Bill Donohue: Accused Catholic Priests Aren't Pedophiles, They Are Homosexuals

"An editorial in today’s New York Times cites the Vatican’s disciplinary action against its former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, the now-defrocked Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski. It invokes Pope Francis’ promise that in the pedophilia scandal ‘there are no privileges.' The Times erred again by repeating the myth of a pedophilia scandal: 100 percent of the victimizers were male; 81 percent of the victims were male; and 78 percent were postpubescent. That would make it a homosexual scandal. Indeed, less than 5 percent of these cases involve pedophilia. The boys the archbishop abused were teenagers, meaning that homosexuality, not pedophilia, was in play. The distinction is important." - Catholic League blowhard Bill Donohue, responding to this editorial.

Pope Meets Abuse Victims For First Time, Promises Accountability, Begs Forgiveness

Today Pope Francis met with six victims of pedophile priests in his first such meeting since becoming pontiff in March of last year.

Catholic bishops "will be held accountable" for failing to protect children from sexual abuse, Pope Francis said Monday, his strongest acknowledgment yet of what abuse victims have been saying for decades: that the cover-ups have often been as bad as the crimes. But without strong action to back up those words, such groups are likely to view Francis' comments as little more than lip service. Vatican officials have so far been reluctant to take action against bishops accused of concealing abuse. In a homily given during a private Mass with six victims of church sexual abuse, Francis apologized for the abuse and asked for forgiveness. "I beg your forgiveness, too, for the sins of omission on the part of Church leaders who did not respond adequately to reports of abuse made by family members, as well as by abuse victims themselves," Francis said in the homily, according to a text of the statement provided by the Vatican.

Today's meeting was organized by the Archbishop of Boston.

MINNESOTA: Archdiocese Sued Again Over Claims It Shielded Pedophile Priest

Yet another lawsuit has been filed against the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis. Via MPR News:

The lawsuit filed Thursday morning by St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson on behalf of a man in his 50s alleges Kern abused him starting when he was 12 years old while Kern was working at Our Lady of Grace in Edina during the 1970s. The man, identified only as Plaintiff Doe 26, said the archdiocese knew -- or should have known -- that Kern was a child molester before it placed him there. Over three decades, Kern remained in the ministry, even though two families reported to the archbishop and the St. Paul police that Kern abused their sons as early as 1969, just three years after Kern was ordained. One of those boys Kerns was accused of abusing that year was Jamie Heutmaker, who also spoke out today.

Check out this bit:

Heutmaker said he and his friend Charlie Turning and some other children went to Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, where Kern touched their genitals while playing with them in the water. Church memos obtained by St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson show that archdiocese officials were skeptical of Kern's claims that he was simply engaging in what he called "Italian wrestling" -- in which he said men grasp at each other's genitals. But instead of barring him from the ministry, archdiocese officials moved him to another parish.

(Tipped by JMG reader Rick)

Catholic Church On ENDA: Discrimination Against Gay People Should Remain Legal

The United States Conference On Catholic Bishops has issued a press release and sent a letter to members of the Senate in which they declare that it should remain legal to fire LGBT people. Peter Montgomery of People From The American Way has a excerpt:

While the Church is opposed to unjust discrimination on any grounds, including those related to same-sex attraction, she teaches that all sexual acts outside of the marriage of one man and one woman are morally wrong and do not serve the good of the person or society. Same-sex sexual conduct, moreover, is categorically closed to the transmission of life and does not reflect or respect the sexual difference and complementarity of man and woman. Therefore, opposition to same-sex sexual conduct by the Church (and others) is not unjust discrimination and should not be treated as such by the law. In contrast to sexual conduct between a man and woman in marriage, sexual conduct outside of marriage, including same-sex sexual conduct, has no claim to any special protection by the state. Therefore, although ENDA may forbid some unjust discrimination, it would also forbid as discrimination what is legitimate, moral disapproval of same-sex conduct.

More from their press release:

The bishops' letter said ENDA goes beyond prohibiting unjust discrimination and poses several problems. It notes, for example, that the bill: (1) lacks an exception for a "bona fide occupational qualification," which exists for every other category of discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, except for race; (2) lacks a distinction between homosexual inclination and conduct, thus affirming and protecting extramarital sexual conduct; (3) supports the redefinition of marriage, as state-level laws like ENDA have been invoked in state court decisions finding marriage discriminatory or irrational; (4) rejects the biological basis of gender by defining "gender identity" as something people may choose at variance with their biological sex; and (5) threatens religious liberty by punishing as discrimination the religious or moral disapproval of same-sex sexual conduct, while protecting only some religious employers.

