Amplify’d from gawker.com

Pope Lets Jews Off Hook for Jesus’ Death

Max Read — Jews, who have not had a great week, will be heartened to learn that at least someone thinks they're okay: The Pope! Yes, Benedict has let Jews off the hook for the whole "Jesus' death" thing (you know, the thing where for centuries the Catholic church held Jews collectively responsible for the death of Christ, inspiring countless acts of violence, bigotry and discrimination?) in his new book:

In a book to be published next week, he concludes that those responsible for the crucifixion were the "Temple aristocracy" and supporters of the rebel Barabbas. Dismissing the centuries-old interpretation of St John's assertion that it was "the Jews" who demanded Barabbas's release and Jesus's execution, the pontiff asks: "How could the whole people have been present at this moment to clamour for Jesus's death?"

How could they, indeed? This seems like a question that might have occurred to any number of the hundreds of Popes who have endorsed, explicitly or implicitly, the idea of collective guilt. But, sometimes, it takes a former member of the Hitler youth to really think things through when it comes to Jews. Now, let's go find ourselves some Temple aristocrats to drive out of town!

[The Guardian] Read more at gawker.com

 

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Alcohol Bottle-Smashing Epidemic

URL:  http://gawker.com/

Alcohol Bottle-Smashing Epidemic Hits U.S.

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1st call for impeachment

URL:  http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=270077

OBAMA WATCH CENTRAL

1st call for impeachment by member of Congress

'Absolutely,' Trent Franks tells blog, citing abandonment of DOMA law



Read more: 1st call for impeachment by member of Congress http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=270077#ixzz1FfKW9pjM

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U.S. National Debt Clock : Real Time

U.S. National Debt Clock : Real Time

5,000 euros apiece to sex-abuse victims

Amplify’d from www.monstersandcritics.com

German bishops offer 5,000 euros apiece to sex-abuse victims

Berlin - Germany's Catholic bishops offered compensation Wednesday of up to 5,000 euros (6,900 dollars) to victims of sexual abuse in parishes and parochial schools over the past half century. They detailed the offer at a Berlin meeting with government ministers and welfare groups, the Round Table, which was set up last year to debate the country's response to a flood of abuse revelations. Each sex offender will be ordered to pay the compensation, with the bishops topping up the sum for those that refuse to pay or have no assets. It remains unclear how many claims there will be, but the number is likely to be 'several thousand,' a spokesman said. Earlier, the Jesuit and Benedictine orders of Catholic priests separately offered a similar amount to victims at their German schools, which are not under the authority of the 27 bishops. The scandal broke at a Jesuit secondary school in Berlin in January last year and quickly widened to include Protestant churches and a leading private boarding school with no religious affiliation. None of the offenders can be prosecuted because of the statute of limitations. Some cases occurred in the 1950s. The cash compensation, to those who suffered sexual abuse while they were children, will be on a scale depending on the degree of the abuse, the bishops' negotiator said. Those who remain traumatized will be able to bill the church for psychological counselling. The church will begin processing applications on March 10, without waiting for the Round Table to report back to the government, and will begin remitting the money in the first half of the year, a spokesman said. The bishops also proposed to fund an agency to fight sex abuse with 500,000 euros. Read more at www.monstersandcritics.com

 

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Catholic church agrees abuse payout plan

Amplify’d from www.irishtimes.com

German Catholic church agrees payout plan

The Catholic church in Germany has put forward a plan to compensate victims of sexual abuse by its priests, offering payments of up to €5,000 to those whose cases are too old to bring to court.

It announced the plan at a meeting of a government-appointed panel today set up to address compensation for victims of abuse in foster homes in Germany, both those run by the state and by the Catholic and Protestant churches.

Higher compensation would be awarded in "particularly serious cases", it said without setting out guidelines.

The German Church said it would also set up a €500,000 fund to prevent abuse inside and outside of the church and offer to compensate victims up to 50 hours of individual therapy.

The Catholic church has faced similar scandals in several other countries in Europe and in the United States.

