沙文

移鼠大聖一次性釘一釘可為之前及之後所有信徒贖罪。咁，紅衣主教一封道歉信都可以為將來的神職人員性侵案道歉。所以，道歉信只需打一封，請各位將來的受害人珍藏。

Canada's senior Catholic apologizes for sins
November 22, 2007

MONTREAL -- Canada's senior Roman Catholic clergyman has issued a sweeping apology for the church's historical sins in Quebec, trying to rehabilitate the institution's image just as debate rages in the province over religion and identity.
Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec City and primate of Canada, admitted that some Catholics' narrow-minded attitudes in the past bred anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination against women and homosexuals.
The cardinal's mea culpa, expressed in a letter to newspapers in the province, also recognized that priests sexually abused children and scolded women for not bearing more children.
"These scandals shook the confidence of the people toward religious authorities, and we understand that," Cardinal Ouellet wrote. "Forgive us for all this harm!"
While some called the cardinal's apology both unprecedented and courageous, the act of repentance by a religious leader known for his conservative views was also met by widespread skepticism. Cardinal Ouellet has faced heavy criticism since telling Quebec's Bouchard-Taylor commission on reasonable accommodation last month that "secular fundamentalism" had contributed to current social ills there.
Still, his words generated extensive coverage in the province, where church leaders rarely make news.
Gays, women and orphans abused by the church said the cardinal didn't go far enough, and many took him to task for acknowledging the church's past errors - mistakes made before 1960 - while remaining silent on present church doctrine.
"You can't recognize the errors of the past if you don't commit to changing the present," said Michèle Asselin, president of the Quebec Federation of Women.
The church still shows no openness to contraception, gay unions, or women in the priesthood, she said. "As long as women can't occupy the same positions as men, we have to recognize there's still discrimination within the Catholic Church."
Observers say the cardinal decided to issue the personal apology after his comments to the travelling Bouchard-Taylor commission generated so much criticism. Some also say he's trying to reposition the church, which has largely fallen out of favour in the secular province.
"He's trying to get closer to people but he doesn't know how," said Rev. Raymond Gravel, a maverick Catholic priest who supports gay marriage and is a Bloc Québécois MP. "But neither could he do a 180-degree turn within three weeks. So he started slow by saying that he recognized the shortcomings of the past."

But like others, Father Gravel noted that Cardinal Ouellet stopped short of addressing current criticism of the Catholic church.
"I don't doubt he is sincere but maybe he's disconnected from real life."
Cardinal Ouellet's missive was drafted without consulting the Quebec Bishops' Conference (even though the cardinal made a point of signing his text with a mention that he is primate of Canada, the honorary senior church leader). Some see it as a sign he's ready to act independently, without consulting colleagues.
"He's not reluctant to carve out a position and talk in public about these issues," said Daniel Cere, a professor of religion and public policy at McGill University. "He seems to be a bit of a Lone Ranger."
The letter marked a remarkable turnaround for a man seen as a traditionalist and who used his first homily after his 2003 installation as archbishop to chastise Quebeckers for failing to appreciate their Catholic heritage.
Cardinal Ouellet had also spoken out against the influence of the news media, the "Marxist" approach of school teachers and the importance of traditional marriages.
He stayed on his traditionalist message before the Bouchard-Taylor commission, linking Quebec's problems to "the spiritual vacuum created by the religious and cultural breakdown."
The remarks garnered little sympathy from Quebec's opinion makers. One columnist called him "the Catholic Imam." Former trade union leader Gérald Larose said the cardinal's ideas were "totalitarian, hegemonic and predating modernity."
Still, observers say yesterday's apology, an attempt to return Quebeckers to their Catholic roots, was far-reaching for such a senior church leader.
"An admission of sin is always a serious moment," Prof. Cere said. "Maybe the church is taking some responsibility and saying, 'We've lost credibility because we have sinned.' Part of getting your act back together is a classic Catholic pattern of admission of wrongdoing."
"The pain is in the church itself," Prof. Cere said, "and Cardinal Ouellet is a voice that is trying to speak to the pain instead of just talk the happy talk."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/s ... 22/TPStory/National

