French journalist Frederic Martel’s new book, ‘In the Closest of the Vatican,’ claims that the more homophobic the priest, the more likely they are to be gay.

READ MORE: Pope admits abuse & sex slavery of nuns by priests... but insists it’s ‘under control’

While not all the priests detailed in the 570-page book act on their sexual preferences, many are allegedly engaging in relationships with their fellow fathers, while some prefer casual hook ups and others are hiring male prostitutes, according to the review in Catholic publication the Tablet.

https://www.rt.com/news/451375-vatican-priests-gay-martel-book/

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Sex abuse in the Catholic Church has recently become a burning issue, casting a shadow on the Church’s reputation in light of numerous scandals regarding harassment and rape. However, Cardinal Walter Brandmueller believes the public outrage over the issue is “quite hypocritical” as the abuse is not some institutional problem but a mere indication of a malady that has gripped modern society as a whole.

“What has happened in the Church in terms of abuse is nothing short of what has been happening to the society as a whole,” Brandmueller told German dpa news agency. He then designated growing sexualization as the root cause of the problem and said that the real scandal consists in the fact that the Church failed to distinguish itself from the rest of society.

Doubling down, the cleric said: “It would be no less divorced from reality to forget or even to conceal that 80 percent of abuse cases within the Church ranks affected male youths and not children.”

He also alleged that it is “statistically proven” that there is a “link” between homosexuality and abuse while providing no specific data on the issue.

His words, however, did not sit well with many people on social media, as his interview provoked a wave of angry comments on Twitter. Some, including regional MP Christian Flisek, said the prelate must be living “in his own world” or in a “bubble” to say something like that.

https://www.rt.com/news/448090-german-cardinal-church-abuse-homosexuality/

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The comment in question was reportedly made as the pontiff was flying back to Rome from Ireland on Sunday. While the Pope has earlier implied that there is nothing wrong with being gay, this time he said that “a lot that can be done through psychiatry” no later than in childhood and added that ignoring such a child is “error of fatherhood or motherhood.”

“When it shows itself from childhood, there is a lot that can be done through psychiatry, to see how things are. It is something else if it shows itself after 20 years,” Pope Francis told reporters, as cited by multiple outlets.

However, that reference was not included in a transcript published by the Holy See Press Office on Monday.

The Vatican did not deny the alteration, saying that the quote had been erased to avoid confusion. 

“When the Pope referred to 'psychiatry', it is clear that he was doing it to highlight an example of 'things that can be done'. But with that word he didn't mean to say that it [homosexuality] was a 'mental illness',” a Vatican spokeswoman told AFP.

Last week, Pope Francis was accused of inaction over sexual abuse claims against a prominent US priest, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, which the pontiff allegedly knew about. The claim was made by former Vatican ambassador to the US, Carlo Maria Vigano, who even called for the pope’ resignation. 

However, the pope refused to comment on the allegations, calling on the public to “judge for yourselves.” 

READ MORE: Twitter on fire after Pope Francis reportedly tells a gay man that 'God made him like this'

The Catholic Church has recently found itself in the epicenter of the sex abuse scandal and had to acknowledge that priests were really involved in it, after a Pennsylvania grand jury published a report that found 300 “predator priests” had abused children for decades.

https://www.rt.com/news/437089-psychiatric-help-gay-kids-pope/

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Bishop of Maidstone Right Reverend Rod Thomas wrote in a letter that only after heterosexual couples have atoned for their sins should they be allowed to take Holy Communion. The letter was addressed to his superior, Bishop of Lichfield the Right Reverend Michael Ipgrave, who said last month that people from the LGBT community should be encouraged to become vicars and should always have “a place at the table.” Ipgrave also said that no one should be excluded from sacraments due to sexuality or gender identity.

Thomas said in the letter that he would welcome LGBT people to church, but remained firm on the Church of England’s official position that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. Thomas also held his ground that church rules also“speak of the need for all sexual relationships outside marriage to be met with a call to repentance.”

“I do therefore encourage clergy to be compassionate and sensitive in dealing with the issue of repentance, but nevertheless to see it as an important part of their pastoral care,” Thomas said, adding that some were “unworthy” of joining in Holy Communion and that many churches had a policy where they “welcome those who have sought to repent.”

At the end of May, gay and transgender people were encouraged by the Church of England to become vicars, as bishops launch a new push for sexual diversity within the church. Four bishops in the Lichfield Diocese published a guide entitled ‘Welcoming and honouring LGBT people’ that says people “of any sexual orientation or gender identity feel welcomed and honoured in our churches.”

