Pledge to Protect Kids. Compromiso para proteger a los niños
Pledge to Protect Kids
• 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience an incident of sexual abuse before the age of 18.
• 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator.
• Most victims of child sexual abuse never tell another soul about their abuse.
• Child sexual abuse will have devastating and life-long consequences for the victim.
What Can You Do To Help?
All of us can take the pledge today. Anyone can report child sexual abuse to the police or to a child protective services agency. If we all pledge to watch out for the children in our communities and to report abuse and/or suspicious behavior, kids will be safer.
Please, will you take the pledge today??
Yes, I will take the pledge to protect kids!! I will watch out for all the children in my church as if they were my own and I will immediately report known or suspected abuse to the authorities, no matter when it occurred.
You can take the pledge online by going to: http://www.pledgetoprotectkids.org/
Or, you can send this completed form to:
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, PO Box 6416, Chicago, IL 60680-6416
Name (optional)________________________________________________________________________
City and State__________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number (optional)______________________ Email (optional)____________________________
Thank you for making the world safer for kids!
Toll Free Number: 1-877-SNAPHEALS (1-877-762-7432)
http://www.snapnetwork.org/PDF_files/3rdFINALPledge2ProtectKids.doc
PLEDGE TO PROTECT EVENTS http://www.snapnetwork.org/links_homepage/pledge_to_protect_events.htm
===========
Compromiso para proteger a los niños
• 1 de cada 4 niñas y 1 de cada 6 niños ha experimentado abuso sexual antes de los 18 años.
• El 90% de los niños víctimas de abuso sexual conocen al autor.
• La mayoría de niños víctimas del abuso sexual nunca cuentan a otra persona lo sucedido.
• El abuso sexual infantil produce consecuencias devastadoras a la víctima por toda la vida.
Como podemos ayudar?
Todos podemos hacer el compromiso hoy. Cualquier persona puede denunciar el abuso infantil a la policía o a una agencia de protección infantil. Si todos nos comprometemos en cuidar a los niños de nuestras comunidades y reportar abusos o comportamientos sospechosos, los niños estarán más seguros.
Por favor, hoy tomarás el compromiso?
Si, prometo proteger a los niños!! Voy a observar a todos los niños de mi iglesia como si se tratara de mi propio hijo, e inmediatamente comunicaré a las autoridades si sospecho de algún abuso, no importa cuando se haya producido.
Usted puede reportar el abuso a través de: http://www.pledgetoprotectkids.org/
O puede enviar este formulario lleno:
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, PO Box 6416, Chicago, IL 60680-6416
Nombre (opcional) _____________________________________________________________________
Ciudad y Estado________________________________________________________________________
Número de teléfono (opcional)____________________Email(opcional)__________________________
Gracias por hacer el mundo mas seguro para los niños!
Llama gratis: 1-877-SNAPHEALS (1-877-762-7432)
snapecuador@hotmail.com
http://www.snapnetwork.org/PDF_files/Flyer_para_Evento_Abril_2011.doc
==========
As Pope is honored in Rome, victims outside churches in 70 cities, 7 countries
http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2011_press_releases/043011_as_pope_is_honored_in_rome_victims_outside_churches_in_70_cities_7_countries.htm
As Pope is honored in Rome, group hands out leaflets
“Outreach & Prevention” events will be held in seven countries
Victims and supporters ask Catholics & citizens to sign child safety pledge
In 70 cities on this weekend, they’ll talk with parishioners outside churches
WHAT:
As a deceased Pope is honored by thousands in Rome, hundreds of clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will hand out fliers to church-goers in seven countries and 70 cities, urging them to sign a pledge to report suspicions of child sex abuse to secular authorities.
WHEN: Saturday, Apr 30 and Sunday, May 1, (Times listed with each City Below)
WHERE: Address listed with each City below
WHO: At least Two-three clergy sex abuse victims (at each event) who belong to a Chicago-based international support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
DETAILS
While Catholics throng in Rome celebrating Pope John Paul II’s latest step toward sainthood, hundreds of child sex abuse victims will leaflet outside churches in seven countries and 70 cites. They’ll ask congregants to sign this pledge: “I will watch out for all the children in my church as if they were my own and I will immediately report known or suspected abuse to the authorities, no matter when it occurred.”
