Friday, June 29, 2012

Some Catholics in Bismarck questioned Bishop Kagan past in Rockford

 

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Questions for the new bishop

2011-11-14T18:45:00ZQuestions for the new bishopBy THOMAS HATZENBUHLER BismarckBismarckTribune.com

November 14, 2011 6:45 pm  •  By THOMAS HATZENBUHLER Bismarck

Prior to his appointment as bishop-elect of our diocese, Monsignor David Kagan served as the misconduct officer for the Diocese of Rockford, Ill.

At the time of his service as misconduct officer, a fellow clergyman, the Rev. Mark Campobello, was accused of sexually abusing two young girls.

In 2004, Campobello pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually abusing minors.

Had the state of Illinois not been so pertinacious in the pursuit of justice for these two young victims, Campobello's misdeeds may have been blurred into obscurity and speculation.

As the diocese's misconduct officer, Monsignor Kagan chose to impede the legal process by asserting that the records of Campobello's reassignments within the church, all investigative conversations between himself and Campobello and the circumstances of Campobello's voluntary institutionalization at a mental health facility fell within the purview of canonical law and were therefore accessible only by the church (Illinois V. Campobello, 2002).

Nevertheless, and despite Monsignor Kagan's efforts, the Catholic Diocese of Rockford settled the lawsuit filed against Campobello by the two known victims of his sexual abuse for the amount of $2.2 million.

This indifference particularly worries me because

I am an alumnus of the Catholic elementary and junior high school that Monsignor Kagan will soon directly oversee, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck.

I fully understand that Monsignor Kagan was himself not responsible for the despicable abuse rendered by Campobello; nevertheless, I hold the man, who willingly - with a faithful conscience - protected such an individual, both legally and morally, to be of equal or greater moral ineptitude and offense.

Given his clear history of holding canonical laws above those of the state, I cannot help but conjecture about the authority by which Monsignor Kagan is either able or allowed to be a moral guide for others, much less for children

Click on the following to see numerous additional comments:(55) Comments

The above is taken from the following:  Questions for the new bishop

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Will this year’s total collections equal last year’s $850,647 in total collections?

 

Click on the photocopy to enlarge: 

6-30-2011 financials 1

The following information is a summary from the weekly bulletins during the 2011-2012 fiscal year.  The grand total is $745,150.

Date of Collection       Amount

   
7/3/2011 14605
  12914
  11891
  11319.26
  15421.98
8/6/2011 12901.87
  14168.04
  11553.1
  11806
9/4/2011 14279.75
  12694
  11578.19
  12867.79
10/2/2011 14804.28
  13620.16
  11955
  11658.41
  12749
11/6/2011 19708.31
  12788.35
  13960
  12720.53
12/4/2011 15947.18
  12841.98
  14791.52
  8824.2
   
   
   
26 weeks 344368.9
   
1/2/2012 12390
  13390
  12075
  11129
1/29/2012 13814
5-Feb 13315
12-Feb 11902
19-Feb 12722
26-Feb 14183
4-Mar 16119
11-Mar 13121
18-Mar 13603
25-Mar 14822
1-Apr 18634
8-Apr 26142
15-Apr 12984
22-Apr 12708
29-Apr 13232
6-May 17164
13-May 12200
20-May 12670
27-May 13095
4-Jun 15800
10-Jun 12098
17-Jun 12179
24-Jun 11264
   
26 weeks 362755
   
52weeks  707123.9

 

All Saints 1834.16
All Souls 1026.2
Thanksgiv 1655.85
Christmas 24494.03
Imac Con 2556.16
Ash Wedn 3215.56
Good Friday  3244
   
Holidays Totals 38025.96

 

Grand Total

745150  

Weekly Collection for weekend of June 24, 2012

 

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Total pledges increased $480, no increase in the number of families.

