ABCNEWS: Church Abuse

ByABC News
April 25, 2005, 11:00 AM

April 25, 2005 --

Church Sexual Abuse Investigations
An investigation into the sexual abuse allegations against a high-ranking priest of the Roman Catholic Church has been reopened, seven years after the formal complaint was first filed with then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, according to people familiar with the case. (ABCNEWS)

Pope 'Obstructed' Sex Abuse Inquiry
Confidential letter reveals Ratzinger ordered bishops to keep allegations secret. (The Observer)

The Pope, the Letter and the Child Sex Claim
A series of paedophile allegations against a senior papal confidant are haunting Benedict XVI. How he deals with them will be his first major test, writes Jamie Doward. (The Observer)

Cell Sent Saudis to Fight With Al Zarqawi

A cell whose members clashed with security forces in Mecca last week leading to the death of two and the arrest of two others, was specialized in sending Saudis to fight with Abu Musaab al Zarqawi in Iraq. Sources told Asharq Al Awsat that the men went to Iraq through Yemen and Syria. (Asharq Al Awsat)

Demand for Rumsfeld Abuse Inquiry

The US should name a special prosecutor to look at Donald Rumsfeld's possible role in the abuse of US military prisoners, a human rights group says. (BBC)

Senate Urged to Probe CIA Practices
Intelligence panel should examine use of rendition, Rockefeller says. (Washington Post)

Experts Call Spy Agency Practice an Eye-Opener
If a U.S. official asks, the NSA is in the habit of disclosing the identities of Americans it records in routine snooping, intelligence sources say. (LA Times)

White House May Go to U.N. Over North Korean Shipments
Washington is debating a plan to seek a U.N. resolution empowering all nations to intercept shipments in or out of North Korea that may contain nuclear materials. (NY Times)

World Armed Groups 'Abduct Girls'

A "hidden army" of girls is being forced to work for armed groups involved in conflicts worldwide, a charity says. (BBC)

Syria Joins UN Treaty Against Terror Funding

Syria, accused by the United States of being a sponsor of terrorism, has formally acceded to a U.N. treaty designed to cut off funding for terrorist activities, UN officials said yesterday. (Arab News)

'Militias Burn Darfur Village as Warning'

Arab militias burned down a village in West Darfur state as a warning to its non-Arab residents not to return to their homes, a man from the village said yesterday. Ibrahim Adam, 23, took a Reuters witness to the freshly burned village, southwest of El-Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state. (Reuters)