In 2007, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $660 million to 500 victims of sexual abuse dating as far back as the 1940s, the largest compensation deal of its kind.

Pope Benedict met victims of abuse by priests during his April 2008 visit to the United States. The US church has paid $2 billion in settlements to victims since 1992.

A group representing abuse victims from schools run by the Jesuit order of priests called the German church's plan "presumptuous", but applauded it for putting an "idea" on the table.

"It's cheap how the world's richest church is trying to get itself out of the scandal," Square Table victims' group speaker Matthias Katsch told the Frankfurter Rundschau  newspaper.

The offer falls short of the €5,000 lump sum the German Jesuits will pay their abuse victims.

The German Bishops' Conference called the plan a "quick and unbureaucratic solution", adding it "understood the rising impatience of abuse victims".

In December, victims' groups criticised the government panel and the German Catholic and Protestant churches for not offering compensation to abuse victims on par with other wealthy nations.

The panel proposed a €120 million fund for an estimated 30,000 victims of abuse in state- and church-run foster homes, and said the size of the fund could grow if more victims filed claims than expected.

Reuters

Related German orphans angry at compensation terms | 14/12/2010 School to continue inquiry into abuse despite death of ex-head | 12/07/2010 German abuse victims reject compensation offer | 28/01/2011 Bishops vow to report abuse to authorities | 01/09/2010 Read more at www.irishtimes.com

 

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Video: bizarre jailhouse rant of priest

URL:  http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/03/video-capture...

Video captures bizarre jailhouse rant of alleged drunk driving priest: http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/03/video-captures-bizarre-jailhouse-rant-of-alleged-drunk-driving-priest/



By David Edwards



Police say that Father Ignatius Kury of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church was drunk when he crashed his car Brimfield Township, Ohio.



The priest was so unhinged that officers decided to record him in his cell offering them oral sex and promising that Oprah Winfrey would rescue him. At one point, Kury even offered a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

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Founding Fathers Time-Capsule Decoded

Amplify’d from phillyimc.org

USA Founding Fathers Encrypted Time-Capsule Decoded

by Seven Star Hand

The founders of the USA left deeply encrypted and time-encoded messages for future citizens and lawmakers. More astounding is where and how they were hidden, what they were designed to prove, and why they are being revealed now.

PRESS RELEASE - March 3, 2011 See the list of recent press releases.

It is often said that the best place to hide a great secret is in the open, as something else. Those who created the symbols of the fledgling USA, like the ancient sages and prophets that preceded them, employed this axiom to great effect. As described in earlier articles and releases, and explored in greater detail throughout Finishing the Mysteries of Gods and Symbols, by Seven Star Hand, certain of the founders of the USA embedded symbolically encrypted messages within our national symbols. The Great Seal of the USA, Apotheosis of Washington painting in the US Capitol Dome, Statue of Liberty, and the Washington Monument are some that fall into this category.

Though stars are among the most obvious and ubiquitous of the symbols seen throughout the USA's national symbolism, other mysterious symbolism is widely used. The focal point of this symbology is the Great Seal of the USA, which incorporates themes and vital details from the ancient wisdom traditions. It also verifiably encodes the same time-lines and themes symbolically encrypted throughout ancient Egypt and the Hebrew prophecies, while purposely using the very same symbology. The encoded target time-frame spans the early years of the New Age and millennium, as well as the chaotic events we have been experiencing since 2001.

It was thereby no mere coincidence that the Bush-Cheney administration started the so-called "War on Terror" in 2001. It is also no coincidence that George Bush, whose administration initiated this modern-day "crusade," met with Vatican officials more than any modern US President. Both sides of the ancient "shadow wars" have long been fully aware that the early years of the new millennium is when prophecies predicted ancient secrets would be revealed that would cause the demise of ages-old religious deceptions. The great distraction and difficulties caused by the War on Terror were clearly timed as an attempt to prevent this long-predicted outcome. It should thereby not require the intervention of Sherlock Holmes to grasp that the Vatican has been the primary beneficiary and driving force behind these wars, and related events.

