ITALY- SNAP cites 3 "promising prelates" and pushes for more training

SNAP calls three papal candidates “promising”

Clergy sex abuse victims cautiously release new list

And they call for 3 types of training in dioceses across globe

Two kinds - with kids & employees - are already done in US

SNAP: “But no prelate shows flock how to act when accusations surface”

So backers of alleged predators end up “intimidating” victims & witnesses

Victims have prepared 21 point brochure offering guidance for parishioners

WHAT

Holding signs and childhood photos, at a news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will discuss and give out a list of three “promising” prelates (based on their records in dealing with clergy sex crime and cover ups). They will also urge Catholic officials to provide training in dioceses across the world to

--teach children how to prevent and stop abuse and employees how to detect and report abuse, and

--teach parishioners and staff how to respond appropriately when abuse allegations surface, so as to not scare or intimidate others with information or suspicions about abuse into keeping quiet

WHEN

TODAY, THURSDAY, 10:45 a.m. on March 7

WHO

Two leaders of an international support group for clergy sex abuse victims called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, including the organization’s long-time executive director

WHERE

The Orange Hotel at 86 Via Crescenzio in Rome (+39 06 686 8969)

WHY

While SNAP has serious doubts about the role nearly every top Catholic official has played in the church’s continuing abuse and cover up crisis, the group is highlighting three potential “papabiles,” calling them “promising.” (Two have been repeatedly mentioned by many sources as serious prospects. One is quite a long shot.)

SNAP will hand out a 2-3 page fact sheet listing and explaining its choices (though the group is careful to note that they are not “endorsing” or backing the three prelates.)

SNAP has compiled - and will urge church officials to distribute – a 21 point brochure suggesting ways that Catholics can sensitively give support to both the accusers and the accused.  http://www.snapnetwork.org/links_homepage/when_priest_accused.htm

In virtually every US diocese, training is provided to all children and all staff in ways to stop, detect and report child sex crimes and inappropriate behavior (like “grooming”). In general, SNAP applauds this kind of training.

http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/safe-environment.cfm 

But no diocese anywhere trains parishioners on how to respond pastorally when abuse accusations surface. As a result, in many cases, church members lash out at victims, doubting and blaming them, and intimidating them into keeping silent. That, in turn, endangers kids and discourages openness. SNAP suspects that bishops sometimes tacitly tolerate or even encourage such harmful behavior by parishioners while they themselves make more pastoral public comments (essentially playing “good cop – bad cop”).

The group wants church officials to ban public displays of support for alleged predators and teach church-goers to be more open-minded, cautious and sensitive when abuse suspicions and reports arise.  

CONTACT (in Italy)

David Clohessy's Italian cell 339 215 7504 ([email protected]), Barbara Dorris' Italian cell 334 791 2239 ([email protected]). Our hotel: NH Villa Campagna, Via Pio IV, 6 – Phone 011 39 06 393731 - Clohessy-Room 220, Dorris-Room 320)

CONTACT (in US)

Peter Isely (on Central US time) 414 429 7259, [email protected] - Joelle Casteix (on Pacific US time) 949 322 7434, [email protected] - Becky Ianni (on Eastern US time) 703 801 6044, [email protected]