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Ex seminarian alleges Francis confidant Bp. Zanchetta protected the priest who abused him

From Complicit Clergy site

A former seminarian is alleging that he received pressure and threats from Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta, a close friend of Pope Francis, after he complained about abuse he received from a priest in Zanchetta’s diocese. The young man also provided testimony against Zanchetta during the March 2022 trial of the Argentinian bishop, who was given a prison sentence of four and a half years.

The case of Kevin Montes

On May 15, the trial of Father Carlos Fernando Páez will be heard in Argentina’s northwestern province of Salta. An ex-seminarian for the Diocese of Orán, using the alias Kevin Montes, has alleged that Fr. Páez manipulated and sexually abused him when Montes was a seminarian for the diocese. 

Montes, now 26, was an Orán seminarian from February 28, 2015 through 2019. He claims that Páez abused him during his time in the seminary and while on parish placement, and that Zanchetta turned a blind eye at first.

Speaking after Zanchetta was himself sentenced last spring, Montes stated that Páez began abusing him from the start of his time in seminary. However, the bishop was not receptive of Montes’ reports about the priest: “I entered the seminary in 2015, I was a seminarian, and then I had a problem with Zanchetta in August and he took me out of the seminary.” 

Montes stated that Zanchetta “persecuted me because I did not accept that he [Páez][held] my genitals and hugged me from behind. He began to tell me that I was an emotional orphan, that I had not received affection from my parents, and that is why it was difficult for me to receive this type of affection.” 

Zanchetta encouraged Montes to develop a better relationship with Páez, the ex-seminarian said.

“Everyone in the diocese knew what Zanchetta was like: it was rumored that Zanchetta was homosexual, but no one dared to say so. There was a lot of secrecy about it,” Montes added.

Indeed, it was in 2015, after pornographic images of “homosexual sex,” along with “nude selfies” of Zanchetta himself were found on his phone, that Zanchetta was summoned to Rome. He excused himself as having been the victim of a phone hack, an excuse which Pope Francis accepted.

Next, Montes was sent by the bishop to his home parish, the parish of the Holy Cross in Tartagal. Here he was actually to live at the parish with Páez, who had been sent there in March 2015 – just after Montes entered the seminary

Citing examples of Páez’s “attractive personality” at work in the parish, Montes argued the priest “managed to make me emotionally dependent on him, because after Zanchetta took me out of the seminary, Páez made me come back and always reminded me that I had come back because of him. He made me feel that my priestly vocation depended on him.”

Páez reportedly began to implement controls on Montes – distancing the seminarian from his friends and checking his use of internet devices – warning that that if the protocols were not kept, then Montes “would not be able to be a priest or return to the formation house.”

First, he used seduction, showing himself to be “cool” … learned and intelligent. Then he flattered me. He let me make decisions in the parish where … decisions were made only by the priests. Finally, he took advantage of me.

A just trial?

Montes is now warning that Páez’s trial might not be conducted properly. The seminarian has even asked for guarantees for his safety. The original prosecutor in the case was in fact Páez’s catechist: when she was removed she was replaced by her husband, leading Montes to doubt the impartiality of the prosecution.

With the trial taking place in Tartagal – Montes’ home town and Páez’s former parish – the former seminarian has moved house in order to escape “revictimization” from locals. 

Tartagal is a town with a small-town mentality,” he said. Páez “has a lot of influence in Tartagal with people in power… I’m afraid that if it takes place here in Tartagal the truth will not be found and justice will not be done. The truth is that I am afraid, and I don’t feel safe with the people who took the case

PAT SAYS

This story from South America has been repeated and continues to be repeated all over the RC world to the present day.

Popes protect their bishop friends.

Bishops protects their bishop and priest friends.

Priests protect their priest and seminarian friends…

And so ad infinitum.

As I was taught in seminary:

Great fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite ’em,
And little fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum.

When institutions are old enough and corrupt enough, the evil in them becomes self-replicating.

That what has happened in the RCC.

