How one sexual-abuse survivor found healing by helping offenders

Zosia Bielski The Globe and Mail
(January 4, 2019)

Marianne Zettel’s devout Catholic mother told her she could trust a priest if she was in trouble.

Ms. Zettel was in trouble. Starting at the age of 9, she’d been sexually abused by a member of her extended family. Feeling overwhelming shame about the abusive encounters, the girl turned to the church, joining altar service. (read more)

To tackle sexual abuse, Catholic Church must match words with concrete action

CBC - The Current
(February 21, 2019)

Pope Francis has summoned bishops to an unprecedented summit designed to tackle sexual abuse in the priesthood, a persisting problem that has shaken the faith of Catholics globally. We speak to a survivor about policies recently enacted in Canada, which are being discussed at the summit as a way to tackle what the Pope has called “the urgent challenge of our time” (listen to the episode)

Sex abuse: When will the Church put the children first?

Christopher Lamb The Tablet
February 27, 2019)

At the Vatican gathering, repeated calls were made for a radical revision of church laws and practices. The testimony of survivors was heard at the highest level and some in the hierarchy were moved to tears of remorse. But others say Francis still hasn’t gone nearly far enough (read more)

How a sexual assault victim's lawsuit set a precedent that alarmed the Catholic Church

CBC - The Sunday Edition
(April 12, 2019)

When priests are found guilty of sexual abuse, the Roman Catholic Church follows a familiar script: offer money to the victim, settle out of court and avoid a public trial.

Usually, it works.

Rod MacLeod refused to settle. (read more)