Says what he thinks of them.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Index on Censorship Welcomes Straw’s Pledge
Mar 23rd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSuccess for Libel Reform Campaign led by English PEN, Index on Censorship, Sense About Science.… Read the rest
Jack Straw Pledges Libel Law Overhaul
Mar 23rd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonSaid ministers are convinced reform is needed, amid concerns at a chilling effect on free expression. … Read the rest
Vatican Says What It Will Not Tolerate
Mar 23rd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt will not tolerate campaigns to discredit it.… Read the rest
A little background reading
Mar 22nd, 2010 5:30 pm | By Ophelia BensonFrom the Murphy Report:
In addition to their clerical education, many of those in authority in the Archdiocese had civil law degrees or occupied prestigious appointments in third level education…Despite their participation in civil society, it was not until late 1995 that officials of the Archdiocese first began to notify the civil authorities of complaints of clerical child sexual abuse. In this context it is significant, in the Commission’s view, that every bishop’s primary loyalty is to the Church itself. At his consecration every bishop, as well as making a profession of faith, must take an oath of fidelity to the Apostolic See. [p 7]
1.27 Most officials in the Archdiocese were, however, greatly exercised by the provisions of … Read the rest
I don’t like the church’s spoon
Mar 22nd, 2010 12:40 pm | By Ophelia BensonMadeleine Bunting again, as with the Ryan report last year, almost gets it, but then she drops the ball at the end.
… Read the restThere will be plenty celebrating the Catholic church’s plight, and it is hard not to agree in some part with MacCulloch, that hubris has played a huge part in this institution’s history and its current crisis. But it is also important to acknowledge that this is more tragedy than anything else. For the victims, their families, their congregations – many of whom see no cause for celebration despite their need for truth – and for those causes on which the church has proved a trenchant champion, stirring lazy consciences on the arms race, global inequality and capitalist
Dilution
Mar 22nd, 2010 12:17 pm | By Ophelia BensonYou have to wonder sometimes, you know?
95,000 descendants of the prophet Muhammad are planning to bring a libel action in Britain over “blasphemous” cartoons of the founder of Islam, even though they were published in the Danish press. The defamation case is being prepared by Faisal Yamani, a Saudi lawyer acting for the descendants, who live in the Middle East, north Africa and as far afield as Australia.
They’re teasing us, right? They’re not serious. I mean, they’re serious about doing it, sure, but they’re not serious about the ‘descendants of the prophet Muhammad’ bit. They’re being ‘ironic,’ they’re playing to our expectations, they’re parodying their own reputation for believing silly things. Right? They don’t really think it … Read the rest
Pope Failed to Mention the Role of the Vatican
Mar 22nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonLetter omitted ‘the deliberate policy of the Catholic Church at the highest levels to protect sex offenders.’… Read the rest
Libel Tourism: ‘Descendants of Prophet’ Sue
Mar 22nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe Motoons were read in the UK, so Danish newspapers can be sued in London.… Read the rest
Church Must Rid Itself of Hypocrites and Dissemblers
Mar 22nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonBut then who will be left?… Read the rest
Haiti: Ex-slave Helps Current Slaves
Mar 22nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThere are an estimated 300,000 child slaves in Haiti. … Read the rest
Madeleine Bunting Horrified by Church Crisis
Mar 22nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia Benson‘The commitment to the prestige and authority of the institution has been paramount.’… Read the rest
Damian Thompson Fumes About Anti-Catholicism
Mar 22nd, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonGee, after decades of secrecy and failure to stop child rape, why would anyone be annoyed at the church?… Read the rest
The Church’s Corruption is Not Sex but Power
Mar 21st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe only adequate response is a fundamental questioning of the closed, hierarchical power system.… Read the rest
Maeve Lewis: The Church is Still in Denial
Mar 21st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonPope blames liberal secular society instead of the reactionary patriarchal hierarchical church.… Read the rest
Steiner Schools Work on ‘PR Problem’
Mar 21st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThey need to learn how to frame Anthroposophy, and all will be well.… Read the rest
Raising an Eyebrow at the Pope’s Letter
Mar 21st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonThe Pope seems to see this episode as but another battle in his own church’s culture wars.… Read the rest
Jerry Coyne Wonders What’s Up at CFI
Mar 21st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonHas the Center for Inquiry decided the best way to promote reason and secular society is to criticize atheists?… Read the rest
Paula Kirby on Unbelieving Pastors and Integrity
Mar 21st, 2010 | Filed by Ophelia BensonIt’s not easy.… Read the rest