93 replies on “Ex seminarian alleges Francis confidant Bp. Zanchetta protected the priest who abused him”

11:58pm. money is their one true God and the only language the church will listen to. True repentance will only be proven when every last victim and survivor is adequately and fairly compensated. Actions speak louder than words. Many elderly and vulnerable victims have to date died awaiting redress. This in itself is current and deliberate abuse being meted out in plain sight of the public in 2023. Shame on legislators for permitting this abuse to continue unchallenged.

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I agree. Feet dragging seems to be an aspect of a long term strategy. It is revictimization of those already abused by RCC clerics.

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Who’d be foolish enough to join this powerful and well protected paedophile and money ring only the types that support these activities. Hope Kevin Montes receives a fair go to get justice in court but he shouldn’t hold his breath.

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True Repentance from any RC member is rarely backed up with actions and deeds. It’s all lies and lip service from the holy ones and their cohorts.

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Lying on a legal document including an Affidavit carries a minimum seven year jail sentence.

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7 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2 For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. (Matthew 7:1-2)

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It’s funny how this passage is phrased as an invitation not to judge, when the reason given is that you’ll be judged with the judgement you yourself have been judged with.
If you’re not being duplicitous this wouldn’t be a problem.
For example I think it’s utter scum to belong to a confidence trick where you extract money from poor people by pretending to be celibate. But I’m not taking money off other people nor pretending to be celibate so I’m absolutely fine to be judged by my standard.
I think this is a variant of the splinter and eye one.
But funny how the clergy interpret it to mean Jesus disapproves of Pat Buckley. 😁

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Confidence trick goes too far, but indeed even this passage should be taken to support those who judge fairly. These words are used as a gotcha to get people to look away from scandalous situations where judgement is needed. Zanchetta only suffered house arrest in a priest’s retirement home and no canonical proceedings are known to be in process (and even then, say, Mr Ted McCarrick has lived in comfort in a religious house with an active school before he moved when that was reported). It is an extraordinary light punishment for an abuser who acted with impunity. Abuse and be punished with early retirement. I can see why anon sees it as a confidence trick.

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4:12
In the name of Moses what had you roamin’ ’round at such an ungodly hour? I hope your missus sorts you out cos I’m in the doghouse with my missus over you, yea divil.

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Missus Diazepam is your friend with your condition. Second alternative lorazepam. Contact your own GP for a consultation and contacts on work life balance.

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Sadly, it seems Crime pays 🥲
Shame, shame, shame on them all.

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FBI & US Department face lawsuit for failing to meet Freedom of Information request deadline on investigation of Catholics.says:

FBI, DOJ Failed to Turn Over Documents Related to Investigation of Catholics, Lawsuit States
Brittany Bernstein
Thu, April 27, 2023, 8:58 PM GMT+1·5 min read
In this article:
Pope Francis
266th pope of the Catholic Church
CatholicVote and Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday, alleging that the agencies have failed to respond to a request for records related to the FBI’s investigation of Catholics.
The conservative nonprofits are seeking information regarding a memo from the bureau’s Richmond, Va., field office that warned against “radical traditionalist Catholic ideology,” among other records.
CatholicVote says it filed requests under the Freedom of Information Act on March 8, for any communications from high-level FBI officials and DOJ officials in the Office of the Attorney General dating back to March 1, 2022 that mention several key words, including “Catholics,” “Latin Mass,” “Radical-Traditionalist Catholics,” “Church Militant,” “Catholic League,” “Southern Poverty Law Center,” “Pope Francis,” “Vatican II,” and “Rosary.” The requests also asked for communications related to the removal of the memo from FBI systems, the FBI’s review of the basis for the memo, and any official actions taken by the bureau pursuant to the memo.
While FOIA requires agencies to respond to requests in 20 business days, or 30 business days under “unusual circumstances,” the group says more than a month has passed and neither agency has produced the requested records or offered any indication of whether they plan to respond to the requests.
The lawsuit asks a judge to require the two agencies to produce the relevant records, as well as to allow the plaintiffs to recoup attorneys’ fees and other litigation costs.
“Our weaponized and corrupt government agencies have demonstrated a pattern of contempt for justice and the rule of law by prioritizing partisan ideology and agendas over the protection of the American people — in particular those with whom they disagree politically,” CatholicVote President Brian Burch said in a statement. “We are demanding transparency from our government and are determined to uncover just how high up the anti-Catholic bigotry goes.”
The FBI’s Richmond field office released an internal memo in January warning against “radical traditionalist Catholic ideology,” and claiming it “almost certainly presents new mitigation opportunities.” The FBI later retracted the memo, which was made public by a whistleblower, saying it failed to meet the bureau’s standards.
Kyle Seraphin, who was a special agent at the bureau for six years before he was indefinitely suspended without pay in June 2022, published the document, “Interest of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists in Radical Traditionalist Catholic Ideology Almost Certainly Presents New Mitigation Opportunities,” on UncoverDC.com.
“In making this assessment, FBI Richmond relied on the key assumption that [racially or ethnically motivated extremists] will continue to find [radical-traditionalist Catholic or RTC] ideology attractive and will continue to attempt to connect with RTC adherents, both virtually via social media and in-person at places of worship,” the document from January 23 states.
It adds that “RTCs are typically categorized by the rejection of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) as a valid church council; disdain for most of the popes elected since Vatican II, particularly Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II; and frequent adherence to anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, and white supremacist ideology. Radical-traditionalist Catholics compose a small minority of overall Roman Catholic adherents and are separate and distinct from ‘traditionalist Catholics’ who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass and pre-Vatican II teachings and traditions, without the more extremist ideological beliefs and violent rhetoric.”
The report relied upon information from the Southern Poverty Law Center, a legal-advocacy organization that has come under fire for including conservative nonprofits like the Alliance Defending Freedom and the American College of Pediatricians on its list of “hate groups” alongside groups like the Ku Klux Klan and the Nation of Islam.
The FBI condemned the leaked memo in February, telling National Review in a statement: “While our standard practice is to not comment on specific intelligence products, this particular field office product – disseminated only within the FBI – regarding racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism does not meet the exacting standards of the FBI. Upon learning of the document, FBI Headquarters quickly began taking action to remove the document from FBI systems and conduct a review of the basis for the document. ”

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I think this might be the funniest thing I’ve ever read. If you think the FBI is investigating your ‘religion’ it means your ‘religion’ isn’t a religion.

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The FBI will be looking for the bombs etc that so-called ‘pro-lifers’ use to kill doctors who carry out terminations.

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The Pro-Lifer Roman Catholic Church has been busily murdering and intimidating victims, survivors and their supporters for centuries and getting away with it thanks to their wealth and connections. Slandering, libelling, censoring, breaching rights of expression, suppression of truth, hiding & financing paedophiles and other criminals and abusers and yet they’re facilitated by knowing state governments & law enforcement agencies worldwide……. 🤔

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11.15
You forgot one or two evils perpetrated by the church which ought to be mentioned:
1. Covid 19 pandemic;
2. WW1;
3. Hiroshima & Nagasaki;
4. Rawanda and Burundi genocide;
5. Tsunami of 2004.

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2:08 get back to work ya lazy yoke & keep yer finger on that shredder button I’m telling ya or there’ll be hell to pay when himself gets back from wherever he is warbling poetry or whatever he is at this morning.

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3:43 He’s warbling again – check out his public social media & other outlets.

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The MIA’s might be operating the shredders on contract at the FBI – they’ll have had excellent work experience in Diocesan archives.

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See, there is work out there if one has the right connections. Fr John Paul Lyttle, Fr/Dr Rory Two names Coyle, and all the other clerical & lay church stars of this blog and elsewhere won’t be short of a pocket or two to pick elsewhere.

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11:15 – the reaction of 1:20pm confirms you’ve come uncomfortably close to the bone. Grrr…..

