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The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

SNAP Press Statement

Statement Regarding Los Angeles Archdiocese
Screening of Immigrant Volunteers

 

June 21, 2006

Statement by Mary Grant of Long Beach,
SNAP Western Regional Director 626 419-2930 cell

We sympathize tremendously with illegal immigrants, especially those who want to work with kids and might not be able to because church officials have spent years putting children in harm's way and then covering up the horrific crimes.

Given Catholic bishops' continued recklessness with children's safety, we are very reluctant to endorse a church official's plan that would allow anyone to bypass criminal background checks and finger printing.

We fear that if illegal immigrants see or suspect abuse they may be less able to report the crimes to police because of their unfortunate and vulnerable legal status and the church's immense power.The church needs to make it easier, not harder, for potential sex crimes to be reported to the police.

If we'd seen evidence of real repentance and reform in the Orange diocese, we might be more favorably disposed to this idea. But when Bishop Brown, and most of his brother bishops, fail to take even the bare minimum to protect kids (like listing all the abusive employees on the diocesan web site), we don't think they should be seeking even less strigent safeguard.

 

 

 


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