“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world…”

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I have procrastinated long enough….

There are several matters which I must address, specifically (1) my health, (2) the status of Sylvia’s Site

First, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!  Thank you each and every one for your prayers and your kind words regarding my medical “crisis” of last year.

A quick backgrounder…

In January of 2021 a CT scan indicated that I had a tumour on my left kidney.  The long and short is that 10 long long months later I had a partial nephrectomy (part of the kidney was removed).

The surgery was successful.  The tumour was malignant (grade 3). Two nights in the hospital and I was back home.

Prayers were most definitely heard!  I was fortunate enough to have a skilled surgeon who operated using a robot!  It truly is the most amazing thing.  And, I must say, recovery was virtually a breeze.   I had five small incisions in my belly – in other words, no massive incision running from back to front as was/is the norm for kidney surgery.   Honest to goodness, I was up trotting around the Recovery Room about two hours after I ‘came to’ – unaided!  Yes, of course I was sore and I did my share of moaning and groaning, but I am now a strong advocate for robotic surgery.

Anyway, pathology results showed that the growth was indeed malignant, and, as I said, Grade 3.

A few weeks ago I received results of a body CT Scan.  No cancer!!!! It’s gone, and hasn’t spread.  There will be another scan in six months.

So, thank you, thank you, thank you for you prayers.  I am on the mend 😊

  1. The status of Sylvia’s Site

My goal when I first populated Sylvia’s Site with the names of Canadian priests  charged, sued or accused, was twofold (a)  to protect children by ensuring that, as far as was humanly possible,  the names of clergy charged sued or accused were out in the public domain thus hopefully ensuring that Roman Catholics had the means to determine if the priest who shows up in their sanctuary, school or hospital has any known history of sexual ‘Indiscretions’, and (b) to hopefully pressure  Church officials to keep such priests away from the unwitting faithful, and, ideally, to remove them from the priesthood.

I had concerns before I decided to go ahead with the launch of the site, the deepest that I might s that I might inadvertently do more harm than good.  I resolved that if it ever seemed that things were going in that direction I would shut down the site.  There were a few occasions over the years where I paused for a long and hard think and reassessment.  Always, I prayed for your souls.   I can not conceive anything which has greater import than the salvation of a soul.  There is that old familiar biblical saying:    “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul.”  I believe that.  To the depth of my being, I believe that.

When I say my concern is that I may be doing more harm than good, my primary concern, as a practising Roman Catholic, was and is that victims and their families may, in their anger,  turn against “the Church” to such a degree that justified anger turns to hatred, and that hatred fuels a  desire to denounce every single priest, mock every single practising Roman Catholic,  and  in fact work actively to destroy the very institution of the Church and in the process deny themselves the healing which Christ offers through the Sacraments. I As many of you know,  I am a convert.  I truly believe that the Church provides all that is needed for each and every one of us to, if we so desire, attain salvation.   That is not saying that there are those within the Church who are ‘bad’ people.  There was, after all, a Judas amongst the apostles.  We have had them, and continue to have them to this day, and will have them in the future.  However, we must remember that every priest is not a Judas.  Nor is every priest responsible for the actions of a Judas.

It pains me deeply to see diocese after diocese selling off churches to pay settlements.   In most instances those churches were built with the love and sacrifice of countless hard working Roman Catholics, to house Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and to provide an appropriate venue for the administration of the Sacraments.  In most if not all instances the sale of a Church means countless Roman Catholics must try to find elsewhere to attend Mass; and in some instances, that is extremely difficult.  In short, countless good decent Roman Catholics are suffering because a diocese was sued for the sins and crimes of defiant deviant priests who, in pursuing their own perverted passions, betrayed the faithful entrusted to their care, their fellow priests,  the Church, and God.  If in the process of all of this I could see  that victims were returning to the Sacraments in droves  I believe I could perhaps live with it.  Sadly, that just is not happening.  To the contrary.

I will be out of  contact for the next six weeks.  After that I will sort out how to deal with the site , whether to remove it completely or to leave the names and some vital info up.  I am inclined to lean toward the latter, but will give it some more thought.  For now I am closing down the ability for everyone to post comments.

My prayers are with each and every one of you.  I realize that many of you will not understand why I am taking this step and will be angry.  I have never wanted to inflict further pain on any one of you.  I love you as a mother loves her children.  It is precisely for that reason however that I must take this step.  I will continue to pray for you, for your healing, and most importantly, for the salvation of your immortal souls.