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Papa Franco often admits he is learning fast. So shouldn’t he rebuke outsiders who want to build him up as a dictator? And why did worldly powers oppose the four good chapters of Easter People, the fruit of the church renewal?
Why have the fashion fuhrers of the city state’s Continental Stage decreed that the pope of the Holy Spirit, of workers and of subsidiarity, and our baptism and conversion which were never in the gift of the Eternal City (est. 753 BC and featured in Rev ch 21), and the forward looking input we gave as late as last year, are permanently by the board?
Are they yet again hurriedly re-revising the stable deposit of the CCC to “agree with” them? Beware the ferment of the Pharisees!

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2.36: Boney Baloney…or whatever, could it be that 1.20 simply wants TRUTH, not spin or wild imaginings. Anyone can say what they like when lying!! Even you. 😁😁😁🥰🥰🥰😝🤪😜😛..

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I see Francis is in Hungary. Good luck to him dealing with those neo-fascists who dominate that country these days, mouthing all that family / christian / white / European values nonsense. It does seem strange that in his 10 years Francis has not returned to his homeland, Argentina. The omission of Argentina from his visit is very noticeable. Why ? Well, maybe this Zanchetta business throws a bit of light on that. If Francis steps foot on Argentinian soil it would open up not only the Zanchetta case again, but lots of other cases where Francis was involved in his years in Argentina. And, he does not want that. There are definitely skeletons in Francis’ cupboard, not necessarily of commission of crimes himself, but of covering up crimes that were committed over the decades by his colleagues and his mates. So, he will avoid Argentina and will never set foot there again. I say again, good luck to Francis in his dealings with the middle European neo-fascists !

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I wonder what exactly is the relationship between Zancheeta and Francis, is it more than a Father, son relationship? I think so.
Could they have been lovers in Argentina……..? It wouldn’t surprise me.
Francis protected Zancheeta who was accused of abuse of power, embezzlement, and, sexually abusing seminarians, and storing pornographic images of men with him.
Afterwards, he was found guilty in Argentina in a civil court of the “simple, continued and, aggravated sexual abuse”, with his offense aggravated by his role as a Roman catholic priest.

Where did the Zancheeta the fugitive from Argentina stay when he arrived at the Vatican? Of course with Francis.
So what does Francis do? He promptly created a new job inside the Vatican for Zanchetta, who was accused of financial impropriety in Oran— as “assessor” at the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See (APSA), which manages the Vatican’s property, financial and liquid assets.
(You couldn’t make this stuff up, could you?)
Who interceded for Zanacheeta when he was found guilty of sex abuse in Argentina, of course Francis, who instead of going to prison, (where no doubt, he would have enjoyed the close proximity of other men), because of his high blood pressure which is very easy to control with drugs, his lawyer cried poor health, who pulled the strings to enable Zancheeta to carry out his sentence in a Roman Catholic monastery?
Did Zancheeta have a canonical trial, or was it all a farce? There have been no public updates from the CDF on the progress or conclusion of that process, proving, “its not what you know, it’s who you know” that counts in life.
There is something rotten about that relationship between Francis & his Gustavo.
Francis exemplified perfectly, nepotism, hypocrisy, & his disregard for the sexual abuse of adults, by protecting his “pet” at every opportunity.

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Kevin Montes has already been to hell and back. Those who govern the legal system would appear to be playing with him, the impartiality of the prosecution continues to be a very serious concern.

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Some fat cat judges have no concern for people with no money or connections. Wealthy church operators & their fancy big wig lawyers can have Hearings timed for when their Judge friend happens to be on the Bench. It’s all part of the well financed corruptive modus operandi.

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8.48: An utterly biased and completely twisted spin on Hungarians. I’ve been to Hungary many times and what a most beautiful country! What amazed me was their unapologetic fidelity to their Chrustian faith and Church. This nation has had a very turbulent history but today it’s a much better society. So what if those in power affirm traditional, family values? The rest of so called liberal, secular governments fall for anything populist, disowning their rich Christian heritage and culture out of which the arts, universities, learning, schools, music and philosophies are derived. God bless Pope Frabcis and protect him from the tyranny of modernists whose seek that their views are now the new dominant fundamentalism and narrative and who want no one to challenge their extremism!!

