$13 Million Settlement Reached in Sex Abuse Lawsuit
In Nova Scotia, the Roman Catholic diocese reached a historic $13 million settlement with known and alleged victims of sexual abuse by its priests for claims that date back decades. Some of the alleged victims were as young as 8 years old. The diocese was named in a class-action lawsuit last year, along with the Roman Catholic Church, saying they kept the assaults secret and failed to warn or protect children. The lawsuit was brought about by a man whose brother wrote a suicide note in 2002 that led to charges of sex crimes against a priest. The former priest, Hugh Vincent MacDonald, was charged with rape, buggery and indecent assault involving 18 children between the ages of eight and 15.
Dropping Babies From Rooftops = Health and Prosperity, Apparently In New Delhi, activists lashed out at local officials who allowed hundreds of infants to be dropped from the roof of a mosque in the belief that the fall — which ends when the babies are caught in a bedsheet — would ensure good health and prosperity for their families. This bizarre and dangerous ritual has been practiced for nearly 700 years at a local Muslim shrine, with both Hindus and Muslims engaging in this nutty behavior. At a ritual on Thursday, infants were dangled from the roof of the shrine before being dropped about 50 feet onto a bedsheet held by parents and other believers. Fortunately there were no reports of injuries.
Former Police Chaplain Arrested For Sexual Assault In St. Cloud, Minn., an 82-year-old former police chaplain was arrested for sexually assaulting a minor. Police say Pastor Arthur Ree, sexually assaulted a female minor over an 18-month period from 2000 to 2001. Responding to the arrest, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which Ree was a member, released the following statement:
“The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Southwestern Minnesota Synod is shocked and deeply saddened by the arrest of art ree on charges of criminal sexual behavior involveing a female victim. Ree is a retired pastor of the ELCA. Charges of this nature are very serious and even more disturbing when they involve the life of the church. The Southwestern Minnesota Synod does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse in any way. Our synod and congregation are and should remain always safe places for all people. We offer prayers for the victim of the abuse and her family and friends. We also offer our prayers for Mr. Ree and his family. Situations like these bring deep pain and sadness to many people. Our comfort rests with God who is with us At all times we pray that God’s care, concern, healing and wisdom may be experienced by all who have been affected.”
This statement is much longer than it needs to be. "Offering" prayers and making throwaway statements about God's love ring very empty when an innocent child has been violated by a disgusting old pervert. Where was God's "care, concern, healing and wisdom" when Ree was having his filthy ways with his victim? I just can't believe the audacity of the religious mind sometimes.
Pastor Accused of Sexual Abuse In Louisville, a pastor has been placed on leave after a man alleged that the priest sexually abused him in 1985. In quite an unprecedented move, The Record, a Catholic newspaper, listed Schook's previous parish assignments and asked that any alleged victims of abuse from those parishes contact the archdiocese. The Archdiocese of Louisville was at the center of a massive sexual abuse scandal in 2002 and 2003. Nearly $30 million was paid out in settlements by the archdiocese after more than 250 people made abuse allegations. More then three dozen priests and other church workers were accused of abusing children as far back as the late 1940s.
Priest Busted in Sex Sting In St. Louis, a Catholic priest was arrested in an FBI sex sting targeting men who wanted to rent young girl for sex. According to the police, James Patrick Grady (r.), 57, showed up at the home of what he thought to be a 16-year-old girl, who he offered to pay for sex. On Wednesday, Grady had responded to an online ad offering young females and started exchanging emails with an undercover officer. Eventually, Grady asked the "girl" for a massage but was refused so he then inexplicably propositioned her for kissing and oral sex. (Perhaps he thought that would be less degrading for the girl.) After he was arrested, Grady said he came to the house because he was "curious". Where the hell is Chris Hansen when you need him?