道歉信原文：
http://communities.canada.com/na ... lics-of-quebec.aspx

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Ex-pastor sent to prison after claiming abuse victim harassed him
A retired pastor from Canada was sentenced to three years in prison today after telling a McHenry County judge he was sexually harassed by the 4-year-old Lake in the Hills girl he pleaded guilty to molesting.
Kenneth R. Cooke, 73, appeared to have reasonable chance at a probation sentence given his age, health problems and lack of criminal history heading into his sentencing hearing this afternoon.
But the Calgary man who once headed his own ministry likely blew his chance of avoiding prison when he took the witness stand and painted his pre-school age victim as a sexual aggressor.
"On a couple of occasions I felt I was sexually harassed," Cooke said. "I think there is psychological evidence that children even in their younger years can become interested in sex."
He later said he did nothing inappropriate to the girl, but pleaded guilty two months ago to avoid putting his family through a trial.
Judge Joseph Condon responded harshly, telling Cooke his statements show that he has no remorse and is a threat to young children.
"That just boggles my mind," Condon said. "It is my opinion that you have a significant problem, and that other 4-year-olds have a significant problem (around you). What I'm about to do is necessary for the protection of the public."
Cooke pleaded guilty in October to one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse stemming from allegations he fondled the girl in the summer of 2003 while he was visiting family in Lake in the Hills. The girl was not a family member.
Although indicted in January 2004, Cooke refused extradition back to the United States, setting up a 3 1/2-year legal battle than ended when a Canadian court in June denied his final appeal. Cooke surrendered to American authorities shortly after the ruling.
The girl's mother read a statement before Cooke's sentencing saying that both her daughter and her entire family continue to suffer as a result of the former preacher's actions. The girl, she said, has gotten into trouble at school for acting out sexually and has difficult making friends.
"She has stated on many occasions she is a bad person and wishes she had never been born," the girl's mother said. "You can't imagine how hard it is to hear that from your own child.
"This crime has been an emotional and psychological drain on my entire family and I don't see any end in sight for us."
County prosecutors had asked for the maximum seven-year sentence for Cooke, calling his remarks "disgusting and despicable."
"It's sickening and shows this court the defendant is not taking any responsibility for his actions," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein said.
Cooke likely will receive day-for-day credit while imprisoned, meaning he could receive parole in 18 months or less.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=103544
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Miniature-train owner indicted on sex charges

A Keller miniature train enthusiast accused of sexually abusing young children during parties at his home was indicted this week on 12 charges, authorities said.
Clinton Don Simpson, 65, has been free on bail since Dec. 19, after a judge reduced his total bail from $1.65 million to $305,000, said Alana Minton, chief prosecutor for the Tarrant County district attorney's office crimes against children unit.
As a condition of his bail, Simpson must wear an ankle monitor and is confined to his home except for approved outings, Minton said. He is also restricted from being around children, Minton said.
The charges Simpson faces nine charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child by threat and three charges of indecency with a child by fondling, according to court records.
Aggravated sexual assault of a child is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison and a $10,000 fine. Indecency with a child is a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Minton said the grand jury returned indictments on all the counts that prosecutors put before them.
Keller police had served Simpson with 17 arrest warrants in connection with 12 accusers.
Minton said that no further court dates have been set and that a trial is "a long way off."

Case background, 10B
A Tarrant County grand jury indicted Clinton Don Simpson, 65, of Keller this week on nine charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony, and three charges of indecency with a child, a second-degree felony. More on the indictment, 1B
Investigation background
Police began investigating Simpson on Oct. 7 after a 3-year-old girl said he touched her inappropriately during a birthday party at Mr. Don's Whistle Stop, a miniature train park he operated in his back yard.
Simpson, a semiretired minister and graphic artist, had built the trains, which ran on more than a quarter-mile of track through his back yard, including over a bridge and through a tunnel. The Whistle Stop was a favorite spot for children's parties for years.
At the beginning of the investigation, Simpson gave police a statement in which he admitted touching the girl and others, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
Simpson's attorney has said the statement was coerced and given after an "emotional breakdown." Simpson has spent time under suicide watch, the attorney said.
When word of the investigation surfaced, Keller police received more than 200 calls from concerned parents.
Specialists spent weeks interviewing more than two dozen children.
The cases that went forward were based on the word of 11 girls and one boy, all between 3 and 9 years old, police have said.
Civil litigation
In November, the parents of two sisters who accused Simpson filed a civil suit against him in Tarrant County District Court.
The family belonged to Haslet Church of Christ, where Simpson was pastor, the suit states.
http://www.star-telegram.com/crime_courts/story/381747.html