Sylvia

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Prayers please

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A very very belated post to quickly explain my current situation and ask for your prayers.

Tomorrow at noon (Monday) I will be undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from my left kidney.  The growth was discovered early last January.  Please say a special prayer for my surgeon, my dear husband and me.

For the time being I have disabled the ability for you to comment.

My thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you.  You each hold a very special spot in my heart.  My prayers have always been with you.  That will not change. I assure I will be praying for you during my hospital stay and throughout my convalescence.

Sylvia

 

 

 

Posted in Clerical sexual predators | 1 Comment

It’s nearly ‘over’

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Well, it’s nearly ‘over’:

03 December 2020:  “‘I keep asking why,’ victim tells court during Barry McGrory sentencing hearing” & related article

I commend the victims who had the courage to see these charges through , and I pray for the repose of the soul of the victim who sadly didn’t live to see the conviction, and I pray for all the  Barry McGrory victims, and I pray for those who I believe ensured McGrory was finally defrocked.

Yes, it’s always disappointing to see Catholics who take the stand to attest to the ‘good character” of a convicted clerical sexual predator.  I have come to believe that such naivety and ‘ignorance’ generally reflect resoundingly  on the priest’s failure to educate and lead and spiritually direct the flock entrusted to his care.

Finally, I pray that Mr. Barry McGrory uses his time behind bars to pray without ceasing for his many victims, and that he will beg God to comfort each and every soul who was led astray by his cruel crimes .

*****

I have had a few difficult months – no need to go into the details, but just to let you know I am still here.  I will be bringing the site up to date in about two weeks, and at that time will give you an idea of my plans for the way ahead,  I will also be responding to all of you who have contacted me over the past weeks.

Please keep me in your prayers.

Enogugh for now,

Sylvia

Posted in Clerical sexual predators | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Court reserves decision in Father MacKenzie extradition review

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Father Robert MacKenzie, fighting extradition to Scotland on sex abuse allegations, applied for a judicial review of a surrender order.

Regina Leader Post

Updated: December 4, 2019

Father Robert MacKenzie, appearing for an appeal of an extradition order back to Scotland, where he faces sexual assault allegations leaves with his defence lawyer Alan McIntyre in Regina on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. TROY FLEECE / Regina Leader-Post

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has reserved its decision in an extradition case involving a Catholic priest facing physical and sexual abuse charges in Scotland.

Now 87, Father Robert MacKenzie used a walker to get into and out of court on Wednesday, when his lawyer Alan McIntyre and the lawyer for the federal government made representations on an application for judicial review of a government-issued surrender order under the Extradition Act. Details of evidence and submissions heard in court can’t be reported because of a court-imposed publication ban.

As is usual for the Court of Appeal, a date for the return of its decision has not been set.

According to previously reported information, MacKenzie faces allegations spanning 30 years — between the 1950s and 1980s — when he served as a Benedictine monk at two boys’ boarding schools.

McIntyre previously stated MacKenzie, “categorically denies now, and he has denied under oath to the minister of justice, that he was involved in any sexual impropriety.”

Father Robert Mackenzie, appearing for an appeal of an extradition order back to Scotland, where he faces sexual assault allegations, leaves the Regina courthouse with his defence lawyer Alan McIntyre on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. TROY FLEECE / Regina Leader-Post

Earlier this year, the Archdiocese of Regina sent a letter to its pastors and parishes, advising them of the Scottish charges against MacKenzie. The archdiocese reported the authorities had obtained a surrender order from Canada’s minister of justice. Surrender orders don’t end matters of extradition, although they are an important step. By applying to the province’s highest court for a judicial review of that order, MacKenzie is continuing to fight extradition.

McIntyre previously expressed a concern the justice minister hadn’t taken MacKenzie’s poor health into account when making its order.

Citing the publication ban, the federal ministry previously declined to comment, although a spokesperson confirmed “the ministerial process in this case is ongoing.”

No allegations of sexual abuse have been made against MacKenzie pertaining to his time serving communities in Saskatchewan, the archdiocese has said. MacKenzie — who arrived in Canada in the late 1980s — served briefly in Regina, then spent a lengthy time in Cupar as well as the neighbouring Lipton and Dysart. MacKenzie was reportedly well-liked in Cupar, where he was known to many as “Father Bob.” He retired in 2002, although he continued to assist other priests with their tasks.