POLAND: Archbishop Blames Divorced Parents For Pedophile Priests

"Many of these cases of (sexual) molestation could be avoided given a healthy relationship between parents. We often hear that this inappropriate attitude (pedophilia), or abuse, manifests itself when a child is looking for love. It (the child) clings, it searches. It gets lost itself and then draws another person into this. How many wounds are their in children's hearts, in children's lives, when their parents go their separate ways?" - Archbishop Jozef Michalik, speaking to the press about the snowballing Polish scandal involving pedophile priests. (Tipped by JMG reader Tofu)

RELATED: Last month the Vatican recalled Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, its official envoy to the Dominican Republic, over accusations that he and another Polish priest had sexually abused boys.

Scott Lively: I'm Running For MA Governor

"After long contemplation and prayer I am convinced that I should run for Governor of Massachusetts. I will run as an independent. The people of this state need a candidate who can clearly and unapologetically articulate Biblical values without fear or compromise. They need a candidate who will tell the simple truth that abortion is murder, and homosexuality is condemned by God (but that Jesus forgives and heals those who repent). That parents and not the state have authority over their children, because government is our servant and not our master. That socialism is slavery and humanism breeds corruption. But mostly they need a leader who will remind the people that Massachusetts was founded upon Jesus Christ and the Bible and that our future security and prosperity depend on restoring our trust in Him." - Scott Lively, in a statement published on his personal website.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Lively says gays are bringing the end times. Lively says God sent meningitis to punish gays.  Lively cheers Russia's gay "propaganda" ban. Lively claims to have exploded a Massachusetts strip club with his prayers. Lively applauds Uganda's brutal oppression of gay people. Lively launches Oklahoma campaign to legalize anti-gay discrimination. Lively says gay-friendly politicians should be tarred and feathered. Lively endorses life imprisonment for gay people in Uganda. Lively sued for crimes against humanity.  Convicted pedophile arrested while managing Lively's coffee shop.

Priest Arrested For Rape Of Altar Boy

Another day, another Catholic priest arrested. From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

District Attorney Seth Williams announced the arrest of Rev. Robert L. Brennan, 75, for allegedly raping an altar boy between 1998 and 2001, while he was assistant pastor at Resurrection of Our Lord parish in Rhawnhurst. The charges came about after a 26-year-old man reportedly encouraged by last year's trial of Msgr. William J. Lynn - the first Catholic church official convicted for a supervisory role in covering up the conduct of pedophile priests - contacted archdiocesan officials in January.

That same day, Williams said, church officials called his office and relayed the man's allegation: Brennan sexually abused him from ages 11 to 14, within the statute of limitations. Williams said Brennan was arrested late Wednesday at the private home in Perryville, Md., where he has lived for much of the last eight years. Brennan was being held Thursday in Cecil County, Md., awaiting extradition to Philadelphia. When he returns, he will be charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and aggravated indecent assault, Williams said.

During last year's trial of other Catholic officials in Philadelphia, Brennan was accused of molesting 15-20 boys, but no charges were brought. Unshockingly, Brennan had been transferred from parish to parish during the time of those alleged crimes. (Tipped by JMG reader David)

Ex-Pope: I Never Shielded Pervy Priests

In his first public comments since resigning, today former Pope Palpatine denied the long-running accusations that he shielded pedophile priests from exposure and prosecution.

The comments - which a victims' group rejected - were made in an 11-page letter to Italian author and mathematician Piergiorgio Odifreddi, who had written a book about the problems facing the Roman Catholic Church before the pope resigned in February. "As far as you mentioning the moral abuse of minors by priests, I can only, as you know, acknowledge it with profound consternation. But I never tried to cover up these things," said Benedict, who now has the title Emeritus Pope. Excerpts of the letter were published in the Rome newspaper La Repubblica on Tuesday with the former pope's permission. It was believed to be the first time Benedict has responded to the sexual abuse accusations in the first person, although the Vatican has always said he did much to put an end to sexual abuse of minors by priests and never tried to cover it up.

The victims group SNAP responded: "As head of CDF [Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith], thousands of cases of predator priests crossed his desk. Did he choose to warn families or call police about even one of those dangerous clerics? No. That, by definition, is a cover up." (Tipped by JMG reader Eric)

Tweet Of The Day - Dan Savage

REPORT: Archdiocese Of Minneapolis Covered Up For Pedophile Priest

According to a report published today by Minnesota Public Radio, the Archdiocese of Minneapolis covered up for a local priest recently sentenced to prison for child molesting. We all know Minneapolis Archbishop John Nienstadt, of course, for his opposition to same-sex marriage, for declaring that Satan loves sodomy, and for advising a parishioner that she will go to hell if she accepts her gay son.