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The Pope suggests that he may visit Argentina next year. Seehttps://www.voanews.com/a/pope-francis-hopes-to-visit-native-argentina-next-year/7064864.html

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Why the delay, what’s Pope waiting for? Is he hoping he’ll die before the flight to Argentina takes off! Handy get out clause for the professional criminal classes being old age, illness and death followed by big expensive state like funerals hosted by their lying spin doctors who play a crucial role in silencing victims of church related abuse and daily victimisation.

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12:34 The doctor is being remarkably Frank. They must pay him very well.

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2:59 – cop yourself on. Fr X never did practice what he preached so unlikely he believes in the concept of heaven or hell either. It’ll all do for his day!

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10:25
Don’t be so stupid. Whether Fr. X,Y, or Z never practiced what they preached or believed in theological concepts of Heaven or Hell is an irrelevancy. Contrary to popular opinion it will not do for his day!

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Hey, sweetie, I think you’d find it hard to live in Hungary, prissy cleric that you evidently are, undoubtably with repressed homosexual urges. They would catch you out and you would be in trouble. At least here you are able to live whatever life you want to live – even if it is dishonest, hypocritical and damaging – because we believe in diversity and respect for the individual. Not the case in Hungary. If you are not white, straight, Christian, and all things Hungarian, then life can be very hard. God forbid you are coloured / tinted / black / different.

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@ 2:11pm

Unlike you Nettie I don’t wear a hat, you’ll be long time eating yours, it’s some size altogether. Stop suckin’ up to dear Patsy it gets you nowhere, as he got your number long ago.😏

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2.07
More nonsense from you. Not sure who you think I am. I’m an Irishman, the commenter at 2.11 and Pat, your more talented contemporary does not have my number. Éire go brách.

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This talk of Hungary is giving me an appetite. An Emperor Burger is on the menu this evening with a battered saausage chips and the usual beverage

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Does not make allowances for the “sensitivities” of particular segments or groups of society such as “sensitivity” of The Roman Catholic clergy and laity on being reminded and held accountable for abuse, corruption and criminality.

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@ 4:51pm
Whoever you are, yar a pain in the arse and I can see Irish is not your first language. Your repeated insult about my contemporary dear Patsy is water off a ducks back. I’m sure you’re the vindictive oul gossip as you’re so like the oul wagon.😉

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6.32
Do you expect the casual reader to believe you can credibly pass judgment on a third party’s ability in Irish? You, who do not have expertise in a second language struggle in using your mother tongue – God bless the mark.
And at the same time you feign an interest in the Latin language and in the abrogated Tridentine rite.
Are you for real?

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I’m posting at 4.00pm and so far, there’s only 40 posts on todays blog. It really proves that, unless JP Power bottom Lyttle is twitching his ass or Puck is posing in his red jockstrap or Rory is in a scrum with the Clapham Feelers or Littleprick is putting himself about, most people are not interested. Thems the things guys obviously want to see.

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There are readers like that.

But this blog is also very interested in the sufferings of all kinds of people in all kinds of places.

There may be fewer comments when we deal with “heavy” subjects.

But the number of comments on any given day is not a priority.

That’s my view.

The Blog is not bingo

It’s not ALL about numbers.

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Some of this could just be the difference between content/scoops exclusive to this blog, and stories covered here that have been extensively discussed elsewhere.

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3:02 the clergy love the more gossipy and saucy posts to obtain the latest inside track on their colleagues.

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Reply to; Anonymoussays:
Apr 29, 2023 at 5:30 pm
“Problems” More to the point his criminal activities.
Embezzlement, sexual abuse and, sexual harassment, he is a criminal, and should be rotting in jail, although that might be too kind to him, as he would be amongst friends, and consensual homosexuals, so maybe sending him to a convent was the “punishment” if one can call it so, that he deserves.
Let’s see if he will be laicized, see how Francis acts or, more likely doesn’t, in handling his little “pet”, Zancheeta..