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Archdiocese of Philadelphia plans to sell Ventnor villa - Philly.com

 

It's not listed with a broker yet, but will be soon," archdiocesan spokesman Kenneth Gavin said of the property at 114 S. Princeton, which stretches a full block along the Boardwalk and is assessed at $6.2 million.

21,875-square-foot villa, which last year cost the archdiocese $114,562 in property taxes, was acquired by then-Archbishop John Krol in 1963 from Hannah G. Hogan, a real estate investor and owner of a plumbing supply company. Hogan wanted the home used for elderly and ill priests in memory of her brother, the Rev. Edward Hogan.

Though the property - which Hogan bought for $55,000 in 1961 - was said to have been donated to the archdiocese, its June 2, 1963, deed shows tax stamps indicating a sale price of $100,000, according to the Atlantic County Clerk's Office. It is now one of the highest-assessed homes in Ventnor.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia plans to sell Ventnor villa - Philly.com

Convicted priest may get house arrest - Philly.com

 

Assistant District Attorney Patrick Blessington bristled that Lynn was not entitled to house arrest under the law and did not deserve it, in part, because he and his attorneys last week told the judge that he did not have a passport when he actually did. The passport was handed over during Tuesday's hearing.

"It's incomprehensible that he wouldn't get the maximum sentence," added Blessington, who gave Sarmina a Chicago Tribune article about 32 Catholic priests who fled justice after being arrested since 1985.

Click on the following for more details:  Convicted priest may get house arrest - Philly.com

 

The Tribune article quoted above is paraphrased below along with its web location:

Since 1985, at least 32 Roman Catholic priests have left the United States for foreign countries while facing criminal charges or a police investigation over allegations that they sexually assaulted or abused minors, according to federal warrants, news reports and law enforcement sources. Only five have been returned to the U.S. to face trial; some died abroad. The number of fugitive priests grows by more than two dozen if it includes those who left the country while facing internal church probes or civil allegations of child sex misconduct, instead of a criminal investigation, and those who were transferred to foreign countries by church authorities before or after allegations surfaced. Many have maintained their innocence. Authorities also have pursued religious leaders from other faith traditions who fled the U.S. amid abuse allegations.

Click here for Tribune:   Fugitives from justice: Roman Catholic priests

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Judge may release Pa. monsignor, if Vatican will agree not to harbor him if he flees - The Washington Post

 

prosecutors urged the judge to keep Lynn in jail, offering up a news story that said that 35 Roman Catholic priests have fled during criminal cases. Most apparently fled before trial, often to their native country, Sarmina noted.

Read the entire story by clicking on the following:  Judge may release Pa. monsignor, if Vatican will agree not to harbor him if he flees - The Washington Post

Monday, June 25, 2012

Vatican Hires Fox News Correspondent as Media Adviser - NYTimes.com

 

correspondent, Greg Burke, 52, who has covered the Vatican for Fox since 2001, will leave the network to help improve and coordinate the Vatican’s various communications operations, Mr. Burke and the Vatican spokesman said.

Some Vatican watchers called the move a power play by media-savvy Americans — including Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, the archbishop of New York and the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops — inside a Vatican hierarchy run by Italians whose most frequent communications strategy is to accuse their critics of defamation.

Mr. Burke is a member of the conservative Opus Dei movement, and his hiring underscores the group’s role in the Vatican.

Click on the following for more detailsVatican Hires Fox News Correspondent as Media Adviser - NYTimes.com

U.S. Nuns’ Bus Tour to Spotlight Social Justice - NYTimes.com

 

bus tour is a response to a blistering critique of American nuns released in April by the Vatican’s doctrinal office, which included the accusation that the nuns are outspoken on issues of social justice, but silent on other issues the church considers crucial: abortion and gay marriage.

The sisters plan to use the tour also to protest cuts in programs for the poor and working families in the federal budget that was passed by the House of Representatives and proposed by Representative Paul D. Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican who cited his Catholic faith to justify the cuts….

begin on June 18 in Iowa and end on July 2 in Virginia.

that financing for Catholic social services had increased significantly in the three years since President Obama took office: “We’re celebrating the religious freedom we have.”

