Latest news with #RichardMcGrath
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
New pope under scrutiny for handling of abuse claims
The Brief Chicago-based attorney Marc Pearlman says Pope Leo failed to act transparently on abuse allegations while leading the Augustinian Order. Specific cases tied to accused priests Richard McGrath and James Ray are being cited by advocates and journalists. Critics say the new pope must now prove his commitment to victims through action and transparency. CHICAGO - Chicago-based victims attorney Marc Pearlman says the Augustinian Order has one of the worst track records when it comes to transparency and action around accused priests, and he says then-Father Robert Prevost's leadership of the order was no exception. "Under his watch, the Augustinians were neither transparent nor compassionate when it comes to victims of sex abuse," said Pearlman. The backstory Pearlman says he has represented dozens of alleged victims with cases against Augustinian priests that overlap with Prevost's time as both leader of the Chicago and then international order. Pearlman says parents wrote a letter between 2006–2010 warning about alleged misconduct by Reverend Richard McGrath, who ran Providence High School in New Lenox. He says no action was taken. McGrath was later removed after accusations he was looking at child porn on his phone during a school activity, followed by a $2 million settlement to victims of child sexual abuse. "The way they handle these cases, the way they didn't put out any list, the way they haven't reported on McGrath is indicative of how they actually feel and how they treat sex abuse victims," Pearlman said. Dig deeper Sun-Times investigative reporter Robert Herguth has been investigating Augustinians for several years. He says Prevost has come under scrutiny for sending another accused priest, Father James Ray, to live in a Hyde Park residence near a school. "What was his role in allowing a priest to move into one of his monasteries near a school without notifying the school?" Herguth said. The other side In a statement Friday afternoon, attorneys for the Augustinian Order say the archdiocese signed off on Ray's move and there was "no school in the vicinity" of the friary. The statement goes on to say that Prevost took allegations of child sex abuse seriously. "He has taken steps to protect minors and vulnerable adults in numerous countries, always seeking to protect the innocent and offer healing to victims, while removing offenders from ministry." What's next While Pearlman gives Prevost failing grades for transparency, he says he still has hope the new pope will do the right thing as leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. "Stop treating victims like they're the enemy, be transparent and do things to show compassion for these people whose lives have been destroyed," Pearlman said. Additionally, leaders of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests say they are "gravely concerned" about Pope Leo's papacy, claiming there are multiple allegations under Prevost's leadership that deserve investigation. The Source FOX 32's Paris Schutz reported on this story.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Let Them Dance: Napier To Retain 3am Bar Closing Times, After Council U-Turn
Napier City Council has done a u-turn on its proposal to close bars an hour earlier, with one councillor saying he wasn't prepared to take the chance for young people to dance away from them. Councillor Richard McGrath said he looked around the council table when he was making up his mind. 'The likes of the three o'clock in the morning is for 18 to 25-year-olds. 'And that's not us,' McGrath said. 'There is only one place in Napier open until 3am and it offers a point of difference, - you can actually go and dance, not my thing but for plenty of people it is and perhaps if we go back far enough around the table, for some, dancing was a big thing. 'I'm not prepared to take that away from our community who are growing up and doing their thing and learning about the world. 'How are they going to learn about the world sitting at home playing on a Playstation?' The earlier closing time was a major part of the draft Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) which also included no more off-licences to be issued for bottle stores in Maraenui, Marewa and Onekawa – the Reserve, Suburban Commercial and Residential Zone. However, during the meeting, Mayor Kirsten Wise called for an amendment to the proposed LAP based on what she was hearing around the table. 'What I'm going to propose is an amendment to the officers' recommendation yet to be debated, and voted on but as our starting position, is we retain the provisions in the existing LAP regarding maximum trading hours, regarding the 3am closing for nightclubs and 7am selling at grocery stores.' In all, 44% of submitters supported the proposed changes with their reasons including helping reduce the harm caused by antisocial behaviour and alcohol, while 56% were against it with reasons including unnecessary pressure on the hospitality industry. Chris Sullivan, a publican who has been in the industry for 47 years, had earlier said the proposed changes in the closing hours were crazy. He said if bars had issues they were 'not being run right, with little or no security'. Sullivan, who owns Napier nightclub Roxof, spoke at the meeting about the importance of creating a safe environment using security and cameras. Another issue identified by officers on the proposed LAP was consistency and alignment with Hastings District Council. Hastings bars are open until 2am. However, McGrath said he kept hearing about Hastings. 'I was voted in for Napier. It's about time perhaps Hastings looked at itself and said 'hey actually Napier's going to three, if we think there's a big enough issue with the different closing times, we will match Napier'. 'It doesn't always have to be us going the other way, they can match us. We are a tourist town, perhaps they aren't so much.' LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