There are numerous mysteries and wild conspiracy theories associated with the purpose and imagery of the Great Seal of the USA. Most of those are now completely disproved because of verifiable proof that it is actually a symbolically encrypted time-capsule awaiting someone with special skills and insights during the early years of the 21st century. The stars above the Eagle's head on the front of the Great Seal encode both the time-frame and details about the individual expected to perform this feat. Like the ancient sages and prophets who passed along symbolically encrypted texts and concepts meant for those of a far future time, certain of the founding fathers used the very same symbology and methodology when creating the USA's national symbolism. Also, just like the ancient sages and prophets, they used star symbology to encode prophetic timelines and details within the Great Seal and elsewhere.

It is widely understood that the core group of the USA's revolutionary founders were Freemasons and Deists. Their focus on the symbology of ancient Egypt, and the direct derivatives long-used by the Hebrew prophets and sages, can be seen throughout Washington, DC and the Great Seal of the USA. Stars are a central feature in the symbols of both Freemasonry and the USA. Star symbology like the pentagram, hexagram, and zodiac have long been targets of religiously inspired smear tactics. The Great Seal's unfinished pyramid and shining eye have also been relentlessly demonized as occult, satanic, and "New World Order." The only evidence ever offered are the assertions of religious leaders who are clearly fearful of the truth about certain ancient symbols, because they encode the keys to solving pivotal ancient mysteries and disproving ages-old religious claims.

Stars and related symbology have been used to encode timelines and other details that completely expose the lies of religious leaders throughout the last several millennia. Once you understand the meaning of the symbolism and the associated timelines, it becomes redundantly obvious why these details were hidden from religious leaders throughout the previous several millennia. The ancient sages and prophets were warning about the time-frame from the second temple period, which is the 11th 360-year cycle on the Hebrew calendar, until now, the early years of the 17th cycle. These are symbolized as seven stars, seals, and angels within the Book of Revelation. Religious interpreters have led people to expect the arrival of an evil person or "beast" during the so-called "end-times." In fact, the arrival of the "beast" actually occurred during the 11th cycle or Second Temple period and all the details point to Christian Rome's empire, not to a single person. What most don't grasp though, is that the Book of Revelation relates events that occurred throughout the two millennia of Christian Rome's and the Vatican's existence, which was during the zodiac age of Pisces the Fish.

In addition to using stars to encode target time-frames, the Great Seal also encodes the keys to decrypting and reading the symbology of ancient Egypt and the Bible. The unfinished pyramid and shining eye encode the ancient Egyptian parable of Isis and Osiris, which embodies profound wisdom that has been the focus of wisdom traditions and mystery schools for millennia. The pyramid and its capstone also encode the correct meaning and configuration of the cross and four elements. Christian Rome recast and adapted the cross as the crucifix to hide its true importance as the key to solving the mysteries of ancient symbology and the wisdom it has always encoded. Thereby, not only does the Great Seal of the USA purposely encode the time frame for the expected "apocalypse" that leads to the demise of the Vatican and all three so-called Faiths of Abraham, it also encodes the pivotal details required to make it happen. To be clear and unequivocal, the hidden purpose of the Great Seal of the USA is to expose the lies of religion and thereby put the Vatican "out of business," which is what the prophets have always predicted.

You may read the book to understand the supporting evidence and rules for the symbology. Read the upcoming expanded article at the blog, It's Symbology Stupid.

Can science and ancient wisdom work together to unlock the mysteries of the ancient past and prove the truth about all religions? Visit SevenStarHand.org and prove it to yourself. Read more at phillyimc.org

 

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Sex Abuse: documents show Dolan’s delay

Amplify’d from www.milwaukeenewsbuzz.com

New documents show Dolan’s delay

By Marie Rohde

Few priests have done more harm to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee than Franklyn Becker.

Timothy Dolan

Diagnosed as a serial pedophile, Becker was one of two priests at the heart of a $17 million settlement between the archdiocese and 10 California survivors of sexual abuse. At the time, Archbishop Timothy Dolan said the settlement – about half of it paid by insurance – would save the archdiocese from bankruptcy.

