Sunday, January 25, 2009

John Paul II pedophile priest in Hawaii

John Paul II's Pedophile Priests Army extend around the world but only the United States the land of the free can afford to expose them. That is why John Paul II should never be canonized a saint and no American children should call him a "saint" - in support of the 12,000 American little boys and girls who were sodomized and sexually abused by more than 5,5000 John Paul II pedophile priests under his 26 years papal reign under the full control of the Opus Dei.

All Bishops were aware of these sexual abuses and they reported them to John Paul II and the Opus Dei in the Vatican. But the Opus Dei were too busy cooking up saints at the Vatican saint-factory especially the canonization of St. Josemaria Escriva and the papacy of John Paul II the Great –t hat they completely swept these pedophile priests cases under the rug of the Vatican.

The Opus Dei were and are too busy carrying out the hatred of St. Josemaria Escriva against the Jesuits that they are suppressing and silencing the Jesuit astronomers – while Benedict XVI is now praising the dead Galileo – and the Opus Dei Bishop in El Salvador has silenced the Jesuit missionary of the poorest of Christ – Jon Sobrino.
We reported in the John Paul II Millstone about Tom Doyle who first made a scholarly study of the New Orleans pedophile priests in 1985 but John Paul II and the Opus Dei got him fired instead from his post as Chaplain of the navy in the USA. That proves the extent of the secular power of the Opus Dei in the government of the USA! See full coverage of Tom Doyle in www.jp2m.blogspot.com

From New Orleans to Hawaii, the John Paul II Pedophile Priests Army marches on in the USA on the eve of his hasty imminent canonization by the secret society of Opus Dei at the Vatican -- that uses Benedict XVI as their Phantom mask of the lies of their Father of Lies St. Josemaria Escriva.

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Posted on: Friday, January 23, 2009

Isle man sues in church sex abuse

Child molester accused of attempting assault as a priest in 1984

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A Hawai'i man has filed a lawsuit against a former priest and the Roman Catholic Church of Hawai'i, alleging the priest attempted to sexually assault the man when he was a minor more than 20 years ago.

The plaintiff, listed only as "John Doe" in the complaint, is accusing convicted child molester Robert Burkholder of "forcibly" attempting to assault him in March 1984. The lawsuit, which was filed in state Circuit Court by attorney David Gierlach, alleges that the incident led to drug and alcohol abuse, as well as criminal conduct by the plaintiff.

The lawsuit also alleges that the Roman Catholic Church knew Burkholder was a sexual predator, but allowed him to work in Hawai'i. The church, the lawsuit alleges, "concealed its knowledge of Burkholder's proclivity to molest youngsters and continued to place Burkholder in positions where he would have contact with youngsters, including the plaintiff."

The man is seeking an unspecified amount in damages and attorneys fees.

A spokesman for the church could not be reached for comment. Burkholder's whereabouts was not known.

In August 2002, Burkholder, then a Makaha resident, was indicted in Michigan on two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was one of four Roman Catholic priests who were charged with sexual assault in cases that date from the 1960s to 1980s.

Burkholder was accused of assaulting a 13-year-old Detroit boy in 1986 when the two were on a trip to Hawai'i. Michigan prosecutors, who characterized Burkholder as "one of the worst pedophiles" in Michigan, said the trip was an eighth-grade graduation present to the boy.

In November 2002, Burkholder, then 83, pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 30 days in prison and five years' probation.

Burkholder was ordained in 1947 and retired in 1985. He had moved to Hawai'i in 1981 and a year later began working as a contract military chaplain at the Army's Schofield Barracks.

Burkholder helped with Mass at St. Elizabeth Church in 'Aiea, but was not a parish priest and didn't join the Hawai'i archdiocese. It was unknown how long Burkholder continued working here, but he was prohibited from working with the church when the Archdiocese of Detroit banned him from wearing the collar and presenting himself as a priest in 1993.

Although he was convicted in just one case, Burkholder has admitted to molesting children in the 1940s and 1950s.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090123/NEWS20/901230348/1001/localnewsfront

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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John Paul II Millstone www.jp2m.blogspot.com

Benedict XVI-Ratzinger God's Rottweiler www.pope-ratz.blogspot.com

Saturday, January 17, 2009

John Paul II Pedophile Priest in Napa settlement is reached

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

New clergy sex abuse settlement is reached

A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is disclosing a recent $215,000 settlement of a child molestation report against an ex-California priest who’s never been publicly accused of sex crimes before.