U.S. Nuns’ Bus Tour to Spotlight Social Justice - NYTimes.com

‘Nuns on the Bus’: Investigated but irrepressible | Strange Bedfellows — Politics News - seattlepi.com

U.S. Catholic bishops have launched a much-ballyhooed “Fortnight for Freedom” in protest against HHS’ birth control mandate and gay marriage, with masses at basilicas and sermons by such right-thinking prelates as Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia.

The national event is being upstaged, however,  by “Nuns on the Bus,”  a 14-day, nine-city bus tour by four Catholic nuns that is designed to protest steep reductions in federal food stamps, Medicaid and other programs that assist the poor.

Click on he following for more details:  ‘Nuns on the Bus’: Investigated but irrepressible | Strange Bedfellows — Politics News - seattlepi.com

Lynn’s lawyers to seek bail, home confinement

 

By Joseph A. Slobodzian

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

For the last four nights, William J. Lynn has been known as number 1102886 - one of 2,883 men living at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, the largest of the city's prisons, in Northeast Philadelphia.

On Tuesday, Lynn's lawyers hope they can persuade a Philadelphia judge to grant Lynn bail, allowing him to resume his title of monsignor of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and, at least temporarily, live at home instead of in solitary confinement.

Click on the following for more details;  Lynn’s lawyers to seek bail, home confinement

Philadelphia Archdiocese lays out broad changes in administration; newspaper among offices to close or merge

 

A shake-up of seismic proportions for the administration of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was announced by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Thursday, June 21.

Consolidations including elimination of offices or combination of others with reduced staffing levels resulted in more than 40 employees losing their jobs.

Included in the sweeping changes was the discontinuation of The Catholic Standard and Times. After 117 years, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese, which last year became a monthly paper, ceases to publish. The recent June issue was the last of the newspaper.

Click on the following for all of the story:  Catholic Philly

What Rev. William Lynn’s conviction means for the Catholic Church - Catholic America - The Washington Post

 

By Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo

one can expect an appeal in order to prevent the former clergy secretary for the Philadelphia Archdiocese from serving the maximum sentence of seven years in jail  But, unlike previous cases, this trial was not of a clerical abuser but of a priest in charge of personnel appointments. The court finding substantiates Lynn’s culpable responsibility for knowing that such abuse was likely to occur, but endangering children nonetheless by assigning abusers to what we Catholics call “near occasions of sin.”….

To a reasonable observer, this case demonstrates that the courts will not afford clergymen a version of the Nazi’s Nuremburg defense that they “were only following orders

The big loser from the timing of Msgr. Lynn’s conviction may be the bishops’ just-launched Fortnight for Freedom. It would be a disaster for the bishops’ authority if the public comes to view this campaign as a smoke-screen to avoid punishing evildoers in the clerical pedophilia. Beware of the fireworks when this campaign closes: it might not be what the bishops expected.

Click on the following for all of the story:  What Rev. William Lynn’s conviction means for the Catholic Church - Catholic America - The Washington Post

Sunday, June 24, 2012

George Pell in Pope's special meeting of cardinals to deal with Vatican leaks | The Australian

 

POPE Benedict XVI has convened a special meeting of cardinals for advice on how to deal with the Vatican's leaked documents scandal.

The pope was already scheduled to attend a regular meeting of the heads of Vatican offices on Saturday morning.

The Vatican press office said he added a second meeting later in the day with other cardinals - including Sydney archbishop George Pell - in a bid to try to ''restore a climate of serenity and trust'' in the church.

Last weekend Benedict met with the cardinal's commission to learn details of some of the two dozen people they have questioned.

The meetings on Saturday were another indication of the seriousness with which he has taken the scandal and the damage it has done to the trust that is supposed to form the basis of the Vatican's governance.

