August 26, 2005

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis MO,
SNAP National Director 314 566 9790

We applaud this decision and hope it speeds the day when hundreds of deeply wounded and still hurting abuse victims get some relief and healing.

We also hope this will make bishops think twice before adopting far-fetched hardball defense maneuvers that end up adding pain upon already horrific pain. For the sake of victims and the church itself, we hope bishops will act more like caring shepherds and less like cold-hearted CEOs.

The notion that somehow bishops don't control their parishes is ludicrous. This claim, and the bankruptcy claim itself, is just more in a long series of desperate legal strategies church officials use to keep Catholics from learning the truth and victims from getting justice.

At all costs, bishops want to avoid having to tell under oath how much they knew and how little they did about abusive priests. They'll put forth almost laughable theories about why they shouldn't have to give up secret documents or

Church officials have tons of insurance and funds to settle abuse cases. Sadly, many lack the will and compassion to do so. Instead, they use intimidating and delaying tactics, fight to keep their abuse cover ups covered up, and then cry poverty, all the while failing to disclose their insurance policies and finances.

No school or parish has ever been hurt or closed because of abusive clergy or complicit bishops. None ever will be. Bishops make these threats to win sympathy and guilt-trip victims into staying silent of giving up.

(SNAP is the nation's oldest and largest support group for clergy molestation victims.)

Barbara Blaine of Chicago IL, SNAP President and Founder 312 299 4747
Peter Isely of Milwaukee WI, SNAP Midwest Director 414 429 7259
Mary Grant of Long Beach CA, SNAP Western Director 626 419 2930
Mark Serrano of Leesburg VA, SNAP Board Member 703 771 9606
Janet Patterson of Conway Springs KS, SNAP Board Member 620 456 2330
Terrie Light of Hayward CA, SNAP Board Member 510 517 3338