Nun Accused of Sexual Misconduct
Bridgeport diocese, her female secretary makes the charge.
From The News-Times:
"Sister M. Bernice Stobierski came to St. Joseph’s School in Brookfield as a principal in November and resigned in June.
Starting in December, the school’s secretary, through her lawyer, claims that the nun made unwanted sexual advances, patted the secretary on the buttocks, brushed against her breasts and masturbated in front of her.
After years of receiving complaints about sexual misconduct involving priests, officials at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport say this is the first such accusation involving a nun. A diocese spokesman called the claims 'outrageous.” "
Saturday, August 2, 2003
Friday, August 1, 2003
This Reminds Me of Quiz Show
From Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome:
"John Paul II encouraged the Belgian people to follow the example of Belgian King Baudouin whose 10th anniversary was celebrated today.
Cardinal Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Malines-Brussels, read the Pope's message during the commemorative Mass held in the Cathedral in Belgium's capital. The Pope assured his prayers for the sovereign and his closeness to all the royal family, to the authorities, and to all the people of Belgium.
May 'his life of service, rooted in a profound relation with God and founded on essential values' encourage the Belgian people 'to follow in his footsteps to build an ever more just and fraternal society, in respect of the dignity of persons,' the papal letter states.
Born in 1930, he was just 21 when he was constitutionally sworn in as King Baudouin I, fifth king of the Belgians. "
From Zenit News Agency - The World Seen From Rome:
"John Paul II encouraged the Belgian people to follow the example of Belgian King Baudouin whose 10th anniversary was celebrated today.
Cardinal Godfried Danneels, archbishop of Malines-Brussels, read the Pope's message during the commemorative Mass held in the Cathedral in Belgium's capital. The Pope assured his prayers for the sovereign and his closeness to all the royal family, to the authorities, and to all the people of Belgium.
May 'his life of service, rooted in a profound relation with God and founded on essential values' encourage the Belgian people 'to follow in his footsteps to build an ever more just and fraternal society, in respect of the dignity of persons,' the papal letter states.
Born in 1930, he was just 21 when he was constitutionally sworn in as King Baudouin I, fifth king of the Belgians. "
New Bishops for Brooklyn (Daily is gone), Charlotte and Houma-Thibodaux
In Brooklyn, Bishop Daily's successor is Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio of Camden, N.J.
The pope transferred Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of Alexandria, La., to Houma-Thibodaux, and he named Father Peter J. Jugis, a Charlotte diocesan priest, as the new bishop of Charlotte.
In Brooklyn, Bishop Daily's successor is Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio of Camden, N.J.
The pope transferred Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of Alexandria, La., to Houma-Thibodaux, and he named Father Peter J. Jugis, a Charlotte diocesan priest, as the new bishop of Charlotte.
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Are Some Recent American Soldier Fatalities in Iraq the Results of Suicide?
From Sunday Times:
"US forces in Iraq have suffered cases of probable suicide, a senior military official said today, amid slumping morale among troops faced with daily and deadly attacks.
The senior officer, who asked not to be named, said that among 53 US military non-combat deaths since May 1, when the war was declared effectively over, were 'probable' suicides as well as a large number of road accidents.
He did not say how many soldiers were suspected of committing suicide."
From Sunday Times:
"US forces in Iraq have suffered cases of probable suicide, a senior military official said today, amid slumping morale among troops faced with daily and deadly attacks.
The senior officer, who asked not to be named, said that among 53 US military non-combat deaths since May 1, when the war was declared effectively over, were 'probable' suicides as well as a large number of road accidents.
He did not say how many soldiers were suspected of committing suicide."
Vandals Destroy Statues Outside Catholic Church
Mike O'Mara is a college classmate of mine. This is an inner city parish in downtown Indianapolis. It is a poor Hispanic parish. I hope that the local parishes down there would consider pitching in the money to repair the church (in many ways symbolic of the sort of welcome US Catholics are giving to Hispanic immigrants).
From The Indianapolis Star:
"Two life-size statues were toppled at St. Mary Catholic Church, 317 N. New Jersey St., between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, causing about $5,000 in damage, according to police and the Rev. Michael O'Mara, church pastor.
The head of the St. Joseph statue, which stood at the top of the concrete steps leading to the church, was found in the street early Wednesday by a passer-by, who notified police.
A statue of Mary in front of the rectory also was knocked over.
'As much as I felt hurt for myself, I felt hurt for the people who did the damage,' O'Mara said. 'Perhaps they had anger over something or were drinking, but they acted in an inappropriate manner.'
The church was built in 1912, though the parish community dates to 1858.
O'Mara said the deductible on the church's insurance is $5,000, and he doesn't know where he will find the money to repair or replace the marble statues."
Mike O'Mara is a college classmate of mine. This is an inner city parish in downtown Indianapolis. It is a poor Hispanic parish. I hope that the local parishes down there would consider pitching in the money to repair the church (in many ways symbolic of the sort of welcome US Catholics are giving to Hispanic immigrants).
From The Indianapolis Star:
"Two life-size statues were toppled at St. Mary Catholic Church, 317 N. New Jersey St., between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, causing about $5,000 in damage, according to police and the Rev. Michael O'Mara, church pastor.
The head of the St. Joseph statue, which stood at the top of the concrete steps leading to the church, was found in the street early Wednesday by a passer-by, who notified police.
A statue of Mary in front of the rectory also was knocked over.
'As much as I felt hurt for myself, I felt hurt for the people who did the damage,' O'Mara said. 'Perhaps they had anger over something or were drinking, but they acted in an inappropriate manner.'
The church was built in 1912, though the parish community dates to 1858.
O'Mara said the deductible on the church's insurance is $5,000, and he doesn't know where he will find the money to repair or replace the marble statues."
Recommended Book
I know Merton has been dead since December of 1968 but if it is possible to have a new book out in spite of death this is it. Due to an expressed desire that this book not be published that Merton left in his will (written about a year before he died unexpectedly) this manuscript that he subsequently did finish and express oral desire to see published has remained unpublished until now.
The book is an excellent presentation of the contemplative life and points out all that is wrong with many cute attempts to make liturgy or prayer something other than what it really is ---conversation with God at our most inner depths.
I know Merton has been dead since December of 1968 but if it is possible to have a new book out in spite of death this is it. Due to an expressed desire that this book not be published that Merton left in his will (written about a year before he died unexpectedly) this manuscript that he subsequently did finish and express oral desire to see published has remained unpublished until now.
The book is an excellent presentation of the contemplative life and points out all that is wrong with many cute attempts to make liturgy or prayer something other than what it really is ---conversation with God at our most inner depths.
Hoax Perp May be Arrested Soon
From the Indianapolis Star:
"The woman who fooled an Indiana family with her claim to be their abducted daughter may be arrested in a few days, an Indiana State Police detective said this morning.
Donna L. Walker of Topeka, Kan., faces charges of identity deception, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of false reporting.
'We're hopeful to have her in custody in a few days,' Lt. Jeff Heck said today on NBC's 'Today' show.
Appearing with Heck was Mike Sherrill, still reeling from having his hopes dashed that his daughter would be returned after 17 years.
Sherrill, his former wife, Dorothy Sherrill, and other family members learned that they were victims of a hoax shortly before a press conference Wednesday when police revealed the scheme."
I have a problem with the way the Indiana State Police kept the family in suspense. This seems almost as criminal as what the woman did to them by raising their hopes.
I also think there is more to this story that will come out when the woman is arrrested. She would have been 19 at the time that the Sherrill's daughter disappeared. Might she have been involved in some way with the disappearance? Could there be an element of truth in all of this deception? A guilty conscience returning to the scene of the crime? I'm betting that there is a connection. We'll see.
From the Indianapolis Star:
"The woman who fooled an Indiana family with her claim to be their abducted daughter may be arrested in a few days, an Indiana State Police detective said this morning.
Donna L. Walker of Topeka, Kan., faces charges of identity deception, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of false reporting.
'We're hopeful to have her in custody in a few days,' Lt. Jeff Heck said today on NBC's 'Today' show.
Appearing with Heck was Mike Sherrill, still reeling from having his hopes dashed that his daughter would be returned after 17 years.
Sherrill, his former wife, Dorothy Sherrill, and other family members learned that they were victims of a hoax shortly before a press conference Wednesday when police revealed the scheme."
I have a problem with the way the Indiana State Police kept the family in suspense. This seems almost as criminal as what the woman did to them by raising their hopes.
I also think there is more to this story that will come out when the woman is arrrested. She would have been 19 at the time that the Sherrill's daughter disappeared. Might she have been involved in some way with the disappearance? Could there be an element of truth in all of this deception? A guilty conscience returning to the scene of the crime? I'm betting that there is a connection. We'll see.
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