(IPI/IFEX) - Vienna, 2 February 2010 - The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), strongly condemns the threat made by the Serbian Orthodox priest Bogdan Simanic against the Serbian journalist Aleksandra Delic, a correspondent for the Serbian newspaper Vecernje Novosti.
Delic was threatened on 1 February 2010 by Simanic over her critical reporting about the owners of Glas Podrinja. Simanic, who is a co-owner of the Serbian weekly, posed the threat by telephone when talking to another journalist, and said, translated into English: "You can tell her I will break her legs when I see her! She will remember who Priest Bogdan is."
SEEMO Secretary-General Oliver Vujovic said: "SEEMO strongly condemns the threat against Delic. As the Church plays an important role in moral development within society, SEEMO urges the Serbian Orthodox Priest Bogdan Simanic, as a Church representative and moreover as a co-owner of a weekly himself, to respect freedom of expression and opinion, and not to threaten journalists for exercising their right to freedom of speech." Vujovic added: "It is essential that journalists are able to report freely and without fear of intimidation or harassment so that they can carry out the vital activity of informing the public."
http://www.ifex.org/serbia/2010/02/03/delic_threatened/
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
Priest rapes girl then threatens to murder her
Belthangady: A young woman has lodged a complaint with the Uppinangady police alleging that Jose Kichankeri, a parish priest in the Belthangady Bishop House had raped her after promising to marry her. The complainant has said that the priest has even threatened to kill her if she made the matter public.
It is learnt, the priest had been to the residence of the young woman at Enjira village on April 28 along with two sisters. But the sisters were sent back very soon. Despite the request of the young woman to the priest to leave the place, the priest stayed back and then reportedly developed physical relationship with her after promising to marry.
But, when there was no hint of the priest keeping up his words, the young woman intimated the Bishop House authorities. It is learnt, the Bishop had assured to get the woman married and had sought some time. But within a few days, the priest had once again come to her house and again raped her.
http://newfrontworld.com/2010/08/18/mangalore-christian-priest-rapes-a-girl-and-threatens-to-murder/
It is learnt, the priest had been to the residence of the young woman at Enjira village on April 28 along with two sisters. But the sisters were sent back very soon. Despite the request of the young woman to the priest to leave the place, the priest stayed back and then reportedly developed physical relationship with her after promising to marry.
But, when there was no hint of the priest keeping up his words, the young woman intimated the Bishop House authorities. It is learnt, the Bishop had assured to get the woman married and had sought some time. But within a few days, the priest had once again come to her house and again raped her.
http://newfrontworld.com/2010/08/18/mangalore-christian-priest-rapes-a-girl-and-threatens-to-murder/
Georgian Pastor arrested for molesting four girls
Steven Rowe is accused of molesting 4 kids at a Douglas church and school; parents are asked to talk to daughters who might have had contact with him.
A former Coffee County pastor has been arrested and charged with four counts of child molestation and two counts of aggravated child molestation.
Investigators said Steven Rowe, 50, was pastor at First Community Church and headmaster at Faith Christian Academy in Douglas from 2002 until 2008. He is accused of molesting at least four children from 2005 to 2008, said Guy Wolfe, a Coffee County Sheriff's Office detective.
Rowe was questioned Friday after Wolfe said a complaint was filed with the Department of Family and Children Services. Rowe was held after questioning and charged Saturday. He remains in the Coffee County Jail after bail was denied.
Wolfe said the investigation is ongoing and he can't release many details, but he did say the victims were females. Investigators are asking parents to talk with their children if they were between the ages of 12 and 15 and attended the church or school while Rowe worked there.
"There's potentially other victims out there, so it's really sensitive," Wolfe said.
The church's interim pastor and headmaster at the academy, Ben Warren, said Rowe's arrest was briefly mentioned during Sunday's church services but the issue was not discussed in detail until parents gathered at the church Tuesday night.