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Cold Spring pastor arrested on gun charges
COLD SPRING - A pastor at a Cold Spring church was arrested on two counts of carrying a concealed weapon on Christmas Eve.
According to the Cold Spring Police Department, Johnny R. Coleman, 1069 Parkside Drive, Alexandria, the pastor of Christ Baptist Church in Cold Spring, was arrested after police found him at 12:30 p.m. with a loaded Glock 9mm handgun and a loaded .25 caliber handgun, in a briefcase at the Mr. Spotless Car Wash in Cold Spring.
Cold Spring Police Chief Ed Burk III confirmed Coleman is a pastor at the church.
According to the police report, Coleman told an officer he was in line for a car wash when he was cut off by another person. According the report, "Mr. Coleman stated he told the victim someone could get shot over this."
The person who allegedly cut Coleman off told police he believed he saw Coleman loading the hand gun, according to the police report
Coleman was arrested and taken to the Campbell County Detention Center and released the same day on his own recognizance.
Coleman could not immediately be reached for comment.
A woman who answered the phone at Christ Baptist Church, who declined to give her name, said Coleman was out of town for the holidays.
Christ Baptist Church was started in 2004 by former members of First Baptist Church of Cold Spring after suspicions arose that church money had been used improperly by former pastor Larry Davis.
http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071227/NEWS01/712270348
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Minister of music arrested on assault charges no longer with church
ARAPAHOE COUNTY – The Heritage Christian Center says its minister of music is no longer employed by the church.
Police arrested 38-year-old James Brown at a home in Arapahoe County Thursday morning on charges of sexual assault on a child. They say the alleged assault happened at the home.
Friday evening, Garret Leonard, the Executive Pastor at Heritage Christian Center sent 9NEWS the following statement: "Effective immediately Mr. Brown has been relieved from all of his duties at Heritage Christian Center. We will assess the situation as more details become available. We will continue to pray for all parties involved in this situation."
Brown is being held on a $50,000 bond. He's set to appear in court Monday at 9:30 a.m. His case was delayed because of a medical hold.
http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=83560

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Definitely, they aren't innocent too. If that is what you're trying to say.

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Pastor guilty of sexual assault
Man, 59, who charged $150 for black magic baths fathered child with young woman he had treated
  Jan 11, 2008 04:30 AM
Peter Small
Courts Bureau

A pastor has been convicted of sexually assaulting a parishioner to whom he gave healing baths and naked rubdowns to rid her of evil spirits.
At the same time, a jury of nine men and three women acquitted Rev. Frank Seeko Lawrence of separate counts of assaulting and threatening to kill the woman, now 29, by whom he fathered a child.
They also found him not guilty of sexually assaulting a second woman, now 45, who also had his baby.
It took the jury three days to come to its verdict. At least a dozen of the 59-year-old pastor's followers and friends waited in the courthouse hallway throughout.
Lawrence admitted in 2005 family court documents to having nine other children, age 8 to 22, by four other mothers, whom he supported on an income of $19,600 a month.
Prosecutor Paul Zambonini, who told the jury that in law there cannot be consensual sex between two people when one is in a position of power, trust, or authority, later praised them for their hard work.
At the time of the sex assault, Lawrence ran his Toronto Mount Zion Revival Church of the Apostles out of the basement of his home.
In dramatic testimony lasting five days, the victim said he gave her black magic baths, for which he charged $150, to rid her of evil spirits, then ordered her to stand up and drip dry while he rubbed her naked body with brown ointment.
Anthony Robbins, Lawrence's lawyer, said he was disappointed with the jury's verdict and his client is considering an appeal. He said he disagreed with the Crown's assertion that sex between the pastor and his parishioner could never be consensual.
"My concern is that the jury found that (the complainant) could not be believed beyond a reasonable doubt in respect of all but one of her allegations," he said. "It is going to be up to the judge to find which of the numerous (alleged) sexual assaults the jury convicted her on. She claimed constant sexual abuse over a nine-month period."
The victim testified her mother first brought her to the pastor when she was 17, because she had constant vomiting and splitting headaches. She said that in 2003, when she was in her mid-20s, he allowed her to stay at his home because she was desperate for a place to live. Shortly after, he forced his attentions on her, she testified.
Lawrence returns for a sentencing hearing on Feb. 28.
http://www.thestar.com/article/293100

