There is a pre-trial conference for Father Daniel Miller at the Pembroke courthouse this morning at 9:30 am. This is probably NOT open to the public – it will probably be the Crown and Miller’s lawyer and a judge. After it is over I will get and post the next scheduled court date.
*****
Has anyone heard anything at all of the Father Philip Jacobs voire dire in Victoria? There has been nothing in the news that I can see. It is scheduled to carry on today.
*****
I am catching up – have posted several articles. Check New to the Site. I routinely post links there to all new articles and documents posted on the site.
*****
Most welcome thunderstorms rolling through the region today, but with the storms come thunder and lightening and, of course the occasional power outage. One such outage for me to day – crackle, and off went the power and down went the computer. It was a short outage – only about an hour, so really can’t complain.
Hopefully more rain tomorrow. We need it!
Enough for now,
Sylvia
FYI:
“Crime down, sex crimes rising: StatsCan
But cases of homicides, sexual violence against children, child porn, criminal harassment, impaired driving and most drug offences all rose.
The most significant increases were in child porn offences, which rose 40% – the highest in any category. But Statistics Canada attributes this to better police work, rather than a spike in the number of people accessing child porn.
“Fluctuations in the rate of child pornography are likely reflective of police-based programs and initiatives targeting this particular offence,” the agency said.
Sexual offences against children were also up 3%, with the rate of luring a minor via a computer up 10%.”
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2012/07/20120724-101202.html
Might be the amount of cleric abuse associated to each case responsible for this increase..77 charges for one nutbar alone must bring the stats up…most of these wolves in sheep’s clothing have a high number of charges against them and should..better police work…maybe….. less tolerance from the victims and their supports probably.
Stop the next SanduskyJuly 17, 2012|by Terri Miller
What’s worse, flaws in state and federal law are allowing school officials and teachers union officials who know of suspected abuse to harbor these predators. In Pennsylvania, for instance, educators accused of sexual misconduct are often given the opportunity to escape prosecution and even move to another state or district, a practice so common it is nicknamed “passing the trash.”
http://articles.philly.com/2012-07-17/news/32698988_1_sexual-misconduct-sexual-abuse-child-predators
*He who grins least , grins last!!!
I have often said Glen that I do not advocate rationalizing, minimizing or excusing clerical sexual abuse and or/cover-ups in the Church by pointing fingers and saying everyone else does it. I don’t, and never will. As far as I’m concerned priests and Church officials should set the example, not follow that of secular society.
*What we have learned across many years is how pervasive this crime is. To centre on one group or career or vocation as worse than another is not logical – it is everywhere ! Unfortunately!
MJ: This site is about uncovering the church and the collars who have perpetrated these heinous crimes period. To try and dilute the aim of this site is irresponsible to say the least, and this is exactly what you are trying to do. If you are that concerned about the “unfair focus” (as you put it), start your own website and get the hell out of this one. We will maintain our focus on forcing this church and its collars to finally do what is right by the victims. Have we not suffered long enough? You make me sick!
*Beautifully stated PJ.
*Yikes
Sylvia, the links weren’t intended for your consideration. Although, it would be nice if they help you realize the ‘guilty until proven innocent’ approach doesn’t serve the common good. Of greater concern is tracking Frs Sullivan and Silva, neither of whom are accused of sexually abusing a child. The links were intended for several of your followers who seem to think pedophila is an exclusively Catholic clergy problem.
Welcome home,
*
Pedophile enabling and cover-up is what’s EXCLUSIVELY a Catholic Church problem and it is the equation in the problem you try relentlessly to deceitfully and insidiously persuade good people to ignore which is why the only followers you and mj have are each other.
Take away one of you and the remainder is nothing.
*Alleluia – well said!
*thx mj!!
You guys who cover-up are in many ways worse than the pedophiles themselves! You not only re-injure, you add insult. You really do represent for so many what is despicable about the Catholic Church and the priesthood.
The sex abuse scandal in the Church encompasses more than paedophiles Glen. There are clerical sexual predators who don’t fit the increasingly narrow definition of paedophile but who do prey on children, young adults and adults. I personally do not use the term paedophile – it excludes men who molest 13- and 14-year olds and other teens. Depending on the definition it in some cases excludes men who molest 11- and12-year-olds. It goes without saying that it also excludes those clergy who sexually assault male and/or female adults.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t believe a sexual predator is fit to be a priest, regardless the age of his prey.
