Media Statements

• Group appeals to Buffalo rabbis
• It doesn't want whistleblower ousted
• A vote is scheduled to be held this Friday 
• Local rabbi organization may impeach its president
• He spoke up about a credibly accused abusive colleague

We are grateful that more victims of Fr. Maurice McNeely are stepping forward. When victims stay silent, nothing changes. But when victims find the courage to take action, there's at least a chance for prevention, healing and justice. 

We’re cautiously encouraged that Scout officials now finally say they’ll give information about abusive Scout leaders to law enforcement. But we’ll believe it when we see it happening and it must start happening immediately.

A lawyer for a suspended Kansas City priest facing six child sex abuse lawsuits is asking a judge to sanction a support group for refusing to turn over records about two notorious child molesting clerics.

It is distressing that the man who has been heading the scandal-plagued Archdiocese of Philadelphia for over a year now still seems unwilling to recognize the depth of the clergy sex abuse epidemic. By blaming reports of abuse on “media bias,” Archbishop Chaput only makes himself appear silly, especially given that his archdiocese has suspended numerous priests this year and was the home of the first ever Catholic official, Msgr. William Lynn, convicted of a felony for covering up sex abuse.

It is ironic that, mere days after a report is released that lauds the new policies the BSA has adopted to prevent abuse, another Scout leader is arrested on child porn charges. The fact that cases like these continue to pop up is why we constantly push for action from the outside as opposed to policy reform from within.

We're here today for 3 reasons. First, we want to urge everyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups in the Fall River area to come forward and to call police, expose wrongdoing, protect others and start healing. When victims, witnesses and whistleblowers stay silent, predators walk free and kids get hurt. But when we find the courage and strength to step forward, at least there’s a chance for healing, justice and prevention.

We are grateful that the predator in this case will not get off with a light sentence such as probation. Children are always safer when predators are behind bars. We thank the police and prosecutors for pursuing this case and helping keep kids safe in Columbus.

We are disturbed that Rabbi Shalman has been able to escape his sordid past and once again be in active ministry. At the same time, we are proud of the response from community members, most notably Rabbi Keith Karnofsky, who have openly spoken out against Shalman returning to the pulpit and done his part to warn church goers of Shalman’s crimes.

It is disturbing how easily predators are able to find potential victims by using the internet. For that reason, we are grateful to Columbus police for apprehending Fr. Patrick Hughes before he had the chance to potentially victimize more children.