沙文

Saturday, January 12, 2008

A pastor at the Greggton Church of Christ on Marshall Avenue was jailed Thursday after admitting to molesting a relative, according to a report by the Longview Police Department.
Charles Thomas Hogland, 58, of Longview told police he inappropriately touched the girl at least six separate times, according to the report. He has been charged with indecency with a child by contact, a second-degree felony, and was released from jail about 2 p.m. Friday on $25,000 bond.
Hogland was interviewed by a Longview police detective Thursday after the relative he molested made an "outcry," according to the police report. Hogland told the detective that each incident happened in the church parsonage, where he and his wife reside, according to the report. Hogland is the only pastor at Greggton Church of Christ, which has a congregation of about 50, he said.
He has been there for about 10 years.
Churches of Christ operate under a board of elders.
Hogland said he and the elders will see what action the congregation wants to take.
http://www.news-journal.com/sear ... astor_arrested.html

沙文

我在57樓咪報道咗咯？

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01/24/2008

NEW CASTLE - A former pastor of a Slippery Rock Township church pleaded guilty this week to two counts of possession of child pornography.
No sentencing date has been set for Robert D. Schmidtberger, 52, but prosecutors recommended a sentence of 12 months minus two days to 24 months minus four days with 15 years' probation.
Lawrence County Judge Thomas Piccione, who oversaw the guilty plea, ordered a psychological assessment to determine whether Schmidtberger might be a violent sexual predator.
After his release, Schmidtberger will be required to register with the state police under the provisions of Megan's Law.
State police filed the charges based on information provided by the America Online Internet service, which periodically reviews subscribers' e-mails. A review on March 12, 2005, detected three e-mails that included images that depicted child pornography.
AOL personnel matched the sender's screen name to Schmidtberger and notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which contacted the state police.
The address on Schmidtberger's online account, 468 Rose Point Road, was that of Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church. That was also listed with the office of Lawrence County District Attorney John Bongivengo as Schmidtberger's home address.
The district attorney's office reported that, at the time charges were filed in 2005, Rose Point Reformed Presbyterian Church's Web site listed Schmidtberger as its pastor. The church's Web site now lists no pastor and says weekly sermons are given by guest pastors.
A call Thursday afternoon to the church was not returned.
Police searched Schmidtberger's residence and seized computers and other electronic devices. An examination of those devices turned up the images of child pornography on 15 CD-ROMs.
http://www.ellwoodcityledger.com ... id=563781&rfi=6

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Saturday, January 26, 2008

CHICAGO | Cook County prosecutors on Friday announced a variety of felony indictments against eight people -- including three county employees and three ministers -- in a series of alleged fraud schemes against government agencies that reportedly cost more than $1.6 million.
"This is particularly shocking because much of this money was intended to help impoverished individuals looking to better themselves," Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine said in a news release.
"As if that were not bad enough, three of the defendants were county employees in positions of trust and three others were trusted by their communities as ministers," he said.

Indicted were:
-- Charles Koen, the managing director of the nonprofit United Front Inc. and pastor of Christian Hope Church, 8849-59 S. Greenwood Ave., Chicago
-- Alex Brooks, vice president of United Front and a minister at Christian Hope Church
-- Ronnie Marshall, an United Front employee and a minister at Christian Hope Church
-- Joyce Norfleet, a United Front employee
-- Dorothy Taylor, a United Front employee

Three employees of (Cook County Board) President's Office of Employment Training, or POET, also were indicted. They are Rudolph Sanchez, Roberto Rivera and Ronald Harper.

POET and two other governmental agencies were solicited to retain United Front to provide training to displaced or disadvantaged workers. The other agencies were the mayor's office of Workforce Development, or MOWD, the Housing Authority of Cook County, or HACC.
Prosecutors said United Front contracted with the government agencies to provide training in the building trades, but little or no training took place. Various other crimes -- including official misconduct, intimidation and money laundering -- took place along the way as the schemes progressed, prosecutors said.
United Front and United Front Training School also are charged as corporate entities. However, the organizations are virtually bankrupt and fines are not likely, prosecutors said.
The indictments were returned last year and unsealed Friday.

