For immediate release: Monday, July 7, 2008

No urging to call church; urge survivors to call police

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, SNAP outreach director

Shame on the archbishop for continually urging victims of clergy sex crimes to call his office. That's precisely the reason thousands of priests have committed and hundreds of bishops have concealed devastating child sex crimes.

Child molestation is a crime. It should be treated like a crime. It should be reported to the independent, experienced professionals in law enforcement, not to the usually biased and self-serving amateurs in chancery offices.

This case shows the inherent problems when secretive church officials try to 'handle' child molesting clergy 'in house:' the first accusation was deemed 'not substantiated,' now there is a second.

Across the country, bishops continue to err on the side of protecting one adult's reputation over many kids' safety.

Contact: David Clohessy 314 566 9790, Barbara Dorris 314 503 0003