Latest news with #RomanCatholicDiocese
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Could a new appeal prompt Maine's supreme court to reconsider its decision on decades-old child sex abuse cases?
May 29—Sexual abuse survivors in Maine are hoping a new appeal — and a new justice — will tip the scales in their favor, as the state's highest court considers yet again whether people should be able to sue for decades-old claims. Earlier this year, 70-year-old George Eaton of Washington County won a lawsuit against Peter Boyce, 81, who Eaton said sexually abused him in the early 1970s. Eaton won by default because Boyce didn't respond to the complaint, according to court records. Boyce was ordered to pay Eaton $1.1 million on Feb. 26 — a month after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court overturned the 2021 law that made Eaton's lawsuit possible by "reviving" claims previously barred. Maine eliminated its statute of limitations for new claims in 2000, but until the 2021 law change people still couldn't sue for abuse that happened before 1987, Boyce, who now has an attorney, appealed that decision. Now, the same court that overturned the law will be asked to consider the issue again — but with one new justice confirmed in March and two justices who signed a dissenting opinion, some advocates hope the outcome will be different. Eaton's lawyer, Michael Bigos, declined to comment on the case. Boyce's attorney, Jed Davis, did not respond to requests Thursday to discuss the appeal and allegations against his client. Bigos represents more than a dozen people who sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland after the 2021 law passed, and whose cases were at the center of the court's decision. He and Timothy Kenlan said in February that their firm was representing at least 100 people whose claims were made possible by the overturned law, although not everyone had filed a complaint in court. The lawyers asked the high court a couple of weeks after the ruling to reconsider. Bigos recently told lawmakers that request was summarily denied. He told the Legislature's Judiciary Committee that he hopes this appeal will end differently. He cited the court's new composition and the arguments made by the dissenting justices, who "raised issues that we believe are unsolved." He said the court's majority opinion overlooked Mainers' rights to substantive due process under the state constitution, instead favoring principles dating to the 1600s "as a rationale for the majority to declare this unconstitutional." He was testifying on LD 1978, which would allow people to sue governmental entities whose employees sexually abused them as children. (Such employers, including public schools and law enforcement agencies, are immune from most lawsuits. There is no exception for child sexual abuse.) Rep. Ellie Sato, D-Gorham, noticed that the bill would eliminate a statute of limitation for those claims even after the supreme court's ruling in January. "How is this language different from that language, to make sure that the Law Court doesn't strike it down again?" Sato asked. Bigos said he believes the Legislature still has the right to pass laws that serve their constituents. "It is this practitioner's belief, and many others,' that the Maine judiciary exceeded its authority by impinging on the legislative authority, by declaring that (2021 law) unconstitutional," Bigos said. DEFAULT JUDGMENT Bigos and Davis have until later this summer to file briefs with the court outlining their arguments. In his civil complaint, Eaton said Boyce abused him around July 1970, when Eaton was 15 years old. He said Boyce had hired him to do odd jobs around his workplace at Johnson Bay Marine, according to the complaint. Over the following year, Eaton said he was abused several times in Boyce's home, workplace and on a trip to New York, often after being given alcohol. Eaton said he cut contact with Boyce in 1971 and told his parents what had happened. Now, more than 50 years later, Eaton said he still struggles with the trauma, the shame and betrayal. In awarding damages to Eaton, Superior Court Justice Harold L. Stewart quoted a psychological expert who testified on Eaton's behalf during a hearing Feb. 5, who said Eaton has difficulty trusting others and still experiences a constant "fear of the world." The expert said it's likely Eaton's medical costs for therapy and other treatment will exceed $100,000 in the next 15 years. Stewart wrote on Feb. 26 that he was aware of the high court's decision, but that it's the defendant's responsibility to raise the issue of a statute of limitations. This defendant never responded to the complaint against him. "The incident in this case occurred in 1970," Stewart wrote. "Plaintiff has lived with the effects and trauma of the sexual abuse committed by Defendant for 55 years." Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less
TimesLIVE
09-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Pope Leo once levied criticism at Trump and Vance, MAGA is not amused.