It’s available on line at www.pledgetoprotectkids.org
The group calls the fast-tracking of pontiff’s sainthood “a callous PR juggernaut honoring the man who presided over much of the on-going crisis.” The events are designed to “help keep kids safer and redirect some people’s energies into stopping child sex crimes and cover ups” “and “give upset parishioners, concerned parents and caring victims a productive outlet this weekend for both their outrage and their compassion.”
SNAP says that Vatican officials are “deepening the suffering of so many, by elevating a man who did almost nothing to stop bishops from ignoring and concealing heinous crimes.”
A full list of the cities and times of the leafleting events are posted at SNAPnetwork.org.
The countries include: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ecuador, France, Netherlands, and the USA.
The American states include: CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, VA, WA, WI, WV.
And the cities include: Albany, NY; Antwerpen (Antwerp)Belgium; Arden, NC; Arlington, VA; Asheville, NC; Athens, OH; Belleville, IL; Bellflower, CA; Boston, MA; Brisbane, Australia; Brugge (Bruges), Belgium; Camden, NJ; Candler, NC; Charleston, WV; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Corpus Christi, TX; Costa Mesa, CA; Covington, KY; Cuenca, Ecuador; Dayton, OH; Denver, CO; Detroit (St. Clair Shores), MI; Eureka, CA; Idaho Falls, ID; Indianapolis, IN; Kansas City, MO; La Crosse, WI; Longwood, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Metuchen, NJ; Midland, MI; Newark, NJ; New York, NY; Norwich, CT; Oakland, CA; Ontario, CA; Orlando, FL; Paris, France; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Quito, Ecuador; Rockford, IL; Sacramento, CA; San Antonio, TX; San Francisco, CA; Santa Maria, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; Seattle, WA; St. Louis, MO; Steubenville, OH; Swannanoa NC; Sydney, Australia; Toledo, OH; Utrecht, Netherlands; Wheeling, WV; Wilmington, DE; Winter Park, FL; Youngstown, OH
Regardless of what the Catholic hierarchy does or doesn’t do, SNAP says that many victims will continue working hard to expose corruption, protect others, reform laws, warn parents and keep healing.
CONTACT
Melanie Sakoda 925-708-6175, melanie@pokrov.org, Tim Lennon 415-312-5820 (cell) sflennon@gmail.com,
Barbara Blaine 312 399 4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com, Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003, SNAPdorris@gmail.com,
David Clohessy 314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA
New South Wales
Sydney NSW
Diocese of Sydney
St Mary's Cathedral
Gathering at Hyde Park, College Street, near the Archibald Fountain
May 1, 2011, 12:00-4:00 PM
Contact: Nicky Davis, Mark Fabbro
Email: nicky@nickydavis.com.au, survivorsclergy@gmail.com
Cell: 61+ 2 0422 538 440, 61+ 2 0411 390 850
Queensland
Brisbane QLD
Anglican Diocese of Brisbane
Cathedral Square
May 1, 2011, 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Contact: Sylvia Blayse
Email: editme09@gmail.com
Cell: 0457 151567
België (Belgique)/ BELGIUM
Antwerpen (Antwerp)
Diocese Antwerpen (Antwerp)
OLV Kathedraal Antwerpen (Cathedral of Notre Dame, Antwerp)
Handschoenmarkt
April 30, 2011, 3:30 PM
Contact: Lieve Halsberghe SNAP Belgium, Peter Saunders, NAPAC
Email: SNAPBelgium@gmail.com, peter@napac.org.uk
Cell: +32 475 910 918, +44 7977 975402
Brugge (Bruges)
Diocese Brugge (Bruges)
Basiliek H. Bloed (Basilica of the Holy Blood)
Burg 15
April 30, 2011, 11:15 AM
Contact: Lieve Halsberghe SNAP Belgium, Peter Saunders, NAPAC
Email: SNAPBelgium@gmail.com, peter@napac.org.uk
Cell: +32 475 910 918, +44 7977 975402
ECUADOR
Provincia Azuay
Cuenca, Provincia Azuay
Arquidiósecis de Cuenca
Catedral Metropolitana
Calle Benigno Malo y Mariscal Sucre
May 1, 2011, 10:00 AM and 12:00PM
