This article was originally published by UCD News. The emotional and sexual development issues which likely predisposed some men who entered the seminary in Ireland to perpetrate child sexual abuse were exacerbated by the clerical training and culture they experienced, according to study findings published in the International Journal of Child… Read More
Reading between the lines of a bishop’s “apology”
This blog post originally appeared on Religious Child Maltreatment. Yesterday, one of the country’s most prominent Catholic bishops apologized for his role in clergy sexual abuse cases dating back to the 1980s. Except that his statement is not really an apology at all. Here’s what Bishop Thomas J. Curry of the Archdiocese… Read More
Child-Friendly Faith Project Conference 2013
How do we best deal with child abuse that occurs in faith communities? What do we do when faith practices cross the line into abuse? THE CFFP CONFERENCE COVERED IT ALL! . . . . Sam BrowerAuthor of Prophet’s Prey Rita Swan, President of Children’s Healthcare Is a Legal Duty… Read More
The Impact of Our Beliefs
This blog post originally appeared on Religious Child Maltreatment. As we approach the holidays, we are often reminded of just how much religion permeates our culture. Christmas trees, menorahs, Kwanzaa traditions, Santa at the mall (for children who believe), holiday music on every radio station. December also marks the beginning… Read More
The Charter for Child-Friendly Faith
The mission of the Child-Friendly Faith Project can only be fulfilled through respectful and positive dialog. Common to all faiths, ethical models, and spiritual traditions is the value of protecting from harm those in society who are most vulnerable, especially our children. Therefore, we call upon all people to affirm these… Read More
Religious patriarchy does not harm only women
It’s hard to believe that women in a family would not do all they could to come to the aid of a dying infant. But that is what happened in the case of David Hickman. The infant was born two months premature and died nearly nine hours after birth in… Read More
A Call to Faith Leaders
Recent news from the Vatican represents a common problem among faith leaders: Simply put, many religious authorities do what they can to appear concerned about protecting children from abuse, but their actions usually fall short of making a real difference. Case in point: On May 3, the Holy See issued… Read More