Statement Regarding
Bishops' Audit

For More Information:
SNAP leader Mary Grant of Long Beach CA
626 419 2930

"Church leaders had more than 18 months to be fair and inclusive with this report, and by their own admission, they were not. They refuse to say how many victims were interviewed. That's because there were few. And church leaders admit that bishops "handpicked" (Dallas Morning News) the few victims who were included.

They also admit, according to today's LA Times, that interviewers were "unable to view personnel files to verify that every diocese was following" the Charter. Instead, auditors "relied primarily on the information provided by the diocese."

It's no surprise, then, that bishops are now patting themselves on the back. Bishops' misleading depiction of this report is little more than shameful PR posturing."