The defendants:
-- Charles Koen, 62, of the 200 block of East 24th Street, Cairo. Bond set $500,000. Next court date is Feb. 2.
-- Joyce Norfleet, 61, of the 5600 block of North Artesian, Chicago. Bond set $75,000. Next court date is Feb. 2
-- Alex Brooks, 78, of the 1500 block of Commercial, Cairo. Bond set $25,000. Next court date is Feb. 2.
-- Dorothy Taylor, 49, of the 6600 block of North Ashland Avenue, Chicago. Bond set $65,000. Next court date is Feb. 2.
-- Roberto Rivera, 56, of the 1300 block of Wenonah, Berwyn. Bond set at $100,000. Next court date is Feb. 2.
-- Ronald Harper, 56, of the 17600 block of Balmoral, Hazel Crest. Bond set at $100,000. Next court date is Feb. 2.
-- Rudolph Sanchez, 64, of the 5200 block of Fence Lake NE Drive, Rio Rancho, N.M. He is awaiting an extradition hearing.
-- Ronnie Marshall, 42, of the 5700 block of West Birch, Milwaukee, Wis. He was not in custody Friday.
http://nwi.com/articles/2008/01/ ... 62573dc000f7192.txt

沙文

以前果個唔記得帶嘢食，而家呢個寫錯cheque兼入錯户口
Pastor Charged With Theft
A Scott County Pastor has been charged with stealing $900 from his church.
Pastor Joe Moran, of Stamping Ground Baptist Church, was arraigned this month on theft charges. He pleaded not guilty.
Moran tells 27NEWSFIRST the allegations are nothing more than a big misunderstanding. He says he made a mistake when he deposited a check for $900.50 into his personal account.
He says the check was written out to him and was sent to his personal address.
Some of the 100-member congregation have left the Church and have asked Moran to step down. But he says he did nothing wrong and that he will not be leaving.
Moran will be back in Scott County Court on February 21 for a preliminary hearing.
http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/14474637.html

沙文

牧師發脾4出槍，好在今次冇人受傷
Youth pastor must take anger class after road rage incident
Monday, February 4, 2008

A North Naples youth pastor charged with flashing a gun at a motorist during a road rage incident last fall was ordered Monday to take an anger management class.
Collier County Judge Vince Murphy sentenced 39-year-old Christopher Scott Thompson, 80 Logan Blvd. S. in North Naples, to the class as a condition of his six-month probationary term on a misdemeanor charge, improper exhibition of a weapon.
The case was to go to trial Monday and roughly 20 members of North Naples United Methodist Church showed up in support for the church’s NextGen pastor, who also is director of its youth congregation. Instead, Thompson pleaded no contest as part of a plea deal.
“The reason behind that is we were unsure of where the victim was,” Assistant State Attorney James Miller said after sentencing. “The victim had moved. To prove the actual charge would have been difficult. I think Mr. Thompson learned a very important lesson.”
As part of the plea, the judge withheld an adjudication of guilt, meaning that if Thompson satisfies all conditions of probation, he will not have a conviction.
Thompson was arrested at about 4 p.m. Sept. 28 after another driver, Joseph Hunter, told Collier sheriff’s deputies that a man in a white Dodge van flashed a gun at him on Logan Boulevard near the intersection with Teak Wood Drive. Deputies found Thompson at his home nearby and seized a gun from his white Dodge Caravan.
Deputies reported that Thompson told them that he got upset when he was cut off in traffic and didn’t back off the other driver. He said he had to slam on his brakes to avoid a collision but denied flashing his gun at Hunter.
Deputies charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and displaying a firearm during a felony. He had faced up to 15 years in a state prison on the latter charge, a second-degree felony, and five years on the other, a third-degree offense.
In November, those charges were amended to a first-degree misdemeanor and sent to county court for prosecution. He faced up to a year in county jail on the reduced charge.
Thompson’s MySpace Page says he is married with two children and lists Jesus as his hero and church officials have called him an “outstanding employee” and an “effective leader.” He remains an employee there.
After the hearing, the church’s pastor, the Rev. Ted Sauter reiterated the church’s support and noted the lack of proof against his employee.
“Chris is an exceptionally effective youth pastor and the action today justifies our decision to believe Chris’ explanation and keep Chris in good standing on our staff,” Sauter said. “In contrast to Duke University with its Lacrosse team, our leadership did not rush to judgment based upon questionable allegations, but acted in a responsible and Christian manner.’’
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/feb/04/youth-pastor-must-take-anger-class/
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Pastor denied bond in student's death
Updated: 02/04/2008 04:29 PM

RALEIGH -- The pastor charged with the death of North Carolina Central University student Latrese Curtis was denied bond Monday.