In another sign the Vatican was taking the matter seriously, it confirmed on Saturday that it was bringing in the Fox News correspondent in Rome, Greg Burke, as a senior communications adviser to help the Vatican craft its communications strategy.

Burke, 52 and a member of the conservative movement Opus Dei, said he would be helping to shape the Vatican's message and make sure all Vatican departments stick to it.

Click on the following for more details:  George Pell in Pope's special meeting of cardinals to deal with Vatican leaks | The Australian

Priest's conviction is a first, will more follow? - CBS News

 

Lynn was far from the only diocesan official in the United States who kept accused priests in parish assignments. Thousands of case files made public through lawsuits and civil investigations revealed that consistent inaction by church officials in the face of abuse claims in earlier years left a trail of victims in dioceses nationwide. About 16,000 claims have been made against Catholic clergy since 1950, according to studies commissioned by the U.S. bishops

.Only the pope has authority over bishops, and none has been forced out for mishandling abuse cases from decades ago.

Click on the following for CBS’s thoughts on the subject of future cases:  Priest's conviction is a first, will more follow? - CBS News

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Archdiocese Reacts To Verdict In Trial Of Monsignor William Lynn

 

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June 22, 2012

ARCHDIOCESE REACTS TO VERDICT
IN TRIAL OF MONSIGNOR WILLIAM LYNN

This has been a difficult time for all Catholics, especially victims of sexual abuse. The lessons of the last year have made our Church a more vigilant guardian of our people's safety. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is on a journey of reform and renewal that requires honesty and hope. We are committed to providing support and assistance to parishioners as they and the Church seek to more deeply understand sexual violence, and to create an environment that is safe and welcoming to all, including past victims.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia offers a heartfelt apology to all victims of clergy sexual abuse. Now and in the future, the Church will continue to take vigorous steps to ensure safe church environments for all the faithful in Philadelphia.

###

Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747

Above is taken from:  Archdiocese Reacts To Verdict In Trial Of Monsignor William Lynn

Msgr. William Lynn of Philadelphia Is Convicted of Allowing Abuse - NYTimes.com

 

By JON HURDLE and ERIK ECKHOLM
— Msgr. William J. Lynn, a former cardinal’s aide, was found guilty Friday of endangering children, becoming the first senior official of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States convicted of covering up sexual abuses by priests under his supervision.

The 12-member jury acquitted Monsignor Lynn, of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, of conspiracy and a second count of endangerment after a trial that prosecutors and victims rights groups called a turning point in the abuse scandals that have shaken the Catholic Church.

The single guilty verdict was widely seen as a victory for the district attorney’s office, which has been investigating the archdiocese aggressively since 2002, and it was hailed by victim advocates who have argued for years that senior church officials should be held accountable for concealing evidence and transferring predatory priests to unwary

Click on the following for all of he story:  Msgr. William Lynn of Philadelphia Is Convicted of Allowing Abuse - NYTimes.com

Friday, June 22, 2012

When is the near future?

In as much as it is almost July when will the parish see the new drawings?  Have we received any of the promised updates?

Father Geary’s note to parishioners is from the April 1, 2012 St, James Bulletin.

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Church cuts jobs amid Philadelphia child sex abuse trial - chicagotribune.com

Dave Warner--Reuters

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - The beleaguered Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, beset by criminal and civil lawsuits related to a child sex abuse scandal, said on Thursday it is bleeding money and will lay off 45 people and close its 117-year-old newspaper.
Archbishop Charles Chaput said the 1.5 million member archdiocese faces a $17 million shortfall in the next fiscal year, which Chaput said does not take into account another $10 million in legal and investigatory expenses over the past several months.

"The extraordinary legal and professional costs of the past 16 months, while burdensome, played little role in the current budget decisions," Chaput said in a statement.

