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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

A Precedent

A precedent :

Accusations against Pell of sexual abuse[edit]

In June 2002, Pell was accused of having sexually abused a 12-year-old boy at a Roman Catholic youth camp in 1961 whilst a seminarian. Pell vigorously denied all the accusations and stood aside as soon as the allegations were made public,[101] but he did not resign as archbishop. The complainant agreed to pursue his allegations through the church's own process for dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct, the National Committee for Professional Standards (NCPS). Justice A.J. Southwell, hired by the church to investigate the matter, found that the complainant gave the impression of "speaking honestly from actual recollection".[102] Justice Southwell concluded, however, that notwithstanding this impression, he could not regard the complaint as established:[103]
In the end, and notwithstanding that impression of the complainant, bearing in mind the forensic difficulties of the defence occasioned by very long delay, some valid criticism of the complainant's credibility, the lack of corroborative evidence and the sworn denial of the respondent, I find I am not satisfied that the complaint has been established.
Pell claimed to have been exonerated, while the complainant's solicitor said his client had been vindicated.[103]
In February 2016, it was reported that Pell had been under investigation for the past year by Victoria Police over multiple child molestation allegations. Pell issued an immediate and vehement denial.[104] It was reported that Detectives in Victoria wanted to fly to the Vatican to interview Pell regarding the allegations, which were of the sexual abuse of "up to 10 minors between 1978 and 2001", and were waiting for "senior figures to 'give them the go-ahead'".[105] Frank Brennan SJ, AO criticised the timing of the media report, saying that it may undermine the Royal Commission proceedings.[106]
 
From Wikipedia
at

31 comments:

  1. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 4:26 PM

    I urged the Archbishop to remain strong. We are all praying for you. Do not step down as Archbishop. Cardinal Pell went through the same thing you are going through, and he did not step down. What you are going through is nothing new. Follow the example of Cardinal Pell who also did not step down or resign as Archbishop.

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    Replies
    1. SuperalesMay 17, 2016 at 4:55 PM

      This should be fairly simple Diana. If this not true then the bishop should fight this out and clear his name....all the way up to the Vatican. Bishop should file for defamation charge. Either way, the truth shall set him free....from the charges against him.....or from his Office. Church on Guam better be prepared, giant storm is on the horizon. Only the Bishop can fix these issues himself. Time for him to shepherd the whole Church.

      Delete
    2. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 5:12 PM

      Dear Superales,

      The Archdiocese already said that they will pursue a civil lawsuit. I have not heard anything in the news saying that they backed out on it. Therefore, I assume that they will continue the lawsuit.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 4:31 PM

    It seems that you are already advocating for the Archbishop's innocence. Let the canonical / civil process take its course and let that dictate the Archbishop's innocence. Because of your stance, you are implying the "victim's" statement is false. I don't think it's wise to do that to the victim JUST INCASE the "victim's" claim is indeed true (which would be an unfortunate scenario).

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  3. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 4:42 PM

    Si we can assume you believe this guy is lying?

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    1. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 4:58 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 4:42 pm,

      The OP is a copy and paste from Wikipedia. I did not give my opinion on it. However, I have always said, that a man is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. I do not live in a country like North Korea where a man is guilty until proven innocent in a court of law.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 4:47 PM

    So...are your praying for the victim as well? Are you praying that he find some kind of peace and a forgiving heart for your beloved Tony? Why is your response void of any of that?

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    1. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 5:03 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 4:47 pm,

      I am praying for the truth to prevail. No one went through the court process nor received due process. Therefore, the Archbishop is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Mr. Quintanilla's words remain "allegations" until they can be proven true or false.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 4:53 PM

    Pell "stood aside". Is that what you suggest the Archbishop does?

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    Replies
    1. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 4:55 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 4:53 pm,

      He only stood aside to allow the Church to conduct its own investigation, which is what Archbishop Apuron. The Cardinal continued to operate as the Archbishop at the time, and Archbishop Apuron can do the same. The precedent has already been set.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 4:59 PM

      What do you mean he "stood aside" but "continued to operate as the Archbishop"? That makes no sense.

      Delete
    3. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 5:07 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 4:59 pm,

      The person accused does not interfere in the investigation, but continues to remain the Archbishop.

      Delete
    4. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 5:45 PM

      My understanding is that when Cardinal Pell was accused he stood aside from all roles associated with being Archbishop:

      "Dr Pell pledged to cooperate with the inquiry "in every possible way - frankly, openly and unreservedly". He said that for the good of the church and to preserve the dignity of his office, he would take leave as Archbishop of Sydney until the inquiry was completed."

      http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/08/20/1029114109765.html

      Delete
    5. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 5:54 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 5:45 pm,

      He stepped aside to allow the investigations on himself, but he never resigned nor stepped down as Archbishop.