On Saturday, authorities arrested Robert Lee Adams Reaves, 43, in connection with Curtis' murder. He is charged with first degree murder. His probable cause hearing is scheduled for February 25.
Reaves was living in Durham but had previously been living in South Carolina.
Last week, drivers noticed Curtis’ body along I-540 near Exit 18 and called 911. An autopsy showed the 21-year-old died after being hit a sharp object.
Reaves has a criminal past that includes a conviction on sex charges while he was the pastor of a church in South Carolina as well as charges for financial card theft and larceny of a motor vehicle.
Authorities are still investigating the type of relationship Reaves had with Curtis and if anyone else was involved in her death. Neighbors say they never saw the victim around his home.
“Through the investigation we have found out they have met each other,” Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said. “We are still looking into that, this investigation is still ongoing, will there be another arrest, we still don't know yet. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, and a lot of things, and a lot of people to talk to."
A memorial service for Curtis took place Monday in Carteret County. She attended NCCU and worked part-time at the Sears store at Triangle Town Center in North Raleigh. She was married in April.
http://news14.com/content/headlines/592490/pastor-denied-bond-in-student-s-death/Default.aspx

沙文

原帖由 Jom 於 2008-2-5 00:41 發表
你地唔好咁啦,班友仔都係搵食既啫.有時個人收咗工就梗係會做返d野黎平衝心理,但呢d野唔一定同佢地既profession吻合果喎.

你諗吓,如困你見到個古惑仔平時打打殺殺,但收咗工又拖阿婆過馬路又捐錢咁...唔通又要指住佢 ...

我都唔想咁做嘅，但是為了公眾利益才不得已既啫。因為您見到個牧師，佢額頭又唔会鑿住「我可能会強姦您」七個字，咁，如果有三分提防之心，点都好過被佢攻其無備嘛

Priest arrested over sex claims

The former head of an independent Catholic school in west London has been arrested following allegations of sexual assault.Father David Pearce, who retired from St Benedict'sSchool in Ealing 15 years ago, was arrested at his home in Ealing Abbeyafter claims by a current pupil.
Ealing Abbey founded the school in 1902 and monks act as trustees.
Fr Pearce was interviewed by officers before being bailed to return to a west London police station in May.
Famous alumni
The police's child abuse investigation team is looking into the allegations.
A police spokesman said: "We can confirm that police received allegations on 15th January of sexual assault.
"The allegations relate to incidents between 2006 and 2007."

Fr Pearce was head of the junior school before he retired.
School authorities insisted that they acted promptly when they learned of the accusations.
He added: "As soon as the principals of the school weremade aware of the allegations, they put them in the hands of theauthorities," said the school's solicitor Tony Nelson.
"The school has behaved impeccably."
The school admits pupils aged 4 to 18 and has a mixed sixth form.
Famous alumni include the former governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten and the comedian Julian Clary.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7217762.stm


                                            

沙文

Posted by Birmingham News February 15, 2008 4:53 PM

The Rev. Gregory Clarke, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, checked in to a federal penitentiary in Atlanta around 8 a.m. this morning to begin serving a 21-month sentence for tax fraud.
Clarke walked into prison wearing a Crimson Tide jacket and baseball cap. He made the journey on a chartered bus, accompanied by about 50 church members. Other church members and supporters followed in vehicles.
A federal jury convicted Clarke in July 2007 on charges he filed false income tax returns for 2000, 2001 and 2002. At trial prosecutors said Clarke underreported $110,000 in earned income and schemes to deceive the government about the money.
Clarke has said he was singled out because of his friendship with former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, who is serving a prison sentence after he was convicted on seven corruption-related counts by a federal jury in Montgomery in 2006.

Greg Garrison
Here is a video taken before the bus departed for Atlanta. Clarke tells reporters and supporters that he is ready to report and has the items he needs for a "camping trip."
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2008 ... o_rev_gegory_c.html