Click on the following for all of the story:  Church cuts jobs amid Philadelphia child sex abuse trial - chicagotribune.com

Deadlocked or not, the priest sex-abuse jury did its job - Philly.com

 

Whatever the jury decides, this trial will still be a win for justice.

Because, for once, accusations in the Archdiocese sex-abuse scandal have played out where past allegations should have: publicly, in a court of law, before a jury that has weighed all sides and come to a decision based upon its best understanding of the case.

Click on the following for more details:  Deadlocked or not, the priest sex-abuse jury did its job - Philly.com

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Voice of the People, Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - chicagotribune.com

 

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Cardinal's words

When Cardinal Francis George urged parishioners to speak out against the federal contraceptive mandate, he is setting both himself and other Catholics up for a charge of blatant hypocrisy ("Birth control edict stirs Catholics," News, June 17). What the cardinal is basically saying is that no one, including the government, should be able to tell the church what it can and cannot do. I would agree with this assertion.

However, the history of the Catholic Church and other religious institutions is to consistently dictate to others what they can and cannot do in their private lives. This includes women's reproductive choices, various gay issues and, of course, what we all do in our bedrooms. The list of personal activities that the church has tried to outlaw is quite long. I would urge the cardinal and other religious people to practice what they preach. If you want to be left alone to do as you see fit, then you must afford others that same right.

Ads by Google

Jeff Clauser, Chicago

This an other opinions opposing the Catholic Church’s opposition to the HHS Mandate are available by clicking on the followingVoice of the People, Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - chicagotribune.com

Weekly Collection for weekend of June 17, 2012

 

 

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No change in total pledges for building campaign.

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Monsignor Lynn Jury Says It Is Deadlocked - NYTimes.com

 

PHILADELPHIA — In its 12th day of deliberations, the jury in the landmark trial of a Roman Catholic Church official accused of covering up sexual abuses by other priests said Wednesday that it was deadlocked on four of the five charges in the trial.

The judge instructed the jury to keep trying to reach unanimous agreement on all five charges

Click on the following for more details:  Monsignor Lynn Jury Says It Is Deadlocked - NYTimes.com

Monday, June 18, 2012

More Stuff About Cardinal Dolan Not Discussed On Fox News - NewsHounds

 

NY's Cardinal Dolan gets lots of face time on Fox News - a "fair & balanced" media outlet which has provided Dolan with extensive coverage that appeared to validate his animosity towards President Obama regarding the HHS contraception mandate and the ensuing lawsuits filed by Catholic entities against the administration. However, as I reported, Fox seems to be avoiding any discussion of Dolan's payouts to pedophile priests when he was archbishop of Milwaukee. And now that NY legislators are trying to relax laws governing statutes of limitations on sex abuse crimes, Fox's favorite prelate, Cardinal Dolan is lobbying against changes in the law.

Read more by clicking on the following:  More Stuff About Cardinal Dolan Not Discussed On Fox News - NewsHounds

10 Days of Deliberations, No Verdict in Priest-Abuse Trial | NBC 10 Philadelphia

Philadelphia jury is set to return for an 11th day of deliberations Tuesday in the groundbreaking clergy-abuse trial of two Roman Catholic priests.

Click on the following for more details10 Days of Deliberations, No Verdict in Priest-Abuse Trial | NBC 10 Philadelphia

Sacred Heart Academy school bus set on fire in Rockford - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

 

ROCKFORD — An Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy school bus was set on fire early Saturday morning, badly damaging the bus interior.

 

Click on the following for more details:  Sacred Heart Academy school bus set on fire in Rockford - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Friday, June 15, 2012

Irish Archbishops slam Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s report on Rome Irish college | Irish News and Politics spanning the US, Ireland and the World | IrishCentral

“This initial report contained some serious errors of fact, including named individuals. Attentive to the importance of applying due process, and respecting the rights of those named in this initial report, the trustees made a detailed and considered response to the Holy See.”

