Child abuse victims leaflet outside parish

Group urges Rigali “Ask 34 accused predators NOW if they’re guilty”

SNAP: “That’s the quickest way to get suspected offenders away from kids

WHAT
As Catholics walk into a special mass, clergy sex abuse victims will hand out leaflets prodding Philadelphia’s controversial Catholic Cardinal to ask 34 alleged abusive priests still in parishes whether or not they have molested kids. (A recent grand jury concluded that church officials no longer even ask alleged child molesters if they are guilty.)

The fliers also urge
--anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes or cover ups to call police and protect kids, and
--parishioners to ask their loved ones if they were hurt by any of the 95 publicly accused Philadelphia area pedophile priests whose names are posted on an independent website called BishopAccountability.org

The victims will also harshly criticize Philly’s Catholic hierarchy for hiring two more lawyers in recent weeks to deal with abuse, instead of quickly ousting credibly accused child molesters who are around kids now.

WHEN
TODAY: Sunday, March 6 at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE
Outside Cardinal Justin Rigali’s appearance at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish (SE corner of 10th & Dickinson Street) in Philadelphia

WHO
4-6 members of a support group for clergy molestation victims called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) including a Chicago woman who is the organization’s founder and long-time president

VISUALS
The group will hold signs and childhood photos.

WHY
A recent Philadelphia grand jury concluded that 34 priests who are still in ministry face credible accusations of molesting kids or being sexually inappropriate with kids.

The jurors also found that “The (archdiocesan) policy is to not even to ask the abuser to speak, although he is obviously a crucial witness; the explanation we were given for this policy is that it might “put the priest in position of admitting” his guilt.

SNAP wants Rigali to immediately, clearly and publicly reverse this practice, and start personally asking each of the 34 alleged offenders whether they are guilty of the crimes and misdeeds they have reportedly committed.

SNAP says that such a “simple, common sense move is the fastest way to get at least a few dangerous clerics away from children right away.”

The group has little faith in Rigali’s latest hand-picked lawyer who is supposedly reviewing archdiocesan files on accused priests. SNAP notes that she is a life-long Catholic with close ties to the archdiocese who has specialized in helping institutions that face child sex scandals.

(NOTE: Rigali is leading a special mass here to celebrate the 150th anniversary of this parish.)

CONTACT - Barbara Blaine (312 399 4747), Karen Polesir (267 992 9463), Barbara Dorris (314-503-0003, SNAPdorris@gmail.com), David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com),