As for Father Sullivan – I will wait to hear why police saw fit to lay the charges. His name is on the list. If he is acquitted I will make note of the acquittal and post all media coverage.
The bottom line Glen is that whether you like it or not, agree or not, both Fathers Silva and Mark Sullivan were charged and are listed on Sylvia’s Site and, as a Catholic, I am following and will continue to follow both cases with interest.
Ask any victim what is worse, being abused by a teacher or a priest. Ask any victim is it worse having an educational institution and it’s administrators sweep their abuse under a carpet or if they feel more traumatized by the church administrators do the sweeping… from the eyes , heart and soul of the abused it is the same. Their integrity as a person has been violated and should not have been regardless of the source and the people who hide the truth. In this arena there is no better form of abuse it is wrong and violates are civil and moral laws and we should all be protesting systems that hurt our children and those accused must be dealt through a societal justice system that is fair and impartial.Abusing priests are not any more special than abusing teachers or other criminals who violate our laws. As George Orwell once wrote in his book about farm animals. All animals are equal except some animals are more equal than others..Abusing priest and the cleric administrators and a politically based justice system have to stop thinking like George Orwell s pigs.
Sylvia, I’ll once again point out how I appreciate the work you do to flush out sexual predators from the Church. I also pray for you as dealing with this subject on a daily basis must be draining.
Just from a few of the comments in this thread alone it’s clear some of your followers promote the idea this is a Catholic issue. The links I provided were intended to help them form rational thought.
Thank you for your promise to post Fr Sullivan’s acquittal news when it happens. Could you then also take his name down as when someone ‘googles’ him this site comes up prominently.
*Glen, no matter how you try to deny it, this is a Catholic issue. Yes, fathers, brothers, teachers, coaches etc sexually abuse children. The impact however does not generally rob children of their spiritual home and rape their souls as do priests. What to me as a child was my spiritual home was taken from me. Imagine yourself not feeling you could take part in the sacraments. In support of victims would you give up attending mass for a time so you could see what it feels like to feel isolated from your community?
Glen: As I also said to MJ, this is a site about abuse from a “catholic issue”, as you said. Are you really this stupid not to have figured it out? I suggest you and mj create your own website and leave us alone. Moron!!!!!!!!!
*I think reasoned, thoughtful debate are possible in this site. Otherwise it simply becomes an out of control, anger laced and hatefilled exercise. Not a single contributor here does not feel the profound sadness, disappointment and pain of the violation of the innocent.
We’re all on the same team, I think. Let’s keep it civil.
As long as MJ and Glen quit making stupid statements, the site stays civil. So you two should stop acting like hemorrhoids.
*What stupid statement?
Hemorrhoids? Classy.
Leona, It’s painful to read your account and I’m very sorry you experienced it. It was not the Church that attacked you, but sinners. Their actions do not excuse you from your membership in the Church or your Sunday obligation. Jesus created the Church to help us get to Heaven. If you reject it due to the actions of others you may only hurt yourself for Eternity. Many martyrs and saints endured pain as you did; through the Church they found peace, forgiveness, and salvation. This world is full of pain – it is not our home – Heaven is. Getting back there is our goal.
PJ, you and those like you are self-evident and do Sylvia a disservice by diminishing her credibility.
As victims of abuse, many of us have reached the point where any defense of that church and collars wrt abuses is insulting and hurtful. So we lash out. If you two quit your defending of that church and stop trying to point out how there is no difference between abuse caused by collars compared to other professions, perhaps you two would be more accepted. As I’ve said before, if you object to the catholic emphasis on this site, LEAVE. If you want to continue trying to push your arguments here, give me your mailing address and I’ll send you some Prep H.
*Glen, if you feel pain in reading my account then that is your projection, and I’m glad to know you are capable of human feeling. My journey has brought me to the place I am today and I am confident of God’s love, without my ‘Sunday obligation’. My only ‘obligation’ is to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow the path that has been so carefully laid down for me. Men like you keep making noises that make it difficult for the rest of us to hear!