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/24/08

A Decatur pastor faces at least 25 years in prison after being convicted of aggravated sexual battery and child molestation of his 15-year-old foster child, authorities said.
DeKalb County prosecutors contend Bishop Frederick Kelley, who headed Greater New Macedonia Church of God in Christ, had a history of child molestation and rape involving family members going back 35 years.
Kelley has vehemently proclaimed his innocence.
He was in the DeKalb jail Sunday awaiting a sentencing date after a jury found him guilty Friday of two counts of sexual battery and four counts of child molestation.
The minimum sentence is 25 years. The jury acquitted him of rape.
Kelley was arrested in January 2007 on charges of rape and molestation involving a 15-year-old foster girl in his house.
The pastor proclaimed his innocence in a TV news broadcast.
The newscast prompted three of his relatives to tell police that he molested or raped them years before, said Peter Boehm, the DeKalb prosecutor who handled the case.
"They had thought he stopped — or 'hoped,' I guess, is the better way to say it," Boehm said.
Attempts to reach the Kelley family for comment were unsuccessful Sunday.
Boehm introduced four other child molestation cases, involving Kelley's family members and another foster child, during the eight-day trial in Superior Court that ended Friday.
The first case involved a family member who was 12 years old when the incident allegedly occurred in 1972, Boehm said.
The woman testified at the trial that she awoke one night and found Kelley on top of her. She shoved him off, and Kelley "pretended to be sleepwalking," Boehm said.
Another family member testified that the pastor impregnated her in 1979, when she was 15.
DeKalb prosecutor Boehm alleges that in 1993, Kelley molested the daughter of the first victim.
Kelley eventually targeted foster children he and his wife supported, Boehm said.
Besides the 15-year-old who filed the charges for which Kelley was prosecuted, another foster daughter, age 14, testified the defendant inappropriately touched her when he came into her bedroom one night in 2006 but claimed to be "praying over her."
Kelley's wife testified that her husband was guilty only of an adulterous affair with the girl who became pregnant in 1979.
The Kelleys raised the baby he fathered as their own child, Boehm said.
That affair was the only sexual misconduct Kelley and his wife acknowledged, Boehm said.
"They denied all the others," he said.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content ... omepage_tab_newstab

沙文

A pastor described by police as charismatic and controlling pleaded guilty Wednesday to numerous counts of child rape and molestation involving five young girls in Kitsap County.
Robbin Leeroy Harper, 60, leader of a fringe religious group called The Church, faces more than 26 years in prison, though prosecutors and his own lawyer have agreed to recommend a 23-year term when Harper is sentenced April 9.
"We're happy with this," said Brenda, the mother of one victim, who asked that her last name not be published in order to shield her daughter's identity. "Everybody is relieved. My daughter is happy about it, too."
The young woman, now 20, called police last fall to report that Harper had been molesting her since she was 12. He told the pre-teen -- as well as 7- and 8-year-old victims -- that he was showing them pornographic material and teaching them to perform oral sex on him as preparation for marriage, according to court documents.
"I'm not really about revenge," said Brenda, thinking about her daughter. "He's going to have to stand before God for what he's done. It's just been really hard."
According to interviews with police and former members of The Church, Harper dictated everything -- from where congregants could work to the people they married to the type of cars they drove.
Brenda agreed, saying that she and her husband had left the group, which worshipped in a compound in South Colby guarded by a fence and unidentifiable from the road, because Harper was "controlling our lives."
However, their daughter and son remained, becoming ever more entwined, to the point at which the pastor and his wife became the teen's "spiritual mom and dad, and we kind of lost our authority over them," Brenda said.
At least 10 women and young girls have come forward with sexual abuse accusations since Harper was charged in November.
Deputy Prosecutor Kelly Montgomery was stunned at the hold Harper had over his congregation.
"It is amazing to me how much power someone can wield and use to take advantage of someone else," she said. "Whether they're pastors or police officers or priests, it just cautions all of us to be on alert with our kids. It can happen under your nose."
Harper's attorney, Thomas Weaver, said his client had never planned to stand trial.
"He had every intention, from the beginning, of taking responsibility for his actions," Weaver said.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/352947_pastor28.html

沙文

教會對此有何政策改善？

Former pastor sentenced for sex abuse
Updated: 02/29/2008 01:50 PM
By: Web Staff

ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. -- A former Oneida County pastor found guilty of sexually abusing a child is sentenced Friday. William Procanick will spend three years in prison followed by five years post-release supervision for sexual abuse. He was also sentenced to one year in Oneida County Jail for endangering the welfare of a child.
Procanick is the former pastor of Resurrection Assembly of God church in Clinton.
Sentencing for former pastor
A former Oneida County pastor found guilty of sexually abusing a child is sentenced Friday. William Procanick will spend three years in prison followed by five years post-release supervision for sexual abuse.
Back in January he was found guilty of touching a seven-year-old girl who slept over his house regularly with he and his wife.
In addition to time served Prochanick will also have a permanent order of protection against him.