"I've known Pastor Rowe for years. It's a shock to everybody," Warren said. "We tend to elevate the pastor. It's a major breach of trust."
Warren said parents were united in their support of the church and academy. He said Rowe's involvement with the church and academy had diminished the past 14 months because he was working at another school in Brunswick. Wolfe identified the school as Paxen Learning Corp.
Richard Semancik, executive vice president at Paxen, said Rowe is no longer an employee because of his arrest. Both Wolfe and Semancik said they don't believe Rowe had inappropriate contact with students at the center because they are all at least 16 years old, which is the age of consent in Georgia.
Warren said the issue will also be discussed with the 75 students enrolled at the academy.
"Most of our students did not know him that well," Warren said. "We're going to do some teaching with our girls and boys on how to react when something inappropriate happens."
http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2010-09-08/story/pastor-charged-child-molestation
A former Coffee County pastor has been arrested and charged with four counts of child molestation and two counts of aggravated child molestation.
Investigators said Steven Rowe, 50, was pastor at First Community Church and headmaster at Faith Christian Academy in Douglas from 2002 until 2008. He is accused of molesting at least four children from 2005 to 2008, said Guy Wolfe, a Coffee County Sheriff's Office detective.
Rowe was questioned Friday after Wolfe said a complaint was filed with the Department of Family and Children Services. Rowe was held after questioning and charged Saturday. He remains in the Coffee County Jail after bail was denied.
Wolfe said the investigation is ongoing and he can't release many details, but he did say the victims were females. Investigators are asking parents to talk with their children if they were between the ages of 12 and 15 and attended the church or school while Rowe worked there.
"There's potentially other victims out there, so it's really sensitive," Wolfe said.
The church's interim pastor and headmaster at the academy, Ben Warren, said Rowe's arrest was briefly mentioned during Sunday's church services but the issue was not discussed in detail until parents gathered at the church Tuesday night.
"I've known Pastor Rowe for years. It's a shock to everybody," Warren said. "We tend to elevate the pastor. It's a major breach of trust."
Warren said parents were united in their support of the church and academy. He said Rowe's involvement with the church and academy had diminished the past 14 months because he was working at another school in Brunswick. Wolfe identified the school as Paxen Learning Corp.
Richard Semancik, executive vice president at Paxen, said Rowe is no longer an employee because of his arrest. Both Wolfe and Semancik said they don't believe Rowe had inappropriate contact with students at the center because they are all at least 16 years old, which is the age of consent in Georgia.
Warren said the issue will also be discussed with the 75 students enrolled at the academy.
"Most of our students did not know him that well," Warren said. "We're going to do some teaching with our girls and boys on how to react when something inappropriate happens."
http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2010-09-08/story/pastor-charged-child-molestation
Baptist Pastor arrested for sexually abusing seventeen year old girl
Prince William County police have arrested a former youth pastor on charges that he carried on a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl in his church group.
Jason Bolton, 32, of Dumfries, began a close friendship with the girl in September 2007, police said. By early 2010, the relationship had become romantic.
Bolton, a married man with two sons and a daughter, began as a youth pastor at Potomac Crest Baptist Church in 2007. He resigned in May after the sexual allegations came to light.
In a first person profile on the church's Web site, Bolton says he was called by Jesus Christ to serve at the church after ministering to students at the University of Delaware, where he studied art in the late 1990s.
“I am not perfect and I make mistakes every day,” Bolton says in the profile that has since been removed. “My hope is that through my life I can help show youth that Jesus Loves them and that He wants them so much that He died for them.”
Bolton was being held on a $3,000 secured bond on a charge of sodomy. A court date has not been set, officials said.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-news/virginia/va-pastor-charged-with-child-a.html
Jason Bolton, 32, of Dumfries, began a close friendship with the girl in September 2007, police said. By early 2010, the relationship had become romantic.
