Cardinal McCarrick defrocked: What’s next?

Cardinal McCarrick defrocked: What’s next?
Virginia lists of accused clerics incomplete
Where are these predators now?
“The Time for Decisive Action is Now,” SNAP says

WHAT: Leaders from the Washington, DC/Virginia chapter of the nation’s oldest and largest advocacy group for victims of clergy and institutional sex abuse will discuss Cardinal McCarrick being defrocked and the release of the lists of accused clerics from the two Virginia Dioceses. They will reiterate the groups demands of the Pope’s summit on clergy sexual abuse which began this morning.

WHEN: Thursday, February 21st at Noon

WHERE: On the sidewalk outside Holy See Apostolic Nunciature , 3339 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington D.C. 20008

WHO Two-three adults who were sexually abused as children and belong to SNAP (Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests)and their supporters, including Becky Ianni, a SNAP board member and the Washington, D.C. SNAP leader whose abuser was on both Virginia lists of accused clerics; as well as Bill Casey, a member of VOTF (Voice of The Faithful, a church reform group 

WHY: Cardinal McCarrick was defrocked within days of a global summit that is ostensibly set to determine pathways forward from the clergy abuse and cover-up crisis. Representatives from SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, will ask for all records concerning the former cardinal to be turned over to law enforcement. The group will also demand that other Bishops and Cardinals who have abused children or enabled others to abuse them be punished immediately, including Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston There are over 100 Bishops accused of sexual abuse and misconduct according to Bishops Accountability.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/bishops/accused/global_list_of_accused_bishops.htm

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/bishops/summit/

The Catholic Diocese of Arlington and the Catholic Diocese of Richmond released list of accused clerics. SNAP feels these carefully curated lists are incomplete and lack important details such as number of victims of each accused cleric, parishes were they worked and when the church knew and when action was taken.

https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/clergyabuselist/

https://richmonddiocese.org/list/

Father Richard Ahern was accused of sexually abusing a boy in Richmond in 1959-61 yet he was left off the list. It makes us question what other names are missing.

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/docs/boston/ahern/AHEARN_R_6.pdf

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/assign/Ahern_Richard_J_CSS.htm

Father Robert Brooks, Father Christopher Buckner, Father William J. Erbacher and Father Tran Dinh Nhi are on the list for the Catholic Diocese of Arlington but there is no indication where these priest are now. How can parents and others take precautions to protect children when the whereabouts of these “credibly” accused clerics are unknown.

https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/clergyabuselist/

Pope Francis is meeting with Bishops and Cardinals around the world to discuss the sex abuse crisis and the protection of children.

“The February Meeting on the protection of minors has a concrete purpose: the goal is that all of the Bishops clearly understand what they need to do to prevent and combat the worldwide problem of the sexual abuse of minors. Pope Francis knows that a global problem can only be resolved with a global response. The Pope wants it to be an assembly of Pastors, not an academic conference – a meeting characterized by prayer and discernment, a catechetical and working gathering.”

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2019-01/holy-see-press-office-meeting-protection-minors-communique.html

“As a child of eight I knew what the priest did to me was a sin and was wrong. Cardinals and Bishops who are supposedly intelligent adults should know this as well. It is quite simple. If someone abuses a child they are turned over to law enforcement. If someone covers up abuse they are removed and turned over to law enforcement. Prayers aren’t going to fix this problem, only aggressive action on the part of the Pope will protect children.”

In addition to firing prelates who have covered up abuse , SNAP has called on Pope Francis to: 

1. Impose “dramatic and punitive consequences” to deter any future cover-ups,
2. Eliminate any directive for church staff to report abuse to bishops and instead direct all church staff and officials to make reports to law enforcement, and
3. Compel bishops around the world to turn their files over to law enforcement for independent investigations into their handling of clergy sex abuse cases, and
4. Order bishops and other hierarchs to cease lobbying efforts against legislative reform that would benefit survivors.

CONTACT: Becky Ianni, SNAP Board Member ([email protected], 703-801-6044) Zach Hiner, Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009) Melanie Sakoda ([email protected], 925-708-6175)

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)