stranger than fiction


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this was a report that appeared in the london times recently.

check the headline and then check the name of the writer. you could not make this up.

i tried to post the article but it seems to have gone wonky so this is the link.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/commen ... 065824.ece

From The Times <script type=text/javascript> March 18, 2010

<H1 class=heading>Vienna Boys' Choir caught up in sex abuse scandals</H1><H2 class="sub-heading padding-top-5 padding-bottom-15"></H2><script type=text/javascript src="/tol/js/m24-image-browser.js"> <script type=text/javascript> <script type=text/javascript> <script type=text/javascript> <script type=text/javascript> <script type=text/javascript> <script type=text/javascript> Roger Boyes, Berlin Correspondent of The Times

<script type=text/javascript> gSiteLife.Recommend("ExternalResource", "7065824","http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7065824.ece"); Recommend? (652) GEORG_185x360_694888a.jpg(Alberto Pellaschiar/AP)

Georg Ratzinger has admitted hearing of cases of ill-treatment during his time as director of the Regensburg choir

<script type=text/javascript> div#related-article-links p a, div#related-article-links p a:visited { color:#06c; } The most famous choir in the world has been caught up in the wave of paedophile scandals sweeping Germany and Austria, with eight former choristers denouncing their teachers in the past few days.

An open letter from the management of the Vienna Boys' Choir to parents expressed regret at the incidents, which were recounted by former singers now aged between 40 and 70.

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, called yesterday for truth and clarity in investigating paedophile abuse not only in church institutions but everywhere within the educational system. "We all agree that sexual abuse against children is a despicable crime," she told parliament.

So far about 300 claims of sexual abuse have been made by former pupils of German church schools and of non-denominational boarding schools.

<script type=text/javascript src="/tol/js/picture-gallery.js"> <script type=text/javascript> function slideshowPopUp(url) { pictureGalleryPopupPic(url); return false; } <H3 class=section-heading>Related Links</H3>

The Government is considering extending the statute of limitations on sexual abuse. At present an alleged offender cannot be prosecuted ten years after his victim reaches the age of 18. Many of the cases being made now were for abuse committed in the 1950s and early 1960s and the priests involved are dead or in old people's homes.

Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, the Justice Minister, offended church leaders by accusing the Vatican of covering up scandals and urged German bishops to co-operate with state prosecutors — something that the Church feels could erode its independence. The Vienna Boys' Choir has no formal relationship with the Church and is, therefore, less politically sensitive.

It is, however, the best-known choir in the world, performing 300 concerts a year and making millions out of Christmas records. "No one can undo injustice," a spokeswoman for the choir said. "At the moment listening is the most important thing we can do."

Claims of sexual abuse have also been made against the Regensburger Domspatzen boys' choir, which was run until 1994 by Georg Ratzinger, the Pope's brother. Mgr Ratzinger has denied all knowledge of paedophile sex. A priest who worked at the choir between 1970 and 1972 was suspended yesterday amid allegations of sexual abuse dating back to that period.

The abuse has prompted questions about why priests who had offended or who were suspected of offending were simply transferred and allowed to resume duties involving children.

"We need to clarify the boundary between the solidarity and forgiveness that we offer to sinning but repentant fellow priests, and the overriding need not to betray our responsibility towards the children in our charge," a senior cleric said.

Ms Merkel's speech indicated that the Government would step in to protect children if the Church failed to do so. "We will have to talk about changing the statute of limitations and . . . about compensation," she said.

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I must say Ken that you are the absolute worst "copy and paste" merchant in the world. It is like reading Turetz.

even with ken's copy paste skills it is quite obvious the vatican has a serious problem dealing with stuff like this. There was an article in the times a few days ago about how the vatican refused to decloth those who abused some deaf altar boys. it really is disgusting. I don't know how anyone could support such a faction

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even with ken's copy paste skills it is quite obvious the vatican has a serious problem dealing with stuff like this. There was an article in the times a few days ago about how the vatican refused to decloth those who abused some deaf altar boys. it really is disgusting. I don't know how anyone could support such a faction

leaving aside the content - as it is not my intent to set off a debate re this as if we did, i think i would finally have found a use for all those guns you blokes have - it was simply that the name of the journo was thge worst possible, given the content.

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leaving aside the content - as it is not my intent to set off a debate re this as if we did, i think i would finally have found a use for all those guns you blokes have - it was simply that the name of the journo was thge worst possible, given the content.

Oh Jesus Ken! I was thinking who is this reporter until I actually read his name out loud. now I can't stop laughing. Considering the topic does this mean I'm going to hell? (or to church on Sunday, your call.)

:)

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