Bolton, a married man with two sons and a daughter, began as a youth pastor at Potomac Crest Baptist Church in 2007. He resigned in May after the sexual allegations came to light.
In a first person profile on the church's Web site, Bolton says he was called by Jesus Christ to serve at the church after ministering to students at the University of Delaware, where he studied art in the late 1990s.
“I am not perfect and I make mistakes every day,” Bolton says in the profile that has since been removed. “My hope is that through my life I can help show youth that Jesus Loves them and that He wants them so much that He died for them.”
Bolton was being held on a $3,000 secured bond on a charge of sodomy. A court date has not been set, officials said.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/local-breaking-news/virginia/va-pastor-charged-with-child-a.html
Pastor charged for killing his second wife, also being investigating for killing his first wife
TANNERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Police say a former pastor from Pennsylvania killed his second wife and staged a car accident to cover it up, and authorities are now re-examining his first wife's death, too.
Sixty-two-year-old Arthur Burton Schirmer was arraigned Monday in Tannersville on a criminal homicide charge in the July 2008 death of 56-year-old Betty Schirmer.
Police say Arthur Schirmer claimed he got in an accident when a deer ran in front of his car, killing his wife.
Her death was initially ruled an accident. Police reopened the case after the husband of Arthur Schirmer's mistress committed suicide.
Investigators now say Betty Schirmer was already injured before the crash and that they found her blood in a parsonage garage.
Police are now re-examining the 1999 death of Schirmer's first wife.
http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/news/story.jsp?floc=DC-headline&sc=1110&idq=/ff/story/0001/20100913/4635.htm
Another article is here: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/pennsylvania-ex-pastor-charged-with-murdering-second-wife/story-e6frf7jx-1225923934315
UPDATED ARTICLE: http://www.wnep.com/news/countybycounty/wnep-mon-pastor-arthur-schirmer-homicide-charge,0,6564245.story
Sixty-two-year-old Arthur Burton Schirmer was arraigned Monday in Tannersville on a criminal homicide charge in the July 2008 death of 56-year-old Betty Schirmer.
Police say Arthur Schirmer claimed he got in an accident when a deer ran in front of his car, killing his wife.
Her death was initially ruled an accident. Police reopened the case after the husband of Arthur Schirmer's mistress committed suicide.
Investigators now say Betty Schirmer was already injured before the crash and that they found her blood in a parsonage garage.
Police are now re-examining the 1999 death of Schirmer's first wife.
http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/news/story.jsp?floc=DC-headline&sc=1110&idq=/ff/story/0001/20100913/4635.htm
Another article is here: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/pennsylvania-ex-pastor-charged-with-murdering-second-wife/story-e6frf7jx-1225923934315
UPDATED ARTICLE: http://www.wnep.com/news/countybycounty/wnep-mon-pastor-arthur-schirmer-homicide-charge,0,6564245.story
Canadian Pastor arrested for indecent act towards woman
The senior pastor at a large Pentecostal church in St. John's did not know until this week that one of his pastors is facing a sex-related charge.
Pastor Geoffrey Whitt, who is assigned to Bethesda Pentecostal Church in the east end of St. John's, was charged in December with committing an indecent act.
Whitt has been the church's children's pastor since 2002, and also runs a music camp for children.
His lawyer, Jeff Brace, told CBC News that the charge does not involve children, and that the complainant is an adult woman who told police that Whitt had exposed himself.
The senior pastor at the church, Brian Brown, did not know about the charge until he was contacted by CBC News on Tuesday.
Brown said he was shaken and taken aback by the revelation, but said he could not comment further until he learned more about the details, and about how the church's leadership wishes to respond.
Whitt is employed by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador, which is now reviewing the case.
Whitt is scheduled to next appear in provincial court in St. John's in April.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/03/17/pentecostal-pastor-charge-317.html#ixzz0zXvHYJct
Pastor Geoffrey Whitt, who is assigned to Bethesda Pentecostal Church in the east end of St. John's, was charged in December with committing an indecent act.