      Delete
    6. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 6:07 PM

      Yes, he did. Though he didn't resign, he took leave as Archbishop of Sydney. did you not read the report? Here's another one:

      "On 20 August 2002, then Archbishop Pell stood aside as Archbishop of Sydney when the Church's National Committee for Professional Standards, established by the Australian bishops and the leaders of religious orders, asked Mr Southwell to report on a complaint to it that Cardinal Pell, while a seminarian, had sexually molested the complainant, then aged 12, at the Victorian holiday resort of Phillip Island in the early 1960s.

      On 14 October that year, Mr Southwell said he could find no clear evidence to uphold the complaint but noted that both the complainant and Archbishop Pell gave the impression that they spoke honestly. Archbishop Pell then resumed his duties. (See Stephen Crittenden, page 10.)"

      http://archive.thetablet.co.uk/article/16th-march-2013/34/pells-lawyers-act-over-media-reports-on-papal-elec

      How can you "resume your duties" if you haven't stood aside from "your duties"

      Once again you know nothing of what you speak about. Simply typical.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 4:58 PM

    It seems that you and the bulk of the NCW (particularly the NCW leaders) have thrown their lot in with the Archbishop. It is no wonder you are praying that there is nothing to these allegations, although by now it is pretty clear that the other side doesn't act without evidence. I think the Archbishop's days are numbered and you are going down with him.

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    Replies
    1. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 5:17 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 4:58 pm,

      In my blog, I have always said that a man is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. I have always stood by that principle, and I still do. There is a reason why democratic countries like Guam and the United States value this principle in the law. We are not savages and barbarians. We are not like the Muslim countries where a man is found guilty without even going through the due process of a trial. I go by the rule of law.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 5:19 PM

      What court of law rendered Father Paul and Monsignor James guilty of the Archbishop's accusations?

      Delete
    3. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 5:35 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 5:19 pm,

      Were Father Paul and Monsignor James accused by the Archbishop of sexual molestation???? Father Paul and Monsignor James are still waiting for their trial in the Vatican. Why it is taking so long is beyond me. Perhaps, they should look for another canon lawyer who can move their case faster.

      Delete
    4. AnonymousMay 18, 2016 at 1:58 AM

      What is wrong with you Diana?! Roy Q. ALLEGED he was molested by Apuron (nothing went to court yet) just as Archbishop ALLEGED Fr. Paul and Msgr. James did something wrong. Regardless of its about hiring a murderer, financial mismanagement or sexual molestation, you said you always said a man is innocent until proven guilty yet you continually blamed Fr. Paul and Msgr. James for things that were only ALLEGED against them and not brought to court.

      As much as I wished you weren't like the jungle and that you were posting fair things, you're not! You went against that principle you hypocrite!

      Delete
    5. DianaMay 18, 2016 at 6:41 AM

      Dear Anonymous at 1:58 am,

      Where did I ever say that Father Paul and Monsignor James did something wrong? I said that the Archbishop removed Father Paul from the Dededo parish for disobedience, and he removed Monsignor James for financial mismanagement. These are facts.

      Roy Q. stated that he was molested by the Archbishop and the Archbishop said that it is not true. These are facts.

      In the case with Father Paul and Monsignor James, they felt that they were treated unfairly and put their case to the Vatican. It has been three years for Father Paul. The last I heard was that he was having a difficult time getting in touch with his canon lawyer. Well.....for goodness sake, get another canon lawyer! Has Father Paul gotten a new canon lawyer yet? Apparently, he does not seem too much in a hurry to get to trial.

      Delete
    6. AnonymousMay 18, 2016 at 11:31 AM

      "Where did I ever say that Father Paul and Monsignor James did something wrong? "

      Oh, thats rich.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 5:05 PM

    The Archbishop, unlike the Cardinal, has not personally insisted on his innocence or directly denied the allegations. That's a worry. You ought to see the difference May

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    Replies
    1. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 5:09 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 5:05 pm,

      Yes, he has denied it.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 5:14 PM

      When? We have only seen press releases written by his various spokespersons. The Archbishop needs to come out using his own words and his own voice.

      Delete
    3. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 5:27 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 5:14 pm,

      He did come out and say that he is not guilty when John Toves accused him of molesting his relative. See the weblink below:

      http://cathnews.co.nz/2014/12/12/archbishop-apuron-says-allegations-horrible-calumny/

      Delete
  8. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 5:18 PM

    Pell welcomed his accuser to a sit down meeting with him. If you are using Pell to compare him with Apuron, will Apuron do the same?

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    1. DianaMay 17, 2016 at 5:20 PM

      Dear Anonymous at 5:18 pm,

      You must have confused Cardinal Pell with another Bishop who was accused of sexual molestation. That Bishop sat down in a meeting with his accuser AFTER the accuser realized that he was brainwashed and apologized to the Bishop.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 6:15 PM

    So, do you still maintain that this is clearly a "witch hunt" Diana?

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousMay 17, 2016 at 6:16 PM

    I stand and believe the Archbishop. Is time!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousMay 18, 2016 at 11:07 AM

    Is there likely to be another media statement from Archbishop.
    Are you aware international BBC based in Hong Kong are referencing this abuse case.international news.

    ReplyDelete