NEW CATHOLIC BISHOPS TOLD THEY DON’T HAVE TO REPORT SEXUAL ABUSE TO POLICE
MONSIGNOR TONY ANATRELLA |
During a presentation for newly appointed bishops, French Monsignor Tony Anatrella said they don’t have a duty to report abuse because it should be the responsibility of victims and their families to go to the police. The comments were first reported by John L. Allen at the Catholic news site Cruxnow.com.
Anatrella, a psychtherapist and consultant to the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, is known for his controversial views on homosexuality, including that the acceptance of homosexuality in the West is creating “serious problems” for children. He also helped to write a training document for newly appointed bishops that further spells out the church’s stance on clerical sexual abuse.
“According to the state of civil laws of each country where reporting is obligatory, it is not necessarily the duty of the bishop to report suspects to authorities, the police or state prosecutors in the moment when they are made aware of crimes or sinful deeds,” the training document, which was released by the Vatican earlier this month, reads. The document says bishops are required only to report the suspected abuse internally.
A Vatican source told Newsweek that the comments made during the presentation are Anatrella’s opinion and not an official Vatican position. The source added that in some countries it is difficult for clergy to report abuse to authorities due to the “quite hostile” relationship between church and state. In countries with corrupt police forces and hostile governments, for example, there is greater risk of not having a presumption of innocence and a fair trial, he said.
“What would that mean in communist countries that throw priests and bishops into jail just for mentioning the pope’s name?” the Vatican source said. “To turn over the investigation of an accusation that could be false in such a situation is something that must be weighed.”
The Catholic League, a Catholic civil rights organization, also said the comments made by Anatrella were solely his opinion, and a Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said they were “not in any way—as someone has mistakenly interpreted—a new Vatican document or a new instruction or new ‘guidelines’ for bishops.”
Anatrella’s comments appear to be at odds with efforts made by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which held a week-long meeting earlier this month. The proposals from the commission, which will be sent to Pope Francis for his consideration, include “a request for him to remind all authorities in the Church of the importance of responding directly to victims and survivors who approach him,” the Vatican said in a press release.
Allen notes that the commission was not involved in the training session given by Anatrella and wonders why the commission is “not entrusted with making such a presentation to new bishops.” The next course for new bishops will be held in September, Allen reports.
"In one sense, this isn’t surprising. As BishopAccountability.org has pointed out, 'zero tolerance,' while often uttered by Catholic officials, isn’t even the official policy of the global church," Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said in a statement emailed to Newsweek.
"But it’s infuriating—and dangerous—that so many believe the myth that bishops are changing how they deal with abuse and that so little attention is paid when evidence to the contrary—like this disclosure by Allen—emerges," she said.
The commission was set up in March 2014 with the explicit goal of proposing initiatives for “protecting minors and vulnerable adults, in order that we may do everything possible to ensure that crimes such as those which have occurred are no longer repeated in the Church." Futhermore, the commission "is to promote local responsibility in the particular Churches, uniting their efforts to those of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, for the protection of all children and vulnerable adults.”
PAT SAYS,
If this report is true it is extremely worrying.
It is also an indication that the Church Hierarchy has not learned lessons.
All abuse of minors and vulnerable adults should be reported to the police and social services.
Governments should also bring in legislation that says that ANYONE not reporting abuse should be prosecuted and imprisoned.
The duty to report abuse should be enshrined in canon law as well as civil law.
______________________________________________________
PAT SAYS,
If this report is true it is extremely worrying.
It is also an indication that the Church Hierarchy has not learned lessons.
All abuse of minors and vulnerable adults should be reported to the police and social services.
Governments should also bring in legislation that says that ANYONE not reporting abuse should be prosecuted and imprisoned.
The duty to report abuse should be enshrined in canon law as well as civil law.
______________________________________________________
Down and Connor Diocesan Appointments
27th August 2017
In response to the pastoral needs of the people of the Diocese of Down and Connor, the following appointments have been made which take effect from Friday 22nd September 2017:
Very Rev Raymond Fulton, to be PP Rasharkin
Very Rev Con Boyle, to be PP Culfeightrin
Very Rev John Forsythe, to be PP Randalstown
Very Rev Patrick Sheehan, to be PP St Mary’s on the Hill, Glengormley
Very Rev Aidan Keenan, to be PP Nativity, Belfast
Very Rev Peter Carlin, to be PP St Matthew’s, Belfast
Very Rev Dermot McKay, to be Priest in Residence, Glenarm
Very Rev Anthony Alexander, to be PP Carnlough and PP Glenarm
Very Rev David Delargy, to be PP of the Lough Shore Parishes (Whitehouse, Greencastle and St James’)
Very Rev Ciaran Feeney, to be PP St Michael the Archangel, Belfast
Very Rev Anthony Fitzsimons, to be Administrator of St Colmcille’s, Ballyhackamore
Very Rev Martin Magill, to be PP St John’s, Belfast
Very Rev Joseph Rooney, to be Administrator of Ballyclare & Ballygowan
Rev Aidan McCaughan, to be Priest in Residence at St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast
Rev Darren Brennan, to be CC St Mary’s on the Hill, Glengormley
Rev Damian McCaughan, to be CC Ballymena
Rev Dominic McGrattan, to pursue postgraduate studies in theology at the Catholic University of Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.
