The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
SNAP Press Release
Victims to leaflet Catholic Church
A just-suspended accused predator priest worked there
SNAP: “If you saw or suspected abuse, you have to speak up”
Group also blasts newly-disclosed controversial church form
It bans archdiocesan employees from giving info about crimes to police
SNAP: “This is may be the most insidious church cover up strategy yet”
WHAT
As Catholic parishioners enter/leave mass, clergy sex abuse victims will hand out fliers at a church where a just-suspended alleged predator priest worked until last week. The leaflets will list two dozen recently-ousted Philly priests and will urge parishioners to
-- ask loved ones and fellow church members if anyone saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes or cover ups,
-- ask their pastor and top archdiocesan officials about a highly unusual and never-before-seen Philadelphia archdiocese form that prohibits church staff from giving information about known and alleged child sex crimes to police.
WHEN
Sunday, March 13, 11:30 a.m.
WHERE
Outside Saint Adalbert's Catholic church, 2645 East Allegheny Avenue (corner of Thompson) in Philadelphia (215-739-3500)
WHO
A handful of members of a victims’ self-help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a St. Louis woman who is the organization’s outreach director
WHY
Last month, a Philadelphia grand jury report concluded that 37 credibly accused offender priests were still working among unsuspecting families and innocent children in local Catholic parishes. In response, Philadelphia’s Cardinal Justin Rigali claimed no priests with “established or admitted” abuse was still on the job.
But earlier this week, Rigali temporarily suspended 21 alleged abusive clerics. Among them was Msgr. Francis S. Feret, who has worked St. Adalbert’s for roughly the last 15 years. (Even now, he’s listed on the parish website as the pastor.) Earlier Feret was assigned to St. Peter Parish in Pottstown. He was ordained in 1962 and his photo is available at BishopAccountability.org
SNAP has heard from one of Feret’s victims who now lives out-of-state and was assaulted in the 1960s. The group believes many current and former church members and staff have suspicions or knowledge about Feret that should be conveyed to law enforcement.
And yesterday, SNAP disclosed a highly unusual and controversial Philadelphia archdiocesan form called the “Prohibition to Report” and it was “designed to prevent the Archdiocese from reporting priests’ crimes to law enforcement,” according to the recent Philadelphia grand jury report. The group wants parishioners to pressure Rigali to publicly explain, denounce and pledge to never again use the form.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2011/03_04/2011_03_10_OReilly_Namesof.pdf
CONTACT
Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003 cell; SNAPdorris@gmail.com, David Clohessy 314 566 9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com Karen Polesir SNAP Leader 267-992-9463
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
www.snapnetwork.org