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- 5 October, 2023
All of society must address child sexual abuse: Pope
The scourge of child sexual abuse must be addressed by society at large, Pope Francis said yesterday. Source: Vatican News.
Vatican investigating Swiss bishops’ handling of abuse cases
The Swiss Bishops Conference has revealed an ongoing Vatican-ordered investigation into the handling of sexual abuse allegations by Church officials, with the inquiry expected to run until at least the end of the year. Source: CNA.
Ridsdale’s jail term extended over 72nd victim
A magistrate has told paedophile Gerald Ridsdale he will “probably die in custody” as he increased the 89-year-old former priest’s jail term by one year for abusing his 72nd victim. Source: 9news.com.au.
NZ abuse royal commission details abuse at hands of St John of God brothers
The nature and scale of abuse set out in a New Zealand abuse royal commission interim report is abhorrent and should never have happened, NZ Catholic Bishops Conference general secretary Archbishop Paul Martin SM said yesterday. Source: NZ Catholic.
Jesuits confirm expulsion of priest
The Society of Jesus has confirmed that Fr Marko Rupnik is definitively expelled from the religious order for sexually, spiritually and psychologically abusing women, lamenting they couldn’t prosecute him more vigorously under the Vatican’s internal procedures. Source: NCR Online.
Convicted paedophile pleads guilty to another offence
One of Australia’s worst paedophile priests, Gerald Ridsdale, has pleaded guilty to another historical sexual crime after a 72nd victim came forward. Source: The Australian.
Pope expresses ‘shame and dismay’ over abuse of minors in Bolivia
Pope Francis has sent a letter to the president of Bolivia expressing “feelings of shame and dismay” and a firm promise to work with the government of the South American country to end clerical sexual abuse of minors. Source: CNA.
Jesuits expel priest accused of abuse
The Superior General of the Jesuits has expelled Fr Marko Rupnik from the order, citing his “stubborn refusal” to obey measures imposed following credible accusations that he spiritually, psychologically or sexually abused some two dozen women and at least one man. Source: OSV News.
Abuse survivors cycle from Germany to Rome meet Pope
Pope Francis yesterday met briefly with a group of abuse survivors who undertook a bicycle pilgrimage from Germany to Rome to ask him to do everything in his power to heal and prevent abuses in the Church. Source: CNA.