Rev Manuelito Milo, recently ordained, to be CC St Patrick’s, Belfast
Rev Brian Watters, to be CC St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast
Mrs Paula McKeown, to be Director of the Living Church Office
Very Rev Paddy Delargy (PP Ballymena), to be Vicar General
Very Rev Eugene O’Hagan (Diocesan Chancellor), to be Vicar General.
Pats comments on changes
Raymond Fulton. Good man. Rasharkin will be happy.
Con Boyle - too long in Randalstown. 20 years. Good change for Randalstown.
Dermot McKay. Illness some years ago. Needs to take it easy. Not great personality.
David Delargy. One to watch!
Anthony Fitzsimons. Good guy.
Martin Magill. Very short stay, Ballyclare ???
Darren Brennan. Good man. Good priest.
Dominic McGrattan. Study theology? Priest shortage? Maynooth closing?
Brian Waters. Strange fish!
New Vicar Generals. Company men 100%.
Why no new Canons?
GENERAL COMMENT
Noel Treanor moving deck chairs on the Titanic.
Raymond Fulton. Good man. Rasharkin will be happy.
Con Boyle - too long in Randalstown. 20 years. Good change for Randalstown.
Dermot McKay. Illness some years ago. Needs to take it easy. Not great personality.
David Delargy. One to watch!
Anthony Fitzsimons. Good guy.
Martin Magill. Very short stay, Ballyclare ???
Darren Brennan. Good man. Good priest.
Dominic McGrattan. Study theology? Priest shortage? Maynooth closing?
Brian Waters. Strange fish!
New Vicar Generals. Company men 100%.
Why no new Canons?
GENERAL COMMENT
Noel Treanor moving deck chairs on the Titanic.
It is important to realise and remember that Anatrella is, thank God, speaking only for himself when he says it's not up to bishops to report child abuse. He is doing severe damage though if he gives this spurious advice to others. Other important Church figures have severely criticised his viewpoint and thank God for that. However, it is truly shocking that he has learned nothing. I wish he could be at one of my Child Protection training sessions - -I would soon tell him what's what!!
ReplyDeleteNo bishop in his right mind would follow Anatrella's "advice". He is an extremely dubious character.
DeleteInteresting comment Bishop about DD He is a holiday companion of GOB who is totally despised by the Archbishop of Dublin . Interesting that as the Archbishop grows weaker in nearing his mandatory retirement that GOB and DD are so public about their bromance. its certainly and embarrassment in Dublin> I think I will give the baths a lourdes this pilgrimage a miss this year or go very early so as not to disturb the propeller of the baths none other than GOB and DD
ReplyDeleteSeriously who gives a fuck about this. As a gossip Bishop this must interest you, but to the faithful really we not interested in judgement, just as i aint interested in judgement about you. I'll pray another novena for you as the last one was ineffectual
ReplyDeleteDominic McGrattan is hot. Maynooth is in fact closing. Fanny Mullaney is its final president. There's at least one gay PP in that D&C list.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the connection between someone going to study in Belgium and Maynooth closing?
DeleteYes, Dominic Mc Grattan is fit alright......I would!
DeleteClerical changes: Anthony Buckley in Cork is on the move again... 5th appointment in 6 years... What is going on there??
ReplyDelete7.23. Who cares how often he's been moved. Get a life. Leave priests alone. Go and do something useful & worthwhile....
DeleteA priest is a public figure providing a service. If I am to raise my children in the Catholic faith then I have the duty to ensure my local priest is a good one... just like I have a duty to bring my children to a good GP, a good dentist, a good school.
DeleteI don't get a plumber, carpenter or electrician because he is local. I find one who is good and seek a job well done.
Why should I settle for a priest because he is local? Should I not first ensure he is actually good at his job?
The chap Anatrella sounds like a nut case. Strange how he points out what it is like to be on the receiving end of an unjust system. What happens when the "church" is the unjust abuser.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear Bishop Buckley say something nice about a few priests.
ReplyDeletePerhaps MMM and Magna Carta could learn some few things from their Episcopal Mentor.
