Religion seems to be a popular theme right now amongst child abusers. Here's a few recent stories:

• Israel: An influential member of an ultra-orthodox Jewish group who fled to the US 20 years ago amid accusations that he sexually abused children while pretending to be a rabbi faces extradition to Israel. Israel May Extradite Sex Abuse Suspect—Associated Press, 19th November 2007.
• United States: The Jehovah's Witnesses have settled nine lawsuits alleging church policies protected men who sexually abused children for many years. New evidence in Jehovah's Witness allegations—MSNBC, 21st November 2007.
• Canada: A (now former) Jehovah's Witness elder has been jailed for the sexual abuse of a teenage girl he was supposed to be counselling. Jehovah's Witness elder gets three years for sexual exploitation—Canada.com, 9th November 2007.
• United States: A recently-deceased pastor who faced child abuse allegation admitted French kissing young girls. Pastor Bob Gray Admitted to Kissing Young Girls—First Coast News, 21st November 2007.
• United States: Pastor accused of child rape ruled with an iron hand—Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 9th November 2007.
• United Kingdom: A retired vicar who administered for the Church of England in Northamptonshire has been charged with sexual abuse of young boys more than 20 years ago. Former vicar in sex case—Northampton Chronicle and Echo, 31st October 2007.
• Australia: A child protection group has called on the Anglican Church to defrock a priest due for release from jail tomorrow after serving time for child sex offences.Call to defrock pervert priest—The Courier Mail, 7th November 2007.
• United Kingdom: Thousands of files will be examined in an independent review checking for past cases of sex abuse involving clergy, the Church of England has announced. Church abuse case review outlined—BBC News, 26th October 2007.

And on the ongoing scandal in the Roman Catholic Church:

• United States: A prominent Chicago bishop is suggesting legal changes that would shield Roman Catholic institutions from paying excessive damages in sex abuse lawsuits. Bishop seeks limits for sex abuse payments—Chicago Tribune, 9th November 2007.
• United States: Former Quincy priest named in sexual abuse complaint—Madison County Record, 14th November 2007.
• United States: Child abusing priest was an all-round hypocrite—the respected clergyman — who on Sundays preached chastity and abstinence from alcohol — was himself an excessive drinker who engaged in sexual activity with other men. Liberatore trod a well-traveled path to abuse—Times Leader, ? November 2007.
• United States: St. Leo priest faces abuse allegation—Baltimore Sun, 19th November 2007.
• United States: The Jesuit order of the Roman Catholic Church has agreed to pay $50 million to 110 Eskimos to settle claims of sexual abuse by priests and missionaries in some of the world's most remote villages. $50 million for Alaskan abuse plaintiffs—Los Angeles Times, 19th November 2007.

And finally, a gratuitous bampot:

• United Kingdom: A Christian leader in the UK says that sexual abuse is the most common cause of homosexuality, and that when a demon is asked to leave, so does homosexual desire. UK Charismatic Leader: Sexual Abuse Causes Spirit of Homosexuality—Ex-Gay Watch, 16th November 2007.