Rome--Victims encouraged by O’Malley mtg re Chilean bishop

For immediate release: Friday, April 10

Statement by Joelle Casteix of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests 949 322 7434, [email protected]

We’re encouraged that four abuse victims will meet this weekend with Cardinal Sean O’Malley about Pope Francis’ irresponsible appointment of a corrupt Chilean bishop.

But every single member of the pontiff’s commission should be shouting from the rooftops about this callous and hurtful appointment that will only discourage other victims, witnesses and whistleblowers from exposing clergy who commit and conceal child sex crimes.

http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/vatican-abuse-commission-members-hope-meet-francis-about-chilean-bishop           

And what of the world’s thousands of bishops? Why hasn’t a single one found the courage to criticize - or even publicly question – this insensitive move by Pope Francis? The pope has repeatedly said that more honest discussion in the church, even criticism of other church officials, is important and healthy. The pope has prided himself on more open decision-making in the highest echelons of the church hierarchy.

But not a single bishop on the planet – in office or in retirement – can bring themselves to challenge the boss.

The fact is that Bishop Juan Barros Madrid should be demoted and denounced, not elevated.

(Here’s what we’ve said before about this appointment:

http://www.snapnetwork.org/why_francis_won_t_back_down_on_barros

http://www.snapnetwork.org/rome_francis_digs_heels_in_over_chilean_bishop)

We hope Francis will rescind this appointment and take harsh action against Barros Madrid and at least a dozen of the hundreds of church officials who have concealed and are concealing heinous crimes against children.

(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We were founded in 1988 and have 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 +1 314-566-9790, [email protected], Barbara Dorris +1 314-503-0003, [email protected], Barbara Blaine +1 312-399-4747, [email protected]