Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2005, Page 46
Training Death Surmised
Fellow members suspect that Aum follower Wakasio Togashi, found dead in a bathtub
recently, died accidentally while undergoing ―thermal training,‖ in which adepts soak for
hours in scalding, 50 degree centigrade hot water. Togashi served seven years in prison for
his participation in the Aum gas attacks on the Tokyo subway. Aum says it will end thermal
training. (Kyodo News Service in Japan Today, Internet, 1/2/05 AFP in ABC News, Internet,
1/3/05)
Infiltration Claimed
Aum followers have infiltrated legal businesses, using profits to finance its operations
throughout Russia, according to Anatoly Safonov, the Russian Presidents Commissioner for
International Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism and Organized Crime. He was speaking in
Tokyo following Russo-Japanese meetings on international terrorism. (Novosti, Internet,
12/10/04)
Boot Camps
Panel Says Boot Camps Don’t Work
A panel of experts convened by the National of Institute of Health says that boot camps
and similar ―get tough‖ programs to reform problem adolescents don‘t prevent criminal
behavior, as they claim to do. Counseling programs for families and young people are more
promising, the panel reported. (AP, Internet, 10/15/04)
Wrongful Death Suit
The parents of 15-year-old Roberto Reyes, of Santa Rosa, CA, have filed a wrongful death
suit against Thayer Learning Center Boot Camp, a boarding school for troubled teens
located north of Kansas City, MO. They say the boy died last year when he got no medical
care for a poisonous insect bite, and add that he was dragged, beaten, placed in solitary
confinement, and ―forced to lay in his own excrement for extended periods of time‖ while at
the camp. Authorities are still investigating. (AP in New York Times, 1/6/05)
Caritas of Birmingham
Accused of “Brainwashing”
Former residents and parents of residents accuse the Shelby County, Alabama, Caritas of
Birmingham community, led by Terry Colafrancesco, of fraud, misrepresentation, undue
influence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment. They say
Colafrancesco lures devout Catholics to Caritas and then takes all their money. A judge has
ordered principals in the three-year-old suit to submit to mediation.
Colafrancesco created Caritas following the 1988 vision of a woman from Bossnia-
Herzegovina who reported experiencing visitations from the Virgin Mary while standing in
Colafrancesco‘s pasture. She continues to have visions during her periodic returns to the
US, and her most recent visit drew thousands of pilgrims. The community draws its
membership from such people, who give up their property when they move into Caritas.
The community also receives donations from the devout around the world. Caritas, which
the Roman Catholic Church does not recognize, operates a school, sawmill, gift shop, and
farm. (Nancy Wilstach. Birmingham News, Internet, 12/28/04)
Child Abuse
Marriage No Excuse
A Québec judge has ruled that an evangelical pastor [Daniel Cormier] cannot defend
himself from a charge of child abuse for having sex with two minors on the ground that he
Training Death Surmised
Fellow members suspect that Aum follower Wakasio Togashi, found dead in a bathtub
recently, died accidentally while undergoing ―thermal training,‖ in which adepts soak for
hours in scalding, 50 degree centigrade hot water. Togashi served seven years in prison for
his participation in the Aum gas attacks on the Tokyo subway. Aum says it will end thermal
training. (Kyodo News Service in Japan Today, Internet, 1/2/05 AFP in ABC News, Internet,
1/3/05)
Infiltration Claimed
Aum followers have infiltrated legal businesses, using profits to finance its operations
throughout Russia, according to Anatoly Safonov, the Russian Presidents Commissioner for
International Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism and Organized Crime. He was speaking in
Tokyo following Russo-Japanese meetings on international terrorism. (Novosti, Internet,
12/10/04)
Boot Camps
Panel Says Boot Camps Don’t Work
A panel of experts convened by the National of Institute of Health says that boot camps
and similar ―get tough‖ programs to reform problem adolescents don‘t prevent criminal
behavior, as they claim to do. Counseling programs for families and young people are more
promising, the panel reported. (AP, Internet, 10/15/04)
Wrongful Death Suit
The parents of 15-year-old Roberto Reyes, of Santa Rosa, CA, have filed a wrongful death
suit against Thayer Learning Center Boot Camp, a boarding school for troubled teens
located north of Kansas City, MO. They say the boy died last year when he got no medical
care for a poisonous insect bite, and add that he was dragged, beaten, placed in solitary
confinement, and ―forced to lay in his own excrement for extended periods of time‖ while at
the camp. Authorities are still investigating. (AP in New York Times, 1/6/05)
Caritas of Birmingham
Accused of “Brainwashing”
Former residents and parents of residents accuse the Shelby County, Alabama, Caritas of
Birmingham community, led by Terry Colafrancesco, of fraud, misrepresentation, undue
influence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and false imprisonment. They say
Colafrancesco lures devout Catholics to Caritas and then takes all their money. A judge has
ordered principals in the three-year-old suit to submit to mediation.
Colafrancesco created Caritas following the 1988 vision of a woman from Bossnia-
Herzegovina who reported experiencing visitations from the Virgin Mary while standing in
Colafrancesco‘s pasture. She continues to have visions during her periodic returns to the
US, and her most recent visit drew thousands of pilgrims. The community draws its
membership from such people, who give up their property when they move into Caritas.
The community also receives donations from the devout around the world. Caritas, which
the Roman Catholic Church does not recognize, operates a school, sawmill, gift shop, and
farm. (Nancy Wilstach. Birmingham News, Internet, 12/28/04)
Child Abuse
Marriage No Excuse
A Québec judge has ruled that an evangelical pastor [Daniel Cormier] cannot defend
himself from a charge of child abuse for having sex with two minors on the ground that he
