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The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

SNAP Press Statement

Statement on the US bishops promise to vote next month to fund a part of a study they promised 4.5 years ago

 

October 26, 2006

Statement by Mary Grant of Long Beach, western regional director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (626-419-2930)

Almost five years into the church's sex abuse cover up scandal, bishops are still dragging their feet on 'studying' it.

Initially, they promised to fund this research. Now, they're asking the researchers themselves to help fund it. This will further delay and possibly undermine the objectivity of their work.

As best we can tell, no victims groups or advocates or recognized experts were given a chance to help design the research, which is both typical of bishops and disappointing to many.

It's also disappointing to see the shameless bragging gearing up again about how 'unprecedented' this study will be. The devastating sexual abuse of tens of thousands of children, coupled with the inexcusable complicity of hundreds of Catholic officials, is truly 'unprecedented.' This study was quickly promised as part of a larger damage control efforts by bishops in crisis. To depict it as anything different is disingenuous.

Contacts:
David Clohessy (314 566 9790 cell, 314 645 5915 home),
Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747),
Mark Serrano (703-727-4940),
Mary Grant (626-419-2930)

 

 

 

 


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