According to leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, Santa Rosa Bishop Daniel Walsh made the payment in August to a man who says he was molested as a child by Fr. Thomas Parker.

The victim approached the diocese through a Sacramento attorney, Joseph George (916 442 7100, 802 7949 cell), who has handled dozens of similar cases across the state.

In September 2007, Parker admitting abusing the boy in a conversation with church officials. The crimes took place in 1988-89 at St. Apollinaris parish in Napa, California, when the boy was a member and Parker was on the staff.

Church officials say Parker has been defrocked.

Parker worked in these other northern California parishes: St. Francis Solano in Sonoma (1990), St. James in Petaluma (1991-1992), St. Patrick in Scotia (1992-1995) and is listed in the Official Catholic Director as “on sabbatical” since 1995.

CONTACT:
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP national director 314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home
Attorney Joseph George 916 442 7100, 802 7949 cell

John Paul II pedophile priest's victim testifies

Accuser testifies on first day of Naugatuck priest's sex assault trial

BY JONATHAN SHUGARTS |
REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WATERBURY --

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

A Naugatuck teenager testified on Monday his relationship with Rev. Robert J. Grant, a Roman Catholic priest, began with back massages.

But it turned into drinking wine from paper cups and, eventually, oral sex.

Grant's trial on sexual assault and risk of injury charges began in Waterbury Superior Court with testimony from the teenager, who is now 18. Grant, 67, served as a priest at St. Mary's and St. Hedwig's churches in Naugatuck, but after his 2007 arrest was placed on administrative leave.

Grant's attorney, William St. John, told the jury the teenager's claims against Grant were a search for money based on current and pending lawsuits filed against the embattled priest.

The boy, who was 15 at the time he says the incidents occurred, worked at St. Mary's with his father, who had been a maintenance man there for about 15 years. The boy, referred to in court proceedings as "C.R.," said he helped his father with janitorial chores around the church.

Grant would sit in the church pews reading, and in a confessional booth, as the boy carried out his chores, C.R. testified. In a rear room of the church, behind its altar, the boy would talk with Grant as he finished his work, he testified.

Grant asked the teenager about his hobbies and how he was doing in school, but those talks eventually led to the priest pouring wine into paper Dixie cups and telling the boy to drink, C.R. testified.

"He would insist on it, so I would drink it," C.R. said.

From 2006 to 2007, Grant asked the teenager for back massages and eventually for oral sex. Senior State's Attorney Catherine Austin asked C.R. to show the jury how he performed the sex acts on Grant, prompting C.R. to kneel on the floor in front of the jury.

"He asked me to undo his belt," the boy said. "I looked at him and asked him if he was serious."

The teenager was paid after each encounter. Grant gave him $20 from a silver money clip after he gave the boy wine, then $50 after the massages and $100 after oral sex, C.R. testified. Grant told the boy to keep the sexual encounters to himself, but by that point C.R. said he felt ashamed and embarrassed, which prompted him to avoid reporting the incidents to police.

The boy returned home after an encounter with Grant and his father smelled wine on his breath, which eventually led him to confess to his father about the incidents.

The teenager, wearing glasses and gold stud earrings, showed little expression as he told the jury about his encounters with Grant. Equally expressionless was Grant, who fingered a blue pen and showed little reaction as he listened to the testimony.

According to St. John, the boy's father is seeking $90,000 from the church that he claims he's owed on a terminated maintenance contract.

"After he didn't get it, you went to the Naugatuck police and told them this story ... isn't that correct?" St. John asked the boy.

C.R. replied: "It's not so much of a story."

The boy's father, referred to as "H.R." in the courtroom, said he was originally from Guyana and was a Hindu. He had worked as a maintenance man for various priests throughout his time with the church and had lived in Naugatuck since 1980. At one point, Grant and the family were close; the priest ate at the family home and the two would take short walks together.

On March 25, 2007, H.R.'s son told him he had performed oral sex on Grant, prompting the father to confront Grant the next day. According to H.R.'s testimony, Grant admitted he gave the boy wine and money, but denied he had sex with him.

"I don't think anybody as a parent would like to hear a priest did that to their son," H.R. said.

Grant fired H.R. on March 27, 2007, which prompted H.R. to file a lawsuit in May against St. Mary's Church, claiming Grant wrongfully fired him after he refused an order to remove asbestos wrapping from a set of basement pipes.

"He fired me because I confronted him about what he did to C.R.," the teenager's father said.

Under cross examination from St. John, the boy said he planned to file a suit against Grant based on the alleged sexual encounters.