And finally...Pantless Sex Cult Leader Jailed For Blasphemy A kinky sex cult leader in Jakarta who performed sermons in his underwear was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for blasphemy against Islam. Agus Noro (l.) aka Agus Imam Solihin, meaning "leader of the faithful," would demand his Muslim followers to perform group sex in front of him and banned them from praying and fasting -- I'm gonna guess it was the latter two injunctions that got Noro into the real trouble. While prosecutors demanded a four year sentence for the pantless preacher, the judge cut him some slack because Noro withdrew an earlier statement where he claimed to be God. So at least he's not crazy.
Jihadist-American Family Arrested In North Carolina, seven men conspiring to wage jihad overseas were arrested by federal authorities yesterday. According to a seven-count federal indictment, the men --which include a father and his two sons-- intended to provide material support to terrorists and to murder, kidnap, maim and injure people overseas. Perhaps most surprising is that the father and suspected ringleader, Daniel Patrick Boyd (left) --who called himself Saifullah, or Sword of God-- is an American. Boyd and his cohorts are believed to have hatched their plot in 2006 and raised donations to support their training. They also recruited and radicalized others -- "mostly young Muslims or converts to Islam, to believe . . . the idea that violent jihad was a personal obligation on the part of every good Muslim." 80 Die in Sharia Law Attacks In Africa, Muslim rebels demanding the adoption of sharia law expanded their attack against Nigerian security forces to two northeastern states, with at least 80 people dead in two days of violence. The leader of the rebel group Boko Haram, opposes Western education and demands the adoption of sharia law in all Nigeria, has threatened further attacks.
Muhammad's Angels: Muslim Police Officers Issued Uniform Headscarves In England, the UK's largest police force has started to issue a uniform hijab to its female Muslim officers to wear when they enter a mosque. The headscarves are embroidered with the name and logo of the force and come in two colors. If you think this is yet another concession by the British government to the Islamists trying to impose their values on western society, you would be absolutely 100% wrong -- at least according to a police spokeswoman. She insisted that the hijabs were not intended to purely cater to Muslim cultural sensibilities but were multi-faith. If you believe that, the spokeswoman also wants to know if you'd be interested in purchasing the Brooklyn Bridge.
3 Killed as Muslim-Buddhist Violence Continues to Escalate in Thailand In Thailand, a Buddhist couple and a Muslim man were shot dead in gun and bomb attacks by suspected militants. The incidents took place in one of three rebellious Malay Muslim provinces where nearly 3,500 people have been killed in violence since 2004.
Monk Goes Bonkers In Korea, a 47-year-old Buddhist monk was apprehended for allegedly beating a female adherant to death with a bottle. His reason? "I was chiding her for meeting a man,'' the monk was quoted as saying.
Transgender Woman Dies While In Care of Voodoo Priest In New Jersey, a male-to-female transgender woman died while visiting a voodoo priest for "spiritual cleansing". While the priest, Houngan Hector Salva (right), is not suspected in the woman's death, he said the untimely demise was "God's choice...I don't have no say in when God deems your turn." Apparently, the grammar-challenged Salva has followers from all around the world.
The Devil Made Her Do It: Mother Dismembers Infant Son In Texas, a woman who brutally dismembered her 3 1/2-week-old son told police that the devil made her do it. Relatives say that Otty Sanchez (left), 33, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and postpartum psychosis. She told detectives she had been hearing voices in the week leading up to her son's murder.
Priest Facing Child Sex Charges In Australia, a Catholic priest appeared in court to face charges of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl 30 years ago. Last month, the 64-year-old priest was charged with two counts of indecent treatment of a child.
Superbad: Naughty Priest Suspected of Tryst with Nun, Exaggerating Miracle Claims and Mysticism And finally...a well-known priest in Bosnia has left the priesthood after being investigated by the Vatican on allegations that he was guilty of sexual immorality with a nun and exaggerating stories of the Virgin Mary's appearance (I would love to know how the Vatican determined that). Unsatisfied with just a pair of salacious sins, Father Tomislay Vlasic completes his hellbound hat-trick by being under formal investigation for alleged "dubious doctrine, the manipulation of consciences, suspect mysticism and disobedience".Based on the allegations and evidence, I wouldn't be surprised if Vlasic turns out to be a goddamned warlock.