Whitt has been the church's children's pastor since 2002, and also runs a music camp for children.
His lawyer, Jeff Brace, told CBC News that the charge does not involve children, and that the complainant is an adult woman who told police that Whitt had exposed himself.
The senior pastor at the church, Brian Brown, did not know about the charge until he was contacted by CBC News on Tuesday.
Brown said he was shaken and taken aback by the revelation, but said he could not comment further until he learned more about the details, and about how the church's leadership wishes to respond.
Whitt is employed by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador, which is now reviewing the case.
Whitt is scheduled to next appear in provincial court in St. John's in April.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2010/03/17/pentecostal-pastor-charge-317.html#ixzz0zXvHYJct
Detroit Pastor charged for sexually assaulting thirteen year old girl
Man these stories never get old.
Detroit -- A pastor was arraigned today in 36th District Court on multiple charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenaged member of his church.
Timothy Jackson, 46, faces six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for his alleged activities with a 13-year-old girl.
Bond was set at $50,000, requiring $5,000 cash for his release. He was ordered to return to the court Sept. 1 for a preliminary examination of the evidence against him. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The alleged incidents occurred between 2009 and 2010 at Abundant Life Church, 437 Livernois in southwest Detroit, according to a statement issued today by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Jackson was pastor of the church at the time of the alleged assaults.
There was a fire at the church Aug. 6 that is believed to be suspicious and possibly linked to the alleged assaults, Detroit police said.
http://detnews.com/article/20100820/LIFESTYLE04/8200411/Detroit-pastor-charged-with-sexual-assault#ixzz0zXea104X
Detroit -- A pastor was arraigned today in 36th District Court on multiple charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenaged member of his church.
Timothy Jackson, 46, faces six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for his alleged activities with a 13-year-old girl.
Bond was set at $50,000, requiring $5,000 cash for his release. He was ordered to return to the court Sept. 1 for a preliminary examination of the evidence against him. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The alleged incidents occurred between 2009 and 2010 at Abundant Life Church, 437 Livernois in southwest Detroit, according to a statement issued today by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Jackson was pastor of the church at the time of the alleged assaults.
There was a fire at the church Aug. 6 that is believed to be suspicious and possibly linked to the alleged assaults, Detroit police said.
http://detnews.com/article/20100820/LIFESTYLE04/8200411/Detroit-pastor-charged-with-sexual-assault#ixzz0zXea104X
Prison for Pastor who sexually assaulted 4 girls
A pastor of an Anaheim church was sentenced Thursday to six years in state prison for sexually assaulting four underage girls who were his parishioners, authorities said.
Jose Rama Campoverde, 46, who lives in Anaheim, pleaded guilty to one felony count of lewd acts on a child under 14, five felony counts of lewd acts on a child, two misdemeanor counts of child annoyance and a sentencing enhancement allegation for lewd acts on multiple children, the Orange County district attorney's office said.
Campoverde was charged with molesting the girls, who ranged from 13 to 17 years old, on various occasions between July 2004 and September 2009. Prosecutors said he kissed the girls, touched their buttocks and hugged them.
The assaults took place at the Ministerio Cristo Vive church and other locations, according to prosecutors.
Campoverde was ordered to register as a sex offender, the district attorney's office said.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/anaheim-pastor-sentenced-in-sex-molestation-case.html
Jose Rama Campoverde, 46, who lives in Anaheim, pleaded guilty to one felony count of lewd acts on a child under 14, five felony counts of lewd acts on a child, two misdemeanor counts of child annoyance and a sentencing enhancement allegation for lewd acts on multiple children, the Orange County district attorney's office said.
Campoverde was charged with molesting the girls, who ranged from 13 to 17 years old, on various occasions between July 2004 and September 2009. Prosecutors said he kissed the girls, touched their buttocks and hugged them.