In April, when Trump had a meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele to discuss using a prison where alleged human rights abuses took place to jail suspected gang members flown from the US, Prevost reposted a comment that included: 'Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?' Reuters could not immediately verify who operated the account, which made its first post in 2011. Reuters reached out to the Vatican, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where Prevost was based for years, and the Peruvian embassy to the Holy See to confirm the authenticity of the account, which has the handle @drprevost and includes posts calling for prayers for the late Pope Francis in his final months. Pope Leo is expected to follow in the footsteps of Francis, a champion of the poor and immigrants, who also had his differences with the Trump administration. Vance played down those differences after meeting with Francis at the Vatican the day before he died, but they were substantial. Francis had called Trump's immigration policies a disgrace. Supporters of Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement reacted with disdain to Leo's appointment. 'He is anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis,' Loomer wrote on X. 'Pope Leo XIV: Registered Chicago Republican and pro-life warrior or open borders globalist installed to counter Trump?' wrote right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Vance, a Catholic, said he was sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians would pray for Leo's success. 'May God bless him,' Vance wrote on X. The new pope shares some policy similarities with the Trump team. He opposes abortion, as do Trump and Vance. However, he supports work to combat climate change, according to a post urging followers to sign a Catholic climate petition. Trump removed the US from the Paris climate accord that fights global warming. He has also spoken out against racism. At the height of the 2020 racial justice movement that swept the globe after the police killing of George Floyd, a black man, Prevost retweeted a series of posts on his then Twitter account, urging the eradication of prejudice and hatred. 'We need to hear more from leaders in the church, to reject racism and seek justice,' he wrote in a May 30 2020, post. Trump has done away with diversity, equity and inclusion policies within the federal government and among its contractors, tools supporters said were used to fight back against a US history of racial discrimination and bias. Washington and the Vatican have at times found common political ground and at other times have seen their viewpoints clash. Former US president Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II were fervent anti-Communists, though they disagreed over nuclear proliferation. Reagan was the first president to establish full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. John Paul II was critical of former US resident Bill Clinton's support for abortion rights, and he strongly opposed the 2003 US invasion of Iraq under former US president George Bush.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
San Diego Catholics who watched American pope debut call choice ‘pure joy'
(FOX 5/KUSI) — Catholics all across San Diego County witnessed a historic moment as the papal conclave chose an American as the new pope. At the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego in Clairemont, parishioners and church leaders gathered to watch as Cardinal Robert Prevost was named pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. 'Just by the name — Leo the 14th — it tells me that he's concerned about social justice,' said Maria Valencia, a local Catholic. The announcement was met with emotion and reflection, especially among those who see Pope Leo as a continuation of Pope Francis' legacy. 'This is the man for the hour, obviously, especially right now,' said Sister Kathleen Warren. 'Because of his extreme sensitivities to those who are poor, those who are on the margins, asylum seekers, and those in need of welcome to a new situation because of the horrendous oppression in so many places of the world.' Bishop Michael Pham of the San Diego Diocese recalled working with Prevost during a bishop's workshop in Rome. 'He was kind, quiet and compassionate — always listening,' Pham said. 'He would come over and read us like everyone else. That was a great moment for me, to know a cardinal who was so observant.' The sense of excitement was echoed at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown San Diego, where Catholics gathered for a noon Mass. 'I know that he is a missionary, which is important to me,' said Catherine Barley. 'So I think his heart is in the right place.' 'With everything happening in the world, especially in the United States, it's a good thing that we have a true American — the first pope who is fully English-speaking,' said James De Leon. 'I think he can relate to a lot of people all over the world.' Pope Leo XIV is multilingual, fluent in Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese — qualities that local Catholics believe will help him connect with a global audience. 'This is a great day for our Church — and for the world,' Pham said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
AsiaOne
09-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Pope Leo once levied criticism at Trump and Vance, Maga is not amused, World News
WASHINGTON — Before becoming pontiff, the first US-born pope was not shy about criticising President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance — social media musings that pulled him into the maelstrom of divided US politics on Thursday (May 9) as he took on leadership of the global Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV, who was chosen by cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis, has a handful of disapproving posts about the Republican leaders' policies on the X account of Robert Prevost, his name before starting the pontificate. Those posts drew their own criticism on Thursday from Trump's most die-hard conservative supporters, including activist Laura Loomer, even as the president himself expressed pride at having an American in charge at the Vatican. "To have the pope from the United States of America, that's a great honour," Trump said at the White House. Asked if he would meet with Leo, Trump said "they've already called". White House officials did not comment about the criticisms on Prevost's account. Staff at the White House cheered the election of the first American-born pope on Thursday as the news came across their television screens. In February, Prevost reposted an article headlined, "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others." In April, when Trump had a meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele to discuss using a prison where alleged human rights abuses took place to jail suspected gang members flown from the US, Prevost reposted a comment that included: "Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?" Reuters could not immediately verify who operated the account, which made its first post in 2011. Reuters reached out to the Vatican, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where