Contact: María Palacios, Tatiana Palacios Hernández
Email: tattyelizabeth@hotmail.com
Cell: 593 9 8318324
Provincia Pichincha
Quito, Provincia Pichincha
Diósecis La Dolorosa
San Gabriel
Mariana de Jesus y Av. de la Prensa
May 1, 2011, 9:30 AM
Contact: Tatiana Palacios Hernández
Email: tattyelizabeth@hotmail.com
Cell: 593 9 8318324
FRANCE
Paris
Diocese Paris
Catthédrale Notre Dame de Paris
6, Parvis Notre Dame - Place Jean Paul II
May 1, 2011, 11:30 AM
Contact: Lieve Halsberghe SNAP Belgium, Peter Saunders, NAPAC, Isabelle Aubrey, AIVI,
Email: SNAPBelgium@gmail.com, peter@napac.org.uk, contact@aivi.org
Cell: +32 475 910 918, +44 7977 975402, +33 6 83 23 46 72
Paris
Diocese Paris
Jardin des Tuileries (moving to Place du Louvre and Centre Pompidou)
May 1, 2011, 2:00 PM
Contact: Lieve Halsberghe SNAP Belgium, Peter Saunders, NAPAC, Isabelle Aubrey, AIVI,
Email: SNAPBelgium@gmail.com, peter@napac.org.uk, contact@aivi.org
Cell: +32 475 910 918, +44 7977 975402, +33 6 83 23 46 72
NETHERLANDS
Utrecht
Archdiocese of Utrecht
St. Catharina Church
Lange Nieuwstraat 36 Utrecht
May 1, 2011, Time: 12:00 PM
Contact: Bert Smeets
Email: info@bertsmeets.nl
Cell: 0031 (0) 6 25 26 20 36
USA
Read the complete list here
http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2011_press_releases/043011_as_pope_is_honored_in_rome_victims_outside_churches_in_70_cities_7_countries.htm
==========
Friday, April 29, 2011
SNAP blasts beatification of Pope John Paul II
Statement by Barbara Blaine, president of SNAP
Little can be done by Catholic officials to erase the pain of hundreds of thousands of deeply wounded men, women and children who have been sexually assaulted by clergy. But the church hierarchy CAN avoid rubbing more salt into these wounds by slowing down their hasty drive to confer sainthood on the pontiff under whose reign most of the countless, widely-documented clergy sex crimes and cover ups took place.
In more than 25 years as the most powerful religious figure on the planet, John Paul II did almost nothing to safeguard kids across the world. He repeatedly and effectively brought his unparalleled global influence to bear on other crucial issues but ignored or promoted stunningly complicit church officials. Church officials can’t have it both ways. They can’t claim to want victims to heal, while paying massive tribute to a man whom evidence shows turned a blind eye for decades to child sex crimes and elevated corrupt clerics like Cardinal Bernard Law.
When we honor those who enable or conceal wrong-doing, we essentially condone wrong-doing.
Recklessness, callousness and deceit in clergy sex cases will continue unless the church hierarchy begins to penalize, not reward, such irresponsible behavior.
The church hierarchy eventually, when forced, often suspends proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesters. But in only a handful of cases, has the hierarchy ever disciplined a corrupt bishop. It’s even more disturbing, however, when the hierarchy honors one of its own with a dismal track record on the most devastating crisis the church has faced in modern times. A doctor's first duty is to do no harm. That should be the first duty of church officials too, especially in an institution with such a horrific history of committing, ignoring and concealing heinous child sex crimes. So on that basis alone, beatifying John Paul II shouldn't be considered, much less "fast-tracked." Why exacerbate such widespread pain among wounded victims and disillusioned Catholics?
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 10,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com), Peter Isely (414-429-7259, peterisely@yahoo.com), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)
• 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience an incident of sexual abuse before the age of 18.