Pat, how old is that article on Anatrella? Because - quelle surprise - he now finds himself accused of having gay sex with his clients!!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/prominent-french-priest-and-vatican-adviser-accused-sex-scandal
I think we can safely say, therefore, that Anatrella's advice has been properly consigned to the bin!
Dermot McKay, I think I am right in saying, is a big buddy of James Donaghy and spoke up for him in court against his accusers (a fat lot of good it did!)
ReplyDeleteWhy should we "watch" David Delargey, Pat? Is he earmarked for higher things?
Is it known how many new seminarians entered Gaynooth on Sunday?
ReplyDeleteThe Irish bishops have stated their unequivocal position that all cases of child or vulnerable adult abuse must be reported to the Gardai or PSNI. So the debate here is once again "much ado about nothing."
ReplyDeletePat, have all appointments now to be approved by you before any priest begings anew? Who cares, apart from your gossipers and trollops, needs your validation, considering you have left the fold! Who cares what you think?
ReplyDeleteBishop Treanor discusses all potential appointments with me.
DeleteOh dear, sounds like a very irrate Priest! Tullyglass does a nice lunch, that would sort him out.
DeleteDamien mcaughen another priest up his own big arse . Very fond of the bells n smells and Latin masses . I'm sure the people of ballymena will be thrilled to have him NOT!
ReplyDeleteI am over eighty years old now. I did attend, a few years ago, a'Pro-Life' Mass offered by Fr. McCaughan in St. Mary's in Belfast. and found it most pleasant - delightful in fact.
DeleteI did travel a lot in my early days. It was useful to know that you would hear the same Latin Mass in Japan, China, Macedonia, Russia - worldwide - all you needed was a Missal.
I know one priest who said that, had he known Mass was to be changed into the vernacular, he would never have have accepted ordination.
I congratulate Fr. McCaughan.
I am profoundly sorry that 11.35 mocks a Mass which has been with us for centuries.
What's the point in a Latin mass when you can't understand a bleedin word of it . Who the hell speaks Latin these days ? Apart from a wheen of aul fannies in cassocks who cares ? . Is a priests job not to spread the message of christ ? Well if you can't understand a word of it then there's little point
DeleteDo you understand a Mass in Arabic, Chinese, German.
DeletePeople who followed a Latin Mass with a Missal at about ten years of age knew exactly what was being said.
You did not have to be a "Child Genius" to get to that stage.
You had the Gospels and readings in your own language and homilies were given in your own language and most importantly you had the same Mass world-wide
Anon @ 14.10. What a philistine you are!! The beauty of the Latin Mass is heavenly. With the little insight your contribution gives of you today, I don't think English is your best subject!! Go back to school.
DeleteAsk your average Catholic to explain the Eucharistic prayer to you line by line - I wonder how many understand it even when it is in English. The problem is a lack of catechesis - not linguistic deficiencies. Interesting that belief in the Real Presence has never been so low in this country despite our supposed ability to understand every word of the Mass!
DeleteI do not understand every word of the Mass when I go to the Latin Mass, but I sure as hell know what is happening in the Mass - which I think is far more important than understanding every word.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is offered by the priest to the Blessed Trinity - it is offered for me but not TO me. My understanding of Latin - or lack of it - does not add one iota to the reality of this offering, yet I am still privileged to receive the fruits of the offering, the Eucharist.
Julie ann why don't you kissus my arsus you can stick your Latin mass where the monkey keeps his rosaries
Delete16.37: As I thought - you are a philistine, an ignoramus, an illiterate fool.Go back to school.
DeleteJulieAnn,
DeleteI presume 16:37 & 14:10 is the same person.
Charm like that is hard to come by!
Certainly not your average Catholic.
Good candidate for the KKK - even they might find him over the top.
Logically, since you and Mass (and now the Rosary) are being are being insulted by him you are not personally acquainted.
If he is able to personally contact you (perhaps this might be technologically possible) and proposes marriage, please turn him down
No julie ann your the ignorant one . I just don't believe in your roman Latin claptrap . Your just a typical alter rail Licker anyone challenges you and all you can do is insult . By the way if you want too see fools why don't you watch ewtn and see cardinals line up to kiss vials of blood and bits of skin from dead popes . You also say I should go back to school ! . well maybe so but if you don't mind Ile go to a state school as least there's no danger of gettin raped by filthy priests . Plus if I do well in my exams Ile thank my teachers not some weird catholic saint who's medal was rubbed on pope pauls piles and pinned to my knickers . Is it any wonder chapels are empty !
Delete1807 well the kkk are amatures compared to the rc church . We all know what they did to kids . Why don't you look up what they did to the Jews in Italy the women in Europe the native Americans . I never herd of the kkk selling babies or torturing young mothers . But I'm sure in your eyes they all asked for it
DeleteBravo, Anon 19:14 & 20:00 - you accuse "Julie Ann" of insulting anyone who challenges her. How have you responded to challenges put to you about your repudiation of the Latin Mass?