Prevost was based for years, and the Peruvian Embassy to the Holy See to confirm the authenticity of the account, which has the handle @drprevost and includes posts calling for prayers for the late Pope Francis in his final months. Pope Leo is expected to follow in the footsteps of Francis, a champion of the poor and of immigrants, who also had his differences with the Trump administration. Vance played down those differences after meeting with Francis at the Vatican the day before he died, but they were substantial. Francis had called Trump's immigration policies a disgrace. Supporters of Trump's Make America Great Again movement reacted with disdain to Leo's appointment. "He is anti-Trump, anti-Maga, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis," Loomer wrote on X. "Pope Leo XIV: Registered Chicago Republican and pro-life warrior OR Open borders globalist installed to counter Trump?" wrote right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Vance, a Catholic, said he was sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians would pray for Leo's success. "May God bless him!" Vance wrote on X. Political differences The new pope shares some policy similarities with the Trump team. He opposes abortion, as do Trump and Vance. But he supports work to combat climate change, according to a post urging followers to sign a Catholic climate petition. Trump removed the US from the Paris climate accord that fights global warming. He has also spoken out against racism. At the height of the 2020 racial justice movement that swept the globe after the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, Prevost retweeted a series of posts on his then Twitter account, urging the eradication of prejudice and hatred. "We need to hear more from leaders in the Church, to reject racism and seek justice," he wrote in a May 30, 2020, post. Trump has done away with diversity, equity and inclusion policies within the federal government and among its contractors, tools that supporters say were used to fight back against a US history of racial discrimination and bias. Washington and the Vatican have at times found common political ground and at other times have seen their viewpoints clash. President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II were fervent anti-Communists, although they disagreed over nuclear proliferation. Reagan was the first president to establish full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. John Paul II was critical of President Bill Clinton's support for abortion rights, and he strongly opposed the 2003 US invasion of Iraq under President George W Bush. [[nid:717833]]
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Pope Leo once levied criticism at Trump and Vance. MAGA is not amused.
WASHINGTON: Before becoming pontiff, the first U.S.-born pope was not shy about criticizing President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance - social media musings that pulled him into the maelstrom of divided U.S. politics on Thursday as he took on leadership of the global Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV, who was chosen by cardinals to succeed the late Pope Francis, has a handful of disapproving posts about the Republican leaders' policies on the X account of Robert Prevost, his name before starting the pontificate. Those posts drew their own criticism on Thursday from Trump's most die-hard conservative supporters, including activist Laura Loomer, even as the president himself expressed pride at having an American in charge at the Vatican. 'To have the pope from the United States of America, that's a great honor,' Trump said at the White House. Asked if he would meet with Leo, Trump said 'they've already called.' White House officials did not comment about the criticisms on Prevost's account. Staff at the White House cheered the election of the first American-born pope on Thursday as the news came across their television screens. In February, Prevost reposted an article headlined, 'JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others.' In April, when Trump had a meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele to discuss using a prison where alleged human rights abuses took place to jail suspected gang members flown from the U.S., Prevost reposted a comment that included: 'Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed?' Reuters could not immediately verify who operated the account, which made its first post in 2011. Reuters reached out to the Vatican, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chiclayo in Peru, where Prevost was based for years, and the Peruvian Embassy to the Holy See to confirm the authenticity of the account, which has the handle @drprevost and includes posts calling for prayers for the late Pope Francis in his final months. Pope Leo is expected to follow in the footsteps of Francis, a champion of the poor and of immigrants, who also had his differences with the Trump administration. Vance played down those differences after meeting with Francis at the Vatican the day before he died, but they were substantial. Francis had called Trump's immigration policies a disgrace. Supporters of Trump's Make America Great Again movement reacted with disdain to Leo's appointment. 'He is anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis,' Loomer wrote on X. 'Pope Leo XIV: Registered Chicago Republican and pro-life warrior OR Open borders globalist installed to counter Trump?' wrote right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Vance, a Catholic, said he was sure millions of American Catholics and other Christians would pray for Leo's success. 'May God bless him!' Vance wrote on X. Political differences The new pope shares some policy similarities with the Trump team. He opposes abortion, as do Trump and Vance. But he supports work to combat climate change, according to a post urging followers to sign a Catholic climate petition. Trump removed the U.S. from the Paris climate accord that fights global warming. He has also spoken out against racism. At the height of the 2020 racial justice movement that swept the globe after the police killing of George Floyd, a Black man, Prevost retweeted a series of posts on his then Twitter account, urging the eradication of prejudice and hatred. 'We need to hear more from leaders in the Church, to reject racism and seek justice,' he wrote in a May 30, 2020, post. Trump has done away with diversity, equity and inclusion policies within the federal government and among its contractors, tools that supporters say were used to fight back against a U.S. history of racial discrimination and bias. Washington and the Vatican have at times found common political ground and at other times have seen their viewpoints clash. President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II were fervent anti-Communists, although they disagreed over nuclear proliferation. Reagan was the first president to establish full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. John Paul II was critical of President Bill Clinton's support for abortion rights, and he strongly opposed the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq under President George W. Bush.