The guide, which was sent to all clergy and lay ministers in the diocese, calls for “radical Christian inclusion.” The guide also said that: “nobody should be excluded or discouraged from receiving the Sacraments of Baptism or the Lord’s Supper on the grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

READ MORE: Transgender kids, gay marriage & women in the church: 4 years of Pope Francis in quotes

Pro-LGBT campaigners in the church have voiced shock at Thomas’ letter, which they say directly opposes the diversity directive handed down less than a fortnight ago.

Reverend Colin Coward MBE wrote in a letter to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York that “in coded language and nuanced phrases Bishop Rod is subtly outlining a practice that is in direct contravention of the House of Bishops Guidance on Same Sex Marriage.

“[The House] affirmed that the Church of England should not exclude from its fellowship those lay people of gay or lesbian orientation who, in conscience, were unable to accept that a life of sexual abstinence was required of them and who, instead, chose to enter into a faithful, committed sexually active relationship,” Coward said.

“I would like to know what action you will take to ensure that the Bishop of Maidstone is made fully aware of the contents of the House of Bishops Guidance and will in his practice of episcopal ministry ensure that the Guidance is followed.”

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Juan Carlos Cruz, a survivor of clerical sexual abuse, told Spanish El Pais that Pope Francis assured him of God's love regardless of his homosexuality.

"He told me, 'Juan Carlos, that you are gay does not matter. God made you like this and loves you like this and I don't care. The pope loves you like this. You have to be happy with who you are,'" Cruz told El Pais.

The comments were welcomed by some people, who praised the Pope's open-mindedness.

His supporters called him "the new age true Catholic," who, instead of condemning homosexuality, embraced it by "telling Catholics that being gay isn't a choice."

However, the Pope's remarks did not sit well with more conservative audience. Some even expressed doubt that His Holiness has actually read the Bible, suggesting it might be a good time for him to start reading it.

"God didn't create Tom and John. He created Adam and Eve. This is wrong and not biblical," said one man, who added that there is nothing in the traditional church teachings that could back the Pope's words.

"Followers of Jesus Christ need to be reminded that Jesus NEVER SAID A WORD about homosexuality," author Tess Gerritsen tweeted. "But if you insist on obeying Old Testament laws, better start collecting stones. You'll need them to execute your disobedient teenagers."

Some people accused the pope of distorting the truth, and cited passages from the Bible. "Pope Francis changed the truth of God into a lie. So sad,"one man said.

Others said Pope Francis "is being politically correct." Again.

If true, Cruz's claim that the Pope told him it is okay to be gay wouldn't the first time Pope Francis has gone against the core principles of the church. In July 2013, he expressed his openness to gay clergy when he said, "Who am I to judge?"

The Argentinian-born pope has repeatedly challenged the public with his statements, many of which have raised some eyebrows. In one such statement, he reportedly denied the existence of hell, when one of the co-founders of Italian La Repubblica, and Eugenio Scalfari, an atheist, confronted him about the immortality of the soul.

On another occasion, the pontiff condemned the phenomenon of 'fake news' as the work of the devil, which he said could be compared to the tale of original sin in which Adam and Eve were deceived into eating the forbidden fruit.

Not so long ago, Pope Francis also made a remark comparing a group of giggling Peruvian nuns to "terrorists."

The Pope also recently shook public opinion after a report revealed a letter written by the same victim of clerical sexual abuse who claimed the pope told him God made him "this way." In the letter, Juan Carlos accused Bishop Juan Barros, who was appointed by Pope Francis, of sexual abuse. Francis refused to admit any "wrongdoing" by Barros as long as there was no proof to back the claim.

https://www.rt.com/news/427413-pope-gay-remark-reaction/

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Speaking at the end of a historic Vatican conference on clerical sex abuse the Pope called for an “all-out battle” on the crime that should be “erased from the face of the Earth.”

Using fiery rhetoric, Pope Francis said that even a single case of abuse is an “atrocity” and vowed that the Church will protect children from the“ravenous wolves.”

He described the hearts of some clergy as having been “dulled by hypocrisy and power” and promised to bring abusers to justice.

He outlined that the National Bishops Conferences guidelines on clerical sexual abuse will be reviewed and bolstered and the Church’s definition of a ‘minor’ will be raised from the current age of 14 years to “expand protection” for children.

READ MORE: Psych evaluations & strict code of conduct: Pope offers ‘concrete’ steps to fight sexual abuse

The Pope went on to argue that the “vast majority” of priests are good and also dedicated a significant chunk of the beginning of the speech to demonstrate that most child sex abuse takes place in families.

