For immediate release: Saturday, April 3, 2010

Victims respond to 3rd priest left in ministry by then Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope)

Statement by Barbara Blaine ([email protected] 312 399 4747)
SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
President

For at least the third time in two weeks, newly disclosed church records show that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope, had a chance to oust a serial predator priest but didn't or delayed.

Newspapers in Boston and Tucson reveal that notorious child-molesting clerics weren't defrocked for years, even though Arizona Catholic officials sought Ratzinger's help in doing so.

How can bishops across the globe claim Pope Benedict was 'helpful' dealing with child sex crimes when actual church documents show him being helpful only to the criminals?

No reasonable, compassionate monarch, with nearly limitless power, would let years go by before acting to remove dangerous serial child molesters from their posts.

The pattern here is sadly familiar but still troubling - when a pedophile priest remains a priest for years, even when bishops beg to defrock them - the blame lies everywhere except with Ratzinger.

With the two serial Arizona predator priests, it's not Ratzinger's fault, says the Tucson bishop (who blames church 'canon law' instead).

With the Munich predator priest (who was later convicted of abuse yet was allowed to work until just last month), it's not Ratzinger's fault, say German church officials (who blame an underling instead).

With the Wisconsin predator priest (who admitted molesting 34 deaf children), it's not Ratzinger's fault, says the Milwaukee archbishop (who instead blames his predecessor).

This is downright unhealthy, this desperate, sudden, absurd 're-writing' of history, designed solely to defend the indefensible and back the boss at all costs.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/04/benedict_called.html

SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s largest and oldest support group for victims of clergy sexual abuse. Founded in 1988, SNAP has over 9,000 members.

Contact:
David Clohessy, 314 566 9790, [email protected]
Barbara Dorris, 314 503 0003, [email protected]