Media Statements

Though we know very little about Bishop Monforton, we are encouraged by this selection. We worry when chancery officials – bishops, auxiliary bishops, vicars general, and chancellors – are promoted, because many of them are involved or were involved in covering up child sex crimes. The chances are lower that priests or monsignors (who spent most of their careers outside the chancery) are guilty of this complicity and secrecy. So we’re hopeful when those who are not chancery employees are elevated.

The Pope talks of “binding up the wounds of abuse.” Yet he promotes bishops who ignore, conceal and enable abuse. Today’s CDF appointment is more of the same.

Based on this disclosure, we believe prosecutors must file more charges against these three conspirators, especially Spanier. And we believe that every single building, program, statute or honor to Joe Paterno should be removed and rescinded.

A KC judge is letting a wrongful death lawsuit, stemming from childhood sex abuse by a priest, go ahead toward trial because the victim’s parents charge they were deceived by church staffers who “fraudulently concealed the clerics’ crimes.”

We are glad that Bishop Finn has lost his bid for more secrecy. We are glad that he must turn over relevant documents to prosecutors. This information can only help shed light on how Catholic officials handle abuse reports and predator priests in secrecy.

We're grateful almost any time lawmakers take steps to better protect kids. But this law won't make much difference.

June 27, 2012

Dear Archbishop Chaput;

We are leaders 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 urging Philadelphia’s Catholic archbishop to start defrocking a high-ranking church official who was convicted last week of endangering children by refusing to report known and suspected child sex crimes.

We believe Msgr. Lynn being behind bars is just, and helps end current cover ups and deter future ones, both inside and outside the church. 

Fr. Thomas Euteneuer is a manipulative, sick charlatan. He has sexually violated other devout, vulnerable Catholic women. Like Fr. Daniel McGuire and Fr. John Corapi, Fr. Euteneuer travels widely and trades on his charm and charisma to exploit unsuspecting parishioners who are often in awe of his high profile and impressive connections.