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Western Massachusetts Catholics: Why 85K Needs Reform

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-bishops-are-wrong-part-iii.html

Why 85K Needs Reform. Why The Bishops Are Wrong, Part III). Last time, we were about to explore the bishops' objections to Bill 1523's so-called intent to "abolish" charitable immunity (the Bill would actually eliminate the cap on damages for only one type of tort – sexual abuse), when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a timely decision by the Maine Supreme Court on this topic, dated Tuesday, July 7. The entire 36 page decision is here. A version showing the highlights is here. Which says the n...

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Western Massachusetts Catholics: Comprehensive Sex Abuse Reform Bill 1523

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2009/05/comprehensive-sex-abuse-reform-bill.html

Comprehensive Sex Abuse Reform Bill 1523. Over the next year we'll be hearing about proposed legislation which aims to create comprehensive protection against childhood sexual abuse. I support this legislation and urge other Catholics and indeed all citizens to become informed about the bill and the serious issues which have sparked it. There is a wealth of information available online ( www.corsal.org. So far, legislative support includes 25 reps, including:. John W. Scibak, 2nd Hampshire. Shorter and M...

westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com

Western Massachusetts Catholics: The Reality of the Parish Councils

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2010/03/why-fy2008-and-fy2009-matter-part-8.html

The Reality of the Parish Councils. We've been talking about the parish council as envisioned by Bishop McDonnell: ".it is my wish that every parish of the diocese have a viable, working and dedicated Parish Pastoral Council." These are collaborative and deliberative bodies which are supposed to play a key role in helping the laity live out their baptismal responsibilities. Now we get to the reality of what we actually have. Let's ponder the experience of Richard Brittain. By the time William Euliano.

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Western Massachusetts Catholics: Text of Bill 469

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2009/05/text-of-bill-1523.html

Text of Bill 469. Bill H 469 An act relating to comprehensive protection against child sexual abuse. This Act may be cited as The Protection from Sexual Predators Act of 2011. Section 51A of Chapter 119 of the General Laws, as most recently amended by Section 97 of Chapter 176 of the Acts of 2008, shall be amended by adding at the end of subsection (k) the following paragraph:. Section 51A of Chapter 119 of the General Laws, as most recently amended by Section 95 of Chapter 176 of the Acts of 2008, shall...

westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com

Western Massachusetts Catholics: More Bad News From Connecticut: Editorial

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2014/09/more-bad-news-from-connecticut-editorial.html

More Bad News From Connecticut: Editorial. Archdiocese of Hartford at odds with Pope Francis’ words on money, sex abuse". Pope Francis is leading the Roman Catholic Church down a new path of contrition over the role it played in protecting priests who sexually abused children. We’re wondering when the message will be heard by his leaders in Connecticut. In Connecticut, the Roman Catholic Church apparently remains enslaved. Jacob Doe was able to sue the archdiocese in 2002 when the General Assembly voted ...

westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com

Western Massachusetts Catholics: The Massachusetts Catholic Conference

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2009/06/massachusetts-catholic-conference.html

The Massachusetts Catholic Conference. The MCC has voiced staunch opposition to the comprehensive sexual abuse reform act (known as Bill 1523 in the current session) since the effort began several years ago. There seems no reason to expect any change in 2009. But what, exactly, is the MCC, and what does it stand for? In this installment, we consider this question. The stated goals of the MCC include the following:. THE ROLE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE. When Saunders was appointed in July of ...

westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com

Western Massachusetts Catholics: The PPC

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2010/08/ppc.html

Among the many mysteries of the Mullin Report are how much it cost, why it is called the “Mullin Report”, and why no original research was undertaken. It recycled statistics about baptisms, funerals and cash flow that were well known within the chancery. Compilation of the report was entrusted to social scientists at the University of Massachusetts (albeit young ones — graduate students). The charts looked good. Since the sacraments are administered only by priests, and since priests are in short supply,...

westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com

Western Massachusetts Catholics: Why Mass. SOL Needs Reform

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-bishops-are-wrong-part-ii.html

Why Mass. SOL Needs Reform. Update: This is an old article but largely holds true as the legislation has simply been reintroduced each year or two. The original effort began in 2002. The Bill is called "469" in the current session.]. Why The Bishops Are Wrong, Part II. In this installment we consider the SOL issue (Statute of Limitations). But, their objections do bring up a reasonable question: why does Bill 1523 want to extend the SOL for sex abuse victims only? Apply Church teaching to any public poli...

westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com

Western Massachusetts Catholics: The PPC, Part 2

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2010/09/ppc-part-2.html

The PPC, Part 2. We continue now with an appraisal of the Pastoral Planning Committee, the group of 12 people chosen by the Bishop to re-align the parishes of the Springfield Diocese. In the process many of the parishes were eliminated. The final report of the group. Was made on August 25, 2009. The other initiative the PPC offered to the laity had nothing to do with discussion, feedback or suggestions. It was, instead, prayer services. If we wonder how Jacobs came up with the idea that the parishioners ...

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Western Massachusetts Catholics: Hartford Bishops Attempt to Weasel Out of Abuse Award

http://westernmassachusettscatholics.blogspot.com/2014/09/hartford-bishops-attempt-to-weasel-out.html

Hartford Bishops Attempt to Weasel Out of Abuse Award. The Archdiocese of Hartford is hoping to stem the tide of lawsuits against priests accused of child sexual abuse. Not his real name, Doe and a friend claim they were repeatedly molested by Father Ivan Ferguson and Ferguson's boyfriend in the early 1980s at a Derby School. Ferguson died in 2002. The Hartford Archdiocese appealed that award to the Connecticut Supreme Court……. Robert M. Kelly. Wisdom Literature (20th Century). How To Read The Bible.