Grant's trial is expected to continue today. He faces up to 20 years for the second-degree sexual assault charge.

Reader Comments
The following are comments from online readers like you. In no way do they represent the view of The Republican-American.

Barbara Dorris wrote on Jan 13, 2009 9:12 AM:
" We hope others who saw, suspected or suffered crimes by this priest will be courageous, come forward, get help, and call the police. When victims and witnesses stay silent, nothing changes. But when victims and witnesses come forward, there's at least a chance for healing, justice and prevention.


Barbara Dorris
Outreach Coordinator, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
6245 Westminster
St. Louis MO 63130
314 862 7688

SNAPnetwork.org "

Report Abuse

Catherine Konnik wrote on Jan 13, 2009 10:48 AM:
" Do you need to be so graphic in your reporting of this story. Sure the boys identity is revealed, but don't you think he and his family might read the paper too. Bad enough he had to reenact the act in front of a courtroom, but now in front of all your readers. Borders on sensationalizing. This is the type of material I pass up in the Grocery line. "

Report Abuse

mike ference wrote on Jan 13, 2009 3:46 PM:
" Sorry you find the report difficult to read, Catherine but sadly, graphic presentation of Catholic priests abusing innocent children as sex toys is necessary to convince some people that crimes against God's children have actually occurred. While you may have difficulty reading about sexual abuse of young children, one can only imagine what it must be like to be sexually abused by a person, supposedly based on Catholic faith, who represents Jesus, Himself.

If Catholic church hierarchy are ever held accountable for their acts of covering up these crimes, and if the documentation is finally released and the truth becomes known, then Catherine, you will find it extremely difficult to read the reports of what has been going on for decades.

Respectfully,
Mike Ference "

Report Abuse

Catherine Konnik wrote on Jan 13, 2009 4:22 PM:
" Hi Mike,
My concern is for the victim and his family. What I meant to say was that although, I know the victims identity IS NOT revealed in this story, the Victim himself may very likely be a reader of this story. I don't suggest for one moment that this abhorrent behavior be covered up, rather I suggest that we find a way to report on it that does not present the opportunity to re-victimize victims and their families. "

Report Abuse

BOB DARIGIS wrote on Jan 14, 2009 9:59 AM:
" Please keep in mind that we are still living in a society that assumes our innocence until proven guilty. At this juncture in time, it seems only 2 people know the real truth in this case. Father Grant has been a fervent supporter of his parish community and deserves to have his side heard.

Respectfully,
Bob Darigis "

Report Abuse

mike ference wrote on Jan 15, 2009 2:16 PM:
" Bob,

Catholic Church Hierarchy have had amble time to fess up to the crimes of pedophile priests and to release information that would make this world a lot safer, yet, they choose no to. At this point, it's fairly easy and perhaps reasonable, to assume a priest guilty before a trial date is even set. Let me remind you that very few trials involving clergy abuse civil lawsuits make it to jury. Most cases are settled so that documents are sealed and that's a choice made by Catholic Church Hierarchy and their attorneys and pr people.
Mike Ference "

Report Abuse

Meredith DiLiberto wrote on Jan 15, 2009 5:37 PM:
" THANK YOU Bob for pointing out what everyone seems to have forgotten BECAUSE the accused is a priest -- Fr. Grant is INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty. From what I have read, and as an attorney, I see a LOAD of reasonable doubt -- mostly in the form of a kid in need of an alibi and a father with an axe to grind. "

Report Abuse

Bob Darigis wrote on Jan 15, 2009 5:58 PM:
" Mike, it sounds like you are inferring guilt by association; I for one, take issue with that inference.

Although I admit not knowing all the facts in this case, I am far from ready to file father Grant in with the group of egregious guilty clergy. The fact that father Grant is pleading innocent and proceeding with a jury trial, entitles him to a "fair" trial,even though precedents have led most folks to believe otherwise. I don't mean to sound unempathetic to victims of this abhorrent crime, but let's let the jury decide guilt or innocence not precedent.
Respectfully, Bob Darigis "

Report Abuse

Kevin Morrissey wrote on Jan 15, 2009 8:03 PM:
" Mike, you hit the bulls eye. The diocese of Burlington, VT has been hit with jury awards of 8.7M and 3.6M from two trials in 2008. Rev. Edward Paquette was the abuser in both cases. It was the diocese's documents that told the story. They hired a pedophile priest even though they knew he abused boys in Indiana and Massachusetts. In the 3.6M case the victim offered to return the award money to the diocese if they published "the names, assigments and pictures of all credibly accused pedophiles on their Web site" because "the parents deserve to know." Instead, the Burlington diocese has said it will appeal the verdict award. So much for "forgiveness and healing." "

JP2 Bishop keep pedophile priest secret

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Bishop warns priests, not parents, about predator; Sex abuse victims respond

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell)

It's the same old scenario: the public and parishioners learn of a dangerous predator priest only because of the media. The bishop alerts priests, who have no kids, about a child molester, but refuses to warn parents.

