SNAP Press Releases
Giving Voice to Victims

For immediate release
Friday, March 11, 2004

For more information
Barbara Blaine 312 399 4747
David Clohessy 314 566 9790

Sex Abuse Group Wants Abusers Names, Not Bureaucratic Process

SNAP Urges Cardinal George To Live Up To Promise & Release Names

Leaders of a nationwide support group for clergy abuse victims are criticizing Cardinal Francis George for reneging on an earlier promise to publicize names of known and suspected abusive priests.

"Instead of abusers' names, we're given a bureaucratic process," said Barbara Blaine, president and founder of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "The Cardinal is again disappointing his flock."

"Why can't he just do what Catholics want, what victims need, what he promised, and what other bishops have done?" said Blaine.

"This isn't rocket science. It's simple: just do what you promised and tell us who's dangerous. Tell us who we should be protecting children and vulnerable adults from, " Blaine said.

"For a mom deciding who should babysit her child tomorrow or an employer deciding who to hire next week, this won't help," Blaine said.

"Instead of giving information, the Cardinal is soliciting information, and he's again setting up obstacle after obstacle instead of just coming clean," Blaine said.

Bishops in Tucson, Baltimore and Los Angeles have recently made public names of known or suspected abusive clergy. Geroge promised in September to do likewise, and missed a self-imposed deadline of January to set up such a system.

"Victims suffering in silence and shame want to know if others were abused by their perpetrator. Under this system, they can't do so without disclosing their identity to church officials," Blaine said.

http://www.archdiocese-chgo.org/keeping_children_safe/access_to_information.shtm