The archdiocese has said it first learned in 2013 of the Scottish allegations against MacKenzie. A spokesman for the archdiocese said efforts were made at that time to prevent MacKenzie’s involvement with children and, when the investigation gathered steam a few years later, MacKenzie was removed from his role as priest and moved to a home for retired priests in Regina.

Pending a final decision in the matter, MacKenzie remains free in the community on conditions.

McIntyre previously called it irresponsible for the archdiocese to send out a letter to parishes and the media on allegations that haven’t been proven in court, adding the publicity will further damage his client’s reputation.

Media in the United Kingdom have been reporting on abuse in the two Catholic boarding schools — Fort Augustus Abbey School and Carlekemp — since 2013. Alleged survivors of sexual abuse there have described a pedophile ring involving multiple monks. MacKenzie reportedly worked in both and has been named in the U.K. news stories.

-with files from Arthur White-Crummey

hpolischuk@postmedia.com

twitter.com/LPHeatherP

Posted in Accused or charged, Bishops, Canada, Scandal | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

“Unravelling church secrets – The Fifth Estate” & “Prey” a TVO documentary

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“Unravelling church secrets”   (The Fifth Estate)

from The Fifth Estate website

In an investigation into clergy abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in Canada, we follow abuse survivors on their quest for accountability. They are demanding that church officials reveal secret files — information on who the abusers are or were, who knew about it and what was done. In the United States, judicial investigations are exposing details of the church’s secret archives there. More than 6,700 credibly accused clergy members have been publicly identified. And yet in Canada victims say there is little information. Our investigation focuses on the diocese of Vancouver where the archbishop has vowed to be more open.

______________________________________

Prey (A TVO documentary)

from TVO website

TVO Original documentary Prey was honoured with two top awards at the 2019 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival: the Rogers Audience Award for Best Canadian Documentary, and the DGC Special Jury Prize for Canadian Feature Documentary.

Prey is a moving and unflinching account of a of a sexual abuse survivor’s legal fight against the Catholic Church. Most civil court cases seeking damages due to sex abuse by the clergy are settled out of court and kept quiet. In Prey, Rod MacLeod, who as a boy was abused for years by a Catholic priest and teacher, chooses a public trial to shine a light on these cases.

The feature documentary, which will have its World Broadcast and Streaming Premiere on TVO and tvo.org later this fall, was directed by Matt Gallagher, produced by Cornelia Principe, and co-produced and edited by Nick Hector.

“We’ve commissioned many films over the years, but Prey was truly special,” says Linda Fong, Independent Production Officer for Documentaries at TVO. “The response from the Hot Docs audience was powerful and overwhelming.  Many were moved to tears when the survivors in the film stood up to a standing ovation. Their courage and grace were humbling, and it was a privilege for us to help bring this important story to audiences across the country.”

(The following is from TVO website but can be viewed only in Canada.  Click in the square lower (R) corner to enlarge  screen)

The following is from youtube and available to viewers in Canada, the USA, UK and, I believe, elsewhere:

Posted in Accused or charged, Bishops, Canada, Clerical sexual predators, Scandal | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Prey (the documentary)

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From TVO (TV Ontario) website. Unfortunately this can only viewed by those in Canada.

Posted in Accused or charged | Tagged | 8 Comments

Extraditions

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A priest and former Scottish Benedictine monk lost his fight against extradition from Australia to Scotland to face six men who allege he “engaged in acts of physical and sexual abuse” against them when they were between 11 and 15 years of age.  The allegations date to the early to mid 70s when Alexander was teaching at Fort Augustus Abbey School in Scotland.

According to media reports the priest has 28 days to appeal.   Will he appeal?   Does he have the monies to appeal?  I have no idea, however, for the sake of the complainants, I hope and pray he is right now regretting his decision to drag this on, packing his bags and preparing for the long flight to face his accusers.

07 November 2019:  “Monk accused of Scottish child abuse loses extradition appeal” & relates articles

Meanwhile here in Canada Father Robert Mackenzie,  one of Alexander’s former confreres,  is fighting his order of extradition.   MacKenzie, who is both a former student and teacher at Fort Augustus Abbey School, arrived in Regina Saskatchewan in 1988 and was incardinated into the Archdiocese of Regina in 1993.