Becker and the other priest, Siegfried Widera, had moved to the Sunshine State despite allegations they had abused children here. California court records revealed the Wisconsin misconduct and the church’s role in quietly allowing the priests to move to California.

Citing potential financial liabilities created by sex abuse lawsuits, the archdiocese filed for bankruptcy last year. That side-tracked the cases brought by Becker’s victims and others.

Jeffrey Anderson, a St. Paul lawyer representing the Wisconsin victims, has released new documents in an attempt to require the bankruptcy court to force former Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan, now the archbishop of New York, to submit to questioning under oath. Some 200 pages of documents regarding Becker and how Dolan handled his case have been posted to the BishopAccountability.org website.

Pope Benedict XVI

Dolan, according to the records, was told that Becker was a serial pedophile but waited nine months before asking the Vatican – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict – to defrock the wayward priest. It was only after Becker was arrested in 2003 on California sex abuse charges that Dolan acted. The Vatican, in turn, waited more than a year and a half to act.

Becker’s charges were dropped after the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the California law that allowed criminal charges to be issued in cases that occurred decades earlier. Becker was allowed to continue working as a priest until 2002. The Vatican finally laicized him in November 2004.

Despite all the grief he caused the archdiocese, Becker was paid $35,000 a year and given health coverage. Just before he agreed to being defrocked, the archdiocese gave Becker $10,000 to cover the cost of health insurance until he reached retirement age.

In 2006, Becker told church officials that he was concerned the archdiocese would make public the fact that he had been defrocked.

“I told him the archdiocese wasn’t advertising that,” wrote Deacon David Zimprich.

Currently there is "1 comment" on this Article: Read more at www.milwaukeenewsbuzz.com

 

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Priest convicted of sex abuse

Amplify’d from www.google.com

Italy priest convicted of sex abuse in case that also implicated bishops for ignoring rumours

By Nicole Winfield (CP)

ROME — An Italian court convicted a priest of molesting boys and sentenced him to 15 years in prison Thursday in a case closely watched because his bishop admitted knowing of the abuse allegations, but didn't remove the priest.

The trial of Rev. Ruggero Conti, a politically connected priest, garnered international headlines last year when his bishop was called to testify about the molestation just as the clerical abuse scandal that erupted in Europe inched closer to the Vatican.

Conti was charged with sexual violence and other charges stemming from accusations by seven boys who frequented his parish on the outskirts of Rome.

In police interrogations, the boys — some as young as 13 at the time of the alleged abuse — said Conti would force them to perform sexual acts on him in his home where he frequently invited them to eat dinner and watch movies.

Conti denied the charges and will appeal, his lawyer said Thursday.

Bishop Gino Reali became the first Italian bishop called to testify in a sex abuse case when he appeared in court last May, a significant milestone given that clerical abuse has long been a taboo subject in this Roman Catholic country.

In his testimony, Reali admitted he knew of rumours Conti had abused boys but didn't remove him or report him to police.

Victims' lawyers have said Reali aided and abetted the crimes because he knew about the abuse allegations but didn't do anything to prevent more abuse.

On Thursday, they said that with Conti's conviction, they were now preparing a formal complaint seeking to have Reali charged.

Caramella Buona, a non-profit organization that has been providing legal assistance to Conti's victims, acknowledged it would be nearly impossible to see Reali charged given Italy's close institutional ties to the Catholic Church.

"I believe in Italy we're not ready to make this important step against a bishop," the group's president Roberto Mirabile said. But added it was nevertheless important to "look beyond Conti's conviction and recognize the responsibility of the bishop."

When he testified May 20 at Conti's trial, Reali defended his decision not to remove Conti from ministry, saying he investigated the accusations and even convened a church tribunal, but the accusers never showed up.

Italy priest convicted of sex abuse in case that also implicated bishops for ... The Canadian Press - 18 hours ago

Italy priest convicted of abuse in key case eTaiwan News - 17 hours ago

Rome priest sentenced to 15 years for paedophilia Times of Malta - 20 hours ago Read more at www.google.com

 

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