• 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator.
• Most victims of child sexual abuse never tell another soul about their abuse.
• Child sexual abuse will have devastating and life-long consequences for the victim.
What Can You Do To Help?
All of us can take the pledge today. Anyone can report child sexual abuse to the police or to a child protective services agency. If we all pledge to watch out for the children in our communities and to report abuse and/or suspicious behavior, kids will be safer.
Please, will you take the pledge today??
Yes, I will take the pledge to protect kids!! I will watch out for all the children in my church as if they were my own and I will immediately report known or suspected abuse to the authorities, no matter when it occurred.
You can take the pledge online by going to: http://www.pledgetoprotectkids.org/
Or, you can send this completed form to:
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, PO Box 6416, Chicago, IL 60680-6416
Name (optional)________________________________________________________________________
City and State__________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number (optional)______________________ Email (optional)____________________________
Thank you for making the world safer for kids!
Toll Free Number: 1-877-SNAPHEALS (1-877-762-7432)
http://www.snapnetwork.org/PDF_files/3rdFINALPledge2ProtectKids.doc
PLEDGE TO PROTECT EVENTS http://www.snapnetwork.org/links_homepage/pledge_to_protect_events.htm
===========
Compromiso para proteger a los niños
• 1 de cada 4 niñas y 1 de cada 6 niños ha experimentado abuso sexual antes de los 18 años.
• El 90% de los niños víctimas de abuso sexual conocen al autor.
• La mayoría de niños víctimas del abuso sexual nunca cuentan a otra persona lo sucedido.
• El abuso sexual infantil produce consecuencias devastadoras a la víctima por toda la vida.
Como podemos ayudar?
Todos podemos hacer el compromiso hoy. Cualquier persona puede denunciar el abuso infantil a la policía o a una agencia de protección infantil. Si todos nos comprometemos en cuidar a los niños de nuestras comunidades y reportar abusos o comportamientos sospechosos, los niños estarán más seguros.
Por favor, hoy tomarás el compromiso?
Si, prometo proteger a los niños!! Voy a observar a todos los niños de mi iglesia como si se tratara de mi propio hijo, e inmediatamente comunicaré a las autoridades si sospecho de algún abuso, no importa cuando se haya producido.
Usted puede reportar el abuso a través de: http://www.pledgetoprotectkids.org/
O puede enviar este formulario lleno:
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, PO Box 6416, Chicago, IL 60680-6416
Nombre (opcional) _____________________________________________________________________
Ciudad y Estado________________________________________________________________________
Número de teléfono (opcional)____________________Email(opcional)__________________________
Gracias por hacer el mundo mas seguro para los niños!
Llama gratis: 1-877-SNAPHEALS (1-877-762-7432)
snapecuador@hotmail.com
http://www.snapnetwork.org/PDF_files/Flyer_para_Evento_Abril_2011.doc
==========
As Pope is honored in Rome, victims outside churches in 70 cities, 7 countries
http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2011_press_releases/043011_as_pope_is_honored_in_rome_victims_outside_churches_in_70_cities_7_countries.htm
As Pope is honored in Rome, group hands out leaflets
“Outreach & Prevention” events will be held in seven countries
Victims and supporters ask Catholics & citizens to sign child safety pledge
In 70 cities on this weekend, they’ll talk with parishioners outside churches
WHAT:
As a deceased Pope is honored by thousands in Rome, hundreds of clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters will hand out fliers to church-goers in seven countries and 70 cities, urging them to sign a pledge to report suspicions of child sex abuse to secular authorities.
WHEN: Saturday, Apr 30 and Sunday, May 1, (Times listed with each City Below)
WHERE: Address listed with each City below
WHO: At least Two-three clergy sex abuse victims (at each event) who belong to a Chicago-based international support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)
DETAILS
While Catholics throng in Rome celebrating Pope John Paul II’s latest step toward sainthood, hundreds of child sex abuse victims will leaflet outside churches in seven countries and 70 cites. They’ll ask congregants to sign this pledge: “I will watch out for all the children in my church as if they were my own and I will immediately report known or suspected abuse to the authorities, no matter when it occurred.”
