September 14, 2007

Clergy Sex Victims Blast Jesuits' Secrecy & Alleged "Helplessness"

Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, President of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312 399 4747)

It's reckless and insulting for Jesuit officials to pretend to be powerless over Fr. Donald McGuire, a convicted pedophile priest who's still on their payroll. They want to have their cake and eat it too: claiming to be helpless over his continued wearing of the Roman collar while at the same time regularly sending him a paycheck. That makes no sense, especially in an institution that prides itself on being a clear, top-down hierarchy and in which employees swear obedience to church authorities.

And it's beyond insulting for Jesuits to keep secrets over whether or not they're trying to defrock McGuire.  What ever happened to all those promises by Catholic officials to "not repeat mistakes of the past" and "be more open in the future?"

If the Jesuits are seeking to defrock McGuire, they should admit it. If they aren't, they should explain to Catholics why a proven predator gets continued prestige and paychecks.

Contacts: David Clohessy (314) 566 9790, Barbara Blaine (312) 399-4747, Barbara Dorris (314) 862 7688, Peter Isely (414) 429-7259