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Brooklyn Catholic School Mourns Sudden Loss of Principal

By Emily Drooby

A solemn tone filled the air at St. Boniface, as people mourned the sudden loss of Caroline Latham, the first lay principal of St. Joseph High School.

Students remembered her kindness and the joy she brought to every room she entered. Currents News frequently spoke to and worked with Principal Latham.

Eleventh grade student Maria Constable, said she was the kind of person who inspired people to be their best; “She was a really good person she wouldn’t get mad at you for the small things. She would give you second chances she would be there to talk to you. She’s an angel. I aspire to be as happy as her.”

During the service, they offered up little hearts, each one a different memory of Principal Latham, a way in which she affected their life.

Eleventh grade student, Marilyn Pauta, recalled a time Principal Latham helped her attend a program at Boston University; “It was 600 dollars to get in and, in my family, 600 dollars is a lot for one person, so Mrs. Latham offered to pay the money from her pocket for me to attend that program. It was a moment of shock. I was like wow, this woman, she believes in me and made me believe in myself.”

Marilyn graduates next year and wants to study nursing in college.

The school’s senior religion teacher, Timothy Sennett, recalls coming back from a three-day retreat to a special gift from Principal Latham. He explained, “I noticed an envelope with a Panera Bread gift card and a thank you note just thanking me for my role in helping to organize the retreat and she did little things like that fairly often, not just to me but to everybody.”

Sennett says Caroline Latham was very good at reminding people that they are valued members of the community.

Cohen Versus Trump – Ex-Lawyer Accuses President

Currents News Staff

President Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, blasting his former boss.

“I am not protecting President Trump anymore. Since taking office, he has become the worst version of himself. He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat,” said Cohen.

Cohen presented a copy of a 35-thousand dollar check as evidence Trump directed hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

“He asked me to pay off an adult film star with whom he had an affair, and to lie to his wife about it, which I did,” said Cohen.

Cohen says then-candidate Trump knew WikiLeaks would release emails damaging to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.

“Mr. Trump knew from Roger Stone in advance about the WikiLeaks drop of emails,” he said.

Cohen claims Trump lied during the presidential campaign about his intentions to develop a Trump Tower in Russia.

“He lied about it because he never expected to win the election,” he added.

Republicans say Cohen isn’t credible. The now disbarred lawyer pleaded guilty to tax crimes, campaign finance violations and lying to Congress.

“The first announced witness of the 119th congress is a guy who’s going to prison in two months for lying to Congress,” said Rep Jim Jordan the republican ranking member of the Oversight Committee.

Cohen will go to prison in may for three years. But as today’s testimony proves, he’s not going quietly.

I am no longer your fixer, Mr. Trump,” he said.

Vatican Contrast on Pell, McCarrick Driven by Doubt About Guilt

By John L. Allen Jr.

ROME (Crux) – Like virtually everyone in Catholic circles, the Vatican has known since December about Cardinal George Pell’s conviction in his native Australia for alleged sexual offenses against two minor boys in 1996. As a result, Rome was not at all caught off guard when news of the conviction made the rounds Tuesday, after a gag order was lifted.

The statement read aloud to reporters Tuesday by Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti was not, therefore, cobbled together under tight deadline pressure. On the contrary, officials had three months to ponder what they wanted to say when the moment came.

That truth makes it all the more striking how little the statement actually said – no word about any Church trial of Cardinal Pell, nothing about taking away his cardinal’s red hat or expelling him from the Catholic priesthood, all of which happened to Theodore McCarrick of the United States in what, in Church terms, was the mere blink of an eye.

How does one explain the difference? It’s actually fairly simple: Early on, senior officials were convinced of McCarrick’s guilt. With Cardinal Pell, they still aren’t.

Over the last couple of days, Cruxhas spoken with some of the Catholic Church’s leading reformers on clerical sexual abuse, inside the Vatican and out. To be clear, these are not people automatically inclined to give accused clergy the benefit of the doubt, and several are figures who actually dislike some of Cardinal Pell’s political and theological stances as well as what’s often see as his fairly bruising personality.

Nonetheless, they’ve expressed skepticism that Cardinal Pell is actually guilty of the crimes with which he was charged and convicted.

The irony is that the people in the Vatican most inclined to welcome Cardinal Pell’s conviction aren’t really reformers on sexual abuse, but those lukewarm about house-cleaning on the financial front who resented Cardinal Pell’s challenge to the status quo during his brief tenure as the Vatican’s financial czar.

For those wondering about Cardinal Pell’s guilt, their ambivalence isn’t rooted exclusively in the generic belief that Cardinal Pell wouldn’t do it, although many who know the 77-year-old prelate find it hard to swallow. On the other hand, reformers are also well aware that operating on gut instinct and solidarity with fellow clerics is a good part of what got the Church into trouble in the first place, and that experience has shown every accusation has to be taken seriously.

Instead, the doubts are based on the allegations themselves, which require one to believe that an archbishop known as a fusspot for liturgical rules inexplicably broke protocol to head for the sacristy behind the cathedral altar on a busy Sunday. Normally accompanied by aides but at that moment strangely alone, according to the charge, Cardinal Pell then discovered two choirboys, also by themselves, sexually abused both boys while still wearing his cumbersome liturgical vestments (which cannot be parted in the ways described in the testimony), and then returned to greeting Mass-goers, all without ever being observed by the host of people who constantly move in and out of the sacristy on such an occasion.

As Australian Jesuit Father Frank Brennan, who attended the trial, has written, “The proposition that the offenses charged were committed immediately after Mass by a fully robed archbishop in the sacristy with an open door and in full view from the corridor seemed incredible to my mind.”

Further, Cardinal Pell’s conviction came in a second trial after his first trial in August ended with a hung jury. Ten of those twelve jurors were ready to acquit, leaving people to wonder about how such a dramatic swing was possible from one trial to the next.

There’s also the politics of Australia to consider, where, due to negative media coverage and his own combative disposition, Cardinal Pell occupies roughly the same spot in public opinion as Osama bin Laden did in the United States post-9/11. (Yes, that’s an exaggeration, but only slightly.) For some, there are questions about whether a fair trial was really possible.

This background helps explain why the statement on Tuesday was relatively non-committal, saying only that the Vatican would await the results of an appeal while “recalling that Cardinal Pell has confirmed his innocence and has the right to defend himself to the last stage of appeal.”

The statement did indicate that the normal restrictions imposed on clergy accused of abuse, including suspension from public ministry and any contact with minors, remain in force. Gisotti also confirmed later in the day that Cardinal Pell’s term as Secretary of the Economy had expired, and while neither of those points amount to throwing Cardinal Pell under the bus, they’re not exactly a ringing endorsement either.

If Cardinal Pell’s conviction is upheld and convincing evidence emerges that solidifies belief in his guilt, he’ll no doubt face the same fate as McCarrick, and the Vatican will face the same hard questions about who knew what and when. Pope Francis was compelled to promise a thorough review of the Vatican’s archives on McCarrick, and he’d almost certainly have to do the same thing on Cardinal Pell.

In the minds of many of the people responsible for such decisions, however, that moment has not yet come with Cardinal George Pell – and therein lies the difference between two cases which, otherwise, may seem remarkably similar.

Currents News for Tuesday, February 26, 2019

On the newscast: Cardinal George Pell proclaims his innocence – the man once close to Pope Francis speaks out after his sex abuse conviction is unsealed; With sex abuse scandals raging, many people are talking about the Church’s Canon law; Drug company executives in the hot seat as lawmakers want them to explain why prices are so high.

Today’s top news from the Catholic perspective anchored by Liz Faublas. Currents News airs Monday through Friday at 7:00 p.m. EST on NET-TV (netny.tv)

Family-Owned Religious Business Leaves After 125 Years

By Tim Harfmann

Since 1893, Moshy Brothers Incorporated has been based in New York City, selling religious items. But co-owners Fred and Paul Moshy said it’s the end of an era. “It’s heavy. It’s been a wonderful ride. I’ve been here for 42 years myself. It’s a connection to the family that we’ve had all these years, and it’s not easy to let it go,” said Fred. “I feel bad that it’s coming to an end because I like the idea of spreading the word of the Catholic religion,” said Paul.

Their grandfather migrated to the United States from Lebanon and opened shop in Lower Manhattan in 1893 and later passed it onto his son. “My father came into the business during the depression. He went off to World War II and came back and continued the business. And he survived it all,” said Fred. For the past two decades, the wholesale business has operated in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. “A lot of people knew us. They would come back and say, ‘oh, I knew your father or your grandparents.’ And it made things a lot easier for us to work with them,” said Paul.

Most customers are Catholic shrines, retreat houses and universities throughout the U.S. Thousands of items are crafted overseas and shipped out from Brooklyn. The most popular one is the statue of Our Lady of Grace, but rosaries, crucifixes and gifts for baptism are also popular. Besides selling the sacred items, the Moshys are outspoken about their faith. “It’s so important today, especially with the church being under attack the way that it is, for me this has exposed me to some of the deepest elements of our faith. and I really think if people were more aware of what’s out there for them to go visit, it would be a huge aid in their faith as well,” said Fred.

Fred and Paul are looking to sell their business to an out-of-state buyer by the end of the year — otherwise it will be shutdown.

How Canon Law Punishes Sexual Abuse of Minors

By Emily Drooby

This past weekend many sexual abuse survivors were outside the Vatican sex abuse summit to share their frustration over what they call a lack of action when it comes to abusers.

Peter Isely, the Director, Ending Clergy Abuse told reporters, “We’ve been here talking about zero tolerance, written into Church law.”

While an unnamed victim said, “There’s no name, there’s no date, there’s no concrete measures. They are just words and more words.”

In most American states, civil law provides only a narrow window of time for alleged abusers to be prosecuted. It’s different under the Church’s canon law. A good example is former US Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, found guilty of sexually abusing minors and subsequently expelled from the priesthood long after the first offense was committed.

Canon Law Expert within the Brooklyn Diocese, Father Peter J. Purpura, explained the severity of the punishment, “It’s the gravest penalty that corresponds to the gravest crime.”

Canon law experts explained, being removed from the priesthood is the worst punishment Church law can inflict.

Father Purpura further explained, “It’s very significant because it means the loss of all rights and obligations in the church, it no longer publicly recognizes a priest they’re no longer entitled to the sustenance of the church, they’re not longer to minister”

While Monsignor Jonas Achacoso, Adjutant Judicial Vicar on the Diocese of Brooklyn Tribunal, explained, “it is very painful and humiliating.”

However being found guilty by the Church rarely results in jail time.

Monsignor Achacoso, said, “Our punishment does not involve imprisonment first of all because we don’t have prison cells inside our churches what we have is more of a moral and spiritual side of the punishment by humiliation, degradation.”

The civil statutes of limitation can make it hard for people accused of sexual abuse to be brought to trial because of time restraints. For the church to take up abuse cases, canon law is more flexible.  With time limits up to 20 years and the possibility of an extension.

On the secular front in New York, the recently signed Child Victims Act changed the criminal statute of limitations making it so victims would be able to press felony charges until they’re 28 years old, file civil suits until they’re 55 years old, and allow anyone previously barred from suing because of the statute of limitations to do so during a one-time-only period that would last a year.

Flatbush Parish Hosts National Haitian Youth Rally

By

More than 100 energetic youth from across the eastern seaboard, from Brooklyn and Boston spreading all the way to Washington D.C., gathered at Our Lady of Refuge in Flatbush Feb. 23 to participate in the annual Youth Rally sponsored by The National Center of the Haitian Apostolate and The Brooklyn Haitian Ministry. The 2019 theme was “Lead and Be Fruitful.”

“If they develop their faith, their leadership will develop,” said retired Auxiliary Bishop Guy Sansaricq who is the director of the diocese’s Haitian Apostolate. “This is a small percentage of our youth that we try our best to pray so that they can preserve the legacy of their parents, legacy of faith and of the Church. Because I think we don’t reach out to the majority of them. Therefore they need to be strong leaders.”

Developing the youth’s leadership skills through the eyes of faith meant a day filled with prayer, guest speakers, performances as well as a youth talk show and small group discussions. When it came to what the youth shared with their peers, topics ranged from their shared experiences being a young Haitian Catholic to the sacrifices made by their immigrant parents as well as the teens’ personal journeys navigating the waters of independence as they grow older.

Growing up with the youth in her parish, Stephanie Sica wanted to leave a positive influence on her younger family members. That’s what inspired her to become a youth leader at St. Jerome’s in Flatbush. She said the youth rally was a positive event for the youth in her community.

“It’s very important because as a Haitian-American, my family are immigrants of Haiti and to see youth get to know more about their families culture and meet kids from other states and to see if we are alike, and we all are alike, it’s great to see us come together and share our culture,” said Sica.

She was one of the panelists during the Youth Talk show who shared her wisdom and insight about growing up in a society filled with social media influences.

“I use my experiences to help youth understand that I understand what you’re going through and put myself in their shoes. We learn from each other.”

 

Update: Cardinal Pell Convicted on Five Counts; Verdict Will be Appealed

Australian Cardinal George Pell arrives at the County Court in Melbourne Feb. 26, 2019. An Australian court found Cardinal Pell guilty on five charges related to the sexual abuse of two 13-year-old boys; the verdict, reached in December, was announced Feb. 26. Sentencing is expected in early March, but the cardinal’s lawyer already has announced plans to appeal the conviction. (CNS photo/Erik Anderson, AAP images via Reuters)

MELBOURNE, Australia (CNS) — An Australian court found Cardinal George Pell guilty on five charges related to the sexual abuse of two 13-year-old boys; sentencing is expected in early March, but the cardinal’s lawyer already has announced plans to appeal the conviction.

While the appeal is in process, Pope Francis has confirmed the “precautionary measures” prohibiting Cardinal Pell from publicly exercising his ministry as a priest and from having contact with minors, Alessandro Gisotti, interim director of the Vatican press office, told reporters Feb. 26.

The jury’s verdict that Cardinal Pell, shortly after being named archbishop of Melbourne in 1996, sexually assaulted the two boys was handed down in December, but the court demanded the verdict and details about it not be reported until after a second trial on allegations that he abused several boys in the 1970s.

The judge lifted the reporting ban Feb. 25 after prosecutors announced they would not proceed with the second trial against the 77-year-old cardinal.

While professing his innocence, Cardinal Pell took a leave of absence from his post as prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy in June 2017 to return to Australia to face the charges. His first trial on the charges related to the alleged abuse in Melbourne ended without a verdict in September.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, president of the Australian bishops’ conference, said in a statement Feb. 26 that “the news of Cardinal George Pell’s conviction on historical child sexual abuse charges has shocked many across Australia and around the world, including the Catholic bishops of Australia.”

[Related: What Will the Impact of Pell’s Conviction Be on the Vatican?]

“The bishops agree that everyone should be equal under the law, and we respect the Australian legal system,” the archbishop said. “The same legal system that delivered the verdict will consider the appeal that the cardinal’s legal team has lodged.”

“Our hope, at all times, is that through this process, justice will be served,” he said. “In the meantime, we pray for all those who have been abused and their loved ones, and we commit ourselves anew to doing everything possible to ensure that the church is a safe place for all, especially the young and the vulnerable.”

Before the appeal, Cardinal Pell is expected to be sentenced to serve jail time for the five counts: one count of “sexual penetration,” in this case oral sex, and four counts of indecent acts with or in the presence of a minor under 16 years of age. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The judge may order him jailed pending the appeal.

Gisotti, speaking on behalf of the Vatican after the verdict was announced, called the verdict “painful news” and pointed out that “Cardinal Pell maintains his innocence and has the right to defend himself until the last stage of appeal.”

Awaiting the results of the appeal, he said, the Vatican joins “Australian bishops in praying for all victims of abuse” and reaffirms its “commitment to do everything possible so that the church might be a safe home for all, especially for children and the most vulnerable.”

Writing in Eureka Street, an online Jesuit journal, Jesuit Father Frank Brennan, a well-known human rights lawyer in Australia who attended some sessions of the trial, raised some questions about the evidence and offered some reflections on the trial.

The December verdict came at the end of a four-week trial during which Cardinal Pell did not testify, Father Brennan said. One of the alleged victims is deceased; the jury watched the video recording of the testimony of the other victim from the initial trial, which ended in late September after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

“The complainant said that he and another choir boy left the liturgical procession at the end of one Sunday Mass and went fossicking (rummaging) in the off-limits sacristy where they started swilling altar wine,” Father Brennan wrote. “The archbishop arrived unaccompanied, castigated them, and then, while fully robed in his copious liturgical vestments, proceeded to commit three vile sexual acts including oral penetration of the complainant.”

Cardinal Pell’s lawyers, he said, called witnesses who cast doubt on the possibility that the two boys left the procession unseen, that the cardinal returned to the sacristy alone and that wearing full liturgical vestments he could have “parted” or moved his alb to the side to expose himself to the boys.

“Although the complainant got all sorts of facts wrong, the jury must have believed that Pell did something dreadful to him,” Father Brennan wrote. “The jurors must have judged the complainant to be honest and reliable even though many of the details he gave were improbable if not impossible.”

Fighting For 9/11 Victims Fund Expansion

Currents News Staff

A compensation program for 9/11 survivors is on the verge of running out of money.

One famous face added some star power to the effort to push congress to expand funding.

Comedian Jon Stewart teamed up with lawmakers and first responders to send a serious message to Capitol Hill.

“It has already shown itself to be effective, it has already relieved some of the stress these grieving families are going through,” said Stewart.

Funding for the victim compensation fund is running out.

On Monday, the former “Daily Show” host and lawmakers urged congress to provide additional funding and make the program permanent.

“The 9/11 death toll is still growing. 9/11 responders are still suffering,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a democrat from New York.

The victims fund is set to expire in 2020.

The special master who runs it recently announced plans to cut payouts up to 70-percent, saying 5-billion dollars of the more than 7.3-billion-dollar budget has been used to pay 21-thousand claims.

The number of claims jumped last year, and some 20-thousand claims are pending.

“I only stand here as one person, but representing a much larger community that desperately needs congress’ help,” said Karen Gaines, the wife of fallen firefighter Scott Gaines.

The fund compensates people who were hurt or killed during the attacks or as first responders, including people who suffer from cancers caused by the toxic dust created when the twin towers collapsed.

The program has been extended before. It originally paid out seven billion dollars from 2001 to 2003. It was reopened in 2011 and it was extended another five years in 2015.