It’s available on line at www.pledgetoprotectkids.org
The group calls the fast-tracking of pontiff’s sainthood “a callous PR juggernaut honoring the man who presided over much of the on-going crisis.” The events are designed to “help keep kids safer and redirect some people’s energies into stopping child sex crimes and cover ups” “and “give upset parishioners, concerned parents and caring victims a productive outlet this weekend for both their outrage and their compassion.”
SNAP says that Vatican officials are “deepening the suffering of so many, by elevating a man who did almost nothing to stop bishops from ignoring and concealing heinous crimes.”
A full list of the cities and times of the leafleting events are posted at SNAPnetwork.org.
The countries include: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ecuador, France, Netherlands, and the USA.
The American states include: CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, VA, WA, WI, WV.
And the cities include: Albany, NY; Antwerpen (Antwerp)Belgium; Arden, NC; Arlington, VA; Asheville, NC; Athens, OH; Belleville, IL; Bellflower, CA; Boston, MA; Brisbane, Australia; Brugge (Bruges), Belgium; Camden, NJ; Candler, NC; Charleston, WV; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Corpus Christi, TX; Costa Mesa, CA; Covington, KY; Cuenca, Ecuador; Dayton, OH; Denver, CO; Detroit (St. Clair Shores), MI; Eureka, CA; Idaho Falls, ID; Indianapolis, IN; Kansas City, MO; La Crosse, WI; Longwood, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Metuchen, NJ; Midland, MI; Newark, NJ; New York, NY; Norwich, CT; Oakland, CA; Ontario, CA; Orlando, FL; Paris, France; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Quito, Ecuador; Rockford, IL; Sacramento, CA; San Antonio, TX; San Francisco, CA; Santa Maria, CA; Santa Rosa, CA; Seattle, WA; St. Louis, MO; Steubenville, OH; Swannanoa NC; Sydney, Australia; Toledo, OH; Utrecht, Netherlands; Wheeling, WV; Wilmington, DE; Winter Park, FL; Youngstown, OH
Regardless of what the Catholic hierarchy does or doesn’t do, SNAP says that many victims will continue working hard to expose corruption, protect others, reform laws, warn parents and keep healing.
CONTACT
Melanie Sakoda 925-708-6175, melanie@pokrov.org, Tim Lennon 415-312-5820 (cell) sflennon@gmail.com,
Barbara Blaine 312 399 4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com, Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003, SNAPdorris@gmail.com,
David Clohessy 314 566 9790, SNAPclohessy@aol.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA
New South Wales
Sydney NSW
Diocese of Sydney
St Mary's Cathedral
Gathering at Hyde Park, College Street, near the Archibald Fountain
May 1, 2011, 12:00-4:00 PM
Contact: Nicky Davis, Mark Fabbro
Email: nicky@nickydavis.com.au, survivorsclergy@gmail.com
Cell: 61+ 2 0422 538 440, 61+ 2 0411 390 850
Queensland
Brisbane QLD
Anglican Diocese of Brisbane
Cathedral Square
May 1, 2011, 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Contact: Sylvia Blayse
Email: editme09@gmail.com
Cell: 0457 151567
België (Belgique)/ BELGIUM
Antwerpen (Antwerp)
Diocese Antwerpen (Antwerp)
OLV Kathedraal Antwerpen (Cathedral of Notre Dame, Antwerp)
Handschoenmarkt
April 30, 2011, 3:30 PM
Contact: Lieve Halsberghe SNAP Belgium, Peter Saunders, NAPAC
Email: SNAPBelgium@gmail.com, peter@napac.org.uk
Cell: +32 475 910 918, +44 7977 975402
Brugge (Bruges)
Diocese Brugge (Bruges)
Basiliek H. Bloed (Basilica of the Holy Blood)
Burg 15
April 30, 2011, 11:15 AM
Contact: Lieve Halsberghe SNAP Belgium, Peter Saunders, NAPAC
Email: SNAPBelgium@gmail.com, peter@napac.org.uk
Cell: +32 475 910 918, +44 7977 975402
ECUADOR
Provincia Azuay
Cuenca, Provincia Azuay
Arquidiósecis de Cuenca
Catedral Metropolitana
Calle Benigno Malo y Mariscal Sucre
May 1, 2011, 10:00 AM and 12:00PM