To answer your question to me, Leona, no I will not give up making my Sunday obligation in support of victims because it wasn’t the Mass or any other Sacrament that is to blame. Sinners are in the Church, our schools, and nations. Did you give up your citizenship too? Was your ordeal greater than the Sacrifice made on the Cross so the gates of Heaven be opened for us? Hopefully the bad guys don’t win. Hopefully you don’t suffer eternal fire in spite while they repent and attain salvation. Jesus created a Church and gave us the Sacraments so we could rejoin Him – that’s the only path that ends well. No where did He tell us to make up our own rules and do our own thing. I hope you reconsider.
*Jesus said (Matthew 11:28-30) “Come to me all who labor and bear burdens and I will give you rest. Bear my yoke upon you and learn from me. I am tranquil and I am meek, and in my heart you will find tranquility in your souls. For my yoke is pleasant and my burden is light.”
(Aramaic version)
He didn’t say “Come to Peter or the Roman Catholic church or the Pope if you want….”
Christian Scripture (Bible) is about relationship with our Creator, Father (Elohim) Savior Jesus (Jeshua) and Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh). We come to Him to build relationship, to be forgiven, to receive Baptism in the Holy Spirit. We stay close to His Word which reveals His character and hopefully some of it will rub off on us. If we can find a church body that we can feel safe and accepted in and where we can use the gifts God has given us, then that is a great bonus.
From my experience, the R.C. church hierarchy is ladened with religious spirits not necessarily of God such as guilt, shame, fear, superstition, superiority, perversion, injustice, obstructing justice, triumphalism, legalism, predation, defense (accomplices) of “predator brothers” not the victims, exploitation, obligations, costly indulgences, secretiveness, oppression, exclusivity, worldwide stragetically/politically powerful and rich. The Church of England whose pope, I understand, is the Queen, and perhaps all denominations (fractions) have similar religious spirits.
The “true church” has a lot to answer for. If Peter is guarding the gate to Heaven then there is a problem for us. But I believe that Jesus and holy angels are there, and the pious and self-righteous may be surprised. (Matthew 8:21-23)
Let us look to His coming which is near and cleanse our hearts daily.
Truth will triumph, God is unchanging. God’s Word is the only absolute. I take the Word in daily to avoid “truth decay” and repent accordingly. The word “prayer” in Hebrew understanding means ‘to judge yourself”. We judge ourselves against the commandments of God, we allow the Word to judge our hearts – the deep abiding part of us. If we judge ourselves, no one need judge us. Our minds really can be renewed by the transforming power of God’s Word, the Sword of the Spirit, as daily bread. We don’t have to live with the demons; we can repent, renounce them and cast them down in Jesus’ Name. We drive them out when we recognize them, not co-habit with them, or put them in a closet. (Of course, they won’t go if we are still in agreement with them). The Word tells us to do that. The mother of Jesus said, “Do whatever he tells you”. It’s all in the Word. We are to do the Word, not intellectualize it. That makes us righteous. Let God be our judge. Repentance is ours. Vengeance is His.
God loves us just as we are but loves us too much to leave us the way we are.
The harsh words of Jesus were always towards the religious leaders, the Pharisees, because they should have known the Torah. But they had changed it to suit their lifestyles and they could not recognize the Truth when it was right in front of them. They condemned Him.
Likewise, today, I find that many translations of the Bible are watered down and are becoming “politically correct” like present-day politics. We are afraid to speak our convictions or even to have them. Satan is clever, isn’t he?
I love the Lord and thanks for allowing me to say it.
God bless all of you with a hunger for His Word. His love alone can heal and deliver us. God knows we need healing and deliverance.
Glen, I suggest you start attending a few clerical sex abuse trials and start talking to a few victims of clerical sexual abuse before you do any more preaching. You don’t have two sweet clues what happens to a child who is sexually abused by a priest. You do yourself, the Church, the priesthood and the victims no favour with your condescending comments regarding Sunday obligations. Pray for the victims by all means, never mind the preaching.
A PS to Glen. Whether Father Sullivan is acquitted or not his name will stay on the site. IF he is acquitted then those who google his name will see that he has been acquitted.
Glen: there is a benefit to leaving the entire Sullivan saga online and on this site. It will provide a timeline re allegation and its resolution Should the outcome be as positive as you anticipate, this may ultimately be helpful.
How do you know I haven’t Sylvia? Your accusations are very prejudicial.
What has the poor little glenagrin been accused of? What is the source of the prejudice that would cause Sylvia to abuse you in such a way. The oppression dear glen that you are suffering here at the hands of Sylvia causes so much pain in me. I feel your pain….My big toe is so sore…that’s your pain isn’t it that I’m feeling glenn?