Schmuck Rabbi Accused of Illegally Selling Human Body Parts In New Jersey, following the wake of last week's FBI take-down of a multi-million dollar money laundering operation that included the arrests of five rabbis comes the shocking news that one of the rabbis, Levy Izhak Rosenbaum (left), brokered the illegal (and lucrative) sales of human organs. Prosecutors say that Rosenbaum was trying to sell a kidney to an undercover federal agent for $160,000 and has been involved in the international black market for kidneys for 10 years.
Randy Reverend Gets Suspension After Sexual Allegations In Boston, the Archdiocese has suspended Rev. Pedro Jose Damázio from performing any public ministry after receiving allegations against him of adult sexual misconduct. (Great, more time for the priest to be alone and doing God-knows-what!) Meanwhile, Damázio's congregation is in predictable "disbelief" and praying for him. So supportive is this bunch that one follower is prepared to excuse Damázio's --and perhaps other randy reverends' -- transgressions by saying, "They are fathers, but they are men, too...I am OK if they are going to be married." Of course! What victim doesn't wanna marry their victimizer? This is yet another reason why I'm a Yankees fan. Perv Priest Denied Appeal for Child Sex Convictions In Australia, a Catholic priest jailed for more than seven years for raping and sexually abusing four boys has been refused a chance for an appeal. Terrence Melville Pidoto was ordained in 1971 and began his child rape-spree a year later. To give you a sense of the depravity and brazenness of Pidoto's libido, one of his victims was a 12-year-old boy who he raped after officiating at the boy's sister's wedding.
That's Hot: Female Lawyers Must Now Wear Headscarves in Gaza In the Gaza Strip, the top judge has ordered female lawyers to wear Muslim headscarves when they appear in court. The move is being perceived as the latest sign that Gaza's Islamic militant rulers are increasingly imposing their strict interpretation of Islamic law. I just hope there's air conditioning in the courtrooms over there. Four Arrested in Village Honor Killing In India, police arrested four people in connection with the honor killing of a 21-year-old man who married a fellow clan-member despite the disapproval of her family. While venturing into his wife's village --under police escort-- to take her back with him, Ved Pal Mor was allegedly attacked by an angry mob and lynched. The four men who were arrested are believed to have "egged on" the mob.
Another Reason to Accept Jesus: 10% off at Denny's! In Texas, if you dine at a particular Denny's and bring a copy of your church bulletin, the restaurant will donate 10% of your bill to your local churchand, as an added bonus, they'll also take 10% off your bill (see right). Although I'd rather eat tumbleweed marinated in vulture excrement than dine at Denny's, this promotion is clearly discriminatory. Fortunately, the good people at the James Randi Educational Foundation are investigating.
Pastor: Obey the Voices in Your Head -- No Matter What And finally...I came across this very disturbing column in Kentucky's Richmond Register where a local pastor, John Settles, encourages his readers to obey God when He "speaks" to them (instead of, say, seeing a shrink) and admonishes those who balk at carrying out the orders of their imaginary friend. Here is an excerpt:
"Some folks believe they would respond to God if God spoke to them in a vision. I’m not sure if they would. There are so many instances where God has made his will clear in his word, but we hesitate to follow his commands. Maybe we are waiting for a vision.
I suspect we do not follow God’s commandments for other reasons. Where God’s will is clear to us, there is no acceptable reason for us not to follow his will. We may refuse to follow out of fear. We may refuse to follow simply out of willful disobedience. Whether God reveals his will through a vision or through other means, he wants us to be guided by his will. Amen."