DeleteYou have:
- referred to "Roman Latin claptrap" (without demonstrating what exactly is "claptrap");
- called names - such as "alter rail licker" (it's actually spelled "altar", by the way);
- referred to vials of blood and other relics;
- referred to saints and medals (with vulgarities);
- referred to the Church and the Jews, native Americans;
- etc. etc.
And YET, you have offered nothing - NOTHING - whatsoever in response to what was put to you about the Latin Mass.
Perhaps you're trying to demonstrate a set of non sequiturs (which you do most admirably).
Is there a Latin term for "non sequitur", Pat?!
23:02
DeleteJulieAnn and myself, it would appear have decided that there is no point in wasting our time with this strange soul.
You, I believe shouldn't waste your time either.
Pat - any word on the new Maynooth first-year seminarians? Numbers? They started yesterday I think.
ReplyDeleteSomeone above says 7 ???
DeleteMust be the smallest entry in Maynooth's history. When I entered the college in 1986 there were 86 first years and we had to share bedrooms, which the Junior Dean was very unhappy about. There's an interesting article online on the Irish Catholic website saying that virtually none of the changes the Vatican wanted have been implemented.
DeleteMaybe you could contact Fanny Mullaney's office for confirmation of numbers!
ReplyDeleteHe'd love to talk to you, Pat!
Well Pat I would have to agree this is disturbing. Whether this is official Vatican position or simply the opinion of the Monsignor, it is an absolute disgrace. I think the Monsignor could do well being reassigned potentially to a parish after there has been an abusive priest and see what the People of God think of his ideas. Either that or he needs admitting to a mental institute. The guy is clearly deluded to be polite.
ReplyDeleteThe Monsignor would do well to maybe check with any teacher in any country what the guidelines and in some cases laws are around reporting just suspected led alone confirmed abuse. Maybe the Monsignor has been asleep for the entirety of his priesthood?
By the way, great news on the Lector... God willing I will hopefully make it to the ordination before I return home.
The monsignor who is a psychiatrist has also been accused of sexually seducing male clients.
DeleteHe might be a danger in parishes?
In that case I think maybe appointed chaplain to either the military where I'm sure he will find swift and physical retribution for any unwanted attention whether he be a priest or not. Or maybe an appointment to a prison as chaplain.
DeleteIs it true Pat, that your blog is being discussed at the highest level in Westminster?
DeleteYes. There is a major dispute between a number of senior English priests involving accusations of homosexuality.
DeleteIt's all kicking off in Westminster.
Seems to be that a prison chaplaincy is a way of ridding a bishop of troublesome priests !
ReplyDeleteLike Father Dallat?
DeletePat, I'm a cleric in my 50's and enjoy my ministry but find it difficult to meet groups who have transgender issues. Sadly, I'm one of those. The loneliness of it is almost beyond bearable. Can you give advice, guidance as to where I might go. This is a reality that presented to me personally after years of angst...Am I alone? I'm in a northern Diocese.
ReplyDeleteYou are NOT the only transgender issues priest I've come across.
DeleteThere are groups that are confidential.
Pat, you don't know how your reply has helped me. I am in a living hell. As Stella No one knows me except my aunt who is 87 and unbelievably accepting. She allows me to dress in her house and treats me as the woman I truly am. Only for my Aunt Mildred I woukd have despaired long ago. My congregation woukd disown Mee as Helena.
ReplyDeleteHallo Pat
ReplyDeleteYou think you have problems in Down Diocese or Westminster well let me tell you that we have situations ongoing at present in my diocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. This is the former Diocese of Keith Patrick OBrien of clerical infamy. When this breaks the roof will fall in! Meanwhile over in Glasgow the parishioners are agog at recent goings on. A very senior priest, a Monsignor and Provost of the Chapter has chucked it to marry a woman. It is alleged she is in the family way and it is further alleged he already has a son. Monsignor,who was Cathedral Administrator is 62. Obviously the older the fiddle the sweeter the tune.
Another young and recently appointed PP has run off with his bird and a third cleric has had to step aside in relation to allegations from a 17 year old girl. Now a police matter. Another priest, more senior has been injured and gone off sick. So in the space of a couple of weeks Glasgow has lost 4 active priests- well 3 of the 4 "active" if you get my drift. Seems poor Ab Tartaglia is being swamped with misfortune.
There is also good fun beginning in the Motherwell area relating to a priest who wants to "rejoin". Another story for another day.
Forthview Father
Well he-ll-oo Scotland!
ReplyDeleteWhat goings on! -Must be the over effects of all that haggis...