*BTW glenny, have you had the opportunity to
wonder off down south lately with any body or do you save that for Sunday?
*If that question sounds prejudice based, then that’s because it is. It’s based on you’re prejudice Glenny boy!
If indeed you have Glen, you will know that the sad reality is that the victims of clerical sexual abuse who will ever set foot inside a Catholic Church are few and far between. You will also know that the damage done to the faith of the child who is sexually abused by priest is inestimable. Pray for them. Don’t lecture them.
I’m keeping my obtion open. When the church will put over all their doors “Here you can tell the truth”, count me in!
Poor Glenny your troubles are nothing compared to John Pirona RIP These idiots should be charged with murder when a man takes his life as result of their callous criminal disregard for children and their physical, intellectual, spiritual, cultural, emotional and sexual development. I spit on you collar and your institution and those that support these criminals. Shame on you for your stupidity and your feeling of moral superiority you are lower than Satan’s spawn. I am so upset to hear someone chose to leave family and friends behind because of your heinous criminal brethren. A study should be undertaken to honour those men and women who took their own life because of abuse and the Church should own this publicly..Spirit KILLERS.
*I’m going to jump into the fray here.
Glen, until the day I die you will never find me gracing any church or chapel anywhere.
Unfortunately the church was able to ‘flex its muscle’ and interfere with investigations and prosecutions over the years. Which is why I find myself and my one man army in a pitched battle against the Canadian Armed Forces. If McRae had just been a regular foot soldier or even just a regular officer, I don’t think he would have been able to have strings pulled in his favour. And… what other employer would ‘re-cycle’ a kiddie-diddler through ‘Southdown’ and then off to another diocese to prey on more kids.
If McRae worked for a local convienience store chain his butt would have been serving time in a federal prison, as it was his employer was the Archdiocese of Edmonton. He was on ‘loan’ to the military.
Anyways… that’s my rant for now.
*Glen, lashing out to some
clergy abuse victims here and trying to start an argument with Sylvia is not
good. I don’t know what you are trying to accomplish but it’s obvious you are
not getting the support you think you need here. This website is not working
for you Glen so maybe you should think about moving on to another website that
is more to your liking. Of course, this
is all up to you.
*Pardon me, but there is some disturbing irony here. For individuals who would opine about the terrible assaults and abuses against our fellow human beings, here we have a series of contributors all on their high horse assaulting a fellow contributor because they don’t agree with some of his views. It’s more Christian to agree to disagree.
These last series of diatribes is pathetic and UNCHRISTIAN.
Most of the folks here that are victims/survivors of abuse by collars of that church are very supportive of each other and can become very offended when someone who has never walked in our shoes tries to tell us how we should act. By stirring the sh!tpot like you and glen do, it evokes anger responses. Then you come along making dumba$$ statements about being unchristian because of our responses. You want to preach?? Go find your own church to proclaim your version of christianity…just not here. I was forced to confess my sins to the same ba$tard that was abusing me and to listen while he said mass and preached sermons to the “good” congregation. So don’t tell me who is unchristian and on a high horse…you’re just as evil as my abuser when you make those comments. And you really don’t want to know what I would love to do to “him” or to anyone who comes across like “him”. It’s because of YOU, GLEN, and a few more that pummel my self esteem back into the hole I crawled out of that make me want to give up on this site. But it’s because of the other brave souls who have the courage to stand up and be counted that I come back here. I have to go now…thanks A$$HOLE for your “sermon”…
*You don’t know me sir. You don’t know my story or my wounds. Many who have wounds still have the capacity to remain charitable, respectful and decent.
Don’t try to justify your nasty behavior. Choose to marinate in your own pit. That’s your choice sir.
*Mark John, consider yourself pardoned as far as I am concerned but really if you are disturbed by ‘irony’ then you must have been pre-disturbed because irony should’nt really disturb anyone.
Have mercy on my soul please Mr. Johnson because I have already my deepest sympathy toward poor gleny who has suffered so much already. I can very well understand how profoundly offended you must be… with so many ” contributors ” riding high on their horsies while you , Mr Johnson and Mr. Glenny pass through on their little old donkey.
I disagree, Mr. Johnson, that it is more Christian to agree to disagree.