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Could Pope Francis be arrested if he returns to Argentina?
Or woukd he plead diplomatic immunity?
His friendship with shady characters in the Argentine Church is worrisome and alarming and undermines his message.
It’s like Stocks relationship with Byrne – Stock tipped for higher office bezzies with former bishop being investigated for sex parties. Go figure?
Francis is a Latin American operator in the Peronist model – Peron was partial to underage girls by the way and soon grew weary of Eva Peron.
Argentina is weary of Francis – he is an adept at church dark arts and definitely covered up for his buddy child abusers and protected them.

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Found inside an old book many years ago before I even knew what a Magdalene Laundry was. A receipt for Dr Bell’s washing, done by The Good Shepherd in Liverpool – Cost £16-1-8….. Roughly £110 in today’s money. Sending you the copy bill +Pat.

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Me thinks 7:45pm is phishing.
”Silly little person” is the sort of thing an abuser would say, in my sad experience.
In addition, any normal human being, religious or not, would be horrified at the fact it went on.
Keep up the good work investigating and exposing, and in accordance with the law and correct guidelines x

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6.29: It’s interesting to find that bill! I never knew for some time in seminary that our laundry was done by a Magdalen Laundry. It seems all laundry for seminaries was done by the Magdalens all over the country. We must remember too that people like doctors, hotels, restaurants, Leinster House, colleges and businesses all sent their washing to Magdalen Laundries. Now, 50/60/70/80/100 years later, we express our “surprise”. Those in high places in society, including the Church, knew that it was slave labour. We all cry moral disgust at our history – BUT – do we realise or want to know that the sweat shirts, jeans, vests, other items of clothing and accessories we wear are made by child slaves in the back streets of Taiwan, China or India? Have a look at your clothing labels!! Isn’t it very interesting how we remain oblivious to or just suitably ignore modern day slave work, mostly done by children…We’re very selective about our moral outrage. Rightly, the Church deserves judgment and condemnation for its participation in abuse of all kinds, which in many cases is criminal.

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Many victims no longer expect anything” from the church. Still, others hope to “just once meet the human face of the church.”

The greatest pain is that they don’t find it. If the church doesn’t serve the last, the forgotten, the wounded, then it makes no sense.”

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The declining numbers of clergy in Ireland are reflected in data showing a global reduction in seminarians. Vatican statistics show the number of young men joining the priesthood decreased globally to just under 112,000, with every region except Africa showing a downturn.

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There is only dignity in surviving abuse!
There is only courage in speaking up!
Speak your truth with pride.
It saves lives!

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Nothing whatever happens to the hundreds of catholic bishops who hide the truth, move perps about, deny/lie and still go about their ‘bishoping’!!

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There are clerical and lay people in the church who “for personal or emotional reasons, create obstacles” in the fight against abuse.

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Pope Francis is warning against the self-referential attitude of some lay ministers who become ‘puffed up’ by their ministry.
Francis stressed the significance of lay ministers serving others rather than inflating their egos.
“I get angry when I see lay ministers who — pardon the expression — are ‘puffed up’ by this ministry. This is ministry, but it is not Christian.”

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Rocketing energy bills and a shortage of priests have driven a Dutch Roman Catholic Diocese to cut the number of Masses in some churches.
The southern Diocese of Roermond wrote to its parishes last week to encourage some to periodically skip Mass, according to spokesman Matheu Bemelmans.

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The number of churchgoers and priests has been on the decline in the Netherlands for some time.
Between 2014 and 2020, the number of Catholic priests living in the Netherlands decreased from 723 in 2014 to 610 in 2020.
The decline in priests is matched by a decrease in the general Catholic population. The Catholic Church in the Netherlands lost around 1.5 million members in the last two decades.

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