Latest news with #CatholicArchdiocese
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
New Orleans clergy abuse survivors begin voting on church bankruptcy deal
A two-month voting period for clergy abuse survivors and other creditors in the New Orleans Catholic archdiocese's bankruptcy to accept or reject the church's plan to settle has started after a federal bankruptcy judge recently approved the plan. It has also opened a window of time when supporters and opponents of the plan can actively solicit votes. Two-thirds of the voting claimants must approve the plan for the church to end its expensive and contentious five-year-long bankruptcy. Judge Meredith Grabill has stated that if the plan is not approved, she will dismiss the archdiocese's bankruptcy, and the church could end up having to defend itself against claims individually in state courts. The deadline for claimants to cast their votes is 29 October at 11.59pm central time, although the proponents of the plan can extend that deadline without court approval, according to Grabill's order. The judge set a hearing to confirm or reject the settlement plan starting 12 November. The first statement backing the plan was issued by Pat Moody, chair of a committee of survivors who negotiated a settlement that could pay as little as $180m to the church's creditors and as much as $235m. 'This bankruptcy plan is a good outcome for abuse survivors, providing just and prompt compensation. If survivors vote to approve the Plan, they can expect to start getting payments within 3-4 months after approval. If survivors vote to reject the plan, I fear survivors won't see any money for another 3-5 years, if ever,' Moody said. 'And, very importantly, approval of the plan will ensure unprecedented child protection measures and public access to the documents showing the history of abuse in the archdiocese of New Orleans. For many of us, this structural reform is as important as financial compensation, and will only happen if the plan is approved.' A bloc of as many as 200 survivors are represented by attorneys who want the bankruptcy dismissed and have said in court that the deal is 'dead on arrival'. Whether enough survivors vote to approve the plan will largely depend on how each claimant can expect to be compensated. Points will be assigned to each abuse claim based on the severity of the abuse and its impact on each victim's life, but the records do not offer much clarity on how much actual money those points will be worth. Claims regarding rape by a Catholic church employee will be worth twice as much money as claims about a priest masturbating in front of someone, four times more than claims of a cleric touching someone under their clothes and seven times more than claims about being shown pornography, according to details from a settlement disclosure statement filed last week and amended this week. The survivors' committee that negotiated the settlement selected Richard Arsenault, a personal injury lawyer in Alexandria, as the abuse claims reviewer. He will consider the nature and impact of the abuse to award between zero and 100 points to each claim. Points can then be added for those who participated in criminal prosecution of the abuser, those who sued before the bankruptcy began, and those who led efforts on behalf of other survivors. More points can be awarded based on the impact the abuse had on the victim's behavior, academic achievement, mental health and loss of faith and family relationships. Points can be reduced if the claimant was over 18 and consented to the sexual contact. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Survivors won't know how much each point is worth until Arsenault is done assessing all claims. John Lousteau, a survivor who filed a lawsuit in 2021 against a Catholic religious order, recently won a $2.4m jury verdict. Although it's separate from the bankruptcy case, the Lousteau verdict is viewed by many as a benchmark for what the average survivor could get if they are willing to spend more years in court. The final plan approved by Grabill allows anyone who filed a sexual abuse claim or lawsuit against the archdiocese before 14 August to vote on the plan, even though it had previously stated that 250 claims filed after March 2021 were filed too late. Those with abuse claims against the church's parishes, schools and affiliated charities have until 15 October 2025 to file their claims to be eligible to vote. That appears to rebut arguments made by some of the church's creditors that as many as half of the abuse claims should be thrown out. Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organizations. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Kokstad to Vatican: Local Bishop get big job from Pope Leo XIV
Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM of Kokstad Diocese is among five new members ministering in Africa who have been appointed. Pope Leo XIV has appointed a South African Bishop from Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to the Vatican dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL). Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM of Kokstad Diocese is among five new members ministering in Africa who have been appointed to the ICLSSAL. In the appointments made public on Tuesday by the Holy See Press Office, Pope Leo XIV appointed Cristóbal Cardinal López Romero of the Catholic Archdiocese of Rabat in Morocco, Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa'ichi of Tanzania's Catholic Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam, and Bishop Mbuyisa. Biography Born in KZN in the Archdiocese of Durban in February 1973, Bishop Mbuyisa joined the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries (CMM) in 1992. He was ordained a CMM Priest in March 2000, appointed Local Ordinary of Kokstad in April 2022 and ordained a Bishop in June 2022. ALSO READ: Election of Pope Leo XIV a 'profound moment', says Ramaphosa 'Proud moment' The ANC said the appointment of Bishop Mabuyisa is 'a proud moment for South Africa'. 'This distinguished appointment is both a proud moment for South Africa and a recognition of Bishop Mbuyisa's deep spiritual leadership, unwavering dedication to justice, and his pastoral commitment to the upliftment of the poor and marginalised. 