The four archbishops, Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh; the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin; the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, and the Archbishop of Cashel, Dr Dermot Clifford, were sent a copy of the visitation report by the Vatican.
Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Irish-Archbishops-slam-Cardinal-Timothy-Dolans-report-on-Rome-Irish-college-159170715.html#ixzz1xvA48DGW

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Judge Orders Diocese Into Arbitration with Alleged Abuse Victims | fox4kc.com – Kansas City news & weather from WDAF TV – FOX 4

 

The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has been ordered into arbitration to determine if it violated the terms of a 2008 settlement with alleged priest abuse victims.

Click on the following for more details:  Judge Orders Diocese Into Arbitration with Alleged Abuse Victims | fox4kc.com – Kansas City news & weather from WDAF TV – FOX 4

Shatter: no special case for seal of confessional - The Irish Times - Wed, Jun 13, 2012

 

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter (FG) said it was possible that if a priest or a bishop was prosecuted under withholding of information legislation they might claim entitlement to some form of privilege. However, the legal basis for such a claim no longer held, as the special position of the Catholic church had been removed from the Constitution. If such a claim was based on freedom of religion, the courts might be called on to decide the issue.

Click on the following for more details;  Shatter: no special case for seal of confessional - The Irish Times - Wed, Jun 13, 2012

Father Earl new parochial vicar for St. James Belvidere

 

See the Rockford Register Star’s article on line at:  http://www.rrstar.com/updates/x426171369/Priest-who-wrecked-Rockford-abortion-clinic-moved-to-Belvidere also in Saturday’s print edition.

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St. James Bulletin, June 17, 2012

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To some extent Father Earl is nationally known for his actions against the “abortion clinic” in Rockford—see the article below:

CLICK ON THE PHOTOCOPY TO ENLARGE

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See the entire article by clicking on the following:  http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=95561&page=1

The Catholic New World 2000.

Bishop's Column

Update:
Rockford priest faces charges

A Rockford priest was expected to be arraigned Oct. 9 on charges of burglary and criminal trespass in connection with his alleged entry into a Rockford abortion clinic Sept. 30.
Father John Earl, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Rochelle, was released on $10,000 bond following an incident at the Northern Illinois Women’s Center in which he is alleged to have driven his Saturn automobile into a closed garage door to gain entry, and then used an ax to open other doors and move about inside the building.
In a statement released Sept. 30, the Diocese of Rockford had no comment on the criminal charges facing Earl but said that “it has never been nor is it the policy or practice of the Roman Catholic Church to condone, approve or promote violence in any form to achieve a desired end.’’
“While this matter is under further review,” Rockford Bishop Thomas G. Doran “has restricted Father Earl’s activities in accordance with church law,” the diocese said.
Diocesan officials said they planned to make no additional comments while charges were pending against Earl

 

NATION

by Teresa Malcolm  

see:  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_44_36/ai_66888039/

Priest faces arraignment for trespassing at clinic

A priest was expected to be arraigned Oct. 9 on charges of burglary and criminal trespass in connection with his alleged entry into a Rockford, Ill., abortion clinic Sept. 30.

Fr. John Earl, pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Rochelle, was released on $10,000 bond following an incident at the Northern Illinois Women's Center in which he is alleged to have driven his Saturn automobile into a closed garage door to gain entry, and then used an ax to open other doors and move about inside the building.

According to news reports, the building's owner, Gerald W. Webster, fired two shots toward the intruder from a 12-gauge shotgun. Neither man was injured.

Winnebago County State's Attorney Paul Logli indicated that Earl might face other charges in relation to the incident.

In a statement released Sept. 30, the Rockford diocese had no comment on the criminal charges facing Earl but said, "It has never been, nor is it the policy or practice of the Roman Catholic church to condone, approve or promote violence in any form to achieve a desired end.'

"While this matter is under further review," Rockford Bishop Thomas G. Doran "has restricted Fr. Earl's activities in accordance with church law," the diocese said.