Who are you agreeing to disagree with in your last statement? UN-what?
*Mr Green, YOUR words say everything that anyone needs to know about you.
*
Mr. John’s son, my words have in fact
said everything anyone needs to know about yourself and glenny. Which is : you pair of
delusional criminals have convinced yourselves
that you are actually Jesus Christ in all your humility riding through
Syvia’s site ( Jerusalum) on a baby donkey while you valiantly ride through persecution and to crucifixion.
I can promise that there is hope for you two but for sure I cannot promise that there is help.
*
Oh and by the way Mr. John’s son. I am quite willing to publicize “everything about me that anyone needs to know!”
Myself and my family have been so deeply wounded by the Catholic church. Friends and relatives of mine have been so deeply wounded by the Catholic church. So many of my dear brothers and sisters in humanity have been so utterly devastated by the Catholic Church and not one single person that I know of has ever received a sincere apology or an admission from any church representative that the church has FAILED, has HURT, has DECIEVED, has MANIPULATED, has SINNED, is WRONG, WANTS TO CHANGE, WANTS TO DO BETTER ETC……
I AM SO ANGRY> Every time I hear a priest DEFEND the church my natural instinct is to rip his face off. I AM ANGRY!!! I want nothing more than to HURT a bunch of pigs who continue to hurt me. Any idiot who would rather defend an oppressive regime than try to make a mends and change NEEDS to be confronted with obstacles and whether it’s on Sylvia’s site or anywhere else I am resolved to do my small part in being one obstacle for one oppressor at a time.
I believe indeed that a prejudice has developed in me over the course of time against priests but I have also discovered that because of the churches ( priets) attitude , it has become very difficult differentiate between prejudiced based fear and legitimate fear and anger.
You, Mr. John’s son and Mr. glenny do absolutely nothing but exacerbate the same fear and anger. We All Loose Mr. Johnny.
Redemption song by Johnny Cash
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_uI1BUnzws
Come leaders, come you men of great
Let us hear you pontificate
Your many virtues laid to waste
And we aren’t listening
MJ, I think you need to find another blogsite which is more geared to those who wish to minimize the damage done by clerical sexual predators and/or those who are apologists for priests who betray our trust. You say we’re all on the same team? I’m not so sure about that. I will be moderating your future comments.
*Sylvia you have proven over a long period of time to have great patience. You’ve done your best to be fair in situations that were dificult. Sometimes you do need to make decisions that many people will not agree with but that goes with the territory of being a moderator of a website. In other words you are doing good Sylvia.
It’s not surprising many clergy and many of their supporters do not like this website. I believe many clergy are checking out this site to see if their names or some of their brother priests are making the list here. Many folks check to see what current priests they know if they have made that certain list. Worst yet, many people know certain clergy should be on that list. Nevertheless, it’s just a matter of time more clergy names will be added and these folks and specially clergy will have to learn to deal with that reality when it does happen.
On another matter…I read PJ’s post July 27, 2012 at 8:20 pm.
This part of PJ”s post that gets me: ” It’s because of YOU, GLEN, and a few more that pummel my self esteem back into the hole I crawled out of that make me want to give up on this site. But it’s because of the other brave souls who have the courage to stand up and be counted that I come back here.”
This clergy victim has spoken volumes with this statement of his to me as well to many others that read this post. I feel for all clergy abuse victims. When these victims read posters like: MJ, Glen and others like them, these victims may feel they should just stay quiet and should not open up to anyone to talk but keep their secrets hidden about the injustice and crimes done against them. Many Catholic supporters want to see these victims to shut the fudge up and stay quiet for the sake of the image of the Catholic Church or for whatever other coward and selfish reasons they have.
Thank goodness victims like PJ and others like him are finding the strength to speak up and websites like this is so important to have access to not only for the vital information but also share their personal experiences and betrayal of trust by church officials.
*Lina,
You are a gem! Sometimes in the rough but most of the time refreshing and very generous! I only wish “some “of the clergy you named were as humble and insightful… If they listened more and spoke after reflecting a little, they may see some of what you felt…
You make me smile and give us all Hope! YOU try to understand…Don’t go away! PJ, Bobby Bees, Leona, Larry(yes!, Larry), jg, ……and so many, we all need your “innocent”wisdom….calling it as it is! ..without the bull!
“touché”!
jg