'His role within the Vatican's Dicastery is strategic, as it guides the global Church on matters concerning religious orders, missionary communities, and the vital role of consecrated life in society,' the ANC said. SA religious leaders The ANC said Bishop Mbuyisa's appointment affirms the global stature of South African religious leaders and reflects the 'profound contribution that African voices continue to make to the moral, ethical, and spiritual discourse shaping our world'. 'We extend our best wishes to Bishop Mbuyisa as he takes up this sacred responsibility, and we trust that he will serve with the same compassion and integrity that has long defined his ministry.' Pope Leo XIV, whose name is Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, became the first pope from the United States in May, after cardinals from around the world elected him leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. He is the 267th pope of the Catholic Church. ALSO READ: Pope Francis' will says he wants to be buried in 'simple tomb' in Rome [VIDEO]
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US Supreme Court blocks public funding for religious charter school
The state of Oklahoma may not direct public state funding to what was set to be the nation's first religious charter school after the US Supreme Court deadlocked over the case. The justices were evenly split, voting 4-4 in a ruling on Thursday. The tie affirms a lower ruling from the Oklahoma State Supreme Court, which found the effort to establish the school violates the US Constitution. An Oklahoma school board had approved the founding of a charter school run by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa that would have received roughly $23.3m (£18.7m) in state funding over five years. A charter school is funded by taxpayers but independently managed. The US Supreme Court's ruling is not considered a country-wide precedent and the justices could accept future cases related to the issue. The court does not reveal how the justices voted, though they appeared split along ideological lines during an April hearing. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was appointed by US President Donald Trump as one of the court's conservative justices, recused herself from the case. She did not provide a reason. The announcement also did not come with a formal opinion - only a single page that read: "The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court." Court watchers viewed the case as a test of the US Constitution's religious boundaries. The 1st Amendment prohibits the government from taking any action to establish a dominant religion. Taxpayer funds, such as those earmarked for public schools, have long been considered off limits to religious institutions. The two sides of the case presented dueling views of religious freedom. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican, had sued the board to force it to rescind the school's charter. He welcomed the court's decision in a statement on Thursday. He had long criticised the school as illegal and said it opened the state to having to fund other kinds of religious schools. "The Supreme Court's decision represents a resounding victory for religious liberty and for the foundational principles that have guided our nation since its founding," he said. "This ruling ensures that Oklahoma taxpayers will not be forced to fund radical Islamic schools, while protecting the religious rights of families to choose any school they wish for their children." The school, however, had argued that denying it charter funding as a Christian institution amounted to discrimination on basis of religion. In a statement, officials said they were disappointed in the ruling. "We stand committed to parental choice in education, providing equal opportunity to all who seek options when deciding what is best for their children," the statement read. "In light of this ruling, we are exploring other options for offering a virtual Catholic education to all persons in the state," it added. St Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School aimed to provide online instruction that incorporated religious teachings for about 500 students from kindergarten through high school. The Oklahoma State Virtual Charter School Board's 2023 decision to approve the school's application for charter status was met with almost immediate controversy. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, welcomed the approval, but Mr Drummond, the attorney general, condemned it and ultimately filed a lawsuit. Charter schools make up a small fraction of the US school system. They have gained prominence in recent years as rallying point for some conservatives, who advocate for expanding charter schools as a means of giving parents more control over their children's education. Trump's pick for education secretary, Linda McMahon, has sought to reduce federal support for public schools and expand support for charter and private ones. First US taxpayer-funded religious school approved
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
US Supreme Court blocks public funding for Oklahoma religious charter schools
