, Ind.
“He came and told us the situation and resigned. We prayed for him and then notified the proper authorities and things have taken their course,” said Rick Miller, senior minister at Eastview Christian Church.Pastor Venije Singkoh, 70, charged with three counts of child molestation has pleaded down to a misdemeanor count of false imprisonment. He was accused on kissing a 9-year-old girl while she sat on his lap. Singkoh practices his faith from his home in Daily City Ca. He does not have to register as a sex offender.
- via Fox 59
Bishop Alfred Drake stands accused of illegally selling his church for a fraction of its market value. Drake took $50k fee and a promise of a free apartment for the deal. The church is asking a judge to void the sale. Drake was defrocked by this church, The Holy Cross African Orthodox Church in Harlem, NY.
Rev. Jeremiah N. Murasso has been suspended because of accusations that he sexually abused a child. Criminal charges have not been filed. Morass was pastor at Blessed Sacrament and the Shrine of St. Anne in Waterbury, CT.
Pastor James Osborne and his wife Joyce Osborne, pleaded guilty to larceny for stealing $70k from Ghent Bible Baptist church in Ghent, Ny. The face seven years in prison.
Pastor Larry McKinley Clark want to move his child molestation trail out of Rockbridge County because his case has received too much publicity. Clark has already been convicted of sexual assault in another case and will serve 35 years in prison. Plus, there is another case with additional child molestation charges involving a 14 year old boy. Clark was the pastor at Pentecostal Outreach Church in Buena Vista, VA.
The Catholic edition….
Father Ysrael Bien was placed on leave after not reporting a hidden camera located in the mens room. He is under criminal investigation related to the incident. Bien was a priest at St. Francis Church in Sherwood, Oregon.
Father James Rapp was charged with six additional counts of sexual misconduct. He was previously arraigned on 13 counts of the same charge for allegedly abusing two teen-age boys. He is already serving 40 years for another similar crime. Rapp was the priest at Lumen Christi High School, in Jackson, Maine.
Rev. Xiu Hui “Joseph” Jiang is suing the parents, police and a victim’s rights group (SNAP) after molestation charges were dropped early last month. Jiang claims his reputation was damaged. The victims are suing Jiang for damages. His archbishop has pulled his faculties. Jiang was part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Father William Casey, convicted of rape and criminal sexual misconduct four years ago and sentenced to 35 to 40 years in prison, is back in court with a request for a new trial. I’m thinking he his chances are low.
The Minnesota Supreme Court reinstated the conviction of Father Christopher Thomas Wenthe on one count of clergy third-degree sexual misconduct. Menthe has already served his sentence, but with this ruling must register as a sex offender. Wenthe worked as a priest in two Delano, Minnesota area Catholic churches.
Father Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul was convicted of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl. He was sentenced to time served and deported to India. I’m sure the community feels cheated. Jeyapaul worked for the Catholic Diocese of Crookston in Minnesota.
I pass Los Banos on the way up to Norcal ever other month or so. It’s a blur of a city off of Interstate 5 that I’ve never visited. I’ll think differently about this little burg now that Rev. Robert Gamel, the local catholic priest, has been arrested for possession of child porn. I have this little map overlay in my head that allows me to point to a church and say, “The youth pastor there was arrested for…”
Gamel, 65, has been under investigation since Aug. 14, when church officials told police the now-former head of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Los Banos may have obtained from the Internet nude photographs of a teenage parishioner, according to court records obtained by the Merced Sun-Star.
- via mercedsunstar
Gamel had been celebrating mass with senior citizens until his arrest. Now that the authorities have credible evidence, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno will not allow him to work in ministry.
Gamel sounds like a creep. His victim is a teenage boy who Gamel stalked via the internet. He was caught because he bragged about his exploits.