The assaults took place at the Ministerio Cristo Vive church and other locations, according to prosecutors.
Campoverde was ordered to register as a sex offender, the district attorney's office said.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/07/anaheim-pastor-sentenced-in-sex-molestation-case.html
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Pastor rapes woman to 'cast out demon'
P.M.NEWS gathered that the woman’s husband, also a pastor in another church sent his wife to Pastor Nna’s church to collect a bag from him.
When the victim got there, Nna reportedly told her that he saw a vision that there was danger lurking ahead in a new appointment she was about taking up that morning.
Nna was said to have deceived the colleague’s wife that she needed deliverance to cast a demon out of her body.
In the process he flogged her severely with broom and after she became exhausted, she fell down.
According to the husband, Charles Kukuise, before his wife could recover, Nna raped her. But immediately the woman became conscious she phoned her husband to reveal the incident to him.
Charles then reported the matter at Ojota Police Division.
He also rushed his wife to an undisclosed hospital where she was admitted.
After investigation, the matter was charged to the Magistrate’s Court.
The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Eyo Owai docked the pastor on a one-count charge of raping the pastor’s wife.
When the charge was read to Nna, he pleaded not guilty.
The trial Magistrate, Mrs. Aje Afuwa granted Nna bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety in like sum.
She adjourned the matter till 13 October, 2010 for trial
When the victim got there, Nna reportedly told her that he saw a vision that there was danger lurking ahead in a new appointment she was about taking up that morning.
Nna was said to have deceived the colleague’s wife that she needed deliverance to cast a demon out of her body.
In the process he flogged her severely with broom and after she became exhausted, she fell down.
According to the husband, Charles Kukuise, before his wife could recover, Nna raped her. But immediately the woman became conscious she phoned her husband to reveal the incident to him.
Charles then reported the matter at Ojota Police Division.
He also rushed his wife to an undisclosed hospital where she was admitted.
After investigation, the matter was charged to the Magistrate’s Court.
The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Eyo Owai docked the pastor on a one-count charge of raping the pastor’s wife.
When the charge was read to Nna, he pleaded not guilty.
The trial Magistrate, Mrs. Aje Afuwa granted Nna bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety in like sum.
She adjourned the matter till 13 October, 2010 for trial
British Pastor on trial for sex attack on a young girl
A CARMARTHENSHIRE pastor accused of indecently assaulting a young girl will stand trial in October.
David Protheroe Morris, of Llety Fforddolion, in Llanpumsaint, had his plea and case management hearing heard in Welsh yesterday when he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court.
The 60-year-old, who is a pastor at the local evangelical church, denies the charge.
At an earlier hearing in April before Carmarthen magistrates, prosecutor Geoffrey Thomas told the court the allegations had only recently been made.
He said the alleged offence happened when the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was at Morris's home.
Yesterday, Judge Philip Richards conducted the entire hearing in Welsh, save to speak to a court listings officer to request availability for a trial date in October.
Both the prosecuting and defence barristers also spoke in Welsh, while a Welsh-speaking court clerk sat in on the case.
Morris was granted bail on condition he does not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, or have contact with children aged under 16.
He will stand trial at Swansea Crown Court on October 4.
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Pastor-set-stand-trial-sex-attack/article-2381523-detail/article.html
David Protheroe Morris, of Llety Fforddolion, in Llanpumsaint, had his plea and case management hearing heard in Welsh yesterday when he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court.
The 60-year-old, who is a pastor at the local evangelical church, denies the charge.
At an earlier hearing in April before Carmarthen magistrates, prosecutor Geoffrey Thomas told the court the allegations had only recently been made.
He said the alleged offence happened when the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was at Morris's home.
Yesterday, Judge Philip Richards conducted the entire hearing in Welsh, save to speak to a court listings officer to request availability for a trial date in October.
Both the prosecuting and defence barristers also spoke in Welsh, while a Welsh-speaking court clerk sat in on the case.