Haselberger opened Wehmeyer's file and realized there was no background check on the priest, even though the diocese had a policy that required background checks for all clergy. Haselberger kept looking, and saw documents that reported Wehmeyer had a sexual addiction and the archdiocese knew about it. She knew that Nienstedt was considering whether to promote Wehmeyer, so she sent him a memo alerting him to review the file. She also attached a copy of the earlier psychological and sexual assessment of Wehmeyer. The priest's personnel file included evidence that Wehmeyer had violated the archdiocese's code of conduct several times. Haselberger assumed that would end Wehmeyer's career as a priest. It did not. While she waited for a response, the archdiocese continued to receive reports on Wehmeyer — three in 2009. In one case, a priest called to say that Wehmeyer had approached him for sex. Someone else reported seeing Wehmeyer acting suspiciously with boys at a campground. Those were the same boys Wehmeyer was later accused of abusing, Haselberger said.

It's quite the story, you should read the full report. (Tipped by JMG reader Rick)

RELATED: Former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe famously tangled with Nienstadt last year after that advice about rejecting gay children.

Chris Cuomo Vs Bill Donohue

CNN host Chris Cuomo really got into it with Catholic League blowhard Bill Donohue today, calling Donohue out on his history of defending the Catholic Church's pedophilia scandals. Cuomo: "The pope is giving you a different message. He's saying: 'Don't make these statements about the homosexuals. Don't make these statements about the Jews. Get back to the what your church is about. Jesus wasn't about what you are doing right now.' Are you going to hear that message or not?" And Donohue goes off in typical style. You might want to watch both clips, if you can bear it.

Quote Of The Day - Bill Donohue

"It was the Democrats who made the difference between last week and this week. Last week, they were indecisive; this week they decided to cast their vote in favor of a bill that discriminates against the Catholic Church. We need a lawmaker who will introduce a bill that discriminates against the public sector. The bill should suspend the statute of limitations in cases involving the sexual abuse of minors who were victimized in a public school or any other public entity. All private institutions, including Catholic schools, would be given a pass. This is the only way to send a message to the public about this phony war on child abuse. Anyone who is serious about this issue would never entertain a bill that had selective application." - Catholic League blowhard Bill Donohue, who is very upset about a California bill that would suspend the statute of limitations for the victims of pedophile clergy members.

WISCONSIN: Victims Group Wants Judge Tossed In Milwaukee Archdiocese Case

Late last month a Wisconsin judge ruled that the victims of pedophile priests and other creditors should not have access to the millions that then-Archbishop Timothy Dolan moved to a cemetery fund after telling the Vatican that he was doing so for the "improved protection of these funds from any legal claim and liability." Now that group wants the judge to recuse himself after they learned that he has at least nine relatives buried in the Archdiocese's cemeteries.

In motions filed Monday — one to set aside the ruling and the other asking Randa to recuse himself — the creditors said they "discovered that at least nine of Judge Randa's relatives (including his mother, his father and his wife's parents) are buried in cemeteries owned and operated by" the archdiocese. "This fact alone creates the appearance of partiality," the motion states. They add that Randa, by purchasing burial rights for his parents, entered into a contract with the archdiocese, further supporting the call for him to step down from the case. "Judge Randa should have disqualified himself from presiding over any aspect of this adversary proceeding. Yet, he did not do so," the motion reads. "Nor did he disclose the facts to the parties at any time during the case."

The petitioners contend that if the cemetery funds were to be turned over to claimants, the judge could be forced to pay for the upkeep of his family's plots out of his own pocket.

Dolan Wins In Milwaukee

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

In a major victory for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, a federal judge ruled that funds set aside for cemetery operations cannot be tapped to pay sex abuse settlements in the archdiocese's bankruptcy case. U.S. District Judge Rudolph T. Randa ruled that taking even a portion of the funds would violate the archdiocese's free exercise of religion under the First Amendment. The archdiocese has about $53 million in funds in a cemetery trust created in 2007, from monies it said it held in trust on its books for decades. Victims have accused the archdiocese of moving the money into a trust to keep it from sex abuse victims.

Early this month it was revealed that Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who was then Archbishop of Milwaukee, had asked the Vatican for permission to move the money, saying that the transfer would result in "improved protection of these funds from any legal claim and liability." (Tipped by JMG reader Drew)

Cardinal Dolan Sought Vatican Permission To Shield Millions In Assets From Lawsuits Filed By Victims Of Pedophile Priests

He has denied it for years, but today the truth came out. Via the New York Times:

Files released by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee on Monday revealed that in 2007, the diocese’s archbishop at the time, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, requested permission from the Vatican to move nearly $57 million into a cemetery trust fund in order to protect the assets from victims of clergy sexual abuse who were demanding compensation. Cardinal Dolan, now the archbishop of New York, has in the past emphatically denied seeking to shield church funds as archbishop of Milwaukee, and he reiterated in a statement on Monday that these were “old and discredited attacks.”

