MA--Cardinal should promote “Spotlight” film

For immediate release: Thursday, October 29, 2015

Statement by Ann Hagan Webb, former director, New England SNAP, (617-513-8442).

Next month, when “Spotlight” opens in theaters, Cardinal Sean O’Malley should order every church staff member to see it. That is the best, quickest and cheapest way he can protect more kids. It’s easy for bishops to claim they have changed, but acting with real openness would prove real change. Boston parents and parishioners can only benefit by learning more about the church’s on going abuse and cover up crisis. O’Malley should be promoting this movie if he truly cares about the safety of children.

For more on O’Malley’s troubling track record on abuse click here. www.snapnetwork.org/rome_question_o_malley_record   or   http://www.snapnetwork.org/ny_cardinal_o_malley_calls_for_compliance_not_enforcement

(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 20,000 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, davidgclohessy@gmail.com, SNAPclohessy@aol.com), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell,bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, bblaine@snapnetwork.org), David O'Regan (434-446-6769,worcestersnap@gmail.com )