Contact: María Palacios, Tatiana Palacios Hernández
Email: tattyelizabeth@hotmail.com
Cell: 593 9 8318324
Provincia Pichincha
Quito, Provincia Pichincha
Diósecis La Dolorosa
San Gabriel
Mariana de Jesus y Av. de la Prensa
May 1, 2011, 9:30 AM
Contact: Tatiana Palacios Hernández
Email: tattyelizabeth@hotmail.com
Cell: 593 9 8318324
FRANCE
Paris
Diocese Paris
Catthédrale Notre Dame de Paris
6, Parvis Notre Dame - Place Jean Paul II
May 1, 2011, 11:30 AM
Contact: Lieve Halsberghe SNAP Belgium, Peter Saunders, NAPAC, Isabelle Aubrey, AIVI,
Email: SNAPBelgium@gmail.com, peter@napac.org.uk, contact@aivi.org
Cell: +32 475 910 918, +44 7977 975402, +33 6 83 23 46 72
Paris
Diocese Paris
Jardin des Tuileries (moving to Place du Louvre and Centre Pompidou)
May 1, 2011, 2:00 PM
Contact: Lieve Halsberghe SNAP Belgium, Peter Saunders, NAPAC, Isabelle Aubrey, AIVI,
Email: SNAPBelgium@gmail.com, peter@napac.org.uk, contact@aivi.org
Cell: +32 475 910 918, +44 7977 975402, +33 6 83 23 46 72
NETHERLANDS
Utrecht
Archdiocese of Utrecht
St. Catharina Church
Lange Nieuwstraat 36 Utrecht
May 1, 2011, Time: 12:00 PM
Contact: Bert Smeets
Email: info@bertsmeets.nl
Cell: 0031 (0) 6 25 26 20 36
USA
Read the complete list here
http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2011_press_releases/043011_as_pope_is_honored_in_rome_victims_outside_churches_in_70_cities_7_countries.htm
==========
Friday, April 29, 2011
SNAP blasts beatification of Pope John Paul II
Statement by Barbara Blaine, president of SNAP
Little can be done by Catholic officials to erase the pain of hundreds of thousands of deeply wounded men, women and children who have been sexually assaulted by clergy. But the church hierarchy CAN avoid rubbing more salt into these wounds by slowing down their hasty drive to confer sainthood on the pontiff under whose reign most of the countless, widely-documented clergy sex crimes and cover ups took place.
In more than 25 years as the most powerful religious figure on the planet, John Paul II did almost nothing to safeguard kids across the world. He repeatedly and effectively brought his unparalleled global influence to bear on other crucial issues but ignored or promoted stunningly complicit church officials. Church officials can’t have it both ways. They can’t claim to want victims to heal, while paying massive tribute to a man whom evidence shows turned a blind eye for decades to child sex crimes and elevated corrupt clerics like Cardinal Bernard Law.
When we honor those who enable or conceal wrong-doing, we essentially condone wrong-doing.
Recklessness, callousness and deceit in clergy sex cases will continue unless the church hierarchy begins to penalize, not reward, such irresponsible behavior.
The church hierarchy eventually, when forced, often suspends proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesters. But in only a handful of cases, has the hierarchy ever disciplined a corrupt bishop. It’s even more disturbing, however, when the hierarchy honors one of its own with a dismal track record on the most devastating crisis the church has faced in modern times. A doctor's first duty is to do no harm. That should be the first duty of church officials too, especially in an institution with such a horrific history of committing, ignoring and concealing heinous child sex crimes. So on that basis alone, beatifying John Paul II shouldn't be considered, much less "fast-tracked." Why exacerbate such widespread pain among wounded victims and disillusioned Catholics?
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 10,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com), Peter Isely (414-429-7259, peterisely@yahoo.com), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com)
posted by Paris Arrow | Saturday, April 30, 2011
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