Now I don't expect any semblance of wisdom or profound insight from pastors but this is absolutely irresponsible and potentially harmful demagoguery. I would love to hear what Mr. Settles thinks of Jesus lovin' citizens like Jim Jones and Scott Roeder, who claim they did what they did because they were following the commands of the Almighty. Oh, that's right, that would be an unfair comparison because those motherfuckers were crazy!
Muslim Family Suspected of Carrying Out Honor Killings of Four Female Relatives In Canada, authorities are investigating whether or not the drownings of a woman and three teenaged girls were honor killings. In the meantime, the father (far left) of the three girls (ages 19, 17 and 13), his wife and their 18-year-old son (left) have all been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. On June 30, the four women were found dead in a car submerged in a canal. (Editor's note: Although the family's religion is not identified in the above article, it is cited here.)
Muslim-Buddhist Violence Continues to Rise in Thailand In Thailand, terrorist attacks in its southern villages are reaching an all-time high as the conflict between Muslim insurgents and Buddhists continues to escalate. Muslim militants are attacking Buddhist monks and temples while vigilante Buddhist groups are accused of seeking retaliation by targeting mosques and Muslim schools. Analysts say that schools in the area have become breeding grounds for young fighters in this conflict, which has claimed more than 3,500 lives since the insurgency began five years ago.
Evangelist Guilty of Taking Minors Across State Lines for Sex In Arkansas, a jury convicted 74-year-old evangelist Tony Alamo (left) of 10 federal counts of taking minors across state lines for sex. According to the indictment, the founder and leader of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries (whose real name is Bernie Hoffman) transported five girls younger than 18 across state lines for sex between March 1994 and October 2005. In an interview last year, Alamo stated that "They're just trying to make our church look evil... Saying that I rape little children...I love children." Anyway, here's hoping Alamo will receive the same kind of "love" in prison. Australian Police Continue Search for Missing Cult Family In Australia, police searching for a missing family linked to an internet cult have discovered a property being rented in the UK under one of their names. One of the missing family members, Englishman Simon Kadwell, 46, operated a doomsday internet forum called The Gateway, which had about 40 members around the world. Kadwell believed that the planet was on “red alert” and it was time for “awakening servers of the divine plan” to come forward. Kadwell, his girlfriend, their daughter and a friend were last seen on July 13, 2007.
So Five Rabbis Walk Into an FBI Investigation... In New Jersey, five rabbis were arrested for their roles in a multi-million dollar money laundering scheme. According to the FBI, the rascally rabbis used their congregations' charitable organizations to launder about $3 million. One of the rabbis is an 87-year-old man who is considered the leading cleric of the Syrian Jewish community. Followers, of course, are predictably shocked and "do not believe it". However, they do believe all that stuff in the Old Testament and the Torah. And Finally...A New Low Price for Blasphemy In Ireland The President of Ireland signed into law a defamation bill which imposes a fine of up to 25,000 euros (about $35,522.90) for blasphemy. On the bright side, the new punishment is a hell of a lot more palatable (and affordable) than eternal damnation. Additionally, the fine replaces a law that set prison sentences for such unholy offenses. Unfortunately, abolishing the crime altogether would require a referendum which the government says would be too costly and "distracting" to organize. These things take time, folks.
In London, a married Muslim woman is in danger of an honor killing after her lover (also a Muslim) was stabbed and beaten with bricks and had sulfuric acid poured down his throat by a gang of men. The 24-year-old victim, who supposedly "insulted" her strictly religious relatives, suffered burns on 90% of his body, which has left him blind and without a tongue. He is not expected to survive. Police have arrested 7 men in connection with the attack. But remember kids, Islam is a religion of peace.
Man Lynched For Marrying Fellow Clan Member In India, a 21-year-old man was lynched for marrying against the wishes of his tribe-- er, I mean "community". Deemed an honor killing, the man was attacked by residents of his wife's village while on his way to get her. The marriage was opposed by the wife's family and villagers because the couple belonged to the same clan and, therefore, considered brother and sister.
