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The
Survivors Network of
those Abused by Priests
SNAP Press
Statements
Statement
Regarding Resignation
of Springfield Bishop
For immediate release:
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004
For more information:
Ann Hagan Webb, New England Coordinator 781-239-1182
Bill Gately, New England Coordinator 508-524-4179
Phil Saviano, 617-983-5075
Peter Pollard, 413-335-9969
David Clohessy, National Director (314) 566-9790 cell
Barbara Blaine, President (312) 399-4747 cell
Sex Abuse Victims Question O'Malley About Abusive
Springfield Bishop
Allegations Were Reported to Boston Archbishop Three
Months Ago
SNAP Urges Top Cleric For Explanation
STATEMENT BY PSYCHOLOGIST ANN HAGAN WEBB OF WELLESLEY,
CO-COORDINATOR OF NEW ENGLAND SNAP, the Survivors Network of those
Abused by Priests
"We are troubled by news reports that a priest tried to contact
Boston's Archbishop Sean O'Malley roughly 3 months ago about sexual
abuse charges against Springfield Bishop Thomas Dupre.
According to the Springfield Republican, Fr. James Scahill of East
Longmeadow tried to follow the Dallas Charter and report the allegations
to Archbishop O'Malley last November.
It's not clear to us if O'Malley received such information from
Scahill or other sources. If he did learn of the allegations, it's
also not clear what, if any, steps O'Malley took. If indeed he did
take action, it was apparently neither prompt nor effective, because
Dupre remained on duty, overseeing a diocese that has experienced
considerable abuse by
clergy. As a result, we believe children were at risk.
We believe that O'Malley owes Massachusetts Catholics, victims and
law enforcement officials a speedy and thorough explanation of this
situation. We are grateful that Dupre's victims have managed to
break their silence, and hope that others wounded by
Springfield area clergy follow their courageous lead and also come
forward, so that children are safer and so that they can begin recovering
from this trauma."
SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests,
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Survivors Network
of those Abused by Priests
www.snapnetwork.org
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