PA -Victims to leaflet Philadelphia cathedral

Victims to hand fliers out to church-goers

It urges those who “saw, suspected or suffered” crimes to speak up

They beg prosecutor to appeal

To Archbishop Chaput “stop stonewalling prosecutors”

WHAT

As parishioners leave mass, clergy sex abuse victims and supporters will hand out fliers urging them to

--ask their loved ones if they were hurt by Philadelphia Catholic clerics, and

--contact prosecutors urging them to appeal Lynn’s conviction being overturned.

They will also

--urge Philly Catholic officials to keep Msgr. Lynn from public ministry and any position of power

--beg every person who saw, suspected and suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups in the Philadelphia Archdiocese (especially current and ex-Catholic employees) to come forward, call police, protect others and start healing 

WHEN

Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 11:45 a.m.

WHERE

Outside the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul, 18^th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, in Philly

WHO

Three –four members of a support group for victims of clergy abuse called SNAP (the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)

WHY

On Thursday the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Monsignor William Lynn’s conviction for child endangerment. This ruling gives corrupt Catholic officials encouragement to continue deceiving police, stonewalling prosecutors, ignoring victims, destroying evidence, fabricating alibis, hiding crimes, and protecting pedophiles.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PRIEST_ABUSE_APPEAL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT  

The group believes that literally thousands of U.S. Catholic officials have done precisely what Msgr. Lynn did and were never even charged or exposed, much less convicted.  They believe that hundreds or thousands of chancery officials across the globe are doing – right now - exactly what Msgr. Lynn did for years.

They are asking people to contact Prosecutor Seth Williams and beg him to appeal this ruling. They believe this will help protect children now and in the future by sending a strong message that those who are complicit in these horrific crimes against children will be criminally charged and convicted.

“If kids are to be safer, we need to hold employers more responsible, not less responsible, for putting innocent children in harm’s way“ said David Clohessy, SNAP Executive Director.

CONTACT

Judy Miller, SNAP leader, (302-397-1622, [email protected]), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, [email protected]) Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, [email protected])