The four-day summit was attended by 114 bishops from all over the world. On Saturday Cardinal Reinhard Marx revealed to the gathering that predator priests were able to continue abusing children because files on their crimes were either destroyed or never existed.

As part of an admission that the rights of victims were “effectively trampled underfoot,” Marx said that “procedures and processes” that could have led to successful prosecutions were “deliberately not complied with.”

The landmark conference comes following several fresh abuse scandals in Chile, Germany, and the US state of Pennsylvania. Recent investigations revealed that abusers were frequently moved to other parishes and their crimes were hushed up to preserve the Church’s reputation.

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https://www.rt.com/news/452297-pope-francis-child-abusers-satan/

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“Files that could have documented the terrible deeds and named those responsible were destroyed, or not even created,” Cardinal Reinhard Marx told a gathering of top clergymen at a landmark Vatican summit into child sex abuse.

Saying that the rights of victims were “effectively trampled underfoot,” Marx admitted that “procedures and processes” that could have led to successful prosecutions were “deliberately not complied with.” Instead, evidence was either “canceled or overridden” by Church officials.

Noting that there is no substitute for “traceability and transparency,” the cardinal added that the unwillingness of the Church to confront these crimes had left victims unable to trust the system and seriously risked ruining the Church’s credibility.

“These are all events that sharply contradict what the Church should stand for,” he said.

Marx’s admission comes on the penultimate day of a four-day summit attended by the Church’s top bishops. Convened by Pope Francis, the unprecedented conference is the Vatican’s attempt to reflect on and discuss the sex abuse scandals that have plagued the Church for decades.

The summit comes against a backdrop of several scandals that recently emerged in Chile, Germany, and the US state of Pennsylvania. Investigations into such crimes found that offending clergy were frequently moved to other parishes while bishops swept the crimes under the carpet to avoid damage to the Church’s reputation.

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https://www.rt.com/news/452248-paedophile-preist-files-destroyed-nonexistent/

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Trying to apply maximum pressure to convince the clergy to confront the issue, the Pope opened a landmark summit on ‘The Protection of Minors in the Church’ by presenting a “practical handbook” which should serve as “a simple starting point” for the Vatican to overcome its sexual abuse crisis.

“The holy People of God look to us, and expect from us not simple and predictable condemnations, but concrete and effective measures to be undertaken,” Francis stressed Thursday in the Vatican, as nearly 200 clerics began debating ways to respond to the emergency.

Clergy found guilty of sexual abuse of minors must “leave” the public ministry, one of the points’ demands, while another proposal calls for the creation of “mandatory codes of conduct” to define the “appropriate boundaries” in personal relationships.

In an effort to better serve the interests of minors, the pontiff also urged an amendment to the Code of Canon Law, raising the minimum age of marriage from 14 to 16.

Parishes across the world are also being asked to set up an anonymous hotline to report abuse cases, while also encouraging the congregation to spread awareness about the “causes and consequences” of sexual crimes.

The Pope’s document does not have binding power and was distributed on the first day of the conference so that the conversation among bishops can get rolling. Whether or not the “concrete” steps Francis has called for will be reflected at the conclusion of the historic summit is yet to be seen.

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https://www.rt.com/news/452128-pope-points-sexual-abuse-vatican/

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The Indian nun from the southern state of Kerala said Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal first raped her in 2014 when he visited the convent and called her into his room one night.

“I was numbed and terrified by his act. I took all efforts to get out, but in vain. He raped me brutally,” she later wrote in a letter to the Pope’s representative in India.

The news comes just days after Pope Francis finally acknowledged that sexual abuse of nuns by the clergy is an ongoing problem.

The nun first spoke out about the abuse in January 2017, and approached various church officials and Vatican representatives, some of whom told her not to tell the police and to instead wait for the church to sort it out.

It took five other nuns rebelling and publicly showing support for the sister in a days-long protest outside the High Court in September for the church to even acknowledge the accusations.

Two weeks later, Mulakkal was stripped of his administrative duties by the Vatican and was arrested the next day, and currently faces charges of rape and intimidation and trial by a special prosecutor. Police believe they may have evidence that he raped her and intimidated both his alleged victim and the nuns who supported her. 

Mulakkal maintains his innocence and has claimed the nun had a vendetta against him. Upon his release on bail in October, he was given a warm welcome by his diocese.

“We used to see the fathers of the church as equivalent to God, but not any more,” the victim’s sister told the New York Times. “How can I tell my son about this, that the person teaching us the difference between right and wrong gave him his First Communion after committing such a terrible sin?”