When will bishops learn, in the words of Martin Luther King, that 'no lie lives forever,' and that they just can't keep secrets about pedophiles like they once could?
The bishop should personally go to every parish where Fr. Costigan has appeared and apologize for not notifying families sooner. He should also explain why he still insists on secrecy in child sex cases and post Costigan's photo on the diocesan website so that more people will be aware of this criminal and will keep their children away from him.

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the nation's oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We've been around for 19 years and have more than 8,000 members across the country. Despite the word "priest" in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)

Contact David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, 314-645-5915 home), Peter Isely (414-429-7259) Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688), Mary Grant (626-419-2930), Mark Serrano (703-727-4940)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090114/COMMUNITIES40/901140407

Diocese warns Morris parishes to be on lookout for suspended priest

BY ABBOTT KOLOFF · DAILY RECORD · January 14, 2009

A priest placed on administrative leave 15 years ago after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced has been passing himself off as a cleric in good standing in Morris County and elsewhere, Catholic church authorities said Tuesday.

George Costigan, 82, recently showed up at St. Matthew's parish in Randolph wearing clerical attire, even though he has been prohibited from doing so since 1994, said Ken Mullaney, an attorney with the Paterson Roman Catholic Diocese.

Mullaney said local police and school officials are being notified as a precaution. The diocese also sent an e-mail, obtained by the Daily Record, to local priests to be on the lookout for Costigan.

Monsigñor James Mahoney, vicar general of the diocese, sent an e-mail on Jan. 9 asking priests for their help in a "sensitive matter." It said Costigan had been presenting himself as a priest at "several parishes ... both in the diocese and outside the diocese." Mahoney directed in the e-mail that priests ask Costigan to leave, and then call the diocese.

"If he refuses to leave, then you must contact the local police so that he will be off the premises," Mahoney said in the e-mail.

Mullaney said Costigan, who has been living in the Randolph-Dover area, has been warned about passing himself off as a priest before, and told that he faced the possibility of losing his pension and medical benefits. Costigan never was prosecuted for the alleged crimes and is not subject to Megan's Law because the statute of limitations ran out by the time his accuser came forward, Mullaney said.

Costigan was removed in 1994 as chaplain of Dover General Hospital shortly after a Philadelphia area woman went to church officials and accused him of abusing her decades before, Mullaney said. Though Costigan was not defrocked, then-Bishop Frank Rodimer prohibited him from wearing clerical clothing and passing himself off as a priest, Mullaney said.

Patricia Clancy, who has become an advocate for abuse victims, said the abuse started when she was eight and continued until she was 16, occurring when Costigan was a member of the Christian Brothers order and before his 1974 ordination as a Paterson Diocese priest.

She said on Tuesday that the Paterson Diocese hasn't done enough to monitor Costigan.

"The bottom line is they can't track him," she said. "They've done a poor job."

Clancy said she found a notation in a Catholic directory of priests that Costigan was in Huntsville, Ala. in 2006 and she mentioned that in an October 2006 letter to Paterson Diocese Bishop Arthur Serratelli.

Mullaney said on Tuesday that Costigan was in Huntsville for a time but wasn't sent there by the Paterson Diocese.

"If he showed up in Alabama, he did it on his own," Mullaney said.

Mullaney said Costigan violated the terms of his suspension two years ago by passing himself off as a priest at a Pennsylvania parish and that Serratelli sent him a letter warning him that he could lose benefits. The diocese also sent letters in August 2007 to various places where Costigan worked or lived over the years -- including St. Clare's Hospital, Sacred Heart parish in Rockaway, and the Felician Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi Convent in Mount Arlington.

It also sent a letter to the Birmingham, Ala. Catholic Diocese, he said.

Frank Savage, a spokesman for the Birmingham, Ala. Catholic Diocese, said Tuesday that his diocese received a 2007 alert about Costigan and that priests in the Huntington area were warned about him.

Abbott Koloff can be reached at (973) 428-6636 or akoloff@gannett.com.