Scottish authorities attained a surrender order from Canada’s Minister of Justice in March of this year.   MacKenzie appealed.  A  judicial review is scheduled for 04 December 2019

04 December 2019:  10 am, Appeal, Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan ( 2425 Victoria Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan)

This will be open to the public.  I encourage those who can do so to attend to hear why Father MacKenzie believes he should not return to Scotland to face his accusers.

Please keep all those with allegations against these two former Benedictines in your prayers.

*****

I must say I commend Bishop Fabbro for attending:

07 November 2019:  “Bishop Fabbro attends opening of documentary Prey to support abuse survivors” & related articles

Good for you Patrick for asking the bishop to attend, and, truly, good for the bishop for attending.  Change has to start somewhere.

Enough for now,

Sylvia

Posted in Accused or charged, Bishops, Canada, Clerical sexual predators, Scandal | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Basilian Fathers lose appeal

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The Basilians of Toronto lost their appeal of the jury decisions re punitive damages and economic damages in the Rod MacLeod /Hod  Marshall sex abuse trial

25 October 2019:     MacLeod v Marshall (Ontario Court of  Appeal)

25 October 2019:  “Basilian Fathers lose appeal in sexual abuse case (updated)” & related article

You may recall that in May of 2018  the Basilians put out the following a statement regarding their decision to appeal:

22 May 2018:  Latest Media Statement from the Basilian Fathers

Note that the “Media Spokesperson” for the Basilian Fathers at the time was the since thoroughly and very publicly disgraced serial plagiarist Father Thomas Rosica csb.  How far the ‘mighty’ can fall in a matter of a mere 17 months .

Another few modicums of justice.

Please keep Rod MacLeod and the many many victims of Hod Marshall in your prayers.  .

Enough for now,

Sylvia

Posted in Accused or charged, Basilians, Canada, Clerical sexual predators, Scandal | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Chaldeon priest who made a “mistake” off to prison

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It is confirmed: the trial of Monsignor James Patrick Robertson will continue in December:

06 December 2019: continuation of trial, 09:30 am, Corner Brook Courthouse (82 Mt. Bernard Avenue)

Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

*****

Father Amer Saka, a Chaldean priest serving in the Diocese of London, Ontario, has been sentenced to two years in prison for fraud of more than $900,000.  Saka gambled funds intended to support refugees arriving in Canada.

22 October 2019:  “Former Ontario priest gets 2-year sentence for gambling $1M meant for refugees” & related articles

 According to his defence lawyer Iryna Revutsky Father Saka suffered from a “pathological gambling addiction.”  Revutsky, who was pleased with judgment,  said:  “my client was fundamentally and is fundamentally a very, very good man who made a mistake.”

A “mistake.”

Indeed!!

Enough for now,

Sylvia

Posted in Clerical sexual predators | 1 Comment

Monsignor’s trial continues in December

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As mentioned before, Father Cecil Noronha has entered into a peace bond and the three charges against him were withdrawn.

I have not been able to get a copy of the peace bond but did find out what the conditions are.  Among other things, the peace bond, which lasts for one year,  stipulates that Father Noronha is not to be within 25 metres of the home of female (probably the complainant?), nor within 25 metres of where the female lives, works, goes to school, goes to church or anywhere where where the female should be known to be.

Those who live in Sudbury area should be able to get a copy of the peace bond at the court house.  It is a public document.

And here is information regarding peace bonds in Ontario:

Information regarding Peace Bonds in Ontario

Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

*****

I have heard from a reliable source that the trial of Monsignor James (Jim) Robertson did not wrap up in the allotted two days (17 & 18 October) and is scheduled to continue 06 December 2019.  I will check tomorrow to confirm

Please keep the complainant in your prayers.

*****

More information on the trial related to clerical sexual predator  Father Erlindo Molon:

18 October 2019:  “’Playboy’ priest moved to New York parishes, Canadian Forces job” & related article

Pathetic and disgusting!

And this from a bishop regarding giving warnings about a known clerical sexual predator:  “What am I supposed to do? …Warn every church in Canada and beyond?”

Well, actually,  yes.  As far as was/is humanly possible, yes.  Souls were at stake.

Please keep Rosemary Anderson in your prayers.  Ditto all those upon whom Molon got his preying hands while serving across Canada and the United States and wherever else he may have been.

Enough for now,

Sylvia

Posted in Accused or charged, Bishops, Canada, Clerical sexual predators, Scandal, Treatment centres, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment