Nick Xenophon’s underlying compassion for the downtrodden and the abused has never seriously been questioned. But in naming a priest accused — without proof — of rape he has gone too far, writes Des Ryan of InDaily.
Catholic priests
The other Catholic Church
There’s the Catholic Church that hogs the headlines, covers up sex-abuse claims and fights against condom-use. And then there’s the Catholic Church full of nuns caring for HIV patients in forgotten villages across the globe, writes Jo Chandler.
Should Catholic priests ditch the celibacy rule?
Over 1,000 children in the UK alone are estimated to have been fathered by Catholic priests. One of them explains what was like growing up with his father’s identity kept secret.
Legal action, and internal strife, over ABC Archbishop reports
Controversy continues to swirl around the recent Media Watch story that wasn’t — a planned probe into two ABC Lateline “special investigations” that suggested the Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson had covered up paedophile priests. Andrew Crook investigates.
Dear Pope Benedict: we would like to keep shagging priests
Forty Italian women who have had relationships with Catholic priests have written an open letter to the Pope, calling for the Vatican to scrap its policy on celibacy for priests.
Father Marcial Maciel: Mexico’s most notorious pedophile priest
Powerful Mexican priest Marcial Macielmay have died two years ago, but his life is suddenly getting a lot of attention in Mexico’s newspapers: with new revelations of child sexual abuse, bigamy, drug abuse and plagiarism being uncovered every day.
Catholic priests on what it’s like to live without sex
The Catholic Church sex abuse scandals have stirred up the old debates about whether it’s actually healthy — or even possible — to live a life of celibacy. Current and former priests weigh in.
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How predator priests were hidden around the world
An extensive investigation by the Associated Press has found 30 cases of Catholic priests accused of sexual abuse being transferred or moved overseas by the Church, evading police and often reoffending.
Why the Pope should resign
To address the latest sex scandals involving paedophilia and sexual abuse by priests in Ireland, Pope Benedict XVI has penned a letter to the Irish faithful. But did the Pope know that priests were being protected from their crimes?
The sex scandals destroying the Vatican
New sex scandals involving priests, abuse, cover-ups and gay prostitutions rings has struck the Catholic Church in Europe, and the culture of silence and suppression is causing the Church to crumble, writes James Carroll.
Why should priests retire at 75?
Despite dwindling numbers of priests, the Catholic Church refuses to retain influential men of the cloth with wide appeal, like Father Bob Maguire, once they reach 75, writes Crikey intern James Pattison.
