In Japan, Church finds 16 cases of child sex abuse

Apr 3, 2020 / 11:39 am (CNA)

"A Japanese news agency reported Thursday that an investigation by the country's bishops' conference has found 16 cases of sexual abuse of minors by clerics, which occurred from the 1950s to 2010s.

The findings have not yet been made public, but sources familiar with the matter spoke with Kyodo News April 2.

Acts of abuse occurred in rectories, church buildings, and foster homes.

The Japanese bishops announced the inquiry a year ago, and committees were established in each of the 16 dioceses to receive claims and consultations about abuse.

In 2002 an internal survey made inquiries with the leading priest in each diocese. This resulted in two reported cases of sex abuse.

A 2012 survey aimed to be a reference point in a manual for internal use. It did not aim to investigate facts or to resolve sex abuse. Five sex abuse cases were reported then.

A 2004 survey on sexual harassment found 17 cases of “coercive physical contacts,” mostly by priests. The victims included minors. That survey had 110 respondents.

In February 2019 Pope Francis held a meeting with bishops from around the world on the sexual abuse of minors.

“Let it be clear that before these abominations the Church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes. The Church will never seek to hush up or not take seriously any case,” he said in his 2018 Christmas greetings to the Roman curia."

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/in-japan-church-finds-16-cases-of-child-sex-abuse-37316

Three-quarters of U.S. Catholics view Pope Francis favorably

though partisan differences persist

APRIL 3, 2020

"Americans’ opinions of Pope Francis have rebounded slightly after hitting an all-time low almost two years ago in the wake of Catholic Church sex abuse scandals, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.

Six-in-ten U.S. adults view Pope Francis favorablySix-in-ten U.S. adults say they have a “very” or “mostly” favorable view of Pope Francis, up from roughly half who said this in September of 2018, when the question was last asked. At that time, a Pennsylvania grand jury had just published a report revealing decades of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests, and former cardinal Theodore McCarrick had recently resigned because of separate sex abuse allegations.

Overall, public opinion of Pope Francis is now roughly at the same level as when he assumed the papacy in 2013, but still below higher points in 2015 and 2017, when 70% of U.S. adults said they had a “very” or “mostly” favorable view of the pontiff."

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/04/03/three-quarters-of-u-s-catholics-view-pope-francis-favorably-though-partisan-differences-persist/

Coronavirus: Fears for lockdown over weekend of sunshine

31 minutes ago

"Brighton seafront is one place that traditionally sees large crowds on a sunny weekend

Police face "one of their biggest challenges" of the lockdown this weekend as sunny weather risks drawing crowds to parks and beauty spots.

Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, told the BBC officers were telling the public to "hang on in there" and avoid unnecessary trips.

Ministers have said "stay at home" is an instruction, not a request.

And senior medics urged people to avoid travel for the sake of two nurses who died of coronavirus.

A forecast of warm weather in some areas this weekend has led to warnings from local councils, tourism bosses and police urging people to stay away from coastal areas, national parks and other visitor destinations.

Can I go for a walk in the sunshine?

Forecasters have predicted a temperature high of 20C in south-east England on Sunday, while southern Scotland and the Midlands could reach 16C and 19C respectively.

"This weekend is going to be one of the biggest challenges for policing so far," Ms Bourne told BBC Newsnight.

"We've been through a lot, it's very disruptive but let's not give up, let's hang on in there. It's a collective endeavour, this is ultimately about saving lives and not putting a strain on the NHS and our other emergency services.""

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52162490