Four of the nuns who supported the victim were given transfer orders to remove them from their Kuravilangad convent in the wake of their protest. However, this has just been overturned, Mirror Now reports, with the Jalandhar Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church sending the nuns an email saying they can remain as long as they are needed for the court case.

Kerala police say more nuns have since come forward with allegations of abuse at the hands of priests.

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“I can’t say ‘this does not happen in my house.’ It is true,” Francis said, when a reporter brought up a recent article in the Vatican’s women’s magazine about the sexual abuse of nuns. “Do we have to do more? Yes. Are we willing? Yes.”

“We have been working on this for a long time. We have suspended some priests because of this,” he added, without volunteering further details.

Asked if he planned to call a bishops’ conference similar to this month’s summit to address clergy sex abuse of children, the Pope declined to answer. “I want to move forward. We are working on it,” he repeated.

Francis praised his predecessor, Pope Benedict, for dissolving one congregation of nuns “because slavery had become part of it – even sexual slavery on the part of priests or the founder.” A Vatican press director confirmed the pontiff was referring to the Community of St. Jean in France, which was dissolved during Benedict’s first year as Pope after he was blocked from investigating the order as a cardinal. That was in 2005.

Francis insisted the will to “confront” the abuse exists among senior clergy, but admitted “more action was needed.” He stopped short of explaining what that action might be, or when it would take effect, instead telling reporters that the Church – already besieged by an international sex abuse scandal implicating thousands of priests – “shouldn’t be scandalized by this.”

“If the church continues to close its eyes to the scandal –made even worse by the fact that abuse of women brings about procreation and is therefore at the origin of forced abortions and children who aren’t recognized by priests – the condition of oppression of women in the church will never change,” wrote Lucetta Scaraffia in the February edition of Women Church World, the Vatican’s women’s magazine. The piece encouraged nuns to report their abusers, while also admitting that the problem of abuse by priests was neither new nor rare – citing the Pope’s own words to explain how it was entrenched in the very structure of the Church.

Public awareness of priests’ sexual abuse of nuns was an unexpected consequence of the #MeToo movement, which caught on among the Catholic sisters last year. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Catholic Church, which was already mired in a massive child sex abuse scandal involving thousands of priests and even more victims. Francis has called on the guilty parties to turn themselves in and “prepare for divine justice,” and a bishops’ summit later this month was called to address the problem.

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https://www.rt.com/news/450752-pope-nuns-sex-abuse/

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Pennsylvania Attorney General Joshua Shapiro told USA Today that officials from up to 45 states have sought his office’s assistance in prosecuting alleged misconduct by Catholic priests, and alleged cover-ups by the church.

In the Keystone State alone, 300 “predator” priests were found to have abused over 1,000 victims in the past 60 years, a grand jury investigation found. Similar investigations are opening up in Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Guam, and Washington, DC.

The US Department of Justice is also looking into the Pennsylvania cases, running its own investigation out of Philadelphia. Some 1,450 calls have flooded a hotline recently set up for victims not uncovered during the preceding two-year investigation.

Shapiro believes the investigation has just hit on the tip of a very large iceberg. “I think we're probably in the third or fourth inning, meaning that we still have a good ways to go and a lot more horrors to unearth,” he said.

The grand jury’s report was unflinching in its condemnation, claiming church leaders “often dissuaded victims from reporting abuse to police, pressured law enforcement to terminate or avoid an investigation or conducted their own deficient, biased investigation without reporting crimes against children to the proper authorities.”

Shapiro emphasized that the statute of limitations figured prominently in the church’s foot-dragging and stonewalling. “Almost every instance of child abuse found was too old to be prosecuted… None of those who enabled the cover-up could be charged under our laws.”

“Every opportunity they had to do the right thing, they did the opposite,” he said.

That includes postponing a recent vote on proposals to hold pedophile priests accountable. American bishops were due to weigh in on the measures last month during a convocation in Baltimore, until Pope Francis opted to delay it. The plan reportedly involves a “code of conduct” for priests, a “third-party” reporting system, and implementing restrictions on bishops who have already been removed or reassigned because of sexual abuse – hardly the stuff of controversy. 

Several high-ranking Vatican officials have quietly gone away since the scandal began to break, including Cardinal George Pell, one of the Pope's inner circle, who was reportedly found guilty of sexual abuse in an Australian court last week. At least 18 US dioceses have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, while millions of dollars have been paid out to victims. Pennsylvania's Erie and Harrisburg dioceses have released a total of 131 names of clergy who – while still employed by the church – are barred from working with children.

https://www.rt.com/usa/446734-catholic-priests-abuse-investigation/

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