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By Michelle Sherwood
Story Created: Mar 2, 2008
A former church pastor is accused of having sex with two teenage boys. Joseph Edmund Conger was pastor at New Life Baptist Church in Cole Camp and at Faith Baptist Church in Climax Springs.
The 44-year-old faces five counts of statutory sodomy from incidents that allegedly happened in 2003.
Conger was a pastor in Cole camp for about two years and in Climax Springs for about six years.
http://www.kspr.com/news/local/16171177.html

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ROME — A prominent Italian priest accused of sexually abusing young men at the drug rehabilitation centre he founded has been defrocked, a spokesman said Monday.

The Rev. Pierino Gelmini, 83, had requested that he be relieved of his priestly status and the Pope agreed, said Gelmini's spokesman, Alessandro Meluzzi. The move reduces Gelmini to a lay status, meaning he can no longer celebrate mass or other sacraments.

Last year, nine young men accused Gelmini of sexually abusing them while they were residents at his "Comunita Incontro" rehabilitation centre, which is based in the Umbrian town of Amelia.

Gelmini has vigorously denied the accusations and his lawyer has said they were made by disgruntled teens who had an ax to grind because they had been kicked out of the centre.

Prosecutors have completed their investigation and a decision is expected in the coming weeks on whether Gelmini will be indicted and ordered to stand trial.

Gelmini founded the "Comunita Incontro" in 1963. The organization now runs more than 200 rehabilitation centres in Italy and abroad, including Brazil, Thailand and New York.
http://canadianpress.google.com/ ... wa3QyDPJC10TRlo1C4g

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Pastor charged with soliciting sex

11:35 AM EST on Thursday, March 6, 2008
By MICHELLE BOUDIN / WCNC
E-mail Michelle: [email protected]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Police arrested the senior pastor at St. Luke's Lutheran church in Dilworth after a sting at Park Road Park where they say Robert Graff tried to solicit an undercover male police officer for sex.
"He's a great man, he's a wonderful man. I'm shocked,” said one church member.
The 58-year-old Graff is married and has been the pastor at St. Luke’s for the past four years.  The business administrator at the church told us there would be no comment except that members were, “sorting it all out.”
Graff is charged with crimes against nature, but was released with a promise to appear in court, and came to his church for a Wednesday night supper, where members closed ranks, and supported their senior pastor.
"Can you tell us what he's like as a pastor?," WCNC asked another church member arriving at St. Luke's Wednesday night.
“Great,” she answered.


偉大的 Robert Graff 高級牧師玉照
http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-030508-al-pastor_arrested.26986c54.html

沙文

Pastor accused of online lewd acts
By Matt Snyder
Herald Staff Writer

CONNEAUTVILLE —

Four days after a Pine Township man was arrested on similar charges, a Conneautville pastor was accused of masturbating in front of an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl on the Internet.

Tuesday, the state Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit charged the Rev. Steven Richard McGuigan, 39, with unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a computer.

Rev. McGuigan chatted with the officer at least once from his church, said Attorney General spokesman Nils Frederiksen. From his home, the pastor allegedly masturbated in front of his Web camera.

“This is the Internet version of the rain coat flasher,” Frederiksen said. “They’re using the safety and security of their own homes and the anonymity of the Internet to expose themselves to anyone who happens to be walking along electronically.”

Frederiksen said that besides corrupting minors, lewd Internet transmissions to children escalate into worse behavior and have been increasing in frequency over the years. The office has been cracking down.

On Friday, Dale L. McLaughlin, 44, of 22 Oak Hill Drive Ext., was accused of exposing himself to an agent through cartoon-themed underpants.

McLaughlin was arrested Friday at his workplace, Frederiksen said.

“If you keep your pants on when you’re chatting with 13-year-olds, this will never, ever happen to you,” he said.

Agents gave this account of Rev. McGuigan:

Starting Dec. 10, he logged onto a Yahoo! chatroom and asked the undercover officer personal questions.

He said he was involved in book sales and at first told her, “too bad you’re not older ...”

He didn’t contact the agent between Dec. 13 and Jan. 1.

Then, starting in early January, he asked for nude pictures of the girl and masturbated in a video he sent to her. He later masturbated a second time in front of his Web camera.

With a court order, agents tracked down Rev. McGuigan based on information provided by Yahoo! Inc. They said they charged him because of the graphic and escalating nature of his conversations and Web camera showings.

Escalation is one reason agents go after Web camera predators, Frederiksen said. “The performances often get more elaborate and more extensive, and the sexual discussion often gets more graphic.”
http://www.sharonherald.com/local/local_story_067215840.html