Statement Regarding Mississippi High Court Ruling

February 24, 2005

Statement by David Clohessy of St. Louis (314) 566-9790 cell
National Director of SNAP

We are very grateful that Mississippi’s highest court is giving sex crime victims the same chance other crime victims have, the chance to use the time-tested, open, impartial American justice system.

When the victims of horrific sex crimes are given their ‘day in court,’ predators can be exposed, unsuspecting parents can be warned, vulnerable children can be protected, and wounded victims can be healed.

It is a tragedy that Catholic bishops even try to use legal technicalities like this to try and evade their moral responsibilities. We hope that Jackson’s bishop and his colleagues will see this wise decision as a wake up call, and stop playing legal hardball with victim’s lives, with children’s safety, and with hundreds of thousands of dollars from generous parishioners.

For more information:
David Clohessy of St. Louis, SNAP National Director (314) 566-9790 cell
Barbara Blaine of Chicago, SNAP Founder and President (312) 399 4747 cell
Mark Serrano of Leasburg VA, SNAP Board Member (703) 727 4940 cell
Mary Grant of Long Beach CA, SNAP Board Member (626) 419 2930
Peter Isely of Milwaukee, SNAP Board Member (414) 429 7259 cell, (414) 963 8617