Fr. Aaron Brodeski, associate director of vocations and spiritual adviser for the diocese's Office of Youth and Young Adults, temporarily assumed Earl's pastoral duties in Rochelle.

 

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NIWC Becomes Target of Catholic Exorcism

From:  http://mcccprochoice.org/?p=119

The Northern Illinois Women’s Center (NIWC), in Rockford, IL, is a physician-owned freestanding outpatient family planning clinic offering a wide range of reproductive health information and services, including abortion, counseling, family planning, pregnancy termination, birth control, in a comfortable, supportive, secure environment. Abortion procedures are directed by Dr. Dennis Christensen, a board certified OB-GYN, with over 30 years experience in the abortion field. Dr. Christensen has plans to retire but has been joined by Dr. K who is also a board certified OB/GYN. NIWC is listed on the National Abortion Federation (NAF) web site as an Illinois provider.

Over the years there have been weekly anti-choice protests conducted at this site. Intimidating shouts at patients, attempts to keep the doctor from driving into the parking lot, graphic signs, insulting name calling, wanted posters and verbal death threats to the landlord whose office is in the building. On September 30, 2000, Rev. John P. Earl, a 32-year-old Roman Catholic priest, pastor at St. Patrick Church in Rochelle, drove his car into the rear of the building housing the clinic and used an ax to destroy windows, doors and surveillance cameras. He succeeded in breaking into the door to the office of the landlord. Now on Friday, July 16, 2010, a number of catholic priests performed a public exorcism in front of the clinic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU9ZqdsQD9o

It continues to be a glum picture in Rockford with a dispirited pro-choice community due to a negative political situation with a city council that favors the anti-choice activists. A recent attempt to institute a “bubble law” did not get out of committee. The following anti-choice web site further exposes the overtly religious attack on women’s reproductive health. The attempt to change laws to promote religious beliefs is in direct opposition to the religious freedom that is basic to our constitutional rights.
http://www.prolifecorner.com/node/371

The catholic priest who attacked the clinic building in 2000 pleaded guilty to felony charges and received 30 months of probation and $7,664 in fines and restitution. He remained a priest in good standing and was reassigned to St. Nicholas parish in Aurora, IL. In 2006 he was reassigned to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elgin, IL.

 

Winnebago Circuit Court records:  http://fce.wincoil.us/fullcourtweb/offenseSummary.do?CourtCaseId=526909&DefendantId=3531518

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The following is taken from :  http://www.stpatricksrochelle.com/history.html

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….Father Kennedy was responsible for design and construction of the current day church, and he served as pastor until his death in March 1999. Under Father Kennedy's leadership a new Parish Center was constructed, a large building was acquired for a Learning Center, and many new programs were developed. Succeeding Father Kennedy was Father John Earl, and in October 2000, Father David A. Peck arrived.

 

To read the next two articles you will need to have a subscription.

Apparently Father Earl became the parochial administer of his old church in Elgin, Str. Joseph in 2006

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1637199.html

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Father Earl was a priest at St. Jospeh, Elgin from June 1994 to June 1997.

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-65956401.html

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Michele Somerville: Cardinal Dolan Has a Lot of Explaining to Do

 

imageWhen the Cardinal finishes being silent, he'll have some explaining to do.

He spoke to the New York Post on June 4 but didn't say much. He didn't deny making the payments, but he described the Times' claim that he had as "groundless", and took a shot at New York City's paper of record. Isn't his admission grounds enough for a reporter to go with the story?

Waiting out the scandal may prove difficult for Timothy Dolan with so many time-sensitive projects at hand: the USCCB's (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) unofficial campaign for Romney, the lead-up to to "Fortnight for Freedom" -- a "two-week period of prayer, education and action in support of religious freedom, from June 21-July 4," and the ongoing war against "ObamaCare."

