For immediate release: Thursday, March 24

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis, Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 566 9790, 314 645 5915 home, davidgclohessy@gmail.com)

The new Twin Cities archbishop is a slightly friendlier version of the old Twin Cities archbishop. This is a disappointing choice for an archdiocese that deserves better and by a pope who knows better.  

Just weeks ago, Hebda stayed silent and did nothing while his corrupt predecessor quietly moved out of state and resumed ministry, causing a firestorm of justifiable outrage and controversy.

Just three months ago, we urged Hebda to reach out to victims of a predator priest whose conviction was upheld. He ignored us: http://www.snapnetwork.org/mn_predator_priest_loses_at_us_supreme_court

And consider these developments from just six months ago in Hebda’s home diocese:

http://www.startribune.com/hebda-named-archbishop-of-twin-cities-archdiocese/373338251/ 

Consider Hebda’s depressing defense of a corrupt colleague’s opulent and expensive home:

http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-focus-on-archbishop-s-commitment-to-serve-1.744589

Consider his obsession with public relations and with promoting complacency:

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mn_victims_blast_new_head_of_twin_cities_archdiocese

Hebda’s the consummate insider, a savvy politician. He’s a typical Francis appointee – a glad-handing milquetoast who toes the party line with a smile instead of a scold. He benefits from being judged by the extraordinarily low bar set by Archbishop John Nienstedt.

But he will do little or nothing to better protect kids and expose those who commit or conceal sex crimes and misconduct in Minnesota.

(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), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003 cell, bdorris@SNAPnetwork.org), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, bblaine@snapnetwork.org)