Media Statements

Bishop Thomas Curry stepping down is a small, belated step in the right direction, though it's obviously only being done because the horrific extent of his complicity is about to become publicly known. He should have been fired long ago.

We applaud Pennsylvania’s attorney general for deciding to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the handling of the Jerry Sandusky case. We are relieved that Sandusky will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars, but those who enabled and protected him must be held responsible if children are to be safe and future cover ups are to be prevented.

We think this idea deserves serious consideration. There’s no magic age at which a sex offender is suddenly no longer dangerous. Older sex offenders may look harmless but actually be more dangerous than ever.

A Catholic cleric who is accused of molesting dozens of boys and who killed himself on Saturday worked for at least four years in the Twin Cities and may have molested a Minnesota child, a newspaper has reported. 

The newly-established guilt of two Philly Catholic employees should be a clarion call for Philly's Catholic hierarchy. After hearing and seeing voluminous evidence, an impartial jury has found that Fr. Charles Engelhardt and Bernard Shero are child molesters. What now?

We are glad to learn that Fr. Charles Engelhardt, and ex-teacher Bernard Shero were found guilty of child sexual abuse. Children are safer and justice is served with these men behind bars. 

We are hopeful that the new Bishop, Dr William Crean, will hold true to his pledge to keep children safe and continue the work of healing those who were violated. 

Dear Archbishop Vigneron:

We are members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Our mission is to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounded.

A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is blasting Youngstown Bishop George Murry over what they call his "continued secrecy and deception" in the case of a credibly accused Catholic cleric.

A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is blasting Altoona-Johnstown Bishop Mark Leonard Bartchak over what they call his "continued secrecy and deception" in the case of a credibly accused Catholic cleric.