Televangelist Charged with Fraud In New York, a local televangelist is charged with fraud for ripping off investors out of $2 million for a non-existent gemstone business. Pastor Samuel (Samee) Solanky, 61, broadcasts an Asian Indian Christian program called "Vandana" (which, according to its official website, means "worship"). The site says the show's main purpose "is to communicate the love of God toward human beings and to reveal the ultimate plan for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God." Whatever.
New Jersey Diocese Named in Civil Complaint In New Jersey, the Diocese of Trenton has been named in a civil complaint alleging sexual abuse by a local priest more than 35 years ago. Wanna Stop Being Gay? Try Yoga! And finally, religious leaders in India have passed a resolution opposing the Delhi High Court judgment decriminalizing gay sex, maintaining that homosexuality is against Indian culture. Here are some nuggets of wisdom from these dopey demagogues:
"Homosexuality is not allowed by Indian culture."
"A homosexual person needs a psychiatrist and they should be cured of the disease. They should follow yoga and should do pranayam.”
“Homosexuals cannot donate blood or organs, whereas a normal person can.”
Imagine idiots like this running ourcountry? Oh, wait...
In Chicago, the archdiocese has agreed to pay $3.9 million to settle six sexual abuse cases. Making matters even worse, on Tuesday the church released a bishop's deposition that detailed the its failure to report the crimes and attempts to keep them secret. The upside to all this? At least parishioners will know their donations are going.
In Southern California, a former priest who was accused of molesting a teenager more than 30 years ago has been charged with abusing another boy in themid-1990s. Prosecutors say Denis Lyons, 75, abused the boy from 1992 to 1995, starting when the child was 7.
In Malaysia, a Sharia court has sentenced a Singaporean Muslim woman to be caned after she was caught drinking beer in a nightclub. For her "crime", Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, a 32-year-old model, will receive six lashes and be fined $1,400. This is absolutely disgusting and inevitably brings to mind disturbing images of Spanish Inquisition priests torturing naked women while having raging hard-ons underneath their robes.
And finally, in Wisconsin, a cult leader accused of helping a follower hide a corpse on her toilet will be sentenced today. Prosecutors say Alan Bushey (left), 59, and Tammy Lewis kept the decaying body of 90-year-old woman (also a follower of Bushey's) on Lewis' toilet, in order to continue collecting her Social Security.
In Ireland, a new report has identified hundreds of victims of child sex abuse by Irish Catholic priests. Church authorities had identified between 400 and 450 people that allege they were abused by one of 152 Dublin priests since 1940. Unfortunately, this may just be the tip of the iceberg according to the archdiocese spokesperson, "I would like to stress that that is a very conservative estimate and is likely to rise."
In Utah, 21 felony charges have been filed against a former Mormon seminary principal accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student. Michael Jay Pratt, 37, was the principal of Lone Peak High School's Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seminary. The church terminated him as soon as the allegations surfaced. Oh, the irony.
In Thailand, local police are blaming Muslim insurgents for drive-by shootings that killed three civilians. Last month, at least 36 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in violence in predominantly Buddhist Thailand's only Muslim-dominated region.
In England, a married Arabian princess who had a baby with her British lover has been granted asylum because she fears she will be stoned to death if she goes home. As we all know, the punishment for adultery in Sharia law-abiding Saudi Arabia is being stoned to death. Last year, Sharia courts sentenced 102 people to this inhumane punishment.
In Maryland, a Roman Catholic priest was convicted of sexually abusing an altar boy in Maryland more than seven years ago. The 57-year-old Reverend Aaron Cote is expected to be sentenced to 10 years of probation and must register as a sex offender.
In Baltimore, two members of a religious cult want to represent themselves at their upcoming trail for the starvation death of a one-year-old child. The members are accused of denying food and water to the toddler after he refused to say "Amen" after meals.