The allegations at hand (that Dolan paid off pedophile priests in Milwaukee) are so very serious that even Catholics who are disappointed in Dolan are reluctant to believe that the United States' top priest would have have paid a handful of pedophile priests to just go away --instead of turning them over to the Milwaukee District Attorney's Office.

Click on the following to read the entire article;  Michele Somerville: Cardinal Dolan Has a Lot of Explaining to Do

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Catholic nuns group and Vatican remain at odds – USATODAY.com

 

The LCWR's choices are to accept the bishops' supervision or to pull out, order by order. The consequences of that would be to lose their "canonical recognition" — papal approval under church law.

That would have financial and religious consequences, raising such questions such as who owns their property. It would jeopardize their tax-exempt status, even their right to call themselves Catholic sisters. It also would take the LCWR out of the halls of influence.

Click on the following for more details:  Catholic nuns group and Vatican remain at odds – USATODAY.com

Monday, June 11, 2012

Magisterium’s clock is stuck in 1965 — Sean O Connaill. Association of Catholic Priests

 

And so I am certain that ‘all that has gone wrong since’ is a result of the failure of the Catholic magisterium to maintain the spirit of Vatican II – that spirit of hope and confidence and equal dignity in the church.  Above all it was the result of a betrayal by the magisterium of not just the spirit but the letter of Lumen Gentium.

One illustration will suffice.  According to Lumen Gentium 37 (1965) Catholic lay people would be “empowered to manifest their opinion on those things which pertain to the good of the Church”  ….  “through the institutions established by the Church for that purpose

…..The magisterium’s clock is still stuck in 1965, still stuck in Curial fear of any Catholic assembly it cannot control and manipulate. What an ocean of tears has been shed in consequence!”.

Click on the following for more details:  Magisterium’s clock is stuck in 1965 — Sean O Connaill. Association of Catholic Priests

Milwaukee Archdiocese doing the right thing on investigation - JSOnline

 

last week in placing a soon-to-retire priest on administrative leave while it investigates an allegation of sexual abuse three decades ago. The accusation is just that right now, an accusation; it does not mean that Father John Schreiter of St. John Neumann parish in Waukesha is guilty of anything.

Click on the following for more details:  Milwaukee Archdiocese doing the right thing on investigation - JSOnline

Is ‘Zero Tolerance’ Charter On Priest Sex Abuse Working, 10 Years Later? « CBS Chicago

 

Lago says, financially, the priest sex abuse scandal has cost the Catholic Church in Chicago about 100 million dollars. He says about 75 million dollars of that was in settlements to victims.

She ( Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke)and others even personally told now-Pope Benedict what needed to be done and 10 years later, Burke does not like what she’s seen–with continued examples of priests abusing children and higher ups allegedly covering it up.

Click on the following for more details;  Is ‘Zero Tolerance’ Charter On Priest Sex Abuse Working, 10 Years Later? « CBS Chicago

Pope urges loyalty after 'Vatileaks' scandal - Yahoo!7

 

Pope Benedict XVI on Monday called for "faithfulness" from his followers following a scandal over the leak of confidential papers from the Vatican that has led to the arrest of his butler.

"I encourage you to cultivate a personal bond with the Vicar of Christ as part of your spirituality," the pope said in a speech at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, the diplomatic school of the Holy See.

Click on the following for more details:  Pope urges loyalty after 'Vatileaks' scandal - Yahoo!7

BCJ Letter to Editor—May 25, 2012

 

Un

Saturday, June 9, 2012

St. James School and its court record

The following are taken from the Boone County Court records which are on-line at:http://www.judici.com/courts/cases/case_search.jsp?court=IL004015J 

All appear to be suits for non-payment of tuition and fees.

2012

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2011

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2010

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Weekly Collection for weekend of June 4, 2012

 

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For the two week period ending June 4 building pledges increase form 718 to 723.  The five additional pledges represent an additional $2560.  There still remains $665,960 to the first pledge goal of $3,000,000.

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