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]
Showing 4 comments
I did receive an email with the names of and information about these three prelates from you, but I can hardly stand to admit that i first lost the email, and then in my haste to relocate it, made the mistake of deleting everything “already in” my deleted files folder. So, please re-send this information to me. March 12, 2013 mid-morning in California, the day of the conclave opening.
Thank you in advance for re-emailing me the requested information.
It’s about 4:40pm, Friday, March 8, 2013 here in California. A little while ago on the news, Roger Mahony was shown at the Vatican again. He was shown saying a mass at a local church nearby. The reporter said that although all of the Cardinals there, were put under a “gag order”, that Mahoney had been allowed and did invite only the Los Angeles press who are there, into the church to “cover” his mass. It was so discouraging to me to hear him, yet again, “blame the victims” by preaching that the problem is that the parishoners/believers are not being forgiving. That we all have to learn forgiveness. Lord, have mercy. I believe he is delusional. And, I hope and pray to God that he is not elected Pope. That would be the final, last straw. I think it’s horrible that he gets to be there and be part of the conclave and I want to thank David Clohessy for speaking up at the same news reporting today. Thank you for saying (again) that you believe he should stay away and/or go home. The fact that he is there, and remains there is telling, about so many things. Actually, I think it is an example of failure of the U.S. system of justice, failure of common decency and so many tenets of the catholic faith. And, his being there is such an afront to the victim survivors, whose suffering and torture seems to be endless.
I still wish someone from SNAP or any believer in the bible, there, would quote:
Matthew 18:6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it were better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck, and to be drown in the depths of the sea.”
That, is exactly what I believe should be done, with convicted pedophiles. And, I think that people like Roger Mahoney who aid and abet pedophiles, should be afraid that such will be their fate, as well.