Morris was granted bail on condition he does not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, or have contact with children aged under 16.
He will stand trial at Swansea Crown Court on October 4.
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Pastor-set-stand-trial-sex-attack/article-2381523-detail/article.html
The bible says women are mentally deficient
A great article written by Bassan Zawadi, a writer at Answering Christianity. Here's his site, talking about how the bible totally degrades women: http://www.call-to-monotheism.com/deficiency_of_woman_s_mind_according_to_the_bible
Here is a verse from the New Testament talking about husbands and wives and the way they should treat each other...
1 Peter 3:7
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker (asthenes) partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
The word asthenes means...
1) weak, infirm, feeble
Source: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/words/7/1146844809-9534.html
It usually refers to weakness in a physical sense. However, it could also refer to weakness in a mental sense as well...
1 Corinthians 8:7,10
"But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak (asthenes), it is defiled.
For if anyone with a weak (asthenes) conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?"
So does this mean that the wife is not only weaker physically but mentally as well? Well a well known commentator sure did think so...
and here "the weaker"; being so for the most part, both as to strength of body, and endowments of mind; (John Gills Exposition to the Bible, Commentary on 1 Peter 3:7)
Here is a verse from the New Testament talking about husbands and wives and the way they should treat each other...
1 Peter 3:7
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker (asthenes) partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
The word asthenes means...
1) weak, infirm, feeble
Source: http://www.blueletterbible.org/tmp_dir/words/7/1146844809-9534.html
It usually refers to weakness in a physical sense. However, it could also refer to weakness in a mental sense as well...
1 Corinthians 8:7,10
"But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak (asthenes), it is defiled.
For if anyone with a weak (asthenes) conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols?"
So does this mean that the wife is not only weaker physically but mentally as well? Well a well known commentator sure did think so...
and here "the weaker"; being so for the most part, both as to strength of body, and endowments of mind; (John Gills Exposition to the Bible, Commentary on 1 Peter 3:7)
Catholic Priest impregnantes teen girl
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A couple secretly videotaped a Roman Catholic priest having sex with their 18-year-old daughter in the basement of their home and are now suing, saying he got her pregnant.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges that the Rev. Luis A. Bonilla Margarito carried on a sexual relationship with the teen while he was the chaplain of Reading Central Catholic High School and she was a senior there.
The girl's parents became suspicious and installed a camera in their basement, where Bonilla and the teen were spending large amounts of time. The camera recorded the couple having sex in Nov. 2009, after she had graduated, according to the suit.
Bonilla and the teen are now evidently living with each other.
On Friday, an Associated Press reporter knocked on the door of the apartment where Bonilla now lives. A woman answered, and she identified herself as the teen named in the lawsuit filed by her parents. She declined to comment, and would not get Bonilla to come to the door.
But David Weldon, a maintenance man at the apartment complex, said the couple moved in together two or three months ago, and that she had the baby about six weeks ago.
Bonilla was removed from his dual posts as chaplain and pastor of St. Joseph Church in Reading after her parents took the sex tape to the Diocese of Allentown. He acknowledged at the time an "inappropriate relationship" with the teen, according to a diocesan news release from last November.
Bonilla was sent to a treatment facility, but "continued to have intimate contact with (the teen) during this time period and ultimately impregnated her," the suit said. She gave birth to a girl.
Bonilla, 41, left the treatment facility at some point and moved into the two-story complex of brick garden apartments in Philadelphia suburb.
"He has no assignment and he has not functioned as a priest since November," diocesan spokesman Matt Kerr said Friday.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a support group for victims of clergy abuse, released a statement Friday calling on the Allentown diocese to find out whether Bonilla had an inappropriate relationship with anyone else.
"History, research and experience has taught us that predators rarely have only one victim. We fear others who have been hurt are trapped in silence and self blame," said Barbara Dorris, SNAP's outreach director.