However, the files released Monday contain a letter he wrote to the Vatican in 2007, in which he explained that by transferring the assets, “I foresee an improved protection of these funds from any legal claim and liability.” The Vatican moved swiftly to approve the request, the files show, even though it often took years to remove known abusers from the priesthood. Abuse victims demanding transparency and accountability have long pressed for the release of the documents, and the victims’ lawyers had asked a judge to compel their release.

Bolding above is mine. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee declared bankruptcy in 2011.  Dolan has responded to today's revelation on his blog.

Unfortunately, we have already seen how the release of these documents will cause some to raise old and discredited attacks – like priest-abusers having been “paid” to apply for laicization, (like it or not, bishops do have a canon law obligation to provide basic support like health care and room and board for their priests until they have finally moved on) or that establishing a perpetual care fund from money belonging to cemeteries and designated for that purpose – as required by state law and mandated by the archdiocesan finance council – was an attempt to shield it from the bankruptcy proceedings. While certain groups can be counted-upon to take certain statements or events out of context, the documents released show plainly that the bishops have been faithful to the promises made over a decade ago: permanent removal from ministry of any priest who abused a minor; complete cooperation with law enforcement officials; and, strict child-safety requirements.

Catholic League blowhard Bill Donohue:

Under questioning by Jeffrey Anderson, an activist lawyer, Cardinal Dolan gravely disappointed the enemies of the Catholic Church: they were denied their “gotcha” moment. Indeed, pint-sized Anderson didn’t lay a glove on the big guy. Boring. That is the most accurate word to describe the deposition. Here is a list of the topics that Anderson pursued: the statute of limitations; a public list of accused priests; the process of handling deceased and elderly priests; laicization; false and substantiated allegations; compensation for priests let go from ministry; cemetery funds; parish finances; the scope of an archbishop’s authority; the effect of the scandal on Catholics. In short, there was nothing new—it was another fishing expedition conducted by a man who believes there should be one standard for the Catholic Church, and another for the rest of the world.

OREGON: Catholic Priest Sentenced To Six Years For Child Molestation

Wearing only his underwear, last year Father Angel Armando Perez chased a 12 year-old Oregon boy down the street after pulling the sleeping child's pants down to take a cell phone photo. Yesterday Perez was sentenced to six years in prison.

The Rev. Angel Armando Perez, 47, pleaded guilty in Marion County Circuit Court to charges of first-degree sexual abuse, driving intoxicated and furnishing alcohol to a minor. Accusations of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct and tampering with evidence were dismissed. He will serve six years and three months in prison for the sexual abuse charge, the mandatory minimum for that Measure 11 crime. He will serve the penalty for the other charges concurrently. Marion County Circuit Judge Courtland Geyer also ordered Perez to register as a sex offender. The boy told investigators that he was awakened by an apparent flash from a camera. He found his shorts and underwear at his knees and Perez next to him on an air mattress. The priest had the boy's genitals in one hand and a cell phone in the other, court documents said.

Perez claimed that he was so drunk that he has no memory of the incident. The victim's parents had given Perez permission for the boy to sleep at his house before a camping trip. The Archdiocese of Portland paid Perez' legal fees and says it has not yet decided on whether to fire him. Seriously. That's what the above-linked article fucking says. (Tipped by JMG reader Dale)

Religion's Gifts To The World

Fourth in a monthly series.

Argentina Wins Vatican Idol!

The new pope is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina.  From Wikipedia:

He strongly opposed legislation introduced in 2010 by the Argentine Government to allow same-sex marriage. In a letter to the monasteries of Buenos Aires, he wrote: "Let's not be naive, we're not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God." He has also insisted that adoption by homosexuals is a form of discrimination against children. This position received a rebuke from Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who said the church's tone was reminiscent of "medieval times and the Inquisition".

Bergoglio's drag name will be Pope Francis I.

White Smoke At The Vatican

Stand by for the name of the Next Top Pedophile Enabler. After party at the Vatican-owned bathhouse! First fifty cardinals get in free! Pick up your altar boy gift bag at the door!

MARYLAND: Archdiocese Of Baltimore Deacon Busted For Child Pornography

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has issued a statement.

Dear Parishioners, Earlier today, the Archdiocese of Baltimore learned that Deacon William Albaugh, 66, was arrested this morning on a charge of possession of child pornography by the Baltimore County Police Department. Albaugh, a permanent deacon assigned to St. Joseph Church in Fullerton, was ordained in 1996 and has spent his entire ministry at St. Joseph. The Archdiocese immediately suspended Mr. Albaugh’s diaconal faculties prohibiting him from all public ministry. The Archdiocese is working with St. Joseph Parish to inform the parish community. Neither the parish nor the Archdiocese has received any prior allegations against Mr. Albaugh, who successfully fulfilled all of the child & youth protection requirements of the Archdiocese, including a criminal history screening.

The deacon was busted thanks to Verizon, who found the porn loaded onto their cloud storage service. So he's a pervert AND really, really stupid.