The state of Oklahoma may not direct public state funding to what was set to be the nation's first religious charter school after the US Supreme Court deadlocked over the case. The justices were evenly split, voting 4-4 in a ruling on Thursday. The tie affirms a lower ruling from the Oklahoma State Supreme Court, which found the effort to establish the school violates the US Oklahoma school board had approved the founding of a charter school run by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa that would have received roughly $23.3m (£18.7m) in state funding over five years.A charter school is funded by taxpayers but independently managed. The US Supreme Court's ruling is not considered a country-wide precedent and the justices could accept future cases related to the court does not reveal how the justices voted, though they appeared split along ideological lines during an April hearing. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was appointed by US President Donald Trump as one of the court's conservative justices, recused herself from the case. She did not provide a reason. The announcement also did not come with a formal opinion - only a single page that read: "The judgment is affirmed by an equally divided Court."Court watchers viewed the case as a test of the US Constitution's religious 1st Amendment prohibits the government from taking any action to establish a dominant religion. Taxpayer funds, such as those earmarked for public schools, have long been considered off limits to religious two sides of the case presented dueling views of religious Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican, had sued the board to force it to rescind the school's charter. He welcomed the court's decision in a statement on Thursday. He had long criticised the school as illegal and said it opened the state to having to fund other kinds of religious schools. "The Supreme Court's decision represents a resounding victory for religious liberty and for the foundational principles that have guided our nation since its founding," he said. "This ruling ensures that Oklahoma taxpayers will not be forced to fund radical Islamic schools, while protecting the religious rights of families to choose any school they wish for their children."The school, however, had argued that denying it charter funding as a Christian institution amounted to discrimination on basis of religion. The BBC has contacted the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City for comment. St Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School aimed to provide online instruction that incorporated religious teachings for about 500 students from kindergarten through high school. The Oklahoma State Virtual Charter School Board's 2023 decision to approve the school's application for charter status was met with almost immediate Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, welcomed the approval, but Mr Drummond, the attorney general, condemned it and ultimately filed a lawsuit. Charter schools make up a small fraction of the US school system. They have gained prominence in recent years as rallying point for some conservatives, who advocate for expanding charter schools as a means of giving parents more control over their children's pick for education secretary, Linda McMahon, has sought to reduce federal support for public schools and expand support for charter and private ones.
Daily Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Telegraph
Nurses and midwives allowed to prescribe abortion drugs under a bill set to pass parliament
The Catholic Archdiocese says amendments to contentious abortion reform legislation are a 'helpful development', with a watered-down bill set to pass parliament this week. Experienced nurses and midwives will be allowed to prescribe abortion drugs to women in the first nine weeks of their pregnancy under the legislation, which is expected to go to a vote on Wednesday. The legislation will expand women's access to medical abortions, but will not force medical professionals to facilitate terminations if they object to the practice. Upper House Greens MP Amanda Cohn sparked a series of protests outside parliament when she introduced her bill to expand access to abortions, with speakers including former prime minister Tony Abbott labelling the legislation as an attack on religion. Protesters attend an anti-abortion rally outside NSW parliament last week. Picture: Supplied Mr Abbott and others were campaigning against changes which would have forced doctors who object to providing abortions to refer patients elsewhere. However, the aspects of the bill which created the most controversy were removed before the legislation passed the upper house. 'While it is a helpful development that the intended attacks on conscience have been removed from the bill, we still hope the bill will be rejected in its entirety,' a Catholic Archdiocese spokeswoman said. Former prime minister Tony Abbott speaks at an anti-abortion rally outside NSW parliament last week. Picture: Facebook Protesters attend anti-abortion rally outside NSW parliament on Wednesday May 7, 2025. Picture: Supplied The legislation which is expected to pass into law will allow endorsed midwives and nurse practitioners to prescribe the abortion drug MS-2 Step to medically terminate a pregnancy in the first nine weeks of gestation. Nurse practitioners and midwives will only be allowed to prescribe the drug if it is within their scope of practice. Allowing nurse practitioners and midwives to administer abortion drugs was recommended by a NSW Health inquiry into abortion laws, which found there were difficulty accessing the service in some areas of the state. Mr Minns originally opposed the legislation, but on Monday confirmed he would vote for the amended bill, now the provisions on conscientious objection have been removed. Liberal and Labor politicians will vote according to their conscience, and not be bound to party lines. Opposition health spokeswoman Kellie Sloane will also vote in favour of the legislation. 'I could not have supported the original version of this bill – it went beyond what I considered reasonable or workable, but I support the amended version,' she said. NSW Greens MLC Amanda Cohn. Picture: Facebook '(The amended bill) aligns with TGA guidelines, reflects the number one recommendation from the NSW Health statutory review, and brings NSW into line with every other state except Tasmania. 'It's a sensible, tightly scoped reform that improves access while preserving safeguards and respecting professional conscience.' Dr Cohn confirmed the Greens would support the bill 'as it currently stands'. The legislation will also make no changes to a requirement for two doctors to approve abortion after 22 weeks gestation. It will also make no change to the 'duty owed' by healthcare workers to provide medical care to a baby born due to a failed termination. She blamed anti-abortion campaigners for spreading 'disinformation' over her bill, which had 'caused unnecessary distress in the community'.