Bonilla was named the chaplain of Central Catholic in 2008 and befriended the teen, then 17, at the beginning of her senior year. Bonilla "began to groom (the teen) for a sexual relationship," the suit said, knowing that she suffered from mental health issues, was previously sexually abused by an adult man, and was "susceptible to being manipulated."
Her parents began to suspect a relationship and reported their concerns to administrators at Central Catholic, "but were told their suspicions were unfounded and that nothing could be done to separate (the teen) and Father Bonilla because he was her spiritual advisor and/or counsellor," according to the suit.
Bonilla also took steps to alienate the teen from her parents, telling her that she was 18 and no longer had to obey them, the suit said.
The suit charged that diocesan officials knew about the relationship but were "so concerned about their own reputation and/or financial interests, that they failed to protect (the teen) from Father Bonilla."
The parents say they are alienated from their daughter as a result of her relationship with Bonilla, and are seeking punitive damages for breach of fiduciary duty, infliction of emotional distress and gross negligence. The suit names as defendants Bonilla, the diocese, the high school, Allentown Bishop John Barres, and former Bishop Edward Cullen.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100827/world/us_priest_pregnant_teen
The lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges that the Rev. Luis A. Bonilla Margarito carried on a sexual relationship with the teen while he was the chaplain of Reading Central Catholic High School and she was a senior there.
The girl's parents became suspicious and installed a camera in their basement, where Bonilla and the teen were spending large amounts of time. The camera recorded the couple having sex in Nov. 2009, after she had graduated, according to the suit.
Bonilla and the teen are now evidently living with each other.
On Friday, an Associated Press reporter knocked on the door of the apartment where Bonilla now lives. A woman answered, and she identified herself as the teen named in the lawsuit filed by her parents. She declined to comment, and would not get Bonilla to come to the door.
But David Weldon, a maintenance man at the apartment complex, said the couple moved in together two or three months ago, and that she had the baby about six weeks ago.
Bonilla was removed from his dual posts as chaplain and pastor of St. Joseph Church in Reading after her parents took the sex tape to the Diocese of Allentown. He acknowledged at the time an "inappropriate relationship" with the teen, according to a diocesan news release from last November.
Bonilla was sent to a treatment facility, but "continued to have intimate contact with (the teen) during this time period and ultimately impregnated her," the suit said. She gave birth to a girl.
Bonilla, 41, left the treatment facility at some point and moved into the two-story complex of brick garden apartments in Philadelphia suburb.
"He has no assignment and he has not functioned as a priest since November," diocesan spokesman Matt Kerr said Friday.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a support group for victims of clergy abuse, released a statement Friday calling on the Allentown diocese to find out whether Bonilla had an inappropriate relationship with anyone else.
"History, research and experience has taught us that predators rarely have only one victim. We fear others who have been hurt are trapped in silence and self blame," said Barbara Dorris, SNAP's outreach director.
Bonilla was named the chaplain of Central Catholic in 2008 and befriended the teen, then 17, at the beginning of her senior year. Bonilla "began to groom (the teen) for a sexual relationship," the suit said, knowing that she suffered from mental health issues, was previously sexually abused by an adult man, and was "susceptible to being manipulated."
Her parents began to suspect a relationship and reported their concerns to administrators at Central Catholic, "but were told their suspicions were unfounded and that nothing could be done to separate (the teen) and Father Bonilla because he was her spiritual advisor and/or counsellor," according to the suit.
Bonilla also took steps to alienate the teen from her parents, telling her that she was 18 and no longer had to obey them, the suit said.
The suit charged that diocesan officials knew about the relationship but were "so concerned about their own reputation and/or financial interests, that they failed to protect (the teen) from Father Bonilla."