The petting padre, Richard Ordonez, 37, is accused of grabbing and attempting to sexually assault a woman he was giving marriage counseling to in January 2004. Unfortunately, it wasn't until 2008 --after speaking with a friend-- that she reported him. If convicted, Ordonez faces up to seven years in state prison.
Once again, I'm puzzled why religious followers would assume a priest --who don't have wives, children or deal with the day-to-day strife of a "normal" life-- would have any real insight into domestic issues. Now I'm not attacking the victim -- no one, regardless of their credulity deserves to be taken advantage of. Instead, I'm simply perplexed why such a paradigm --priest as family counselor-- is so blindly and widely accepted. What's next, Santa Claus as an addiction specialist??
In Omaha, NE, a former Catholic priest who served prison time for child porn and molesting an alter boy and was recently jailed again for fondling himself in a parking lot is telling police he's a victim of vandalism.
64-year-old Daniel Herek is claiming that someone smashed the driver's side mirror of his pickup truck the day after his birthday.
Matthew Bagert, 40, was indicted in November for downloading four sexually explicit photos of boys. He's facing up to 10 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine and possibly a lifetime of supervised release -- hopefully the "lifetime of supervision" bit will be handled this time around by a parole officer rather than just the Almighty.
However, there is a bright side to all this. Bagert was reported to the police by a fellow clergyman --something that doesn't happen quite often enough-- after he noticed questionable images on the pervy priest's church computer.
Now, I don't know about you, but if looking at pictures of young boys in the nude was my thing, I'd probably do it in private, as opposed to inside a church with nosy priests (who, in all fairness, may not share the same fetish) walking around. But that's just me.
Defrocked priest back in prison Sex offender Campobello picked up for probation violation
By MATT HANLEY Beacon News
Mark Campobello, who was defrocked as a Catholic priest after being convicted of molesting teenage girls, is back in prison for violating his parole.
Authorities said today that Campobello, who was a priest in Aurora and Geneva, had been living in McHenry County but had to move out of his house and no longer had a permanent address. Not having a permanent residence is a parole violation.
Campobello was imprisoned for three years and eight months after he pleaded guilty in 2004 to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl over five months in 1999, while he lived at the rectory of St. Peter Church in Geneva.
He also pleaded guilty to molesting a 15-year-old girl while she was a student at Aurora Central Catholic High School between November 1999 and March 2000. He was assistant principal of the school.
Yesterday in Brazil, a doctor received a standing ovation at a national convention on women's health for performing an abortion on a 9-year-old rape victim. The girl was four months pregnant with twins after being allegedly raped by her stepfather, who, authorities say, began abusing the child since she was 6.
But there was one guy in town who wasn't singing the doctor's praises and that man was Archbishop Don Jose Cardoso Sobrinho, who excommunicated the doctor, the child's mother and the medical staff involved with the procedure. Now before you accuse Sobrinho of being an irrational religous zealot, he did exhibit some restraint. Exempt from the excommunication: the rape victim (but only because children are exempt from excommunication) and...the accused rapist stepfather!
Sobrinho justified his decisions with this nugget of sage wisdom: "A graver act than (rape) is abortion, to eliminate an innocent life." Then he explained his own stupidity by asserting, "God's law is above human laws."
A Milwaukee man stood on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday to talk about how that city’s archbishop, Timothy M. Dolan, had dealt with the sexual abuse scandal during his six-year tenure. And his assessment of Archbishop Dolan, who has been chosen to lead New York’s Catholics, was considerably cooler than the reception the gregarious prelate received two weeks ago at the same spot. (read more)
For the record, I'm an unbeliever when it comes to God -- in any form. The purpose of this site is to document (and occasionally mock) the senseless acts carried out in the name of God/religion/superstition and the misdeeds of the so-called faithful.
$13 Million Settlement Reached in Sex Abuse Lawsuit
