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The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

SNAP Press Statement

Statement Regarding Federal Settlement with
Boston Archdiocese

 

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November 18, 2005

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

We've become very skeptical of deals between prosecutors and church officials. At first glance, they sound good. But later, church officials often are able to split hairs and renege, leaving DAs frustrated, victims betrayed and kids vulnerable.

For example, New Hampshire prosecutors struck a deal in which they were supposed to do 'audits' of how the Manchester diocese handles sexual abuse. Years later, no audits have happened.

There's one yet untested approach: criminally charging a complicit church official. Virtually everything else has been tried: parishioner pressure, victims' lawsuits, predators' prosecutions, media exposes. . . .Still church officials lie, deceive, and cover up clergy sex crimes. Maybe if just once a bishop or vicar general or chancellor was really prosecuted, just like other criminals, we might finally see real reform.


 


Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
www.snapnetwork.org