The parents say they are alienated from their daughter as a result of her relationship with Bonilla, and are seeking punitive damages for breach of fiduciary duty, infliction of emotional distress and gross negligence. The suit names as defendants Bonilla, the diocese, the high school, Allentown Bishop John Barres, and former Bishop Edward Cullen.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100827/world/us_priest_pregnant_teen
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Christian woman fired for pre-martial sex
The couple sat close together with her right hand clasped in his left hand and her left arm cradling the 8-month-old daughter whose conception cost the woman her job.
The couple’s sin, according to her former employer, Southland Christian School in St. Cloud, Fla., is fornication — having sex before they got married.
Jarretta Hamilton and her husband of 16 months, Samuel Treftz, told TODAY’s Ann Curry Monday that the termination violated federal anti-discrimination laws. In addition, they allege in a pending lawsuit, the school’s principal, Jon Ennis, invaded Hamilton’s privacy by telling other teachers and the parents of her students the exact reason she was fired.
“When they let me go, they told the entire staff in a staff meeting that I had been fired and the reason why they let me go. And then they called all of my parents to my fourth-grade students and told them as well,” Hamilton said.
Ennis declined to appear on TODAY, citing a lawsuit filed by Hamilton against the school. But in a prerecorded report filed by NBC News’ Mike Taibbi, Ennis was asked if he stood by the firing. “Yes, absolutely,” he replied.
Hamilton said her problems are all the result of her being honest. A widow with five children from her first marriage, she had gotten work as a teacher at Southland Christian School in January 2008. Meanwhile, she also met Treftz, and they planned a Feb. 20, 2009, wedding.
Three weeks before the wedding, she conceived her daughter, Sarah.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37683770/
The couple’s sin, according to her former employer, Southland Christian School in St. Cloud, Fla., is fornication — having sex before they got married.
Jarretta Hamilton and her husband of 16 months, Samuel Treftz, told TODAY’s Ann Curry Monday that the termination violated federal anti-discrimination laws. In addition, they allege in a pending lawsuit, the school’s principal, Jon Ennis, invaded Hamilton’s privacy by telling other teachers and the parents of her students the exact reason she was fired.
“When they let me go, they told the entire staff in a staff meeting that I had been fired and the reason why they let me go. And then they called all of my parents to my fourth-grade students and told them as well,” Hamilton said.
Ennis declined to appear on TODAY, citing a lawsuit filed by Hamilton against the school. But in a prerecorded report filed by NBC News’ Mike Taibbi, Ennis was asked if he stood by the firing. “Yes, absolutely,” he replied.
Hamilton said her problems are all the result of her being honest. A widow with five children from her first marriage, she had gotten work as a teacher at Southland Christian School in January 2008. Meanwhile, she also met Treftz, and they planned a Feb. 20, 2009, wedding.
Three weeks before the wedding, she conceived her daughter, Sarah.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37683770/
Christian Mother killed for letting daughter convert to Islam
Lahore, Apr.9 (ANI): A Pakistani Christian, Shahbaz, killed his mother on Tuesday here, after she allowed his sister to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim man.
Iqbal Town police said Shahbaz killed his mother, Naziran Bibi, for supporting his sister, Nusrat Bibi, to marry a Muslim man in Multan.
When Naziran returned from Multan on Tuesday, Shahbaz argued with her over his sisters conversion and shot her dead. The police have sent the body for an autopsy and registered a case on the complaint of Shahbazs other sister, Bushra, the Daily Times reported. (ANI)
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/pak-christian-kills-his-mother-for-allowing-his-sister-to-convert_10035981.html
Iqbal Town police said Shahbaz killed his mother, Naziran Bibi, for supporting his sister, Nusrat Bibi, to marry a Muslim man in Multan.
When Naziran returned from Multan on Tuesday, Shahbaz argued with her over his sisters conversion and shot her dead. The police have sent the body for an autopsy and registered a case on the complaint of Shahbazs other sister, Bushra, the Daily Times reported. (ANI)
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/pak-christian-kills-his-mother-for-allowing-his-sister-to-convert_10035981.html
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