April 12, 2006

Statement By Barbara Blaine, SNAP President, 312 399 4747

We applaud these groups and any group that seeks to protect kids by prodding George to resign.

We have never and will never align ourselves with any group - liberal or conservative. We are a self help group. We are a safe, independent, confidential place for any victim or any victims' family to come and get help. We welcome and support survivors who are staunch church-goers and who are staunch atheists and everyone in between.

Still, we are grateful these two organizations are taking this brave step today.

It's hard for any catholic to believe that a revered authority figure like Cardinal George could be so reckless and duplicitous. It's especially hard for devout, caring Catholics, who have been raised to deeply respect, trust and honor church officials, to understand, acknowledge, and act on this terribly tragic misbehavior by a Cardinal. So again, we appreciate these two groups for caring enough about children and about their church to speak out in this way.

We know so well the devastating pain and brokenness that results to victims and family members when priests sexually abuse innocent children. We are the victims who were raped and sodomized by catholic priests. Our families lives have been deeply scarred. We know that Cardinal George has heard and seems to understand the depth of devastation caused by such abuse. Yet, under his leadership innocent children have been left at risk of abuse. Whether the cause was ignorance, incompetence, irresponsibility or reckless behavior is unclear and immaterial. The bottom line is that Cardinal George has shown an inability to lead responsibly and with integrity. In order to save our church and to protect innocent children Cardinal George should step down immediately.

With the courageous statements by these groups today we hope Cardinal George will do the right thing and resign as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Contact:
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP President, 312 399 4747
Mike Fenske of Oak Park, SNAP Chicago, 630 660 8065
David Clohessy of St Louis, SNAP National Director, 314 566 9790